Yang Xuwen leveraged the Tang Gui IP to successfully revive his career, earning widespread attention and acclaim. Yet, his professional situation now illustrates the double-edged nature of success, as some fans and viewers feel he is “both made and challenged” by the very same franchise. Many audience members were disappointed by his performance and character portrayal in the recently aired Tang Gui 3, noting that his role lacks the charm and appeal of the first season, with aspects of his character even seeming to collapse. For fans, this disappointment extends beyond a single role to concerns about the sustainability of the IP itself. They worry that continuing into a potential fifth season may compromise quality, and that it might be more productive for Yang Xuwen to pursue opportunities outside the franchise rather than spend months in a cycle that could hinder his career development.
His position is therefore delicate. Since debut, aside from notable works such as Guo Jingyu’s The Legend of the Condor Heroes and Tang Gui, many of his other projects have underperformed in the market. Complicating matters further, he continues to carry lingering negative public perception. Even when he was cast in Tang Gui, the director had to defend him against existing controversies. Today, actions taken by fans with his career in mind may be perceived externally as somewhat counterproductive, almost like “cutting the bridge behind him,” which may not fully serve his public image.
In many ways, Yang Xuwen finds himself at a crossroads. On one hand, Tang Gui has brought him renewed resources and visibility; on the other, the same franchise is testing his reputation and public perception, introducing fluctuations in how he is evaluated by audiences. Balancing existing opportunities with long-term career development and navigating the shadows of past controversies will be critical for his next steps. For both the public and the industry, Yang Xuwen’s upcoming choices remain worth watching closely.
