Liu Yuning’s A Dream Within a Dream Sparks Concern Among Fans Despite His Recent Success

Liu Yuning. A Dream Within A Dream (Left), The Prisoner of Beauty (Right)

Have Liu Yuning Fans Become Pickier Since The Prisoner of Beauty? Mixed Reactions as Liu Yuning Prepares to Star in Fantasy Drama with Li Yitong "A Dream Within A Dream)

Chinese actor Liu Yuning has been absolutely smashing it lately, thanks to the runaway success of his costume drama The Prisoner of Beauty (折腰). Teaming up with Lareina Song Zuer, the pair delivered a hit that didn’t just rule the trending charts—it supercharged Liu Yuning’s career. Within just 19 days of release, the actor racked up over 550,000 new followers. Not bad for a lad who started off singing in a band and now stands tall as a top male lead.

But just as everything’s looking golden, storm clouds might be brewing on the horizon. His next drama, A Dream Within a Dream (书卷一梦), has some fans raising eyebrows. This time, Liu’s co-star is Li Yitong, an actress with plenty of solid titles under her belt—Legend of the Condor Heroes, Royal Nirvana, The Knockout—but who’s never quite managed to break through to A-list stardom.

In the words of netizens, she’s got what some jokingly call a “permanently unpopular physique”—a cheeky way of saying she shows up in big productions but doesn’t manage to ride the wave of success herself. So naturally, fans of Liu Yuning are wondering: could this pairing put the brakes on his rising career?

Star Power Concerns

A Dream Within A Dream/iQIYI

Liu Yuning’s recent hits—The Long Ballad with Zhao Lusi, To the Wonder with Liu Shishi, and of course, The Prisoner of Beauty with Song Zuer—were all boosted by the magnetic pull of their leading ladies. These actresses bring in huge viewership just by showing up. Some fans worry that without that same gravitational force, Liu Yuning might struggle to hold attention on his own.

But hang on—not everyone’s ready to jump ship just yet. In fact, A Dream Within a Dream has already stirred up a fair bit of excitement online. Behind-the-scenes snaps, especially a romantic scene set in the snow, have got fans swooning. The chemistry between Liu Yuning and Li Yitong, at least visually, looks promising. Maybe—just maybe—they’ll surprise everyone.

What’s the Drama Actually About?

Based on Qian Shan Chake’s novel Rebirth of the Eldest Daughter of a Concubine, this isn’t your typical time-travel fantasy. The story follows Song Xiaoyu (played by Li Yitong), a struggling actress who gets sucked into the world of a period drama script. Suddenly, she finds herself inside the role of Song Yimeng, a tragic heroine destined for heartbreak and despair.

But Song Xiaoyu’s not about to play the victim. Armed with knowledge of the script’s plotline, she fights to change her fate, dodge the heartbreak, and rewrite her ending. There’s just one problem: no matter what she does, she keeps running into Nan Heng (played by Liu Yuning)—the male lead she’s desperate to avoid. It’s a classic “fate vs. free will” dilemma wrapped up in parallel-world chaos and emotional slow-burn tension.

Who’s Behind the Camera?

The drama is directed by Guo Hu, the man behind Eternal Love and Love and Redemption, so fans know they’re in for visual beauty and romantic angst. Produced by Linmon Pictures and backed by iQiyi, A Dream Within a Dream is targeting younger audiences who enjoy a mix of metafiction, reincarnation, and destiny-bending narratives. The series is expected to run for 38 episodes, with a premiere sometime in 2025.

So... Should Fans Be Worried?

Honestly? It’s a mixed bag. On one hand, Liu Yuning’s momentum is no joke—he’s proven he can lead a drama and draw attention. On the other, this particular co-star pairing doesn’t come with the same built-in buzz. But chemistry can’t always be predicted by star rankings alone.

If Li Yitong brings emotional depth (which she’s more than capable of), and if the writing sticks the landing, this drama could actually turn into a sleeper hit. And who knows—A Dream Within a Dream might even be the breakout moment Li Yitong’s been waiting for.

Either way, all eyes are on this one. Will it soar like a dream, or drift away like a missed opportunity? Let’s wait and see how the story plays out.

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FAQs

🌀 What’s the English title of Liu Yuning’s new drama?
A Dream Within a Dream. The original Chinese title is 《书卷一梦》.

🎭 Who’s in the lead roles?
Liu Yuning plays Nan Heng. Li Yitong stars as Song Xiaoyu/Song Yimeng.

📚 What’s it based on?
The drama is adapted from Rebirth of the Eldest Daughter of a Concubine by Qian Shan Chake.

🎬 When is it airing?
Expected to premiere on iQiyi sometime in 2025. No official date yet.

📺 How many episodes?
38 episodes total.

👀 Where can I watch it?
It’ll likely be available on iQiyi with subtitles for international fans. Check for regional availability closer to release.