Lost You Forever (Chinese: 长相思; pinyin: Chang Xiang Si) is a 2023 Chinese television show based on the novel Lost You Forever, the last part of The Books of Mountain and Sea series by Tong Hua. The series is directed by Qin Zhen and Yang Huan. It stars Yang Zi, Zhang Wanyi, Deng Wei, Tan Jianci, Dai Luwa and Wang Hongyi in the lead roles.[1]

Lost You Forever
Promotional poster
Also known asSauvignon Blanc
Chinese长相思
GenreHistorical
Fantasy
Romance
Based onLost You Forever
by Tong Hua
Written byTong Hua
Directed byQin Zhen (Chief Director)
Yang Huan
StarringYang Zi
Zhang Wanyi
Deng Wei
Tan Jianci
Dai Luwa
Wang Hongyi
Opening theme"Nothing is as Good as You" by Jason Zhang
Ending theme"Favor Mortal Fireworks" by Hu Xia & Zhang Zining
Country of originChina
Original languageMandarin
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes39 (season 1)
21 (season 2)
Production
ProducersLi Liming
Tang Panjing
Xiao Sha
Yang Xiaoxin
Production locationsXiangyang
Hengdian World Studios
Running time45 mins
Production companiesTencent Penguin Pictures
Star Lotus Pictures
Original release
NetworkTencent
Release24 July (2023-07-24) –
16 August 2023 (2023-08-16)

The first season premiered on Tencent starting 24 July and ended its run on 16 August.[2] The series was a commercial and critical success both domestically and internationally.

Plot

edit

Season 1

edit

Humans, deities and demons coexisted in ancient time under the rule of three kingdoms: Xiyan, Chenrong and Haoling. Xiao Yao grew up in the royal family of Xiyan with her cousin Cang Xuan at a time when Xiyan and Chenrong were at war against each other. Her mother, the adopted daughter of the King of Xiyan General Xiling Heng went to the war and defeated Chenrong army at the cost of her own life. Chenrong lost and was conquered by Xiyan. After her mother's death, Xiao Yao was sent to the Jade Mountain. When no one went to get her back, she escaped from there, experienced many hardships and difficulties for many years, lost her royal heritage and forgot her own appearance. 300 years later, she disguises herself as a man and start to live in Qingshui Town while running a clinic under the name of Wen Xiaoliu. Here she saves a man named Tu Shanjing who is the future leader of Qingqiu Tu Shan Clan. Tu Shanjing discovers she is a woman and begins to fall for her. She also meets Chenrong's military advisor General Xiang Liu, a nine headed snake demon who takes interest in her because of her disguise and her blood's healing power but gradually falls in love with her. Later Xiao Yao and Xiang Liu shares the lovers bug. Cang Xuan also comes to Qingshui town looking for her. After many twist and turns, he discovers her identity and takes her back to Haoling. Xiao Yao regains her true appearance and her identity as the Eldest Princess of Haoling.

Season 2

edit

Fangfeng Bei disrupts the wedding of Xiao Yao and Feng Long.

