Tencent Video’s fantasy costume drama, “Love Game in Eastern Fantasy” (also known as “Yong Ye Xing He 永夜星河”) is tentatively scheduled to premiere in November 2024.
Based on the popular web novel “The Guide to Capturing a Black Lotus (黑莲花攻略手册), the series stars Esther Yu Shuxin and Ding Yuxi in the lead roles. Prior to this, both lead actors had collaborated in the business rom-com drama Moonlight in 2021.
According to its online streaming platform, Tencent, the drama has already surpassed 2 million reservations and has obtained its distribution license for 32 episodes.
Love Game in Eastern Fantasy tells the story of a young girl, Ling Miaomiao (portrayed by Esther Yu Shuxin), who accidentally enters the world of a novel/book character system and there she meets Mu Sheng (Ding Yuxi), a young mysterious man.
To return to her real world, she is ordered to complete a specific tasks given by the system. In the process of working together and fighting against demons and monsters, Ling Miaomiao gradually starts to fall in love with Mu Sheng.
Judging from the plot introduction, we are going to watch another rom-com, fantasy costume drama where a character enters into the system or the book world, similar to ‘Romance of Tiger and Rose’.
Once again, we will be seeing Esther in a fairy-like look with a sweet and playful temperament. Additionally, the scriptwriter behind this project is Bai Jin Jin, whose previous popular works include ‘Love Between Fairy and Devil‘ (2022) and ‘Destined‘ (2023).
The character played by Ding Yuxi, Mu Sheng, is a half-demon, half-human boy. He outwardly appears kind and gentle, but beneath this facade lies a cold-hearted man with deep-seated insecurities. After encountering Ling Miaomiao (Esther Yu), a series of interesting events unfolds in his life.
Both post-95-generation actors, Esther Yu Shixin rose to fame through ‘Love Between Fairy and Devil’ (2022) and Ding Yuxi from ‘Romance Of Tiger And Rose’ (2022).
In recent years, Esther Yu’s project choices, especially in costume dramas, have proved out to be successful. She had a hit earlier in 2023 with ‘My Journey To You’. On the other hand, Ding Yuxi’s another costume fantasy drama ‘Melody Of Golden Age’ starring alongside Deng Enxi is currently ongoing.
Supporting Cast Details of Love Game in Eastern Fantasy
Apart from the main leads, the supporting cast of this series includes Yang Si Zhe, who plays the monster hunter Liu Fu Yi in the series, He is an upright and righteous young man. This time, Esther Yu, Ding Yuxi, and Yang Shi Zhe reunited again to fight against monsters. Before this, Yang Shize played the second male lead in ‘Moonlight.’
Zhu Xudan will be playing Mu Yao, who was born into the monster hunter family. She has a calm and strong personality. Also, She is the love interest of Fu Yi (Yang Si Zhe) in the show.
The drama features another familiar face – Chen Duling. It is quite interesting that whichever dramas you choose to watch, you’ll find her there, seamlessly transitioning between roles, be it as a ruthless, badass villain or a beautiful fairy sister.
Yes, there are hardly any popular costumes or modern dramas where you won’t see the actress Chen Duling these days. In ‘Love Game in Eastern Fantasy’ Chen Duling will be portraying Mirror Demon Jing Yao.
In the shared stills, the 30-year-old actress looks dangerously beautiful, emitting a devilish aura in red and black combo-patterned costumes. Interestingly, before this, she appeared in ‘’Till The End Of The Moon (2023)’ with a similar appearance.
Adding to the ensemble is Xu Hai Qiao, who plays the villain Rong Hao in ‘Love Between Fairy And Devil.’ ‘Love Game in Eastern Fantasy’ is more like a reunion project for Esther Yu Shuxin with her previous drama co-star.
Love Game in Eastern Fantasy’s Trailer
In the newly released trailer, the interface opens in a glitch making it look like some kind of game world.
Ling Miaomiao (Esther Yu) is accidentally transported into the novel’s character system, where she finds herself in an unfamiliar place wearing an ancient costume attire. She questions if she’s dreaming, only to find herself sharing the room with another unfamiliar girl from an ancient era.
Afterward, the unfamiliar girl introduces herself, and Ling Miaomiao realizes that she has entered the novel’s character system. Despite attempting to escape, she fails and is assigned her first task—to marry Liu Fuyi (Yang Si Zhe).
What to Expect in Love Game in Eastern Fantasy?
well, for those viewers, who have been chasing Chinese costume dramas for a long period, the concept and story of Love Game in Eastern Fantasy might not offer anything entirely new and may bear similarities to dramas one has previously watched.
Like, the drama will be exploring similar fantasy troupes such as demons, humans, entering game systems, novel worlds, etc.
Despite this, the drama is adapted from a popular web novel and has a dedicated fanbase. Additionally, the two leads have previously worked together, and their chemistry was well-received by audiences.
However, it’s still a C-Drama. Despite its stellar cast and good adaptation, we have seen many dramas go downhill.
Furthermore, there seems to be mixed reactions to Esther’s original baby voice and her cutesy acting in most of her dramas, except in “My Journey To You” (2023). So, the success of ‘Love Game in Eastern Fantasy’ will depend on the production team’s ability to deliver the content effectively.
When will Love Game in Eastern Fantasy be released?
Love Game in Eastern Fantasy is schedule to broadcast in November 2024 on Tencent Video.
Photos: Love Game in Eastern Fantasy, Tencent Video/Weibo
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