Director’s “Sick” Comments About Relationship Between Shocking “Age Gap” Co-Stars Spark Fury

In 2025, the drama Key to the Phoenix Heart sparked major controversy with the age gap between the male and female leads.

The male lead is Hou Minghao (also known as Neo Hou), and the female lead is Ai Mi. When the casting was announced, along with a 10-year age gap, Ai Mi was underage.

“17 And 27?!” Upcoming Drama’s Age Gap With Lead Couple Sparks Disgust

Recently, with the cast promoting the show, netizens were disgusted when the director shared that during filming, he wondered if they had actually developed feelings towards each other. In the video, both stars looked shocked by the idea, with some believing Minghao seemed uncomfortable.

the director saying he thinks aimi n hmh developed “real feelings” during the filming ….. he’s playing in minghao’s fucking face. he looks flabbergasted THE ENTIRE CONCEPT IS WEIRD? what the hell is wrong with that old man pic.twitter.com/QPDAQAZxxL

— rose (#念相思 era) (@lovelyjkks) July 15, 2026

just absurd . look at their faces They couldn’t believe what they were hearing pic.twitter.com/MiE3ALX9qO

— rose (#念相思 era) (@lovelyjkks) July 15, 2026

Netizens were disgusted by the comments made by the director, saying that he deserved jail time for not only making an age-inappropriate pairing but also trying to make assumptions that could be damaging.

u don’t even see directors saying this for age appropriate pairings 💀 this one deserves jail time im so fucking serious

— moon ⊹ ₊ ୧ (@luvsthyn) July 15, 2026

Not enough that he put an age gap pairing in the drama, he even had the audacity to say this without any shame.

Free artists from sick directors and greedy agencies

— ۶۟ৎ (@roshieverse) July 15, 2026

That director is sick, especially considering the age gap between Hou Minghao, who is 28, and Aimi, who just turned 18. He actually said something as absurd as: “the two developed real feelings during filming.”#HouMinghao #AiMi #KeyToThePhoenixHeart pic.twitter.com/w2RxkuRKza

— Liz 🌻 (@detailsedts) July 16, 2026

the director thinks WHAT????? abt his almost 30 male lead and female lead who just turned 18 like 2 days ago?????

— em (@khyyooon) July 15, 2026