Zhang Ruonan is reportedly facing intense backlash following the premiere of the new wuxia drama Zhan Zhao Adventures, despite the series attracting strong early attention for its cast, storyline, and production quality.
According to Chinese media outlet QQ, the historical action drama centers around Zhan Zhao, played by Yang Yang, as he secretly investigates a major case while constantly being pursued by enemies. During his journey, he encounters Huo Linglong, portrayed by Zhang Ruonan, a strong-willed martial arts heroine attempting to escape an arranged marriage.
While the drama itself has received praise for its visuals and action choreography, many viewers have criticized Zhang Ruonan’s portrayal of the female lead.
Online discussions claim the actress appears better suited for modern romance dramas rather than traditional wuxia productions. Critics argued that her acting style feels “too modern” and repetitive across projects, making her performance stand out awkwardly against the historical setting and veteran cast members.
Her action scenes, in particular, became a major topic on Chinese social media. Many viewers pointed to her petite frame and soft image as mismatched for the role of a skilled martial artist. Some comments described her fighting scenes as “looking like dancing” rather than realistic combat. Viewers also alleged that stunt doubles were noticeably visible during several sequences.
In addition, netizens criticized her dialogue delivery and emotional expression, claiming her line reading lacked strength and failed to convey the depth of the character. Some viewers even described her acting as “emotionless” and “sleep-inducing.”
Several trending topics related to Zhang Ruonan reportedly surpassed 100 million views on Chinese social media platforms. Discussions included phrases such as “Zhang Ruonan exposed stunt double,” “Zhang Ruonan’s running posture,” and “Huo Linglong’s makeup.” Many online users labeled the actress as the “biggest weakness” of the drama.
Meanwhile, Yang Yang has largely received positive feedback for his portrayal of Zhan Zhao. Viewers praised his visuals, screen presence, and polished martial arts choreography, with some comparing him favorably to previous iconic versions of the character. The drama also reportedly secured 32 advertisements within its first four episodes, highlighting the strong commercial appeal surrounding the series.
Despite the backlash, Zhang Ruonan remains one of China’s most recognizable young actresses. She first gained major attention in 2018 and later built a strong reputation through emotional performances in projects such as Cry Me A Sad River, My Love, and The First Frost.
As discussions continue to spread online, Martial Arts Spirit is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about Chinese dramas currently airing.
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