LayarHijau – After drawing widespread attention over its episode leak in China, the drama Pursuit of Jade (逐玉) is now facing a new wave of controversy. This time, the focus has shifted to reports of major scene cuts in the official broadcast, which viewers say have disrupted the story’s flow and character development.
Since its premiere in March 2026, the series quickly gained popularity. However, criticism soon emerged—not over the actors’ performances, but over what many viewers believe to be the removal of key scenes.
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According to comparisons compiled by netizens in China—based on aired episodes and a full version that previously circulated—multiple important scenes appear to be missing from the official release.
One of the most discussed examples is the “forest confrontation” scene involving Yu Qianqian, played by Kong Xueer. The scene was described as a major turning point, showing her transformation from a laid-back merchant into a fiercely protective mother. Another key moment, often referred to as the “bathhouse standoff,” which highlighted the character’s intensity and psychological tension, is also reportedly absent from the broadcast version.
During a live watch session, Kong Xueer was visibly surprised upon realizing that her scenes had been cut. Her reaction quickly went viral, further fueling speculation about extensive editing.
Attention has also turned to the female lead portrayed by Tian Xiwei. To prepare for her role as a butcher-turned-general, she reportedly underwent three months of intensive training. This included working in a slaughterhouse, learning butchering techniques, and practicing daily meat-cutting with knives. She also filmed action scenes in sub-zero conditions while wearing armor weighing around 40 jin (approximately 44 pounds).
However, several scenes tied to that preparation are said to be missing from the final cut. These include sequences such as “killing a bear alone,” “seizing supplies through bear hunting,” and “strategically infiltrating an enemy camp.” These moments were considered crucial in showcasing the character’s intelligence, courage, and growth, but were reportedly removed or altered.
Changes were also noted in the storyline. In the original version, Fan Changyu’s bravery is highlighted through a bear-hunting sequence to secure food. In the broadcast version, however, this plot point is said to have been altered into a scenario where the male lead takes on the consequences instead, weakening the female lead’s independent characterization.
Meanwhile, Zhang Linghe, who plays the male lead, is also believed to have been affected by the edits. To portray a physically weakened nobleman, he reportedly lost around 15 jin (approximately 16.5 pounds). He also prepared a key battle scene in which his character defeats the antagonist.
That battle sequence, however, is said to have been heavily trimmed. In addition, an emotional reunion scene in a military camp—where his character breaks down in tears—was reportedly removed, with some suggesting it was done to maintain a more restrained character portrayal.
The impact of these edits is evident in screen time. In several episodes, Zhang Linghe’s character appears for only about four minutes, and in some cases, as little as two minutes in fragmented shots. In earlier interviews, he had emphasized that quieter, everyday-life scenes were essential to building the character’s emotional core—yet many of those moments were not fully presented to viewers.
As a result, many viewers feel that the main storyline has become fragmented, with character motivations lacking depth and emotional arcs feeling rushed. Key relationship-building moments are said to be missing, making certain developments appear abrupt.
At the same time, supporting characters are perceived to have gained more screen time. In some cases, a supporting male character’s storyline reportedly spans up to one and a half episodes, while a princess’s romantic subplot has been criticized as unnecessary.
Several important moments in the main couple’s relationship—such as identity recognition through personal items and small street interactions—are also said to have been removed, contributing to a sense of disjointed emotional progression.
Viewer dissatisfaction has continued to grow across Chinese social media, where discussions about scene cuts have become a trending topic. Some netizens have even compiled detailed comparison charts to highlight missing content and pressure the platforms and production team.
The controversy intensified further on the night of March 21, when the drama—then only officially released up to episode 30 on Tencent Video and iQIYI—saw its full 40-episode version suddenly circulate online in China.
Several circulating versions reportedly carried watermarks such as “for review use” and “promotional material,” raising further speculation about the source of the leak. The incident amplified existing frustration among viewers already dissatisfied with the edited broadcast.
Despite the controversy, Pursuit of Jade continues to perform strongly in terms of viewership. Since its premiere on March 6, 2026, the drama has quickly trended, with Zhang Linghe’s social media following seeing significant growth.
The series has also entered trending charts in multiple countries through platforms like Netflix, highlighting a noticeable gap between its popularity and audience satisfaction.
As viewers question the reported removal of around 35 minutes of content—while a full version circulates outside official channels—the controversy surrounding Pursuit of Jade extends beyond a single drama. It raises broader questions about how creative effort is presented, how narrative priorities are determined, and how much respect is ultimately given to both the actors’ work and the audience.
