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| Where Was Youthful Glory Filmed? Inside the Lavish Sets of This 2025 Period Hit (Mango TV) |
Lights, silk, action! The long-awaited historical romance drama Youthful Glory (韶华若锦) finally dropped on MangoTV on 19 May 2025, and fans can’t stop raving about its lavish sets, swoon-worthy stares, and the kind of court intrigue that’ll have you glued for days. But where exactly did all that Tang-and-Song era splendour come to life? We’ve got the lowdown.
🎬 Where Was Youthful Glory Filmed?
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The bulk of Youthful Glory was shot at none other than Hengdian World Studios in Zhejiang — aka the holy land for costume drama makers, fondly dubbed "Chinawood." If you’ve seen a grand palace or misty garden in a Chinese historical drama lately, chances are it was Hengdian. The place is basically Disneyland for dynasties.
Wrapped on 12 August 2024, filming took place over several months, using multiple detailed backdrops — from imperial courts to poetic courtyards — that perfectly matched the drama’s deep dive into politics, passion, and power games.
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🎥 Hengdian World Studios — The Beating Heart of Ancient Dramas
No surprise here — Youthful Glory joins the elite club of C-dramas brought to life in Hengdian World Studios (横店影视城), a mega-sized film set in Dongyang, Zhejiang. Opened back in 1996 by the Hengdian Group, this location is packed with palace complexes, traditional alleyways, lotus ponds, and bustling market streets.
It’s not just a backdrop — it’s a breathing world of its own. From 6AM sunrise calls 🌅 to midnight shoots 🌙, the cast and crew lived and breathed historical China. Every silk robe, shadowed hallway, and intense face-off you see on screen? All thanks to tireless light techs, costume wranglers, and camera wizards who pull the magic strings behind the scenes.
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Imagine sweeping drone shots of palace rooftops, delicate tea pours in antique mansions, and quiet moments in candle-lit rooms — Youthful Glory uses the studio’s famed Tang & Song Palatial District like an artist’s canvas. Every corner tells a tale, every corridor holds a secret.
🤫 Why All the Secrecy During Filming?
Truth be told, not all the locations were made public while shooting — and that’s no accident. To keep stalker fans (yes, they’re real) from crashing the set, the team kept things low-key during production. Respect!
life is back to sunshine and rainbow for wangye as wangfei returns to her chirpy & yapper mode — the silent treatment took such a toll on him that he wants it in writing 😭
— xiaojiu ⋆｡°•☁︎ (@xiao9jiu) May 29, 2025
“no silent treatment, even when
you're angry. you can't ignore me.”
— [#youthfulglory #韶华若锦] pic.twitter.com/mrr9MBtWui
🏛️ Drama Synopsis: Power, Politics & Marriage Deals
Set in the Chengkang reign of the Daxian Dynasty, Youthful Glory tells the story of Jiang Xu (played by Song Wei Long), a battle-hardened military prince returning to the capital after eight years defending the borders. Tasked with investigating embezzled military funds, he’s pulled into a high-stakes game of corruption, betrayal, and empire-shaking secrets.
To protect a loyal family from political ruin, Jiang Xu strategically marries Ming Tan (Bao Shang En) — the principled daughter of General Ming. But what starts as a calculated alliance turns complicated fast, as the Ming family gets framed and their honour shattered. With love tangled in duty and the empire’s fate on the line, Jiang Xu must choose between justice and the people he cares about most.
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🎭 Main Cast
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Song Wei Long as Jiang Xu
Your classic upright hero — calm, clever, and carrying the weight of the nation on his shoulders. -
Bao Shang En as Ming Tan
A noblewoman with backbone and a moral compass. This ain’t your average palace damsel. -
Dai Lu Wa as Bai Min Min
An ally? A spy? We’re watching her… -
Ke Ying as Yun Yi
Playing the political chessboard with charm — watch this one closely.
📺 Where to Watch
Catch Youthful Glory exclusively on MangoTV, updated weekly. Subtitles available in multiple languages. VPN may be needed for some regions.
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❓FAQ
Q: Was it all shot in Hengdian?
A: Mostly yes, though smaller scenic spots around China may’ve been used too — but weren’t officially revealed to avoid fan interference.
Q: Is this drama based on a novel?
A: Nope, original screenplay — so no spoilers unless you dig through interviews or BTS content.
Q: Is it romance-heavy or plot-driven?
A: Both. The love story’s intense, but it’s really the political drama and court manoeuvres that keep it spicy.
not him giving away all his prize possessions along w/his personal seal AND jade pendant to mm (thinking he might be gone for good) like as if they’re married — that last smile is so xiao ruofeng coded 😂
— xiaojiu ⋆｡°•☁︎ (@xiao9jiu) May 28, 2025
my parents’ ship has finally set sail ⛵️
— [#youthfulglory #韶华若锦] pic.twitter.com/9797ck4TMI