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| Gao Bai is ranked among the top three novels, alongside Hidden Love and The First Frost (Photo: Weibo) |
Filming has officially kicked off for the highly anticipated modern Chinese drama Gao Bai (告白), also known by its unofficial English title A Love Confession. Starring Deng Enxi and Wang Xingyue, the project blends youth romance, reunion drama, and action-tinged realism, and it’s already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about C-dramas heading into 2027.
Based on the popular web novel Gao Bai by Ying Cheng, the drama began production with strong buzz, especially after reports confirmed Wang Xingyue’s arrival in Chengdu to join the cast. Industry watchers expect a tight three-month shoot, with an early 2027 release window now firmly on the radar.
Another reason Gao Bai carries such heavyweight expectations is its original novel status. Among Jinjiang modern romance readers, Gao Bai is often mentioned in the same breath as Hidden Love and The First Frost, widely regarded as the top three contemporary romance novels of their era.
All three titles enjoy near-equal popularity, and their male leads have become iconic “white moonlight” figures for readers, representing the idealised first love that lingers long after the story ends. Zhou Jing Ze stands shoulder to shoulder with these legendary characters, which is exactly why the drama adaptation has been under such intense scrutiny from the very start.
At its heart, Gao Bai is a story about quiet devotion, missed timing, and love that refuses to stay buried.
Xu Sui is well-behaved, calm, and academically gifted. During high school, she quietly falls for the rebellious and charismatic Zhou Jing Ze. Their paths barely cross at first, yet her feelings are strong enough that she chooses a neighbouring university just to stay close to him.
In their youth, friendships bloom, a band is formed, sunrises are watched, and dreams feel endless. But youthful passion is fragile, and a painful misunderstanding pulls them apart.
Years later, fate pushes them together again. Life has reshaped them completely. Xu Sui is now a skilled surgeon, steady and composed. Zhou Jing Ze, however, is stuck at a dusty training base after being framed, his future hanging in uncertainty.
Old feelings resurface, tension builds, and the emotional push-and-pull grows intense as they struggle between holding on and letting go. When Zhou Jing Ze finally uncovers the truth behind Xu Sui’s long-hidden first love, everything changes.
The story moves between youth romance and adult reckoning, blending emotional healing with ambition, responsibility, and second chances.
Wang Xingyue takes on the role of Zhou Jing Ze, a sharp-edged yet deeply loyal character whose journey spans from reckless youth to determined adulthood.
Despite being only 23, Wang has already built a reputation for maturity on screen, largely due to his run of historical dramas. Gao Bai marks a notable return to modern romance after several years away from the genre.
Deng Enxi plays Xu Sui, a character who grows from a shy student with a silent crush into a confident professional woman. The role demands both emotional restraint and inner strength, and many fans feel Deng’s clean, natural aura fits Xu Sui’s image from the novel almost perfectly.
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Yan An is also expected to appear as the second male lead, adding another layer of tension and emotional stakes to the story.
Among contemporary romance novels, Gao Bai is often grouped with some of the most influential modern love stories of its era.
Readers have long praised its mix of secret crushes, separation, reunion, and emotional payoff. That reputation has given the drama adaptation instant visibility, with many calling it a “built-in hit” even before filming began.
The production is helmed by director Zhang Xiaoan, known for handling youth stories with both warmth and visual polish.
His past work has earned solid word of mouth for balancing emotional depth with clean storytelling, which raises expectations that Gao Bai will stay faithful to the novel’s emotional core.
Viewers can expect a strong focus on character growth rather than rushed romance. The drama leans into quiet longing, emotional misunderstandings, and the contrast between youthful impulsiveness and adult responsibility.
There are also action-adjacent elements woven into Zhou Jing Ze’s career path, giving the series a broader scope beyond pure romance.
Visually, early chatter suggests a clean, grounded modern aesthetic, with attention paid to campus life, professional settings, and the emotional distance between the leads as they reunite.
Online reactions have been largely positive, especially around casting. Many readers of the original novel expressed relief and excitement once Wang Xingyue was confirmed as Zhou Jing Ze, noting that his screen presence fits the character’s sharp yet dependable charm.
Deng Enxi’s casting has also been welcomed, with fans highlighting her ability to portray gentle strength without overplaying innocence.
There are, of course, cautious voices too. Some netizens are watching closely to see how the drama handles emotional tension without tipping into melodrama. Others are curious about how faithfully the adaptation will follow the novel’s pacing and tone.
With filming now underway and expectations running high, Gao Bai (A Love Confession) is clearly positioning itself as a major modern romance title to watch.
Between a well-known source novel, a solid director, and a cast that sparks conversation, the groundwork for a breakout hit is firmly in place.
What do you think about this pairing? Are you more excited for the youth romance, the reunion arc, or the character growth after years apart?