Yu Zheng Begins Work on Romance Drama “Beauty Manufacturer”
The new romantic drama, Beauty Manufacturer <美人製造>, which is written and produced by Yu Zheng (于正), will star mainland Chinese actor Kingscar Jin (金世佳) as an imperial doctor and mainland Chinese actress Yang Rong (楊蓉) as a brothel owner.
Set in the Tang Dynasty, Beauty Manufacturer tells the story of He Lanjun (Kingscar Jin), a highly skilled imperial physician who is in charge of prescriptions for empress Wu Zetian (Sheren Tang 鄧萃雯). But fate deals him a harsh blow one night when he discovers that his son is actually the product of his wife’s affair with the family housekeeper.
Demoted and helpless, Lanjun is left wandering the streets. He is taken in by the kind but marriage-obsessed Su Lianyi (Yang Rong), whom Lanjun looks down upon because of her lowly position as a brothel owner. Nevertheless, Lianyi falls in love with him, even when he causes her business to crumble. As Lanjun tries to rebuild his medicine practice on the streets and rediscover the meaning of love, he discovers that Lianyi may be his one and only.
Although Yang Rong has frequently appeared in Yu Zheng’s dramas, since she is signed to his management company, Beauty Manufacturer marks her first time starring as the female lead. “She has developed particularly well these past few years,” said Yu Zheng, who praised her acting as having “reached the point of perfection.” Previously, Yang Rong often played second fiddle to established actresses like Zhao Liying (趙麗穎), Joe Chen (陳喬恩), and Yuan Shanshan (袁姗姗). However, on Yang Rong’s birthday in June, Yu Zheng promised to give her a leading role in his newest project.
Beauty Manufacturer also features up-and-coming actor Zhang Zhehan (張哲瀚), who plays a mysterious character called Pei Yuntian. Because he portrayed Yang Rong’s lover in Palace: The Lost Daughter <宮鎖連城>, many netizens are interested in seeing how their chemistry will continue with this new collaboration.
Described by Yu Zheng as “the most expensive and most dazzling drama since the beginning of time,” Beauty Manufacturer is custom-made for Hunan Satellite TV, which is also co-producing the drama. The series, which recently began filming, is scheduled to broadcast on a weekly basis in September.
Source: 21cn.com
This article is written by Joanna for JayneStars.com.
Yu Zheng is finally doing something right in recognizing Yang Rong’s great acting skills and casting her as the female lead. I’ll probably give this is chance because of her. The drama supposedly has an all-star lineup consisting of YSS, Luo Jin, Kenny Kwan, Kristy Yang and Bosco Wong as supporting/guest characters?
The plot sounds yawnage >=O pass lol!
Yayyy excited to finally watch Yang Rong as the lead 🙂
Is it worth watching it for Sheren Tang? Never watched any Yu Zheng stuff after Gong, ’cause his materials suck so bad, and I don’t want to watch estrogen-riddled-little-boys trying to act like men.
“Most dazzling drama since the beginning of time”, you could replace this guy with an app for $9.99
Not sure if anyone knows, but that guy is from iPartment – a really really cool and funny show.
Sun Yizhou is the king in that
yang rong always looks so much prettier in photos than on film. maybe yu zheng over edits the pics. but anyway, i quite like her and i will give this a shot anyway.
Isn’t that always the case with every actress? For example, Yuan Shan Shan and Liu Shi Shi? They ALWAYS look so much better in pictures but in action, they’re average looking.
I personally think Liu Shi Shi looks better in motion. She has an aura to her that makes her better there rather than in pictures…
I agree. She looks better in pictures but I still consider her pretty in action. It depends on the hairstyle/makeup and even the character she plays. I consider her pretty in Swordsman but beautiful in Female Prime Minister.
Anyways, it’s her acting that makes her stand out.
Yang Rong is underrated. She is far better than Yuan Shan Shan in terms of looks and acting. But yet, YZ favors Yuan Shan Shan more.
I feel neither is good but at least Yang Rong is less plastic. She may not be 1st lead but she is in every series he is producing. Wasn’t there some rumour about her relationship with someone? Yu Zheng I believe? Frankly I find her acting subpar. There are better actresses out there but you know Yu zheng; he seems to favour secondary sort of actors. I personally feel the leading lady in female prime minister is better than Yang Rong.
@funn,
Yang Rong is in most of YZ’s series because she is an artist in his company and they’ve been friends since college days. Any other kind of relationship? Probably not, because rumors he’s gay.
The female prime minister’s leading lady Zhao Li Ying was okay. She’s still weak as an actress (IMO) and could only play “cute” roles.
I think Zhao Li Ying is a decent actress. Yang Rong is ok as well,depending on the role. I did not know she was friends with Yu Zheng. That is great to know and of course it would make sense for her to be in his productions if she works for his company.
@lilo,
Agree! She is really underrated by YZ so I will give this drama a shot in order to show support.
