I really appreciate GJM for this:- (Its deepseek) Tian Jia Rui:- You are right that a typical S-tier drama would not cast a 3M follower actor as the lead. However, three specific factors override the normal rules here:
The "Guo Jingming Factor" (The Director): This drama is directed by Guo Jingming. He is infamous for casting actors based on visual aesthetics and loyalty rather than follower count. Tian Jia Rui broke out in Guo Jingming's previous hit, My Journey to You (2023). Guo Jingming "discovers" actors and promotes them heavily in his next projects .
The "Dragon Deity" Arc: Tian Jia Rui is not just playing a sidekick. His character, Ji Ling, has a specific arc where he transforms into the "Dragon Deity" (Long Shen) . This suggests his role has significant special effects, lore importance, and screen time comparable to the leads.
The "Five-Lead" Structure: To mitigate the risk of having a lower-tier actor, the drama structured itself as an ensemble piece. He is one of five main actors, meaning Ju Jingyi and Joseph Zeng carry the marketing weight, while Tian Jia Rui benefits from the exposure.
JJY played this drama after Blossom, like it took some time to release. I have tried her, Mr.Swimmer, but couldn't get past a few eps. I've tried Moonlight too, but couldn't get past 1st few eps. I've tried Blossom too, couldn't get past 1st few eps. I watched past more than half of Beauty of Resilience, but ya, I dropped it cuz of my busy schedule- It was better than others. I tried that one with Song Wei Long, too, but couldn't get past 1st ep. Also, that one called Chinese Paladin 4 ig, couldn't get past 1st ep. I really loved her as a singer and visual, but I never watched her drama cuz the plots weren't compelling, and her skills kept me from being hooked. Still, when this was released, I wasn't hesitant for a sec(cuz some would be too traumatized to check her new drama cuz of her other dramas. Rather, I had been waiting for more than a year for VOS to be released along with Eternal Fragrance. It's because I really love her beauty. She is my forever favourite person(Chinese celebrity).
This time I was so shocked cuz of her acting. I was so shocked that I started questioning my eyes, like was I disliking her good acting on all of those dramas that I started but left in the first few episodes... I mean, she improved her acting skills just so drastically. And now I love her so much as an actress as well.
Chen Du Ling acting in this drama is the best performance I have seen this year, incredible acting, she delivered…
I have never watched any of her drama as ML before this but I saw her playing the role of ML's mother in MJTY. I found her so pretty. And yes I am so happy to find her here.
I saw this on twitter Also people who saw the script is saying the last ten episodes really a mess and annoyingSighhhttps://x.com/i/status/2042174483193286773
Im so sad that the views plummeted by so much like they dont deserve this. The drama, the plot, the characters andthe actors all deserve so much moreeeeeeee
The biggest question is why was our dear Long Shen so set on not being Jin Ling like what in angsty world is his…
if our Long Shen is not Ji Ling but a vessel of Chi Wen then Ill cry my hearts out for a whole day as if I am depressed from obsession. Obsession is a strong word.
Tian Jia Rui:-
You are right that a typical S-tier drama would not cast a 3M follower actor as the lead. However, three specific factors override the normal rules here:
The "Guo Jingming Factor" (The Director): This drama is directed by Guo Jingming. He is infamous for casting actors based on visual aesthetics and loyalty rather than follower count. Tian Jia Rui broke out in Guo Jingming's previous hit, My Journey to You (2023). Guo Jingming "discovers" actors and promotes them heavily in his next projects .
The "Dragon Deity" Arc: Tian Jia Rui is not just playing a sidekick. His character, Ji Ling, has a specific arc where he transforms into the "Dragon Deity" (Long Shen) . This suggests his role has significant special effects, lore importance, and screen time comparable to the leads.
The "Five-Lead" Structure: To mitigate the risk of having a lower-tier actor, the drama structured itself as an ensemble piece. He is one of five main actors, meaning Ju Jingyi and Joseph Zeng carry the marketing weight, while Tian Jia Rui benefits from the exposure.
This time I was so shocked cuz of her acting. I was so shocked that I started questioning my
eyes, like was I disliking her good acting on all of those dramas that I started but left in the first few episodes... I mean, she improved her acting skills just so drastically. And now I love her so much as an actress as well.