People are hating on Dudu because they think sheās not a good match for Yiran, comparing it to that other drama…
There are people hating on Yiran too. This fan war has been going on since before the drama even started filming, and honestly itās exhausting. I just want the drama to finish airing so everyone can move on.
Iām not sure if Iād call myself a āmom fanā lol, but I am a ZYR fan. Iāve been following this drama since the filming rumors first started on Weibo and RedNote, so I was around for all the backlash over equal billing, billing order, and the alleged script changes.
Iām also reading the novel, but itās so long that Iām only on Volume 2. Since the production was very secretive with trailers and leaks, I honestly didnāt know what to expect from the adaptation.
Iām not very well-versed in Chinese costume dramas, but Iām enjoying the reborn revenge plot, the bickering between Deng Yi and XYF, and the chemistry between the leads. I also wouldnāt say the FL has been dumbed downāitās okay for her plans to fail sometimes because it forces her to adapt.
As for XYL, I do think the character could use more depth, but that comes down to how his backstory is being handled. I also donāt think the cast should be blamed for the plot changes. Even with a different actor, if the production wanted an equal-billing dual-lead adaptation, many of these changes would likely have happened anyway. Condensing a 392-chapter novel into 24 episodes was always going to result in cuts, changes, and some plot holes. Decisions about the script ultimately come from the production team and screenwriters, not the actors.
we need more backstory for XYL to give his character real depth, rather than relying on a handful of brief flashbacks.…
Yeah, I was reading the novel before the drama started airing, but Iām only on Volume 2. Itās such a long novel that I didnāt finish it before the drama came out. I knew from the start that it was adapted from a female-centric novel. I was also on Weibo when the filming rumors first started. After the rumors came out, there was massive backlash and a lot of controversy surrounding the billing and alleged script changes. Thatās why Iāve always felt that, while XYL could definitely use more backstory, it might not be realistic to expect it. Honestly, heās already getting more screen time in the drama than I thought he would.
I'm watching Ashes to Crown, and I wish there were more to Xie Yanlai's story than what we've seen up to Episode 12. I've followed Zhou Yiran since 2023 after watching When I Fly Towards You. Since then, he's consistently picked roles with depth, characters that not only showcase his talent but also give him the opportunity to explore different kinds of roles and grow as an actor.
Aside from Destiny of Life and Mo Dou drama, he's also rumored to be starring with Yan Ni in a realistic family drama, though nothing has been confirmed yet and we're still waiting for an official announcement. I do get the sense that he gravitates more toward realistic dramas and character-driven stories.
Given the response he's received for Mu Qingyan in Generation to Generation and now Xie Yanlai in Ashes to Crown, I hope he continues to take on idol dramas from time to time. These roles have introduced him to a much wider audience and shown that he can leave a strong impression even in genres that are often dismissed as less serious. I just think more people should get the chance to see his acting.
I am at Ep11. I understood the very beginning of drama and FL changed the course of future, but I don't quite…
She is serving as the little emperorās regent until he is old and capable enough to rule on his own. Her goal is to keep the realm stable and strong enough to withstand ambitious men like Xiao Xun, while also pursuing her revenge against him. She appointed both Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang because their ambition and desire for power keep each other in check. Sheās not trying to make the ML emperor. At most, he could take over General Chuās army, since General Chu is no longer able to lead it.
Yanlai should tell Zhao about the pills instead he says he gave the pills to her father, yes, he did but he didnāt…
I think Xie Yanlai is just completely shattered in that moment. He feels responsible for General Chuās condition, discovers that the one person he trusted in the Xie family betrayed him, and has to watch Chu Zhao suffer because of it. With all of that hitting him at once, itās not surprising that he doesnāt explain himself. If anything, he seems ready to accept whatever Chu Zhao decides to do to him even if it means being killed by her.
I understand that Chu Zhao is the main character, but it feels like everything revolves around her. I would have…
we need more backstory for XYL to give his character real depth, rather than relying on a handful of brief flashbacks. that said, considering the billing issues, the script changes before filming started, and the backlash the drama is getting in China now, Iām not sure weāll get much more than what weāre seeing. At times, it feels like his character exists mainly to serve Chu Zhaoās narrative, which is a shame because thereās clearly a lot more potential to explore.
Yep, they ruined the whole drama. It DOES NOT follow the novel at all. They changed it and made CZ look like crap.…
āHe waltzed in with a whole team and changed the scriptā but no matter who ended up playing XYL, the adaptation choices were ultimately made by the production and screenwriters.
The screenwriter changed the story to give the male lead extra screen time, making it almost equal to the female…
i think itās worth noting that these changes were made by the screenwriter and approved by the production team. I completely understand why fans of the original story and of female lead might feel upset, but it isnāt really the fault of the cast. Itās a pity that their hard work gets overshadowed by the criticism these changes bring. i still find the plot quite engaging, and i think the main leads have great chemistry. and regardless of which actor is picked as the main lead, the core plot itself remains the same.
https://video.weibo.com/show?fid=1034:5184022192783462
https://video.weibo.com/show?fid=1034:5184367991914565
https://video.weibo.com/show?fid=1034:5307817763209237
Iām also reading the novel, but itās so long that Iām only on Volume 2. Since the production was very secretive with trailers and leaks, I honestly didnāt know what to expect from the adaptation.
Iām not very well-versed in Chinese costume dramas, but Iām enjoying the reborn revenge plot, the bickering between Deng Yi and XYF, and the chemistry between the leads. I also wouldnāt say the FL has been dumbed downāitās okay for her plans to fail sometimes because it forces her to adapt.
As for XYL, I do think the character could use more depth, but that comes down to how his backstory is being handled. I also donāt think the cast should be blamed for the plot changes. Even with a different actor, if the production wanted an equal-billing dual-lead adaptation, many of these changes would likely have happened anyway. Condensing a 392-chapter novel into 24 episodes was always going to result in cuts, changes, and some plot holes. Decisions about the script ultimately come from the production team and screenwriters, not the actors.
Aside from Destiny of Life and Mo Dou drama, he's also rumored to be starring with Yan Ni in a realistic family drama, though nothing has been confirmed yet and we're still waiting for an official announcement. I do get the sense that he gravitates more toward realistic dramas and character-driven stories.
Given the response he's received for Mu Qingyan in Generation to Generation and now Xie Yanlai in Ashes to Crown, I hope he continues to take on idol dramas from time to time. These roles have introduced him to a much wider audience and shown that he can leave a strong impression even in genres that are often dismissed as less serious. I just think more people should get the chance to see his acting.
but no matter who ended up playing XYL, the adaptation choices were ultimately made by the production and screenwriters.
https://youtu.be/9s2Js539YWE?si=TEdT_ujOu0qCUxLK