I get why people are uncomfortable — the age gap is huge, and the female lead is a minor, which makes it worse. But speaking up about it doesn’t mean we’re targeting Hou Ming Hao.
I’m a fan of his and always will be. He’s a very talented actor and has worked hard for everything he’s achieved. This isn’t his fault — he accepted a role like any actor would.
The blame is on the production team, screenwriters, director, her agency, investors, and most of all, her parents. They allowed a 16-year-old to act in a marriage plot with a 27-year-old man and pushed this story forward without considering how disturbing that is.
This show isn’t just fiction — it reflects what the industry chooses to normalize. Casting a minor like this is irresponsible and tone-deaf. We can support Hou Ming Hao while still calling out the adults who created this situation.
I can't understand some people, I think some of you confused the relationship between the actors in the series…
The FL is literally 16 and he’s 27 — that’s not a small gap, especially when she’s still legally a minor. No one is blaming Hou Ming Hao — most people know he’s just doing his job — but that doesn’t make the situation any less uncomfortable.
This drama is literally centered around arranged marriages, and they cast a real-life teenager to play a married woman in a romantic storyline with a grown man. Like, how do you expect people not to feel uneasy? It’s not just a “TV show” — these portrayals have real-world implications, especially when it comes to how society views minors and consent. Just because it was “common in ancient times” doesn’t mean it should be replicated uncritically now.
The issue here is not just the age difference in fiction — it’s the actual real-life casting choice. A 16-year-old should not be put in this situation, period. This is on the producers, screenwriters, the director, the platform, and honestly, her parents too. Everyone who let this happen should be held accountable. It’s incredibly reckless and gross from a production standpoint.
And I say this as someone who really loves Hou Ming Hao — he’s a genuinely talented actor and has been working so hard. I truly hope this doesn’t negatively impact his career because he doesn’t deserve to take the fall for the decisions made by the adults in charge. He deserves better, and so does the audience.
Y’ALL not gonna lie 😭 I’ve seen quite a few scenes with He Yan and Song Tao Tao and lowkey started shipping them?? The chemistry is chemistry-ing lmao. Xiao Jue better keep one eye open 👀
Dai Luwa is SO underrated!! her acting skills are actually so good but sadly she doesn't have a lot of main lead…
She actually had her breakout with Moonlight Mystique, she’s a really hot topic now! It’s just that her company is so useless—they never put any effort into promoting her 😭 She’s been heavily rumored for this super interesting novel adaptation 燃羽 and I really hope she’s the FL 🙏
If Wawa doesn’t get this role after all the bs hate campaign those miserable people are running on Weibo… I’m actually gonna lose it. Let her win for once 😤
Thanks for flagging this, good reminders! Trying to remind myself not to compare to the novel too much, I know…
I totally get you bestie 😭🤍 It’s so hard not to compare when you love the source material, but you’re right — the drama’s its own thing, and we can always come back to the novel later for that comfort reread . I really hope it lives up to the expectations too 🤞✨
The drama drops tomorrow, so let’s set the tone early. If you’re not a fan of the leads, that’s completely fine — no one’s forcing you to be. But if you’re just here to nitpick and hate on everything they do, especially the female lead, maybe consider sitting this one out.
Let the story develop before you start dragging characters based on one episode or a 5-second clip. Constant criticism before giving things a chance helps no one — and when people call it out, don’t hide behind “it’s just my opinion.” Yes, opinions are allowed, but so is accountability when your “opinion” is just bias disguised as critique.
For the novel readers — remember, adaptations will always bring changes. This is a new take, not a frame-by-frame copy, so try to enjoy it for what it is instead of constantly comparing it to the book or another drama.
