LayarHijau — On November 22, during the wrap celebration for the historical drama Jiangshan Wei Pin (江山为聘), Chen Zheyuan told his fans that there was “absolutely nothing to worry about” regarding the circulating rumors. “Don’t dwell on unimportant things,” he said, a remark that immediately drew attention as the drama had recently been overshadowed by talk of behind-the-scenes tension involving producer Yu Zheng and a dispute over billing placement.
Yu Zheng, who manages Wu Jinyan under his company, is widely known for prioritizing her in projects he oversees. In most productions involving the actress, she is given top billing—the highest placement in cast listings across promotional materials, signaling her status as the central or most significant star.
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Chen Zheyuan stars opposite Wu Jinyan in the upcoming drama. Trouble began during pre-production, before the official cast announcement. During one of his livestreams, Yu Zheng spoke openly about billing order and hinted that a male actor refused to accept being placed second to Wu Jinyan. The remark fueled speculation about internal conflict.
In that stream, Yu Zheng said, “If Wu Jinyan doesn’t keep the top position, we can’t start shooting,” adding that he had “no intention of giving first billing to that kid.” Although he mentioned no names, many online users assumed he was referring to Chen Zheyuan, especially since rumors at the time strongly suggested he would be paired with Wu Jinyan for Jiangshan Wei Pin.
Yu Zheng’s words sparked immediate controversy. Fans of Chen Zheyuan found the comments offensive and took to social media to defend him. Responding to the backlash, Yu Zheng later clarified that his frustration was directed not at Chen himself but at “fan drama,” and that further decisions depended on whether the production team agreed to sign an “additional agreement” requested by investors. Chen’s camp never released a statement to confirm or deny any of these claims, leaving public opinion split—some siding with Chen, others criticizing his team for allegedly demanding too much.
Despite the noise, the production eventually announced the full cast and proceeded with filming. Chen Zheyuan’s relaxed demeanor at the wrap event suggested he chose not to be shaken by the speculation. He emphasized that filming for Jiangshan Wei Pin went smoothly and expressed hope that the drama would be judged by its final quality rather than by the online controversies surrounding it.
Jiangshan Wei Pin tells the story of Meng Ting Hui, the first woman of the Tang Dynasty to earn the prestigious Jinshi title* and serve at the elite Hanlin Academy*. A decade before the main events, she was found disheveled among a pile of corpses. Ten years later, she rises through the bureaucratic ranks as a brilliant, ambitious official, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the empire’s senior ministers. Behind her journey is a young emperor who once saved her life. Unbeknownst to her, he has carried a quiet, unwavering love for years. Their relationship unfolds amid court politics, sacrifice, and intertwined destinies.
The Jinshi title was the highest qualification awarded to candidates who passed imperial examinations in ancient China, granting access to government office. The Hanlin Academy was an elite institution where top scholars—including Jinshi graduates—served in literary, secretarial, and advisory roles for the emperor.
