Zhao Liying has skyrocketed in recent years, cementing her top-tier status among post-85 Chinese actresses with hit dramas like The Story of Xing Fu, Wild floweringAND The legend of Shen Li. However, 2025 was not a quiet year: its films We Girls AND It has no name failed to impress at the box office and its drama What a wonderful world underperformed. This has led many to believe that Zhao is losing ground to her longtime rival, Yang Mi, who recently struck gold with the hit film. This flourishing land.
Now, Zhao faces another big concern: his new co-star, Huang Xiaoming. Once a box office golden boy, Huang has endured repeated flops and his involvement in Zhao’s next drama The city creator It’s making fans nervous. The hashtag “Save Zhao Liying from Huang Xiaoming” is spreading online as fans fear her waning popularity will sabotage her.
Huang Xiaoming: from protagonist to responsibility?
Huang Xiaoming was a guaranteed attraction with roles such as CEOs or emperors in dramas and films. But in recent years its projects have not lived up to expectations. His last, Mostly sunnyit failed badly, despite efforts to reinvent itself with a shaved head and more grounded performances. His recent projects, in both TV and film, have consistently failed to resonate with audiences, raising questions about whether or not he can move forward with a major production.
This involves a thorough examination The city creatora drama adapted from Zhu Xiaojun’s novel Zhong Guo Nong Min Cheng. The story follows Li Qiu Ping, played by Zhao Liying, a pioneering woman who leads rural development efforts in 1980s Zhejiang. Huang Xiaoming plays Zheng De Cheng, his partner in this mission.
Initially touted for its socially relevant themes and high production value, the series became a hot topic for all the wrong reasons. One major controversy is the gender-swapping of the central character from male to female, a move that some critics believe weakens the adaptation. While some defend the change as a nod to modern female leadership, others fear it will drift away the spirit of the original.
But what worries fans the most is Huang Xiaoming’s track record. They wonder if she will be able to hold her own against Zhao, who is still considered the ratings queen. If it fails to achieve satisfactory results, the show risks failure and Zhao may unfairly shoulder the blame.
Fans rally to protect Zhao Liying
Zhao’s fandom made itself heard. They asked his management and the drama’s production team to reevaluate their casting decisions, or at least protect Zhao from taking on all the risks. “She doesn’t deserve to be dragged down” reads a trending comment.
What’s at stake isn’t just the number of viewers: it’s Zhao Liying’s brand. Her fans argue that she should be paired with actors who match her current position and momentum. The city creator it could be career-defining work. Li Qiu Ping is a deep and multidimensional protagonist, far from the love-focused heroines that Zhao played. It is a golden opportunity to showcase his acting skills and gain further acclaim both commercially and critically.
But it’s a gamble. If the show fails due to poor reception, narrative problems or simply audience fatigue, Zhao could see his reputation take a hit. And with Huang Xiaoming’s career already in a fragile state, some fear it could trigger a “domino effect” which affects the entire project.
Currently in post-production, The city creator it is expected to be released later this year on both TV and streaming platforms. One hit would elevate Zhao even more. But if things go wrong, the consequences could be more damaging than fans are willing to accept.
As for Huang Xiaoming, this drama may be his last big comeback chance. But the stakes are high and if he fails, he may not be the only one to fall.
Sources:K14
