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| Hu Ge Snatches Role of a Lifetime in 'Feng He Jin Qi Zhang Juzheng' – And He's Going All In |
After the sweeping success of Blossoms Shanghai, Hu Ge is back—and this time, he’s trading the neon glamour of 90s Shanghai for the politically charged corridors of the Ming Dynasty.
In a twist that’s sending ripples through drama fandoms, Hu Ge has officially landed the lead role in the upcoming historical epic Feng He Jin Qi Zhang Juzheng. What makes this casting even juicier? He reportedly edged out top names like Cheng Yi and Chen Kun—both previously rumoured frontrunners for the part.
Talk about a power move.
The series, helmed by powerhouse studio New Classics Media (The Tale of Rose) and directed by Wang Jun, is shaping up to be anything but ordinary. With a script penned by the celebrated writer behind The Advisors Alliance, and none other than Chen Daoming stepping in as both co-star and executive producer, the buzz is real.
A Historical Titan Reborn
Zhang Juzheng, the character at the heart of this drama, wasn’t just a reformer—he was the reformer of the Ming Dynasty. Architect of the Wanli Reforms, his story is a heady mix of politics, power plays, and bureaucratic overhauls. It’s a role that demands gravitas, subtlety, and fierce intelligence—qualities Hu Ge has consistently brought to the table in past hits like Nirvana in Fire.
Industry insiders say Hu Ge isn’t taking this lightly. He’s reportedly been “off the grid” for the past three months, immersing himself in Ming Dynasty history and Zhang’s legacy. It’s the same intense prep style that helped him turn Mei Changsu into one of the most iconic characters in C-drama history.
If you thought his performance in Nirvana in Fire was masterclass-level, brace yourself.
Not Just Another Period Drama
While historical dramas are dime a dozen in China’s entertainment landscape, Feng He Jin Qi Zhang Juzheng is already being treated like an event. With Chen Daoming on board—yes, the same Chen Daoming who made Joy of Life’s Qing Emperor both terrifying and compelling—there’s serious anticipation around the chemistry he’ll share with Hu Ge.
And let’s not forget, Daoming isn’t just lending his face to the show—he’s also guiding the entire production behind the scenes.
All signs point to this being a genre-defining piece.
From Second Lead to the Spotlight Again
This casting win comes not long after fans expressed disappointment over Hu Ge’s limited role in Sheng Ming Shui Xian (Born to Be Alive or Life Tree), where he appeared in a physically transformative but supporting role opposite Yang Zi. As a forest ranger captain with stark white hair and deeply tanned skin, Hu Ge stole scenes—but wasn’t the central figure.
Now? He’s leading from the front again.
And fans couldn’t be happier.
With a projected 2026 premiere on both Tencent and CCTV, expectations are sky-high. This isn’t just another costume drama—it’s potentially Hu Ge’s next defining work. If all goes well, Zhang Juzheng could join the ranks of Nirvana in Fire and Joy of Life as all-time historical greats.
But with that potential comes pressure. Period drama fans—especially the historically savvy ones—don’t mess around when it comes to accuracy or emotional depth.
Will Hu Ge rise to the occasion again? Can the show live up to the legends that came before it?
Time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—China’s acting maestro is back in the game, and this time, he’s rewriting history.