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| Could A Journey to Glow Be the Next A Journey to Love? Yu Shuxin & Wang Anyu Reportedly Lead |
Hold on to your hanfu, because the Chinese drama rumour mill is in full swing again—and this time, it’s Esther Yu (Yu Shuxin) and Wang Anyu getting fans all fired up. Word on the Weibo street is that the two might just be teaming up for an upcoming historical drama titled A Journey to Glow (一念江南), and the buzz is so loud it’s practically glowing on the trending charts.
The drama is reportedly set in the same universe as 2023’s mega-hit A Journey to Love, which starred Liu Shishi and Liu Yuning and smashed it out of the park with 180+ million viewers and consistently high TV ratings. So if this new project is even half as addictive, we’re in for a treat.
🎬 New Leads, New Story, Same Universe
According to insiders, Wang Anyu is stepping in as the male lead, replacing earlier rumoured names who were floated opposite Esther Yu.
Neither actor has confirmed their involvement yet, but that hasn’t stopped fans from spiralling (in the best way possible).
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Glow is being helmed by director Hong Ling and written by Zhang Wei—the same screenwriter behind A Journey to Love, which has fans hopeful for quality storytelling and spicy dynamics. The show is currently being prepped for a 40-episode run on iQiyi, with each episode clocking in at 45 minutes.
And while it’s set in a different corner of the fictional map, A Journey to Glow shares the same political intrigue and multi-layered storytelling as its predecessor.
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🏯 The Story: War, Treasure, and Rebellion Brewing in the South
Set in a world divided into four major regions—Song, Su, Yue, and Tang—the story picks up just after the Emperor of Song unifies Jiangbei in the north. The southern lands may say they’ve submitted, but behind closed doors, they’ve got eyes on the throne and plenty of secrets to hide.
The people are struggling under heavy taxes, and unrest is simmering. Amidst this, a rumour spreads like wildfire: the late empress dowager supposedly left behind a hidden treasure somewhere in Jiangnan. This mysterious treasure could be the key to reviving a struggling little town called Yongxing.
That’s when five strangers from very different walks of life cross paths on a fateful mission—not just for gold, but for hope, survival, and something bigger than themselves. You know the drill: think palace politics, underground rebels, reluctant alliances, and maybe a bit of romance on the side.
💬 Netizens Already in Meltdown Mode
Even without an official cast poster in sight, the online hype is real. Fans have been flooding Weibo with reactions, and here are just a few standouts:
“If it’s really these two, I won’t be able to sleep! The visuals are next level. Xinxin and Wang Anyu together? Insane chemistry! Waiting for the official announcement~”
“Please let this be real, their visuals and vibes are a perfect match.”
“If it were a modern drama, I’d be more hyped. But a costume drama is fine too.”
Let’s be honest—Esther Yu’s knack for quirky charm mixed with Wang Anyu’s calm, smouldering energy could make for serious on-screen tension (the good kind). And with the Journey to Love team back on board, the expectations are sky-high.
🔮 So What’s Next?
No word yet from iQiyi, nor from Esther Yu or Wang’s camps, but given how quickly this rumour caught fire, an official announcement might not be far off. If confirmed, A Journey to Glow could easily become one of the most anticipated historical dramas of 2025.
For now, we wait. And stalk Weibo. And maybe rewatch A Journey to Love while we’re at it.