Chinese actress Tian Xiwei is currently facing a challenging moment in her career as the historical drama Zhu Yu, co-starring Zhang Linghe, becomes one of the most controversial series airing at the moment.
According to Chinese media reports, the drama has received a wave of mixed reactions online and has even faced calls for boycotts from some viewers. The controversy has placed unexpected pressure on Tian Xiwei, despite her performance being widely acknowledged by audiences.
A performance praised despite the controversy
In Zhu Yu, Tian Xiwei plays Fan Changyu, a strong woman who works as a butcher and takes care of her younger sister after their parents pass away. The character requires both emotional depth and physical strength, pushing the actress to prepare extensively for the role.
Reports say Tian Xiwei spent months training in martial arts and even practiced carrying real pigs on her back to realistically portray the character’s strength. Her dedication paid off in several emotionally intense scenes later in the drama.
One particular crying scene—depicting the devastation after her village is destroyed and her sister goes missing—reportedly attracted more than 20 million views online. The performance convinced many viewers that Tian Xiwei delivered one of her most impactful roles so far.
However, despite her acting receiving praise, the overall reputation of Zhu Yu has been clouded by controversy.
Controversies surrounding the drama
Some viewers questioned the drama’s rapidly rising viewership numbers, suggesting that the statistics might have been artificially boosted by streaming platforms to create the impression of popularity. These accusations led to skepticism among audiences and sparked heated debates online.
Complicating matters further were rumored tensions between the two leads, Tian Xiwei and Zhang Linghe, reportedly beginning during the early stages of production. Later, Zhang Linghe became involved in separate controversies, including criticism over remarks related to Southeast Asia.
These issues weakened the promotional chemistry expected from the drama’s main couple. In romantic dramas, audience enthusiasm for the on-screen pairing often plays a major role in a show’s popularity. However, Tian Xiwei and Zhang Linghe failed to generate strong “CP” fandom support.
In fact, some viewers even commented that the secondary couple—played by Kong Xueer and Deng Kai—appeared to attract more attention than the main leads.
A series of unfortunate timing issues
Industry observers have noted that this is not the first time Tian Xiwei has been affected by controversies involving her co-stars.
For instance, in the romantic drama Midnight Return, her co-star Xu Kai became embroiled in dating scandals during the broadcast period, which discouraged some viewers from continuing the series.
Similarly, when the popular drama New Life Begins premiered, lead actor Bai Jingting was photographed dating actress Song Yi shortly after the show’s release. Although the series performed well, the two leads rarely interacted publicly to avoid controversy.
Other projects involving Tian Xiwei have faced similar challenges. During the production of My Genius Girlfriend, her co-star Hu Yitian was spotted holding hands with a woman, while actor Xin Yunlai from another project was also caught in a dating rumor shortly after filming wrapped.
According to analysts cited by Sina, such controversies often shift media attention away from the storyline and performances, instead focusing on off-screen gossip. This can ultimately reduce the impact of an actor’s work.
A rising star still searching for a breakthrough role
Born in 1997, Tian Xiwei is considered one of the most promising actresses among China’s “post-95 generation.” Her delicate features have earned her the nickname “historical drama doll,” and she is known for her willingness to undergo demanding training for roles.
Despite her dedication and solid acting performances, she has yet to land a truly explosive hit or an iconic character that immediately defines her career.
For now, the controversy surrounding Zhu Yu highlights both the opportunities and challenges Tian Xiwei faces as she continues navigating the competitive Chinese entertainment industry.
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