LayarHijau – Rumors of an age limit for leading actors in China’s costume romance dramas (古偶剧) have sparked heated discussions in the Chinese entertainment industry. Several major streaming platforms such as Tencent Video and iQiyi are reportedly no longer casting actors aged 35 and above as main leads in this genre.
The controversy surfaced after the costume romance drama The Princess’s Gambit (桃花映江山), starring Liu Xueyi and Meng Ziyi, failed to meet audience expectations in both ratings and public reception. Producers allegedly attributed the failure to the age of the leading actors. Liu Xueyi is already 35 years old, while Meng Ziyi is 29.
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Amid these rumors, many netizens voiced concern for Wu Jinyan, who will turn 35 this August. Her postpartum comeback project, Royal Court Ballad (御廷谣), was initially reported to pair her with Hidden Love star Chen Zheyuan. However, the project faced delays due to disputes over credit rankings and is only recently reported to be back on track for filming in mid-July.
Public responses are divided. Some netizens support the rumored policy, arguing that a large age gap between the actor and their youthful character could disrupt immersion, even if the acting is excellent. Others believe this opens up opportunities for younger actors who have struggled to secure leading roles.
Opponents argue that a drama’s failure stems from script quality and production, not the actors’ age. They cite The Princess’s Gambit as suffering from outdated storytelling rather than Liu Xueyi’s age. In contrast, A Dream Within a Dream (书卷一梦), which stars 35-year-old Liu Yuning, was well-received during the same period.
Some also emphasize that an actor’s physical appearance, acting skills, and suitability for the role matter more than their actual age. For example, Tan Songyun, also 35, has convincingly portrayed young characters in costume dramas without criticism, thanks to her youthful appearance.
Several netizens also criticized the industry’s double standard, especially toward married actresses or those who have given birth. They speculated that Wu Jinyan could face prejudice due to her age and marital status, suggesting she consider transitioning to urban or family dramas that appeal to older audiences.
According to World Journal, there has been no official confirmation of this rumored policy from the platforms. Nevertheless, the debate on social media reflects the ongoing pressures and challenges actors face in China’s competitive entertainment scene.
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