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| Love Has Fireworks Finally Sparks to Life After Three-Year Wait — But Zhang Haowei Has Already Been Face-Swapped Out. (Credits: iQIYI) |
After nearly three years sitting on the shelf, Love Has Fireworks (爱情有烟火) is finally heading to screens. The long-delayed romantic drama starring Wang Churan and Tan Jianci has been confirmed for a June 2026 release, with the exact premiere date still under wraps. Yet the biggest talking point is not the romance, the chemistry, or even the comeback itself. Instead, viewers are focused on one awkward reality: former second male lead Zhang Haowei has been digitally replaced by Li Xinze, even though the actor has since won his reputation rights case and cleared his name.
For many drama fans, the situation feels like one of Chinese entertainment’s strangest plot twists. The series wrapped filming back in July 2023 and was originally expected to arrive much sooner. Instead, it became trapped in release limbo after allegations surrounding Zhang Haowei exploded online in 2024.
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| Zhang Haowei Replaced by Li Xinze |
The controversy quickly affected projects linked to the actor, turning what should have been a straightforward romance drama into a production headache stretching across several years.
At the height of the storm, Zhang Haowei found himself labelled a disgraced celebrity by sections of the online community.
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Rumours accusing him of involvement in various legal and financial issues spread rapidly across social media platforms and entertainment forums.
The fallout was immediate. Brand partnerships disappeared, projects were disrupted, and future opportunities became uncertain almost overnight.
However, the story eventually took a dramatic turn worthy of a television script itself. Following a lengthy legal battle,
Zhang Haowei successfully won a court case in late 2025. Investigations determined that materials used against him had been fabricated.
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Authorities reportedly confirmed that manipulated recordings, altered chat records and other false evidence had been created and circulated as part of a personal dispute involving a former childhood friend surnamed Mao.
According to court findings, the dispute stemmed from financial disagreements between the two men. The court ruled that the false materials had seriously damaged Zhang Haowei’s reputation and ordered compensation alongside a public apology.
For the actor, it marked the end of more than a year of professional uncertainty and public scrutiny. Yet while Zhang Haowei won the legal battle, he appears to have lost the casting battle. By the time his name was cleared, production teams had already made practical decisions.
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| Zhang Haowei Issues Statement After Court Clears His Name. (Weibo) |
In the case of Love Has Fireworks, the role had been digitally altered with Li Xinze replacing him through face-swapping technology.
Once millions of yuan have been spent and post-production work completed, reversing course is rarely simple. Television executives are not exactly known for volunteering extra costs out of kindness.
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That leaves Love Has Fireworks in a rather unusual position. The drama is finally getting its release, the actor's reputation has officially been restored, but viewers will still watch another face occupying the role he originally filmed. It is the entertainment industry equivalent of winning your appeal after someone has already changed all the locks.
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The situation has also reignited discussion around the growing use of digital face replacement technology in Chinese dramas. What began as an emergency solution for productions facing unexpected controversies has increasingly become a regular industry tool.
While it helps protect investments, critics argue it can create odd viewing experiences, particularly when audiences are already familiar with the original actor attached to the role.
Meanwhile, many fans remain focused on the drama itself. The pairing of Tan Jianci and Wang Churan has generated anticipation since filming wrapped, and supporters hope the lengthy delay has not diminished interest in the story.
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| Love Has Fireworks Being Distributed by Tencent Video to iQIYI for Co-Broadcast |
Some viewers are also curious to compare Li Xinze's digitally inserted appearance with promotional materials from the original production period to see how seamless the replacement actually looks on screen.
Zhang Haowei himself struck a reflective tone after securing his legal victory, describing the ruling as the end of a long period of hardship and expressing gratitude toward supporters who continued believing in him. He also openly hoped for an opportunity to continue appearing in future projects, including a possible return in Joy of Life 3, where he previously portrayed Crown Prince Li Chengqian.