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Wu Jinyan's name is making waves again in the Chinese entertainment scene, but not just because of a new role. The actress, who rose to fame with the 2018 mega-hit Story of Yanxi Palace, was all set for a glamorous comeback after taking time off for marriage and motherhood. But before cameras even start rolling on her new drama Royal Rumors (御廷謠), it’s already surrounded by – you guessed it – drama.
After a seven-month hiatus for childbirth and recovery, Wu Jinyan was reportedly eager to jump back into filming. Producer Yu Zheng had confidently announced that she'd begin work on Royal Rumors by the end of this month. Sounds like a smooth ride, right? Not quite.
The male lead casting has turned into a bit of a battlefield. Three names floated around – Xin Yunlai (The Glory), Chen Xinhai (her co-star in The Double), and Chen Zheyuan, who charmed viewers in Hidden Love and Our Secret. But out of the bunch, it was Chen Zheyuan who seemed closest to sealing the deal... until things took a turn.
“Big Female Lead” vs. “Top Billing”: Clash Behind the Scenes
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According to reports, negotiations with Chen Zheyuan fell through when he allegedly insisted on first male lead billing. Problem is, Royal Rumors was built from the ground up as a “big female lead” drama – it’s Wu Jinyan’s show, full stop.
Yu Zheng wasn’t exactly subtle in his response. He reportedly threw shade by calling Chen Zheyuan a “third-tier actor” and made it clear the production team had other options. In fact, Yu bluntly stated they have seven projects waiting in the wings – so losing one actor isn’t the end of the world for them.
With talks breaking down and the male lead role still up in the air, Royal Rumors risks being shelved – or at the very least, significantly delayed.
Sweet Moments Off Screen: Wu Jinyan’s Real-Life Romance Goes Viral
While the casting chaos plays out, Wu Jinyan has been winning hearts off-screen thanks to her unexpectedly soft and sweet moments with husband Hong Yao. Though she’s kept mostly quiet in public, her recent video call with Hong during a break on the variety show Infinite Transcendence Class (無限超越班) went viral.
“I feel so empty when I can’t see your face,” Wu Jinyan said during the call, in a tender moment that melted netizens. The clip showed a different side of the actress – far from the stern empresses she’s known for portraying, she came across as a lovestruck wife just missing her partner. Cue a flood of “didn’t expect to see a rom-com moment on a reality show” comments across Weibo.
Some fans were shocked to see just how affectionate and clingy Wu could be, with many joking that she had “girl-next-door energy” when with her husband.
Even Hong Yao joined in the fun, telling viewers that they often watch shows together and teasing that if Wu joined the variety show, “everyone else would lose instantly.”
Marriage Rumours & Staying Cool
Of course, it wouldn’t be the entertainment industry without a whisper of scandal. Recently, rumours surfaced suggesting trouble in paradise after Hong Yao was spotted out with another actress. But Wu Jinyan didn’t flinch. No statement, no dramatic posts – just silence, calm and grace. Whether it’s confidence or strategy, fans were impressed by her poise.
A Comeback Worth Watching
With The Double bringing her back into the spotlight in 2024 and her personal life attracting newfound attention, Wu Jinyan’s comeback is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched in recent years.
Despite the behind-the-scenes mess with Chen Zheyuan, Yu Zheng remains adamant they won’t force a collaboration that doesn’t feel right. “We’re not short of actors,” he said, making it clear that the production house is playing the long game.
As for Wu Jinyan, she’s reportedly got seven drama scripts lined up. Whether or not Royal Rumors survives this rocky start, it's clear she’s not short on offers – or momentum.
So, will this comeback end in triumph or just more trouble? We’ll be watching – and so will half of China.