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| Script Slammed, Star Walks: Bai Lu Ditches Zhan Zhao Role, Zhang Ruonan Steps In |
2025’s been nothing short of magic for Bai Lu. After smashing it in Moonlight Mystique and Northward, she’s gone from fan-favourite to full-on queen of historical C-dramas. But just when you’d think she’d be locking in every A-list role thrown her way, Bai Lu hits everyone with a curveball that’s got fans and netizens absolutely gobsmacked.
She’s said “thanks, but no thanks” to Zhan Zhao Adventure – a high-profile wuxia-fantasy drama now starring Zhang Ruonan and Yang Yang – and it turns out the reason wasn’t your usual “schedule conflict” fluff. Nope. The tea came straight from the source himself: her producer-manager and headline magnet, Yu Zheng.
“The script’s not good, and the timing wasn’t right for Bai Lu,” he said, deadpan, during a surprise livestream.
And with that one-liner, the drama exploded – before filming even properly kicked off.
The Drama That Derailed Before It Began
Originally pegged as one of the must-watch period series of the year, Zhan Zhao Adventure was expected to be Bai Lu’s next big hit. Pairing her with Yang Yang? Instant buzz. But with her sudden exit, the spotlight’s shifted – not to the series itself, but to the chaos around it.
Yu Zheng’s casual dig at the script had ripple effects. Zhang Ruonan may have stepped in to take the lead, but the shade wasn’t lost on her fans, nor on stans of other actresses who were rumoured for the part, like Song Zuer or Yu Shuxin. Many saw it as a backhanded diss – and the fandom wars flared up just as fast.
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From Princess Roles to Real-World Characters – Bai Lu’s Changing Gears
To be fair, Bai Lu’s not been shy about wanting to mix things up. After years of playing noble ladies and tragic beauties, she’s made it clear in interviews: she’s itching to sink her teeth into more grounded, realistic roles.
“I want to explore characters that feel more down-to-earth,” she said previously, adding she’s ready to step outside her historical drama comfort zone.
It’s not like she’s lacking options either. Industry insiders spilled that she was considered for roles in The Bond (which went to Song Zuer) and modern romance A Journey to Glow (now starring Yu Shuxin). But these days, Bai Lu’s playing the long game – no more grabbing just any lead role for the hype.
Contract Countdown: Is Bai Lu Plotting Her Exit from Yu Zheng’s Huanyu?
Beyond just role drama, fans are also sweating about Bai Lu’s contract situation. Her current deal with Yu Zheng’s agency, Huanyu Entertainment, reportedly dates back to 2016 – and the expiry clock is ticking.
During his same spicy livestream, Yu Zheng pushed Feud – a brand-new period drama many believe was created as a “farewell gift” (or a trap, depending on who you ask) to keep Bai Lu onboard for another term.
Some netizens aren’t buying it. “He did the same sweet trap thing with Wu Jinyan, now it’s Bai Lu’s turn?” wrote one Weibo user, clearly unimpressed with what they see as another round of subtle pressure tactics.
Fans Torn: Respecting Bai Lu’s Vision vs. Mourning Lost Roles
The internet’s properly split. One side is cheering her on for taking control of her narrative and saying no to roles that don’t align with her growth. The other side? Gutted. They’d been dreaming of seeing her and Yang Yang share the screen – and now that dream’s gone up in smoke.
Meanwhile, fans of Zhang Ruonan aren’t exactly thrilled about the “sloppy seconds” narrative Yu Zheng’s comment sparked. They’re calling foul on what feels like a put-down to the replacement cast, all to protect Bai Lu’s image.
What’s Next for Bai Lu?
Whether she signs again with Huanyu or goes fully independent, one thing’s for sure – Bai Lu’s future looks anything but boring. She’s got the fanbase, the track record, and now the guts to walk away from roles she doesn’t believe in.
If that’s not main character energy, we don’t know what is.
As one Weibo fan wrote:
“She turned down one drama, but opened the door to a thousand better ones. That’s how you know she’s not just a period drama darling – she’s a real star.”
We'll see.