In the Know - Drama with Revenged Love, Xiao Zhan Going Solo and Earring Scandal follow up

·22 min·2 clips

A drama banned in China for featuring a homosexual couple has 3.2 million views on YouTube in its first episode.

The episode begins with host Karen introducing the drama 'Revenge Love' (Ni Ai), which is banned in China due to its LGBTQ content but airs on platforms like YouTube, where its first episode has 3.2 million views. She explains the plot involves a man, Wu Suowei, played by Ziyu, seeking revenge after being dumped, leading to a relationship with another man, Chi Cheng, played by Tian Xunying. Karen notes that the drama's popularity has made Tian Xunying and Ziyu trending topics in China, though they are not as popular as past idols like Xiao Zhan. She details how Tian Xunying's rise was quickly marred by scandals, including accusations of dating multiple women simultaneously, rumors of a child, and cheating allegations involving women named Susu, Ruoruo, and co-star Teng Zewen. Karen describes how Tian Xunying sued and won against a fake account exposing these issues, but the truth remains unclear, and the drama's promotion in China was halted. She then shifts to Xiao Zhan, explaining that he changed his Weibo handle from including his boy band X9 to just his name, likely signaling the end of his group contract and a move to a solo career. Karen mentions he updated his featured works on Weibo, keeping 'The Untamed' but replacing older dramas with newer ones like 'The Youth Memories' and 'The Legend of Zhang Hai.' Finally, she covers the follow-up to the Huang Yang Tiantian earring scandal, summarizing an official report that found the earrings were fake glass gifted in 2016, her father was fined for minor profit-making, and the family had an illegal second child but faced no further action. Karen notes that online commentators remain skeptical, questioning the family's wealth and the authenticity of the report, highlighting public distrust. The episode concludes with Karen inviting listener feedback on 'Revenge Love' and noting its impressive viewership.

As heard by us

A Chinese drama hit meets actor turbulence, idol-career context, and one unresolved thread.

Chinese entertainment news is at its most revealing when a drama's popularity runs into the rules that decide where it can be seen. Chasing Dramas frames this episode around that pressure point, starting with Ni Ai, or Revenge Love, the Wu Suowei and Chi Cheng story that has…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You get the Revenge Love buzz, then a close look at how idol careers wobble around it.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Chasing Dramas