Chinese actress Esther Yu is reportedly facing difficulties securing a male lead for her upcoming drama The Immortal Flesh (肉神仙), reigniting discussions about her current standing in the entertainment industry.
According to Chinese media reports and entertainment bloggers, several actors have been linked to the project at various stages, but the production has yet to finalize its male lead. Initial rumors suggested that He Yu would reunite with Esther Yu following their collaboration in Double Track. However, reports claimed that some fans opposed the pairing due to concerns about controversial or overly provocative scenes in the script.
Subsequently, actors including Deng Wei, Hou Minghao, and Chen Xingxu were rumored to be in consideration. Industry speculation suggested that scheduling conflicts and disagreements over billing order prevented negotiations from moving forward. Other names reportedly discussed for the role include Hu Yitian, Xin Yunlai, Chang Huasen, Li Hongyi, Zhang Kaitai, and Yu Cheng’en, though none have officially joined the project.
As of now, the drama reportedly remains without a confirmed male lead.
Despite the ongoing casting rumors, Esther Yu continues to possess considerable commercial value within the Chinese entertainment industry. She maintains a large fan base, strong public recognition, and significant media attention. Several of her previous co-stars, including Zhang Yujian, Zhang Linghe, and Ding Yuxi, saw their popularity rise following successful projects with her.
For many actors, starring opposite Esther Yu can still provide substantial exposure and boost a project’s visibility.
At the same time, Esther Yu has faced a series of controversies that have reportedly affected her public image. Chinese media outlets have highlighted scrutiny surrounding her family’s business affairs, as well as online allegations involving workplace bullying, cyberbullying, and conflicts with colleagues. While many of these claims remain heavily debated among fans and critics, the controversies have fueled negative public discussion.
Reports also noted that several social media accounts affiliated with Chinese state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) removed content related to Esther Yu in late 2025, a development that sparked further speculation about her industry standing.
Additionally, she was reportedly absent from several major year-end galas and platform events, leading observers to question whether brands and broadcasters had become more cautious about working with her.
Industry insiders have also pointed to China’s long-running issue of “billing order” disputes. In Chinese dramas, the order in which actors’ names appear in promotional materials is often viewed as a reflection of their popularity, status, and importance within the project. As a result, billing negotiations frequently become a major source of conflict between agencies and production companies.
According to entertainment reports, some actors may be reluctant to join projects if they are required to accept lower billing than expected. At the same time, top stars and their management teams are often unwilling to compromise on position.
As a result, observers believe that both billing disputes and concerns about public perception may be contributing to the delays surrounding The Immortal Flesh.
The situation is reminiscent of another Esther Yu project, Jiangnan in One Thought, which reportedly struggled to move forward after announcing her casting due to difficulties securing a male lead. While she eventually launched filming for Yun Chu Ling alongside Zhang Yunlong, similar casting challenges now appear to be affecting The Immortal Flesh.
However, it is important to note that most reports regarding actors rejecting the project remain industry rumors and have not been officially confirmed by the production team or the actors involved. Until an official casting announcement is made, speculation surrounding the drama’s male lead is likely to continue.
Sources: K14