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| Bilibili’s Qing Chuan Ru Meng, Starring Cristy Guo Xiaoting and Zhou Lijie, Premieres 16 June |
If you're craving a Chinese historical drama that doesn’t drag for 40+ episodes or ride solely on big IP hype, then Qingchuan Ru Meng might just be your next binge. Set to premiere on 16 June 2025 on Bilibili, this compact 18-episode series brings us palace politics, revenge, identity twists, and an emotionally complex teacher-disciple romance—with none other than Cristy Guo Xiaoting in the lead.
What’s it all about?
The series is set during the fictional Zhanghe dynasty, in its tenth year of power shifts and betrayals. Guo Xiaoting plays Mo Qingchuan, once a revered female general wrongly accused of treason. She vanishes without a trace for twelve years, only to return in disguise as a battle-hardened strategist known as "Mo Wang".
Rather than hiding in the shadows, Mo Wang sets her sights on reshaping the future—starting by taking the unruly young prince Xia Qiguang (played by up-and-comer Zhou Lijie) under her wing. What begins as a cautious mentorship turns into a deep partnership, both strategic and emotional, as the two take on corrupt court figures, dangerous truths, and their own buried pasts.
Cristy Guo’s era?
At 32, Guo Xiaoting is best known for her second lead and supporting roles—whether as a tough-as-nails goddess in Love Between Fairy and Devil or her recent stints in A Moment But Forever and Fox Spirit Matchmaker. But this time, she’s front and centre, and not as your typical weepy revenge heroine either.
Mo Qingchuan isn’t out here to cry and scheme—she fights, commands, and plots with cold precision. It’s a refreshing twist on the female-led revenge formula, and Guo looks set to deliver intensity and gravitas in equal measure.
For more dramas this month, check out: June 2025 C-Dramas
Worth the watch?
While Qingchuan Ru Meng doesn’t have the budget of a Tencent or iQIYI blockbuster, early buzz says it’s got a sharp pace, clever writing, and emotional depth. If the story holds up across the short 18-episode run, this could end up being one of the sleeper hits of the season.
And let’s be honest, it’s about time we got to see Cristy Guo in a proper leading role. If you’re into power dynamics, plot twists, and a bit of swordplay-laced slow burn, this one’s for you.