Yang Zi Takes Pay Cut for "Family Business" Drama Amid Acting Scrutiny

Actress Yang Zi has reportedly taken a substantial pay cut for her role in the new historical drama "Gia Nghiep" (Family Business). Sources suggest she received approximately 5 million yuan for the project, a significant decrease from her previous earnings, which reportedly reached 20 million yuan for "Quoc Sac Phuong Hoa" and 12 million yuan for "Cay Sinh Menh."

The drama itself has achieved considerable success in viewership, surpassing 300 million total views. It has also set a new record for platform sponsorship this year, maintaining an average of six advertisements per episode. The production reportedly cost over 320 million yuan, with a significant portion dedicated to meticulously recreating a traditional ink-making workshop over 90 days in Anhui province.

Yang Zi is said to have voluntarily accepted the lower salary to allow for greater investment in the drama's production quality and visual experience. Her commitment was evident during scenes requiring the pounding of ink, where her hands reportedly blistered and bled. This dedication has earned praise from some viewers who appreciate the detailed craftsmanship seen in the series.

However, despite the commercial success and her evident effort, Yang Zi's acting in "Gia Nghiep" has faced criticism. Some viewers have commented on her facial expressions appearing stiff and lacking dynamism, with comparisons drawn to AI-generated images. The perceived lack of movement in her forehead and brow area has led to discussions about the consistency of her performance across different roles, with some finding her portrayal reminiscent of previous characters.