Did the title get your attention? Good! That was the point because I want to rant!

Whenever an idol actor is mentioned positively (even in birthday posts), comments like these inevitably appear (examples here)

1. These are idol actors
2. They can’t act.
3. People only talk about their visuals.
4. International fans only talk about visuals!

Being attractive tells us they are good looking. Beauty does not mean a lack of acting ability.

Also, “people” only talk about their visuals proves absolutely nothing. Who are these people? Fans? Media? Weibo? Douban? This subreddit?

They can’t act because they’re pretty … That is a thought without a backbone!

Where is the actual criticism of the actor’s work? Which performance didn’t convince you? Which scene fell flat? What could they have done better?
That’s a discussion. Repeating “if they can’t act” isn’t. That “if”doesn’t even own the opinion it’s presenting!

It’s surprising how casually these blanket statements of borrowed talking points thrown around (sometimes without even understanding terms like idol fully), almost as if they’re accepted industry facts.

You don’t have to like an actor. You don’t have to think they’re talented. But if your criticism begins and ends with “idol actor,” “they can’t act,” or “people only talk about their visuals,” you’ve skipped the part that actually makes for an interesting discussion (for me at least!). Keep those thoughts away from my posts or I can simply stop posting (which I have!).

One last thing. If a post asks whether a CP deserved a better drama and the replies become “they can’t act anyway,” that’s no longer answering the OP’s question. It’s changing the subject (on normal days, Rule 5 violation - post scope derailment).

I have no interest in attacking or defending Zhang Linghe, Wang Churan, or any other idol actor.

Ever since I joined this community, I’ve tried to share industry news, updates, and context with fans of almost every celebrity.

I’d much rather know your thoughts on an actor’s actual performances than keep seeing the same unsupported one liners repeated as if they’re facts. But that’s just me!

My thoughts on Overdo are staying my in head. But these two? Zhang Linghe and Wang Churan, this CP is ridiculously good looking. Their visuals speak for themselves even when the drama doesn’t.

Context: Photoshoot from the drama Overdo.

There has been a lot going on within his fan management since last year. Old mangers were changed and a new management team was formed. For the first time, we had an overseas fan management team.

With good comes the bad. A fan manager allegedly exploited their position and knowledge of his flight schedule. They approached him at the airport to get his autograph personally (normally, his management team passes down fan memorabilia and autographed copies). They also approached him on his flight.

Why is this any different from how fan managers are supposed to act? It’s different because using your knowledge of any celebrity’s schedule for personal gain and approaching them in flights are a no-go in most fandoms.

The team may or may not change. Someone has already been removed from their position pending investigation. However, I wanted to say one thing.

What Wang Duo’s fans say or do, it does not reflect Wang Duo’s personal choices. He does have the power to change his fan managers. He also has the right to complain when someone abuses their position. He has made no statements on the matter.

Thanks for reading. If I disappear from Reddit, it means changes were made in his fan management and I am going where I should have been (on Weibo) instead of Reddit. AND before anyone speculates, I am not the fan manager in question 😉 they are on Weibo and accountable for their actions.

u/WangDuo_US

I started writing a full novel summary, then realized something. There isn't a single silver lining in this book. Every time you think things might get better, the author somehow finds a way to make them even worse.

The novel follows Ye Pingjun and Yu Changxuan through years of love, separation, sacrifice, misunderstandings, and unimaginable tragedy, with nearly every major character meeting a heartbreaking end.

I'm not even sure how many people would be interested in reading a complete summary of a novel this relentlessly tragic. So instead of summarizing the entire story, the story is the reason why Cheng Lei looks like a menace and Xu Ruohan looks scared in almost every scene.

If enough fans want the full story, I'll make a separate summary post because this barely scratches the surface.

Overdo had been long overdue, but the wait is finally over!!! The first five episodes will be on-air in less than 5 hours! 🥳

I have added Ep. 1 - 2 preview (with Eng subs) for fans who have been eagerly waiting for this drama.

Will you be watching? 👀

Plot

In Shanghai during the Republic of China, Murong Qing Yi, the youngest son of a warlord, was abused by his adoptive father because he was taken away by mistake. When he escaped as a teenager, he was saved by Ren Su Su, but his family suffered a catastrophe. After years of reunion, the two secretly fell in love, but Ren Su Su resolutely faked her death and fled to save others, leaving Murong Qing Yi to sink into the pain of losing love.

Three years later, Ren Su Su returned and became Murong Qing Yi's prospective sister-in-law. Now, one is full of resentment at being betrayed, and the other hides unspeakable pain, with love and hate intertwined between temptation and pulling. When misunderstandings are gradually resolved and deep affection is rekindled, a national disaster comes. Murong Qing Yi and Ren Su Su are determined to fight against powerful enemies. Where will their fate lead them?

CDF | MDL | Novel Summary

PS: Let us know via modmail if you’d like to recap Overdo for fellow fans here. Thank you 🥰

Reddit has changed its markdown feature which means the previous method to mark spoilers does not work.

I have made a video for DuoLaiMis and r/WangDuo members to help them navigate Reddit.

I hope someone finds it useful.

2026 | Mid Year Review Series

I would’ve said Wang Duo in The Unclouded Soul before Ashes to Crown aired, I was convinced Wang Ruichang would give me second lead syndrome. Instead, Tang Xiaotian (this self-proclaimed DADDI) completely stole the show for me. Between How Dare You and Ashes to Crown, I kept wondering why he wasn’t getting more leading roles. Dong Sichen (Winwin) also surprised me in A Splendid Match, although I’m curious whether others felt the same. I also think the entire cast of Pursuit of Jade from Deng Kai to Yan Yikuan left an impression on all of us.

