In the Chinese entertainment world, few controversies have stirred up as much buzz as the casting of Wang Hedi and Meng Ziyi as the lead couple in the upcoming historical romance drama The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage. Netizens, especially fans of Wang Hedi, have strongly opposed the pairing and recently released a document detailing seven serious “accusations” against Meng Ziyi.
Here’s a breakdown of the “seven deadly sins” fans have levied against her:
1. Too Old for the Role
According to the novel, the heroine Shen Miao is 14 years old. Meng Ziyi is 29 (or 30 based on disputed claims about her age). Netizens argue the age gap is too glaring, and her overbooked schedule might leave her appearing haggard on screen—creating an awkward mismatch with Wang Hedi. “If the male lead calls her ‘little one,’ it’ll just look ridiculous,” fans joke.
2. Lacks Star Power
Critics claim her previous dramas have failed to gain traction. Even after Blossom gave her a popularity boost, her follow-up project The Princess’s Gambit flopped. Fans fear Wang Hedi will have to carry the entire show alone.
3. Weak Fanbase Support
During Guardians of the Dafeng, Wang Hedi’s fans booked over 140,000 online screenings. Meng Ziyi’s fans? A mere 1,447. Fans question if her fandom can financially support the show.
4. Poor Brand Appeal
Netizens noted Meng Ziyi is not favored by major advertisers. She has few brand endorsements and has never been featured by luxury labels like Guerlain—raising concerns about the drama’s marketability.
5. Toxic Marketing
Fan groups accuse her team of using underhanded PR tactics, stirring feuds with other actors’ fandoms like Liu Xueyi and Li Yunrui. This reportedly turns viewers off and creates bad blood even before filming begins.
6. Repetitive Historical Roles
Meng Ziyi has starred in six consecutive historical dramas, most of which share similar aesthetics. Viewers complain her visual style is monotonous, risking fatigue and audience disinterest in The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage.
7. A Losing Investment
By the time the drama airs, Meng Ziyi could be 33 an age some fans say is no longer fitting for idol dramas. With her acting still requiring voice dubbing and little promise of growth, critics call her casting a “bad investment.”
After Blossom, Meng Ziyi enjoyed a newfound wave of affection especially from fans shipping the couple in the drama. However, this recent scandal is eroding that goodwill.
Her fans have also stirred controversy by mocking rival actresses who auditioned for the same role. A recent fan war with Wang Xingyue’s supporters erupted after the latter was criticized online for playing with Meng Ziyi’s dog a bizarre trigger for such intense backlash.
Adding to the chaos, there are whispers that Meng Ziyi’s team is behind misleading media narratives. An article suggesting no age gap between her and Wang Hedi contradicts her previous claim that she and Liu Xueyi were a “generation apart.”
Lastly, her appearance simply doesn’t match the visual description of Shen Miao who is based on a youthful, rounded-faced actress Wang Yan from the past. Meng Ziyi’s sharp, mature beauty feels miscast.
Fans speculate her casting was influenced by powerful connections rather than merit fueling even more distrust and disappointment.
Sources: K14