The two cast mates, Yang Mi and Ethan Ruan, have outed their confirmation on weibo today using wordplay. Congratulations! It’s interesting, isn’t it? Collaboration with another Taiwanese actor. Fu Yao is based on the novel (Empress Fu Yao) written by Tian Xia Gui Yuan, same author behind Chen Kun’s The Rise of Phoenixes. As for the storyline, there’s a time-traveling element but as always it will be removed. Our heroine is strong-willed and a smart girl, she works as an archeologist before the tomb collapses and she’s sent back in time. She’s shameless, loves money, pretty boys (lol!). There are palace fights, journey in jianghu, and missions where she must collect “secret orders” of the five pearls by undergoing many dangerous expeditions. I don’t know what that means. Will find out more details later. Or you book lovers can tell me the spoilers. =D
Confirmed Pictures + Arts:
“Hello, I’m taking medications, You are @Ethan Ruan.” The term taking meds is similar in pronunciation to Fu Yao.
“Hello, I’m dancing, you are @Yang Mi.” Dancing is similar to his character name, Wu Ji.
Via: Respective Weibos
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
This pairing~ Not exactly my favourite, but I would watch it because the story sounds interesting. Never really liked Ethan’s acting in ancient dramas, not that he isn’t good, but it just doesn’t click with me. And Yang Mi’s 3L3W and Return of Condor Hero were the only 2 dramas where I liked her acting.
Their weibo post of each other is so adorable hahaha!!! Nice play around the words!!!
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
I think Ethan Ryan will look weird in a historical drama.
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
Their confirmations are cute.
Has Ethan work on historical drama before?
I like what the female lead sounds like already. Will turn on to this
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
Is this Ethan Ruan’s comeback to dramaland? I remember the last drama I ever watched of him was Fated to Love You and that is very looong time ago.
As for Yang Mi, I like her but can never finished any of her dramas, yes including the popular 3L3W. It’s always good in the beginning for me but somehow toward the middle it just wane my interest and eventually stopped watching. All I have to say is that she has some sort of magic because all the male co-stars she has been have all risen to massive popularity.
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
no he actually had another TW drama with Cheryl called My queen but that was 8yrs ago. i thk he also did C web drama but it hasnt been released yet
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
I find the increased pairings between Taiwanese actors and Chinese actresses interesting. Guess its true that Chinese actors are expensive and/or they don’t want to play second fiddle in female centric dramas.
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
It’s most probably the latter. A lot of mainland actors are big enough to be leads of their own dramas, same with female actresses like Yang Mi, Zhao Liying so it’s understandable that they would choose projects where they’re leads.
I heard Kris Wu was courted heavily by the production team and it was almost announced but his team backed out. I think Eddie Peng was also asked.
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
Rumour is that Kris Wu wanted top billing that’s why. But top billing over Yang Mi? No matter how much Yang Mi is panned for her acting and personality, having her headline a drama is tons better than having Kris Wu. Save a few, you can’t find bigger names in TV than Yang Mi really. If the rumour is true I can only say Kris Wu (and his team) is overestimating himself lol.
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
He’s a pretty big name and he hasn’t filmed a drama before so I think it’s justified for his team to want his first TV project to be focused on his character with him as top billed. Which is why they probably turned this down.
They announced his movie with Wong Kar Wai (and Zhang Ziyi) at the same time they denied him joining Fu Yao so filming that movie is also probably a major factor on why they said no.
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
I think it depends on who too. Wallace didn’t mind to play in female centric drama even his name is quite big. YangMi is a big name and her works have been pretty successful. More importantly most of her constars really hit massive popularity after working with her…
But KW prob is popular enough and doesn’t need that. Same with Eddie. Personally I’m glad Kris didn’t take it… He isn’t a good enough actor especially if his team wanted him to be the main focus.
However it’s true that the pay for actors from TW, HK and Korea are cheaper than mainland Alist-ers. They can get the same quality of acting and frame so why not?
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
It was rumored that Kris is gonna film a movie with Zhang Ziyi, so he rejected the offer. He has been working exclusively in films with big stars so unless the drama is really good + male-centric, we won’t be seeing him on the small screen. Same with Eddie especially with his recent success in films.
I was hoping Zhang Ruoyun would take the role since his name was floating around. He is a great actor and it could have been a career boost for him.
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
I think that’s also it.. Yang Mi is known for elevating her lesser-known costars and Kris Wu doesn’t really need that. Better for it to go to an actor who needs the exposure.
I like Yang Mi but her productions aren’t really known for great quality. Would probably be better for a fresh meat who wants to prove himself to find a less-hyped but good project where they can really shine and grow as an actor.
The point about less pay makes sense too because they don’t need to get two highly paid actors at the same time when Yang Mi’s name is big enough for the drama to be a hit.
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
Ethan used to be sooo handsome and a hottie to me until his playboy image kind of ruined how I see him. Is it true that every celebrities do play around but just didn’t get caught?
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
Saw YM on Running Man. Didn’t realize how whiny her voice is lol
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
what a cute way to post their confirmation. i cant picture Ethan in historical. but i saw alot of uploads of YM in costume- mostly crimson red and she looks beautiful.
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
Am I the only one who thinks Yang Mi’s costume looks somewhat hideous? It reminds me of an RPG or anime costume.. that headgear really…
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
Of course! Looks just like Zheng Shuang 020…lol
Also noticed that YM eyelid folds deeper now.
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
I don’t like Ethan. 🙁 He’s no Mark.
But I suspect he’ll get a popular boost from this like all Yang Mi’s costars
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
Hmm… I am not liking Ethan Ruan as the main lead… He just doesn’t seem like he’d be able to pull off the ancient look and character well. I am definitely having my doubts about him, and am a bit disappointed that he’s the main lead. I wish it was someone more experienced in the Ancient China setting… (Maybe Wang Kai??? LOL.)
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
I vaguely remember that Mark was also doubted when he was cast as male lead in 3310 but it turned out ok right? So maybe Ethan may turn out fine. Who knows
21 thoughts on “Ethan Ruan confirmed as Yang Mi’s leading man in Empress Fu Yao”
@ Y:
I agree. We need to give him a chance to prove himself. I really like him in “Faded to Love You”.