Chinese Drama Sword and Beloved Breaks Record with 1 Billion Views in 4 Days

Kapanlagi.com - If you think the hype around Chinese dramas has peaked, wait until you see the phenomenon of Sword and Beloved. Just four days after its release, this drama has become the center of attention thanks to its heroic actions and a love story that has rocked the online world. Its popularity has skyrocketed with a heat index on iQIYI reaching 8891 — the highest this year.

Not only on iQIYI, Sword and Beloved has also dominated the popular lists on Douyin, Maoyan, VLinkage, and Douban. In just four days, this drama recorded 1 billion views and 1 billion comments. In fact, the live broadcast of watching together its legendary scenes was witnessed by 28.84 million people! A fantastic number, isn't it?

1. Synopsis of the Chinese Drama Sword and Beloved

The trilogy FOX SPIRIT MATCHMAKER presents a lineage of interconnected characters. Wangquan Fu Gui (Cheng Yi) is the son of Dongfang Huai Zhu (Liu Shi Shi) and Wangquan Hong Ye (Leon Zhang), making him a continuation of the previous series, LOVE IN PAVILION.

As a descendant of the Wangquan family, Wangquan Fu Gui bears a great responsibility in his life. He is the strongest member of the family and has been trained since childhood to be a Taoist soldier, which has cost him the freedom to live his life.

On the other hand, there is Qing Tong (Li Yi Tong), a spy assigned by a cruel superior to investigate the Wangquan family. Qing Tong's mission leads her to meet Wangquan Fu Gui, who feels trapped in his responsibilities. Over time, Qing Tong will help Wangquan Fu Gui regain his freedom, and the two make a contract for reincarnation in the next life under the bitter tree.

2. A Scene That Shakes the Cyber World

Sword and Beloved - mydramalist

All eyes are on episode 12 titled 'Ten Thousand Swords Through the Heart'. In an emotional scene, Wang Quan Fugui endures thousands of swords to save Qing Tong while uttering the now-viral line:

"Do you want to see thousands of mountains and rivers with me?"

The line immediately resonated on the internet, while the hashtag #CanFuguiWearABulletproofVest trended across various platforms. CCTV even referred to the scene as the new standard for modern wuxia aesthetics. The black and gold battle costumes, blood, and ink-style sword effects made the visuals almost like a moving poetic painting.

Cheng Yi: Between Pain and Dedication

Leading actor Cheng Yi truly garnered praise. He performed 90% of the action scenes without a stunt double, including fighting with his eyes closed and spinning 6.5 times on snow. Filming in -10°C without footwear caused him injuries, but he continued shooting.

Netizens wrote en masse, "He’s not just acting; he lives as Wang Quan Fugui." No wonder the meme "My son Cao Zhi!" went viral, indicating how deeply this character resonated with the audience.

3. Genius Production and Promotion Quality

Sword and Beloved - mydramalist

The exotic filming location in Dunhuang, the characteristic silver armor of the Miao tribe, and the captivating cinematic effects make every frame look as beautiful as a painting. The cast also actively interacts through live broadcasts. Even Li Yitong jokingly referred to herself as 'Spider Person' during promotions.

The theme song 'Wan Jian Bu Gai' sung by Liu Yuning also enhances the audience's emotions. With the lyrics, 'Even if thousands of swords pierce me, my heart remains unchanged,' this OST becomes an anthem for those touched by the story of love and sacrifice in this drama.

4. Praise and Controversy

Although it received some criticism regarding dubbing and editing, Sword and Beloved is still praised for delivering an equal message of love, a fast-paced plot, and strong chemistry between characters. Many viewers consider it one of the most emotional wuxia dramas of the year.

The explosion of popularity for Sword and Beloved is not a coincidence. It is the result of a combination of dedicated acting, artistic visuals, and interactive promotion. Thus, it becomes not just a spectacle, but also an emotional experience for millions of viewers.

(kpl/chn)