LayarHijau – The latest costume drama starring Gong Jun, Blood River (暗河传), has officially wrapped its first season with striking achievements. In addition to earning a 7.1 score on Douban, the drama has surpassed 1 billion online views. Gong Jun’s acting reputation has also improved, gradually shedding the stigma tied to several of his previously criticized roles such as The Legend of Anle, Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red-Moon Pact, and Rising with the Wind. Because Blood River concludes with a cliffhanger, viewers immediately demanded a continuation. Responding to this overwhelming anticipation, director Yin Tao confirmed that he and the Youku team are now discussing the development of a second season. The news instantly became a trending topic.
Blood River is a prequel within the universe of Zhou Mounan’s works, serving as a chronological predecessor to the author’s broader story franchise. The drama adaptation portrays the political entanglements of the three major families of Dark River—Su, Xie, and Mu—while following the life of guards’ leader Su Muyu. If Blood River emphasizes the darker, grittier side of the assassin world, other adaptations in the same universe, such as Dashing Youth (少年白马醉春风), focus on the youthful adventures of wandering swordsmen.
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The complex bond between Su Muyu (Gong Jun) and Su Changhe (Chang Huasen)—two close companions often forced into opposing positions—stands as one of the drama’s key highlights. Even while competing with other high-profile costume titles such as Luo Yunxi’s Whispers of Fate, Cheng Yi’s Sword and Beloved, and Ding Yuxi’s Fight for Love, Blood River remained prominent thanks to its cast performances, storyline strength, and detailed production values. Although it did not become a nationwide phenomenon, the drama consistently ranked near the top and secured advertisers for every episode—an indicator of Youku’s and investors’ satisfaction with its performance.
Unlike the original novel, which ends in tragedy with Su Muyu killing Su Changhe, the drama opts for a conclusion that leaves room for continuation. The two characters are seen riding back to Dark River as the narrator states that “the fog clears and the moon appears,” giving the impression that they have defied their tragic fate. The narrator’s closing line—hinting that Dark River will re-emerge in the martial world eight years later—is widely regarded as a strong signal for a second season.
Another major unresolved mystery is the fate of Bai Hehuai (Yang Yutong), the brilliant physician and Su Muyu’s beloved. When Su Muyu nearly loses control during the battle against antagonist Eunuch Zhuoqing , Bai Hehuai arrives to save him—yet she becomes gravely ill after being poisoned by human medicine. When Su Muyu awakens and is told of Bai Hehuai’s death, he is devastated. But the final scene, showing the two reunited twelve years later, suggests their relationship is far from over and still holds many unanswered questions.
Addressing the public’s expectations, Yin Tao confirmed that the production team and Youku will develop Zhou Mounan’s IP in two directions: a brighter, youth-centered storyline (as seen in Dashing Youth) and a darker wuxia branch focusing on the Dark River world. With this confirmation, development for Blood River Season 2 has officially begun, and the main cast is expected to be considered for return. The announcement sent fan excitement soaring across social media.
