Tencent Releases First Gorgeous and Action Packed Teaser for Period Romance C-drama Chasing Dreams with Zhang Jing Yi and Chen Zhe Yuan
Okay, getting super hyped for this C-drama based on the first trailer alone was not on my C-drama bingo card lol. But I can’t denyt that the first previews just released by Tencent for period C-drama Chasing Dreams is on fire. Starring Zhang Jing Yi and Chen Zhe Yuan, she’s a blind (at times) fortune seer and he’s the warrior tasked to abducting her for his Kingdom’s use, and then they fall for each other. I’m so glad I watched Fated Hearts recently (halfway through the drama) because its the first time I really liked Chen Zhe Yuan onscreen, he suits the period fighter vibe way better than expected. And while I didn’t warm up to female lead Li Qin in FH, I love Zhang Jing Yi and she looks so beautiful her and the two leads are rocking the onscreen chemistry even in the snippet of scenes shown. This will be a 2026 release but now I have another drama to look forward to yay!
Chasing Dreams trailer:
Surely, this will be my on checking-out list. Oh I won’t get tired of CZY’s warrior image in costume until I get tired of it. lol. I don’t mind his doing another one right after FH. To my surprise, CZY has got everything you should expect for a costume hero and royal: excellent line delivery, regal aura, imposing mannerism but exuding enough gentleness and passion for his love interest in the story. His acting in FT was nuanced and layered, not to mention he looked pretty. LOL. CZY is one of the best (if not the best) actor among his peers capable of assuming such characters. I like ZJY and several of her dramas, including Legend of Zanghai of course. So, I’m looking forward to the premiere.
@Koala, Somebody
You’re right about Chen Zheyuan! I also think he’s a pretty good actor. He is noticeably convincing in Fated Hearts and I think he has been consistent in his other projects as well.
As for Li Qin, I really want to like her performances, but I often find her roles/characters feel quite similar—she often plays the tough, stubborn type of female lead. I wonder if it’s the roles she’s choosing that don’t allow her to showcase more of her range.…
So in terms of versatility, Zhang Jingyi feels so natural on screen and seems to disappear into every role with ease. She seems to capture different performance in the recent The Legend of Zanghai and the upcoming role. So I believe she won’t disappoint.
Of course, this is just my two cents—I haven’t seen all of their works, so I could be missing some of their more diverse roles.
@Rei, LQ could appear uptight in her acting sometimes. I was indifferent to her before. For example, I did not like her that much in the Wolf, where she’s got quite a bit of interaction with XZ as the 2nd ML. But she changed my perception about her in The Youth Memories. I quite liked her and her subdued chemistry with XZ in TYM. I think she did a great job in TYM. I also liked her in FH. I think she’s a much better version of female general/fighter among most of the cases I’ve seen in Cdrama so far. The only image standing out that could possible beat or on par with LQ is Zhao Liying in Princess Agents.
Hi @somebody,
It’s great that you highlighted Li Qin’s work in “The Youth Memories”; I haven’t seen it yet, but it’s now on my future list.
From what I have seen, I liked her performances in “Joy of Life” and “My Amazing Bride” —she captured that sweet, cheerful, and earnest charm that made her endearing.
However, her recent roles have felt less nuanced to me. In “A Thousand Years For You,” her character came across as overly loud (though I suspect the directing is partly to blame), and her portrayal in “The Song of Glory” felt one-dimensionally stubborn. But I like the male lead even less, so I dropped the show early.
I agree with you. Comparably, I find her performance in “The Fated Hearts” to be stronger than her recent work. I read the book (halfway) and I think she did well personifying the character. And indeed, she was pretty immersed in her fight scenes and chemistry with Chen Ze Yuan..
I may be wrong but I think she’s often cast as a strong heroine which may not be her strength. I personally feel she shines brightest in softer, more gentle roles where her natural warmth come through.
LQ impressed me a lot in TYM. Her character in that drama was an introverted, taciturn, and gentle lady, but internally determined with strong will. I think she did a great job portraying the heroine. I also enjoyed the love story tremendously between her character and XZ’s character. Before watching TYM, I was indifferent to LQ and perhaps disliked her sometimes, e.g., the Wolf. But her performance in TYM changed my perception about this actress. Besides, she’s one FL of XZ who has caused no gossipy trouble to XZ, unlike some of XZ’s costars.
This looks epic! I’m not a fan of Li Qin, she is often too “blank” to me, but will give this one a go!
For me, FH is the only drama i could enjoy Li Qin’s performance. She suits the female general vibe. Better than some other female generals.
Agree with Koala. CZY’s performance in FH is one the reasons i want to give this new drama a try. Especially with ZJY. Both of them are so stunningly beautiful.
This drama seems familiar. I remember watching a mini drama with the same story.
I agree with you, first time I watch li QIN drama was FH and she doing great job as the assassin in this drama.She pretty but she has cold vibe that made she looked really cold during fighting scene.For CZY, his crying scene really hooked me.i watch his drama except HL, I Did not why but not into the FL.In FH, his portray FSG very well, I thought his did not fit for that character.
I looking forward for CD and hope this drama can perform very well
I agree! Ever since Fated Hearts, I’ve started to see his acting in a better light. He’s not perfect, but honestly, I’m really enjoying him as Feng Suige. He fits the role so well!
I dont know when I fell out of like for Chen Zhe Yuan..for some reasons, I just dont seem to like him anymore. Maybe a good drama may rebuilt it again. For a young actor, he is not bad..
Another flop incoming from the guy.
Definitely have to check this one out for both of the leads.
I know if CZ but none of his work interested me until I watched Fated Hearts. He is best thing about the show. His characters had so many layers and I thought he has excellent screen presence. I am half way in so we shall see but at least I am open to checking this drama out now.
As for the FL in Fated hearts as someone said she was a convincing general and would have have made much more sense to have her as the lead in Legend of the Female General. Chemistry wise though I preferred it when the leads were fighting against each other 😬
LOL @ your last line. Those conflict scenes were epic. I can’t imagine falling in love with someone who used to have track records abusing me physically. LOL. It’s completely fictional but that somehow worked to sell dramatic narratives of their romance. Love how that tension buildup was transformed into their mutual admiration.
CZY might be gaining new fans after Fated Hearts but the label of “billing actor” will always follow his around, and many fandom of popular actresses won’t want to see him as the male lead of their favourite actresses in fear of him keep demanding of equal billing with the actresses. His fans are further ruining impressions on him because they keep claiming him as if he is a top award winning actor and can carry his own drama while the truth is he is still depending on strong and famous actresses.They have been playing victim card too during his ongoing filming drama and targeting Wu Jinyan at the same time.
Well hopefully if it is true that he is more popular now let’s him just take male centric drama after this and work with other actors and new/unpopular actresses for everyone’s peace.