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| Zhou Keyu’s Post-Sniper Butterfly Rise Sparks Rumours of Cyberpunk Drama With Dilraba Dilmurat (Photo: Weibo) |
Daniel Zhou (Zhou Keyu) is firmly in his momentum era. Fresh off the buzz surrounding Sniper Butterfly, the young actor is now being widely tipped to star opposite Dilraba Dilmurat in a new large-scale Chinese drama adaptation, a move many see as a major step up in his career trajectory.
Since Sniper Butterfly aired, Zhou Keyu’s visibility has climbed fast. His on-screen pairing with Michelle Chen Yanxi drew steady discussion, especially given their noticeable age difference.
Yet what stood out most was how natural their dynamic felt. Viewers praised Zhou Keyu for delivering emotional beats with restraint and sincerity, helping the relationship land convincingly rather than feeling forced or awkward.
That positive reception quickly translated into real-world results. Industry chatter suggests his social media following jumped by over 300,000 in roughly a month, while his appearance fees reportedly rose sharply. For many observers, this kind of growth places Zhou Ke Yu among the fastest-rising young actors of the moment.
With momentum on his side, attention has now shifted to what could be his next major project.
Rumours point to a collaboration with Dilraba Dilmurat in After Entering a Cyber Game, Killing the Boss and Successfully Rising to the Top, an S+ level production adapted from a popular web novel.
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If confirmed, it would mark Daniel Zhou’s most high-profile pairing to date.
The drama tells the story of Kui Xin, played by Dilraba, a gamer who becomes trapped in what appears to be a cyberpunk game world, only to discover it is a real parallel universe.
Living under multiple identities, she operates as both a federal fugitive and a covert operative infiltrating the investigation system from within. Using the codename “The Reaper”, she hunts specific targets to obtain new abilities while uncovering the truth behind the merging of worlds.
Zhou Keyu is rumoured to take on the role of Adam, a key artificial intelligence figure who partners with Kui Xin as events spiral into a much larger conspiracy.
The pairing of a human strategist and an AI ally adds an intriguing layer to the story, especially within a setting shaped by advanced technology, enhanced humans, powerful conglomerates, and artificial intelligence.
One of the project’s biggest talking points is its cyberpunk theme. High-tech futures marked by social imbalance and moral grey zones are still relatively rare in Chinese television, making this drama feel especially fresh.
Combined with its scale and source material popularity, expectations are already running high.
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From an industry standpoint, the timing works in Zhou Keyu’s favour.
As established male stars increasingly push for solo-centred projects, production teams are actively seeking younger actors who can fit flexible roles without overpowering a female-led narrative.
Zhou’s recent performance record and rising recognition place him squarely in that sweet spot.
Interestingly, Zhou Keyu and Dilireba are not complete newcomers to each other. They previously appeared together on a variety show, where their interactions left a positive impression on viewers. That existing familiarity has only added fuel to the anticipation surrounding this potential collaboration.
Meanwhile, Dilraba’s own project lineup continues to reflect her careful balance between mainstream appeal and experimentation.
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Recent roles have shown her leaning into stronger, more layered characters, and many fans believe the cyberpunk setting would suit her modern visual style particularly well.
If she officially takes on this role, it’s widely seen as another strong resource choice in her career planning.
Adding to the speculation, eagle-eyed fans noticed that during the airing of Sniper Butterfly, the official account for the cyberpunk adaptation showed visible support for Zhou Keyu’s drama.
While subtle, details like this have only strengthened belief that the collaboration is more than just talk.
If After Entering a Cyber Game, Killing the Boss and Successfully Rising to the Top moves forward as expected, it is likely to be a clear female-led drama with a sharp, confident tone and bold visual direction.
For Zhou Keyu, this could be the project that pushes him from rising name to firmly established lead. For Dilraba Dilmurat, it may be another step in shaping a more diverse and modern screen image.