So tell me, so far, which supporting actor completely stole the show in 2026?

Did you miss seeing him the past couple of days? I am sorry for not posting for a few days. I have been going through some health issues and unable to update as much as I would like to.

We discussed which highly anticipated dramas disappointed us, so far, this year.

How about the female leads who didn’t disappoint?

Ren Min in A Splendid Match seems to have earned a fan base.

A lot of actresses had at least two dramas released this year. We have had Wang Churan with two releases (and two more rumored to air this year - Overdo and Hidden Shadow). Chen Duling with Ashes to Crown and Veil of Shadows. Ju Jingy also two releases: The Eternal Fragrance and Veil of Shadows. Bai Lu gave us two different characters in Unveil Jadewind and The First Jasmine. Bao Shangen with Generation to Generation and Never Ending Summer.

My favorite has been Tian Xiwei as Fan Changyu in Pursuit of Jade. I haven’t watched Born with Luck yet where she plays Li Qian, but I’m curious about her potrayal. I also liked Dilraba’s performance in Love Beyond the Grave especially the scenes where she experienced human senses for the first time ever.

How about you? Who really caught your attention by giving a spectacular performance in 2026?

I don’t know how many folks have this drama on their radar. I’m sharing Eng sub version of the drama’s trailer for non-Chinese speaking fans. Anybody looking forward to the drama?

Plot:

In the first year of the Hongxi era (1425), Crown Prince Zhu Zhanji (Cheng Yi) survives an explosion in Nanjing. With his father the emperor gravely ill and a power struggle brewing in Beijing, he must race over 2,200 li (almost 1,100 km) back to the capital within just 15 days.

He is joined by three unlikely allies: constable Wu Dingyuan (Lin Gengxin), doctor Su Jingxi (Jiang Peiyao) and official Yu Qian (Wu Xinjiang Xingjian). Together, they travel along the Grand Canal while being pursued by assassins, in a life-or-death race to save the empire.

Novel: 两京十五日 (no English translation available)

MDL : River of No Return

It’s a Bilibili production instead of platforms like Tencent, iQIYI, Youku and MangoTV. There is no streaming information available as of yet except you can watch it on Bilibili for sure. The drama has a distribution license already so it may drop soon.

Novel Plot:

Li Shu (played by Kong Xueer), a princess born to a concubine in the cold palace, is abandoned after a one night entanglement with Shen Xiao (played by Li Hongyi), a scholar from a humble family who is single mindedly driven to clear his father's name.

Three years later, Shen Xiao passes the imperial exam as the top scholar. His very first memorial at the Luming Banquet is to impeach the princess. Moving from bitter adversaries to allies, the two join forces to combat the monopoly of powerful aristocratic clans and reform the imperial court, achieving mutual redemption amidst high stakes political maneuvering.

Excerpt from the Novel:

The emperor pointed at the newly crowned zhuangyuan (top scholar) and said to his beloved daughter, Princess Pingyang: “This young man would make a worthy match for my daughter.”

Princess Pingyang looked up and spit out the mouthful of wine she had just drunk. Wasn’t this the same man she had seduced and then abandoned three years ago, Shen Xiao?!

Three days later, the newly appointed zhuangyuan Shen Xiao submitted a memorial to the throne, fiercely impeaching Princess Pingyang for three major crimes:

1. Shameless conduct
2. Hoarding money and grain
3. Secretly maintaining a private army

Princess Pingyang retorted: “I only took your chastity, damn it! you’re trying to take my life!”

MDL Plot:

Shen Xiao, born into a humble background, studies diligently with the sole aim of entering officialdom and uncovering the truth behind his father’s death. However, after an unexpected one-night encounter with Princess Zhao Yang, Li Shu, he is cast aside by her. Not long after, he achieves first place in the imperial examination. At the newly held Luming Banquet, Shen Xiao meets the emperor, and his very first memorial is an impeachmentagainst this “extravagant and indulgent” princess…

About the characters

Li Hongyi plays Shen Xiao, a top scholar from a humble background and Kong Xueer plays Princess Zhaoyang, Li Shu with an externally charming, internally unyielding persona.

Source Novel

Princess Pingyang | 平阳公主

I am sharing the OST video as the drama’s Weibo page has been releasing a lot of promotional activity related material but not a new trailer.

Plot:

During the rebellion of the powerful feudal lord of Dayou, the realm descends into chaos, and warlords rise across the land. Xiao Wu Yi, the cold and ruthless commander general of the Northern Army, sets up a scheme for the hand of Xie Jia Yu, the money-driven, crafty only daughter of the Grand Tutor Xie Huai Gui, in order to quell the rebellion of the Duke of Changsha.

Bound by a marriage ordained by royal edict, it is an arrangement crafted not for love, but to serve hidden agendas, where every gesture masks a scheme and every move is calculated in a greater game of power. From a contractual couple to lifelong partners, from suspicion and conflict to love and unity, they go from rivals in ambition to comrades in life—uncovering each other's secrets amidst a deadly game.

MDL | CDF

The scene looks so intense! Even after the director called cut, their face is giving me ‘hate each other’ energy. Both look super immersed in their character

Tencent released footage of Liu Xueyi on his birthday. I am eagerly waiting for this drama to drop. Anybody else missing Liu Xueyi on screen?

This CP comes off as extremely visually captivating to me. Zhang Jingyi has an innocent and natural aura about her. Song Weilong simply towering over her gives me butterflies.

Anyone likes this CP and are you watching their drama?

Edit: MDL Love For You