A Love Never Lost

A Love Never Lost
Chinese人生若如初见
GenreHistorical
Written byJiang Qitao
Directed byWang Wei
Starring
Country of originChina
Original languageChinese Mandarin
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes40
Production
Production locationsBeijing, China
Production companies
  • CMC Inc. Chinese Culture Group Company[1]
  • iQiyi
  • Wuyuan Culture
Original release
NetworkiQIYI
ReleaseMay 13 (2025-05-13) –
May 27, 2025 (2025-05-27)

A Love Never Lost (Chinese: 人生若如初见) is a Chinese youth historical television series directed by Wang Wei, starring Li Xian, Jessie Li, Wei Daxun, and Zhou You.[2][3] Set during the late Qing dynasty, the story follows aspiring Chinese youths struggling for their nation during turbulent times.[4]

Plot

The television series focuses on the fate of five aspiring Chinese youths who struggle to save their nation after its defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War.

During the war, China was devastated by the Boxer Rebellion. Noble youth Liang Xiang, revolutionaryYang Kaizhi, and soldier Li Renjun became the first group of progressive young people to study in Japan's non-commissioned military school. Later, the revolutionary party exiled Yu Tianbai. Then, Qiu Hong met up with the first three and began traveling along with them. The destiny of the five youths became closely linked. During their stay in Tokyo, the five youths took oaths, chased love, and struggled to revitalize China. After returning to their country, Liang Xiang attempted to explore the way to make China a wealthy country with strong soldiers.

However, he became deeply trapped in the vortex of power, full of passion but of no use. He eventually realized the central purpose of their revolution and rose in the seclusion.[5] Yang Kaizhi's defeat in the Yanji War successfully thwarted Japanese imperialism, leading him to be hailed as "the hero of the border". He experienced the transformation of life and death in the revolutionary wave and later sacrificed himself to the cause. Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Party, the Constitutionalists, and the Northern Warlords constantly struggled for power. Finally, during the 1911 Revolution, revolutionary fighters overthrew the Qing dynasty, ending the old orders that lasted for thousands of years.[2]

Cast

Main

Played by Role Introduction
Li Xian Liang Xiang(梁乡) Descendants of the late Qing Dynasty nobility
Jessie Li Xie Shuhong(谢菽红)

Supporting

Played by Role Introduction
Wu Yue Liang's mother(梁乡母亲)
Zhou You Li Renjun(李人骏)
Wei Daxun Yang Kaizhi(杨凯之)
Zhu Yawen Wu Tianbai(吴天白)
Wang Zhen Duuo Mei Liang Xiang's wife
Shi Shi Xie Xueqing(谢雪青) Xie Shuhong's sister, Yang Yifan's wife.
Bai Ke Zai Feng(载沣)
Song Ningfeng Yang Yifan(杨一帆)
Li Chengru Song Baoquan(宋葆荃)
Jiang Han Gu Maichen(顾买臣)
Liu Yitie Song Chen(宋晨)
Liu Meihan Li Zhuji(李珠姬)
Jiang Mengjie Xiao Fenglan(萧凤兰)

Production

On May 11, 2020 the production company officially announced the line up of the series.[6] Li took the lead role of the series after being considered by screenwriters and director as the closest choice for the script.[7] Earlier, Li's agent had revealed that he learned Japanese and horse riding for filming.[8]

Accolades

Award Year Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
Golden Pupperfish Award 2020 Most Anticipated Television Series A Love Never Lost Won
Fingertip Mobile Impact Summit Won
Golden Blossom Internet Film and Television Awards 2021 Most Anticipated Television Series of the Year Won

References

  1. ^ Mingzhu, Li. "CMC Inc.华人文化电视剧《人生若如初见》获批筹拍_证券时报网". company.stcn.com (in Chinese). Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  2. ^ a b He, Zhang (May 11, 2020). "Li Xian Starred in the new drama, "A Love Never Last", and partner with "Bai Ye Chasing the Murder" director" 李现主演史诗剧《人生若如初见》,搭档《白夜追凶》导演. The Beijing News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on May 11, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  3. ^ Gongbo, Zheng (May 12, 2020). "《人生若如初见》官宣阵容 李现春夏领衔演绎热血青年正能量". star.tom.com (in Chinese). Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  4. ^ Morton, Jean (May 11, 2020). "A Love Never Lost (Chinese Drama Review & Summary) ⋆ Global Granary". Global Granary. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  5. ^ "Hotpot TV | Watch Chinese, Taiwanese, and HK TV Shows for Free". Hotpot TV. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  6. ^ He, Zhang (May 11, 2020). "Li Xian starred in the epic drama "A Love Never Lost" and partner "Bai Ye Chasing the Murder"'s director" (in Chinese). Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  7. ^ Entertainment, Netease (May 11, 2020). "A Love Never Last: Li Xian and Chun Xia Lead the interpretation of the positive energy of passionate youth" 《人生若如初见》李现春夏领衔演绎热血青年正能量. fun.youth.cn (in Chinese). Archived from the original on May 11, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  8. ^ Eyes, Fire (May 11, 2020). "Li Xian and Chun Xia's new drama official announcement, All-Star lineup plus gold production team, another big explosion is coming!" 李现春夏新剧官宣,全明星阵容加金牌制作班底,又一大爆款来了!. Baidu (in Chinese). Retrieved May 11, 2020.