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| Zhang Wanyi and Shen Yue Confirmed for Tencent’s Urban Drama I Wish You A Long Life. (Image via: Weibo) |
Tencent Video has confirmed that Zhang Wanyi and Shen Yue will headline the upcoming Chinese urban drama Dan Yuan Ren Chang Jiu (但愿人长久), unofficially titled I Wish You A Long Life, with filming scheduled to begin on 8 March 2026 in Guangdong. The project marks a notable on-screen reunion for the two actors and arrives already surrounded by intense online discussion weeks before cameras start rolling.
Produced by Tencent Video in partnership with Xinguang Pictures, the 32-episode drama adapts the well-known novel by Li Wei from Douban Read. The series will be directed by Wang Wei, known for his work on Sijin, with the screenplay written by Zhou Yong, the writer behind the widely discussed drama Lighter and Princess. Production is expected to run for roughly 100 days.
Alongside Zhang Wanyi and Shen Yue, the supporting cast includes Fu Xinbo, Sa Rina, Ding Yondai, and Liu Mintao, a lineup that mixes younger stars with established screen veterans.
Dan Yuan Ren Chang Jiu centres on a married couple whose relationship quietly unravels after three years together.
Shen Yue plays Zhou Yu, a secondary school English teacher whose gentle exterior masks deeper emotional conflict. Despite appearing calm and composed, Zhou Yu carries a complicated inner world and has grown increasingly distant within her marriage.
Opposite her, Zhang Wanyi takes the role of Sun Jingcheng, the owner of a small foreign trade company. Sun lives freely, travels often, and is widely seen as lacking commitment to family life.
With their personalities drifting further apart, the pair decide to divorce. Yet an unexpected shift within the family forces both of them to reconsider their choices, pushing them to re-examine love, responsibility and what partnership really means in modern life.
The drama is positioned as a grounded urban family story, exploring the pressures of contemporary marriage, emotional distance and the quiet compromises that shape long-term relationships.
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| Tencent Video |
Before production even began, I Wish You A Long Life had already triggered debate online.
Early rumours circulating on Weibo suggested that actress Ma Sichun had been approached for the female lead role. When Shen Yue was eventually confirmed instead, discussion intensified across fan communities.
Some commentators questioned whether the casting change affected the project’s production scale, with speculation that the drama might shift from a top-tier S+ classification. No production company has confirmed such claims, but the discussion has continued across social media platforms.
Others, however, welcomed the pairing. Supporters noted that Zhang Wanyi has built a reputation for restrained, character-driven performances, while Shen Yue brings a relatable screen presence suited to contemporary relationship stories.
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| Zhang Wanyi and Shen Yue Lead Tencent Urban Drama I Wish You A Long Life |
A section of fans expressed curiosity about the pairing, saying the contrast between Zhang Wanyi’s measured acting style and Shen Yue’s softer image could create an interesting emotional dynamic on screen.
Some viewers also pointed out that urban marriage dramas have become increasingly popular in China, particularly those focusing on everyday family pressures rather than large-scale melodrama. Others remain cautious, arguing that the drama’s success will depend heavily on the script and direction rather than star power alone.
Still, the project has undeniably captured attention. On several entertainment forums, discussion threads about the casting and storyline have already gathered thousands of comments, a sign that audience interest is building ahead of production.
With filming set to begin on 8 March and a 100-day production schedule planned, Dan Yuan Ren Chang Jiu is shaping up to be one of Tencent Video’s notable modern dramas in development.
If the series delivers on its promise of a grounded look at marriage and personal growth, it could resonate strongly with audiences who favour realistic storytelling over spectacle.
What do you think about Zhang Wanyi and Shen Yue leading I Wish You A Long Life? Is this casting choice the right fit for the story, or were fans expecting a different pairing?