Chinese Drama: With Love With You 有你的时光里 - write up

#有你的时光里 #WithLoveWithYou #TongYao #童瑶 #ZhouYiran #周依然 #LiZefeng #李泽锋 #ZhangZixian #张子贤

Tong Yao plays Wang Yan 王焱

On the 24th Jan, the official Weibo account for With Love With You (有你的时光里) officially declared the start of the series' production and also announced its cast and other related information.  Simultaneously, posters, related images and a teaser video were also released.

The cast for this drama is quite impressive, featuring seasoned actors such as Tong Yao, Li Zefeng, and Zhang Zixian in the leading roles. Adding to the dynamic ensemble is the promising newcomer Zhou Yiran, who is also taking on a lead role. This blend of established talent and new potential could make for an enjoyable viewing experience.

Li Zefeng plays Gao Qian 高谦

Furthermore, the on-screen reunion of Tong Yao and Li Zefeng, who previously portrayed a convincing married couple in Nothing But Thirty, adds an extra layer of anticipation. While it’s unclear whether they’ll play a couple in this new series, their return as co-stars is sure to reignite the magic and give fans another chance to witness their remarkable chemistry.

Zhang Zixian as Liao Fanmu 廖繁木

And for fans of The Rebel, they may recall Wang Zixian, who skilfully portrayed the dastardly Wang Shian, one of the antagonists in the show.

The series draws its inspiration from the web novel Ni Shi Guang Ying Pai de Tang (你是光阴派的糖) by Ai He Shui (爱喝水). A quick Google search left me somewhat perplexed though; the book’s synopsis and cover suggest a romantic theme, yet the drama’s synopsis seems to diverge, focusing instead on the intricate bond between sisters, as described on the official Weibo page for the TV series.

source

Typically, I refrain from reading a novel if I plan to watch its TV or film adaptation, to avoid any preconceived notions. However, driven by curiosity due to the contrasting synopses, I skimmed through the web novel and noticed substantial differences. It appears that the TV drama With Love With You may only borrow certain scenarios and concepts from the novel, using them as a foundation for the story-line for the drama.

Tong Yao with Zhou Yiran who plays Wang Lingjun 王灵均

Based on the official Weibo page and various online sources, With Love With You delves into the lives of two sisters who couldn’t be more different. The narrative follows Wang Yan (portrayed by Tong Yao), a driven and competent career woman, and her free-spirited younger sister Wang Lingjun (played by Zhou Yiran), whose impulsive move to Shenzhen shakes up Wang Yan’s tranquil existence. Their clashing personalities lead to inevitable conflicts, yet these challenges pave the way for growth and healing, particularly as they grapple with Wang Yan’s recurring congenital anaemia. Amidst the hustle of city life and the intricacies of love, the sisters embark on a path of self-discovery and mutual redemption, making this urban drama a poignant exploration of familial bonds.

Zhang Shengfu (张胜富) takes the helm as the solo director for this drama, marking his debut in leading a production independently.  From what I can make out from Douban and some quick Google searches, he currently has only co-directed two previously released dramas, New World (新世界) and Fearless Blood (欢颜) and it was Xu Bing (徐兵) who served as the principal director in both projects.  Zhang Shengfu was also involved in the yet to be released Dear You (情爱的你) but it's unclear if he was co-directing it with Xu Bing or if Xu Bing served as the principal director again.  However, it’s worth noting that Zhang Shengfu’s previous lack of a lead directorial role isn’t necessarily a drawback. In fact, emerging directors like him often infuse projects with fresh, innovative ideas.  In this drama, Xu Bing is credited as a Producer, suggesting a mentorship role. It’s conceivable that he is nurturing Zhang Shengfu’s talents, guiding him towards becoming a fully-fledged director in his own right.  With Xu Bing in the producer’s role, it looks like Zhang’s got a solid backing to make his first solo gig one to remember.

What’s equally fascinating is that the screenwriter, Liu Qinzhi (刘芹志), also seems to be making his solo debut. While the poster highlights his involvement in works like The Lost Tomb: Explore with the Note (盗墓笔记之怒海潜沙), Autumn Cicada (秋蝉), and The Coolest World (最酷的世界), a closer look at Douban reveals that he shares credit with other screenwriters. However, again this isn’t necessarily a drawback; as a solo or primary screenwriter, Liu Qinzhi now has the opportunity to showcase his unique perspective and offer fresh insights, which will hopefully make for an interesting watch.

source: weibo

The teaser is quite intriguing, setting a tone that might catch fans of urban feel-good dramas off guard. While one might anticipate a light and upbeat preview, the atmospheric start of this teaser cleverly subverts expectations, hinting at a depth and complexity that could be just as compelling as any crime drama. Like the choice of the director and the screenwriter, it’s a bold decision that suggests this series will offer more than just comfort and smiles—perhaps even weaving in elements of suspense and drama to keep viewers captivated.

With its strong cast, possible fresh directorial and writing perspectives, and a teaser that promises more than just an ordinary urban drama, this series is definitely one to keep an eye on.

If you wish to check out my Tong Yao guide, please click me.