LayarHijau.com – Have you ever eagerly awaited a drama because your favorite actress was cast as the lead—only to find the male actor’s name placed first, in larger font, or more prominently displayed in the poster? Many female viewers instantly feel: “Why is she being treated like the secondary lead?”
This is the issue of top billing—the order in which cast members’ names appear in credits and promotional materials. The first name is typically perceived as the most important, influencing how the public and industry perceive the actors.
Recently, this controversy resurfaced in the upcoming drama The Imperial Ballad / Court Royal Ballad (御廷谣) starring Wu Jinyan and Chen Zheyuan. Note that the official international title has not been confirmed.
Behind the Poster Drama
Producer Yu Zheng revealed that Chen Zheyuan “refused to be listed second”, prompting the team to label both actors as “equal co-leads” or ping fan. However, in practice, viewers can still sense who is favored—through name order, font size, screen time, and poster placement.
Wu Jinyan is widely recognized for Story of Yanxi Palace (延禧攻略) and the historical drama The Double (莫语云间). Chen Zheyuan, while rising in popularity, has yet to prove his staying power as a solo lead. To many fans, putting them on equal billing feels like a downgrade to Wu Jinyan’s seniority and accomplishments.
When First Name Means First Priority
This isn’t the first time top billing has sparked backlash. In Qiao Chu (且试楚), actress Chen Duling was listed as a co-lead alongside Zhou Yiran, even though the original story centered around her character. Fans felt she was pushed aside to accommodate a trending male actor.
Similarly, in Who Rules the World (且试天下), initially marketed as a story about a strong female lead, Zhao Lusi’s character was often portrayed as needing rescue. The narrative ultimately shifted to the male lead—leaving many female viewers disappointed.
How Is Top Billing Decided?
From a production standpoint, top billing isn’t always about narrative importance. Several factors come into play:
Commercial popularity (traffic): A trending actor may demand first billing regardless of story significance.
Contract clauses & agency negotiations: Top billing is often locked in from the very beginning.
Investor influence: Investors backing a particular actor may insist on lead status.
Script changes: A story that originally focused on a female character can shift toward the male lead due to market pressure.
A notable example is Chinese Paladin 4 (仙剑四), where Ju Jingyi and Chen Zheyuan reportedly both signed contracts naming them as the “first lead”—leading to public confusion and legal clarification.
In the End…
For many women, top billing is more than just name placement. It’s about recognition—how the industry values a woman’s hard work, talent, and presence. And sometimes, it all starts with whose name comes first.
Source: Based on an article from Sohu.
