The costume drama 《金枝》- Golden Branch officially started filming on February 10 in Hengdian, marking the launch of a highly anticipated historical project. The production confirmed Li Yitong and Chen Xingxu as co-lead actors with equal billing, with Li Yitong’s name listed first. The announcement quickly drew attention from both the industry and audiences, positioning the drama as one of the notable upcoming costume titles.
Discussions briefly emerged around the timing and format of the opening announcements released by the respective teams. After coordination, the production finalized an equal-billing arrangement, allowing the project to move forward smoothly and keeping the focus on the drama itself rather than promotional disputes.
Directed by Zeng Qingjie and written by Cao Xiaotian, 《金枝》 is set in the Northern Song dynasty. The story centers on Chen Que’er, a young woman born into a marginalized social class who gradually rises through a combination of intelligence, strategy, and resilience. Portrayed by Li Yitong, the character’s journey highlights both personal growth and resistance against rigid social hierarchies.
Chen Xingxu takes on a complex role with multiple identities, navigating between political power struggles and hidden personal missions. His character’s relationship with Chen Que’er evolves from cautious rivalry to strategic partnership, forming the emotional and political backbone of the narrative.
This marks a reunion for Li Yitong and Chen Xingxu following their earlier collaboration years ago, though this time they return with entirely new character dynamics. With additional cast members such as Wang Hongyi, Huang Yi, and Liu Lin joining the lineup, the drama aims to balance strong performances with layered storytelling. Based on currently released details, Golden Branch seeks to blend political intrigue with character-driven development, making it a project to watch as production progresses.
