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| Song Zuer’s Comeback Hits Round Two – But Fans Aren’t Sure About Her Next On-Screen Beau |
After absolutely smashing it in The Prisoner of Beauty, Song Zuer’s career is back on the up — but her next rumoured role has left fans feeling a bit… undecided. While most are buzzing to see her keep the momentum going, eyebrows are being raised over her alleged co-star. Is this a match made for screen magic — or a bit of a casting misfire?
Let’s rewind for a sec. Song Zuer, born in 1998 and once dubbed one of China’s top rising flowers, properly blew viewers away as Xiao Qiao in The Prisoner of Beauty. She held her own opposite Liu Yuning, with their electric (and adorably tall) pairing being one of the drama’s main draws. Her acting was praised, the plot delivered, and the show exploded on Tencent — over 30,000 index points and counting. April alone saw her gain nearly half a million new fans across Weibo and Douyin. We’re talking full-on career resurrection.
And it wasn’t just the numbers. After that unfortunate tax scandal back in 2023 — where her studio’s old accountant pointed fingers and threw her under the bus with claims of tax evasion to the tune of NT$190 million — things looked rough. The fallout landed her on the industry’s so-called “bad artist” list, and she had to step away from the limelight for months.
But plot twist: authorities later cleared her name, no charges, no penalties. Her studio put out a strong statement confirming it all — and 2024-25 has turned into her comeback arc. First with The Demon Hunter’s Romance, then the surprise hit of The Prisoner of Beauty.
So what’s next?
According to the rumour mill (and it’s spinning fast), Song Zuer may be lining up to star in a new Tencent costume drama called Biao Mei Wan Fu (official title: 表妹万福). Word is she’ll be paired with rising actor Chen Xinhai, who’s had a few breakout roles in The Double and Love of the Divine Tree. Sound good? Not everyone’s convinced.
See, Chen Xinhai is 182 cm tall, fresh-faced, and still very much in his boyish era. While that’s not necessarily a dealbreaker, netizens reckon he may not bring the same oomph or “mature lead” vibe that Liu Yuning brought to the table. He's also three years younger than Song Zuer — not a big age gap, but in drama-land, it’s enough to trigger chemistry concerns.
One user wrote:
💬 “Zuer needs a solid, masculine CP energy — not sure Chen can deliver that.”
Another chimed in:
💬 “He’s sweet, but can he carry a main lead against someone like her? Hmm…”
And yet, there’s reason to stay hopeful. The drama is adapted from a novel by Peng Lai Ke — the same author who wrote the original story behind The Prisoner of Beauty. The production team is no small fry either, with credits on massive hits like The Glory of Tang Dynasty and Princess Agents.
The plot follows Zhen Jiafu, a clever merchant’s daughter who travels to Nanjing to arrange a marriage, only to end up in a whirlwind with the honourable and mysterious General Pei Youan. Think political tension, simmering romance, and lots of poetic glances over lantern-lit courtyards. If the vibes are right, it could very well become another hit.
At the moment, casting hasn’t been confirmed, and neither Song Zuer nor Chen Xinhai’s teams have made anything official. But the buzz is already doing the rounds online — and it’s safe to say that Song Zuer’s name is staying hot.
One thing’s for certain: after surviving a career rollercoaster, she’s not slowing down anytime soon. The only question is — can lightning strike twice?
Whether it’s Liu Yuning-level fireworks or a different kind of charm, fans are watching closely. For now, it’s a waiting game.