Chinese actors Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei are currently attracting attention for their on-screen chemistry in the historical drama Zhu Yu. However, behind the scenes, the two stars were jokingly labeled by fans as “second generation rivals” due to a long-standing conflict between their managers.
A feud that began almost ten years ago
The story reportedly dates back to 2017, when a dispute arose between two entertainment managers: Xu Yiruo and Gong Yuhan. At that time, actress Li Yitong, represented by Xu Yiruo, was acting in a drama together with actor Deng Lun, which was directed by Gong Yuhan.
According to industry gossip, Li Yitong was originally announced as the first lead in the official promotion of the drama. However, when the series aired, Deng Lun’s name appeared before his in the credits. Xu Yiruo reportedly believed that the change was orchestrated behind the scenes, which led to a breakdown in the relationship between the two managers.
From then on, their teams were said to compete aggressively for acting opportunities, brand endorsements, and media exposure. Insiders say negative reports and strategic publicity battles between the two camps have occasionally emerged, keeping the rivalry alive for years.
Actors forced to keep their distance
Since 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.
In public events, The two actors were reportedly careful about the interaction. During the 2023 iQIYI Scream Night, observers noted that they had almost no interaction on stage. At another ceremony in 2024, the couple even stood side by side during a group photo, which led fans to joke about it. “One more look and someone might get frozen.”
When Zhu Yu was officially announced, another small controversy would emerge regarding the billing order. To avoid further controversy, the production team eventually listed the two protagonists in the note “in no particular order.”
Even during filming, their interactions were described as cagey, and when production on the drama wrapped, no joint photos of the two leads were reportedly released.
Unexpectedly becoming the best promotion
Ironically, the perceived distance between the actors off-screen created a striking contrast to their romantic storyline in the drama. This gap between reality and fiction quickly became a talking point among viewers.
During a promotional live stream on March 6, Tian Xiwei even joked about the situation by saying this their managers “seem to have a good destiny together.” Fans soon turned the story into an online joke, creating memes like “CP for rival children” and joking that if the show’s viewership reached certain milestones, the two managers should do so “making peace”.
The buzz surrounding the supposed rivalry has unexpectedly helped generate further attention for the drama, turning behind-the-scenes rumors into viral marketing.
Professionalism despite the rumors
Despite off-screen tensions related to their teams, both actors were praised for their dedication to their roles.
Zhang Linghe reportedly lost around 7.5 kilograms to convincingly play a frail nobleman, while Tian Xiwei performed many of his own action scenes during filming.
Ultimately, 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
