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| Left: The Warmth in the Dark. Right: Deep Affection Eyes (Photo: Weibo) |
The moment its first promo images dropped, The Warmth in the Dark found itself trending for reasons no one quite expected. Instead of pure hype, the upcoming Chinese romance drama is now caught in a heated online discussion, with netizens questioning whether its visual concept looks a little too familiar for comfort.
The drama, starring Bi Wenjun and Zhang Miaoyi, was recently announced by Mango TV. Soon after, fans of Deep Affection Eyes began pointing out striking similarities between the two dramas’ pre-release photos.
Both sets lean heavily into seaside scenery, soft lighting, and emotional silhouettes captured at sunset and dawn — a visual mood that many feel is almost copy-paste in spirit.
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What really fuels the conversation is the overlap behind the scenes. Both dramas are produced by the same platform and share the same male lead actor.
While The Warmth in the Dark carries the poetic literal meaning “He Will Return Before Dawn,” some viewers argue that the overall aesthetic feels far too close to its predecessor to be brushed off as coincidence.
Despite the controversy, interest in the project remains high. The Warmth in the Dark centres on Pei Chuan, a withdrawn man carrying deep emotional scars from a painful past.
He keeps the world at arm’s length, surviving rather than truly living, until fate introduces him to Bei Yao — a warm yet wounded woman navigating her own unresolved struggles.
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Their relationship isn’t framed as a fairytale romance. Instead, the story moves at a slow, emotional pace, focusing on healing, regret, loss, and the courage it takes to trust again. It’s a character-driven narrative that aims to resonate with viewers who appreciate grounded, emotionally layered storytelling.
Bi Wenjun takes on the role of Pei Chuan, a character that demands subtle emotional control rather than grand gestures. Known for handling complex inner turmoil on screen, his casting has been widely seen as a strong fit.
Zhang Miaoyi, meanwhile, plays Bei Yao — the emotional counterbalance who brings warmth, steadiness, and quiet strength into Pei Chuan’s closed-off world.
Chemistry between the two leads has already drawn positive reactions since the booting ceremony photos were released. Many viewers feel their dynamic looks natural and understated, avoiding exaggerated sweetness in favour of something more realistic.
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The supporting cast adds further depth to the story. Ke Chun appears as Jin Ziyang, a figure closely tied to the emotional journey of the leads. Luo Yizhou plays Huo Xu, a character whose presence introduces added tension and unpredictability.
Other supporting roles are filled by Ke Ying, Chen Yiduo, Zhou Chengao, and Liang Xiaolong, each contributing layers to the drama’s emotional and social backdrop.
Online reactions remain sharply split. Some fans insist that seaside visuals and warm tones are common in romance dramas and don’t automatically equal plagiarism. Others argue that when the production team, lead actor, and overall mood align this closely, comparisons are unavoidable.
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There’s also a group urging viewers to wait for actual footage before jumping to conclusions, pointing out that promo photos alone don’t define a drama’s originality. Still, scepticism lingers, especially among fans who feel Deep Affection Eyes set a distinctive visual identity that shouldn’t be recycled.
So far, the production team hasn’t issued any formal response. Industry watchers expect either a clarification or a second wave of promotional material that shifts the visual direction more clearly. A fresh trailer or concept teaser could help steer the conversation back toward story and performances rather than aesthetics.
What do you think — is this just a case of similar vibes, or does the criticism have a point?