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| Hidden Love for You Short Drama Faces Backlash From Fans Ahead of Release (Youku) |
Let’s rewind a bit. Back in 2023, Hidden Love starring Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan became a smash hit across China and beyond. It wasn’t just another coming-of-age romance — it was the idol drama that fans clung to like a comfort blanket. With its soft lighting, relatable angst, and chemistry that could melt concrete, the story of Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu felt real, intimate, and, most importantly, untouchable.
So, when Wajijiwa announced a short remake starring Tian Hongjie and Huang Panpan, fans weren’t exactly jumping for joy. And once the trailer dropped? That joy turned into digital chaos.
“This Is Just a Low-Budget Rehash”
Almost instantly, Weibo and Douyin lit up with criticism. Many called the new project a “cheap knockoff,” with one viral comment reading: “Zhao Lusi is the only Sang Zhi in our hearts.” Others said they felt duped, with scenes nearly identical to the original — minus the soul.
A major gripe? Zero chemistry. While Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan practically invented eye contact, fans say Tian Hongjie and Huang Panpan’s take on Duan Jiaxu and Sang Zhi feels flat and forced. One netizen even dubbed it “Hidden Love: Love’s Ambition Edition”, sarcastically linking the release timing to Zhao Lusi’s new drama Love’s Ambition.
“Feels like they’re trying to ride her wave again,” a fan wrote, “but without the magic.”
And it doesn’t stop there. Even the Chinese title came under fire for feeling like a mashup of Hidden Love and Love’s Ambition, with some accusing the studio of cashing in on Zhao Lusi's ongoing popularity without offering anything original.
Copyright Row Brewing?
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Then came a new plot twist — possibly bigger than anything in the drama itself. According to Taiwanese media outlet Upmedia, Wajijiwa might not have had the proper rights to make the short drama version in the first place.
Jinjiang Literature City, the publisher of the original novel by Zhu Yi, dropped a bombshell in a late-night statement. While Wajijiwa was granted rights to adapt the book into a full-length web drama, no such permission was given for a short format. In short: Wajijiwa might’ve overstepped. A lawsuit now seems to be a real possibility if the broadcast moves forward.
Wajijiwa, for their part, hit back saying their contract covers “film and television adaptations” — which they interpret to include anything from full-length TV dramas to short online series. Whether that’ll hold up in court remains to be seen.
Nostalgia Is a Tough Competitor
Part of the backlash also stems from how personally fans feel about the original. Zhao Lusi reportedly brought her own items to set, including the now-iconic fox plushie that symbolised the bond between Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu. Her fashion in the show even sparked trends among Chinese uni students.
“Lusi was Sang Zhi,” one comment read. “You can’t copy heart.”
And Chen Zheyuan’s Duan Jiaxu? Equally iconic. Fans point to his low-key charm and warm older-brother energy as irreplaceable. It’s no wonder fans aren’t exactly ready to swap out their emotional comfort food for a watered-down version.
Where Do We Go From Here?
With the release of Hidden Love for You set for 26 June 2025, things are heating up — for all the wrong reasons. Between the backlash, copyright wrangling, and fans rallying to protect their OTP, it’s unclear whether the short drama will air as planned or face delays (or worse).
At this point, it’s not even about comparing acting performances. For fans, Hidden Love wasn’t just a drama — it was a feeling. And if Wajijiwa underestimated the emotional grip the original had on its audience, they’re learning that lesson the hard way.