@Funn,
It is actually YSS that was rumoured to be Yu Zheng’s girlfriend. That rumour totally caught me off guard because I also thought it was publicly known that YZ was gay. I don’t believe the rumour, but if there is any creditability to it, then I guess that could explain why he favours YSS so much.
Yang Rong is no less in his productions than the two other very prominent actors under his management company: YSS and Chen Xiao. Unlike these two, this is her first time leading a drama by Yu Zheng. It is only natural that management artists appear frequently when their company produces dramas. This is the case for all production companies that are involved with talent management.
It is a matter of personal preference I guess but IMO Yang Rong’s acting in Female Prime Minister is a grand example of how brilliantly she carries whatever role is given to her. Zhao Yi Ling is so much cuteness but her acting lacks compared to Yang Rong.
Am I the only one who think that Zhao Li Ying is just a cute face? I first saw her in New Princess Pearl and I think she has such a cute wooden face. The new trailer of Boss and Me tells me that my first impression is right. Yuan Shan Shan can be better if she stops pouting. Amongst 3, I think Yang Rong has the best acting although there is something in her I do not like much.
Actually I think all new actresses are better than Ying’Er who I cannot understand why she was given that much of beauty roles.
“Described by Yu Zheng as “the most expensive and most dazzling drama since the beginning of time,””
Let’s see who he rips off from this time and I gotta admire his skill in promoting something. I really do think his ego is huge enough to believe everything he himself uttered. TVB needs him and ditch 620. Or at least 620 should learn from him.
Did you know YZ used to work for TVB?
Yes,I heard that Yu Zheng worked for TVB towards the beginning of his career before he had his own company. He definitely has the skills and capability to write good works so I hope he uses his skills to do his own work.
I know that you are very biased toward 620 but since when 620 is in charge of series promotion? She is in charge of artist and HR promotion and the things like producing and promotion belongs to other people. If someone in TVB should learn from Yu Zheng to make series, perhaps you are referring to Catherine Tsang. And I believe Sandy Yu is the main reason why TVB series looks cheap recently. She has a policy to cut down the expenses for costumes.
I am not saying specific work but generally how to address the media and what to say to benefit oneself and your company. What if I am biased? 620 has done enough of damage to others that there isn’t a need to be ashamed of admitting I am biased.
In term of being hated, 620 cannot compete with Yu Zheng. And you were talking about promoting skill which is out of 620’s job. 620 might have a plenty of stupid comments but she has a very tiny part to do with what you’ve talked about.
However, glad to know that you acknowledge you are biased. I just hope you can be a little fairer to address right work to right person.
Fox, I see you use the same statement against me. And I remember replying you you are as biased as I am. So I am glad we both acknowledge that.
@ Alluka: I agree. 620 is not the main culprit when it comes to poor production/plot quality in TVB dramas.
But 620 favors certain artists and makes sure they get dibs on lead roles in many productions. The ones she doesn’t favor, don’t get the same treatment and instead gets cast aside for other untalented but favored stars. She certainly doesn’t play a huge part in what drama will get produced, but she is detrimental to the drama when she chooses someone she likes for their suckupbility rather than choosing someone who has talent. Still worthy of criticism imo.
@moncheri:
Your statement:
But 620 favors certain artists and makes sure they get dibs on lead roles in many productions.
Is actually not accurate. 620 can play favourism card to pull her favourite artists to have more works and schedules in and outside of TVB, but she cannot put a hand in giving them leading roles in TVB series. The procedure is: Producer chooses artists, then proposes to Production team (Catherine Tsang and Tommy Leung before Tommy leaves) to seek for the approval, and then contacts with the artists to see if they want, at last HR team (620) to set schedule for the artists. Hence the lead/supporting are chosen by producers at first, then Cat Tsang and Tommy (before he left) can allow such cast or not. Cat Tsang can request to switch lead or make one role bigger if she wants. For example she requested Lau Ka Ho (said by Lau Ka Ho in an article) to increase the screentime and role of Ma Ming to be first lead in 3 Kingdoms RPG.
The biased role of 620 will play in such case: She can deny the job for an artist with a classic reason: Schedual clash. For example: Steven Ma was denied to participate in a Chinese series (which caused to his termination of contract).
Her eyes on talent is subjective. In fact her favourite artists often have large fanbase. I personally think she has not bad eyes on talent. I doubt her ability to communicate with the media more.
AHH! So excited (not for the plot lol), but because Yang Rong is getting a lead role! She’s so adorable and cute. Even when she’s despicable, I can’t hate her. Yuan Shan Shan should’ve been cast aside a long time ago for Yang Rong to take the limelight. I bet if it was YR against Joe Chen in Swordsman, viewers would be more convinced why Ling Wu Chong fell for her.
Alas, for all the ego talk that Yu Zheng dishes out, he has no idea who should be more highly favored. Not saying he’s blind, but truly, not that great at discerning lead actresses.
I would not watch this drama, purely because it’s his production – eck! He practically ruins every plot/drama that he’s ever produced, so I rather not waste my time. But I’m glad YR is getting her wish!
YR’s drama currently out, she’s female lead. check it out QING DING SAN SHENG