On My Way Chinese Drama — Zhang Jingyi’s Costume Sparks Backlash as Team Issues Apology

Costume Backlash Hits On My Way as Styling Team Apologises to Zhang Jingyi and Fans (Photo: Weibo)

The styling team behind upcoming Chinese urban drama On My Way (致我那菜市场的白月光) has issued a public apology following growing backlash over lead actress Zhang Jingyi’s on-screen appearance, after what began as costume criticism escalated into a wider conversation about “realism” in C-dramas.

On 15 December, THE MIRROR HOUSE, the styling team for the drama, released an official statement apologising to Zhang Jingyi, the production team, and viewers who felt uncomfortable or upset by recent remarks and visual choices linked to the show. 

The apology followed an online dispute in which a comment posted by the team’s account administrator drew heavy criticism.

The now-viral remark — “We’re just doing the best we can. If fans think it looks bad, it’s because our abilities are limited” — was widely seen as dismissive of audience feedback. 

Rather than calming the discussion, the comment poured fuel on an already heated debate and triggered swift backlash across social media platforms.

Behind-the-scenes photos spark controversy

The dispute originally surfaced after behind-the-scenes images from On My Way began circulating online. 

In the photos, Zhang Jingyi is shown wearing muted makeup, heavy eyebrows, faded market-style clothing, and deliberately messy hair. 

While the look was reportedly meant to reflect an ordinary working woman’s life, many netizens felt the styling was exaggerated and leaned more towards caricature than authenticity.

As anticipation for the drama had been relatively high, the visual approach quickly became a flashpoint. Viewers questioned whether the production had unintentionally equated modest living with being untidy or poorly presented — a comparison many felt missed the mark. 

Fans stressed that being simple does not mean lacking care or self-respect, and that realism should never come at the expense of a character’s dignity.

“Limited ability” explanation draws more criticism

Further frustration arose when the styling team cited “limited ability” as the reason behind the controversial choices. Critics argued that this explanation avoided real accountability and raised questions about internal communication. 

Many wondered why the character’s visual concept had not been more clearly aligned from the start — between the director, stylists, actors, and even readers of the original novel.

Readers familiar with the source material also joined the discussion, pointing out that the female lead is described as plain but clean, resilient, and full of life — not exaggerated or visually uncomfortable.

Amid the backlash, speculation emerged that Zhang Jingyi’s styling may be part of a longer character journey, with a noticeable transformation later in the story. 

While this theory has circulated among fans, it has not eased concerns.

Some viewers feel that asking audiences to sit through an off-putting visual introduction is a risky creative decision, especially in today’s highly visual drama market.

Zhang Jingyi herself has remained silent on the issue so far. Still, the contrast between her usual fresh, bright image and her appearance in On My Way has left parts of her fanbase unsettled, with some openly calling for adjustments that better respect the original character portrayal.

The incident has once again reignited a long-standing conversation within the Chinese drama industry — the frequent use of “realism” as a shield for visual choices that viewers feel border on stereotypes. 

For many audiences, genuine realism should be conveyed through storytelling, emotional depth, and lived experiences, rather than relying on outward appearances alone.

While the styling team’s apology marks a step towards addressing the situation, discussions around On My Way remain active. 

Many viewers believe the production’s next response — whether through revised styling or clearer communication — will ultimately determine if the controversy can truly fade.

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