LayarHijau – Chinese actress Wu Jinyan has finally responded to the controversy surrounding a scene in which she was struck with a live snake while filming the upcoming drama Royal Betrothal (御廷谣). Rather than expressing frustration, she addressed the issue with a calm and lighthearted attitude, prompting her co-star Chen Zheyuan to crack a joke that left everyone laughing during a promotional event.
The controversy began after a behind-the-scenes clip from Royal Betrothal circulated online. The footage, filmed during a prison scene, showed crew members tossing a live snake—reportedly non-venomous—onto Wu Jinyan as part of the shoot.
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Startled by the unexpected moment, Wu instinctively screamed and briefly froze in fear. After regaining her composure, however, she continued filming and completed the scene. The video quickly went viral, sending the topic of Wu Jinyan being thrown a real snake on the set of her new drama to the top of Weibo’s trending list.
The incident sparked mixed reactions online. Some praised Wu for her professionalism and dedication, saying she stayed committed to the role despite being frightened. Others questioned the production’s filming methods, arguing that actors’ physical and emotional well-being should always come first, even when striving for realism.
The debate intensified after producer Yu Zheng responded to criticism by saying that Wu Jinyan was “used to it.” He compared the incident to her experience while filming The Legend of Haolan, saying the spiders she encountered on that set were no less terrifying.
His remarks drew criticism from many netizens, who felt he was downplaying the actress’s fear and treating such experiences as something actors should simply endure.
As the discussion continued, Yu Zheng later posted a longer statement praising Wu Jinyan’s perseverance and unwavering professionalism throughout filming while also promoting Royal Betrothal. Nevertheless, public attention remained focused on his earlier comment that she was “used to it.”
On August 3, Wu Jinyan finally addressed the controversy during a promotional event for the drama. She emphasized that the production team had taken safety precautions throughout the filming process.
“The crew did a great job with safety. The only difficult part was that the snake had to be thrown several times, so the snake handler and the crew were actually the ones who had the hardest job,” Wu said.
Her response immediately prompted a joke from Chen Zheyuan, who quipped that he was more worried about the snake’s safety.
Laughing, Wu agreed with him.
“That’s right. We were more worried about the snake’s safety.”
Their playful exchange instantly lightened the atmosphere and drew laughter from the audience. While Wu’s relaxed response eased some concerns, the discussion over the use of live animals during filming continues to generate debate on Chinese social media.
