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| Booting Ceremony Held for iQIYI Drama Love Kills Slowly Starring William Chan and Zhong Chuxi. (Credits: Weibo) |
iQIYI has officially kicked off production on its upcoming Chinese romance drama Love Kills Slowly (爱情慢慢), pairing William Chan and Zhong Chuxi in a story that blends romance with quiet psychological tension. The series held its booting ceremony this week, confirming the start of filming under director Cheng Liang, known for acclaimed titles such as Will Love in Spring and All Rise. With a strong ensemble cast and a premise built around secrets, surveillance and a relationship that may not be what it seems, the project is already drawing attention among drama followers.
The series casts William Chan alongside Zhong Chuxi as the central couple, supported by a line-up that includes Xiang Hanzhi, Niu Junfeng, Wang Zixuan, and Sun Shuang. The script is written by Wu Yao, with the drama scheduled for release on the streaming platform iQIYI after production wraps.
Love Kills Slowly centres on Zhu Lizi, a successful investigative journalist from a privileged background who works for an independent media platform. Intelligent, driven and seemingly living a well-balanced life, Zhu Lizi appears to have everything under control.
Her life takes a different turn when she meets Wang Zhicheng, a brilliant and composed heart surgeon.
Charismatic and attentive, he quickly becomes the kind of partner many would describe as ideal. Their connection deepens quickly, and before long the two fall into what seems like a perfect relationship.
Yet the calm does not last.
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| iQIYI |
Soon after their romance begins, Zhu Lizi starts receiving anonymous phone calls. The messages are unsettling and persistent, giving her the impression that someone is quietly tracking her movements.
At first the calls feel like a strange coincidence, but the pattern grows harder to ignore.
At the same time, subtle shifts in Wang Zhicheng’s behaviour begin to surface. The man who once appeared gentle and transparent reveals moments of distance and secrecy. For Zhu Lizi, the growing unease slowly chips away at the life she thought she understood.
As suspicion deepens, Zhu Lizi begins investigating the source of the mysterious calls herself. Her instincts as a journalist push her to search for answers, but the truth may be far closer to home than she expects.
The story gradually explores the tension between trust and doubt. Who is the unseen figure watching Zhu Lizi? Why do the calls only begin after she falls in love? And what hidden connection might link the anonymous observer to the seemingly flawless Wang Zhicheng?
According to the official synopsis, Zhu Lizi’s once stable world begins to unravel as she digs deeper into the mystery. Determined to uncover the truth, she follows every clue, even if it means confronting the man she loves.
Director Cheng Liang brings experience in character-driven storytelling to the project. His previous works have been praised for grounded emotional narratives, making him a notable choice for a story that mixes romance with underlying tension.
Screenwriter Wu Yao is responsible for shaping the drama’s layered narrative, which aims to explore how relationships can change when hidden truths begin to surface.
The production is being developed directly for iQIYI, continuing the platform’s strategy of investing in romance dramas that incorporate suspense and psychological elements.
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| iQIYI |
The announcement quickly circulated across Chinese entertainment forums and social media platforms, with fans reacting strongly to the pairing of William Chan and Zhong Chuxi.
Many viewers welcomed the casting, noting that both actors bring a mature screen presence that suits a story centred on complex relationships. Supporters also highlighted the visual chemistry the two could potentially bring to the drama.
Others pointed out that the premise feels darker than a typical romance series. The combination of investigative journalism, anonymous surveillance and a seemingly perfect boyfriend hiding secrets has sparked curiosity about whether the drama will lean more toward emotional suspense than traditional love story beats.
There is also discussion around director Cheng Liang, whose previous work has built a reputation for slow-burn storytelling. Some fans believe that style could match the gradual tension suggested by the title Love Kills Slowly.
With filming now underway, the drama is positioning itself as a romance that gradually shifts into psychological intrigue.
Instead of focusing purely on relationship milestones, the narrative appears designed to examine how love can become entangled with doubt and hidden motives.
The presence of a strong supporting cast including Xiang Hanzhi, Niu Junfeng, Wang Zixuan, and Sun Shuang also suggests the story may explore multiple perspectives around the central mystery.
While an official release window has not yet been confirmed, the early start of production indicates the drama could become one of iQIYI’s notable romance titles once filming and post-production are completed.
For now, audiences will be watching closely as William Chan and Zhong Chuxi bring this uneasy love story to life.
Do you think Love Kills Slowly will lean more toward romance or suspense? And does the pairing of the two leads feel like the right match for this kind of story?