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| "The Faster, The Better!": Zhang Linghe Rumoured to Leave StarTimes Entertainment as Fans Hope for an Independent Future. (Weibo) |
Rumours surrounding Zhang Linghe and StarTimes Entertainment are refusing to fade, with fresh speculation suggesting one of China's biggest drama stars could soon be heading in a new direction. Discussions have gathered momentum in recent days as fans question whether the actor will renew his contract with the management company or instead choose to operate independently through his own personal studio. While nothing has been officially confirmed, the conversation has become one of the hottest topics among C-drama followers.
The timing of the speculation is hardly surprising. Zhang Linghe has become one of the industry's most sought-after leading men after the huge success of Love Between Fairy and Devil, Story of Kunning Palace, The Best Thing, Pursuit of Jade, and more recently Overdo.
His popularity has skyrocketed to the point where nearly every casting rumour involving his name immediately dominates social media, making even contract whispers impossible to ignore.
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StarTimes Entertainment has built a strong reputation as one of China's most respected acting agencies. Unlike companies that focus heavily on developing idol trainees, the agency has concentrated on cultivating established performers with strong acting potential.
Alongside Zhang Linghe, its roster includes rising actress Lu Yuxiao, acclaimed leading lady Li Yitong, and newcomer He Qiu, giving the company an impressive line-up of television talent.
Much of the latest discussion centres around the rumoured historical drama Revenge, which is widely reported to have evolved into the project currently known as Ci Tang. According to industry chatter, Lu Yuxiao is expected to take the female lead opposite Zhang Linghe, with both actors belonging to the same management company.
Reports claim the agency has long hoped to elevate Lu Yuxiao into one of its biggest stars, and pairing her with its most commercially successful actor naturally became an attractive strategy.
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| Zhang Linghe Rumoured to Go Independent After StarTimes Contract Ends |
That plan, however, has reportedly been met with fierce resistance from sections of Zhang Linghe's fan community. Many supporters argued that the actor's enormous popularity should not be used simply to boost another artist's profile.
Calls to boycott the project quickly spread across fan circles, with some insisting they would rather see him accept completely different productions than participate in another internally arranged pairing.
The controversy became even louder because Ci Tang bears several similarities to Pursuit of Jade, another historical revenge story filled with political intrigue and palace conspiracies.
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Some viewers even jokingly nicknamed the project "Pursuit of Jade 2.0", suggesting it risks feeling too familiar. Others, meanwhile, are more optimistic, believing the combination of experienced director Yi Jun and Zhang Linghe's growing screen presence could still produce another visually striking drama.
According to reports circulating online, Ci Tang is expected to begin filming around September 2026 after Lu Yuxiao completes work on her upcoming film.
That production schedule has only added fuel to the debate, with some fans expressing frustration that the project is reportedly waiting for another actor's availability while Zhang Linghe's own schedule remains exceptionally demanding. Safe to say, the drama has generated headlines before a single scene has even been filmed.
Away from casting discussions, another factor driving the agency rumours is concern over Zhang Linghe's health. Reports from entertainment insiders and online communities have claimed the actor has endured an exhausting filming timetable, with stories mentioning insomnia, physical fatigue, a knee injury and an episode of low blood sugar during production.
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None of these reports have been formally linked to his management situation, but many fans believe a more independent career structure could allow him greater control over his workload and recovery time.
That possibility has become central to the latest rumours. Industry observers speculate that if Zhang Linghe establishes a fully independent studio, he could gain far greater influence over script selection, filming schedules and long-term career planning.
For an actor currently enjoying enormous popularity, such a move would hardly be unprecedented within the Chinese entertainment industry, where several leading stars have successfully transitioned to operating through their own management teams.
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| Zhang Linghe's StarTimes Departure May Increase the Chances of Pairing With Zhao Lusi |
It is worth stressing that neither Zhang Linghe nor StarTimes Entertainment has announced any contract termination or confirmed plans to part ways. At this stage, every discussion remains firmly within the realm of speculation, despite the confidence with which some online accounts present the story. Until an official statement arrives, fans are left piecing together rumours, industry gossip and social media clues like detectives convinced every emoji is evidence.
Across social media, many of Zhang Linghe's fans have reacted positively to the growing rumours, with some openly hoping the reports turn out to be true. Comments such as "the faster, the better", "make it happen", and "I hope it's true" have appeared repeatedly as supporters argue that an independent studio could give the actor greater freedom over his projects, schedule and long-term career.
Supporters who favour the rumoured departure argue that Zhang Linghe deserves complete control over the projects he accepts after becoming one of the country's biggest television stars. Others remain more cautious, pointing out that StarTimes Entertainment played an important role in building his career and warning against jumping to conclusions before any official confirmation appears.