Jiang Yuanchu

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Jiang Yuanchu (姜元初)
Alias(es)	Xiao Yuan; “Human Barbie”; “Perfect Idol” 160 224
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Manli Entertainment 103
Occupation/Role	Top-tier idol, singer, dancer, variety-show mentor/judge; aspiring actress 24 26 123
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 24

Background / History

Jiang Yuanchu rose to prominence as a pure idol whose popularity rivaled An Luning’s. Her exceptionally polished appearance, strong stage presence, and carefully maintained public image made her one of the industry’s leading young female idols, though the idol hierarchy limited how her status was perceived. 24

Before Bai Youlou’s scandal, Jiang had an unconfirmed flirtatious association with him. She swiftly distanced herself afterward and deleted their previous Weibo interactions, protecting her career and spotless image. 24 At Manli Entertainment, her arrival had also made her an isolated figure among fellow trainees, who believed her resources came at their expense. 150

As a mentor on Tomorrow’s Star Show, she became known for measured critiques, encouraging smiles, and near-impenetrable emotional control. Her polished warmth could feel distant, contributing to online perceptions that she was “too perfect” to be real. 26

Career

Jiang’s career is built on sustained visibility, strict self-management, and an idol image designed to withstand scrutiny. Her high attendance rate, professionalism, and lack of exploitable scandals have kept her at the top despite repeated rumors and attacks from anti-fans. 168

Her company seeks to broaden her career beyond idol work, but her public image makes a sudden transition risky. She auditioned for Bai Youlou’s film, performed poorly in her first attempt, and received another chance to learn from the process; Liu Manli ultimately secured the female lead. 121 123 Jiang later developed a genuine interest in acting after receiving Bai’s guidance during an MV shoot, though she remains unwilling to take roles that would abruptly conflict with her idol persona. 168 174

Bai Youlou produces Jiang’s album and tailors songs for her, giving her an opportunity to establish achievements in the music industry beyond performance-oriented idol releases. The album has a reported production budget of 50 million yuan, with profits divided among Jiang, Manli Entertainment, and Bai. 146 166 168

• Served as a mentor on Tomorrow’s Star Show. 24 26
• Performed competitively onstage and defended her dance ability against Bai’s critique. 86
• Won a Golden Broom Award through Bai Youlou’s Weibo giveaway. 153
• Recorded songs rapidly after receiving advance material from Bai Youlou. 166
• Held a year-end concert attended by Zhang Xiaorong and Bai Youlou. 291 293

Appearance

Jiang is renowned for looking flawless from every angle, an image that has earned her the “Human Barbie” label and a reputation for making co-stars appear less striking by comparison. 160 238

• Oval face, large expressive eyes, rosy lips, and a light blush. 28
• Strict body management, including regular dance and fitness training. 101 166
• Maintains upright, graceful posture whenever she is in public view. 223
• Frequently changes her styling, including pinkish-blue hair for one event and chestnut-brown streaked hair for studio recording. 159 165
• Her public wardrobe ranges from minimalist idol outfits to bold commercial looks, always carefully controlled to match her brand. 28 101

Personality

Jiang is highly disciplined, deliberate, and professionally driven. She treats her polished image not as a burden but as the work required to preserve an opportunity she values deeply. Even when angry or challenged, she usually regains composure quickly and presents her signature sweet smile. 28 103

Her restraint conceals a strong competitive streak. She sees herself as a contender for the top, takes career rivalries seriously, and is willing to prepare extensively for any goal—whether recording, performance, or a potential transition into acting. 166 173

Jiang also has a more impulsive, provocative side that emerges in private or around people she trusts. The narration and other characters repeatedly characterize her behavior as unstable or self-destructive, but no formal diagnosis is provided in the available material. She herself recognizes when emotional attachment threatens her self-control and initially tries to create distance rather than let it endanger her career. 103 165 168 174

The pressure of maintaining perfection has visibly exhausted her at times. After receiving an award under constant media attention, she becomes uncomfortable with the cameras rather than enjoying their focus, allowing Zhang Xiaorong to see her vulnerability. 239

Abilities & Skills

Dance and Stage Performance

Jiang is an accomplished dancer whose technique, physical conditioning, and stage presence form the foundation of her idol career.

• Impresses audiences with her dancing during competition performances. 86
• Shares extensive dance and stage-performance knowledge with Zhang Xiaorong. 160
• Can learn unfamiliar dance forms quickly due to her technical foundation, though she rejects pole dancing because of its overtly suggestive image. 174
• Her earlier music releases relied heavily on choreography, MVs, and short-video stage clips rather than audio alone. 166

Image Management

Jiang’s greatest professional strength is her ability to control how she is seen by the public.

