Yang Yang Pairs Zhao Qing in “The Immortal Ascension 2”

A-list Chinese actor Yang Yang’s (楊洋) hit xianxia drama The Immortal Ascension 2 <凡人修仙傳> has officially been announced, following the huge success of its first season. The drama, co-starring Gina Jin (金晨), reportedly surpassed 1.1 billion views during its premiere and attracted strong commercial interest, with twenty-six advertisers investing at launch and 124 brands placing ads throughout its broadcast run.

“The Immortal Ascension” Recoups Production Cost

The production was said to have cost RMB 300 million, with around RMB 200 million spent on visual effects alone. With income from advertising, merchandise and membership upgrades, industry estimates suggest the drama has already earned back more than its production cost.

However, while the first season was a commercial success, Joy of Life‘s <慶餘年> Gina Jin’s performance as Nangong Wan received mixed reviews. Many viewers criticized her stiff expressions and overly thin appearance, saying she failed to capture the ethereal quality of the character.

Fans Want to See More of Yang Yang and Zhao Qing

By contrast, actress Zhao Qing (趙晴), who played the mortal physician Mo Caihuan, won widespread praise despite her limited screen time. Her fresh styling and touching portrayal of unrequited love for Yang Yang’s character, Han Li, earned her the nickname “the most beautiful white moonlight.”

The first season ended with Han Li rescuing Nangong Wan before the two eventually parted ways. Han Li then used a teleportation array to enter a new world, setting the stage for The Immortal Ascension 2.

According to the original novel, Han Li will later reunite with Mo Caihuan’s reincarnation, Zi Ling, in the Chaotic Star Sea. As this romance is considered one of the most beloved emotional arcs in the novel, many fans are hoping Zhao Qing will return in the second season and take on a more prominent romantic storyline opposite Yang Yang.

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