
Trust Yu Zheng to spill the tea behind whatever it is that happened to capture his ire. The controversial writer slash producer didn’t mince words when he took to social media lamenting the unsatisfactory situation facing showbiz greenhorns and newcomers.
“It’s so hard for newcomers to stand out!
Zhao Yiqin has been working in the industry for four years, and has appeared in eleven dramas, five of which saw him land the top spot for leading men. Yet there are still directors who tell him “your acting is good, you’re quite good looking, but we still prefer to use a bigger name”. Each time I hear this at an audition, it makes me want to start cursing. If this is the case, why even bother to have people audition for the role and throw away half a day in this manner?
At another audition where he was doing a one on one read through with another actor, Zhao Yiqin received a lot of applause for his performance. The director even said he was perfect for the role, except in the end they chose to go with another actor whose name brings in more views! At that time my heart was so full of resentment, thinking that one day I will be a hindrance in their climb to the top!”
“Just yesterday someone came asking about my artist’s availability. She forgot that she mentioned in the past she won’t be signing him on because he wouldn’t become popular. Now if the script was good I would’ve suffered through it, but the script was so bad I had to send it back. That was such a big miss.”

Zhao Yiqin is currently starring in the drama My Girl 99分女朋友 opposite actress Li Jiaqi whom you might remember as Xiaoyou in 2018’s Meteor Garden. The rom-com follows a love story between a makeup artist with a scar and the stingiest CEO in history. When they were young, Shen Yi accidentally injured Meng Hui and left a scar on her face but he ran due to cowardice. When they meet again, Meng Hui is a makeup artist who suffers from delusions of grandeur when an episode prompts her to declare that that she is the CEO’s girlfriend. In order to get the formula for Meng Hui’s homemade liquid foundation, Shen Yi pretends to be her boyfriend.
With regards to his new drama, Yu Zheng says the plot is good and “if the drama takes off, you (Zhao Yiqin) can slap those short sighted faces with your success.” Melodramatic or not, Yu Zheng has always been a big supporter of his artistes and even his newbies are given a chance to appear in supporting roles before graduating to bigger ones in the dramas he’s written or produced.
In fact he’s been known to have once said “I feel that the newbies are more important than the stars” referring to actress Zhang Nan whom he’s also championed in the past. It sure must be nice to be the receiving end of Yu Zheng’s support, knowing that he has your back, isn’t it?
Anonymous
“your acting is good, you’re quite good looking, but we still prefer to use a bigger name”.
Obviously why some people buy themselves water armies so they can become bigger name. I don't think who plays this game fairly will ever climb up. Acting skill is not the most important thing for an actor, acting is not like art where an artist must be artistic.
Unknown
even if your name is big in the industry,what the use of that!why he give a chance.
Unknown
Like Yu Zheng or not, he has my respect for his support on newbie actors. Zhao Liying earned her big break, thanks to him. Sometimes, success is about getting that chance and at least, there's someone like him whom is willing to give that chance.
Anonymous
I agree with Yu Zheng. If production team want big name actor, they shouldn't asked for audition and waste others time.
Anonymous
But also because of people like ZLY starving artists, new or old, everyone is having hard time in the industry.
Famous screenwriter Wang Hailin just spoke up about her having too much fake viewers, check it out. Her dramas that are very average to believe.
When Yu Zheng gave her a role, I guess he was fairer than her new agencies, after she left him her new PR teams made her ratings jump unrealistically. In the end even Yu Zhen is the better guy.
Anonymous
YZ once revealed he treated Chen Xiao so well he even let CX picked his own actresses. It’s possible CX is also her benefactor. CX treated her especially special. He invited her all the time, was protective, and encouraged others to like her. He was the most supportive.
Anonymous
He is still lucky to get leading roles in just a short time. Others had to wait more than that to even get bigger roles and they are equally hard working and good looking as well.
Nida
I really like her and he is very good looking and handsome
Ashvini Kakade
Zhao yiqin is very handsome and good actor,his acting n looking are just awesome. So I know he will become very successful actor in future.