Love Between Lines
| Love Between Lines | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Also known as |
|
| Simplified Chinese | 轧戏 |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Gá Xì |
| Genre |
|
| Based on | Ga Xi (轧戏)by Zu Le |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Mao De Shu (Cattree) [zh] |
| Starring | |
| Opening theme | "Ga Xi" (轧戏) by Chen Xingxu and Lu Yuxiao |
| Ending theme | "Named Your Expectation" (以你为名的期许) by Yen J [zh] |
| Country of origin | China |
| Original language | Mandarin |
| No. of episodes | 28 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Qi Shuai |
| Producer | Wu Ruoyan |
| Production location | Shanghai, China |
| Running time | 45 minutes |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | |
| Release | 9 January (2026-01-09) –20 January 2026 (2026-01-20) |
Love Between Lines (Chinese: 轧戏; pinyin: Gá Xì) is a 2026 Chinese romantic television series written by Li Xinwei, based on the web novel Zu Le (祖乐) by author Zhang Zu Le, directed by Mao De Shu and starring Chen Xingxu and Lu Yuxiao.[1] The drama is noted for its unique "dual narrative" structure, which intertwines a modern urban romance with an immersive, Republic of China-era murder mystery game (jubensha).[2] The series premiered on January 9, 2026, on iQIYI and Dragon TV.[3]
Synopsis
The story follows Hu Xiu (Lu Yuxiao), a woman dealing with personal upheaval who joins a Republic of China-themed murder mystery game (Jubensha). Inside the game, she meets Qin Xiao Yi (Chen Xingxu), an NPC/actor whose character draws her in. When she unexpectedly encounters him in real life as Xiao Zhiyu, the lines between their fictional roles and real-world identities begin to blur. The drama explores the psychological "masking" people use in modern society and the authenticity of feelings developed through performance.[4]
Cast
Main
- Chen Xingxu as Xiao Zhiyu / Qin Xiaoyi
- In the real world, Xiao Zhiyu is a professional actor known for his serious and dedicated work ethic. In the murder mystery game (Jubensha), he plays Qin Xiaoyi, a mysterious spy operating in the shadows of 1930s Shanghai. His life becomes complicated when he begins to develop real feelings for a player that mirror his character's scripted romance.
- Lu Yuxiao as Hu Xiu
- A young woman who recently went through a difficult breakup and personal crisis. Seeking a temporary escape from reality, she joins an immersive murder mystery game. She is an "elite player" whose sharp intuition allows her to see through the game's plots, but she finds herself unable to see through her growing attraction to the game's NPC, Xiao Zhiyu.
Supporting
- Dai Xu as Ex-Fiancé
- Hu Xiu's former partner whose sudden disappearance and subsequent reappearance in her life serve as a major catalyst for her emotional journey.
- Li Tingting as Hu Xiu's Best Friend
- The person who encourages Hu Xiu to join the game club to lift her spirits. She provides comic relief and emotional support throughout the series.
- Ren Youlun
- A key member of the mystery game club who often moderates the sessions and holds secrets about the "true" nature of the scripts they play.
- Ma Sichao
- Another frequent player in the murder mystery circle who often clashes or competes with Xiao Zhiyu's character in the game world.
- Zhao Haohong
- Part of the ensemble cast playing roles within the Republic of China game scenarios.
Production
Development
The project was first officially filed for record in November 2023.[5] Shortly after, on December 7, 2023, the drama was included in Linmon Pictures annual lineup for 2024.[6] The series is an adaptation of the web novel ''Ga Xi'' (轧戏) by Zu Le, with Li Xinwei serving as the lead screenwriter, which centers on the "dual world" narrative of a modern romance and a Republic of China-era murder mystery game. On September 25, 2025, the series was featured in the iQIYI 2026 "Newcomer List" during their annual conference, where its first teaser trailer was unveiled.[7]
Casting
On December 10, 2024, the production team released its first official casting call.[8] In early 2025, Chen Xingxu and Lu Yuxiao were confirmed as the leads, marking their first on-screen collaboration. Chen was cast as Xiao Zhiyu, a complex character who balances a cold exterior with the persona of "Qin Xiaoyi" in the script world, while Lu was cast as Hu Xiu, a decisive and independent female lead. The supporting cast, including Dai Xu, Li Tingting, and Ren Youlun, was announced shortly after. The first official character stills were released on April 23, 2025.[9]
Filming
Principal photography began on February 24, 2025, in Shanghai.[10] It is directed by Mao De Shu (also known as Cattree), who is known for his aesthetic visual style in works like When I Fly Towards You.[11] The production utilized various locations across the city to contrast the modern financial districts with the historical "Old Shanghai" aesthetic required for the "script world" segments.[12] Filming officially concluded on June 17, 2025, after 114 days of production.[13] A special "wrap-up" trailer was released by the production team on the same day to celebrate the completion.[14][15]
References
- ^"Ya Xi". jfdaily.com. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ^"轧戏剧情介绍（1-28全集）大结局_电视剧_电视猫". tvmao.com. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ^"《雅熙》這部古典漢語對白電影在愛奇藝首播。" [The classical Chinese dialogue in "Ya Xi" premiered on iQiyi.]. ent.china.com. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
- ^轧戏 (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved January 12, 2026 – via movie.douban.com.
- ^"November online drama filming filing announcement". weibo.com. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^"新剧丨柠萌影视发布2024片单，16部作品逾500集_有戏_澎湃新闻-The Paper". thepaper.cn. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^"Official Weibo account releases teaser for filming of "Showing Off Multiple Roles"". weibo.com. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^"News from the Sina TV Channel's official Weibo account regarding cast". weibo.com. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^"First Stills from Filming of 轧戏". weibo.com. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^"都市甜愈剧《轧戏》今日开机 陈星旭卢昱晓演绎跨次元浪漫" [The urban romance drama "Ya Xi" begins filming.]. h5.ifeng.com. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^新浪财经. "导演猫的树新剧《轧戏》美学风格引热议". Sina Corp. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ^"Love Between Lines officially started filming". weibo.com. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^"The urban romance drama "Ya Xi" filming Wrapped up". weibo.com. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^AI云科技汇 (January 10, 2026). "爱奇艺《轧戏》1月9日上线 讲述都市追梦甜愈爱情故事". Sina Corp. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ^"沪产剧《轧戏》开播，陈星旭、卢昱晓邂逅轻盈治愈爱情_广播电视_上海市文化和旅游局". whlyj.sh.gov.cn. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
External links
- Love Between Lines at iQIYI
- Love Between Lines at IMDb
- Love Between Lines on Weibo(in Chinese)
