The Hunter
After years of hard work, Zhang Songwen’s career skyrocketed in 2023 with the phenomenal success of “The Knockout”. The role not only brought him public attention but also showcased his latent acting talent.
Riding on this wave, the producers of “The Hunter” extended the drama from 12 to 18 episodes. However, lead actress Annabel Yao’s wooden acting and awkward delivery were heavily criticized, overshadowing Zhang Songwen’s performance. Viewers expressed frustration at the stark contrast between Annabel Yao and her talented co-stars like Zhang Songwen, Bao Wenjing and Han Geng, with her weaknesses becoming more apparent as the series progressed.
A Lonely Hero’s Journey
Marketed as a spy thriller, “A Lonely Hero’s Journey” failed to meet expectations. A lackluster plot and simple details like child’s play disappointed viewers. To bolster Joseph Zeng’s performance, seasoned actors Zhang Songwen and Zhang Fengyi were cast in supporting roles. Unfortunately, their exceptional acting only highlighted the young lead’s shortcomings, making his deficiencies even more glaring.
Judge Dee’s Mystery
Centered on the historical figure Di Renjie, “Judge Dee’s Mystery”, adapted from Robert Van Gulik’s novel series “Judge Dee”, failed to live up to its predecessors. A weak and predictable script left viewers bored and disappointed. Critics noted that the director failed to reinvent Di Renjie, instead presenting a bland and uninspired version of the character.
Simple Days
Featuring Chen Xiao and Tong Yao as a young couple navigating life in Shanghai, “Simple Days” struggled to resonate with viewers. Outdated writing and illogical situations, such as a financially strained family owning luxury goods, alienated viewers. The drama’s failure to modernize its themes led many to abandon it mid-watch.
Lost You Forever 2
Despite the success of its first season, “Lost You Forever 2” quickly became a flop. A disjointed storyline that overly emphasized romance at the expense of other compelling elements left viewers frustrated. The long gap between seasons also diminished viewer interest. Lead actress Yang Zi was unable to salvage the drama with her performance, marking it as one of the year’s major disappointments.
Ode to Joy 5
With stars Jiang Shuying, Yang Caiyu and Karlina Zhang, “Ode to Joy 5” turned into a drawn-out, tiresome affair. A meandering plot and shallow characters bored viewers. The decision to stretch the series to a fifth season left viewers fatigued and uninterested.
In the Name of the Brother
Hailed as Yang Mi’s potential breakthrough project, “In the Name of the Brother” instead marked a step back for the actress. The show garnered poor ratings, barely reaching minimum viewership thresholds. Yang Mi’s performance also received lackluster reviews, making the drama a critical and commercial failure.
Riverside Code at Qingming Festival
Despite high expectations due to its intriguing premise and a star-studded cast including Zhang Songwen and Bai Baihe, “Riverside Code at Qingming Festival” disappointed. While some praised its grandeur, most criticized the weak script, unconvincing acting, and failure to capture the essence of the original material. Zhang Songwen, in particular, faced harsh criticism for his unfit portrayal and limited acting range.
Detective Chinatown 2
The second installment of the web drama “Detective Chinatown” brought together an impressive cast but failed to deliver. Scoring only 6.0 on Douban, it fell short of its predecessor’s success. Director Chen Sicheng’s attempt to explore deeper relationships rendered the narrative awkward and unconvincing, dimming the future prospects of the series.
Day and Night 2
The highly anticipated sequel to the hit “Day and Night” initially garnered attention by topping Tencent Video charts but quickly drew criticism. Fei Qiming faced backlash for his exaggerated and unnatural acting, which detracted from the character’s depth and weakened the overall quality of the show.
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