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| Wu Jinyan Turns 35 – But Is That Now “Too Old” for Period Romances? |
Rumours are flying in the Chinese entertainment scene, and this time it’s all about age – specifically, whether actors over 35 are being quietly edged out of leading roles in historical romance dramas (古偶剧).
According to WorldJournal, gossip making rounds on industry forums and social media, streaming giants like Tencent Video and iQiyi are reportedly shifting gears, allegedly steering away from casting actors aged 35 and above in main roles for costume romance productions. While there’s been no official word yet, the speculation has already ignited a heated debate online.
“The Princess’s Gambit” Sparks the Fire
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The drama that kicked off the chatter is The Princess’s Gambit (桃花映江山), a period romance led by Liu Xueyi (35) and Meng Ziyi (29). Despite its high-profile launch, the series underperformed both in viewership and word of mouth, with some reports suggesting producers blamed the age of the cast for its lacklustre reception.
This theory immediately raised eyebrows, especially because Liu Xueyi is considered one of the more youthful-looking actors in his age bracket. But it wasn’t long before netizens turned their attention to other stars who might be affected by this so-called “age ceiling” – including Story of Yanxi Palace breakout Wu Jinyan.
Wu Jinyan in the Spotlight
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Wu Jinyan, who’s turning 35 this August, has just been gearing up for her postpartum comeback project Royal Court Ballad (御廷谣). The drama was initially hyped up due to her rumoured pairing with Chen Zheyuan (of Hidden Love fame), but the production was stalled for a while over ranking and credit placement disputes.
Now back on track for a mid-July shoot, Wu Jinyan’s drama comeback suddenly finds itself in murky waters again – not because of script issues, but because of this alleged unspoken rule. Many fans fear she might be overlooked in the future despite her acting chops and long-standing reputation in costume dramas.
Age vs. Acting: Fans Sound Off
Online reactions are properly split.
Some viewers say it’s time for younger talent to shine, especially when age gaps between leads and their characters become “too obvious” to ignore. “You can’t have someone playing an 18-year-old schoolgirl or prince when they’re pushing 40,” one comment read. “Even if they act well, it pulls people out of the story.”
Others argue that the real issue lies elsewhere. “It’s the plot that’s stale, not the cast,” one netizen pointed out, referencing how The Princess’s Gambit was criticised for clichéd writing and pacing. By contrast, A Dream Within a Dream (书卷一梦) – which starred 35-year-old Liu Yuning – aired during the same period and performed much better, with fans praising its tight script and engaging characters.
And let’s not forget Tan Songyun, also 35, who continues to slay in young roles with minimal backlash thanks to her babyface and solid acting. “If they look the part and can act, why limit them?” another fan added.
Double Standards? Married Actresses Feel the Pinch
The discussion has also exposed deeper frustrations about gender and age in the Chinese entertainment industry. While older male actors often continue to headline dramas well into their 40s, women – especially those who are married or have given birth – reportedly face more pressure to “age out” of the genre.
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Some commenters speculated that Wu Jinyan might soon be nudged toward more “age-appropriate” roles in urban or family dramas. Others, however, pushed back hard, calling the speculation “ageist” and highlighting the industry's unfair treatment of actresses compared to their male counterparts.
No Official Word, But the Pressure Is Real
For now, it’s all still just rumour. World Journal clarified that no official policy has been announced by any of the platforms in question. But the fact that this rumour gained so much traction shows how tough and image-driven the Chinese entertainment industry has become – where a few years’ difference on your ID card could potentially close (or open) doors.
Actors like Wu Jinyan, Liu Xueyi, and Tan Songyun now find themselves at the centre of a bigger conversation: should age dictate who gets to play a romantic lead? Or should talent, range, and charisma still take the front seat?
Whatever the answer, one thing’s clear – this age debate isn’t fading anytime soon.