The hunter
After years of hard work, Zhang Songwen’s career skyrocketed in 2023 with the phenomenal success of “The Knockout”. The role not only brought him public attention but also showcased his latent acting talent.
Riding this wave, the producers of “The Hunter” extended the series from 12 to 18 episodes. However, lead actress Annabel Yao’s wooden acting and awkward delivery were heavily criticized, overshadowing Zhang Songwen’s performance. Viewers expressed frustration with the stark contrast between Annabel Yao and her talented co-stars such as Zhang Songwen, Bao Wenjing, and Han Geng, with her weaknesses becoming more apparent as the series progressed.
A Lone Hero’s Journey
Marketed as a spy thriller, “A Lonely Hero’s Journey” failed to live up to expectations. A lackluster plot and simple child’s play details disappointed viewers. To support Joseph Zeng’s performance, experienced actors Zhang Songwen and Zhang Fengyi were cast in supporting roles. Unfortunately, their stellar acting only highlighted the young protagonist’s flaws, making his shortcomings even more apparent.
The Mystery of Judge Dee
Focusing on the historical figure Di Renjie, “Judge Dee,” adapted from Robert Van Gulik’s “Judge Dee” novel series, failed to live up to its predecessors. A weak and predictable script left viewers bored and disappointed. Critics noted that the director failed to reinvent Di Renjie, instead presenting a bland and banal version of the character.
Simple days
Starring Chen Xiao and Tong Yao as a young couple navigating life in Shanghai, “Simple Days” struggled to resonate with viewers. Outdated writing and illogical situations, such as a financially struggling family owning luxury goods, alienated viewers. The drama’s failure to modernize its themes has led many to abandon it mid-viewing.
I’ve lost you forever 2
Despite the success of the first season, “Lost You Forever 2” quickly became a flop. A disjointed plot that overemphasized romance at the expense of other compelling elements left viewers frustrated. The long gap between seasons also decreased viewer interest. Lead actress Yang Zi couldn’t save the drama with her performance, calling it one of the biggest disappointments of the year.
Ode to joy 5
With stars Jiang Shuying, Yang Caiyu and Karlina Zhang, “Ode to Joy 5” turned into a long and boring story. A meandering plot and superficial characters bored viewers. The decision to extend the series to a fifth season left viewers tired and disinterested.
In the name of the brother
Hailed as Yang Mi’s potential breakthrough project, “In the Name of the Brother” instead marked a step backwards for the actress. The show achieved poor ratings, barely reaching the minimum viewership thresholds. Yang Mi’s performance also received lackluster reviews, making the drama a critical and commercial failure.
Riverside Code at Qingming Festival
Despite high expectations due to an intriguing premise and a star-studded cast including Zhang Songwen and Bai Baihe, “Riverside Code at Qingming Festival” disappointed. While some praised its greatness, most criticized the weak script, unconvincing acting, and failure to capture the essence of the source material. Zhang Songwen, in particular, faced harsh criticism for her inadequate performance and limited acting range.
The Chinatown Detective 2
The second episode of the web drama “Detective Chinatown” brought together an impressive cast but failed to deliver. With a score of just 6.0 on Douban, it failed to match the success of its predecessor. Director Chen Sicheng’s attempt to explore deeper relationships made the narrative clunky and unconvincing, clouding the series’ future prospects.
Day and night 2
The highly anticipated sequel to the hit “Day and Night” initially attracted attention by topping the Tencent Video charts, but quickly attracted criticism. Fei Qiming faced backlash for her exaggerated and unnatural acting, which detracted from the character’s depth and weakened the overall quality of the show.
