Lost You Forever (Chinese: 长相思; pinyin: Chang Xiang Si) is a 2023 Chinese television series based on the novel Lost You Forever, the last part of The Books of Mountain and Sea series by Tong Hua. The series is directed by Qin Zhen and Yang Huan. It stars Yang Zi, Zhang Wanyi, Deng Wei, Tan Jianci, Dai Luwa and Wang Hongyi in the lead roles.
The first season premiered on Tencent starting 24 July and ended its run on 16 August. The series was a commercial and critical success both domestically and internationally.
Contents
Plot
Season 1
Humans, deities and demons coexisted in ancient time under the rule of three kingdoms: Xiyan, Chenrong and Haoling. Xiao Yao grew up in the royal family of Xiyan with her cousin Cang Xuan at a time when Xiyan and Chenrong were at war against each other. Her mother, the adopted daughter of the King of Xiyan General Xiling Heng went to the war and defeated Chenrong army at the cost of her own life. Chenrong lost and was conquered by Xiyan. After her mother's death, Xiao Yao was sent to the Jade Mountain. When no one went to get her back, she escaped from there, experienced many hardships and difficulties for many years, lost her royal heritage and forgot her own appearance. 300 years later, she disguises herself as a man and start to live in Qingshui Town while running a clinic under the name of Wen Xiaoliu. Here she saves a man named Tushan Jing who is the future leader of Qingqiu Tushan Clan. Tushan Jing discovers she is a woman and begins to fall for her. She also meets Chenrong's military advisor General Xiang Liu, a nine headed snake demon who takes interest in her because of her disguise and her blood's healing power but gradually falls in love with her. Later Xiao Yao and Xiang Liu shares the lovers bug. Cang Xuan also comes to Qingshui town looking for her. After many twist and turns, he discovers her identity and takes her back to Haoling. Xiao Yao regains her true appearance and her identity as the Eldest Princess of Haoling.
Season 2
Fangfeng Bei disrupts the wedding of Xiao Yao and Feng Long.
Cast
Main
Yang Zi as Xiao Yao / Wen Xiao Liu / Haoling Jiu Yao / Xiling Jiu Yao
Wang Motong as Xiao Yao (young)
Ma Yirui as Xiao Yao (young)
Eldest princess of Haoling, daughter of Xiling Heng and granddaughter of King of Xiyan. Grew up in Xiyan with her cousin Cang Xuan. She was sent to Jade Mountain after her mother's death but escaped from there. Enduring many hardships and difficulties for 300 years, she posed as a man and started living in Qingshui Town as Doctor Wen Xiao Liu. Here she saved Tu Shanjing, the future clan leader of Qingqiu Tushan clan and crossed path with Chen Rong's military advisor Xiang Liu. After being discovered by Cang Xuan, she went back to Haoling as the eldest princess.
Zhang Wanyi as Xiyan Cang Xuan
Li Zhenzhen as Cang Xuan (young)
Son of Xiyan Zhong Yi, grandson of King of Xiyan and the only legitimate heir to the throne. Grew up in Xiyan with his cousin Xiao Yao. He visited various places in central plain in order to find Xiao Yao and gain experience. After finding her in Qingshui Town, he took her back to Haoling. He wanted to ascend to the throne by any means to protect her. He loves Xiao Yao but married Chenrong Xin Yue, Haoling Yi and Tao Shuhui to make alliance with their family. He unified Xiyan and Haoling as one kingdom.
Deng Wei as Tushan Jing / Ye Shiqi
Zhang Jingyi as Tushan Jing (young)
A nine tailed fox, the second son and heir of Qingqiu Tushan Clan and Xiao Yao's lover. He was kidnapped and tortured by Tushan Hou and was abandoned in Qingshui Town. After being saved by Wen Xiao Liu (Xiao Yao), he stayed in Huichun Hall as Ye shiqi and fell in love with her. he inherited the position of Tushan Clan leader after regaining his status and identity. He was framed by his fiancée Fangfeng Yi Ying and had to leave Xiao Yao to marry Yi Ying. He is cunning but trusts his family easily.
Supporting
Hou Changrong as King of Xiyan
Father of Xiyan Zhong Yi, adoptive father of Xiling Heng and grandfather of Cang Xuan and Xiao Yao. He always wanted to pass the throne to Cang Xuan. So he waited for Cang Xuan to return to Xiyan after his training.
Wang Zhen as Chenrong Xin Yue
Daughter of Chenrong Yi, the lord of Zhiyi City, Cang Xuan's wife and Chishui Feng Long's twin sister. As she was a descendant of Chenrong Royal Family, she was monitored by the King of Xiyan since childhood. She fell in love with Cang Xuan at first sight.
Wang Lejun as Ruoshui Chang Pu
Head of Ruoshui Clan, wife of deceased Xiyan Zhong Yi and mother of Cang Xuan. Committed suicide after avenging her husband and was buried with him.
Feng Xiaoli as Xiling Xie
Queen of Xiyan, mother of Xiyan Zhong Yi, adopted mother and teacher of Xiling Heng. She died after the death of Cang Xuan's parents.
Wu Hong as Xiyan Yi Peng
9th Prince of Xiyan. Was stabbed to death by Ruoshui Chang Pu.
Gong Zhengnan as Xiyan Yu Yang
7th Prince of Xiyan.
Sun Wei as Xiyan De Yan
5th Prince of Xiyan.
He Shankai as Xiyan Shi Ran Li Lingye as Shi Ran (young)
Son of Xiyan Yu Yang.
Wang Luetao as Xiyan Yue Liang Zhou Yuchen as Yue Liang (young)
Production
On 28 March 2022, Lost You Forever began filming in Hengdian. It officially wrapped up on 25 September of the same year. The series focused on using real locations rather than green screen. The simple yet beautiful Qingshui town was completely built by the crew. It took them six months to build the town on an open space of 20,000 square meters. The crew also worked very hard to build the royal palace.
Reception
The series was commercially successful, placing first on all the audience data chart during its broadcast. The series was praised for its well-constructed storyline, the fusion of historical and fantasy elements, compelling narrative and visually appealing scenes as well as the excellent performance of the actors. It also received positive reviews, scoring a 7.8 on Douban.