
Contrary to producer Yu Zheng’s big casting announcement last year, it appears the expected match up between Xu Kai and Bai Lu for his Ming dynasty drama is now a no go. The Arsenal Military Academy and The Legends co-stars were expected to helm Royal Feast (Shang Shi) 尚食, the Jewel in the Palace-esque drama following a woman’s rise to the top of the imperial kitchen’s pecking order through her culinary prowess. However, new developments today have confirmed that a third reunion for Xu Kai and Bai Lu’s familiar pairing is just not in the cards.

Instead, shippers of the Yingluo and Fuheng romance from the Story of Yanxi Palace will be chuffed to learn that their favourite CP pairing lives on as Yu Zheng just confirmed that Wu Jinyan has been brought on board to co-star with Xu Kai in Royal Feast. For those of you who’ve despaired over ever seeing them work together again, this reunion is definitely a long time coming.


This most recent shake up in Huanyu Film’s established pairings is quite a switcheroo since they’ve been peddling a Xu Kai – Bai Lu and a Wu Jinyan – Nie Yuan tandem for some time now. Had the casting for Bai Lu pushed through for Royal Feast, this would’ve marked the pair’s third collab with each other. Meanwhile, Wu Jinyan has been paired constantly with her Huanyu colleague Nie Yuan for three of her more recent dramas like Story of Yanxi Palace, Legend of Haolan and Happiness Will Come Knocking Again. Now that Wu Jinyan and Xu Kai are finally reunited, things sure are starting to look interesting.
Actor Wang Yizhe who is Bai Lu’s leading man in Song of Youth joins the cast as the second lead. Update: The cast and crew held a boot ceremony on October 15, 2020 to mark the start of filming.

