Li Yi Tong is giving me auntie vibes :( Please don't hate me but i got the same vibes in "WOACN" :( There's something…
To like or dislike an actor/actress is personal preference. So if you feel Li Yi Tong is giving you auntie vibes, that your personal preference.
But in real life, Li Yi Tong and Liu Yu Ning are in same age since they both were born in 1990.
If Li Yi Tong is auntie, then Liu Yu Ning is uncle. Good, that means they both match each other then.
This remind me that some people complained that Liu Yu Ning don't match with Song Zu Er in The Prisoner Of Beauty because he is 7 years older than her in real life LOL
Some people also complained that thay can't watch The Prisoner Of Beauty because according to them, Liu Yu Ning is ugly and doesn't has the typical handsome anime face like just like usual Chinese actors that become main male lead. Again, everything is personal preferance.
Sorry to interrupt. It may be rare but there are other Chinese dramas whether romance is their main genre or not, produced from original scripts.
From Chinese articles that I read using google translate, the main reason there are less Chinese dramas from original scripts nowadays is because to gain more quick profit in easy way, many producer, director and screenwriter in Chinese entertainment industry especially for romance genre usually adapted popular Chinese novels or Chinese comic (manhua) or Chinese anime (donghua) that already have established fanbase to dramas so they could attracted the fans of those novels/manhua/donghua to their dramas.
I hope there will be more Chinese dramas that produce from original scripts but entertainment industry is a business after all and nobody want to gain loss when making business.
I'm still watching Chinese dramas that are adaptions from novels/manhua/donghua but I won't deny that I get more excitement when watching dramas from original scripts although to be honest, there no such thing as 100% spoiler free in current world because we get to see many spoiler on international social media like Tiktok, X, IG or Chinese social media like Weibo, Douyin, Xiaohongshu.
List of some Chinese dramas that I know they are from original scripts, they are not adapted from any novels/manhua/donghua and are not remakes from any another dramas, movies or short stories.
Romance is the main genre: 1) Costumes: *xianxia, xuanhuan: fantasy with elements like magic, demon, immortal, fairy *historical: not historically accurate but no elements like magic, demon, immortal, fairy
Feud (2025) with Bai Lu & Zeng Shun Xi *will be on air starting from 6th June 2025 *Iqiyi *xianxia *32 episodes
Perfect Match (2025) with Lu Yu Xiao and Wang Xing Yue *finished airing on 11th February 2025 *MangoTv *historical, multiple couples *36 episodes https://kisskh.at/760155-perfect-match
2) Republican Era (1912 - 1949) *Began in 1912 with the end of the Qing dynasty, when the Xinhai Revolution and the formation of the Republic of China (ROC) put an end to 2,000 years of imperial rule *Ended in 1949 when the KMT-led government was defeated in the Chinese Civil War and lost control of the mainland to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Romance is not main genre: 1) What A Wonderful World (2025) with Yin Fang and Zhao Li Ying *finished airing on 1st June 2025 *Iqiyi *modern, mystery *8 episodes https://kisskh.at/761589-zai-ren-jian
2) Legend Of Zang Hai (2025) with Xiao Zhan and Zhang Jing Yi *finished airing on 3rd June 2025 *Youku *historical, male centered *40 episodes https://kisskh.at/56835-cang-hai-xi-lin
Another Youku new policy: First shoot a preview episode, and then shoot a 10-minute pilot preview short film. The plan is to select and train new directors, and the artists will be coordinated by Alibaba Entertainment Agency, but whether the project can pass the review is another matter. In addition, if the preview episode is well shot, it is still unknown whether the main creators will have the opportunity to officially join the project. https://x.com/ultra_melons/status/1914932869069521253 https://x.com/kpopsmileshop1/status/1915055792514039965
I don't encounter any similar rumor for Tencent or MangoTv new policy that they also will be like this so right now both of them still producing dramas with 40 episodes and 45 minutes based from their government rule. But I'm not surprised if they will implement similar new policy by reducing number of episodes like Iqiyi and Youku plan to do later if Tencent and MangoTv feel this new policy could gain more profits.
I'm hoping with new policy of reducing episodes, this also could means these Chinese entertainment platform will produce more original scripts later LOL
But I'm sure there will be more novel reader get piss off because less episodes means destroying their beloved novels with deleting many plots and characters since dramas with less episodes couldn't including many parts of Chinese novels that have hundreds sometime until thousand of chapters haha
Btw, other than kisskh, one of English webpage updated by fans that I use to check about info whether this Chinese drama is an original scripts or not is DramaWiki.
For example: for drama The Prisoner Of Beauty with Song Zu Er and Liu Yu Ning, on the "Production Credits" that located at the bottom, there was part: -Original Writing: Zhe Yao (折腰) by Peng Lai Ke- So I know this drama was adapted from novel. https://wiki.d-addicts.com/The_Prisoner_of_Beauty
while for drama A Dream Within A Dream with Li Yi Tong and Liu Yu Ning, it is an original scripts since there was no part about - Original Writing: ... by ... - https://wiki.d-addicts.com/A_Dream_Within_a_Dream
But not all dramas get completed info since this website is updated by fans so usually it is popular Chinese actors and actresses or popular Chinese dramas get more updated quickly than non popular actors and actresses and non popular dramas.
So if there's no update on DramaWiki, then my second choice will be translating Chinese website, Baidu, from Mandarin to English using Google Translate.
Really looking forward to A Dream Within A Dream!!!Li Yi Tong X Liu Yu ning ❤️
Yes, Liu Yu Ning get forced to marry again, this time with Li Yi Tong even when the main theme is "time travel into the novel" LOL
Song Zu Er also get into contract marriage with Chen Xin Hai in her next costume drama.
Yeah, main couple married each other because of forced/contract/arranged marriage before completely fall in love with each other is my top favourite trope in romance genre since I'm a teenager haha
Ming dynasty, not my favorite era but we'll see. Lol
Even Chen Xin Hai (born in 2001) that will pair with Song Zu Er (born in 1998) in her next costume drama is 3 years younger than her, I like him because to me he is not only depend on his tall height and good looking face but he also can act. https://kisskh.at/people/83319-chen-xin-hai
The problem is that drama screenwriter. According to people that already watch the screenwriter previous dramas, her dramas are just so so.
Also according to Song Zu Er fans comments that I read, she chosen that drama for her comeback as actress at the time before The Prisoner Of Beauty get to air. At that time, she just recovered from tax evasion accusation and she also willing lowered her fees so people in Chinese entertainment industry willing to hire her again.
And maybe it's not impossible that there not much offer so she just accepted it because she grateful there still drama production company that willing to hire her as main female lead.
Now maybe in June or July this year, this costume drama A Dream Within A Dream will be on air. And Liu Yu Ning character also get forced to marry Li Yi Tong in this drama.
Then in July, Song Zu Er will filming another costume romance drama with Chen Xin Hai that adapted from a novel Biao Mei Wan Fu by author Peng Lai Ke, the same person that wrote novel Zhe Yao that adapted to drama The Prisoner Of Beauty. Andddd of course that drama is about contract marriage between merchant main female lead and commander main male lead that set in Ming Dynasty. https://kisskh.at/772785-biao-mei-wan-fu
The funny thing to me is both Li Yi Tong and Chen Xin Hai just finished filming a costume xianxia (fantasy) drama as main couple in few months ago LOL https://kisskh.at/742861-gu-yue-feng-hua-lu
He get forced to marry, she get forced to marry! Everyone get forced marriage, yeehaa! \^0^/
So after The Prisoner Of Beauty, maybe in June or July this year, another Liu Yu Ning costume drama with Li Yi Tong, A Dream Within A Dream will be on air. And Liu Yu Ning character also get forced to marry Li Yi Tong in this drama. https://kisskh.at/70247-jiang-dui-dui-chong-sheng-ji
Then in July, Song Zu Er will filming another costume romance drama with Chen Xin Hai that adapted from a novel Biao Mei Wan Fu by author Peng Lai Ke, the same person that wrote novel Zhe Yao that adapted to drama The Prisoner Of Beauty. Andddd of course this drama is about contract marriage between merchant main female lead and commander main male lead that set in Ming Dynasty. https://kisskh.at/772785-biao-mei-wan-fu
The funny thing to me is both Li Yi Tong and Chen Xin Hai just finished filming a costume xianxia (fantasy) drama as main couple in few months ago LOL https://kisskh.at/742861-gu-yue-feng-hua-lu
He get forced to marry, she get forced to marry! Everyone get forced marriage, yeehaa! \^0^/
To be honest I have no problem with possessive ml but the novel ver mqy was a playboy ,cheater ,abuser etc I know…
Classic characteristics of main male lead in Fei Wo Si Chun novels LOL
Don't worry, I 100% believe the screenwriter will change main male lead characteristic in this drama to be green flag type just like they did to main male lead in drama The Prisoner Of Beauty (2025) with Liu Yu Ning and Song Zu Er. https://kisskh.at/687393-the-prisoner-of-beauty
Majority of real red flag main male leads now are only in short dramas that have less censorship. I guess that's why they want to produce a short drama adapted The Prisoner Of Beauty novel with darker tone like the novel.
Title: ZheYao Episode: 100 Duration: 2 minutes (So in total the duration will be about 3 hours and 20 minutes long) Start of filming: End of June in Hengdian Cast: In talks with the short actors to confirm the leads
I hope the distribution license process will be just fine and Iqiyi will air full episodes that the filming crew filmed for this drama.
Based on the Google Translate that I use, they filmed 38 episodes for this drama so please don't cut out any episode, pleaseee!!! https://kisskh.at/photos/kAYqEr_3
But 38 episodes just like on the info above or even more like this drama below! Costume drama "Moonlit Reunion" has passed the censorship review, and the number of episodes has been changed from 36 to 39. https://kisskh.at/photos/mO1kB1_3
I'm waiting so long for this drama to be on air, since it's been filmed in 2024, until now, June 2025 T_T
Hasn't passed censorship & received a distribution license yet we have to wait for more updates on that first
I know that in Chinese entertaiment industry, main rule for the airdate for Chinese dramas is don't ever believe any rumor in social media whether from international platform like X, IG, Tiktok or platform in China like Weibo, Douyin.
But I'm worried about censorship review since they reduced episode for some dramas: Iqiyi drama, Created In China with Song Zu Er & Zhang Xin Cheng get reduced from 36 episodes to 35 episodes: https://kisskh.at/745371-jian-nan-de-zhi-zao
Another Youku new policy: First shoot a preview episode, and then shoot a 10-minute pilot preview short film. The plan is to select and train new directors, and the artists will be coordinated by Alibaba Entertainment Agency, but whether the project can pass the review is another matter. In addition, if the preview episode is well shot, it is still unknown whether the main creators will have the opportunity to officially join the project. https://x.com/ultra_melons/status/1914932869069521253 https://x.com/kpopsmileshop1/status/1915055792514039965
As per my understanding, the rumors for one of Iqiyi and Youku new policy for the episodes of their new dramas are like these:
Iqiyi: All dramas will be cut down to maximum 36 episodes
Youku: Original script: Will be cut down to 12 episodes - 16 episodes with 1 hour for each episode High budgeted drama project, labelled as S+, can be split to 2 seasons but the airing of the season 2 depends on the performance of season 1 Novels adaptation: Will be cut down to 36 episodes (?)
So later we will see many new costumes dramas produced by Iqiyi and Youku especially that were adapted from novels will be just 30/32/36 episodes?
When I read news about some of new Chinese costume dramas that produced for Iqiyi and Youku will be filming or currently filming in 2025 have 40 episodes, I keep thinking about how the plot for those dramas will feel kinda mess up and bring confusion to audiences since 4 of their episodes will get cut out. That's annoyed me so much LOL
I don't encounter any similar rumor for Tencent or MangoTv new policy like this but I'm not surprised if they will implement similar new policy like Youku and Iqiyi later.
I'm using Google Translate to understand some info about this drama and it seems the filming crew filmed this drama for 38 episodes: https://kisskh.at/photos/kAYqEr_3 But when I'm search about Iqiyi mainstream dramas that airing in 2025, majority of them are just 36 episodes or below.
I wait for this drama since it's filming period in year 2024 and I will feel so dissappointed if it get cut out even for just one episode T_T
I followed the info about this drama since the time of it's filming period, from 30th April 2024 to 10th September 2024 and I thought this drama will air first in June 2025 before The Prisoner Of Beauty because of Song Zu Er accusation of tax evasion. But Song Zu Er already proved as innocent by government and Tencent decided to air The Prisoner Of Beauty before June 2025.
For me, other than Liu Yu Ning and Li Yi Tong get pair together (they both born in 1990 in real life), the fact that this drama is an original script, meaning it's not adapted from any Chinese novel or manhua (Chinese comic) or donghua (Chinese anime) makes me feel much more excited!
Using Google Translate, it mentioned that this drama has 38 episodes. I hope neither government scensorship or Iqiyi reduce any episode! https://kisskh.at/photos/kAYqEr_3
Anyway, it seems maximum of episodes for majority Iqiyi and Youku dramas that currently filming right now are 36 episodes. Well, they both want to reduce their losses and gain more profit hmmm
I'm waiting for this drama since they start filming in 2024 until now, when his drama with Song Zu Er, The Prisoner Of Beauty (2025) get on air nexpectedly and right now when that drama almost finish airing LOL
Some info about this drama that I know.
*Main actor, Liu Yu Ning and main actress, Li Yi Tong were born in the same year in real life, in year 1990. *This drama is an original script, meaning it is not adapted from any novel/manhua/donghua. *This drama filming for 38 episodes and I hope when they passed reviewed license, they wouldn't cut any episodes, please! *This drama production is the same production with Liu Yu Ning previous drama with Liu Shi Shi, A Journey To Love (2023) or the real suitable title, A Journey To Heaven =_= But don't worry, based on the fancam while they were filming, this drama have happy ending, Well, unless they want to piss off fans, this will have happy ending. *I don't know Mandarin but I read some comments from Liu Yu Ning Chinese fans with Google Translate that Liu Yu Ning doesn't mind being the second billing. His Chinese fans also chill like him because his chill person in real life That's good because this give him more chance to pair with actresses that are more senior from him in Chinese entertainment industry like Liu Shi Shi, Song Zu Er, Li Yi Tong.
At first, I feel dissappointed when Iqiyi decided to air Liu Yu Ning another drama, Eternal Brotherhood (24 episodes) that already finished filming, if I'm not mistaken, in 2021, but I think it's better to give some time for fans to get out from Liu Yu Ning and Song Zu Er pairing in The Prisoner Of Beauty.
Some typical annnoying new fans of Chinese dramas from longtime fans of Korean dramas that watch The Prisoner Of Beauty because of influence from Tiktok already mentioned in Tiktok that Li Yi Tong is not pretty unlike Song Zu Er LOL
Pretty and handsome is personal preferance but it's really creepy if you all want actresses to look the same. Beauty standard for actresses in China are like Ni Ni, Liu Shi Shi, Liu Yi Fei, Dilraba Dilmurat and I agree these actresses are very beautiful but it will be really creepy if all actresses in China only have same faces like them!
It's your right to like or dislike couple pairing in Chinese romance dramas but remember they only acting together, even if your favourite couple pairing will get married in real life, they still will have intimate lovey dovey scene and sorry not sorry that Liu Yu Ning and Song Zu Er will act in romance drama with many other actors and actresses in the future.
This is an interesting article about Liu Yu Ning and Song Zu Er kiss scene in The Prisoner Of Beauty:
Liu Yuning Reveals ‘The Legend of Shen Li’ Kiss Scene as Inspiration for ‘The Prisoner of Beauty’
The hit drama The Prisoner of Beauty, starring Liu Yuning and Song Zu’er, has recently soared in popularity, breaking the 30,000 heat index mark on Tencent Video. Prior to its success, LayarHijau had reported Liu Yuning’s comments about why certain intimate scenes from the original novel were omitted in the drama adaptation.
Interestingly, during a livestream in 2024 — when The Legend of Shen Li was dominating discussions online — Liu Yuning shared a lighthearted behind-the-scenes story. At the time, The Legend of Shen Li, starring Zhao Liying and Lin Gengxin, was a massive hit with over 2.3 billion views and several buzzworthy kiss scenes. Amid this wave of popularity, Liu Yuning revealed that one of those scenes served as inspiration for his own drama.
Before filming the romantic scenes in The Prisoner of Beauty, Liu and his co-star Song Zu’er were shown a kiss scene from The Legend of Shen Li as a reference. Both dramas shared the same director, Deng Ke, and co-director, Wang Yiding. According to Liu, Wang Yiding gave him an unreleased video clip featuring Zhao Liying and Lin Gengxin’s kiss scene and said, “Watch this scene, it’s excellent!” — as quoted by upmedia.mg.
Liu Yuning recalled his reaction after watching it: “Wow, it’s really good, really passionate!” The actor’s honest and humorous reaction made livestream viewers laugh. He later realized that the clip featured one of the drama’s most iconic moments — a snowy kiss scene between Shen Li and Xing Zhi, where Shen Li subtly reveals her pregnancy. That particular scene wasn’t even in the original script, but an on-the-spot improvisation by Zhao Liying, with Lin Gengxin’s natural response elevating it further.
Some video clip of Liu Yu Ning livestream about this: Director Deng Ke has a team of directors, one of which is Director Wang, a female director. When I next filmed with director Deng Ke again, I was filming a romantic scene and director Wang pulled up the kiss scene from #TheLegendOfShenLi to show me! https://x.com/fandoestrans/status/1777895253758161395
She said "look at this, pretty good right? Look at how they do it!" She showed me like it's a tutorial, for me to learn from! And I said "very good, I'll learn! Very exhilarating!" Someone said "don't watch Ning-ge, it's a bad influence!" Are you insane? https://x.com/fandoestrans/status/1777895415561814356
You were told that by your mom and now you're telling me? Were you watching tv on the couch with your parents when you were young and when the leads were getting it on your mom said "don't watch, its bad influence"? You can watch kisses in dramas after 18 years old! https://x.com/fandoestrans/status/1777895554930123060
Do they always follow the dynasty or costumes that mention in novel or they change it
They need to look at the genre of the drama. Is it fantasy (xianxia) or real dynasty or fictional dynasty? Usually, if it is xianxia, the costume will more different than real dynasty. If it is real dynasty, which dynasty it is?
The summary of novel: Changle County, Fuzhou Prefecture, was where the eunuch Sanbao trained before heading west. Under the maritime ban, trade in other places was depressed, but business in Changle was booming. The prosperity of the coastal areas attracted the rampant Japanese pirates.
Pei You An, the deputy commander of the Shenjiying, who came to buy firearms, was invited to patrol the sea. Unexpectedly, he encountered a fierce naval battle—Japanese ships were besieging Chinese merchant ships, and Zhen Jia Fu's family merchant ship was among them.
After this encounter, and in order to help Jia Fu escape the forced marriage, Pei You An signed a marriage contract with her. They quietly developed feelings for each other and finally became a couple after going through many hardships.
I have not read the novel yet but let's search about some real historical info in ancient China based from summary of the novel:
1) Changle County, Fuzhou Prefecture, was where the eunuch Sanbao trained before heading west. Keyword: Eunuch Sanbao Real historical info: *Sanbao Taijian Xiyang Ji also translated into English as The Eunuch Sanbao's Voyage to the Western Ocean or The Journey of Sanbao the Eunuch to the Western Ocean, is a classic Chinese novel written by Luo Maodeng in the late 16th-century during the Ming dynasty. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanbao_taijian_xiyang_ji
2) Under the maritime ban, trade in other places was depressed, but business in Changle was booming. The prosperity of the coastal areas attracted the rampant Japanese pirates. Keyword: maritime ban Real historical info: The Haijin or sea ban were a series of related isolationist policies in China restricting private maritime trading and coastal settlement during most of the Ming dynasty and early Qing dynasty. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haijin
3) Pei You An, the deputy commander of the Shenjiying, who came to buy firearms, was invited to patrol the sea. Keyword: came to buy firearms Real historical info: The Shenjiying which directly translates to "Divine Machine Battalion", was one of Ming dynasty's three elite military divisions stationed around Beijing collectively called the "Three Great Battalions", and was famous for its utilization of firearm weaponries. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenjiying
4) Unexpectedly, he encountered a fierce naval battle—Japanese ships were besieging Chinese merchant ships, and Zhen Jia Fu's family merchant ship was among them. Keyword: Japanese ships were besieging Chinese merchant ships Real historical info: The Jiajing wokou raids caused extensive damage to the coast of China in the 16th century, during the reign of the Jiajing Emperor in the Ming dynasty. The term "wokou" originally referred to Japanese pirates who crossed the sea and raided Korea and China; however, by the mid-Ming, the wokou consisted of multinational crewmen that included the Japanese and the Portuguese, but a great majority of them were Chinese instead. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiajing_wokou_raids
In conclusion: This novel is set in the Ming Dynasty in ancient China.
A xianxia drama with hate and love relationship of a married couple produced by Yu Zheng?
I could imagine there will be many scenes of spitting blood, misunderstanding that surely will make me facepalm and pull my hair out when I'm watching this. Still, Bai Lu is main female lead so I will watch it *cry*
Wei Shao in novel won't pass the censorship but I'm satisfied with the process of him falling in love with Man…
I think Wei Shao character is kind of reverseal of typical clueless virgin main female lead in some romance drama/novel/manga. Usually we see typical clueless main female lead in romance drama especially when the main male lead is clearly courting her. The different in here is the screenwriter give that characteristic to the main male lead LOL
If you prefer Wei Shao character in novel, maybe you might interested to check this short drama version out when it's on air.
Title: ZheYao Episode: 100 Duration: 2 minutes (So in total the duration will be about 3 hours and 20 minutes long right?) Start of filming: End of June in Hengdian Cast: In talks with the short actors to confirm the leads
There's another short drama with real red flag, Love & Bid Farewell (2024) with Yan Zi Xian and He Xuan Lin that kind of rip off version of Goodbye My Princess (2019). https://kisskh.at/766723-yu-jun-jue Even when it's a short drama, the main couple performances are superb! If you want to watch full episodes, here is the link: https://youtu.be/HgOU_j7omEs?si=0IX9a6kL553poo6h
So if you feel Li Yi Tong is giving you auntie vibes, that your personal preference.
But in real life, Li Yi Tong and Liu Yu Ning are in same age since they both were born in 1990.
If Li Yi Tong is auntie, then Liu Yu Ning is uncle.
Good, that means they both match each other then.
This remind me that some people complained that Liu Yu Ning don't match with Song Zu Er in The Prisoner Of Beauty because he is 7 years older than her in real life LOL
Some people also complained that thay can't watch The Prisoner Of Beauty because according to them, Liu Yu Ning is ugly and doesn't has the typical handsome anime face like just like usual Chinese actors that become main male lead. Again, everything is personal preferance.
From Chinese articles that I read using google translate, the main reason there are less Chinese dramas from original scripts nowadays is because to gain more quick profit in easy way, many producer, director and screenwriter in Chinese entertainment industry especially for romance genre usually adapted popular Chinese novels or Chinese comic (manhua) or Chinese anime (donghua) that already have established fanbase to dramas so they could attracted the fans of those novels/manhua/donghua to their dramas.
I hope there will be more Chinese dramas that produce from original scripts but entertainment industry is a business after all and nobody want to gain loss when making business.
I'm still watching Chinese dramas that are adaptions from novels/manhua/donghua but I won't deny that I get more excitement when watching dramas from original scripts although to be honest, there no such thing as 100% spoiler free in current world because we get to see many spoiler on international social media like Tiktok, X, IG or Chinese social media like Weibo, Douyin, Xiaohongshu.
List of some Chinese dramas that I know they are from original scripts, they are not adapted from any novels/manhua/donghua and are not remakes from any another dramas, movies or short stories.
Romance is the main genre:
1) Costumes:
*xianxia, xuanhuan: fantasy with elements like magic, demon, immortal, fairy
*historical: not historically accurate but no elements like magic, demon, immortal, fairy
Feud (2025) with Bai Lu & Zeng Shun Xi
*will be on air starting from 6th June 2025
*Iqiyi
*xianxia
*32 episodes
The Unclouded Soul (Tan Song Yun & Hou Ming Hao) -still not on air
*Iqiyi
*xianxia
*40 episodes
https://kisskh.at/761021-xiao-yao
A Dream Within A Dream (Li Yi Tong & Liu Yu Ning) -still not on air
*Iqiyi
*historical
*38 episodes
https://kisskh.at/70247-jiang-dui-dui-chong-sheng-ji
Sweetest Rebellion (Xu Ruo Han & Zhou Ke Yu) -still not on air
*Iqiyi
*historical
*36 episodes
https://kisskh.at/777912-yi-zhen-chun-hua
Glory (Gulnezer Bextiyar and Hou Ming Hao) -still not on air
*MangoTv
*historical
*36 episodes
https://kisskh.at/772283-ming-men-shi-jia
Perfect Match (2025) with Lu Yu Xiao and Wang Xing Yue
*finished airing on 11th February 2025
*MangoTv
*historical, multiple couples
*36 episodes
https://kisskh.at/760155-perfect-match
2) Republican Era (1912 - 1949)
*Began in 1912 with the end of the Qing dynasty, when the Xinhai Revolution and the formation of the Republic of China (ROC) put an end to 2,000 years of imperial rule
*Ended in 1949 when the KMT-led government was defeated in the Chinese Civil War and lost control of the mainland to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Burning Night (Wang Yu Wen & Tian Jia Rui) -still not on air
*Youku
*30 episodes
https://kisskh.at/773139-ran-shuang-wei-zhou
Romance is not main genre:
1) What A Wonderful World (2025) with Yin Fang and Zhao Li Ying
*finished airing on 1st June 2025
*Iqiyi
*modern, mystery
*8 episodes
https://kisskh.at/761589-zai-ren-jian
2) Legend Of Zang Hai (2025) with Xiao Zhan and Zhang Jing Yi
*finished airing on 3rd June 2025
*Youku
*historical, male centered
*40 episodes
https://kisskh.at/56835-cang-hai-xi-lin
3) The Vendetta Of An (Cheng Yi) -still not on air
*Youku
*historical, male centered
*30 episode
https://kisskh.at/769667-chang-an-er-shi-si-ji
4).Born To Be Alive (Yang Zi) -still not on air
*Iqiyi
*modern, life
*40 episodes
https://kisskh.at/700343-life-tree
It seems that majority of dramas that produced from original scripts are from Iqiyi.
I read that Iqiyi and Youku have lost many profits so to gain back more profits they will implement new policies starting from 2026(?). One of Iqiyi and Youku new policy is from producing many dramas based from their government rule that is 40 episodes per a drama and 45 minutes per an episodes to reduce it themselves to maximum 36 episodes per a drama and 45 episodes per an episodes.
https://x.com/yueyawans/status/1916802595978387552
https://x.com/eaturmelon/status/1878866217374773263
https://x.com/rosyholp/status/1895302771286646947
https://x.com/eaturmelon/status/1895435843290255479
Another Youku new policy:
First shoot a preview episode, and then shoot a 10-minute pilot preview short film. The plan is to select and train new directors, and the artists will be coordinated by Alibaba Entertainment Agency, but whether the project can pass the review is another matter.
In addition, if the preview episode is well shot, it is still unknown whether the main creators will have the opportunity to officially join the project.
https://x.com/ultra_melons/status/1914932869069521253
https://x.com/kpopsmileshop1/status/1915055792514039965
I don't encounter any similar rumor for Tencent or MangoTv new policy that they also will be like this so right now both of them still producing dramas with 40 episodes and 45 minutes based from their government rule. But I'm not surprised if they will implement similar new policy by reducing number of episodes like Iqiyi and Youku plan to do later if Tencent and MangoTv feel this new policy could gain more profits.
I'm hoping with new policy of reducing episodes, this also could means these Chinese entertainment platform will produce more original scripts later LOL
But I'm sure there will be more novel reader get piss off because less episodes means destroying their beloved novels with deleting many plots and characters since dramas with less episodes couldn't including many parts of Chinese novels that have hundreds sometime until thousand of chapters haha
Btw, other than kisskh, one of English webpage updated by fans that I use to check about info whether this Chinese drama is an original scripts or not is DramaWiki.
For example:
for drama The Prisoner Of Beauty with Song Zu Er and Liu Yu Ning,
on the "Production Credits" that located at the bottom, there was part:
-Original Writing: Zhe Yao (折腰) by Peng Lai Ke-
So I know this drama was adapted from novel.
https://wiki.d-addicts.com/The_Prisoner_of_Beauty
while for drama A Dream Within A Dream with Li Yi Tong and Liu Yu Ning, it is an original scripts since there was no part about
- Original Writing: ... by ... -
https://wiki.d-addicts.com/A_Dream_Within_a_Dream
But not all dramas get completed info since this website is updated by fans so usually it is popular Chinese actors and actresses or popular Chinese dramas get more updated quickly than non popular actors and actresses and non popular dramas.
So if there's no update on DramaWiki, then my second choice will be translating Chinese website, Baidu, from Mandarin to English using Google Translate.
Baidu page for The Prisoner Of Beauty
https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E6%8A%98%E8%85%B0/55718527
Baidu page for A Dream Within a Dream
https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E4%B9%A6%E5%8D%B7%E4%B8%80%E6%A2%A6/63583440
Song Zu Er also get into contract marriage with Chen Xin Hai in her next costume drama.
Yeah, main couple married each other because of forced/contract/arranged marriage before completely fall in love with each other is my top favourite trope in romance genre since I'm a teenager haha
https://kisskh.at/people/83319-chen-xin-hai
The problem is that drama screenwriter. According to people that already watch the screenwriter previous dramas, her dramas are just so so.
Also according to Song Zu Er fans comments that I read, she chosen that drama for her comeback as actress at the time before The Prisoner Of Beauty get to air. At that time, she just recovered from tax evasion accusation and she also willing lowered her fees so people in Chinese entertainment industry willing to hire her again.
And maybe it's not impossible that there not much offer so she just accepted it because she grateful there still drama production company that willing to hire her as main female lead.
https://kisskh.at/687393-the-prisoner-of-beauty
Now maybe in June or July this year, this costume drama A Dream Within A Dream will be on air. And Liu Yu Ning character also get forced to marry Li Yi Tong in this drama.
Then in July, Song Zu Er will filming another costume romance drama with Chen Xin Hai that adapted from a novel Biao Mei Wan Fu by author Peng Lai Ke, the same person that wrote novel Zhe Yao that adapted to drama The Prisoner Of Beauty. Andddd of course that drama is about contract marriage between merchant main female lead and commander main male lead that set in Ming Dynasty.
https://kisskh.at/772785-biao-mei-wan-fu
The funny thing to me is both Li Yi Tong and Chen Xin Hai just finished filming a costume xianxia (fantasy) drama as main couple in few months ago LOL
https://kisskh.at/742861-gu-yue-feng-hua-lu
He get forced to marry, she get forced to marry!
Everyone get forced marriage, yeehaa! \^0^/
https://kisskh.at/70247-jiang-dui-dui-chong-sheng-ji
Then in July, Song Zu Er will filming another costume romance drama with Chen Xin Hai that adapted from a novel Biao Mei Wan Fu by author Peng Lai Ke, the same person that wrote novel Zhe Yao that adapted to drama The Prisoner Of Beauty. Andddd of course this drama is about contract marriage between merchant main female lead and commander main male lead that set in Ming Dynasty.
https://kisskh.at/772785-biao-mei-wan-fu
The funny thing to me is both Li Yi Tong and Chen Xin Hai just finished filming a costume xianxia (fantasy) drama as main couple in few months ago LOL
https://kisskh.at/742861-gu-yue-feng-hua-lu
He get forced to marry, she get forced to marry!
Everyone get forced marriage, yeehaa! \^0^/
Don't worry, I 100% believe the screenwriter will change main male lead characteristic in this drama to be green flag type just like they did to main male lead in drama The Prisoner Of Beauty (2025) with Liu Yu Ning and Song Zu Er.
https://kisskh.at/687393-the-prisoner-of-beauty
They always did that for idol romance drama of long drama nowadays.
The last real red flag main male lead I remember is Li Cheng Yin in Goodbye My Princess (2019) with Chen Xing Xu and Peng Xiao Ran.
https://kisskh.at/21684-good-bye-my-princess
That drama also adapted from another Fei Wo Si Cun novel, Eastern Palace.
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/eastern-palace/
Majority of real red flag main male leads now are only in short dramas that have less censorship. I guess that's why they want to produce a short drama adapted The Prisoner Of Beauty novel with darker tone like the novel.
Title: ZheYao
Episode: 100
Duration: 2 minutes
(So in total the duration will be about 3 hours and 20 minutes long)
Start of filming: End of June in Hengdian
Cast: In talks with the short actors to confirm the leads
The currently airing drama #ThePrisonerOfBeauty will be adapted into a vertical short film, and is expected to follow the darker tone of the novel
https://x.com/InBlossom_Lotus/status/1924239802406236496
https://kisskh.at/792514-zhe-yao
Based on the Google Translate that I use, they filmed 38 episodes for this drama so please don't cut out any episode, pleaseee!!!
https://kisskh.at/photos/kAYqEr_3
I hope this drama airing episode will not be like this drama:
A xianxia (fantasy) drama, When Destiny Brings The Demons with Wang Ying Lu and Chen Fei Yu get reduced from 36 episodes to just 33 episodes:
https://x.com/ForCdrama/status/1928366370707718492
https://kisskh.at/693413-xian-yu
But 38 episodes just like on the info above or even more like this drama below!
Costume drama "Moonlit Reunion" has passed the censorship review, and the number of episodes has been changed from 36 to 39.
https://kisskh.at/photos/mO1kB1_3
I'm waiting so long for this drama to be on air, since it's been filmed in 2024, until now, June 2025 T_T
But I'm worried about censorship review since they reduced episode for some dramas:
Iqiyi drama, Created In China with Song Zu Er & Zhang Xin Cheng get reduced from 36 episodes to 35 episodes:
https://kisskh.at/745371-jian-nan-de-zhi-zao
Youku drama, When Destiny Brings The Demons with Wang Ying Lu & Chen Fei Yu got reduced from 36 episodes to 33 episodes:
https://x.com/ForCdrama/status/1928366370707718492
https://kisskh.at/693413-xian-yu
Well, at least this drama will air in 2025 because it been rumored that Iqiyi and Youku lost quite amount of profits so they will implement new policies in 2026(?). One of their policy is reducing their dramas from maximum 40 episodes per a drama and 45 minutes per an episode to maximum 36 episodes per a drama =_=
https://x.com/yueyawans/status/1916802595978387552
https://x.com/eaturmelon/status/1878866217374773263
https://x.com/rosyholp/status/1895302771286646947
https://x.com/eaturmelon/status/1895435843290255479
Another Youku new policy:
First shoot a preview episode, and then shoot a 10-minute pilot preview short film. The plan is to select and train new directors, and the artists will be coordinated by Alibaba Entertainment Agency, but whether the project can pass the review is another matter.
In addition, if the preview episode is well shot, it is still unknown whether the main creators will have the opportunity to officially join the project.
https://x.com/ultra_melons/status/1914932869069521253
https://x.com/kpopsmileshop1/status/1915055792514039965
As per my understanding, the rumors for one of Iqiyi and Youku new policy for the episodes of their new dramas are like these:
Iqiyi:
All dramas will be cut down to maximum 36 episodes
Youku:
Original script:
Will be cut down to 12 episodes - 16 episodes with 1 hour for each episode
High budgeted drama project, labelled as S+, can be split to 2 seasons but the airing of the season 2 depends on the performance of season 1
Novels adaptation:
Will be cut down to 36 episodes (?)
So later we will see many new costumes dramas produced by Iqiyi and Youku especially that were adapted from novels will be just 30/32/36 episodes?
When I read news about some of new Chinese costume dramas that produced for Iqiyi and Youku will be filming or currently filming in 2025 have 40 episodes, I keep thinking about how the plot for those dramas will feel kinda mess up and bring confusion to audiences since 4 of their episodes will get cut out. That's annoyed me so much LOL
I don't encounter any similar rumor for Tencent or MangoTv new policy like this but I'm not surprised if they will implement similar new policy like Youku and Iqiyi later.
I'm using Google Translate to understand some info about this drama and it seems the filming crew filmed this drama for 38 episodes:
https://kisskh.at/photos/kAYqEr_3
But when I'm search about Iqiyi mainstream dramas that airing in 2025, majority of them are just 36 episodes or below.
I wait for this drama since it's filming period in year 2024 and I will feel so dissappointed if it get cut out even for just one episode T_T
Why don't they settle the distribution license first but promoting this drama like it already has and will air on June LOL
I mean no matter how much promotion they did, this drama still couldn't air without distribution license LOL
https://youtu.be/uo4Q-gcgZj8?si=eae62WZKqpC7SKbJ
https://youtu.be/VGtKdU44YaY?si=emL8aVcbEpnMQ84X
I followed the info about this drama since the time of it's filming period, from 30th April 2024 to 10th September 2024 and I thought this drama will air first in June 2025 before The Prisoner Of Beauty because of Song Zu Er accusation of tax evasion. But Song Zu Er already proved as innocent by government and Tencent decided to air The Prisoner Of Beauty before June 2025.
For me, other than Liu Yu Ning and Li Yi Tong get pair together (they both born in 1990 in real life), the fact that this drama is an original script, meaning it's not adapted from any Chinese novel or manhua (Chinese comic) or donghua (Chinese anime) makes me feel much more excited!
I hope neither government scensorship or Iqiyi reduce any episode!
https://kisskh.at/photos/kAYqEr_3
Anyway, it seems maximum of episodes for majority Iqiyi and Youku dramas that currently filming right now are 36 episodes. Well, they both want to reduce their losses and gain more profit hmmm
Some info about this drama that I know.
*Main actor, Liu Yu Ning and main actress, Li Yi Tong were born in the same year in real life, in year 1990.
*This drama is an original script, meaning it is not adapted from any novel/manhua/donghua.
*This drama filming for 38 episodes and I hope when they passed reviewed license, they wouldn't cut any episodes, please!
*This drama production is the same production with Liu Yu Ning previous drama with Liu Shi Shi, A Journey To Love (2023) or the real suitable title, A Journey To Heaven =_=
But don't worry, based on the fancam while they were filming, this drama have happy ending, Well, unless they want to piss off fans, this will have happy ending.
*I don't know Mandarin but I read some comments from Liu Yu Ning Chinese fans with Google Translate that Liu Yu Ning doesn't mind being the second billing. His Chinese fans also chill like him because his chill person in real life
That's good because this give him more chance to pair with actresses that are more senior from him in Chinese entertainment industry like Liu Shi Shi, Song Zu Er, Li Yi Tong.
At first, I feel dissappointed when Iqiyi decided to air Liu Yu Ning another drama, Eternal Brotherhood (24 episodes) that already finished filming, if I'm not mistaken, in 2021, but I think it's better to give some time for fans to get out from Liu Yu Ning and Song Zu Er pairing in The Prisoner Of Beauty.
Some typical annnoying new fans of Chinese dramas from longtime fans of Korean dramas that watch The Prisoner Of Beauty because of influence from Tiktok already mentioned in Tiktok that Li Yi Tong is not pretty unlike Song Zu Er LOL
Pretty and handsome is personal preferance but it's really creepy if you all want actresses to look the same. Beauty standard for actresses in China are like Ni Ni, Liu Shi Shi, Liu Yi Fei, Dilraba Dilmurat and I agree these actresses are very beautiful but it will be really creepy if all actresses in China only have same faces like them!
It's your right to like or dislike couple pairing in Chinese romance dramas but remember they only acting together, even if your favourite couple pairing will get married in real life, they still will have intimate lovey dovey scene and sorry not sorry that Liu Yu Ning and Song Zu Er will act in romance drama with many other actors and actresses in the future.
Liu Yuning Reveals ‘The Legend of Shen Li’ Kiss Scene as Inspiration for ‘The Prisoner of Beauty’
The hit drama The Prisoner of Beauty, starring Liu Yuning and Song Zu’er, has recently soared in popularity, breaking the 30,000 heat index mark on Tencent Video. Prior to its success, LayarHijau had reported Liu Yuning’s comments about why certain intimate scenes from the original novel were omitted in the drama adaptation.
Interestingly, during a livestream in 2024 — when The Legend of Shen Li was dominating discussions online — Liu Yuning shared a lighthearted behind-the-scenes story. At the time, The Legend of Shen Li, starring Zhao Liying and Lin Gengxin, was a massive hit with over 2.3 billion views and several buzzworthy kiss scenes. Amid this wave of popularity, Liu Yuning revealed that one of those scenes served as inspiration for his own drama.
Before filming the romantic scenes in The Prisoner of Beauty, Liu and his co-star Song Zu’er were shown a kiss scene from The Legend of Shen Li as a reference. Both dramas shared the same director, Deng Ke, and co-director, Wang Yiding. According to Liu, Wang Yiding gave him an unreleased video clip featuring Zhao Liying and Lin Gengxin’s kiss scene and said, “Watch this scene, it’s excellent!” — as quoted by upmedia.mg.
Liu Yuning recalled his reaction after watching it: “Wow, it’s really good, really passionate!” The actor’s honest and humorous reaction made livestream viewers laugh. He later realized that the clip featured one of the drama’s most iconic moments — a snowy kiss scene between Shen Li and Xing Zhi, where Shen Li subtly reveals her pregnancy. That particular scene wasn’t even in the original script, but an on-the-spot improvisation by Zhao Liying, with Lin Gengxin’s natural response elevating it further.
You can read full article here:
https://layarhijauofficial.blogspot.com/2025/05/liu-yuning-reveals-legend-of-shen-li.html
Some video clip of Liu Yu Ning livestream about this:
Director Deng Ke has a team of directors, one of which is Director Wang, a female director. When I next filmed with director Deng Ke again, I was filming a romantic scene and director Wang pulled up the kiss scene from #TheLegendOfShenLi to show me!
https://x.com/fandoestrans/status/1777895253758161395
She said "look at this, pretty good right? Look at how they do it!" She showed me like it's a tutorial, for me to learn from! And I said "very good, I'll learn! Very exhilarating!" Someone said "don't watch Ning-ge, it's a bad influence!" Are you insane?
https://x.com/fandoestrans/status/1777895415561814356
You were told that by your mom and now you're telling me? Were you watching tv on the couch with your parents when you were young and when the leads were getting it on your mom said "don't watch, its bad influence"? You can watch kisses in dramas after 18 years old!
https://x.com/fandoestrans/status/1777895554930123060
Deng Ke is both director for The Legend Of Shen Li (2024) with Li Geng Xin and Zhao Li Ying and The Prisoner Of Beauty (2025) with Liu Yu Ning and Song Zu Er.
And both of them get happy ending too! Thank you director!
https://x.com/rice_jpg/status/1777689495334260869
https://kisskh.at/697861-yu-feng-xing
The summary of novel:
Changle County, Fuzhou Prefecture, was where the eunuch Sanbao trained before heading west. Under the maritime ban, trade in other places was depressed, but business in Changle was booming. The prosperity of the coastal areas attracted the rampant Japanese pirates.
Pei You An, the deputy commander of the Shenjiying, who came to buy firearms, was invited to patrol the sea. Unexpectedly, he encountered a fierce naval battle—Japanese ships were besieging Chinese merchant ships, and Zhen Jia Fu's family merchant ship was among them.
After this encounter, and in order to help Jia Fu escape the forced marriage, Pei You An signed a marriage contract with her. They quietly developed feelings for each other and finally became a couple after going through many hardships.
I have not read the novel yet but let's search about some real historical info in ancient China based from summary of the novel:
1) Changle County, Fuzhou Prefecture, was where the eunuch Sanbao trained before heading west.
Keyword: Eunuch Sanbao
Real historical info:
*Sanbao Taijian Xiyang Ji also translated into English as The Eunuch Sanbao's Voyage to the Western Ocean or The Journey of Sanbao the Eunuch to the Western Ocean, is a classic Chinese novel written by Luo Maodeng in the late 16th-century during the Ming dynasty.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanbao_taijian_xiyang_ji
2) Under the maritime ban, trade in other places was depressed, but business in Changle was booming. The prosperity of the coastal areas attracted the rampant Japanese pirates.
Keyword: maritime ban
Real historical info:
The Haijin or sea ban were a series of related isolationist policies in China restricting private maritime trading and coastal settlement during most of the Ming dynasty and early Qing dynasty.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haijin
3) Pei You An, the deputy commander of the Shenjiying, who came to buy firearms, was invited to patrol the sea.
Keyword: came to buy firearms
Real historical info:
The Shenjiying which directly translates to "Divine Machine Battalion", was one of Ming dynasty's three elite military divisions stationed around Beijing collectively called the "Three Great Battalions", and was famous for its utilization of firearm weaponries.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenjiying
4) Unexpectedly, he encountered a fierce naval battle—Japanese ships were besieging Chinese merchant ships, and Zhen Jia Fu's family merchant ship was among them.
Keyword: Japanese ships were besieging Chinese merchant ships
Real historical info:
The Jiajing wokou raids caused extensive damage to the coast of China in the 16th century, during the reign of the Jiajing Emperor in the Ming dynasty. The term "wokou" originally referred to Japanese pirates who crossed the sea and raided Korea and China; however, by the mid-Ming, the wokou consisted of multinational crewmen that included the Japanese and the Portuguese, but a great majority of them were Chinese instead.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiajing_wokou_raids
In conclusion:
This novel is set in the Ming Dynasty in ancient China.
I could imagine there will be many scenes of spitting blood, misunderstanding that surely will make me facepalm and pull my hair out when I'm watching this.
Still, Bai Lu is main female lead so I will watch it *cry*
If you prefer Wei Shao character in novel, maybe you might interested to check this short drama version out when it's on air.
Title: ZheYao
Episode: 100
Duration: 2 minutes
(So in total the duration will be about 3 hours and 20 minutes long right?)
Start of filming: End of June in Hengdian
Cast: In talks with the short actors to confirm the leads
The currently airing drama #ThePrisonerOfBeauty will be adapted into a vertical short film, and is expected to follow the darker tone of the novel
https://x.com/InBlossom_Lotus/status/1924239802406236496
https://kisskh.at/792514-zhe-yao
Have you watch Goodbye My Princess (2019) with Chen Xing Xu and Peng Xiao Ran
https://kisskh.at/21684-good-bye-my-princess
that adapted from novel Eastern Palace by Fei Wo Si Cun?
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/eastern-palace/
The main male lead there is a real red flag. Ling Bu Yi in Love Like Galaxy and Xie Wei in Story Of Kunning Palace got nothing on him LOL
There's another short drama with real red flag, Love & Bid Farewell (2024) with Yan Zi Xian and He Xuan Lin that kind of rip off version of Goodbye My Princess (2019).
https://kisskh.at/766723-yu-jun-jue
Even when it's a short drama, the main couple performances are superb!
If you want to watch full episodes, here is the link:
https://youtu.be/HgOU_j7omEs?si=0IX9a6kL553poo6h