Ou Hao

This summer, CCTV premieres Sheng Wan Wu (生万物), a rural drama starring Ou Hao (欧豪) and Yang Mi (杨幂). While Ou’s performance is anticipated, Yang Mi’s role as a tenacious village woman could redefine her career or cement her stagnant trajectory. Amid a lackluster season for films and series, this production tests whether star power can transcend China’s entertainment fatigue. The Summer Screen Dilemma China’s summer entertainment season feels unusually muted this year. Blockbuster films like She’s Got No Name (酱园弄) starring Zhang Ziyi (章子怡) and Chen Sicheng’s (陈思诚) thriller Malice (恶意) failed to ignite audiences, despite A-list pedigrees. Similarly, streaming platforms cycle through forgettable series lacking standout narratives or performances. This creative stagnation highlights viewers’ craving for substance over spectacle. Against this backdrop, CCTV’s planned releases—Sword Rose (利剑玫瑰) and Sheng Wan Wu—offer glimmers of intrigue. Both star actresses synonymous with popularity rather than critical acclaim: Dilraba and Yang Mi. For Yang Mi, Sheng Wan Wu arrives at a pivotal juncture. As an '85 Generation' actress nearing 40, her two-decade career relies heavily on costume dramas and romantic leads. Mainstream awards consistently overlook her, and audience critiques of her acting persist. Transitioning to gritty realism isn’t just artistic growth—it’s survival.…