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lil
Cry myself a river! Maybe next time, because I rather Bailu take on “Forever &Ever” anyways plus I don’t care for this type of drama.
XZF
@ Chase She
Thank you very much for sharing these news with us. I visit this site everyday for C- dramas news. I have noticed we haven’t gotten any of “C-drama Ratings and Celeb Rankings” since 9/28/2020. Are you not doing it anymore? Please don’t stop it. Thank you very much & be safe.
stardustgalaxia
@XZF
I share your sentiments!
Yamapisukii
I’m so sad. I was looking forward to Bai Lu & Xu Kai together again. Not a big fan of Wu Jinyan.
XZF
@ Stardustgalaxia
Thank you! Let’s hope we will get the information soon. 🙂
Chase Shê
Hey @XZF and @Stardustgalaxia ! Thank you so much for dropping by for your daily dose of c-drama news. We’re gonna try to keep the “C-drama Ratings and Celeb Rankings” segment alive. Not sure yet though when we can push out a new article but we’re definitely gonna try to make it happen. 🙂
Ec
Hoping for more kailu pairing in the future. Not too interested in Wu Jingyan either.
Donita007
Waiting for KaiLu pairing though BaiLu and LeoLuo are hot these days… I still want to see the original Kailu again. I’m not interested with Wu Jingyan. I wonder what made You Zheng changed the casting.
Xier
Only liked Bailu bc of the legends. She’s not even that pretty or great at acting. Wu jingyan isn’t that pretty either but can act a little better. The girls were lucky to landed great roles. Stop complaining and comparing already jus bc of a stupid little ship u have. not everyone cares about the stupid ship. The story and directing is the most important piece, not about who star in it. Xukai been winning respect for great performance in everything he’s in, not bc his face or that simply bc he is xukai, or relying on fake cp. these actors may belong to yumana but they depended in their own talents and deserve prestigious awards. They not those usual idols who depend on fans grooming dumb ships. It’s such disrespect to ignore everyones hard work over dumb ships.
PM
Wow bitchy much? To publicly comment on two established actresses looks and acting behind the comfort of your privacy is just plain pathetic. How about you reflect first on your own looks and talents ( I am pretty sure both are as distasteful as your stupid comment 😒😒)
Man Man
Lol, why are you getting so worked up then if it’s just stupid, meaningless ships? Bai Lu is a great actress and Arsenal Military Academy also proved that. She is very pretty. I mean can you post your own picture and let us judge? Xu Kai and Bai Lu have great chemistry and that is why fans like them together, it’s not rocket science. If people didn’t care about who stars in what drama/movie then they can just cast people off the street instead of countless auditions, but they don’t do that… do they?
Man Man
@ Xier Lol, why are you getting so worked up then if it’s just stupid, meaningless ships? Bai Lu is a great actress and Arsenal Military Academy also proved that. She is very pretty. I mean can you post your own picture and let us judge? Xu Kai and Bai Lu have great chemistry and that is why fans like them together, it’s not rocket science. If people didn’t care about who stars in what drama/movie then they can just cast people off the street instead of countless auditions, but they don’t do that… do they?
Xier
There had been random people pulled from the street and act as leads before LMAO for the first time too, and they did really well. BC director is good and the story is good. Many good actors with years of experience or schooling failed so many dramas because either stories/directors sucks. There is nothing more special between Bailu or Wujinyan for fan fights. Yumama actors relied on good projects, the ships work only because the script is good in the first place. Some people speak as if these actors can just take any bad projects as long as their ship is in it, that’s not what actors are for. If that’s all they care, these actors can stop making dramas and just make out on stage for shippers to buy tickets and watch. People who want to watch a good show are not only here for shippers or certain actors, but here for the story and how they will direct it. Respect good actors, they don’t get liked only because they are being shipped together, people like them more for their talents and hard work.
Ash
@Xier. I share your sentiments that there are many elements that contribute to the quality of a drama and the actors are just one part of it. But what is “yumana” ?
Trinity
I like both Bai Lu and Wu Jinyan so I’m fine either way!
Those posters are hideous. Could they not have spent a bit more money to hire someone with some photoshop skills?
lil
@Xier “Only liked Bailu bc of the legends. She’s not even that pretty or great at acting. Wu jingyan isn’t that pretty either but can act a little better.”
LOL at this comment. WJY’s last 3 project’s main trending news headline on Weibo are mostly on her bad acting to the point that their boss had to come out and blame it on the script and the director. (LOL) Whereas, Bailu has been praised for her acting continuously on every of her projects. Just stating the truth here and not intended for fanwar. I actually like both actress and think they are very pretty. In all honesty, WJY should be the better actor because she is older and had professionally acting training and also been in the industry longer, which is probably why the netizen are tougher on her acting.
Sabrina
I mean, some people might not like Bai Lu’s visuals but to diss her for her acting? She’s one of the most versatile young actresses I’ve watched in recent years. All her roles so far are so different from one another. Whereas Wu Jinyan has gone on hot search multiple times for her (lack of) acting skills.
Regardless, I don’t understand the obsession for Bai Lu and Xu Kai’s pairing. They already had two great projects together (despite limited screentime in AMA) and I want to see them with other people. They can reunite for a modern drama sometime down the road (if their fans don’t kill each other by then). Besides, I am more hyped for Forever and Ever because its by Mo Bao Fei Bao.
Angie
Honestly Bai Lu acting falls very short from the actress who played duo roles in Legend. It’s only because she was the FL and also shipped with Xu Kai, also she’s better looking than that second lead. Nobody diss her acting but doesn’t mean it’s that great.
Nalu heartfilia
Okay… I was really excited to watch this bc i thought it would be bai lu , well im really dissapointed now… For goodness sake why would they post that the main role would be bai lu if they are gonna change it soon anyway… It really hurts u know?
Fiona
The heck? I dont wanna watch this anymore… So disappointed
Rapthalia
Disgusting. ..
how can you changed bailu with another random actress without any specific reasons.
I’m not saying coz I ship them but its more like She is fit in this main lead with Xu kai than any other actresses After seeing them collaboration in 2 worldwide hit dramas.
Let them give another chance together or maybe if not in this drama (I’m already bored with traditional c.dramas) I really want to see them together in Modern, Comedy and with lots of bts .
No offense #Thanks
MJ
I don’t care about this historical kind of drama and I think it’s a blessing in disguise that bailu didn’t get the role her 3 drama song of youth , one and only & forever and ever was a big hit, and this proved how great of an actress she is especially in one and only. For now I’ll just support whoever kailu would be paired of maybe soon they’ll give us an update with kailu having drama in modern settting.