Chinese actress Wu Jinyan became a household name after starring as palace maid-turned-empress Wei Yingluo in hit 2018 historical drama Story of Yanxi Palace.

Three years on, Jinyan, 31, is still very much associated with that drama.

It doesn't help that her following roles, like 2019’s The Legend of Haolan and 2020 romcom Knock On Happiness Door, have failed to match the popularity of Yanxi Palace.

Though, to be fair, it's hard to match up to the most Googled show on Earth.

Her acting has also come under criticism.

Netizens say she uses the same exaggerated expressions and they can still see traces of Wei Yingluo, which makes it difficult for them to be engaged in any of her characters.

It’s not just the netizens who think so.

Jinyan too has opened up about her struggles to break free from Wei Yingluo.

But come next year, the actress will have a chance to redeem herself in the form of upcoming palace drama Royal Feast.

Set in the Ming dynasty, Royal Feast stars Jinyan as Yao Zijin, a palace maid in the Imperial Food Bureau. She is in charge of preparing meals for the crown prince, played by her Yanxi Palace love interest Xu Kai aka the swoon-worthy Fucha Fuheng.

Fans of the stars have said they are looking forward to Jinyan and Xu Kai's onscreen reunion, but this time, they hope they would have a happy ending.

Royal Feast has also been dubbed the Chinese version of Korean hit series Jewel in the Palace. The drama follows Zijin's rise up the ranks in the bureau, which means one thing: expect lots of palace politics along the way.

Sounds like a hit to us already.

Photos: Wu Jingyan/Weibo