Didn’t I say before that putting two popular stars with large fanbases in one drama might prove to be challenging? And I guess I’m right since the small screen adaptation of The Golden Hairpin 青簪行, the first drama to have Yang Zi and Kris Wu paired up, is causing quite a stir.
The ruckus started with Yang Zi’s manager’s now-deleted post that said, “Do your best and the rest is up to the heavens (尽人事, 听天命)” This led to the conclusion that the manager may be pertaining to the top billing for the new drama going to Kris Wu, which naturally sparked debate as fans of both stars would want their idol to get top billing.
Kris Wu’s manager, Huang Bin, also wrote a midnight post on his social media account with a cryptic message. It was difficult to understand what he’s pointing at or if it’s an answer to Yang Zi’s manager’s now-deleted post. He said something about the relationship between idols and their fans, wondered about what it means to be a manager and talked about things that make a drama like the director, the cast and the crew. He also talked about moving forward with courage and respecting the collaboration (between the two leads, perhaps?).
But! Before we get lost in the middle of it all, let me just clarify that there has been no official announcement about who gets the top billing from the horse’s mouth. In fact, when the drama poster was dropped yesterday, the main leads were not even tagged in the Weibo post aside from a caption stating that the two stars share the same birth month and birthday! It seems to be the production’s way of staying away from problems that may arise if they decided the top billing right now which I think is a very cowardly move.
The two leads themselves seem to be unfazed and even tagged each other in their posts calling the other their character’s name. I just hope that this wouldn’t cause any friction between Yang Zi and Kris Wu’s working relationship since I know that even though there are bashers, there are plenty would would look forward to seeing them together.
Source: 1
Anonymous
I honestly don't care who gets top billing
Anonymous
I hope YangZi get the top billing. She is good actor while Kris Wu..
Anonymous
It makes sense for YZ to get top billing since she debuted as a child actress and has been actively acting for much longer. Plus, she's had a surge in popularity in the past few years. Kris is popular but more so for his music. His few acting gigs show passable acting at best. If they were collaborating on something music/singing related then perhaps it'll make sense for him to get top billing but since this is a drama if he got top billing over YZ it wouldn't seem right. He's still got to earn that…
Anonymous
This drama seems like it is going to be a mess. Tbh both leads do not match the book characters, but this could be worked around with a good script. I agree that getting two actors with big fanbases is a recipe for disaster, especially since they are both single. I can see so many fan wars in the future so if they started already that is a bad sign.
Is that Huang Bin the same guy that used to managed ZLY?
As for who gets top billing, hard choice. YangZi is popular in dramas while Kris is more popular with movies. They both can pull their weight in terms of bringing buzz and fans, so fans should get over it since it doesnt matter.
hohliu
I hope this two new drama have less problems then ZLY Legend of Fei……
Anonymous
Although I don't like Yang Zi, its obvious that she is more recognised when it comes to acting. A 平番 would most likely be the conclusion to this mess, although I think its better to switch out one of them.
Anonymous
dont these managers know what is professionalism? but then fans always fight and exagerate shit, this is why i hate when they put popular people together. both of them are rich, and their billings arent our problems.
Anonymous
Huang Bin is very competitive, get ready to start seeing Kris everywhere like ZLY, he's replacing her.
Anonymous
Of course you don't care because common people are ignorant for the things that don't involve them but billing order is important matter in acting industry. You'd be surprised by how many actors and their agents had intense argument over billing order in Hollywood.
Anonymous
Agree with you! If only fans can understand that. I don't know why Kris fans are so eager wanting him for top billing when he's never famous for acting works. They should respect Yang Zi and accept that she's supposed to receive the top billing.
Anonymous
Yang Zi cfans has been involved in fanwar since Ashes of Love era with Deng Lun fans. Then, Xiao Zhan fans also keep attacking her appearance. Actors fan can be so extreme sometimes.
Anonymous
At least Deng Lun and Xiao Zhan fans didn't fight with her about billing? Kris' fans hate on her appearance + fight with her over billing.
Anonymous
Although Deng Lun and Xiao Zhan are super popular now, they have not been in the industry for long so even their crazy fans can't argue much about top billing yet when they're acting opposite Yang Zi. Kris has a bunch of fans from his music and movies and none of them care that he's a crap actor…One thing's for sure is that fandoms of any actor paired with Yang Zi for any projects are gonna tear her apart no matter what. Sadly, it'll never matter how well she acts or brings success to a drama, the industry is much more forgiving to male celebrities.
Unknown
Based on acting career, no doubt it should be Yang Zi.
Kris Wu is not there yet, he needs to prove himself to get that top billing.
This is not about music.
Anonymous
Single or not, there is no way Kris's team or himself will agree to mediaplay CP with Yang Zi. Its career suicide for a male star. But YZ's team may do so, as female stars are more dependent on CP stans. That was the reason why YZ fans always get into fanwars.
Anonymous
Do they even belong to the same category for Kris to replace ZLY?
Anonymous
Bad casting.. I really sense the evil vibes from both of them…. Really dark people…
Anonymous
I wished they replace Kris with Li Yi Feng. It's to late! Lol
Anonymous
The book is heavily centered around the female character (I read it). Logically, Yang Zi should be top billed. That said, Zhao Liying wasn't top billed for her breakout role in The Journey of Flower, and Liu Shishi wasn't top billed in Scarlet Heart. Technically speaking Kris Wu doesn't deserve top billing, not in terms of his ability nor in terms of the gravity of his character. That said, I feel his manager can probably make it work. *shrug*
Anonymous
It's not a hard choice. Kris Wu is frankly terrible at acting (to an absurd level). He's frequently being brought up as a joke. Just because directors are willing to cast him in movies doesn't mean that he's a qualified movie actor. He's different from the likes of Huang Xuan, Liu Haoran or even Li Yifeng. He's getting roles solely because he has strong backing from his company and fans. He has no "results" to speak of. In short, even though he's a "movie star", he doesn't deserve the same recognition.
I do think his company are attempting to score him a huge production while giving him top billing at the same time. Leeching off a female-centric novel adaptation and unfairly scoring top bill means he gets to boast that his debut TV production is a huge hit. They really want to get it all huh. I would like to say "wishful" thinking, but I do think they might be able to make it work.
Anonymous
Actually LSS is first billed in both opening and ending credits in Scarlet Heart.
Anonymous
No way would LYF take a female-centric drama. Some newbie with good acting skills like Xu Kai would be nice.
Anonymous
What kind of
stupid superstition is this……..
Anonymous
ZLY was under Huang Bin he is super competitive to make sure she appears everywhere and get really good resources. Now she's not under him anymore, Kris iis. Looking like Kris is not the person pitching for that bill but Huang Bin is.
anon
This is so stupid. Of course Yang Zi should be billed first. She is the veteran actress. It is a female- centered drama based on the book. Kris Wu fans and manager need to reflect. He has NO reason for being billed first. Please respect Yang Zi.