Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei Skip Zhu Yu Concert, Sparking Debate Over Line-up and Ticket Prices

SHENZHEN, July 17 – The upcoming Zhu Yu: One Thought concert has sparked controversy after organisers announced the first lineup of performers without the drama's two leading stars, Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei.

The concert, scheduled for Aug. 15 in Shenzhen, was expected to be a celebration of the hit historical romance series Zhu Yu. However, fans were disappointed when the official guest list featured mainly supporting cast members.

Confirmed performers include Ren Hao, Kong Xue'er, Deng Kai, Li Qing, Yu Zhongli, Lin Muran and Xiang Xia. Although organisers teased the appearance of "mystery guests," the absence of the two main leads immediately triggered heated discussion online.

Many viewers argued that Zhang and Tian are the drama's biggest attractions, with comments such as, "What's the point of holding a Zhu Yu concert without the leads?" and "This feels like a supporting cast showcase."

Ticket prices also drew criticism. According to the ticketing platform, prices range from 480 yuan to 1,280 yuan for standard seats, while the most expensive floor seats cost 1,680 yuan.

Many netizens questioned whether the announced lineup justified the pricing, with some accusing the organisers of placing too much emphasis on commercial profit.

In response to the controversy, the official fan club of actress Kong Xue'er released a statement saying it would not organise, recommend, encourage or support ticket purchases or fan support activities for the concert. Instead, fans were encouraged to save their budget to support the actors' future projects.

Ticketing data also showed that as of the afternoon of July 15, only about 2,170 people had marked themselves as interested in attending, a sharp contrast to the drama's popularity during its broadcast.