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| Dancing with the Tide Starts Filming as Lu Yuxiao and Tan Jianci Steal Attention in First Costume Reveal (Photo: Weibo) |
The moment Dancing with the Tide officially began filming, it was clear this costume drama was not planning to keep a low profile. From the first wave of on-set costume photos to the massive crowd gathered in Hengdian, the project has already locked in serious attention. With Lu Yuxiao and Tan Jianci front and centre, the drama is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about historical productions of the year.
Lu Yuxiao continues her steady rise after making a strong impression in My Journey to You, followed by back-to-back appearances in Love in the Clouds with Hou Minghao and Love Between Lines alongside Chen Xingxu. Her casting in Dancing with the Tide feels like a natural next step, pushing her image further into layered, character-driven territory.
Early costume stills show just how much range Lu Yuxiao is bringing to the table.
Across six different outfits, she moves from a scrappy street thief in green to refined noble attire in red, pale orange, soft green and light blue.
Each look highlights a different side of her character, Nan Yi, from quiet resilience to understated elegance.
The final grey-blue costume, paired with a veil and dagger, flips the switch completely.
Her gaze turns sharp, almost dangerous, blending grace with grit and instantly raising expectations for her performance.
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Tan Jianci’s appearance has sparked an equally strong reaction.
Wearing three distinct costumes, he shifts from a clean blue look to a dark fur cloak, before fully stepping into silver armour with a long sword.
The long black hair and composed intensity have reminded many viewers of his past historical roles, particularly the general-like presence that fans know he does best.
His portrayal of Xie Queshan already feels commanding, even before a single scene has aired.
The drama officially held its opening ceremony on January 25, and the atmosphere quickly became a talking point of its own.
With no strict limits on attendance, more than 10,000 Tan Jianci fans gathered at the venue, creating what many described as the largest fan support event Hengdian has seen in years.
A large-scale drone light display and an 80-metre themed flower wall were also prepared, turning the opening into a full-scale celebration.
On stage, Tan Jianci appeared visibly emotional, reflecting on his first time in Hengdian a decade ago, when he sat on a small stool working as an extra.
The contrast between those early days and the current scene clearly hit home, and his sincerity struck a chord with fans both on-site and online.
Beyond the two leads, Dancing with the Tide boasts a supporting cast that adds even more weight to the project.
Previously announced actors include Cao Jun and Zhao Zhaoyi, Zheng Yecheng, and veteran performer Wang Jinsong.
Newly revealed additions such as Xu Zhengxi and Li Meng further strengthen the lineup, giving the drama a solid mix of experience and popularity from top to bottom.
Story-wise, the drama centres on Xie Queshan, a disguised general navigating a web of rival forces to gather intelligence, whose path becomes entangled with Nan Yi, a female thief struggling to survive in a fractured world. W
hat begins as hostility slowly turns into reluctant cooperation, shared hardship, and ultimately a partnership built on trust.
Their journey from enemies to allies, bound by the belief of “crossing the river together”, frames the drama as a dual redemption story between a lone general and a tough, self-made survivor.
Netizen reactions have been lively and divided in interesting ways.
Some viewers are praising the costume design and cinematic atmosphere, calling it one of the strongest first impressions among recent historical dramas.
Others are focused on the pairing itself, curious to see how Lu Yuxiao’s evolving screen presence will balance against Tan Jianci’s established charisma.
There is also discussion around whether the drama will lean more towards political intrigue or emotional storytelling, with fans already placing their bets.
With filming now underway and buzz continuing to build, Dancing with the Tide has clearly entered the race early.
What do you think of the costume reveals so far, and are you more excited about the characters, the cast, or the story direction?