On Zheng Shuang’s super topic on Weibo, fans have changed their profile photo to a block of text captioned, “Requesting actress Zheng Shuang to cherish her feathers (reputation), less is more (implying that one less movie is better than sacrificing quality over quantity).” The message was her fans’ way of expressing dissatisfaction over the rumors that Zheng Shuang will star in the upcoming Journey of Flower movie.
Zheng Shuang, her mom and her father Zheng Chenghua were previously at a marathon when they were asked about the casting rumors. Although they didn’t respond, Zheng Shuang’s father reportedly praised the JoF movie for being a big production. Rumors subsequently broke online that Zheng Shuang has indeed accepted the role of Hua Qiangu and that filming is expected to start later this month.
This has prompted her fans to band together with a clear message for their idol to turn down the project that could be potentially detrimental to her career. Some of the reasons they stated include but are not limited to:
– plagiarism issues regarding the source novel
– Zhao Liying making a name for herself as Hua Qiangu in the Journey of Flower makes it hard for another actress to make the character memorable just 5 years after the drama
– film versions of successful dramas tend to pale compared to its predecessors
– the creative team behind the movie are newcomers without much experience and not at all a ‘big production’ as Zheng Shuang’s dad is suggesting
– Zheng Shuang’s first leading role in a movie should be selected with care
– since the casting rumors, the internet water army (水军) has already begun their attack which shows that nothing good can come from associating with the movie
– there will be endless comparison against the drama
They also included possible consequences. Since many of her fans reject the project, it’s like losing a number of supporters who can help with promotion. Furthermore, it will mark Zheng Shuang’s transition into the film industry which is a big step for the actress. Zheng Shuang’s last movie was the 2017 movie Wu Kong where she played a supporting role. She has only been in a few movies which makes her relatively new and the success of her first leading role in a film all the more important.
While her fans seem to have the best intentions, there is also the question of whether fans are overstepping by getting too involved in their idol’s career. What do you think?
Source: 1
Anonymous
I think the fans are correct with their reasoning.
Anonymous
What's the big deal if she took the role and the movie flops?, not like her career will be ruin if her fans continue to support her.
Look at in the case with Yang Yang and Liu Yifei for TMOPB movie adaptation or even Xiao Zhan and Li Qin in the Jade Dynasty movie, the movies flopped but the actors' careers rn't ruined for doing those roles so her fans should just chill already, over-reacting over nothing..we all know already that this movie adaptation will also fail.
Anonymous
Yeah, I think fans should stay out of celebrities' career choices. And stay out of their private lives too. ��
Anonymous
Anon2 is correct, even if it flops the idol's reputation isn't going to ruin. But I'm glad at least the fans are more reasonable this time and not being threatful to avoid their own idol's drama.
Making face comparisons with ZLY is no joke though. Meng Meiqi in Jade Dynasty got lots of hate, even before she kissed Xiao Zhan. The 2nd disciple Wallace Huo took in and Hua Qiangu was jealous of, they made fun of her being ugly but that was a child actress whose face obviously did not go under plastic surgery that's why she isn't very pretty, that was no respect at all. Personally the drama Hua Qiangu is annoying af and disgusting bc she supposed to be a kid, ewwwww! I would rate it below 0, main girl is nothing but an obsessive wimp. The only good thing in the drama was the casts. A remake is going to have to rely on good casts again, but casts who are going to end up with comparisons, that is stupid indeed.
If Zheng Shuang still looks cute and natural like when she was in Boys Over Flowers, I believe nobody would really dare to say she isn't comparable to ZLY. But now Zheng Shuang is too grown up for that immature role so when people make comparisons it's true Zheng Shuang will actually look no better than ZLY who looked like kid when she played it. Originally Zheng Shuang was the first pick to be in the drama but she opted out, but that was years ago, now she's too old for the role.
Anonymous
It would have been better to pick someone around the age acting group of ZLY, and make the. Movie with different generations of actors. Yes ZS is too old to play this role now. Reminds me. Of those HK actors who are in their late 40s playing 16 year old.
Anonymous
Hope this movie does not flop just like the Eternal Love/Once Upon a Time (2017) movie with Yang Yang and Liu Yifei.