LayarHijau – Actress Chen Duling has responded to rumors surrounding the production of the drama Qiao Chu (乔初). On June 30, she posted a statement on her personal social media account, addressing speculation about her treatment on set and explaining why she accepted the role of Chu Chao. According to Sohu, she wrote, “I chose Qiao Chu after reading the script and the original novel. After ten years since my debut, I believe I have the ability and judgment to make my own decisions. Chu Chao is a female character who brings light and strength to others. I love this role very much and I want to bring Chu Chao to the audience.”
Chen also denied rumors of being treated unfairly during filming, stating that the crew members were all familiar with her, treated her well, and that she truly cherished the warm and respectful working atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Chen Duling’s studio issued an official statement addressing fans, urging them not to be misled by unofficial information.
“1. All concerns raised by fans have always been handled by confirming the situation and responding as quickly as possible. That will remain our approach. For more information, please refer to the official liaison accounts. Do not be misled by unauthorized sources,” the studio said.
“2. We also urge everyone to provide suggestions and opinions through proper channels and with a calm mindset. Solving problems is our shared goal. We hope that people do not spread misinformation or create unnecessary anxiety.”
“3. Protecting the artist’s legitimate rights will always be our top priority. We will continue to support Chen Duling in creating meaningful roles and walking each step of her career steadily. We value and cherish every project and character, and we believe our fans feel the same.”
The statement concluded with words of gratitude for the ongoing support and love fans have shown Chen Duling.
This statement comes amid growing controversy surrounding Qiao Chu, which began circulating in May 2025, even before filming officially began. The core of the controversy revolves around lead billing order and the backlash from fans of both Chen Duling and her co-star Zhou Yiran.
Adapted from the popular novel Chu Hou, Qiao Chu features Chen Duling as the female lead Chu Chao, with Zhou Yiran playing her love interest Xie Yanlai. Since the drama is categorized as a big female lead historical series, many fans expected Chen Duling to receive top billing. However, the production team chose to list the actors “in no particular order, sorted by surname,” which upset some of Chen’s fans. They felt that her studio failed to fight for the first billing in a drama that centers on her character.
This frustration spilled over to social media, with hashtags like #粉丝脱粉 (fans leaving) trending, as some fans publicly declared they would stop supporting Chen Duling. Concerns also arose that the script might be revised to give Zhou Yiran more screen time—something not uncommon in the Chinese drama industry, especially when male leads are more popular.
On the other side, some of Zhou Yiran’s fans were also displeased, fearing that he would be relegated to a secondary role in a female-focused drama. This led to divisions within his fanbase, with some supporting the drama and others expressing disapproval.
To calm tensions, both actors’ studios issued a joint statement asking fans to respect both stars and focus on supporting the production. Chen Duling and Zhou Yiran also posted personal messages encouraging kindness, mental well-being, and a focus on the work itself rather than fan disputes.
The controversy has sparked wider discussion in the Chinese entertainment industry about the influence of fan culture, the significance of billing order, and the mounting pressures placed on actors and production teams by vocal fanbases.
