Wang Churan’s Second Lead Role in Overdo Sparks Debate

Netizens Question Wang Churan’s Second Lead Status in New Drama ‘Overdo’ (Weibo/iQIYI)

Filming has just kicked off for the upcoming Republican-era drama Overdo on 25 June, starring Zhang Linghe and Wang Churan—but the project’s already a social media wildfire, and not for the reasons you’d expect. 

Instead of plot twists or stunning visuals, the biggest talking point? Wang Churan being listed as the second female lead.

Yep. The hashtag #王楚然这一秒过火二番 (“Wang Churan Overdo Second Billing”) shot straight up the Weibo trending list the moment the official poster dropped.

Fans weren’t exactly subtle about their feelings. “She’s already led hit dramas like Are You the One and Hidden Shadow—how’s she playing second fiddle now?” questioned one netizen. 

“They’re both popular. Why not just call it dual leads like most dramas do nowadays?” chimed in another.

Wang Churan’s no rookie in the drama scene, and that’s exactly why the second billing confused a lot of people. In Chinese showbiz, the order of names in the cast list isn’t just fluff—it reflects your status, potential offers, and how audiences perceive you. So when someone like her isn’t top-billed, it’s bound to raise eyebrows.

But it’s not all drama over the drama. Some fans are taking the calmer route, pointing out that billing ≠ quality of role.

Related: Controversy Over Top Billing in Chinese Drama

“She’s got two characters to play in this—Ren Susu, who’s cold but kind, and the mysterious Fang Mulan. That’s already a flex,” one user noted. 

“Honestly, what matters is how she performs. The role looks rich and complex,” another added. 

Plus, there’s a strong argument that Zhang Linghe, who’s been gaining serious traction lately, deserves that lead male spot. Fans also can’t stop raving about their visuals together—“Their chemistry is unreal even in still photos!” said one hot comment.

Overdo is adapted from a novel by Fei Wo Si Cun, so expect a love story that’s anything but simple—think secrets, revenge, and serious heartbreak, all set in Republican-era Shanghai. 

Zhang Linghe takes on the role of a cold, foreign-educated doctor, while Wang Churan rocks a short retro hairstyle that’s already winning fans over.

Despite all the chatter about the cast order, the drama itself is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated C-dramas for the second half of 2025. No official release date yet, but with the buzz already this loud and the production team going full steam ahead, we’re betting it won’t be long before Overdo takes over screens—and maybe even hearts.

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