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| Long-Awaited Premieres: 9 Chinese Dramas That Were Delayed for Years |
Some dramas are born unlucky. Between actor scandals, shifting policies, and downright bizarre production woes, certain Chinese dramas have found themselves collecting dust long after filming wrapped. While some eventually saw the light of day, others remain stuck in limbo, waiting for that elusive release window.
Here are 9 C-dramas that took way longer than expected to air – or are still locked in the vault:
1. The Demon Hunter’s Romance (无忧渡) – 2 Years
Originally filmed with much hype, this supernatural fantasy was nearly lost to the void after co-star Song Zuer got wrapped up in a tax scandal.With Ren Jialun in the lead and Lin Yufen (of Eternal Love fame) directing, expectations were sky-high. It finally “air-dropped” on iQIYI in April 2025 with little warning – and to everyone’s relief, it actually delivered. Viewers praised the lush mythology and chemistry between the leads.
2. The Wolf (狼殿下) – 3 Years
Shot before Xiao Zhan skyrocketed to fame with The Untamed, this historical romance stars Darren Wang and Li Qin.
But let's be honest – Xiao Zhan’s cheeky and roguish second male lead Ji Chong is what truly lit things up. When it finally aired, fans turned it into a belated hit, proving good timing isn’t everything.
3. Youth in Flames of War (战火中的青春) – 3 Years
This Republican-era drama wrapped in 2019 but waited patiently until Wang Hedi and Zhou Ye became recognisable names. Centred on the merging of China’s top universities during wartime, it’s one for the history buffs. The delay ended up helping it find a bigger audience – ironic, really.
4. Love Never Fails (落花时节又逢君) – 3 Years
Another xianxia fantasy derailed by scandal. Starring Liu Xueyi and Yuan Bingyan, this one suffered when Yuan was caught in a tax mess. Whispers suggest Hu Yixuan might have been called in for reshoots – but no official release date yet. The book fans? Still clinging to hope.
5. The Golden Hairpin (青簪行) – 4 Years (and counting)
This was meant to be massive: Yang Zi and Kris Wu leading an adaptation of 簪中录. But Kris Wu’s legal drama saw it shelved indefinitely.
There were also billing disputes that caused fan wars between Yang Zi's fandom and production. Now the rumour mill says Peng Guanying might replace Kris via reshoots, with Disney+ as a potential platform. A messy comeback? We’ll see.
6. My Stvpid Cute Husband (我的蠢萌老公) – 5 Years
An oldie but a goodie. Filmed in 2011 and finally released in 2016, this romcom features Yang Yang as a baby-faced college lad who stumbles into marriage. It’s light, fluffy, and a bizarre throwback for anyone used to his modern-day heartthrob status.
7. Immortality (皓衣行) – 4 Years (and still waiting)
Danmei fans, brace yourselves. Adapted from the cult BL novel The Husky and His White Cat Shizun, this Luo Yunxi and Chen Feiyu project had everyone hyped – until government crackdowns on BL content kicked in. Despite trailers and leaked photos, it’s now hanging by a thread, with little chance of ever airing officially. Heartbreaking, really.
8. The Love of Hypnosis (南烟斋笔录) – 6 Years
A visual feast starring Liu Yifei and Jing Boran, this drama ran into trouble when supporting actor Zhao Lixin got blacklisted. Filming wrapped back in 2018, but the show never surfaced. It’s rumoured to have been renamed A Song of Three Lives and may require digital reshoots or even AI face swaps. Whether it’ll be worth the wait? Up in the air.
9. The Fated General (霍去病传奇) – 7 Years
A full-blown historical epic starring Zhang Ruoyun, Mao Xiaotong, and a powerhouse supporting cast (Bai Yu, Yu Menglong, Li Hongyi). Sounds perfect on paper.
But backlash over historical accuracy shelved it indefinitely. Fans of historical dramas still mourn this one – it’s basically become the Chinese drama version of a cursed artefact.
Whether stuck in the vault or quietly resurrected, these dramas remind us just how unpredictable C-ent can be. One moment you're filming a hit, next thing you know, you're a trivia answer about what never aired.
Which of these long-lost gems are you still holding out hope for?