Li Sheng’s Passion vs Chen Derong’s Pride – A Tale of Two

‘Ride the Wind 2025’ has reignited the spotlight on classic actresses, but not all comebacks shine equally. Li Sheng and Chen Derong, both once ‘Qiong Girls’, have faced wildly different reactions since their return. 

While Li Sheng soared to unexpected popularity, Chen Derong found herself at the centre of controversy. So, where did it all go wrong for her?

Few predicted Li Sheng’s explosive comeback. 

Despite her past work being overshadowed by Zhao Wei’s legendary ‘Princess Pearl’ role, she won over young fans. What changed? Simply put—effort and attitude.

Her journey in ‘Ride the Wind 2025’ wasn’t smooth. Initially sidelined in screentime, she was often spotted training alone. 

Even when exhausted, she pushed on, refusing to slack off. 

This sheer determination made fans rally behind her, demanding more visibility.

Success wasn’t luck. 

Li Sheng wasn’t just riding on nostalgia; she proved herself with relentless hard work. 

If her skills were lacking, she made up for it by outworking everyone. The result? 

Fans saw her as an underdog worth cheering for.

In contrast, Chen Derong’s return became a lesson in how not to stage a comeback. 

At first, nostalgia was on her side—her ethereal beauty in youth left an impression. But talent alone doesn’t sustain popularity.

Her downfall started with an argument with Wang Rong during rehearsals. Lacking a solid dance background, Chen struggled to keep up. 

When Wang Rong suggested a more efficient practice method, Chen took offence. 

Her defensive attitude and dismissive response instantly soured her image.

Rather than embracing the challenge, Chen resisted, reacting with arrogance rather than humility. The audience saw this unfold and quickly turned on her. 

A star’s charm isn’t just in talent but also in how they handle setbacks—and Chen Derong failed spectacularly.

Chen Derong's struggle continued. 

Instead of making up for her lack of skills through extra training, she underperformed during the group’s first evaluation. 

Forgetting lyrics, missing cues, and visibly holding back—her lack of dedication was impossible to ignore.

Adding fuel to the fire, her group member Wang Rong was eliminated while Chen Derong stayed. 

Viewers were furious, questioning why someone seen as unmotivated was given another chance. 

When she later posted a long-winded apology, it backfired. Rather than taking responsibility, she blamed her limitations, missing the point entirely.

Both women started in the same industry, under the same legendary producer. Yet, their contrasting attitudes dictated their destinies.

Li Sheng embraced growth. 

She showed that being overlooked wasn’t an excuse to give up. Her resilience made her audience believe in her.

Chen Derong, on the other hand, let her past fame cloud her present. She expected admiration without earning it. 

In a competitive show, nostalgia alone wasn’t enough to save her.

Ultimately, the audience doesn’t care about past glories. They support those who fight for the spotlight, not those who assume they deserve it.

If Chen truly wants another shot at fame, she needs to start from scratch—with humility, dedication, and a willingness to change. Until then, her comeback will remain a cautionary tale of wasted potential.

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