LayarHijau – Snow Kong is showing a very different side of herself in the Chinese historical drama The Shadow Sovereign. After gaining attention as Yu Qianqian, the close friend of Tian Xiwei’s character in the hit drama Pursuit of Jade, Snow Kong has taken on a leading role as Princess Zhaoyang, Li Shu.
Unlike her role in Pursuit of Jade, where she played a capable woman who knew her way around business, Snow Kong takes on a far more complex character in The Shadow Sovereign. Li Shu appears on the surface to be a spoiled and extravagant princess who relies on the Crown Prince. In reality, however, she is highly calculating and has been quietly working on her own plans for years.
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The Shadow Sovereign is adapted from the novel Ping Yang Gong Zhu (《平阳公主》). Li Shu spent her childhood living with her mother in the Cold Palace and even witnessed her mother take her own life. The traumatic experience shaped her into a woman who knows how to suppress her emotions, read people carefully and plan several steps ahead.
In public, Li Shu deliberately maintains the image of an indulgent and arrogant princess who depends on the Crown Prince. Behind closed doors, however, she has already realized that he is not fit to become a capable ruler. She has spent years secretly plotting to break free from his control while working to put the Seventh Prince on the throne.
Her relationship with Shen Xiao, played by Li Hongyi, is another major attraction. Rather than following the familiar slow-burn romance often seen in historical dramas, their relationship takes an unexpected turn from the very beginning.
Li Shu and Shen Xiao unexpectedly spend a night together. But afterward, Li Shu treats him coldly and even humiliates him. When they meet again three months later, everything has changed.
Shen Xiao has passed the imperial examination at the top of his class. Upon entering government service, one of his first moves is to publicly impeach Li Shu. What began as a one-night encounter suddenly turns the pair into political adversaries, giving their relationship plenty of dramatic tension.
In an interview, Snow Kong admitted that she had never played a character as formidable as Li Shu before. She described the princess as someone who constantly hides behind an innocent-looking facade.
On the surface, Li Shu appears extravagant and carefree, but she is quietly pushing her own plans forward. Snow Kong sees her as a woman who knows exactly what she wants, is unafraid to love or hate, and remains fiercely independent and clear-headed.
Snow Kong also explained why Li Shu becomes attracted to Shen Xiao. According to the actress, what makes him stand out is the fact that he is the only man who dares to challenge the princess.
“The key is that he is the only one who dares to talk back to the princess. Everyone else either respects or fears Li Shu. Shen Xiao, on the other hand, dares to scold her directly, and that makes Li Shu think he is quite interesting,” Snow Kong said.
The drama also puts its leads through a number of physically demanding scenes. For Li Hongyi, one of the most memorable moments came on the final day of filming, when he had to shoot a rain-soaked escape sequence.
It rained throughout the shoot, leaving the set covered in mud and making every step difficult. The director even smeared mud directly onto Li Hongyi’s face. Things became even more challenging when he had to carry Snow Kong, who was wearing a full and heavy period costume, while making his way through the muddy location.
What was supposed to be a romantic escape scene ultimately became a serious physical challenge for Li Hongyi.
The Shadow Sovereign premiered on July 23, 2026, starring Snow Kong and Li Hongyi. The 18-episode drama is available internationally on iQIYI and Viki.
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