The Leading Star‘s main and supporting cast is stellar as well
I have to say, when it comes to an incredibly unique-sounding plot, Cheng Lei and Shen Yu Jie’s new military-themed, mystery romance drama The Leading Stars may just take the most recent cake as, Ye Gods, it’s a while since I have seen tags describing a Chinese drama that are this wild.
Those tags include #DeathOfASister, #DeathOfAFather, #MilitaryPolice and #RescueMission.
I mean, WHAT???!!
The Leading Stars itself, by the way, kicked off filming on May 26th, with iQIYI releasing booting ceremony pics today.
That’s why I spent several minutes this morning perusing the tags on My Drama List, and coming to the conclusion that this one may end up being much more unique than most of the very talented Cheng Lei’s dramas have been in the past.
At least it’s not the actor in yet another fantasy historical romance with a similar plot to 1,957 others and, for that, I am eternally grateful.
iQIYI also confirmed the drama’s director, screenwriter and much of the C-drama’s cast.
Directing is Chen Zhou Fei (Whispers of Fate and Shine on Me – so that’s promising), with screenwriting from Fu Li Ye.
And, aside from Cheng Lei and Shen Yu Jie, The Leading Stars cast also has a solid supporting cast that includes Li Ge Yang (Within the Grip), Tu Song Yan (The Miracles), Yu Yi (Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty), Zhang Lei (Guardians of the Dafeng), Ma Qui Yuan (A Farmer’s Fortune), Zhang He (The Journey of Legend), Zhu Rong Jun (Royal Upstart), Tai Le (The Great Dreamer), Sun Jing Jing (Feud), Tan Quan (Silent Tides), Chen Kai Wen (The Wind Blows from Longxi), Deng Ze Ming (Rebirth) and Chen Yue (The Wanted Detective).
And now let’s get to The Leading Stars’ plot as, along with the leads and the decent supporting, this is what I am most excited about.
Diao Zhuo (played by Cheng Lei), captain of a public welfare rescue team, and Ba Yunye (Shen Yu Jie), a cross-country expedition leader, cross paths during a search-and-rescue mission in a no-man’s-land. After the incident is resolved, the deceased they find lead them to uncover a sixteen-year-old car accident, which had claimed the lives of Ba Yunye’s elder sister—a geologist—and Diao Zhuo’s father.
Following the clues left behind by their loved ones, Ba and Diao join forces to investigate the long-buried truth.
Through numerous rescue missions and journeys tracing the accident’s leads, they traverse desolate, vast no-man’s-lands, boundless deserts, towering snowy mountains, and dense, sun-blocking forests. Finally, with the help of the police, they unveil a sixteen-year-old secret.
See, I told you this one sounds pretty different than the usual contemporary romance dramas we get. Especially as the drama’s story revolves around a military theme that involves a family tragedy.
Then, take a look at the official poster recently released for The Leading Stars, and don’t Cheng Lei and Shen Yu Jie look like they belong together?
Yep, I am supremely intrigued with this.
Now, check out the rest of the booting photos of the supporting cast, and The Leading Stars becomes even more interesting.
I was blown away by Yu Yi (above) in his phenomenal performance as painter Qin Xiao Bai in Season 2 of Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty, Li Ge Yang has spent far too long in short dramas when his skills deserve much more attention in more prominent series, and I’m chuffed (a British term that means incredibly pleased) to see Tan Quan after his excellent performance as Ou Xin in Silent Tides in the cast here.
Now let’s hope both the writer and the director deliver what this cast deserves, eh?
I will keep you posted as more promo visuals drop, and when the drama ends its filming around three months or so from now.
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