First-time Challenge in Micro-Short Drama 'Duel 1212'—Wu Tianyu and Cai Peixuan Stage a Workplace Palace Drama

The online micro-short drama '决战1212' (Duel 1212), written and directed by Monsterz, brings together Best Actress Wu Tianyu and powerhouse actress Cai Peixuan for the first time in an explosive performance, igniting high anticipation. Not only is this the two leading ladies’ first foray into micro-short drama, but every scene they share sparks intense chemistry, resembling a modern workplace version of a palace intrigue drama.

‘Duel 1212’ centers around the dynamics of a Malaysian office, telling the story of two female supervisors who, amid the high pressures of the workplace, move from competition and misunderstanding to mutual understanding and cooperation. Wu Tianyu and Cai Peixuan, in their double lead roles, unleash their charisma, adding new dimensions to their characters.

Since starring in ‘Forensic JD’ in 2022, Wu Tianyu had not filmed a drama for some time. She admitted that what attracted her to ‘Duel 1212’ was the "extremely short filming time"—the entire 18-episode series had to be completed in just four days. "Finishing an 18-episode show in 4 days is a brand-new experience for me. I also haven't acted in several years, so I wanted to see whether I could still maintain my condition and the quality of my work amid such an intense shooting schedule." This time she challenges herself with the role of Lin Ruobing, a decisive and goal-oriented “iron lady” in the workplace, who is cold on the outside but warm on the inside, and highly rational. She said the challenge with this role was not in her strength, but rather how to conceal subtle emotional layers beneath a strong exterior.

Cai Peixuan’s character, Su Manni, is another kind of workplace powerhouse—decisive on the outside yet soft inside, wounded, with boundaries and ambitions. She revealed that the character’s past wounds have made her someone who cannot tolerate failure, leading to actions that carry a sense of suppressed ferocity. "This role has a wide range of emotions—it’s an extreme challenge for an actress, and I look forward to the audience seeing her full complexity."

This micro-short drama is also Cai Peixuan’s first online series. She observed that short-form dramas have become a trend in recent years, with fast pacing and clear styles, making it a new platform well worth a try. "Both the story and the characters were attractive at first glance, and I hope to find new sparks in this new format."

In recent years, she has also been actively returning to film and television, and revealed she is currently pursuing studies in nutrition. After completing a Certificate in Food and Nutrition last year, this year she has formally begun studying for certification in Nutrition and Functional Medicine. She jokingly said that the learning process has been an unexpected journey of self-discovery.

‘Duel 1212’ marks Monsterz’s return to self-writing and direction after ‘Invincibly in Love with You.’ Even the theme song "Unbeaten" was handled personally by him, with singer Vicky Fong (“Pink Tank”) invited for vocals. Online influencer Wang Zhenlin (Queenie) and newcomer Jason Tan have also joined the cast.