Chen Duling Responds to “Qiao Chu” Backlash and Rumours of Biased Treatment

Billing Issue? Chen Duling Responds to “Qiao Chu” Backlash with Classy Statement

Chinese actress Chen Duling has stepped up to squash the swirling rumours about so-called unfair treatment on the set of the upcoming drama Qiao Chu (乔初). On 30 June, Chen took to her own social media to set the record straight, clarifying why she signed on for the role of Chu Chao and firmly denying gossip about any mistreatment during filming.

In a heartfelt post, Chen Duling explained, “I chose Qiao Chu after reading both the script and the original novel. Having been in this industry for ten years, I believe I’ve got the ability and the judgment to pick my own roles. Chu Chao is a woman who brings light and strength to people, and I absolutely love this character. I want to deliver Chu Chao to the audience with all my heart.”

Chen Duling also shut down speculation of unfair treatment on set, describing the production team as familiar faces who respected her and created a genuinely warm and professional environment.

Top Billing Controversy in Chinese Drama Explained

Meanwhile, Chen Duling’s studio released an official statement aimed at fans, reminding them to stay calm and not get misled by unofficial chatter. “All concerns raised by fans will always be handled after confirming the facts, and we’ll respond as quickly as possible,” the statement read. “For accurate updates, please stick to official liaison accounts.”

The statement continued, “We also hope everyone will share suggestions through proper channels and keep a peaceful mindset. Solving problems is a shared goal. Please don’t spread false info or fuel unnecessary anxiety.”

Chen Duling’s team went on to stress that protecting her legitimate rights is their top priority, promising ongoing support for Chen Duling to continue bringing meaningful characters to the screen. They wrapped up with warm thanks for the loyal support fans have shown over the years.

This reassurance comes after weeks of controversy buzzing around Qiao Chu, even before the cameras properly rolled. At the centre of the fuss? The billing order. Adapted from the well-known novel Chu Hou, the drama casts Chen Duling as the female lead Chu Chao, with Zhou Yiran as her love interest Xie Yanlai.

Since the show is positioned as a big historical female-lead project, plenty of Chen Duling’s fans expected her to get top billing. But when the production decided to list the actors purely in alphabetical order by surname, some of Chen Duling’s fans were fuming, feeling the studio hadn’t fought hard enough to protect her status in a series that revolves around her character.

Cue social media meltdown: hashtags like #粉丝脱粉 (“fans leaving”) started trending as some supporters declared they’d stop backing Chen Duling altogether. Rumours even emerged claiming the script might be rejigged to give Zhou Yiran more screen time — not unheard of in Chinese drama circles, especially when a male co-star happens to be more popular.

Zhou Yiran’s fans, meanwhile, had their own worries. A section of them feared their idol would end up as a glorified side character in a female-driven story, sparking in-fighting within his fanbase over whether to support or boycott the drama.

Things got so heated that both actors’ studios had to drop a joint statement, urging everyone to take a breath, treat both stars with respect, and put the focus back on the actual drama rather than fan squabbles. Chen Duling and Zhou Yiran themselves also chimed in with personal messages calling for kindness, mental well-being, and a bit of perspective.

All in all, the saga has turned a spotlight on the ever-intense world of Chinese fan culture, the clout of billing positions, and the enormous pressure both actors and production teams are facing these days.

One thing’s for sure — Qiao Chu hasn’t even aired yet, but it’s already making waves in more ways than one. Stay tuned!