Cast

edit

Main

edit
  • Yang Zi as Xiao Yao / Wen Xiao Liu / Haoling Jiu Yao / Xiling Jiu Yao
    • Wang Motong as Xiao Yao (young)
    • Ma Yirui as Xiao Yao (young)
Eldest princess of Haoling, daughter of Xiling Heng and granddaughter of King of Xiyan. Grew up in Xiyan with her cousin Cang Xuan. She was sent to Jade Mountain after her mother's death but escaped from there. Enduring many hardships and difficulties for 300 years, she posed as a man and started living in Qingshui Town as Doctor Wen Xiao Liu. Here she saved Tu Shanjing, the future clan leader of Qingqiu Tushan clan and crossed path with Chen Rong's military advisor Xiang Liu. After being discovered by Cang Xuan, she went back to Haoling as the eldest princess.
  • Zhang Wanyi as Xiyan Cang Xuan
    • Li Zhenzhen as Cang Xuan (young)
Son of Xiyan Zhong Yi, grandson of King of Xiyan and the only legitimate heir to the throne. Grew up in Xiyan with his cousin Xiao Yao. He visited various places in central plain in order to find Xiao Yao and gain experience. After finding her in Qingshui Town, he took her back to Haoling. He wanted to ascend to the throne by any means to protect her. He loves Xiao Yao but married Chenrong Xin Yue, Haoling Yi and Tao Shuhui to make alliance with their family. He unified Xiyan and Haoling as one kingdom.
  • Deng Wei as Tushan Jing / Ye Shiqi
    • Zhang Jingyi as Tushan Jing (young)
A nine tailed fox, the second son and heir of Qingqiu Tushan Clan and Xiao Yao's lover. He was kidnapped and tortured by Tushan Hou and was abandoned in Qingshui Town. After being saved by Wen Xiao Liu (Xiao Yao), he stayed in Huichun Hall as Ye shiqi and fell in love with her. he inherited the position of Tushan Clan leader after regaining his status and identity. He was framed by his fiancée Fangfeng Yi Ying and had to leave Xiao Yao to marry Yi Ying. He is cunning but trusts his family easily.
A nine-headed snake demon and Chenrong's military advisor. Has nine head and nine lives but only one heart. Because of curiosity and to heal his wound, he kidnapped Wen Xiao liu (Xiao Yao) sevaral times. He loved Xiao Yao but never expressed it. He stayed with her for 37 years and gave up his lives to save her from death. He took the appearance of Fangfeng Bei as the real Bei died and asked him to take care of his elderly mother before his death. Taught Xiao Yao archery for self-defense. Xiao Yao discovered his identity.
  • Dai Luwa as Ah Nian / Haoling Yi
Second princess of Haoling, Cang Xuan's wife and daughter of Concubine Jing'an. Because of her and her mother's resemblance to Xiling Heng, she was pampered by King of Haoling and Cang Xuan since childhood. She didn't like Xiao Yao at first and made things difficult for her but later became close with her. She was made Queen of Xiyan by Cang Xuan.
  • Wang Hongyi as Chishui Feng Long
Son of Chenrong Yi, the lord of Zhiyi City, Chenrong Xin Yue's twin brother, Cang Xuan's friend and a descendant of Chenrong Royal Family. Uses his mother's surname. Has a very sunny personality. Values career and friendship over love. He first liked Xiao Yao because of her identity as a princess but later got attracted by her wisdom and courage and became her fiancée.

Supporting

edit

Xiyan Royal Family

edit
  • Hou Changrong as King of Xiyan
    • Father of Xiyan Zhong Yi, adoptive father of Xiling Heng and grandfather of Cang Xuan and Xiao Yao. He always wanted to pass the throne to Cang Xuan. So he waited for Cang Xuan to return to Xiyan after his training.
  • Wang Zhen as Chenrong Xin Yue
    • Daughter of Chenrong Yi, the lord of Zhiyi City, Cang Xuan's wife and Chishui Feng Long's twin sister. As she was a descendant of Chenrong Royal Family, she was monitored by the King of Xiyan since childhood. She fell in love with Cang Xuan at first sight.
  • Wang Lejun as Ruoshui Chang Pu
    • Head of Ruoshui Clan, wife of deceased Xiyan Zhong Yi and mother of Cang Xuan. Committed suicide after avenging her husband and was buried with him.
  • Feng Xiaoli as Xiling Xie
    • Queen of Xiyan, mother of Xiyan Zhong Yi, adopted mother and teacher of Xiling Heng. She died after the death of Cang Xuan's parents.
  • Wu Hong as Xiyan Yi Peng
    • 9th Prince of Xiyan. Was stabbed to death by Ruoshui Chang Pu.
  • Gong Zhengnan as Xiyan Yu Yang
    • 7th Prince of Xiyan.
  • Sun Wei as Xiyan De Yan
    • 5th Prince of Xiyan.
  • He Shankai as Xiyan Shi Ran
    Li Lingye as Shi Ran (young)
    • Son of Xiyan Yu Yang.
  • Wang Luetao as Xiyan Yue Liang
    Zhou Yuchen as Yue Liang (young)
    • Son of Xiyan De Yan.
  • Li Shuman as Xiaoxiao
    • Cang Xuan's subordinate and secret guard.
  • Liu Binglu as Ling Lan
    • Chenrong Xin Yu's maid.

