Chinese actors Li Xian and Zhang Jingyi have officially begun filming the new modern romance drama Wu Li Qing, with the pair’s first on-set appearances quickly becoming a hot topic online.
The drama officially started production in Guangdong at the end of April and marks the latest project from Taiwanese director Qu Youning, who is known for directing several popular romance productions in recent years. Because of his reputation for emotionally atmospheric storytelling, the project had already attracted strong attention during the preparation stage.
For Li Xian, Wu Li Qing also marks his reunion with Qu Youning following their previous collaboration on the hit 2019 romance drama Go Go Squid!.
As filming photos from the set began circulating online, discussions surrounding Li Xian and Zhang Jingyi’s chemistry rapidly spread across Chinese social media platforms. Many viewers were especially drawn to the pair’s visual compatibility, with their noticeable 17-centimeter height difference and understated styling contributing to what fans described as a highly cinematic atmosphere.
In the viral photos, Li Xian appeared in a black shirt paired with jeans, while Zhang Jingyi wore a gray shirt and long black skirt. Their muted, low-saturation styling created a soft and literary mood that many netizens compared to the aesthetic of an arthouse romance film poster.
Wu Li Qing is adapted from the novel of the same name and belongs to the modern urban romance genre. The story centers on Meng Fuyuan and Chen Qingwu. Meng Fuyuan secretly harbors feelings for his younger brother’s girlfriend Chen Qingwu, while Chen Qingwu later grows into a ceramic artist navigating career ambitions, emotional struggles, and major life choices.
Because the story leans heavily into emotional realism and restrained romantic tension, many viewers believe the project aligns especially well with both Li Xian and Zhang Jingyi’s current screen images. In recent years, the two actors have increasingly become associated with more mature, atmospheric, and emotionally grounded romance roles rather than conventional idol-drama archetypes.
The drama has also drawn additional attention due to the casting of rising young actor Liu Xiaobei, who recently gained recognition this spring through the romance drama You Are the Late Joy of My Life. In Wu Li Qing, he will play the younger brother of Li Xian’s character.
With filming now underway and the first set photos already generating strong reactions online, anticipation surrounding the project continues to rise steadily.
