Sohu reports that the Jin Yong martial arts world series has returned after a break with the new installment Hua Shan Sword Debate: Nine Yin Manual, featuring Mạnh Tử Nghĩa as the lead character Mai Siêu Phong, who has received high praise from audiences.
Unlike previous works focusing on Mai Siêu Phong as a dark villain, Nine Yin Manual explores her life from when she was a disciple on Peach Blossom Island named Mai Nhược Hoa, who falls in love with Trần Huyền Phong (played by Hà Dữ). After witnessing her lover’s death at her own hands, suffering crippling injuries and blindness from poison, Mai Nhược Hoa sinks into hatred and resolves to steal the Nine Yin Manual to avenge her pain.
Sohu praises Mạnh Tử Nghĩa’s performance in Hua Shan Sword Debate: Nine Yin Manual for effectively portraying the character’s emotional shifts, from repeated crushed ambitions to love turning into destructive hatred. She is also commended for her striking period drama look and smooth, powerful martial arts scenes, including dodging and hand-to-hand combat.
Some viewers feel the 2025 portrayal of Mai Siêu Phong evokes sympathy, showing that her ruthless actions stem from the deep suffering Mai Nhược Hoa endured. Her life is bound by heavy chains of grief after losing her most trusted loved one. This version by Mạnh Tử Nghĩa is seen as more nuanced and carefully crafted than previous portrayals.
A popular comment on Weibo with thousands of likes said, ‘I used to see Mai Siêu Phong as a cruel villain, but watching Hua Shan Sword Debate: Nine Yin Manual, I realized she was forced into cruelty step by step. She deserves punishment but is not innocent. Thanks to Mạnh Tử Nghĩa, the character is emotionally rich and more vivid than in the novel. Her acting is excellent, delivering a completely different Mai Siêu Phong. I cried with her in episode 8.’
Born in 1995, Mạnh Tử Nghĩa was once crowned beauty queen at Beijing Film Academy. Her fame soared at the end of 2024 with the hit drama Nine Lives Stirring the Screen, praised for its beautiful cinematography and gripping story. She plays the lead role Đậu Chiêu, who gets a chance to relive her life. Her role draws comparisons to Minh Lan, portrayed by senior actress Zhao Liying, due to many similarities.
Previously, Mạnh Tử Nghĩa impressed in supporting roles in dramas like The Untamed and Heroes Who Deserve the Name, but Nine Lives was her first major lead role. The show’s success boosted her popularity significantly.
Mạnh Tử Nghĩa is praised for her beautiful appearance, large eyes, charming mouth, and slender face, an ideal look admired by millions of Chinese female viewers. She is also noted for resembling Angelababy.
According to QQ, Mạnh Tử Nghĩa faced controversy over her beauty while filming The Martial God Zhao Zilong. The lead role was played by Korean singer Yoona from SNSD, who was criticized for not fitting the period drama look, while Mạnh Tử Nghĩa’s servant role stood out more. Media comparisons praising Mạnh Tử Nghĩa led to accusations that she bought publicity and overshadowed her co-star, though she was still a rising actress at the time.
In 2018, while starring in the BL drama The Untamed, Mạnh Tử Nghĩa was accused of using money to increase her screen time and was linked to an actor’s death on set due to overtime. She repeatedly denied these claims and even sued those spreading rumors to protect her reputation.
