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| Sword and Beloved Behind-the-Scenes: What Happened to Cheng Yi’s Cut Scenes? |
The hit Chinese fantasy drama Sword and Beloved (天地剑行), starring Cheng Yi and Li Yitong, has officially wrapped up — but it seems the story off-screen is just as dramatic as the one on-screen.
Recently, fans noticed that Cheng Yi’s screen time in the later episodes had noticeably decreased, with some claiming his character, Wang Quan Fugui, appeared for less than two minutes in certain episodes.
Naturally, this caused a wave of confusion and disappointment among viewers who had followed the series for his powerful, emotionally charged performance.
Many pointed out the actor’s dedication — including filming intense scenes barefoot in freezing temperatures — and felt that the reduction of his scenes was a real shame.
“We came for Cheng Yi, and it’s heartbreaking to see how much effort he put in only for it to be cut short,” one comment wrote on Weibo.
ICYMI: Sword and Beloved Finale Recap & Season 2 Talks.
Behind the Scenes & Deleted Footage
251106 — #swordandbeloved shares new behind the scenes clip of #chengyi pic.twitter.com/YfXiIaDDzX
— for chengyi • 成毅 updates (@yusifengs) November 7, 2025
According to reports and fan discussions, a number of Sword and Beloved’s emotional and battle-heavy sequences were trimmed or cut entirely during post-production.
While no official statement from the production team has been made, sources close to the project hinted that some scenes were edited for pacing reasons and episode time constraints.
Still, that didn’t stop passionate fans from compiling clips, stills, and production notes that revealed what might’ve been — including unreleased interactions between Cheng Yi and Li Yitong that further deepened their characters’ bond.
Despite the frustration, Cheng Yi’s fan community has tried to stay positive.
A popular fan message circulated online reads:
“Don’t let the disappointment overshadow the beauty of this drama. Cheng Yi gave his all, but Sword and Beloved is the work of many talented people. Let’s support the whole cast.”
It’s a sentiment many seem to agree with — that while the cuts sting, the drama itself remains a vibrant, emotional piece of fantasy storytelling.
Cheng Yi’s Response & Fans’ Reaction
While Cheng Yi hasn’t directly commented on the editing controversy, he’s known for expressing gratitude towards his fans and production crews in past works.
Several fan pages even encouraged others to “let Fugui rest a bit — he’s been through too much”, playfully referencing his intense role as a warrior burdened by duty and fate.
In true fan fashion, discussions around “missing scenes” have now turned into hopeful theories that Cheng Yi might reprise his role in future spin-offs or special episodes.
What Sword and Beloved Is All About
Adapted from the well-loved manhua Fox Spirit Matchmaker (Hu Yao Xiao Hong Niang), Sword and Beloved is a fantasy romance set in a world of mystical clans, ancient swords, and reincarnated fates.
It tells the story of Wang Quan Fugui (Cheng Yi), a disciplined swordsman caught between loyalty and love, and Yao Xiaohong (Li Yitong), a spirited fox spirit bound to his destiny.
The series quickly gained attention for its high production quality, emotional storytelling, and strong performances — particularly Cheng Yi’s portrayal of the stoic yet fragile swordsman whose sense of justice often clashes with his human feelings.
TL;DR
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Sword and Beloved wrapped up with controversy over Cheng Yi’s reduced screen time.
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Fans shared disappointment but urged others to appreciate the full production.
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Deleted scenes reportedly include emotional moments and extended battle sequences.
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Sword and Beloved remains one of 2025’s most-discussed fantasy dramas, loved for its visuals and heartfelt acting.