The production had started in 2016 directed by Vicky Zhao Wei for Max Film and various Chinese companies, including Alibaba Pictures Group.
[4][5] A campaign by Chinese netizens had accused Dai of supporting Taiwanese independence.
[1] The major criticism of Dai was that he had taken an "ambiguous stance over the country and national identity by supporting the Sunflower Movement.
[6] The film's funders stated they were unhappy with his response to the inquiries.
[1] Another member of the cast was replaced after a similar campaign, namely Kiko Mizuhara for having visited the Yasukuni Shrine, a place associated with various controversies concerning Japanese war crimes in China.