LayarHijau – Chinese actor Wu Lei is set to return to the small screen through his new historical fantasy drama The One (劍來), adapted from the legendary xianxia novel Sword Comes (劍來) by Fenghuo Xizhu Hou. The Tencent S+ production reportedly carries a staggering budget of 300 million yuan (approximately 42,18 million USD), making it one of the company’s most ambitious drama projects to date.
Wu Lei rose to fame through a string of hit dramas such as The Long Ballad (長歌行) with Dilraba Dilmurat, Love Like the Galaxy (星漢燦爛) with Zhao Lusi, Nothing But You (愛情而已) with Zhou Yutong, and Amidst a Snowstorm of Love (在暴雪時分) with Zhao Jinmai. Known for his versatile acting and natural charisma, Wu Lei has been hailed as one of the top “drama gods” of his generation. After spending the last two years focusing on films, he now returns with a large-scale fantasy project—his first historical drama in four years.
In The One, Wu Lei plays Chen Ping’an, a poor young man who embarks on a grueling journey to become a martial arts and sword master. To prepare for the role, Wu Lei underwent six months of intense physical training, losing about 7 kilograms and cutting his body fat below 10%. He also practiced traditional bamboo weaving and swordsmanship to the point that his hands developed blisters and calluses.
His dedication earned him the nickname “The Chosen Chen Ping’an” among the production team. They praised Wu Lei for perfectly balancing youthful energy and quiet maturity—qualities that also shone in his previous performances in Love Like the Galaxy and the film Dwelling by the West Lake (草木人間).
According to reports, the production of The One includes the construction of a massive “Great Wall of Sword Qi” set to recreate the novel’s grand, immersive fantasy world. Filming is scheduled to begin in early November 2025.
While the female lead has not yet been officially announced, rumors suggest that Chinese-German actress Vanda Margraf (Li Wanda) — dubbed the “Little Dilraba” — is the top contender. Other rumored cast members include Yang Xizi (known for Love and Redemption, Immortal Samsara, and You Are Desire), as well as Li Meng, who gained fame for her striking performance as the “mad princess” in The Double.
Adding to the excitement, Taiwanese actor and Golden Horse Award winner Chang Chen (Zhang Zhen) is reportedly cast as Qi Jingchun, Chen Ping’an’s mentor. With its powerful cast, lavish visuals, and cross-generational appeal, The One is already being hailed as one of the most anticipated Chinese dramas of the coming year.
The source novel Sword Comes is a phenomenon in its own right—a sprawling xianxia epic exploring destiny, karma, and spiritual growth. The printed version has sold over four million copies, while its audiobook version has surpassed 3.2 billion plays on Tencent platforms. The animated adaptation, released last year, earned an impressive 8.8 rating on Douban and is preparing for its second season.
Wu Lei’s return to historical drama through a project of this scale signals a new milestone in his career. With his commitment, discipline, and emotional depth, The One is expected to become one of his most defining works yet.
Editor note: the budget estismation for the drama apparently was 300 million yuan, but it was mistranslated into 3 billion yuan. So we corrected the numbers.