And please spare us the “I think another actor/actress would’ve been better” takes. That ship has sailed — we’re here now. Zhou Ye is my wife, and I’m not letting anyone disrespect her. Can’t wait to see my wife back on my screen 😭🫶🏽🫶🏽😍
Thanks for surviving my little rant — now let’s get ready for the drama!🫶🏽
it was masterpiece too but my dearest raised my standard so high that I can never love any sagueks the way I love…
It’s sooo crazy how both dramas feel a little similar but are actually so different. The Red Sleeve is based on a true story and shows how love can sometimes take your freedom away — it reflects so painfully on how Sung Deok‑im finally gave in to the very thing she had been running away from, and the moment she did, her nightmare became real. Meanwhile, My Dearest is the healthiest love story ever a powerful reminder that love can be the greatest source of strength and hope. I adore both with all my heart Always.
Omg my baby is finally free 🥹 I wish her nothing but flowers on her path from now on 🌸💐 she gave them eight solid years and carried herself with so much grace—even when she was being held back. I really hope she finds an agent who values her worth and fights for her the way she deserves. It’s time for Esther to soar higher than ever 🕊✨ rooting for nothing but wins from here on out!
Esther out here doing charity work carrying the drama, staying professional, promoting it alone while he, who’s been rude to staff more than once, just coasts on his connections. And yet his fans have the audacity to harass her nonstop like she’s the problem? She deserves so much better.
I personally don’t like him cuz there are so many videos of him being rude to staff. Plus his fans are weird as hell — always harassing his female leads. They did the same thing to Esther too. Like… they should be grateful he even gets the chance to work with her, but instead they’re constantly attacking his FLs on Weibo for no reason.
This drama airing right after Coroner's Diary, we can't help but compare the two. Just not hooked in yet, don't…
Y’all are so weird for always comparing every show nonstop. Every drama has its own vibe and pace—just because it’s not Coroner’s Diary doesn’t mean it’s bad. Maybe give it some time instead of judging before it even gets going.
I’m a fan of his and always will be. He’s a very talented actor and has worked hard for everything he’s achieved. This isn’t his fault — he accepted a role like any actor would.
The blame is on the production team, screenwriters, director, her agency, investors, and most of all, her parents. They allowed a 16-year-old to act in a marriage plot with a 27-year-old man and pushed this story forward without considering how disturbing that is.
This show isn’t just fiction — it reflects what the industry chooses to normalize. Casting a minor like this is irresponsible and tone-deaf. We can support Hou Ming Hao while still calling out the adults who created this situation.
This drama is literally centered around arranged marriages, and they cast a real-life teenager to play a married woman in a romantic storyline with a grown man. Like, how do you expect people not to feel uneasy? It’s not just a “TV show” — these portrayals have real-world implications, especially when it comes to how society views minors and consent. Just because it was “common in ancient times” doesn’t mean it should be replicated uncritically now.
The issue here is not just the age difference in fiction — it’s the actual real-life casting choice. A 16-year-old should not be put in this situation, period. This is on the producers, screenwriters, the director, the platform, and honestly, her parents too. Everyone who let this happen should be held accountable. It’s incredibly reckless and gross from a production standpoint.
And I say this as someone who really loves Hou Ming Hao — he’s a genuinely talented actor and has been working so hard. I truly hope this doesn’t negatively impact his career because he doesn’t deserve to take the fall for the decisions made by the adults in charge. He deserves better, and so does the audience.
Let the story develop before you start dragging characters based on one episode or a 5-second clip. Constant criticism before giving things a chance helps no one — and when people call it out, don’t hide behind “it’s just my opinion.” Yes, opinions are allowed, but so is accountability when your “opinion” is just bias disguised as critique.
For the novel readers — remember, adaptations will always bring changes. This is a new take, not a frame-by-frame copy, so try to enjoy it for what it is instead of constantly comparing it to the book or another drama.
And please spare us the “I think another actor/actress would’ve been better” takes. That ship has sailed — we’re here now.
Zhou Ye is my wife, and I’m not letting anyone disrespect her.
Can’t wait to see my wife back on my screen 😭🫶🏽🫶🏽😍
Thanks for surviving my little rant — now let’s get ready for the drama!🫶🏽