Latest news with #IQIYI
The Star
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
C-drama star Li Yitong and top singer-actor Liu Yuning lead the way in China's latest fantasy offering in 'A Dream Within A Dream'
Photo Image: Courtesy of iQIYI The summer heat is back and premiering on June 26 in IQIYI, is the historical romantic comedy 'A Dream Within A Dream', starring top television stars Li Yitong and Liu Yuning. The streaming giant's latest and much-anticipated series promises an entertaining twist on the traditional costume drama genre by uniquely blending modern humour, interactive plot mechanics, and self-aware storytelling. Produced by Linmon Pictures and co-produced by iQIYI, directed by Guo Hu, with screenplay by Ren Zhuangliu and Xia Luote, 'A Dream Within A Dream' follows the enchanting story of Song Xiaoyu (Li Yitong), a struggling actress, and Nan Heng (Liu Yuning), a cold-hearted ruler, who unexpectedly meet when she is transported into the fictional world of her own script. Once inside her script, Song Xiaoyu transforms into Song Yimeng, a doomed character within the story. Every attempt she makes to alter her scripted fate results in bizarre, predetermined deaths. To break free, she must collaborate closely with Nan Heng, confronting unexpected dangers and unraveling the deeper mysteries of the script's world. 'A Dream Within A Dream' also innovates by blending contemporary humour with popular tropes of historical romance dramas, presenting a fresh, comedic narrative style. Highlights teased in trailers, including intense wedding showdown scenes, a dramatic scene of choosing whom to save when two characters simultaneously fall from a city wall, and visually striking slow-motion kiss scenes, have already sparked considerable anticipation among viewers. The series also highlights how an ordinary girl and a cold-hearted ruler overcome the chains of fate, rewriting their story and crafting a romantic tale filled with laughter and tears. About Liu Yuning Liu Yuning, 35, is a Chinese singer, actor, and the lead singer of Modern Brothers. In 2018, Liu rose to stardom by his covers on platforms YY's Live Streaming and Douyin. Forbes China also listed Liu on their 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2019. His debut album won the "Media Recommended Album" award at the 2020 Chinese Top Ten Music Awards, and his second extended play "Listen•Ning" (2020–21) won the Most Popular EP award in 2021 Chinese Top Ten Music Awards. Outside of music, Liu also gained recognition as an actor through his roles in television series such as "A Journey to Love in 2023" and "The Prisoner of Beauty" in also this year. Many of his fans are excited of him acting alongside Li Yitong, among the leading tv actresses in China, in 'A Dream Within A Dream'. About Li Yitong Li Yitong is a Chinese actress and singer. She is best known for her roles as Wan Mei, an assassin in the 2018 Chinese television series "Bloody Romance" and as Huang Rong in 2017 TV series "The Legend of the Condor Heroes", one of the most loved tv series of all-time in East Asia. It was also the series that made Li Yitong a household name in China. She also won many fans when she acted as Lu Wenxi (Abao) in the 2019 Chinese television series Royal Nirvana and Fu Rou in the 2021 Chinese television series Court Lady, another top series in China. She is also a big star for iQiYI having acted in many of its top C-dramas including "The Knockout", "Warm on a Cold Night", "Hi Producer" and "Spy Game".
The Star
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
iQIYI's new Xianxia drama 'Feud' is winning rave reviews and now a big favourite in South-East Asian countries
C-dramas are continuing to make big waves in the South-East Asia region and IQIYI's latest offering "Linjiangxian (Feud)" starring Bai Lu and Zeng Shunxi is the latest tv series to win many hearts in this part of the world. On June 15, the fantasy romance drama, hit a heat index of 10,000 on iQIYI, rapidly becoming a global phenomenon hailed as the "new benchmark for fantasy romance dramas." It is also the first drama in the Asian streaming giant network that has hit the top benchmark this year. The rising popularity also signifies that the drama's plot has reached an exciting and gripping climax, as the truth between heroes Li Qingyue and Bai Jiusi is fully unveiled, with their intertwined love and hatred leading towards an imminent decisive confrontation. Thus, this further showcases the powerful appeal of high-quality fantasy content in the international market. Impressive Global Reception and Widespread Audience Acclaim Since its premiere on June 6, "Feud" has consistently climbed in popularity, reaching over 6,000 on the heat index within just two hours of release, and surpassing 9,000 within 24 hours, demonstrating significant global appeal. Currently holding a steady rating of 8.2 on MyDramaList, "Feud" has notably maintained the top position on iQIYI's platforms in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, the United States, Canada, Australia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Mexico, as well as prominently in China's Taiwan and China's Hong Kong regions. The simultaneous launch of Thai and Vietnamese dubbed versions on iQIYI has further fueled the show's explosive popularity and discussion by tv experts throughout South-East Asia. Innovative Storytelling Ignites Global Discussions Breaking away from traditional fantasy romance tropes, "Feud" captivates viewers with an innovative plot centered around "three marriages and three separations," creating a uniquely intense "love-hate" dynamic. Discussions such as "the first fantasy drama centered solely around hate" and "intense plot pacing with no dull moments" have gone viral on social media. Picture perfect Bai Lu's character Hua Ruyue and Joseph Zeng's Bai Jiusi are caught in intricate emotional entanglements, with multiple climactic scenes per episode propelling the storyline forward, igniting global viewers' enthusiasm. Superb Performances Bring Fresh Character Perspectives Bai Lu impressively tackles dual roles, masterfully portraying stark contrasts between innocence and complexity, receiving wide acclaim from viewers. Joseph Zeng also breaks the mold of traditional fantasy leads, providing a nuanced portrayal of a character outwardly gentle yet inwardly conflicted. Supporting cast members such as Chen Xinhai, Liang Yongqi, Zhao Qing, Pan Youcheng, and Dong Chunhui also deliver notable performances, garnering universal praise. Excellent Blend of Eastern Aesthetics and Special Effects Approximately 70% of "Feud" was filmed on location at Hengdian World Studios, beautifully integrating Lingnan architecture with traditional Eastern aesthetics to deliver an immersive visual experience. Meticulously designed costumes, props, and sophisticated digital effects combine to create an enchanting fantasy world, deeply immersing viewers in its richly detailed setting. As "Feud" continues to captivate audiences worldwide, iQIYI's upcoming new dramas "A Dream Within A Dream," starring Li Yitong and Liu Yuning, and the martial arts drama "The Journey of Legend," starring Cheng Yi are also expected to be big hits with South-East Asian and East Asia fans in time to come.
