LayarHijau – Young Chinese actress Zhao Qing recently opened up about her experience filming the romantic fantasy drama Seeds of Scarlet Longing (在你眉梢种红豆). In the series, she stars alongside Zheng Yecheng as Jiang Zhu, a bright, straightforward young demon with a rare ability to love wholeheartedly.
In the story, Jiang Zhu and Shen Miu are bound by the “xiangsi gu,” a love poison that forces them to share a destiny. This setup sparks a relationship filled with tension, close physical proximity, and numerous romantic moments that quickly captured viewers’ attention — from intimate gazes under firefly-lit nights, exclusive fireworks showers, to emotionally charged lift-and-carry scenes.
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Off-screen, Zhao Qing admitted she was far from composed the first time she read the script.
“When I first read those scenes, I truly blushed. I even thought, can this really be filmed?” she laughed.
She explained that some scenes carry sensual visuals and physical tension, yet the characters cannot act with overt desire. Maintaining the emotional balance was her biggest challenge.
One of the most challenging scenes was Jiang Zhu and Shen Miu’s first meeting. On screen, it lasts only a few minutes, but filming took nearly an entire night. Zhao Qing emphasized that this opening scene was crucial for establishing both the atmosphere and the fate-bound relationship between the two characters.
“The scene has a sensual undertone, but we couldn’t exaggerate it. Balancing the emotional intensity was extremely difficult,” she said.
Zhao Qing gave special praise to Zheng Yecheng, who provided a safe and stable environment on set. As a more experienced actor, Zheng’s professionalism and focus on character work allowed Zhao Qing to shift her initial embarrassment into full immersion as Jiang Zhu.
“We weren’t ourselves there. He was Shen Miu, I was Jiang Zhu. We were just completing what naturally happened because of the poison,” she explained.
Beyond the romantic moments, Zhao Qing highlighted Zheng’s emotional skill, particularly in scenes where Shen Miu cries. She described these moments as some of the most memorable.
“His tears genuinely fell in big drops. The way he acted was like a little wounded animal seeking warmth. I even took a screenshot and sent it to him, saying, ‘How can you look both so adorable and heartbreaking at the same time?’”
Zhao Qing also noted that Zheng actively supported her during filming. He consistently maintained a professional presence, encouraged her when she felt awkward, and helped ensure their scenes felt natural without forcing intimacy. His ability to convey Shen Miu’s internal struggle, vulnerability, and quiet strength significantly enhanced the chemistry between the two characters.
Meanwhile, Jiang Zhu stood out for being different from Zhao Qing’s previous roles. Audiences praised her lively, cheerful demeanor and the character’s deeper emotional layers.
For Zhao Qing, Jiang Zhu’s most remarkable trait is her unwavering belief in the goodness of the world, even while knowing the world is not always kind.
“She knows there are bad things out there, yet she still chooses to believe that good things can happen. And she dares to give love. That’s very rare,” Zhao Qing said.
She also admitted that Jiang Zhu’s bluntness mirrors her own personality. The straightforward, sometimes impulsive way the character speaks makes her comfortable portraying her.
Besides discussing the drama, Zhao Qing touched on her recent acting growth, which has received widespread praise. She expressed deep love for her profession and respect for an actor’s “professional lifespan.” For her, online feedback, both positive and negative, is essential for growth.
“When someone points out our shortcomings, it’s an invaluable experience. You just improve what’s lacking. I believe hard work is never wrong.”
Through Seeds of Scarlet Longing (在你眉梢种红豆), Zhao Qing demonstrates a more confident step in her career. She boldly explores more challenging and sensual scenes, while showing a deeper emotional understanding of her character. Her chemistry with Zheng Yecheng is a key strength of the series — the dynamic between expressive Jiang Zhu and reserved Shen Miu, bound by the love poison, gradually evolves into an unbreakable connection.
