The digital erasure of an actor has sent shockwaves through the C-drama world. Upon the March 6 premiere of Pursuit of Jade, viewers immediately noticed that the character Song Yan. Originally played by He Changxi, appeared with a different face. This controversy is directly linked to He Changxi’s lead role in the new BL drama Sammy’s Children’s Day. Many believe the production team used AI technology to “delete” him. This move seemingly distances the historical series from the actor’s work in the Boys’ Love genre.
The Evidence: AI Face-Swapping in Pursuit of Jade
Fans and platforms like MyDramaList have confirmed that the production used AI face-swap technology. While He Changxi performed the scenes during filming, his face now resembles actor Zhu Zanjin in the broadcast version.
Observers note that only He Changxi’s body remains in the final cut. However, the digital overlay has resulted in stiff expressions and “detached” facial movements. These technical flaws have made the controversy impossible to ignore. Fans are calling this an act of professional disrespect. They argue that using AI to replace a human performance breaks the immersion for every viewer.
Why the Sammy’s Children’s Day Connection Matters
The timing of this digital swap is highly suspicious. Sammy’s Children’s Day officially premiered on March 13, 2026. This was just one week after the debut of Pursuit of Jade.
According to industry rumors, the team behind Pursuit of Jade feared broadcast restrictions. They reportedly chose to scrub He Changxi’s face to avoid association with his lead BL role. This decision has sparked outrage because Pursuit of Jade was filmed and premiered first. Despite this, the production team chose to erase He Changxi’s hard work rather than standing by their original cast member.
The Industry Double Standard
The debate goes beyond technical editing. It highlights a growing pressure on actors who take on lead roles in BL projects like Sammy’s Children’s Day.
- He Changxi’s studio account has also removed all promotional posts for Pursuit of Jade.
- Neither the production team nor the replacement actor has commented on the AI usage.
- The community is now pushing back. Fans are encouraging everyone to support Sammy’s Children’s Day to prove that BL actors cannot be hidden by post-production tools.
The “digital replacement” in Pursuit of Jade remains a distraction for the show. Meanwhile, the BL community continues to champion He Changxi for his performance in his latest project.
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