LayarHijau – Wu Lei’s latest costume drama project, The One (剑来), is already drawing intense attention even before its official release. However, the highly anticipated series has recently been hit by rumors of major script changes that are said to directly affect the main character he portrays.
In the original novel, Chen Pingan is depicted as an ordinary young man who rises from hardship after both of his parents pass away. His parents are only briefly mentioned as part of the backstory that shapes his resilience and personal growth. However, circulating reports claim that the drama adaptation significantly expands the role of his father, Chen Laoba.
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Out of the total 24 episodes, Chen Laoba is rumored to receive up to four full episodes of dedicated storyline. During these episodes, Chen Pingan reportedly will not appear at all. This alleged shift has sparked strong backlash from fans of the novel, who believe the main narrative focus has been altered and the foundation of Chen Pingan’s character may be compromised.
The name Vengo Gao has been mentioned as the actor portraying Chen Laoba. The involvement of the well-known actor has further fueled speculation that the father’s role has indeed been substantially expanded in the television adaptation.
An Ambitious Project Showcasing Wu Lei’s Dedication
The One marks Wu Lei’s first large-scale costume drama in four years and is considered one of Tencent’s priority projects. With a reported investment of 300 million RMB (approximately USD 40+ million), the series is positioned as one of the year’s major productions.
Wu Lei is said to have demonstrated remarkable commitment in preparing for his role as Chen Pingan, a skilled swordsman. He reportedly underwent intensive physical training and specialized sword practice, even losing around six kilograms to better embody the character.
Filming began in November last year and is now nearing completion. Reports also suggest that production operated with two separate teams, Group A and Group B. While some speculate this arrangement was related to scheduling and storyline adjustments, no official explanation has been provided.
Disappointed fans have taken to social media to express their frustration, arguing that the rumored changes fail to respect the source material and could undermine the appeal of the main protagonist. Some have even threatened to boycott the drama if the alterations prove to be true once the series airs.
As of now, the production team has not issued any official statement addressing the rumors surrounding the character changes.
