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| Song Weilong’s “Youthful Glory” Snaps at the Heels of “The Prisoner of Beauty” – What’s Fueling the Frenzy? |
If you thought Song Weilong peaked back in Go Ahead days, think again — lad’s back and riding the drama wave straight into hit status with his latest historical romance, Youthful Glory. Co-starring rising actress Bao Shangen and adapted from the novel Little Cardamom by Bu Zhi Shi Ke Cai, this period piece has been climbing the charts like a prince on a mission.
Despite airing alongside some seriously heavyweight contenders — like The Prisoner of Beauty (with fan-faves Liu Yuning and Song Zuer) and Legend of Zang Hai (Xiao Zhan alert!) — Youthful Glory has snatched third place on China’s popularity index.
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Even in Netflix Taiwan, it's creeping up, currently sitting just behind the reigning champ. Not bad for a drama that didn’t come in with the most hype, yeah?
So what’s the magic formula behind its unexpected surge? Here’s the lowdown:
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Fire Chemistry Between the Leads – It’s Giving “Enemies to Lovers but Make It Imperial”. Song Weilong plays Jiang Xu, a cold but no-nonsense Prince of Dingbei who, surprise surprise, gets tangled up with Ming Tan — the whip-smart daughter of a general, played with class by Bao Shangen.
The pair go from awkward political pawns to a surprisingly cute couple, thanks to that irresistible “married by imperial decree” twist. Viewers are loving the “marry first, love later” set-up — and it helps that both leads are selling it like pros.
dingbei wang: jiangxu ✗ mingtan ❀
— xiaojiu ⋆｡°•☁︎ (@xiao9jiu) May 21, 2025
❝ whether my intentions are sincere or merely practical, since she is my wangfei, i will accept her temperament and protect her for life.❞
cute drama alert! highly recommended!
— [#youthfulglory #韶华若锦
#baoshangen #songweilong] pic.twitter.com/0VVahayoRh
Netizens have already dubbed Song Weilong “The Chosen Prince,” and it’s not hard to see why — he’s calm, intense, and got that low-key dangerous charm. Bao Shangen’s not just a pretty face either. She brings a quiet strength and grace that makes Ming Tan instantly likeable. Together? Proper swoon material.
Not Just Background Noise – Supporting Cast Brings the Heat Too. You know a drama’s good when even the second leads are getting fan edits by episode 3.
Youthful Glory ropes in a sharp supporting cast — including Dai Luwa (the unforgettable Anian from Lost You Forever), Bai Shu (who made waves in Dashing Youth), and Ke Ying (recently blowing up from Perfect Match).
Dai Luwa and Bai Shu play the side couple you actually care about — their storyline isn’t filler, it’s fresh and layered. Add in some court intrigue, family drama, and political tension, and the whole thing feels meatier than your average costume fluff.
Pacing That Doesn’t Drag — Finally, a Drama That Gets On With It. Forget the 10-episode slow burn — Youthful Glory kicks off strong. In the first five episodes alone, we go from icy standoffs to a royal wedding.
Ming Tan and Jiang Xu are forced into an arranged marriage, but instead of dragging it out, the writers actually move things along. You get romance, scheming, corruption investigations and family politics, all within a tight, digestible pace.
The plot keeps things layered but never messy — we’ve got shady ministers, shifting alliances, and just enough mystery to keep you binging. Plus, the script doesn’t insult your intelligence — even when it leans into classic tropes, it does it with a wink.
So... Will It Topple “The Prisoner of Beauty”?
That’s the real question, innit? The Prisoner of Beauty’s still reigning for now, but Youthful Glory’s closing in fast — and it’s got that underdog energy that could shake things up. Whether it’s the sizzling chemistry, strong plot, or the sheer appeal of seeing Song Weilong back in action, there’s no denying this one’s hit a nerve.
Keep your eyes peeled — this royal romance might just steal the crown.