LayarHijau – Zhao Lusi’s popularity has reached a phenomenal level following the success of Love’s Ambition, which aired last year. Her upcoming drama that has yet to premiere, Almost Lover (許我耀眼), is now rumored to air earlier than originally planned. Initial rumors suggested the drama would be released in March 2026, but the streaming platform is said to be considering moving the broadcast date up to January 2026 to capitalize on the continued popularity of Love’s Ambition.
In Almost Lover, Zhao Lusi is paired with Peng Guan Ying. However, the production faced significant difficulties during filming after Zhao Lusi suffered serious health issues and was unable to complete the shoot. Before these problems emerged, several leaked on-set photos of Zhao Lusi and Peng Guan Ying had circulated online, showcasing their sweet chemistry. Their notable height difference of around 26 centimeters also drew attention, with many netizens calling them an adorably mismatched on-screen couple.
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The drama was filmed in the Xianghu area of Hangzhou, where Zhao Lusi’s presence on set reportedly even helped attract tourists to the location. However, in December, it was revealed that she had been absent from filming due to a severe illness, requiring more than ten days of hospitalization and at one point being seen in a wheelchair.
One of the factors believed to have worsened Zhao Lusi’s condition was her intense workload, along with issues such as ambiguous or constantly changing scripts (often referred to as “yin-yang scripts”), and the frequent absence of director Deng Ke from the set, which left her without proper guidance or support. In addition, her former agency, Galaxy Cool Entertainment, was rumored to have prevented her from seeking medical treatment, restricted her access to her Weibo account, and demanded that she shoulder part of the costs related to the production team’s disbandment.
Originally planned as a 24-episode drama, Almost Lover reportedly had its episode count reduced to 14 after Zhao Lusi’s withdrawal, and the revised version has since been submitted for broadcast approval. Zhao Lusi once commented, “At first, it was said that if filming was not completed, the drama would not air. Later, it was decided that it would still be released. If the scenes don’t connect well, the actors will be the ones blamed.”
Almost Lover is adapted from the novel The Fish Are Safe and Sound (流魚無恙) by Hera Qinqin. The story is told through two timelines, covering both the characters’ teenage years and their adult lives. In the novel, Peng Guan Ying’s character, Teng Yi, is well known not only for his good looks but also for his street dance skills. After leaving the street dance scene, he regains his passion thanks to Zhao Lusi’s character, Ruan Yu.
In the adult storyline, the two characters reunite, face various challenges, and go through street dance competitions, ultimately achieving success in both love and their careers—a “double redemption” in romance and personal growth.
Zhao Lusi is widely expected not to promote the drama if it does air, given her painful and exhausting experience during filming. Still, some figures within the entertainment industry believe that Almost Lover may be worth watching at least for its story and the chemistry between the two leads. The lingering question is whether the production team can deliver a coherent and engaging narrative after cutting ten episodes and without Zhao Lusi returning to complete filming.
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