If life were as it was at first sight
Synopsis
A historical drama directed by Wang Wei, starring Li Xian, Chun Xia, and Wei Daxun. Set against the backdrop of the Gengzi Incident in the late Qing Dynasty, it tells the story of young people making different life choices. Douban rating: 7.6. Premiered on May 13, 2025.
Overview
A Love Never Lost (Chinese title: 人生若如初见) is a 2025 Chinese historical drama series directed by Wang Wei and written by Jiang Qitao. It stars Li Xian, Chun Xia, Wei Daxun, and Zhou You in leading roles, with Zhu Yawen making a special appearance. The series premiered on iQiyi on May 13, 2025, and holds a Douban rating of 7.6 based on over 55,000 user reviews.
Synopsis
Set against the backdrop of the Gengzi Incident a century ago, a time when the land was ravaged, Liang Xiang (played by Li Xian), a descendant of the Qing imperial clan, unexpectedly meets revolutionary activist Yang Kaizhi (played by Wei Daxun). Driven by different ideals and beliefs stemming from their distinct identities, the two embark on divergent life paths.
Through the interwoven fates of multiple characters, the series portrays the difficult choices young people faced between national duty and personal emotions during the turbulent era spanning the late Qing Dynasty to the early Republic of China.
| Character | Actor | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Liang Xiang | Li Xian | Male lead, descendant of the Qing imperial clan |
| Xie Shuhong | Chun Xia | Female lead |
| Yang Kaizhi | Wei Daxun | Revolutionary activist |
| Li Renjun | Zhou You | Key supporting role |
| Wu Tianbai | Zhu Yawen | Special appearance |
Production Background
The series is directed by Wang Wei, known for previous highly-rated works such as Day and Night. Screenwriter Jiang Qitao has authored several classic historical drama series.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Premiere Date | May 13, 2025 |
| Number of Episodes | 40 episodes |
| Episode Duration | 45 minutes |
| Production Companies | Huaren Juhui, iQiyi, Wuyuan Culture |
| Douban Rating | 7.6 (55,000+ reviews) |
Reception
Reception for A Love Never Lost has been mixed. Some viewers praised the series for its strong historical gravitas, high production quality, and excellent performances. Others found the pacing slow and noted some discrepancies between the plot and historical context.
Li Xian's portrayal of Liang Xiang, the Qing imperial descendant, sparked considerable discussion, with some viewers finding the character's complexity fitting for the era. Wei Daxun's performance as the revolutionary Yang Kaizhi also received positive reviews.
Historical Context
The series uses the Gengzi Incident (the 1900 invasion by the Eight-Nation Alliance) as its historical backdrop, depicting the dramatic societal changes of the late Qing period. It incorporates historical details such as the training of Qing officers in Japan and Japan's fundamental national policies at the time.
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