LayarHijau – Chinese drama “Nian Xiangsi” (念相思), starring Esther Yu and Hou Minghao, has come under the spotlight after rumors circulated that filming had been delayed due to alleged tensions between the teams representing the two leads. The rumors even claimed that the production was preparing to replace its male lead.
However, a source familiar with the production has denied reports that filming has been halted. According to the source, the claim that “Nian Xiangsi” had stopped production is false, and filming is continuing as normal.
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The rumors emerged as discussions surrounding the drama once again gained traction online. One of the issues that has drawn attention since the early stages of production is dissatisfaction among some fans over the billing and ranking of the two lead actors.
“Nian Xiangsi” is primarily a female-led drama. Esther Yu was cast as the female lead and placed first in the billing, while Hou Minghao was placed second.
The billing arrangement sparked dissatisfaction among some of Hou Minghao’s fans. They felt that his character’s position and screen time were less favorable compared with Esther Yu’s. The disagreement subsequently developed into friction between the two fan groups.
However, the fan dispute is separate from the alleged conflict between the actors’ respective teams. So far, neither Esther Yu nor Hou Minghao, nor the production team, has confirmed that the two sides are involved in an internal dispute.
The timing of the actors’ arrival on set also became a topic of discussion. Esther Yu was reportedly involved in preparations for the drama earlier, while Hou Minghao was said to have joined the production later because of his participation in the variety show “Singer.”
Esther Yu was reportedly already undergoing costume fittings and other preparations for filming. Hou Minghao, meanwhile, was later said to have requested time off because of concert commitments and promotional activities.
The difference in their schedules led some fans to speculate that the two teams were dealing with different circumstances. However, there has been no confirmation that the scheduling differences were the result of any dispute between the teams.
The production’s launch ceremony on June 30 also fueled speculation. Neither Esther Yu nor Hou Minghao appeared together at the official production launch event. Instead, they were seen separately taking part in activities in their respective fan support areas.
The lack of interaction between the two stars led some netizens to interpret it as a sign that they were not particularly close. However, this remains public speculation and does not establish that the two actors are actually involved in a conflict.
Tensions between the two fan communities came into the spotlight again in recent days after both actors became the subject of separate controversies.
Hou Minghao previously drew attention after being called in for questioning over an incident in which he was seen leaning out of a car window while the vehicle was moving. Meanwhile, a vehicle associated with Esther Yu was questioned by some netizens over allegations that it had occupied a fire lane and over the driver’s actions while reversing.
The incidents prompted some fans on both sides to revisit older controversies and report the other side. The renewed fan dispute once again brought Esther Yu and Hou Minghao into the center of online discussion.
It was amid this situation that rumors emerged claiming that tensions between the two actors’ teams had directly affected the production of “Nian Xiangsi.” The reports alleged that filming would be delayed and that the male lead could even be replaced.
Those claims, however, remain unsubstantiated. A source familiar with the production instead said that the reports of a halt in filming were false and that “Nian Xiangsi” continues to be filmed as scheduled.
From a production standpoint, replacing a lead actor at this stage would also present major challenges. “Nian Xiangsi” has already been filming for more than a month. If Hou Minghao were replaced now, some scenes already filmed with him would potentially have to be reshot.
Such a change could also affect the production schedule and increase costs. For that reason, reports that Hou Minghao will be replaced should not be treated as a confirmed decision unless the production team makes an official announcement.
Meanwhile, any temporary pause or adjustment to the filming schedule could also be related to weather conditions. During the period in question, the possibility of typhoons affecting Zhejiang and the Hengdian area could have an impact on outdoor filming. Schedule adjustments due to weather are not unusual for drama productions and do not automatically indicate that filming has been suspended because of a conflict.
With the source’s denial, reports that “Nian Xiangsi” has been delayed or that its male lead will be replaced remain unconfirmed for now.
Some netizens have also urged fans to keep their disputes separate from the actors themselves. They argued that disagreements between fan communities should not automatically be interpreted as evidence that Esther Yu and Hou Minghao are in conflict or that the drama’s production is in trouble.
For now, “Nian Xiangsi” is reportedly continuing production as normal, while speculation about tensions between the two teams and a possible change to the male lead remains awaiting further confirmation from the parties involved.
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