LayarHijau – The new Chinese drama Love and Crown (鳳凰台上), starring Ren Jialun and Peng Xiaoran, is currently attracting a lot of attention. The story follows a young emperor in disguise and a free-spirited female warrior, combining palace intrigue with martial arts adventures that have captivated audiences.
As the drama gains popularity, rumors about the cast’s salaries have started circulating. Netizens claim that Peng Xiaoran earned around 3 million RMB (approximately $440,000 USD, assuming 1 RMB ≈ 0.147 USD), while Ren Jialun reportedly appeared in the drama with a 0 yuan fee. This revelation has surprised many fans.
According to industry reports, Ren Jialun’s decision to work without pay was not without reason. He reportedly agreed to take the role for free as part of a “peaceful separation” deal with his former agency, 欢瑞世纪, internationally known as H&R Century Pictures.
Love and Crown is adapted from the novel My Queen (我的皇后). The story centers on Xiao Huan (played by Ren Jialun), an emperor who often disguises himself as Bai Chifan to investigate the struggles of his people, and Ling Cangcang (Peng Xiaoran), a female martial artist who founded the Fenglai Sect to uphold justice. Despite coming from vastly different worlds—the palace and the martial arts realm—they meet through shared moral principles and a desire to protect the vulnerable.
However, as their romance develops, Xiao Huan discovers that Ling Cangcang is the prime minister’s daughter and destined to become his empress. This creates internal conflict: balancing his duties as emperor with his true feelings, and reconciling personal love with responsibility to the state. Together, they work to quell political chaos, distribute aid to the people, and punish corruption.
Industry insiders say Ren Jialun agreed to participate in Love and Crown without payment to end his relationship with H&R Century Pictures amicably. Once filming wrapped, his contract concluded, and he left the agency. As a result, many describe the drama as serving as Ren Jialun’s “severance payment” with his former agency.
In the drama, Xiao Huan’s character is layered: he commands authority as an emperor, yet as a disguised warrior, he reveals empathy and gentleness. His evolving relationship with Ling Cangcang is a major highlight due to the complex interplay of identity and responsibility. Alongside Peng Xiaoran and Ren Jialun, the series also features Zhang Yao, Chen Yihan, and Wang Zhuocheng, creating a strong ensemble cast with rich, multi-dimensional characters.
It’s important to note that the salary information is still a rumor and has not been confirmed by either the actors’ management or the drama production team. Therefore, this report should be regarded as circulating fan speculation rather than an official statement.
