LayarHijau.com — In China’s entertainment industry, especially for films and dramas adapting legendary wuxia works like Jin Yong’s novels or popular xianxia stories, the selection of actors and actresses is no longer just about acting skills.
Physical appearance, aura, and visual alignment with the character also play a crucial role in determining public reception. Several recent cases have shown how sharp the reactions can be when expectations don’t match reality.
For instance, when Zhuang Dafei was cast as Huang Rong in Tsui Hark's film Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants, Zhuang Dafei faced criticism for not representing Huang Rong as the intelligent, lively, and stunningly beautiful character described by Jin Yong.
Many fans felt that the actress was too "ordinary" and lacked the strong visual appeal needed for such an iconic role. The criticism was further amplified because Zhuang didn’t have a strong acting background to rely on.
Zhuang Dafei wasn’t the first to face challenges for taking on the role of Huang Rong. In another Jin Yong adaptation, The Romance of the Condor Heroes in 2014, Michelle Chen faced similar backlash. Xiao Longnu in the novel is depicted as a cold, pure, and graceful character, almost like a goddess, but Michelle was seen as too sweet and down-to-earth. The nickname "the warmest Xiao Longnu ever" became a sarcastic remark. Michelle’s appearance was also criticized for not aligning with the description of Xiao Longnu, who is known for her cold, ethereal, and almost untouchable beauty, as depicted in the novel.
Apart from controversies over Jin Yong’s adaptations, netizens also protested the casting of Ren Min as Zhu Yan in the drama The Longest Promise. Coincidentally, Ren Min’s co-star was Xiao Zhan, who later worked with Zhuang Dafei in The Gallants.
In the novel Zhu Yan by Cang Yue, the character's physical description isn’t detailed. However, as the daughter of the Chi Yi Clan in a world full of fantasy and visual beauty, Zhu Yan is described as having a captivating appearance and an aura of nobility. Her grace and beauty are integral to her character, fitting her role as a central figure in this epic romance and adventure story.
Ren Min was deemed less suitable to play a princess from a xianxia world, where characters are expected to embody an ethereal, fairy-like beauty. When paired with Xiao Zhan, who perfectly matched the visual expectations, this imbalance became even more apparent.
Behind the Doubts: When Acting Triumphs Over Appearance
Not all casting choices that were doubted from the start end in failure. Some actors and actresses have proven they can overcome skepticism with extraordinary performances.
While Zhuang Dafei was criticized for having an ordinary appearance to play Huang Rong, Xiao Zhan faced doubts when he was cast as Guo Jing in The Gallants. Xiao Zhan was considered too handsome and soft for the role of Guo Jing, as described in Jin Yong’s novel.
Unlike his co-star, Xiao Zhan underwent convincing makeup in the film, where he appeared darker and more rugged, aligning more closely with Guo Jing’s depiction in the novel as a simple, honest young man.
When Hu Ge was announced as the lead for Mei Changsu in Nirvana in Fire, many netizens in China were skeptical. This time, the concern was not about lacking the right physical appearance, but rather the opposite—Hu Ge was seen as too handsome and gentle for the role of a sickly, politically savvy character. However, through sharp and emotional acting, Hu Ge proved himself, and his portrayal of Mei Changsu is now considered one of the best performances of all time.
The beautiful actress Dilraba Dilmurat was also doubted when cast as Li Changge in The Long Ballad. Again, the issue was her being seen as too beautiful to play a tough warrior disguising herself as a man. However, with her impressive action scenes and strong character development, Dilraba won praise for her performance.
Zhao Liying was also doubted when she was cast as Chu Qiao in Princess Agents. She was previously known for her sweet and cute image, so netizens questioned her ability to portray a slave who becomes a rebellious general. But Zhao Liying broke through this doubt and even created a new image for herself.
When she was cast as Shen Li, the tough and brave Sky King in The Legend of Shen Li, netizens in China no longer doubted her ability to embody such a strong and complex character.
When Actors Know Their Limits
While some stars seem to force themselves into roles that are visually far from their natural image and fail, others consciously choose roles that match their appearance and characteristics.
Actors like Liu Haoran often pick roles as honest, intelligent young men with a clean and fresh appearance, which aligns with his public image. He doesn’t force himself into extreme genres or characters far from his established persona.
Similarly, Bai Jingting consistently takes on casual and realistic roles, making them feel natural and easy for the audience to accept.
Guo Qilin, known for his acting skills and comedic personality, often plays supporting roles or characters not burdened by high visual expectations. He succeeds because of his authentic charisma.
Actresses like Zhou Yutong, with her tomboyish and modern image, often choose roles for independent women or free-spirited characters, rather than traditional roles that demand an overly delicate or graceful appearance. Tan Songyun, known for her cute and cheerful image, often plays roles in dramas like Go Ahead or Under the Power without trying to take on glamorous or mature roles too early.
Actresses like Yan Ni, more known for motherly or mature characters, don’t attempt to play youthful romantic leads, and are instead praised for their consistency and suitability for the roles they choose.
Such choices are often praised for showing self-awareness and professionalism, allowing for gradual career development without raising unrealistic expectations.
Balance is Key
These cases show that in genres like wuxia and xianxia, good acting alone isn’t always enough—physical appearance plays a crucial role as well. Audiences want balance between both: a face that matches the character’s imagination and acting that brings it to life.
Production teams should be more careful in their casting decisions, respecting fan expectations, especially when adapting works that already hold a special place in the public's heart. At the same time, actors and actresses need to recognize when they are suited for a role and when it might be better to wait for a more fitting opportunity.
In the world of visual-driven dramas, appearance and acting are not two elements that must compete—rather, they are two elements that should complement each other.