LayarHijau— The nine-year wait for fans of Princess Agents to witness the continuation of Yuwen Yue’s fate in the frozen lake has finally been met with a different reality than initially expected. Producer Zhang Meng recently shared the story of her behind-the-scenes efforts to bring back the iconic duo, Zhao Liying and Lin Gengxin. Despite extensive communication efforts, the sequel now titled Rebirth eventually moved forward without its original stars, a decision that presented unique challenges for public reception during its broadcast.
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Zhang Meng revealed that she engaged in a long diplomatic process spanning eight months specifically to reunite Zhao Liying and Lin Gengxin. She even adjusted the script to ensure Yuwen Yue’s character arc was more robust and meaningful for Lin Gengxin. “When Liying eventually sent her three-page refusal letter, I spent the entire night watching the sunset by Weiyang Lake while drinking white tea,” Zhang Meng recalled of that moment. The primary reasons behind this outcome were Zhao Liying’s commitment to more serious roles and Lin Gengxin’s desire to explore characters outside the shadow of his previous roles.
In their place, Zhang Meng cast Huang Yang Tian Tian to portray the new Chu Qiao. This choice was based on the emotional connection of the actress having previously played the young version of Chu Qiao in the first series. However, this casting choice invited varied reactions from the public. Beyond the 11-year age gap with her co-star Li Yunrui, Huang also became a subject of discussion regarding her lifestyle after being seen wearing luxury jewelry. Although she clarified that the jewelry belonged to her mother, the public continued to scrutinize her family background, sparking debates on social media.
Significant public attention put the production team under pressure to consider casting changes mid-production. The team even prepared several options to respond to netizen feedback suggesting the young actress might not yet fit the image of the battle-hardened General Xiu Li. Nevertheless, the producer moved forward with the project and attempted to add value through a special appearance by popular Thai actress Mai Davika. Unfortunately, this move also triggered discussions among fans as Mai Davika’s styling was perceived as less aligned with the drama’s atmosphere and Director Lu Hao Ji Ji’s aesthetic direction.
Significant changes to the plot, including an amnesia element for the character Chu Qiao, were seen as altering the essence of the independent female lead established in the first series. Consequently, the drama, categorized as a major production, had to air without massive sponsorship support, a phenomenon known in the industry as a naked broadcast. This condition reflects the market’s cautious stance toward a project that underwent significant changes in its lead cast. Investors appeared to be closely monitoring the reactions of the original fanbase, who found it difficult to accept a complete overhaul of the main cast.
Audience reactions on various discussion platforms were quite mixed, with many highlighting the different chemistry between Huang Yang Tian Tian and Li Yunrui compared to the previous version. This situation eventually led Zhang Meng to offer an open explanation and share her feelings during a live broadcast. The production journey of Rebirth serves as a valuable lesson for the entertainment industry that a sequel heavily relies on the emotional connection between the audience and the actors who first brought the characters to life.
