LayarHijau – The newly aired costume drama Glory (玉茗茶骨), starring Guli Nazha and Hou Minghao, has quickly drawn public attention since its premiere. According to Yunhe data, the drama’s main episodes surpassed 10 million views on its first day, while Kuyun recorded 5.36 million views. The discrepancy between platforms sparked debate among fans and industry observers, although the drama’s overall opening performance is still considered strong.
Beyond the data controversy, the storyline—combining power struggles with internal family conflicts—has kept viewers engaged. Much of the spotlight falls on Rong Shanbao, the tea merchant family’s eldest daughter portrayed by Guli Nazha. From her very first appearance, the character exudes authority and control, leaving a strong impression and challenging Nazha’s long-standing image as an actress known mainly for her looks.
Produced by Yu Zheng, best known for the hit series Story of Yanxi Palace, Glory follows Lu Jianglai (Hou Minghao), a zhuangyuan—the top graduate of the imperial civil service examination—renowned for his intellect and martial skills. After being appointed magistrate of Chun’an County, Lu repeatedly solves complex cases, only to become the target of an assassination attempt. On the brink of death, he is saved by Rong Shanbao, the daughter of the region’s most powerful tea business family. What begins as mutual suspicion and strategic sparring gradually turns into a partnership as they work together to resolve internal conflicts within the tea clan and expand their influence.
Guli Nazha’s performance has received widespread praise from viewers. On social media, many say she has successfully “shed the ornamental beauty label” by delivering a more nuanced and controlled portrayal. Her subtle expressions have become a major talking point, from the calculated movements of her fingers while brewing tea to the sharp glances and restrained eyebrow movements during confrontations. Compared to her previous works, audiences feel her emotional delivery is now more layered and convincing.
On the day of its premiere, the topic “Nazha’s acting” surged online, amassing hundreds of millions of reads within half a day. Over 80 percent of viewer feedback described her performance as “surprisingly impressive” and “perfectly suited to the role.” Several industry commentators noted that Guli Nazha appears to have finally found the right path for her career, while Yu Zheng openly stated that her performance in this drama approaches award-winning standards.
However, the positive reception was not universal. During the storyline involving the selection of potential sons-in-law for the Rong family, many viewers criticized the appearance of the supporting male actors. Mocking comments spread rapidly across social media and even trended, with some audiences questioning the casting choices.
Some netizens speculated that the production cut costs by hiring actors from the short drama circuit. Others argued that Glory borrows heavily from the narrative formula of The Double (墨雨云间), focusing too much on delivering instant emotional satisfaction through fast-paced revenge arcs. Critics believe this pursuit of “feel-good” payback comes at the expense of visual polish and careful casting decisions.
Despite the mixed reactions, Glory remains one of the most talked-about costume dramas since its debut. Guli Nazha’s performance is widely regarded as the drama’s strongest asset, while issues such as supporting cast selection continue to fuel lively discussion among viewers.
