LayarHijau – Exciting news for fans of top Chinese actor Li Xian: he is confirmed to reunite with acclaimed Taiwanese director Qu You Ning for the highly anticipated new drama, I Live in Your Time (你那兒几点). Qu You Ning previously directed Li Xian in the 2019 mega-hit Go Go Squid! (亲爱的，热爱的), which catapulted Li Xian into the spotlight as the nation’s “dream boyfriend.”
Casting Update: Zhang Ruonan Emerges as Strong Female Lead Candidate
The casting for the female lead has been the biggest subject of buzz surrounding the project. Initially, Song Qian (Victoria Song) was rumored for the role, followed by actress Guan Xiaotong, known for her work in the drama Romance in the Alley (小巷人家).
However, the latest and strongest rumors point to Zhang Ruonan. The rapidly rising star is now the top candidate, particularly after her massive success in the drama The First Frost (难哄), which was also directed by Qu You Ning. Their harmonious and effective working relationship, coupled with the high anticipation for Li Xian and Zhang Ruonan’s potential on-screen chemistry, has made this rumor a hot topic.
High Expectations Driven by The Candidates’ Success
The cast members’ recent track records add to the high anticipation:
Zhang Ruonan’s drama, The First Frost (co-starring Bai Jingting), has accumulated over 1.5 billion views since its premiere this year, solidifying its place as Youku’s most popular modern romance series of 2025.
Li Xian continues his ascent as an A-list actor. Following the success of Go Go Squid!, he gained over 10.29 million Weibo followers almost instantly, and the drama recorded over 100 billion total views on Tencent. He has since proved his mature acting abilities in successful series like Meet Yourself (去有风的地方) and the historical drama Flourished Peony (国色芳华).
A final decision on Zhang Ruonan’s role hinges on her schedule, as she is currently filming the major historical drama Live Up to Your Youth under director Zheng Xiaolong, as reported by Upmedia.
I Live in Your Time is adapted from the novel I Want to Hide You and Time (想把你和时间藏起来) by Bei Qing. The story follows the chance meeting between the passionate “Shen Qianzhan” and a watch repair expert, “Ji Qinghe”. Ji Qinghe immediately falls for Shen Qianzhan. Five years later, they meet again over the copyrights to a novel about time, leading them to explore the meaning of time and life amidst their contrasting rhythms.
