Zhang Yixing returns for Season 2 of Idol Producer

Despite its controversial beginnings, the iQIYI survival show Idol Producer 青春有你 turned into a bona fide hit in 2018, pushing NINE PERCENT to nationwide fame. With season 2 on the way, many wonder whether the show can recreate the same recipe for success. 

Lay Zhang Yixing played a big part in leading the show, earning a reputation as the strict and caring Producer Zhang. A lot obviously hinges on his return to Idol Producer yet things seemed to have gotten off to a shaky start. There were speculations that negotiations weren't done when the show went ahead and announced Lay's return. Lay denied the news with a curt explanation that he was not aware. The trainers for the show were revealed last month but still no mention of season 2's producer and host. 

It looks like things have a way of working out as Lay's return was officially confirmed today. He joins the other trainers that include Jolin Tsai as dance mentor, Li Ronghao as vocal mentor, MC Jin as rap mentor, After Journey as rap coach and Xu Minghao as dance coach. I guess the real question now is whether it would be possible to discover the next Cai Xukun. 

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Yang Mi is CBN Weekly's top bankable Chinese star in 2018

1. Yang Mi

Chinese business magazine CBN Weekly has released their list of top 100 bankable stars for 2018. Compared to last year, this year sees Yang Mi moving from 3rd to 1st. Kris Wu and Dilraba Dilmurat come in 2nd and 3rd while Luhan who was last year's top placer was bumped down to 10th. Karry Wang is the youngest in the top 5 at nineteen years old. 

2. Kris Wu

One new entry that stood out to me is Nine Percent member Cai Xukun who rose to stardom after winning the most votes in the hit reality show Idol Producer early this year. He skyrockets to 20th place for his first time making the list. Lay Zhang who was the nation's producer in the same show is in 5th. 

3. Dilraba Dilmurat

See complete list here. It's amusing that the article literally states most celebrities probably wouldn't want to be near the top, clearly alluding to the crackdown on tax evasion that resulted in Fan Bingbing's fall from grace. She is noticeably absent from the top 100 despite previously ranking among the top 5. 

1. Yang Mi 

2. Kris Wu 

3. Dilraba Dilmurat 

4. Lay Zhang Yixing 

5. Karry Wang 

6. Yang Yang 

7. Zhou Dongyu 

8. Jackson Yee 

9. William Chan 

10. Luhan 

11. Li Yifeng 

12. Liu Tao 

13. Zhao Liying 

14. Roy Wang 

15. Liu Haoran

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