Chinese actors Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei are currently drawing attention for their on-screen chemistry in the historical drama Zhu Yu. However, behind the scenes, the two stars have been jokingly labeled by fans as “second-generation rivals” due to a long-standing conflict between their managers.
A feud that began nearly a decade ago
The story reportedly dates back to 2017, when a dispute arose between two entertainment managers—Xu Yiruo and Gong Yuhan. At the time, actress Li Yitong, represented by Xu Yiruo, starred in a drama alongside actor Deng Lun, who was managed by Gong Yuhan.
According to industry gossip, Li Yitong was originally announced as the first lead in the drama’s official promotion. However, when the series aired, Deng Lun’s name appeared ahead of hers in the credits. Xu Yiruo reportedly believed the change had been orchestrated behind the scenes, which led to a breakdown in the relationship between the two managers.
From that point forward, their teams were said to compete aggressively for acting opportunities, brand endorsements, and media exposure. Entertainment insiders claim that negative reports and strategic publicity battles occasionally surfaced between the two camps, keeping the rivalry alive for years.
Actors forced to keep their distance
Because Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei are now represented by the two rival managers, their professional interactions have often been interpreted through the lens of this feud.
At public events, the two actors were reportedly careful about interacting. During the 2023 iQIYI Scream Night, observers noticed that they had almost no interaction on stage. At another ceremony in 2024, the pair even stood back-to-back during a group photo, which led fans to joke that “one more glance and someone might get frozen out.”
When Zhu Yu was officially announced, another small controversy reportedly emerged regarding billing order. To avoid further disputes, the production team ultimately listed the two leads with the note “in no particular order.”
Even during filming, their interactions were described as cautious, and when the drama wrapped production, there were reportedly no joint photos released of the two leads.
Unexpectedly becoming the best promotion
Ironically, the perceived distance between the actors off-screen created a striking contrast with their romantic storyline in the drama. This gap between reality and fiction quickly became a talking point among viewers.
During a promotional livestream on March 6, Tian Xiwei even joked about the situation by saying that their managers “seem to have quite a fate together.” Fans soon turned the story into a running joke online, creating memes such as the “rival-kids CP” and joking that if the show’s views reached certain milestones, the two managers should “make peace.”
The buzz surrounding the alleged rivalry unexpectedly helped generate additional attention for the drama, turning behind-the-scenes rumors into viral marketing.
Professionalism despite the rumors
Despite the off-screen tensions linked to their teams, both actors have been praised for their dedication to their roles.
Zhang Linghe reportedly lost around 7.5 kilograms to portray a frail nobleman convincingly, while Tian Xiwei performed many of her own action scenes during filming.
In the end, what began as a long-running industry feud has ironically contributed to the drama’s popularity, as audiences continue to follow both the on-screen romance and the off-screen stories surrounding Zhu Yu.
Sources: Yahoo News
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