Esther Yu Reportedly Withdraws from the Chinese Drama A Journey To Glow and is Replaced by Zhao Jinmai, What's Going On?

Kapanlagi.com - Shocking news comes from the Chinese drama industry. The long-awaited costume project, A Journey To Glow or Yi Nian Jiang Nan, suddenly becomes a hot topic after rumors of a change in the leading actress emerged.

The name Esther Yu or Yu Shuxin was previously associated with the lead role. However, recent news has circulated that she has withdrawn from this project and her position has been taken over by Zhao Jinmai.

1. Reasons Esther Yu is Reported to Withdraw

As of now, there has been no official statement, but two main reasons are widely discussed among netizens.

The first is a scheduling conflict with another drama project titled Yun Chu Ling. The second is the emergence of speculation regarding the risk of public opinion, which is considered quite sensitive.

It should be emphasized that the second issue is still speculative and lacks official evidence. Therefore, this information should be approached with caution.

2. Indications of Esther Yu Leaving the Project

A Journey to Glow - mydramalist

This replacement rumor is getting stronger after the official Weibo account of the drama removed all content related to Esther Yu and stopped following her account.

In contrast, the account still follows Wang Anyu, who has been rumored to remain the male lead from the beginning.

This move is seen as a strong signal that significant changes are indeed happening behind the scenes of the production.

Even on the mydramalist site, the drama A Journey To Glow has removed Esther Yu's name from the cast list, leaving only Wang Anyu and the screenwriter, Zhang Wei. This further strengthens the belief that Esther Yu is indeed leaving this project.

This news has immediately brought Zhao Jinmai's name into A Journey To Glow.

3. Pros and Cons Among Netizens

Zhao Jin Mai in the Chinese drama The Princess Royal - mydramalist

This change immediately sparked a debate. Some netizens expressed disappointment and even referred to Zhao Jinmai as an 'emergency replacement'.

However, on the other hand, many defended Zhao Jinmai. She is considered to have solid acting skills, especially through her performances in Reset and Shine On Me.

This debate shows that casting in major dramas is indeed very sensitive, especially when it involves popularity and fan expectations.

4. Production Plan and Shooting Location

A Journey To Glow - mydramalist

According to circulating rumors, A Journey To Glow is scheduled to start filming in mid-June 2026 in the Huangshan area of Anhui.

This project is said to have 'S-level' production standards with quite an ambitious set. However, challenges remain as the main cast also has other project schedules.

Once again, all this information has yet to receive official confirmation.

5. Brief Synopsis of A Journey To Glow

A Journey To Glow - mydramalist

This drama features a fictional world with four countries and combines the genres of adventure, mystery, healing, and light comedy.

The story focuses on five people who are considered failures in life. They then collaborate to search for treasure in the Jiangnan region.

However, this journey is not just about treasure, but also about rebuilding lives, healing inner wounds, and finding the meaning of togetherness.

Zhao Jinmai is rumored to play Shen Zhiyi, a character that requires many action scenes and distinctive costumes. Meanwhile, Wang Anyu plays a cold exterior but warm interior man, a former official who has experienced failure in life.

6. The Creative Team Behind the Scenes

Hong Ling - mydramalist

This project is handled by director Hong Ling, who is previously known for Romance on the Farm, and writer Zhang Wei, who also worked on A Journey to Love.

This drama is planned to have a total of 40 episodes and is produced by Lemon Film in collaboration with the streaming platform iQIYI.

Interestingly, this drama is targeted to be a costume drama with a concept of 'psychological healing', something that is quite rare in that genre.

7. Risks and Speculations Circulating

Aside from casting issues, there are also other concerns among fans. Ranging from rumors of a decline in production quality to issues regarding the consistency of the creative team.

However, all of this remains speculation without official confirmation. Therefore, it is important for viewers to wait for an official announcement from the production team.

As of now, there has been no official statement regarding cast changes or the latest production details for A Journey To Glow. All circulating information is still based on rumors as of March 28, 2026.

Nevertheless, this drama remains exciting to look forward to, especially with its unique story concept and the potential of a strong cast.

(kpl/chn)