Her character is decades younger than her real-life age.
Koreaboo
Whether it’s a K-Drama or a C-Drama, it isn’t uncommon to see age gaps in romance series. One new show, however, has gone to extremes with its casting choices.
Liu Xiaoqing, a highly accomplished 75-year-old Chinese actress, has been cast as a teenage girl in the new micro-drama Splendid Tranquility. This historical series follows her character, 18-year-old Su Wanqing, who works as an embroiderer. Su leaves her humble origins behind when she marries King Jing.
King Jing is played by 45-year-old actor Jin Jia, who has mainly played supporting roles in the past.
One of the most polarizing scenes in this 80-episode series is a kiss scene that takes place after Jin’s character rescues Liu’s from a dungeon. The couple kisses several times in this scene, which was filmed from multiple angles and has received mixed reactions from viewers.
Wang Yang, a gender equality activist from Beijing, is one supporter who’s calling out the criticism aimed at Liu. She praised Liu’s talent and pointed out the double standards for age gap romances.
Liu’s health and vitality are commendable. Her presence has significantly elevated Jin Jia’s career, a clear commercial success.
If the roles were reversed, with a male actor 30 years older than his female co-star, would criticism be as pronounced?
— Wang Yang
Liu responded to the buzz by explaining that the kiss scene was a vital part of the story. She also revealed her acting goals for the year; she wants to act in 10 micro-dramas in 2026, adding nearly a dozen new roles to the 70+ films and television series she has acted in since the 1970s. As for her on-screen husband, Jin has not publicly addressed the Splendid Tranquility criticism.
Watch the scene here: