南部档案 33 2024 6月11日 爱奇艺 张新成、丁禹兮、姜珮瑶 民初
Archives: The Nanyang Mystery
This is a 33 episode Republic of China era detective thriller drama that stars Zhang Xin Cheng and Ding Yu Xi as the main male leads and Jiang Pei Yao as the main female lead. It started airing on iQiyi on June 11.
Here’s the plot directly translated from BaiDu.
A series of eerie events unfolds in the Nanyang district, Zhang Haiyan 张海盐 (played by Zhang Xincheng) and Zhang Haixia 张海虾 (played by Ding Yuxi), two secret agents from the Southern Archives Bureau, investigate a mysterious case and uncover a warlord conspiracy involving a deadly plant called “Dusk Grass” being spread and used as a weapon. During the investigation, both men face life-or-death trials and Zhang Haixia is even left paralyzed as a result (WOW SPOILERS). As the clues fall into place, Zhang Haiyan realizes everything points to a massive ship: the Nan’an.
The drama fared decently during its run, reaching 9300 on iQiYi’s popularity index. I think it was a slow burn because by the end of its run, it was actually outpacing First Jasmine for views and market share and was at the top of the charts for several days as the most watched drama. Zhang Xin Cheng in particular hasn’t had a big hit in quite some time so this is a good performance to keep him in the public eye.
I’m kind of conflicted on if I want to watch this drama. On one hand, I am dying that the main character’s name is Zhang Hai Yan aka Zhang Sea Salt and Zhang Hai Xia aka Zhang Sea Shrimp. I thought oh, maybe this might be a light hearted drama. But then I looked at some of the previews and it seems rather creepy with a bunch of scary figures with red eyes. I’m a big scaredy cat and am definitely scared of figures with big red eyes (thanks Lord Voldemort) so uh. I may pass on this. But hey – if you like detective thrillers and are ok with some scariness, by all means, Go for it.
爱情有烟火 36 2023 6月15日 央视八套(21:30) 檀健次、王楚然 都市
Love has Fireworks
This 36 episode drama started airing on June 15 and stars Tan Jian Ci and Wang Chu Ran.
Investment banking elite Li Yifei 李亦非 (played by Tan Jianci) loses big on a failed investment and ends up sharing an apartment with Qian Fei 钱菲(played by Wang Churan), who just suffered a breakup and a job loss. The two cross paths again at work, and their bickering, down-on-their-luck dynamic slowly softens into romance. This is a light hearted comedy aimed at relieving real life pressure. Through their daily interactions, the arrogant banker Li Yifei starts to feel genuine human warmth, while Qian Fei rebuilds her confidence.
I remember watching clips of this drama filming wow years ago and now it’s finally aired. It’s currently at the top of the charts for market share as it reaches its final days of airing which is an outperformance. This is an A level budget drama that is airing at S+ level results. For a modern day drama competing with the likes of higher budget detective and costume romance dramas, this is certainly punching above its weight. From the various clips I’ve seen, this is a funny drama that definitely shows range for the main leads as they are ok with these comedic roles. It has received 6.7 on Douban.
[Cathy]
炽夏 29 2025 6月16日 湖南卫视金鹰独播剧场 包上恩、周柯宇 都
Never-Ending Summer 炽夏,
Another modern day romance drama. This 29 episode drama starring Bao Shang En and Zhou Ke Yu began airing on Hunan TV on June 16.
Here’s the plot summary: 周挽 Zhou Wan (Bao Shangen) had an ailing grandmother. She must find a way to earn money to help pay for her grandmother’s medical treatment. She chooses to intentionally befriend the rebellious Lu Xixiao 陆西骁 (Zhou Keyu) during their high school years to become his tutor.
As they get to know each other, feelings begin to blossom. Together, they pull one another back from the darkest points in their lives, finding healing and growth through mutual redemption. However, misunderstandings and the realities of life eventually drive them apart. Ten years later, the two reunite in the workplace, where long-buried feelings are rekindled.
This drama is adapted from the popular novel Falling (坠落). The drama certainly has gotten a lot of buzz but…all negative. Putting aside the main leads, the plot makes little sense. The first few episodes are recounting the 3rd year of high school or 高三. This is the toughest year for students across the country as everyone must prepare for the college entrance exams or 高考. There’s a huge wave of criticism from audiences stating that the screenwriter and author must have never gone through the rigors of Gao Kao. In the first scene, 陆西骁 tries to evade the security guards and knocks over a sprinkler because he’s late to school. All the other students are standing in the courtyard listening to remarks from the main female lead. Lu Xi Xiao’s action caused all the students to get showered with water. The drama positions this as a oh look how cool he is moment, but in reality, everyone would have been sooo mad that he was taking precious time from their studying by getting everyone sopping wet. This is just one of many examples. On social media, I’ve only seen negative reviews of the drama. From a ratings perspective, it has been on the softer side for Hunan TV but not terrible. This however is another dud for Bao Shang En.