• Maintains composed expressions even when personally unsettled or under scrutiny. 26 153
• Keeps rumors from gaining momentum through careful public conduct and a strong fan base. 77 168
• Understands that an idol’s appeal depends on delivering the idealized image fans support. 166
• Her image is also a limitation: an abrupt public romance or radically sensual acting role could damage her core fan base. 146 174

Planning and Execution

Jiang approaches both work and personal matters with unusual preparation and efficiency.

• Clears her schedule in advance when she expects to need recovery time. 102
• Prepares recordings beforehand, allowing her to complete songs quickly in the studio. 166
• Treats every outcome, including failed auditions, as material from which she can learn. 123
• Prioritizes her career above health, family, and romantic relationships. 169

Developing Acting Ability

Jiang has limited acting experience but is actively exploring the field.

• Attended an audition for Bai Youlou’s film as part of Manli Entertainment’s plan to transform her career. 121 123
• Struggled during her audition, demonstrating that acting is not yet her established specialty. 123
• Studies acting during MV production under Bai Youlou’s guidance and becomes interested in continuing to learn. 168 174

Relationships

• Bai Youlou — Former flirtatious associate who later becomes her secret partner and album producer. Jiang attempts to keep their relationship limited and separate from her public life, fearing emotional attachment and career consequences. 24 166 174 224
• Liu Manli — Her boss at Manli Entertainment and a close, sister-like friend. Liu protects Jiang’s career, renews her contract on favorable terms, and supports her potential transition beyond idol work. 103 107 229
• Zhang Xiaorong — Professional competitor who becomes a friend through their shared interest in dance and performance. Zhang comforts Jiang when the pressure of public attention overwhelms her. 160 173 239
• An Luning — A major rival in endorsements and public popularity. They later signal a truce by posting a joint photo and asking fans to stop fighting. 166
• Nana-zi — Manli Entertainment colleague and frequent rival. Their interactions are tense and competitive; Nana-zi is deeply preoccupied with Jiang and collects outfits to imitate her. 224 230 233
• Zhou Zhou — Jiang’s cousin and assistant, whom Jiang trusts to assist her during work schedules. 165 169
• Jiang Yuanchu’s agent — Helps manage her schedule, public image, and career transition, while struggling to control Jiang’s increasingly independent behavior. 121 153 236

Story Role / Major Arcs

Perfect Idol and Former Association

Jiang first appears as a top idol and variety-show mentor whose public composure contrasts with her unresolved concern over Bai Youlou’s post-scandal transformation. She intercepts him after a performance to question his changed behavior and criticizes him for not valuing his opportunities. 24 28

Career Transformation Attempts

Manli Entertainment identifies the need to move Jiang beyond the narrow limits of idol work. She considers acting, auditions for Bai Youlou’s film, and begins treating failures as opportunities to improve rather than reasons to retreat. 85 121 123

Album Production and Rivalry

Bai Youlou’s production of Jiang’s album becomes her primary chance to gain recognition in the music industry. At the same time, she competes with An Luning for endorsements and recognizes Zhang Xiaorong as an emerging rival with a different path toward major awards. 165 166 173

Private Relationship and Emotional Conflict

Jiang and Bai maintain a concealed relationship while working on her album. She insists that they remain ordinary friends in public and initially tries to limit their attachment, but gradually admits that she fears falling in love with him. 166 168 171 174

Open Confrontation with Nana-zi

When Jiang visits Bai Youlou’s set under the pretense of seeing Nana-zi, their rivalry becomes impossible to hide. Jiang provocatively confirms her closeness to Bai, overturning Nana-zi’s image of her as an untouchable and indifferent idol. 223 224 225

Taiwan, Awards, and Friendship with Zhang Xiaorong

During her Taiwan activities, Jiang publicly spends time with Zhang Xiaorong, flirts more openly with Bai, and displays greater confidence in acting on her own desires. The relationship between Jiang and Zhang shifts from professional competition toward mutual support. 236 238 239

Later Family Plans

Jiang proposes an unusual future arrangement with Liu Manli: Liu would have two children, while Jiang would raise one. Liu initially treats the suggestion as a joke, but Jiang insists she is serious. 233 275

Notable Quotes

“I’m not tired. This is my job, and I cherish this opportunity.” 28

“Below the RV, we’re just ordinary friends.” 166

“Not everything that’s great is necessarily suitable for me. I can see that clearly.” 153

Trivia

• Jiang uses a Weibo alt account to follow entertainment-industry developments. 153
• Her announcement fees are among the industry’s highest, often making her difficult for ordinary programs to book. 169
• She is known in the industry as a “co-star killer” because many actresses avoid being photographed beside her. 238
• Despite her public rivalry with Zhang Xiaorong and An Luning, she later appears with both women holding hands and laughing at a celebration banquet. 257