Haoling Royal Family

edit
  • Zheng Guolin as King of Haoling
    • Nominal father of Xiao Yao and father of Ah Nian. He regarded Xiao Yao and Cang Xuan as his own child. He entrusted the Kingdom of Haoling and Ah Nian to Cang Xuan and lived in Chaoyun Palace in Xiyan Mountain.
  • Jin Feng as Xiling Heng / Concubine Jing'an
    • Mother of Xiao Yao, ex-wife of King of Haoling and the adopted daughter of King of Xiyan. Died in the battle between Xiyan and Chenrong while leading the Xiyan Army as the Princess General. She was in love with Chi Chen.
    • Concubine of King of Haoling and Ah Nian's mother. She is deaf and mute. King of Haoling married her because of her resemblance to Xiling Heng.
  • Ding Jiawen as Ru Shou
    • Descendant of the Qinglong Tribe of Haoling, Ah Nian's cousin and bodyguard.He and Ah Nian grew up together. He is loyal to King of Haoling for generations.
  • Shang Xuan as Hai Tang
    • Ah Nian's maid and bodyguard.

Qingqiu Tushan Clan

edit
  • Ye Xiaowei as Tushan Hou
    Luo Zishuo as Tushan Hou (child)
    • A nine tailed fox and the oldest son of Tushan family. Due to his illegitimate birth, Tushan Jing's mother despised him which fueled his jealousy and hatred towards Jing. He kidnapped and tortured Jing, seduced his fiancée Fangfeng Yi Ying and framed him with her help. He was killed by Yi Ying.
  • Huang Cancan as Fangfeng Yi Ying
    • Eldest daughter of Fangfeng family, Fangfeng Bei's half sister and Tushan Jing's fiancée. Because of Tushan Hou's scheme, she mistook Hou as Jing and fell in love with him and helped him frame Jing. After she realized the betrayal of Tushan Hou, she died with him. She was very good in archery.
  • Tang Qun as Mrs Tushan
    • A nine tailed fox, Matriarch of Tushan family and grandmother of Tushan Jing and Tushan Hou. She raised her two grandson with her daughter in law. She drugged Tushan Jing hoping he will marry Fangfeng Yi Ying.
  • Gao Rong as Jing Ye
    • Maidservant of Tushan family. Grew up with Tushan Jing. Loyal to him.
  • Jia Boya as Lan Xiang
    • Maidservant of Tushan family. Grew up with Tushan Jing. She was used by Tushan Hou to frame Jing.
  • Deng Shiyun as Xuan Zhou
    • Fengfeng Yiying's maid and secret guard.
  • Chen Ruoxi as Lan Mei
    • Tushan Hou's wife but was a maidservant of Tushan family before. She discovered Tushan Hou and Fengfeng Yiying's relationship and hinted Tushan Jing about this. She was killed afterwards.

