On January 20, Sohu reported that after the release of the film Jin Jian 4 (also known as Legend of the Sword and Fairy 4), starring the main actors Cuong Tinh Yi and Tran Triet Vien, it failed to receive high ratings from viewers. Notably, Mao Hiu Tue faced criticism for not meeting expectations, particularly regarding her performance as the character Liu Meng Li.
In the original script, Liu Meng Li is characterized as a graceful and elegant character. She possesses an ethereal quality and a rich emotional depth, embodying the nuances of the role. However, when portrayed on screen, Mao Hiu Tue was perceived as having a rather unremarkable appearance and an excessive reliance on high-tech effects that detracted from the connection between her character and the audience. The actress’s lack of expressive depth made it difficult for viewers to resonate with her performance.
On the evening of January 19, Mao Hiu Tue directly addressed the 11 comments from viewers, expressing her apologies for not adequately portraying Liu Meng Li. She said, “I apologize to everyone for not meeting expectations. I have tried to lose weight, but it seems I still appear overweight on screen. I am indeed a bit chubby, which makes it hard for me to slim down. Thank you to those who have supported me, and I apologize to the viewers of this film.”
Mao Hiu Tue, born in 1996 in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province (China), graduated from the acting department of Shanghai Theatre Academy. The actress gained attention when she accidentally fell into the lens of the camera at a basketball game, leading to her being dubbed “the hot girl of basketball” by Chinese netizens.
She was once referred to as “the little Zhao Wei.” In 2018, she played the role of Xiao Long Nu in the television adaptation of The Legend of the Condor Heroes. However, her portrayal of the character did not receive high acclaim.
According to Sohu, the actress has been criticized for her less-than-stellar appearance compared to previous versions portrayed by actresses like Ly Nhuoc Dong and Luu Diec Phi. The character’s cool demeanor, which should have been portrayed by Mao Hiu Tue, also lacked authenticity.
Moreover, the production of Jin Jian 4 has also faced significant controversy regarding the conflicts between the two main actors, Cuong Tinh Yi and Tran Triet Vien.
According to Cuong Tinh Yi, as soon as the contract was signed, she was assigned to the supporting role, which caused disappointment among the entire cast. Later on, the production team kept the details of her role vague, allowing the actress to compete equally with Tran Triet Vien in terms of screen time.
Tran Triet Vien’s side also refuted claims, emphasizing that the lead male actor’s role was more significant. The disputes escalated over several days, even leading up to the film’s release, where the production company of Cuong Tinh Yi was still actively promoting the lead role.
According to Sohu, Jin Jian 4 has reportedly invested over 300 million RMB (over 41 million USD) but is criticized for its lackluster content and minimal investment in the actors’ costumes. Currently, the film’s performance on its opening day is subpar.
