LayarHijau – The drama In the Name of Blossom (錦繡芳華), starring Yang Zi and Li Xian, has just wrapped up its broadcast, but the buzz surrounding it hasn’t faded. Not only did the final romantic scenes leave fans swooning, but the drama also broke new industry records. With a total of 260 ads aired across 24 episodes—an average of 10.83 ads per episode, peaking at 14 in a single one—In the Name of Blossom now holds the all-time record for “most ads per episode” and “highest average ads per episode” across all Chinese platforms. As a result, Yang Zi has been dubbed the “Advertising Queen” (招商女王) by netizens.
One of the most viral moments came in the final episode: the “swing kiss” scene between Yang Zi and Li Xian. The clip quickly went viral across social media, and behind-the-scenes footage revealed the kiss was filmed 10 times to get it just right. The show’s total view count has now surpassed 2.2 billion, solidifying its status as one of the biggest Chinese drama hits of the year.
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Amid this wave of popularity, Yang Zi’s career shows no signs of slowing down. After finishing filming The Mo (家業) in April, she immediately started working on her next project with Hu Ge—a drama titled Born to Be Alive (生命樹), set in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Although filming for Born to Be Alive is still ongoing, new casting rumors have already emerged: Yang Zi is reportedly in talks to star in a Republican-era drama titled When the Magnolia Blooms Again (玉蘭花開君再來).
Interestingly, this rumor once again brings up a familiar name: Liu Yuning. The actor and singer, currently riding a wave of success from dramas like The Prisoner of Beauty (折腰) and A Dream Within a Dream (書卷一夢), has been linked in previous rumors with Yang Zi. While the two have never co-starred before, speculation about a possible pairing has resurfaced following both actors’ standout performances in separate projects. If the collaboration comes true, it would mark their very first on-screen appearance together—already generating major buzz among C-drama fans.
Upmedia reported that When the Magnolia Blooms Again originally considered Tang Yan for the female lead. Born in Shanghai and known for her graceful image that fits perfectly in cheongsam costumes, Tang Yan was seen as a natural choice for the character. However, Yang Zi’s stellar performance in In the Name of Blossom—both in acting and commercial appeal—is rumored to have caught the producers’ attention, potentially shifting the decision in her favor.
When the Magnolia Blooms Again is based on the real-life story of Dong Zhujun, the founder of the Jinjiang Hotel in Shanghai. The drama follows A Yuan, a poor girl sold into a brothel but who maintains her dignity as a performing artist (清倌人). She later falls in love with a revolutionary named Xia Zhishi, marries him, and studies in Japan. After their marriage falls apart, she returns to Shanghai with her four daughters, starting a Sichuan restaurant that eventually grows into the legendary Jinjiang Hotel. During times of upheaval, she even shelters Communist Party members, and ultimately donates her entire fortune to the state.
Although there has been no official confirmation from either the production or the actors involved, the rumor of Yang Zi and Liu Yuning teaming up has already ignited intense discussion online. Many fans are hoping the collaboration will come true, seeing enormous potential in the chemistry and star power the two could bring together.
