Recently, Zhao Lusi once again became a hot topic in the Chinese entertainment industry after her personal studio unexpectedly announced an open call for high-quality original scripts across social media platforms. The move has been described by some as an unprecedented step from one of the most popular post-1995 generation actresses in C-entertainment.
According to the official announcement, Zhao Lusi’s studio plans to independently develop projects and assemble production teams to create quality works, citing the increasing shortage of original stories in the current drama market. The studio stated that it believes emotionally rich stories with warmth and sincerity can stand the test of time and resonate deeply with audiences.
With this goal, the actress’s team invited creators from across social media platforms to submit their ideas, regardless of their background, fame, or professional experience. The only requirement is that writers must be capable of creating complete and high-quality original stories.
In terms of content, Zhao Lusi’s studio is open to various types of projects, including original television dramas, films, story outlines, and short- or long-form concepts. The team emphasized that it is particularly interested in realistic and heartwarming themes, female-oriented stories, healing narratives, and coming-of-age topics, while requiring all submissions to be original and free from copyright disputes.
The collaboration options are also flexible. Writers can choose a one-time sale of script rights in exchange for full payment, or they can sign a long-term creative partnership agreement that allows them to retain permanent writing credits and receive future benefits.
After the announcement was released, many C-entertainment followers noted that they rarely see a major actor’s studio publicly “recruiting” scripts in this manner. Some audiences viewed the move positively, arguing that the Chinese drama industry is currently lacking fresh stories while many young writers struggle to find opportunities to reach producers. They believe that opening opportunities for independent creators could potentially bring more quality ideas into the market.
However, criticism quickly followed. Instead of viewing the move as an innovative and independent approach, many netizens argued that Zhao Lusi’s team was attempting to create a positive image while covering up a more difficult reality — that she has reportedly struggled to receive offers from major production teams and that investors may be hesitant due to recent controversies surrounding her.
Some critics claimed that an established actress having to publicly search for scripts online reflects a lack of industry support, arguing that truly high-quality screenwriters would typically seek cooperation with major production companies or well-known directors to ensure proper development and distribution rather than submit projects to an individual studio. They further suggested that projects obtained through such open calls may not match the quality of mainstream productions.
Online discussions also linked the situation to a series of controversies involving Zhao Lusi in recent months. One major issue involved accusations that she used health-related topics as a publicity strategy after she revealed suffering from depression and a stroke-like condition around the beginning of the year. Some critics claimed the situation was exaggerated for promotional purposes, leading to public backlash.
Shortly afterward, Zhao Lusi became involved in a dispute with her former management company, Galaxy Cool Entertainment. She publicly accused the company of financial pressure, unfair treatment, and restricting her career. During a livestream, she also claimed that the company threatened to block her activities and allegedly sought spiritual remedies instead of proper medical assistance when she was unwell. The public confrontation reportedly raised concerns among some industry insiders about potential risks in working with her.
During a recent livestream, Zhao Lusi also explained that she was no longer interested in typical romance dramas and hoped to wait for projects with deeper meaning and stronger messages. However, some netizens interpreted her latest announcement as a way of explaining the lack of acting offers, suggesting that the issue was not unsuitable scripts but rather fewer opportunities due to industry concerns.
Some sarcastic comments from online users included:
- “She could just write a story about a ‘medical miracle’ and a female lead becoming successful after overcoming illness without caring about quality. It would definitely go viral.”
- “Even veteran actors with strong reputations don’t publicly recruit high-quality scripts like this. The team’s strategy is confusing and feels like they are trying to save a difficult situation.”
- “With enough sunshine, flowers will bloom. Enough already, Zhao Lusi!”
- “People said she had no drama offers and needed concerts to stay relevant, but fans insisted she would start filming in August.”
- “Maybe next she will start crowdfunding a drama from fans.”
- “This really feels like no company is willing to choose her, so she has to find work herself.”
- “Dare to dream and create your own path. Only Zhao Lusi would do this. Keep going.”
Beyond the recent controversies, Zhao Lusi has also faced a long history of public criticism, with some labeling her one of the most controversial young actresses in C-entertainment. Despite becoming one of the leading actresses of the post-1995 generation through popular dramas such as The Romance of Tiger and Rose, Love Like the Galaxy, and Hidden Love, she has repeatedly faced criticism over her public image and behavior.
She was previously accused of accidentally liking posts that criticized the appearances, styling, or acting abilities of fellow actresses such as Victoria Song, Ju Jingyi, and Wu Xuanyi. After the incidents gained attention, explanations were reportedly given that her account had been compromised or that the interactions were accidental.
In addition, Zhao Lusi’s team has frequently been criticized for allegedly using comparison-based promotional strategies involving established actresses such as Zhao Liying, Liu Yifei, and Dilraba Dilmurat in order to elevate Zhao Lusi’s popularity and image.
The controversy reached another peak when behind-the-scenes footage from Love Like the Galaxy reportedly showed Zhao Lusi using harsh language toward co-star Wu Lei during a horse-riding scene. The incident caused some viewers to question the sweet and innocent image she had built throughout her career.
Overall, while Zhao Lusi’s decision to independently develop projects and search for original scripts may be presented as an effort to support creativity and original storytelling, it has also highlighted concerns surrounding her current position in the industry. In an increasingly competitive Chinese entertainment market, rebuilding trust among both professionals and audiences may become one of the biggest challenges in her future career.
Rather than focusing on creating a polished narrative around self-produced projects, many critics believe Zhao Lusi’s priority should be rebuilding her professional reputation, reflecting on her approach to the industry, and continuing to improve her acting skills.
Sources: K14
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