 |
| Chinese Netizens Call Out Age Gap and ‘Zero Chemistry’ Between Ding Yuxi and Victoria Song in Fight for Love |
The much-hyped historical romance Fight for Love (山河枕) finally premiered on October 30, 2025, via WeTV and Tencent Video, but the online chatter has been less about the plot and more about its leading couple — Victoria Song (Song Qian) and Ding Yuxi.
Adapted from Mo Shu Bai’s novel Mountain and River Pillow, the series follows Chu Yu, who becomes the eldest daughter-in-law of the powerful Wei family to secretly uncover the truth behind her own clan’s downfall.
Her father’s death and her brother’s injury push her into a world of political betrayal and family revenge.
On the other hand, Wei Yun, the last surviving heir of the Wei line, slowly grows into his role as both a warrior and Chu Yu’s closest ally — and eventually, her romantic partner.
With its mix of palace intrigue, forbidden love, and lavish production values, Fight for Love had all the right ingredients to be a smash hit.
But early viewer reactions in China have turned unexpectedly critical.
ICYMI: Fight for Love Ending Explained
“Feels More Like Mother and Son Than Lovers”
On Weibo, the debate has centred around two things — the age difference and the missing spark between the leads of this Cdrama.
“Victoria Song is almost 40, and Ding Yuxi is still in his early thirties. Their energy just doesn’t match,” one user commented.
“Some scenes look like a teacher comforting her student, not lovers.”
Another netizen wrote, “The chemistry is off. It’s not their acting — it’s just that the relationship dynamic looks awkward on screen.”
The age gap itself isn’t new territory for Chinese dramas, but this time, fans say it’s more distracting than usual.
While the drama tries to stay loyal to the novel, the contrast between the actors’ real ages has amplified the imbalance.
Also read: List of CDramas with Older Female Leads.
Amid all the buzz, Victoria Song Qian has also spoken up about the ongoing debate. When asked about the comments regarding her age gap and chemistry with Ding Yuxi, she calmly replied that such criticism and feedback are simply part of viewers’ personal opinions.
“There are plenty of praises too,” she noted with a smile.
“Why not focus on those instead?”
Her response has been seen as classy and composed, with many fans applauding her professionalism and confidence in handling the situation gracefully.
A Mismatch Between Script and Casting
In the original book, Wei Yun is only one year younger than Chu Yu — 14 and 15 respectively when the story begins.
On screen, though, that gap becomes far more visible, with Victoria Song (born 1987) and Ding Yuxi (born 1995) portraying the same dynamic.
Many viewers pointed out that although the costume design, set production, and camera work are all top-notch, the emotional tension just doesn’t land.
“Everything looks stunning, but I don’t feel anything between them,” one review said.
Another added, “If they’d cast someone like Esther Yu Shuxin, it might’ve worked better visually.”
Not the First Time Age Gaps Stirred Discussion
This kind of viewer response isn’t unique to Fight for Love.
Earlier in 2025, Yang Mi and Gong Jun’s Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red-Moon Pact faced similar debates about screen chemistry and believability.
Despite the fantasy setting, fans still fixated on how visible the age difference felt.
It seems audiences are becoming more vocal about how certain casting choices can affect the believability of romance — especially in historical or fantasy dramas where emotional depth often carries the show.
Strong Storyline, But Chemistry Still the Key
To be fair, Fight for Love isn’t all doom and gloom.
The plot is complex and emotionally loaded, with themes of revenge, loyalty, and redemption driving the narrative.
Both Victoria Song and Ding Yuxi deliver commendable performances individually — Victoria shines in emotional scenes, while Ding Yuxi handles the growth arc of Wei Yun with maturity.
Still, the emotional bridge between them remains thin.
Viewers hope that as the story progresses, their connection will feel more natural and their partnership more convincing — after all, it’s called Fight for Love for a reason.
While Fight for Love offers lush visuals and a solid political-romance storyline, many Chinese viewers are stuck debating the age gap and lack of chemistry between Victoria Song and Ding Yuxi — a familiar dilemma that’s now defining early reactions to the series.