Qingshui Town

edit
  • Chen Chuan as Lao Mu
    • The clerk of Huichun Hall, a low level deity and a deserter from Xiyan Army. Wen Xiaoliu regards him as his brother.
  • Gao Xuanming as Chuan Zi
    • Human orphan raised by Wen Xiaoliu and Lao Mu from childhood. Studied medicine with Wen Xiaoliu in Huichun Hall but didn't make any progress. Fell in love with Sang Tian'er and married her.
  • Pu Tao as Sang Tianer
    • Chuan Zi's wife and a human. Worked in a brothel before marrying Chuan Zi. Studied medicine from Wen Xiaoliu. When Xiao Yao visited Qingshui town after many years, she was sill alive.
  • Sun Kai as Ma Zi
    • Human orphan raised by Wen Xiaoliu and Lao Mu from childhood. Studied medicine with Wen Xiaoliu in Huichun Hall but didn't make any progress. Fell in love with Chun Tao and married her.
  • Peng Doudou as Chun Tao
    • Ma Zi's wife and a human. Daughter of Buther Gao.
  • Chen Jianan as Rabbit Spirit
    • Owner of food shop in Qingshui town. Wen Xiaoliu's patient.
  • He Yunwei as Mr Stone
    • Storyteller and the stone spirit of Qingshui town.

Others

edit

Production

edit

On 28 March 2022, Lost You Forever began filming in Hengdian.[3] It officially wrapped up on 25 September of the same year.[4] The series focused on using real locations rather than green screen. The simple yet beautiful Qingshui town was completely built by the crew. It took them six months to build the town on an open space of 20,000 square meters. The crew also worked very hard to build the royal palace.[2]

Soundtrack

edit
Lost You Forever Original Soundtrack (长相思 电视原声音乐专辑)
No.TitleLyricsMusicSingersLength
1."Nothing is as Good as You (万物不如你)" (Opening theme song)Chen XiDong DongdongJason Zhang04:00
2."See and Miss One Another (相见相思)" (Lovesickness song)Tong HuaDong DongdongYang Zi01:48
3."Lost You Forever (长相思)" (Xiao Yao's theme song)Chen XiChen Xi, Dong DongdongYisa Yu04:20
4."Favor Mortal Fireworks (偏爱人间烟火)" (Ending theme song)Chen XiDong DongdongHu Xia & Zhang Zining04:34
5."With or Without You (有你无你)" (Cang Xuan's theme song)Tong HuaDong DongdongMao Buyi04:55
6."Mortal Heart (凡人心)" (Interlude)Chen XiDong DongdongChen Zhuoxuan & Zhao Lei04:05
7."Healing (愈)" (Tu Shanjing's theme song)Tong HuaDong DongdongWang Zhengliang04:10
8."Can't Wait (等不到的等待)" (Xiang Liu's theme song)Tong HuaDong DongdongTan Jianci04:19
9."Favor Mortal Fireworks (偏爱人间烟火)" (Promotional song)Chen XiDong DongdongYang Zi & Tan Jianci04:34
10."A Vine On A Tall Mountain (高高山上一根藤)" (Children's song)Tong HuaDong DongdongYang Zi01:37
11."Chen Rongshi (辰荣士)" (War song)Tong HuaDong DongdongInternational Principal Philharmonic Choir01:23

Reception

edit

The series was commercially successful, placing first on all the audience data chart during its broadcast. The series was praised for its well-constructed storyline, the fusion of historical and fantasy elements, compelling narrative and visually appealing scenes as well as the excellent performance of the actors. It also received positive reviews, scoring a 7.8 on Douban.

