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| Generation to Generation Cracks Top 10 on Day One as Zhou Yiran and Bao Shangen’s Chemistry Steals the Spotlight. (Photo: Sohu/Tencent Video) |
Generation to Generation (江湖夜雨十年灯) premiered exclusively on Tencent Video on 22 February and wasted no time making noise, landing straight in the Top 10 dramas on its first day while drawing early praise for the on-screen chemistry between Zhou Yiran and Bao Shangen.
Produced by Tencent Video and Xinguang Pictures and directed by Lü Haojiji and Guo Feng, the romantic wuxia drama adapts a well-known IP and leans into fate-driven romance set within a volatile jianghu.
The story centres on Mu Qingyan, a sharp-minded young leader from a demonic sect, and Cai Zhao, a calm yet unyielding swordswoman.
Starting off as rivals on opposite sides of the martial world, their connection slowly evolves into mutual protection as buried secrets begin to surface.
One of the most talked-about elements so far is Bao Shangen’s Cai Zhao. Viewers have singled out her gradual shift from youthful innocence to emotional resilience, delivered through controlled expressions rather than dramatic excess.
Her back-and-forth with Zhou Yiran’s Mu Qingyan adds a push-and-pull tension that feels earned rather than rushed.
Speaking about her role, Bao Shangen shared, “Cai Zhao looks relaxed on the outside, but she’s very firm inside. I wanted her growth to feel quiet and real, like something that happens naturally.”
Performance-wise, the numbers back up the buzz. Yunhe data shows the drama achieved a 4.1% effective view market share on premiere day, placing 10th among currently airing series.
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| 21000 Tencent Heat Index |
Platform heat climbed from 4,788 on day one to 5,465 the following day, signalling steady viewer interest rather than a one-day spike.
Visually, the drama leans hard into classic wuxia aesthetics. From layered costumes to shadow-heavy cinematography, the production aims for a poetic tone rather than flashy spectacle.
Early promotional posters and trailers helped build anticipation, and that visual promise largely carries through in the opening episodes.
Some viewers are praising the “double-strong lead dynamic”, calling the romance restrained yet addictive, especially the dialogue-heavy confrontation scenes. Others feel the pacing is deliberately slow and may take a few more episodes to fully click.
There’s also debate around the darker jianghu politics, with some enjoying the intrigue while others are waiting for higher emotional stakes.
Its solid debut rankings, rising heat index, and growing word of mouth, Generation to Generation is shaping up as a slow-burn contender rather than an instant smash. Whether it climbs higher will depend on how boldly it plays its romance and power struggles in the coming episodes.
Have you started watching yet, or are you waiting to binge later?