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| No Platform, No Producer: Love Has Fireworks Abandoned After Scandal |
The much-talked-about Chinese romance drama Love Has Fireworks, starring Tan Jianci and Wang Churan, has officially been shelved before it even got the chance to hit the small screen.
What should’ve been another star-studded release has instead turned into a storm of controversy, finger-pointing, and vanishing producers.
What Happened to Love Has Fireworks?
Initially lined up for streaming, the series looked like a safe one: a charismatic lead duo (Tan Jianci fresh off his rising reputation, and Wang Churan whose popularity has been steady), strong buzz, and a romantic storyline primed for mass appeal.
But behind the scenes, things crumbled fast.
The second male lead, Zhang Haowei, suddenly found himself at the centre of a scandal involving exposed recordings and messy personal disputes.
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At the same time, reports claim that the producer behind the project “ran away” when the problems snowballed, leaving no clear figure willing to take responsibility.
With reputations on the line and no one steering the ship, the streaming platform pulled the plug entirely.
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Zhang Haowei’s Statement
Zhang Haowei, who gained wider recognition through Joy of Life, recently took to SNS to defend himself.
He posted a police report, a certificate showing no criminal record, and even screenshots of an apology from the person he accused of spreading false claims.
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According to Zhang Haowei, the so-called scandal was the result of a bitter fallout with a childhood friend over financial disputes.
He claims that the former friend retaliated by fabricating damaging rumours and exposing them online.
“August was the darkest period of my life,” Zhang Haowei admitted, saying he was not only extorted and betrayed, but also overwhelmed by online attacks.
He apologised to the public, acknowledging that the incident exposed shortcomings on his part too. After finishing his remaining commitments, he plans to suspend all new acting work to focus on lawsuits and personal reflection.
Back in June, Joy of Life 3 also faced backlash over cast changes, while Zhang Haowei was allegedly involved in a tax scandal
ICYMI: Joy of Life 3 & Zhang Haowei Scandal.
The Fallout
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With Zhang Haowei stepping back, the production essentially collapsed. The sudden disappearance of the producer only made matters worse, leaving the project in limbo.
Insiders suggest that no streaming platform wants to touch a drama with unresolved scandal baggage, and so Love Has Fireworks has been quietly dropped from schedules.
If this scandal isn’t resolved, or if it becomes impossible to clear his name, the production team might consider using AI face-swap technology to replace Zhang Haowei with another actor, similar to what was done in the drama Legend of the Female General.
For fans of Tan Jianci and Wang Churan, it’s a frustrating outcome — two leads with chemistry, denied their chance to shine. But in the cut-throat world of C-drama releases, scandals can be enough to derail even the most polished productions.
Zhang Haowei insists he’ll take the matter through the courts and provide updates when possible, but whether that clears his name in the long run remains to be seen. As for Love Has Fireworks, the story is over before it ever began — a cautionary tale about how off-screen drama can completely extinguish on-screen fireworks.