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| Maelstrom Casting Rumour Blows Up, Then Gets Washed Away |
Chinese drama fans had their imaginations running wild this week after a spicy little rumour started making rounds on Weibo: Dilraba Dilmurat and Deng Wei possibly starring together in a short suspense-romance series titled Maelstrom (《漩涡》).
The supposed 12-episode drama was said to be headed to iQIYI, and if true, it would've marked the duo’s first on-screen collab—a dream pairing, visually and fandom-wise.
No official word from the production side, no synopsis, not even a genre confirmation—but that didn’t stop the hype train.
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“If they really act together, it will be explosive visually!”
“Suspense and romance with this pairing? Definitely a must-watch!”
Fans weren’t holding back, and neither were the reposts. The rumour spiralled fast, thanks to drama insider accounts and industry tipsters who claimed this project was in early prep stages.
But just as quickly as it popped off, the mood turned.
Earlier today, Chinese outlet Sohu reported that Deng Wei’s studio had publicly denied his involvement, saying he’s not attached to Maelstrom in any capacity. Not long after, Dilraba’s team also issued a statement clearing the air—they’re not in it either.
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So, it’s a no-go... at least for now.
Still, the rumour managed to stir up more than just shipping fever. A mini war of words kicked off over casting hierarchy. While many were excited by the prospect, some netizens argued that Deng Wei’s role might end up playing second fiddle to Dilraba—especially given her A-list status.
“With this setup, there’s no way they’d be equal leads,” one commenter wrote.
“Deng Wei’s fans may not accept him being second to anyone,” added another.
Regardless of the stars' denials, the buzz surrounding Maelstrom hasn’t died down completely.
Fans are still curious—about the plot, the tone, and whether the series even exists beyond whispers on Weibo. If the concept is real, there’s definite interest in seeing it brought to life... with or without this particular duo.
Whether it’s just a passing rumour or an early leak that jumped the gun, one thing’s clear: the appetite for well-cast, short-format dramas with a bite of mystery and romance is alive and well. Fingers crossed for a solid lineup—because Maelstrom just might end up being the next mini drama to cause a major splash.