While browsing the list of popular content on the streaming platform TVING, a Chinese drama with a particularly eye-catching title caught my attention: 'Yong Chong Wu Yang'. Drawn in by the premise of an older woman-younger man romance, which felt both familiar and fresh, I started watching without any major expectations. While many Chinese romance dramas tend to follow certain clichés and predictable plotlines, 'Yong Chong Wu Yang' made a powerful first impression with a bold story development that defied viewer expectations right from the start. It's a series with a unique charm that builds upon a familiar formula but adds a distinctive sense of speed, leaving no room for boredom and making you eagerly await the next episode.
The process of finding basic information about the drama was somewhat unusual. Typically, I refer to local portal sites like Baidu to learn about new Chinese dramas, but surprisingly, there was very little information available about 'Yong Chong Wu Yang'. Other than the basic facts—that it was released in China in December 2024 as a 30-episode series—it was difficult to find in-depth details. The drama's female lead is the capable director Wei Siling, played by actress Ai Xiaoqi. She is a perfectionist at work but lives with the indelible wound of her long-term lover's disappearance buried deep in her heart.
The story begins one night when Wei Siling, lost in a deep sense of loss, tries to forget her sorrow with alcohol and coincidentally runs into a young man named Gu Chaohe (played by Zheng Wufeng). In her intoxicated state, Wei Siling may have seen the shadow of her long-lost lover in Gu Chaohe. They share a brief but romantic time together on a carousel, only to face the shocking situation of waking up in the same bed the next morning. Their connection, which started as a one-night escapade, begins to pull them into an uncontrollable whirlwind of fate.
Once sober, Wei Siling is shocked to discover that Gu Chaohe is a full nine years younger than her. Considering her social standing and age, she concludes that this relationship should never continue. She tries to dismiss it all as a one-night fling between adults and quickly attempts to move on. However, fate had other plans. Soon after, Gu Chaohe appears as the model for an advertisement her company is producing, forcing them into a reunion. Wei Siling's efforts to avoid him are ultimately futile, and their connection becomes entangled once more.
The twists of fate didn't stop there. Gu Chaohe gets an internship at Wei Siling's company and, to make matters more complicated, is assigned as her direct subordinate. Wei Siling tries her best to pretend she doesn't know him and maintain a strictly professional relationship. However, constantly running into each other in the confined office space makes it nearly impossible to suppress the intense attraction they feel for one another. Eventually, the two acknowledge their feelings and decide to begin a thrilling secret romance, hiding their nine-year age gap and the precarious dynamic of a director and her intern.
What initially appears to be a simple older-woman/younger-man office romance reveals a hidden mystery as the series progresses, adding a layer of tension to the plot. In truth, Gu Chaohe's approach was driven by a hidden motive. He has some connection to Wei Siling's missing ex-boyfriend and intentionally approached her to uncover the truth behind his disappearance. Furthermore, he holds another secret—he is the nephew of the company's CEO—which amplifies the audience's curiosity about his true identity and purpose. Their relationship, unfolding at the crossroads of love and revenge, truth and lies, offers the enjoyment of a mystery thriller that goes beyond simple romance.
The most significant aspect that sets 'Yong Chong Wu Yang' apart from other Chinese romance dramas is the pacing of the relationship. While most C-dramas feature a "slow-burn" development where it takes a considerable amount of time for the main characters to become a couple, this series kicks off with a bold bed scene right from the first episode and continues to feature unabashed kiss scenes and physical affection. One could speculate that this audacious and fast-paced development may not have appealed to the broader mainstream audience in China, perhaps explaining why it didn't become a massive hit. The fact that it was an online exclusive on Tencent in China might have also limited its widespread popularity. However, for viewers tired of slow, drawn-out plots, the direct and fast-paced romance of 'Yong Chong Wu Yang' will surely be a fresh and captivating selling point.
The most significant aspect that sets 'Yong Chong Wu Yang' apart from other Chinese romance dramas is the pacing of the relationship. While most C-dramas feature a "slow-burn" development where it takes a considerable amount of time for the main characters to become a couple, this series kicks off with a bold bed scene right from the first episode and continues to feature unabashed kiss scenes and physical affection. One could speculate that this audacious and fast-paced development may not have appealed to the broader mainstream audience in China, perhaps explaining why it didn't become a massive hit. The fact that it was an online exclusive on Tencent in China might have also limited its widespread popularity. However, for viewers tired of slow, drawn-out plots, the direct and fast-paced romance of 'Yong Chong Wu Yang' will surely be a fresh and captivating selling point.
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