bananabanana

There are people hating on Yiran too. This fan war has been going on since before the drama even started filming, and honestly it’s exhausting. I just want the drama to finish airing so everyone can move on.

in the bts he said ‘i like to play a miserable role the most’

I’m not sure if I’d call myself a “mom fan” lol, but I am a ZYR fan. I’ve 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.

I’m also reading the novel, but it’s so long that I’m only on Volume 2. Since the production was very secretive with trailers and leaks, I honestly didn’t know what to expect from the adaptation.

I’m not very well-versed in Chinese costume dramas, but I’m enjoying the reborn revenge plot, the bickering between Deng Yi and XYF, and the chemistry between the leads. I also wouldn’t say the FL has been dumbed down—it’s 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 don’t 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.

Yeah, I was reading the novel before the drama started airing, but I’m only on Volume 2. It’s such a long novel that I didn’t 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. That’s why I’ve always felt that, while XYL could definitely use more backstory, it might not be realistic to expect it. Honestly, he’s 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.

She is serving as the little emperor’s 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. She’s not trying to make the ML emperor. At most, he could take over General Chu’s army, since General Chu is no longer able to lead it.

I think Xie Yanlai is just completely shattered in that moment. He feels responsible for General Chu’s 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, it’s not surprising that he doesn’t 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.

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, I’m not sure we’ll get much more than what we’re seeing. At times, it feels like his character exists mainly to serve Chu Zhao’s narrative, which is a shame because there’s clearly a lot more potential to explore.

sadly yes.

star diet! he lost weight for the role.

‘He waltzed in with a whole team and changed the script’
but no matter who ended up playing XYL, the adaptation choices were ultimately made by the production and screenwriters.

his acting is very different in each role too!!

you’re gonna like him so much more after twelve letters!

i think it’s 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 isn’t really the fault of the cast. It’s 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.

i found it funny too. She might be the least experienced warrior in that room, but she still delivered, so I’m glad it worked out.

it’s Liu Yuning!

https://youtu.be/9s2Js539YWE?si=TEdT_ujOu0qCUxLK

he’s brainstorming but unable to trust anyone but himself

in the dramas i’ve seen him, yiran is a good hugger. now about yanfang.. did you notice he calls yanlai a dog wagging his tail? he treats him like his hound. in novel, he makes him do his dirty work.

yes!

there will be kiss scenes, but I’m not sure if they’ll live up to your expectations. they were seen filming a long kissing scene, but we’ll have to wait and see.