The historical drama Zhu Yu is currently gaining massive attention online as its storyline enters a dramatic phase. According to reports from Tencent’s news platform QQ, the series has been drawing more than 90 million daily views, thanks to its intense plot developments, visually appealing cinematography, and diverse character arcs.
The drama stars rising actors Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei, along with supporting cast members such as Kong Xueer and Deng Kai. To promote the series, the main cast has been actively attending press events and participating in promotional campaigns. Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei even filmed wedding-themed videos together, presenting themselves as a romantic couple to attract viewers’ attention.
Visually, the pair has often been praised for their appearance. Both actors belong to the generation of performers born after 1995 and are frequently recognized for their striking looks. With Zhang Linghe standing at around 1.9 meters tall and Tian Xiwei at 1.68 meters, their height difference and visuals have led many fans to describe them as characters who look like they “stepped straight out of a comic.”
However, despite these promotional efforts, many viewers have not responded positively. The main reason stems from the earlier controversy surrounding billing order, a sensitive issue in the Chinese entertainment industry that determines how actors’ names are credited in a project.
Before filming began, Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei were reportedly involved in a dispute over their billing positions that lasted for months. During the drama’s opening ceremony, both actors even kept their masks on and avoided taking photos together. By the time filming wrapped, the two reportedly still did not share any official photos as co-stars.
Because of this history, some viewers believe the pair’s current friendly interactions are simply part of the drama’s promotional campaign rather than a reflection of a genuine relationship. On social media, many netizens commented that the actors appear to be “acting close only for work.”
The drama itself has also faced criticism beyond the cast’s relationship. Some viewers have accused the production team of creating artificial buzz and exaggerated achievements to boost the drama’s popularity. According to critics online, certain promotional topics allegedly compared Zhu Yu with other series such as The Knockout and Sunshine by My Side, claiming superior results despite insufficient evidence.
These claims have led to accusations that the show’s viewership numbers or publicity metrics may have been inflated, although no official confirmation has been provided.
Adding to the controversy, Zhang Linghe recently faced criticism over a comment that many viewers considered inappropriate. During a promotional activity where the actors were asked to draw portraits of each other, Tian Xiwei drew a picture of him. When reacting to the drawing, Zhang Linghe jokingly said he looked as if he had been “born in Southeast Asia.” While he likely meant that the drawing made him look different from himself, many viewers felt the remark implied that Southeast Asian features were unattractive. The comment quickly triggered backlash online, prompting the actor to issue an apology.
Meanwhile, Tian Xiwei has also seen past controversies resurface. Some netizens revisited an old rumor claiming she once attempted to replace Li Landi in the drama Love When the Stars Fall. According to the circulating story, Tian Xiwei allegedly approached producers while Li Landi temporarily left the set for an event. The allegation damaged her public image at the time, particularly after critics claimed she did not acknowledge wrongdoing.
With multiple controversies surrounding both stars, many observers believe the leading pair of Zhu Yu has become one of the most debated on-screen couples in recent Chinese entertainment discussions. While the drama continues to attract high viewership, the ongoing debates across social media show that its popularity is accompanied by an equally strong wave of criticism.
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