 |
| Li Hongyi and Kong Xueer’s New Historical Drama Responds to Styling Design Allegations. (Image via: Weibo) |
Princess Zhao Yang Gongzhu has landed in the spotlight for reasons far beyond its cast and storyline, after allegations surfaced accusing the drama’s production team of copying costume and make-up designs from a former collaborator. The controversy erupted just as filming kicked off, quickly drawing widespread attention across Chinese entertainment circles.
The upcoming historical romance drama stars Li Hongyi and Kong Xueer, and is currently in production. Trouble began when Musang Film & TV Styling Studio, a design team previously involved in the project, publicly claimed that their original costume and visual concepts were used without permission after the partnership ended.
According to the studio, they had participated in the early creative phase, submitting detailed costume structures, make-up styles, and overall visual concepts for the main characters.
However, the collaboration was reportedly terminated due to tax-related issues and budget disagreements. The studio stated that the production team had provided written confirmation that their designs would no longer be used.
Despite that assurance, the studio alleges that on-set photos circulating from the drama’s opening ceremony show costumes and styling that remain strikingly similar to their original submissions.
 |
They shared side-by-side comparison images highlighting similarities in silhouette, detailing, colour coordination, and make-up aesthetics, arguing that the differences were only minor surface-level changes.
The production team behind Princess Zhao Yang Gongzhu moved quickly to address the claims, releasing an official statement on February 28.
In their response, they firmly denied any plagiarism, stating that the core creative direction was independently developed in-house.
They added that the final costume and styling designs were executed by a completely different third-party team.
While the production acknowledged that a service contract with Musang Film & TV Styling Studio did exist, they confirmed that the cooperation has officially ended.
The team emphasised that the final designs used in the drama are fundamentally different from the earlier proposals and were created in full compliance with legal and industry standards.
.webp "Zhao Yang Gongzhu Production Breaks Silence on Alleged Costume Plagiarism Controversy") |
They also stated they are prepared to take legal action should the matter escalate further.
Produced by Shanghai Kuan Entertainment Digital Technology Co., Ltd., the drama is directed by Deng Zhanneng and written by Chu Chu.
It is adapted from the novel Pingyang Gongzhu and follows the story of Shen Xiao, a scholar from a modest background striving to uncover the truth behind his father’s death.
His path unexpectedly intertwines with Princess Zhaoyang, Li Shu, leading to a relationship that evolves from tension and rivalry into trust, partnership, and affection amid political struggles and social divides.
Online reactions have been sharply divided. Some netizens believe the visual similarities are too obvious to ignore, arguing that the overall costume structure and styling direction feel “familiar” rather than coincidental. Others, however, are urging restraint, pointing out that historical dramas often share common aesthetic references and that similarities alone do not automatically prove plagiarism.
There are also fans expressing concern that the controversy could overshadow the drama’s release, while supporters of Li Hongyi and Kong Xueer have been calling for the focus to return to the performances rather than behind-the-scenes disputes. A portion of viewers has taken a wait-and-see approach, hoping for clearer evidence or further clarification before taking sides.
The drama was officially registered in June 2025 and began filming on February 5, 2026. As discussions continue to heat up, Princess Zhao Yang Gongzhu remains one of the most talked-about upcoming historical romances, not just for its cast and storyline, but for the debate now surrounding its creative process.
What do you think after reading both sides of the story? Do the similarities cross the line, or is this a case of shared visual language in period dramas?