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| Bao Shang’en & Wang Hongyi Shine in First Stills from ‘In The Moonlight’ Costume Drama (Tencent Video) |
After months of speculation and quiet filming, Linmon Pictures has finally dropped the cast announcement for their latest historical romance In The Moonlight, and it’s got fans of period Chinese dramas buzzing – not least because Wang Hongyi has officially stepped into the male lead role for once.
The drama wrapped filming recently after a solid four-month shoot that kicked off in February 2025, with scenes captured across the dramatic desert landscapes of Yinchuan.
The first stills just landed online, giving us a moody glimpse into what looks to be an emotionally charged tale of fate, politics and forbidden romance.
#BaoShangen’s team shares stills + vid for drama #IntheMoonlight as filming wraps
— cdrama tweets (@dramapotatoe) June 19, 2025
More - https://t.co/yhrECxrrOe pic.twitter.com/bUax3pdPDl
Based on In The Moonlight by author Luo Qingmei, the series follows Princess Li Yaoying, a royal who's betrothed into a political marriage she’s not having any of.
Running from her royal duties, she crosses paths with Luo Jia, a man she’s determined to marry instead—only catch is, he’s not just any bloke. He’s the sacred guardian of the Western region, making him basically off-limits.
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| In The Moonlight Wraps Filming with Wang Hongyi and Bao Shang’en in Lead Roles |
There’s a hint of fantasy and transmigration here too—since in the source novel, Thousand Miles of Bright Moonlight, the princess is actually a modern girl who ends up inside a historical story as the heroine, while the male lead is (plot twist) a monk.
In the drama adaptation, In The Moonlight casts 23-year-old Bao Shang’en as the bold, rebellious princess. She’s fresh off a string of back-to-back period dramas and is steadily making her mark in the genre.
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Meanwhile, fans of Wang Hongyi, 26, will be thrilled to see him finally step out of second lead territory. After supporting roles in Serendipity, A Moment But Forever and Snowy Night Timeless Love, he’s finally front and centre – and looking the part, too, in the new stills.
Backing them up is a strong ensemble. Quan Yilun and Ma Qiuyuan step in as key figures in the political power plays that surround the central love story, each with motives of their own.
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Yang Shize is set for a special appearance as Li Yaoying’s protective older brother, adding emotional weight to the storyline. Also joining the cast are Ding Jiawen and Zhou Haoqi in supporting but crucial roles.
No air date’s been announced yet, but if the visuals and cast are anything to go by, In The Moonlight might just be one of those slow-burn romance hits with the perfect blend of angst, political drama and lush costume visuals. Stay tuned.