LayarHijau – Chinese drama director Yi Jun has found himself at the center of controversy after his latest series, Overdo, drew widespread criticism over its production quality. At the same time, industry rumors suggest he may no longer be attached to the upcoming historical drama Revenge, fueling debate over whether China’s drama industry is changing the way it selects directors for high-profile productions.
Shortly after Overdo premiered, viewers began criticizing the drama’s overall production values. The hashtag #TheFinalVersionIsWorseThanTheSetLeaks (#正片不如路透) quickly gained traction on Chinese social media, with many arguing that the finished series failed to live up to the expectations created by behind-the-scenes photos and leaked filming clips.
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Not long afterward, reports began circulating that Revenge, a major historical drama that had reportedly been set to be directed by Yi Jun, was exploring alternative options. According to industry rumors, directors Zhi Zhu and Zeng Qingjie have entered discussions as potential replacements.
If those reports prove accurate, they could signal a broader shift in how Chinese production companies choose directors for big-budget idol dramas.
Overdo Falls Short of Expectations
Overdo currently holds a 5.1 rating on Douban based on nearly 48,000 user reviews.
Its performance has also weakened across streaming platforms. As of July 29, the drama’s popularity index on iQIYI had dropped from a peak of 8,228 to 7,546, while its Tencent Video popularity score declined from 24,506 to 23,506.
The results came as a surprise to many, considering the drama generated significant buzz before its release. Behind-the-scenes footage attracted widespread attention online, while both the streaming platforms and producers invested heavily in marketing.
Despite that momentum, the finished product failed to meet audience expectations.
Still, industry observers note that one disappointing project rarely ends a director’s career in China’s television industry.
Established Directors Have Faced Similar Criticism
Yi Jun is far from the first high-profile director to come under fire.
Zhu Ruibin, best known for Ashes of Love, was previously criticized for relying on repetitive directing techniques. Those discussions resurfaced when Story of Kunning Palace aired in 2023.
Likewise, Guo Hu, who earned praise for Mysterious Lotus Casebook, faced heavy criticism after directing Only for Love, with viewers taking issue with the show’s color grading, cinematography, and costume styling.
Despite the backlash, both directors have continued landing major projects.
Over the past two years, Zhu Ruibin has directed Blossoms in Adversity, Moonlight Mystique, and Fated Hearts, while also taking on upcoming projects including Love in Red Dust and Yunchu’s Vengeance.
Guo Hu has remained equally active with A Moment But Forever, A Dream Within a Dream, and Fate Chooses You. His latest project, Nirvana in Flames (Feng Bu Qi) starring Wu Jinyan and Wei Zheming, has already entered production.
Their careers demonstrate that criticism surrounding one drama does not necessarily prevent directors from securing future opportunities.
Why Producers Still Value “Reliable” Directors
Speaking to Sohu Entertainment, a television producer explained that idol dramas are ultimately commercial products built around predictability and efficient execution.
From an industry’s perspective, the first priority isn’t artistic style—it’s whether a director can successfully manage a massive production.
That includes overseeing budgets worth hundreds of millions of yuan, coordinating crews of several hundred people, keeping filming on schedule, and delivering a completed series without costly delays.
Only after those requirements are met do producers begin evaluating a director’s creative vision and visual style.
That production-first mindset helps explain why Yi Jun continued receiving high-profile projects.
After spending years working under acclaimed director Xu Jizhou, Yi Jun made his breakthrough with Bloody Romance in 2018, a critically acclaimed web drama. He later strengthened his reputation with Lost Track of Time, which earned positive word of mouth and strong engagement across Chinese social media.
Those successes led to a string of major assignments, including The Princess’s Gambit, Overdo, and the upcoming Floating Life, starring Chen Zheyuan and Wang Churan.
Audience Expectations Have Changed
Yi Jun represents a generation of directors who rose during China’s rapid expansion of idol dramas.
At the time, production efficiency was often the industry’s top priority. Veteran filmmakers from Hong Kong and Taiwan—including Li Guoli, Wu Jinyuan, Li Huizhu, Liang Shengquan, Huang Junwen, and Lin Yufen—helped shape the production model that many younger directors later followed.
A new generation eventually emerged from technical roles such as cinematographers, assistant directors, and executive directors. Alongside Yi Jun were directors including Guo Hu, Ren Haitao, and Fei Zhenxiang, whose credits include Love Like the Galaxy and the Candle in the Tomb franchise.
Today’s viewers, however, expect much more than efficient production.
Visual storytelling has become increasingly important. Audiences now pay close attention to cinematography, shot composition, lighting, costume design, production design, and historical authenticity—particularly in period dramas.
Techniques that once felt polished are now often criticized as outdated.
Directors With Strong Visual Styles Are in Demand
Changing audience tastes are also reshaping the industry’s hiring priorities.
The two directors reportedly being considered for Revenge—Zhi Zhu and Zeng Qingjie—have both earned recognition for their visual storytelling.
Zhi Zhu attracted attention with Love in the Clouds, which was praised for its cinematic atmosphere and distinctive visual style.
Zeng Qingjie, meanwhile, scored back-to-back hits with The Rise of Ning and Pursuit of Jade. He has developed a reputation for creating visually memorable scenes while bringing out standout performances from his actors.
That doesn’t mean experienced directors are becoming obsolete.
Industry professionals still view the ability to control budgets, deliver projects on schedule, and balance the competing demands of platforms, investors, and cast members as essential skills.
Even so, the direction of China’s drama industry appears to be evolving. While production efficiency remains important, artistic vision and visual quality are playing an increasingly influential role in determining who gets the industry’s biggest directing opportunities.
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