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How Liu Yuning Snatched the “Prisoner of Beauty” Lead from Zhang Wanyi

Liu Yuning and Zhang Wanyi
He Wasn’t the First Choice, But He Was the Right One: Liu Yuning Wins Big in “The Prisoner of Beauty”

When The Prisoner of Beauty first dropped, no one was ready for how hard it would slap. The historical-romance drama shot straight to the top of viewership charts across Tencent, iQIYI, and Youku, with fans absolutely glued to the screen. But while the story’s packed with swoon-worthy palace romance and political twists, the real drama actually started long before the cameras even rolled.

Turns out, Liu Yuning — the guy now being dubbed “Drama King of the Year” — wasn’t even supposed to be the lead.

Yep, you heard that right.

Originally, the role of Wei Shao, the cold but devastatingly charming God of War, was written with Zhang Wanyi in mind. You know, the dude who blew up after starring alongside Yang Zi in Lost You Forever? Yeah, him. Production loved him. Thought he fit the bill. But then… the money people started asking questions. Mainly: is he tall enough? Is he popular enough to carry a massive palace drama like this?

That’s when Liu Yuning slid into the picture — tall, rising in popularity, and fresh off the grind.

The man’s been climbing from day one. Starting out as a singer, then working his way through small roles and costume drama cameos in shows like The Long Ballad and Hot Blooded Youth, he spent years getting dismissed as “not good-looking enough” for leading roles in historical dramas. Wild, right?

But once he landed Wei Shao, the whole game changed.

Liu Yuning’s Rise From Rejected to Respected in C-Drama’s Hottest Hit
Liu Yuning’s character, Wei Shao, became the fastest to break the 100 million popularity index on Tencent Video in 2025.

Liu Yuning didn’t just fit the look — he straight-up owned the role. His version of Wei Shao was sharp, intense, and just soft enough to break your heart. The way he balanced stone-cold general vibes with those quiet emotional moments? That’s charisma you can’t fake. Viewers were eating it up.

And let’s not forget the magic sauce: his chemistry with co-star Song Zuer.

Playing the role of Xiao Qiao, she and Liu Yuning absolutely lit up the screen. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic? Electric. That “married first, fall in love later” storyline? Peak C-drama deliciousness. The internet’s already dubbing them the most explosive CP (couple pairing) of the year — and they earned it.

What makes it even better? This ain’t their first rodeo.

The duo actually worked together before on a Chinese variety show called Start Reasoning. That behind-the-scenes bond totally paid off — filming was smooth, playful, and full of moments that showed their genuine connection. One hilarious blooper even went viral when Liu Yuning accidentally slipped into livestream host mode and told the crew, “You’re all my family,” making Song Zuer crack up and start fake-clapping like she just got gifted a yacht in a livestream room.

Talk about wholesome chaos.

Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Liu Yuning had haters in his corner, especially those who used to call him the “Ancient Drama Ugly.” But now? That nickname’s officially retired. With three platforms crowning him Drama King and millions tuning in to catch his performance, he’s proven that strong acting and screen presence beat out looks any day.

And let’s not sleep on Song Zuer’s comeback.

Two years ago, she took a hit from a tax scandal and stepped out of the spotlight. But now she’s back — glowing, graceful, and showing the industry exactly why she was always one to watch. Her performance in The Prisoner of Beauty is powerful, heartfelt, and seriously elegant. Word on the street is production houses are already lining up to offer her new roles.

Together, Liu Yuning and Song Zuer turned The Prisoner of Beauty into a full-blown sensation. Not just a commercial success, but a career-defining moment for both leads. The combo of royal court tension, emotional rollercoasters, and jaw-dropping visuals sealed the deal.

And as for Zhang Wanyi?

Well, the internet hasn’t forgotten he was almost cast. Curious fans have started speculating how different things might’ve been if he’d played Wei Shao instead. But let’s be real: this role was Liu Yuning’s moment, and he crushed it.

At the end of the day, The Prisoner of Beauty is proof that in showbiz, it’s not about who got picked first — it’s about who’s ready to take the shot when it finally comes.

And Liu Yuning? He didn’t just take the shot. He ran with it and scored a whole kingdom.

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