Cai Xiang Joins ‘Tofu Mama’ as a Taekwondo Black Belt With a Tough New Persona

Cai Xiang arrives in “Tofu Mama” on a motorcycle, playing a gravel-pit heiress who also holds a taekwondo black belt. Her character, Peng Ziyun, is tough, competitive and confident about romance. She is the younger sister of Peng Ziwei, played by Lu Yan-ze.

The Taiwanese prime-time drama has returned to a two-hour-and-15-minute slot after “A-Nuan and A-Song” aired its finale last week. The production has also added new cast members, including Cai, who said joining the team initially made her nervous.

“

Entering a new environment always makes me anxious, and that was what made me most nervous about joining the production.

“Entering a new environment always makes me anxious, and that was what made me most nervous about joining the production,” Cai said. She explained that every drama set has its own routines and working methods, so she needed time to adjust and get to know her new colleagues. Working alongside Lu and Zhao De helped her feel more comfortable, especially because she shares many scenes with Lu as his on-screen sister.

“

Now that your hair has grown out and you’re wearing fashionable clothes, I finally realized you’re actually handsome.

Their sibling dynamic quickly became natural. Cai joked that Lu had previously appeared in dramas with a crew cut, but his longer hair and fashionable clothes made her see him differently this time. “Now that your hair has grown out and you’re wearing fashionable clothes, I finally realized you’re actually handsome,” she told him, leaving him both amused and helpless.

Lu said he looked forward to working with Cai again and called her a serious actress. He also noticed that Peng Ziyun’s confidence and behavior often resembled Cai’s real-life personality. “How many people would confidently say, ‘I’m very beautiful’? It really leaves me laughing and speechless. The role was made for her,” he said.

“

How many people would confidently say, ‘I’m very beautiful’? It really leaves me laughing and speechless. The role was made for her.

Cai said Peng Ziyun is the third character she has played who comes from a comfortable background, acts somewhat spoiled and gets into trouble. She joked that viewers might think she always plays the same role, but said she hoped to give this character a different personality and spirit. Her biggest challenge, however, has been the fighting. Despite the character’s black belt, Cai admitted, “I’m really bad at acting in fight scenes.” She said performers must coordinate movements, avoid revealing the staging and make sure nobody gets hit, which has led to repeated failed takes.

“

I’m really bad at acting in fight scenes.