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| Twelve Letters Crowned Highest-Rated Chinese Romance Drama of 2025 on Douban |
Chinese romance drama Twelve Letters (《十二封信》) has quietly made history. Directed by Sha Weiqi and starring Zhou Yiran, Wang Yinglu, Zheng Hehuizi, and Ren Youlun, the 12-episode series ended its run with a surprising achievement: a Douban rating of 7.7, making it the highest-rated Chinese-produced romance drama of 2025 so far.
ICYMI: Twelve Letters Finale Recap
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A Story Across Time and Generations
Unlike conventional sweet romances, Twelve Letters blends fantasy, suspense, and emotional realism.
The drama follows two parallel storylines: in 1991, Tang Yixun (Zhou Yiran) and Ye Haitang (Wang Yinglu) struggle to find hope in a small southern town, while in 2026, Yu Nian (Zheng Hehuizi) and Shen Cheng (Ren Youlun) search for answers about their fathers’ mysterious pasts.
Their lives are tied together through twelve handwritten letters that travel across time and space, creating an emotional bridge between two generations.
More Than Just Love
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Critics and audiences alike noted that the series wasn’t simply a romance.
According to The Yangtze Evening News (via World Journal), the fragmented letters served as a narrative device to reflect on family trauma, generational struggles, and the courage needed to face life’s harsh realities.
It struck a balance between storytelling and emotional catharsis, fulfilling viewers’ longing for healing, redemption, and meaningful values.
Sincere Performances That Left a Mark
One of the biggest talking points was the acting. Zhou Yiran shed his “campus idol” image by dropping 10 kilograms for the role, delivering a raw prison monologue that impressed viewers.
His old-age portrayal, particularly the line “My life, you live for me,” was highlighted as proof of his maturing talent.
Wang Yinglu, meanwhile, was praised for her gut-wrenching performance as a young woman trapped in domestic violence. Netizens called her work “scar-like acting” for its intensity and authenticity.
Zheng Hehuizi and Ren Youlun rounded out the younger cast with nuanced portrayals that carried the weight of their generation’s search for truth.
[eng sub] #twelveletters new trailer starring #wangyinglu and #zhouyiran (tencent preview party)
— 小透明 (@xiaotoumings) June 24, 2025
“I’ve never forgotten the time we spent together, that was the only light in my life”
“This life of mine, you live it for me”
this trailer destroyed me 😭😭#十二封信 #12letters pic.twitter.com/MtHMKlHOqq
Audience Reactions: Tears and Resonance
On social media, viewer responses poured in with overwhelming emotion:
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“It was so tearful, I cried from the very first episode until the finale.”
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“There’s no artificial sweetness, just two teenagers holding each other’s hands in the dark.”
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“Every episode left me in tears.”
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“The aftermath was so intense I couldn’t calm down for a long time.”
This emotional sincerity—rare in recent romance dramas—was credited for much of the drama’s success.
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Ironically, Twelve Letters almost slipped under the radar. Before its release, Baidu search interest was barely over 1,000—an extremely low figure compared to mainstream idol dramas.
Yet, positive word of mouth and Douban reviews gradually turned it into a sleeper hit, proving that quality storytelling can still outshine weak promotion.
A Milestone for 2025 Romance Dramas
With its concise structure, dual timeline, and carefully interwoven suspense, Twelve Letters has set itself apart in a crowded genre. Its recognition on Douban as the top-rated romance drama of the year highlights a growing appetite among Chinese audiences for love stories that dare to move beyond clichés.