Accolades

edit
Award Year Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
The 6th Original Intent List 2023 Top Five Young Directors of the Year Qin Zhen Won [5]
Recommended Outstanding Work of the Year Lost You Forever Season 1 Won
9th Wenrong Awards Ceremony Best Work of the Year from an Online Platform Won [6]
2022-2023 Weibo TV Series List Most Influential Ancient Costume Drama Won [7]
2023 Weibo TV & Internet Video Summit Influential Work of the Year Won [8]
Innovative Communication Work of the Year Won
2023 Tencent Video Golden Penguin Awards Audience Favorite Drama of the Year Won [9]
Members' Favorite Drama of the Year Won
Outstanding Director of the Year Qin Zhen Won
Outstanding Producer of the Year Tang Panjing Won
Best Screenwriter of the Year (Original) Tong Hua Won
Best Styling of the Year Chen Tongxun Won
Best Soundtrack of the Year Chen Xi, Dong Dongdong Won
2023 TV Series Awards Drama of the Year Lost You Forever Season 1 Won [10]
Drama Characters of the Year Xiao Yao, Cang Xuan, Tushan Jing, Xiang Liu Won [11]
2023 Datawin Awards Outstanding Drama Lost You Forever Season 1 Won [12]
Highest Prosperity for an Ancient Costume Drama Won [13]
Cover News (封面新闻) 2024 Top 10 2023 Hall of Fame Annual Drama List Won [14]
2023 Weibo Night Drama of the Year Won [15]
Film and TV Role Model 2023 Annual Ranking Most Popular Actress Yang Zi Won [16]
National Radio and Television Administration 2023 Chinese Drama Selection Lost You Forever Season 1 Won [17]
Excellent Online Audio-visual Works of 2023 Q3 Won [18]
2024 Spring Capital TV Program Forum & Market Quality TV Series of the Year Won [19]
2024 Television Directors Conference TV Series of the Year Won [20]
2024 Golden Bud Network Film and Television Festival Quality TV Series of the Year Won [21]
Quality Director of the Year Qin Zhen Won [22]
29th Shanghai Television Festival Best Actress Yang Zi Nominated [23]
Best Adapted Screenplay Tong Hua, Wang Jing Nominated
Best Art Direction Lost You Forever Season 1 Nominated

References

edit
  1. ^ "电视剧《长相思》发布海报,杨紫、张晚意等亮相". Beijing News (in Chinese). 25 September 2022.
  2. ^ a b "《长相思》开播,展现中式古装剧之美". Ent China (in Chinese). 24 July 2023.
  3. ^ "搭档三小生,杨紫新古偶剧《长相思》开机". Sohu (in Chinese). 28 March 2022.
  4. ^ "杨紫发文告别《长相思》:两段历程有相逢有遗忘,有苦也有甜". Beijing News (in Chinese). 25 September 2022.
  5. ^ "第六届初心榜圆满落幕 重磅磅单揭晓". Sina (in Chinese). October 26, 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-10-26. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  6. ^ "第九届文荣奖获奖名单". Weibo (in Chinese). October 27, 2023. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  7. ^ "Weibo List". Weibo (in Chinese). December 4, 2023. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  8. ^ "微博视界大会微光荣耀名单". Weibo (in Chinese). December 5, 2023. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  9. ^ "2023腾讯视频金鹅荣誉发布活动举行 重磅揭晓53项行业荣誉". Tencent (in Chinese). December 17, 2023. Archived from the original on 2024-02-15. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  10. ^ "2023年度剧集作品". Weibo (in Chinese). December 22, 2023. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  11. ^ "2023年度剧集角色". Weibo (in Chinese). December 22, 2023. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  12. ^ "2023年度德塔文景气牛奖". Weibo (in Chinese). December 22, 2023. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  13. ^ "2023年度德塔文景气牛奖". Weibo (in Chinese). December 22, 2023. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  14. ^ "2023名人堂年度人文榜剧集榜发布剧". Baidu (in Chinese). January 1, 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  15. ^ "2023微博之夜荣誉名单". Weibo (in Chinese). January 13, 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  16. ^ "影视榜样·2023年度总评榜揭晓 《漫长的季节》 斩获双奖". Sohu (in Chinese). January 19, 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  17. ^ "重磅丨20部!广电总局2023中国剧集精选发布". Sohu (in Chinese). January 29, 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  18. ^ "2023年第四季度优秀网络视听作品". nrta (in Chinese). February 28, 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  19. ^ "2024首制协年会推优名单". Weibo (in Chinese). March 26, 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  20. ^ "2024电视剧导演大会获奖名单". Weibo (in Chinese). May 26, 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  21. ^ "金骨朵盛典". Weibo (in Chinese). May 30, 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  22. ^ "金鹏展翅·金骨朵网络影视盛典荣誉全揭晓". Weibo (in Chinese). May 30, 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  23. ^ "第29届白玉兰奖入围名单". Weibo (in Chinese). May 30, 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
edit