Love Like The Galaxy

Synopsis

General Ling Buyi and the young woman Cheng Shaoshang, who remained in the countryside, meet and come to understand each other amidst the chaos of a turbulent era. Together, they unravel numerous mysteries, weaving a moving love story through family feuds and the greater cause of the nation.

Overview

Love Like the Galaxy (Chinese: 星汉灿烂·月升沧海) is a 2022 Chinese historical family ensemble drama directed by Fei Zhenxiang, with screenplay by Zou Yue and An Yimo. The series is adapted from the novel Xing Han Can Lan, Xing Shen Zhi Zai by the author Guanxin Zelian from Jinjiang Literature City. It was produced by Tencent Penguin Pictures and Xin Guang Pictures. It premiered exclusively on Tencent Video on July 5, 2022.

The series stars Wu Lei and Zhao Lusi in the leading roles, with Guo Tao, Zeng Li, Bao Jianfeng, Tong Lei, Li Yunrui, Yu Cheng'en, and others in supporting roles. The drama is divided into two parts: the first part, Love Like the Galaxy, consists of 27 episodes, and the second part, The Moon Brightens For You, consists of 29 episodes, totaling 56 episodes.

Plot

The young general Ling Buyi (Wu Lei) has repeatedly achieved remarkable military feats on the battlefield. After returning from a great victory, he meets Cheng Shaoshang (Zhao Lusi), the fourth daughter of the Cheng family, who is being punished by being confined to the countryside for reflection, while investigating an old case. Shaoshang was fostered by her grandmother since childhood. Her mother, Xiao Yuanyi (Zeng Li), is strict and cold towards her, while her father, Cheng Shi (Guo Tao), loves her dearly but is often away on military campaigns. This upbringing has shaped her independent, resilient, and unconventional personality.

Ling Buyi is drawn to Shaoshang's intelligence and stubbornness. Their relationship evolves from mutual testing to deep trust. Meanwhile, the deep-seated vendetta Ling Buyi carries gradually comes to light, and Cheng Shaoshang faces numerous schemes and difficulties within her large family. Caught between family feuds and the greater good of the nation, the two join hands to unravel one mystery after another, ultimately finding their own belonging and happiness.

Cast

Production & Reception

Director Fei Zhenxiang, following the Candle in the Tomb series, once again directed a major historical drama, releasing both Love Like the Galaxy and The Moon Brightens For You within the same year. The production team paid meticulous attention to costumes, makeup, props, and set design, striving to authentically recreate the details of ancient aristocratic family life. The first-time collaboration between Wu Lei and Zhao Lusi was praised by audiences as having great chemistry. Their portrayal of a love story that transcends social class and fate resonated widely.

The series received a rating of 7.7/10 on Douban (with over 400,000 ratings). Its popularity on Tencent Video remained consistently high, making it one of the most popular historical dramas of the 2022 summer season.

Cultural Impact

Love Like the Galaxy blends traditional family intrigue with elements of suspense and mystery, distinguishing it from typical historical idol dramas. The character Cheng Shaoshang breaks the stereotype of weak or naive female leads often seen in historical dramas. Her intelligent, independent, and rebellious personality has been highly popular among young audiences. After its release on overseas platforms, the series also gained attention and positive reviews from viewers in regions like Southeast Asia.

References

1. Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/35452438/
2. Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/星汉灿烂/24583310
3. Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/星汉灿烂·月升沧海
4. Tencent Video: https://v.qq.com/x/cover/mzc00200vmd652y/