LayarHijau— The highly anticipated historical romance drama Rebirth officially premiered on April 8. As the formal sequel to the 2017 massive hit Princess Agents, the series is adapted from Xiao Xiang Dong Er’s novel titled 11 Chu Te Gong Huang Fei. The story directly follows the legendary cliffhanger of the ice lake battle, where Chu Qiao and Yuwen Yue were separated in a tragedy that has haunted loyal fans for years.
In this sequel, the character Yuwen Yue, who sank into the ice lake, is renamed Zhuge Yue and played by Li Yunrui, while the iconic role of Chu Qiao is portrayed by Huang Yang Tian Tian. Zhang Kang Le and Li Xiao Qian also join the main cast. The plot begins with Chu Qiao being rescued by Yan Xun, living in sorrow thinking Zhuge Yue has passed away, leading her down a cold path of revenge.
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However, during her exile in Bian Tang, she is repeatedly assisted by a mysterious figure, making her realize her lover might still be alive, eventually reuniting them to oppose Yan Xun who has turned into a dark ruler. Despite carrying the weight of a giant IP, Rebirth has faced a lukewarm market reception from its promotional phase to its official launch. According to data from platforms like Yunhe, the viewership and popularity metrics are significantly lower than expected for a sequel to such a monumental title.
The biggest disappointment for long-time fans lies in the production’s decision to completely overhaul the cast. “The audience strongly hoped to see the return of the original cast to continue the story, but Rebirth replaced everyone instead, which left many fans coming for nostalgia deeply disappointed,” noted an analysis regarding the impact of the cast change on the show’s reputation. By comparison, the 2017 Princess Agents was a milestone in costume dramas, starring Zhao Liying as the resilient Chu Qiao, Lin Gengxin as the cold yet affectionate Yuwen Yue, and Shawn Dou as Yan Xun.
Criticism for the sequel is heavily focused on the female lead, 18-year-old Huang Yang Tian Tian, who is deemed to lack the proper aura to play a tough female general. Her youthful appearance is seen as a sharp contrast to the character of Chu Qiao, who has endured immense suffering and possesses the resolve of a warrior. Many viewers offered harsh comments, stating that “she looks like a child stealing an adult’s armor,” as her presence is considered unable to carry the weight of such a deep character.
The distinct age and aura gap between Huang Yang Tian Tian and Li Yunrui has also led to criticism that their chemistry feels more like an uncle and niece rather than a romantic couple. This issue of looking too young reminds the public of Zhao Jinmai when she starred in The Princess Royal, where she was also criticized for her immature image not aligning with the dignity of a royal princess. In the historical romance genre, a lack of tension between leads is often the primary factor that drives audiences away.
