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| Tian Xiwei and Hu Yitian Tipped to Star in Genius Girlfriend |
The gossip first kicked off when sharp-eyed netizens clocked a mysterious “four-character” project floating around Weibo, and soon enough insiders were whispering that the phrase “天才女友” was indeed the real deal. Cue the internet exploding with the phrase “网传四字为真” (“the four-character rumour online is true”).
If the whispers are true, Genius Girlfriend won’t just mark a new role — it’d be Hu Yitian’s proper return to acting after a seriously long break.
We're talking nearly two years since he last filmed a drama, and fans are beyond ready for his reappearance. Let’s be real — the boy-next-door charm, the scholarly vibes, the emotional restraint? This role sounds tailor-made for him.
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What’s the Story?
Adapted from a popular online novel, the plot follows the journey of a brainy girl and her quiet, studious childhood friend (yes, it’s a classic “竹马” — aka green tea’s favourite trope). We’re talking full-on slow-burn: from high school crushes to university dramas, all the way to walking down the aisle. It’s that nostalgic “grow up together, stay together” energy that C-romance lovers never get tired of.
While Hu Yitian is tipped to play the male lead, Tian Xiwei (田曦薇) is also rumoured to be on board as the female lead. She’s got a solid track record with bubbly roles in youth dramas, and fans reckon her lively, sunshine-style acting could balance out Hu Yitian’s calm and collected aura quite nicely. Netizens are already calling them a “visually pleasing” pair with solid potential for serious emotional chemistry.
Still Just Talk... For Now
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| Hu YiTian Support Station |
Of course, the usual disclaimer applies: nothing's been officially confirmed. Neither iQIYI (the expected platform), nor Hu Yitian’s studio has put out any kind of statement, and the production itself is still keeping things zipped up. That said, insiders are reportedly 90% confident the casting’s locked — it’s just a matter of time before the paperwork’s done and the big announcement drops.
Even so, fans are staying (semi-)grounded. One popular saying doing the rounds is “吃瓜不信瓜” — enjoy the gossip, but don’t take it as gospel just yet. Still, if it turns out to be true, this could easily be one of Hu Yitian’s most anticipated roles to date.
Progressive Plot Points?
Adding to the intrigue is the original novel’s character depth, especially a subplot involving a female side character and her same-sex love story. It’s not yet clear whether the TV adaptation will keep that storyline intact or tweak it to better fit broadcast standards, but viewers are keeping fingers crossed for authenticity.
Before Hu Yitian’s name came up, earlier casting rumours suggested rising actor Zhang Kangle might've been a contender. But recent online buzz strongly backs Hu as the final choice, especially given his “school crush” image that fits the childhood friend role like a glove.
For Now, It’s a Waiting Game
Until we get the official nod from the drama team, this remains one of those deliciously suspenseful maybe-yes-maybe-no situations. But one thing’s for sure: if Genius Girlfriend does land with this cast, it’s got all the makings of a hit — a swoony romance, campus vibes, character growth, and a lead duo fans already love to pieces.