Guan Xiaotong and Chen Xingxu are teaming up again for a new Chinese drama called Love You in the Dark (红掌 / Hong Zhang). The two actors first worked together as child stars nearly two decades ago in The Legend of Meng Lijun (《孟丽君传奇》). Now they are back as the main leads in a 16-episode romantic suspense series produced by Tencent Video. The drama finished filming on September 13, 2026, and is expected to arrive on screens in 2027.
A Long-Awaited On-Screen Reunion
The story of how these two actors came back together has caught the attention of drama fans across Asia. Guan Xiaotong and Chen Xingxu both started their careers as child actors. Guan began acting at four years old in the 2003 film Nuan, and later gained wider recognition through Chen Kaige’s film The Promise. Chen also began his career at four years old, first appearing in the 2001 TV series A Passionate Life.
Their paths crossed in 2007 when they were both cast in The Legend of Meng Lijun. Guan played the young version of Meng Lijun, and Chen played the young crown prince. The show was a 42-episode historical drama based on a classic Chinese story. After that project, they went their separate ways and built their own careers.
Now, nearly 20 years later, they are sharing the screen again as romantic partners in a very different kind of story. Online users have described the reunion as a “dream pairing” that brings back memories of their childhood roles.
What Love You in the Dark Is About
Love You in the Dark tells the story of Lu Xi Zhou (played by Chen Xingxu) and Meng Lu Sha (played by Guan Xiaotong). Lu Xi Zhou is a young entrepreneur and psychology Ph.D. who appears calm and refined on the outside. Meng Lu Sha is a talented painter who is sensitive and observant.
The two characters meet in their youth, study abroad together in England, and return to China as a seemingly perfect couple. Their relationship looks sweet and stable to everyone around them. But the surface begins to crack when Meng Lu Sha discovers that Lu Xi Zhou has been hiding a secret past spanning five years. As she follows clues hidden in her own paintings, layers of lies and conspiracies slowly come to light.
The drama is described by its production team as “a bottomless chessboard, with hands quietly withdrawn.” The story focuses on suspicion, emotional testing, and psychological games between adults rather than traditional romantic sweetness. A teenage girl’s mysterious suicide also plays a key role in revealing the web of revenge and secrets between the couple.
The title Love You in the Dark comes from the anthurium flower, also known as the flamingo flower. This flower has a unique feature: its leaves and flowers never appear at the same time. The production uses this as a symbol for the couple’s relationship, which looks close on the outside but is deeply disconnected underneath.
Who Is Behind the Camera
The drama is directed by Huang Tien Jen, who previously directed the popular mystery romance Someday or One Day (想见你). Huang is known for handling complex timelines and emotional suspense, which fits the tone of this project.
The screenplay is written by Jiu Ye Hui and Mou Xiao Ya. Jiu Ye Hui is a well-known author whose previous works include Fleet of Time (匆匆那年). This is also her second time working with Guan Xiaotong, after the drama Once Young.
The series is produced by Tencent Video and Cong Cong Na Nian Film and Television. It was first registered for production in August 2025, and the cast was officially announced on June 24, 2026.
Filming and Production Details
Filming for Love You in the Dark began on the morning of July 16, 2026, in Wuxi, Jiangsu. The entire cast gathered for a launch ceremony to mark the start of production. The shoot ran for 65 days and used real locations throughout.
The production finished filming on September 13, 2026. Behind-the-scenes photos from the set, including images of Guan Xiaotong and Chen Xingxu in wedding attire, quickly spread online and generated discussion among fans. However, no official information has confirmed what those scenes mean for the story’s final outcome.
Both actors have taken on roles that differ from their earlier work. Chen Xingxu moves away from the sunny, boyish characters he has played before to take on a calculating businessman who hides many burdens. Guan Xiaotong steps away from her youthful schoolgirl image to play a perceptive and sensitive painter who carries her own unresolved questions about the relationship.
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When and Where to Watch
Love You in the Dark will be available on Tencent Video in 2027. The exact release date has not been announced. Tencent Video content is also available through its international platform WeTV, which serves viewers in regions including Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe. The drama will have 16 episodes, each about 45 minutes long.
Viewers in India, the USA, the UK, Canada, and Australia can access Tencent Video content through WeTV, which offers subtitles in multiple languages including English. The show’s short episode count and fast pacing are designed to match the viewing habits of modern audiences who prefer compact stories without unnecessary subplots.
Also Read: Against the Current Becomes Fourth Drama to Cross 30000 Heat Index on Tencent Video in 2026
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