Pursuit of Jade Zhang Ling He Controversy: Everything You Need to Know About the Hello Saturday Remark
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Zhang Ling He and Tian Xi Wei’s Pursuit of Jade: Episodes 20-21 Update and the Viral Southeast Asia Remark Explained
Is Zhang Ling He’s career in trouble? From record-breaking views to a viral racism controversy, find out why Pursuit of Jade is trending for all the wrong reasons.
Mumbai, March 14, 2026—The world of C-dramas is currently on fire, and it is not just because of the sizzling chemistry between Zhang Ling He and Tian Xi Wei.
While Pursuit of Jade is shattering viewership records on every major platform like Tencent and Netflix, the lead actor is facing a massive wave of backlash. What was supposed to be a fun promotional appearance on a variety show has turned into a PR nightmare that fans simply cannot stop talking about.
The drama, which follows the story of a butcher’s daughter and a fallen noble, was riding high until Zhang Ling He made a comment that many viewers are calling insensitive and discriminatory.
Despite an apology being issued on Instagram, the internet remains divided. Some fans are calling for a boycott, while others are desperately trying to separate the art from the artist.
The Variety Show Moment That Changed Everything
It all started on the popular show Hello Saturday during a segment meant to showcase the playful bond between the lead actors.
Tian Xi Wei drew a stylized portrait of Zhang Ling He, a typical move for these variety shows to generate laughs. However, when Zhang Ling He saw the sketch, his reaction was far from what anyone expected. He joked that the drawing made the person look like someone born in Southeast Asia.
The comment immediately felt off to viewers across the region.
Within hours, clips were circulating on social media, with fans in Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines expressing their deep disappointment. The implication that looking Southeast Asian was a punchline or a sign of being unattractive did not sit well with the global audience.
According to MyDramaList News, the actor eventually posted a bilingual apology on his Instagram, stating that he never intended to cause any hurt or be disrespectful.
Massive Records Meet Massive Controversy
Even with the controversy brewing, Pursuit of Jade is a certified monster hit in terms of numbers. On March 11, the show hit a popularity index of over 30,000 on Tencent Video and surpassed 10,000 on iQIYI. These are the kinds of numbers that usually define a “drama of the year.” For many Indian fans watching on Netflix, the show has become a daily ritual, especially since it is being simulcast globally.
But is the buzz real or manufactured? Some Chinese netizens have started hashtags claiming the viewership data might be fabricated. There are reports of a “bug” where users who only watched a few seconds of an episode were shown as having finished the entire thing. It creates a strange situation where the show is numerically successful but socially under fire.
The industry is currently in a state of confusion. On one hand, you have a high-production masterpiece with incredible cinematography and a strong female lead. On the other, you have a lead star who just alienated a huge chunk of his international fan base.
Can a show survive when its main hero becomes a villain in real life?
The “eye candy” appeal of Zhang Ling He has been his biggest strength, but now, some viewers are saying they only stay for Tian Xi Wei’s powerhouse performance.
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What to Expect from Episodes 20 and 21 Today
Despite the noise, the show must go on. Today, Saturday, March 14, fans are gearing up for the release of episodes 20 and 21. For the Indian audience, these episodes usually drop around 3:30 PM IST on Netflix and other platforms. The plot is currently at a boiling point.
Fan Changyu and Xie Zheng’s marriage of convenience is slowly turning into something much deeper, but the looming shadow of war and revenge is about to tear them apart.
One of the most talked-about scenes recently involved Tian Xi Wei literally carrying Zhang Ling He on her back and running through the snow. It has sparked a “super strength” trend online, proving that she is more than capable of carrying the show—literally and figuratively.
According to a report by Filmibeat, the release of these new episodes is expected to maintain the show’s top spot on the charts, even if the lead actor’s reputation is taking a hit.
The Long Road to Redemption for Zhang Ling He
Looking forward, the next few weeks will be crucial. If the drama continues to deliver high-quality storytelling, the controversy might eventually fade into the background. However, the format of the apology—which was a comment under a post rather than a standalone statement—has left a sour taste in many mouths. Fans are watching closely to see if there will be more sincere efforts to connect with the Southeast Asian community.
Pursuit of Jade is scheduled to run for 40 episodes, ending its run around late March. With the “express package” likely coming soon, we will see if fans are willing to pay extra to see the conclusion of a story led by an actor they are currently questioning. The drama itself is a masterpiece of slow-burn romance and political intrigue, but its legacy is now forever tied to this viral moment.
Look, I’ve seen my fair share of “cancel culture” in the C-drama world, and it is usually brutal.
Zhang Ling He is a massive star, and his team probably thought an Instagram comment would fix things. But in 2026, the audience is smarter and more connected than ever.
Southeast Asia is a huge market for these dramas, and you can’t just mock the people who pay your bills. That being said, the show itself is actually brilliant. Tian Xi Wei is the real MVP here, and I suspect her popularity will skyrocket while Zhang Ling He might have to work twice as hard to get back into everyone’s good books.
It’s a good drama, but a bad look for the lead.
Barkha Jha
Original Source: First reported by MyDramaList News and MustShareNews, with additional broadcast details confirmed by Filmibeat.
Question For You: Can you still enjoy a TV show if the main actor makes a controversial comment, or is that a total deal-breaker for you?