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| Yang Xuwen Returns to Spotlight as “Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty 3” Hits Big on iQIYI Amid Past Rumours |
Actor Yang Xuwen is back in the headlines — this time not for gossip, but for his massive streaming success. His latest series, Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty 3: To Chang’an (长安诡事录3：前往长安), has taken iQiyi by storm, racking up over 10,000 popularity index points within just three days of release. It’s now officially the fifth iQiyi drama this year to hit that benchmark.
The actor didn’t hide his excitement, sharing a celebratory post on Weibo:
“Work paused to celebrate Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty 3: To Chang’an surpassing 10,000! It seems to have become popular out of nowhere. Viewers really have sharp eyes — do you think this show is good or not?”
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Best known for his role as Ling Feng, Yang expressed gratitude for fans’ continued love for long-form mystery dramas.
“Mystery and case-solving stories will always find their audience,” he wrote, adding that “good dramas are always rewarded by the market and by viewers.”
Fans Praise His Acting — Calling Him the “Soul” of the Series
The comments section under Yang Xuwen’s post was full of applause. Many praised his performance, with one netizen writing:
“Yang Xuwen’s portrayal of Ling Feng is incredible! He is the character. The show would lose its heart without him. Such a dignified, grounded performance — perfect casting!”
Others highlighted how Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty has maintained its unique flavour through each season — mixing mystery, history, and supernatural elements into a distinctly Tang-era adventure.
Old Rumours Quietly Resurface
Still, the internet being what it is, not every comment was celebratory.
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Some netizens subtly brought up Yang’s old controversies — albeit in cautious tones.
One user hinted, “Wasn’t this person involved in some kind of scandal years ago?” while another commented, “I barely remembered Yang Xuwen until now. He’s trending again, so maybe he’s truly been misunderstood. At least the drama’s good — that says a lot.”
Their remarks seemed to reference the 2017 incident involving actress Ren Jiao, who tragically passed away after falling from a hotel balcony in Suzhou.
Yang Xuwen was reportedly seen with her before the incident, but police ruled her death an accident caused by intoxication.
Although Yang Xuwen wasn’t found guilty of anything, public speculation at the time affected his image for years.
Fast-forward to 2025, and Yang Xuwen’s name cropped up again online amid discussions surrounding the death of actor Yu Menglong.
Some social media posts suggested he had been present at a private gathering Yu Menglong attended before his passing.
However, no official evidence ever confirmed this, and authorities later stated that Yu Menglong’s death was not criminally related.
Online Discussion Remains Cautious
Interestingly, only a small number of Weibo users openly referenced these incidents — and even fewer used names directly.
Many opted for vague hints instead, likely due to the tightened online censorship around topics linked to Yu Menglong’s death and other celebrity-related rumours.
Whether coincidental or not, it’s clear that the online space remains highly sensitive around these subjects.
For the most part, however, public focus has shifted back to Yang’s undeniable acting chops and Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty 3’s strong reception.
A Remarkable Comeback
Despite the murmurs, Yang Xuwen seems to have regained his footing.
With To Chang’an performing well and generating positive reviews, the actor’s career might just be entering a new chapter — one driven by craft rather than controversy.
As one fan aptly summed it up: “No matter what people say, good acting always speaks louder. Ling Feng is back, and so is Yang Xuwen.”
Source: Weibo/Digi China