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| Youku Drops Surprise Short Drama ‘Hidden Love for You’ – Fresh Cast, Same Feels! (Youku) |
Youku’s coming in hot this summer with a new version of Hidden Love, and no, it’s not a sequel or a remake. Titled Hidden Love for You (偷偷藏不住), this 2025 short drama adaptation is bringing fresh faces, a more concise style, and just the right dose of heart-fluttering nostalgia.
Premiering on June 26, Hidden Love for You is based on the same original novel that inspired the viral 2023 series Hidden Love starring Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan. But don’t get it twisted—this version is a completely separate production, with its own cast, director, and storytelling rhythm.
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Instead of going the usual 40-minute episode route, Youku is giving us a 24-episode short drama format series. That means tighter pacing, faster emotional payoffs, and a punchy reimagining of one of the most beloved coming-of-age romance stories in C-drama land.
Taking the lead this time are Tian Hongjie as the gentle yet emotionally guarded Duan Jiaxu, and Huang Panpan as the quietly persistent Sang Zhi.
The plot still follows the original core: Sang Zhi’s teenage crush on her brother’s best mate turns into something deeper when they reunite as adults. But this version leans into emotional clarity and subtle chemistry, making it perfect for fans who love a slower burn but don’t have time for the full-length saga.
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According to the drama’s official Weibo and Youku’s post on X (formerly Twitter), the vibe is set to be youthful, heartwarming, and quietly powerful. Youku teased:
“#HiddenLoveforYou Streaming from June 26 on YOUKU! Watch Duan Jiaxu #TianHongjie and Sang Zhi #HuangPanpan turn a quiet crush into a burning romance!”
The series is directed by Hu Xing, and also stars Ma Zhe as protective big bro Sang Yan, with Zeng Qingsheng and Liu Boxu filling in the supporting cast.
While Hidden Love for You shares the same DNA as the 2023 mega-hit, Youku’s latest spin aims to distil the essence of Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu’s relationship into something more compact and emotionally distilled—ideal for binge-watchers, casual viewers, or those who simply want a fresh perspective on a familiar love story.
And let’s be honest—if Hidden Love (2023) made you fall head over heels with its slow-burn magic, this new version might just bring back those butterflies, minus the time investment.
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Whether you’re a long-time fan of the novel or just in the mood for a tender youth romance with healing undertones, Hidden Love for You is shaping up to be one of this summer’s lowkey must-watches.
#HiddenLoveforYou Streaming from June 26 on YOUKU! Watch Duan Jiaxu #TianHongjie and Sang Zhi #HuangPanpan turn a quiet crush into a burning romance!#偷偷藏不住之许你 #田鸿杰 #黄盼盼 #YOUKU #优酷 pic.twitter.com/w6b9JZT043
— 优酷Youku (@YoukuOfficial) June 24, 2025