云秀行 36 2023 6月20日 爱奇艺/优酷 李一桐、曾舜晞、邓为 古装
The Legend of Rosy Clouds.
Next up is period romance drama 云秀行 or The Legend of Rosy Clouds. This drama was filmed back in 2023 and stars Li Yi Tong, Zeng Shun Xi, Deng Wei, and Dai Lu Wa. This 36 episode drama began airing on June 20 on both iQIYi and YouKu.
Here’s the plot summary.
In this fictional world, it is governed by Nine Cities or 九城. In ancient times, a hero 齐华, brought prosperity to the land with the help of 9 families including the Qi, Zheng, Fan and Wei families. These families are now the noble families, supporting the ruler of the Nine Cities. 13 years ago, the ruler passed away resulting in turmoil and chaos. In the end, only the youngest son survived, 齐铮 (starring 曾舜晞). Present day, the Fan family has fallen into poverty. Fan Yun (starring Li Yitong) has aspirations to run her own private school but desperately needs money. The elders of the different families propose a marriage between her and Qi Zheng in hopes of guiding the young man to actually run the city. The two get married and quickly discover each is not what they seem. They go from cautiously testing one another to building mutual trust. Together, they overcome countless obstacles and work for the good of the people, ultimately finding both friendship and love.
Sooo this drama has a bunch of familiar people. Given that this was filmed in 2023, many of the actors and actresses were relatively unknown at this point. This includes Deng Wei as the 2nd male lead as 楼启炎, 代露娃 as 卫十三, and 田嘉瑞 as 颜绛. They are now getting roles as the 2nd or 1st leads of their own respective dramas.
The problem though is that this drama is not very good. It’s a relatively light hearted romance drama filled with beautiful people so it’s easy to watch but literally nothing happens. Well, romance happens. I’ve been watching the drama and the first 3rd is literally just centered around the characters inexplicably falling in love with others after one encounter. There is supposed to be a broader plot about making the city a greater place but that really feels like a side plot.
I’ll be posting my review shortly but if you want a mindless watch that’s easy on the eyes, this is an ok drama. Viewers also agree with me because this drama has completely tanked in since airing. Literally no one is watching this drama despite being headlined by well liked actors and actresses. I really wish the drama itself had more substance because I do like the cast. Shame.
千香 33 2023 6月27日 优酷(首播)，7月1日 江苏卫视(上星) 宋威龙、鞠婧祎 古装
The Eternal Fragrance
This 33 episode fantasy drama stars Song Wei Long and Ju Jing Yi. It started airing on Youku on June 27 and JiangSu television on July 1.
A story about the immortal, demon, and spirit realms, Lei Xiuyuan 雷修远（宋威龙饰) approaches orphaned Qingqiu girl Xiao Bangchui 小棒槌（鞠婧祎饰）to save his brother, and the two end up studying together at Chufeng Academy 雏凤书院 . It is there that Xiao Bang Chui experiences for the first time real friendship and first hints of love in her tight nit group of friends. As she and Lei Xiuyuan grow closer, the doctrine of “transcending emotion” threatens to pull them apart precisely because their feelings are real. Xiao Bangchui’s true identity is eventually revealed: she is Jiang Lifei姜黎非, one with a rare and mysterious bloodline that draws dangerous attention from those hunting her past. Lei Xiu Yuan stands by her as fate tests them at every turn. In the end, they defy fate itself, to restore peace across the three realms.
Wow out of the 5 dramas that we’ve discussed, this is the 3rd drama to have been filmed back in 2023 and only brought to audiences now. This drama seems to be doing okayyy having breached 9500 on youku’s popularity index and TV ratings are fine. It’s currently sitting at 5th or 6th in terms of market share. Both Song Wei Long and Ju Jing Yi had dramas air earlier this year, well Song Wei Long was more like at the end of 2025 with Shine on Me and Ju Jing Yi had Veil of Shadows. There hasn’t been a huge marketing push for this drama from what I’ve seen and so getting to 9500 seems to be probably where this drama will sit aka not a big hit at all and underperforming the earlier dramas by both leads.
I haven’t watched it yet but is it just me or does the plot sound quite familiar to a lot of other fantasy dramas? Maybe I’ll give it a whirl but my base case is that uh yea this might be a dud for me.