- Drama Title: Love Song in Winter
- Also Known As: 冬至, Dong Zhi
- Director: Yu Chung Chung
- Genres: Mystery, Romance
- Cast: Johnny Huang, Sun Qian, Kira Shi, Ziao Kai Zhong
- Number of Episodes: 36
- Date of Release: December 20, 2024
- Original Network: iQiyi
- Where to Watch: iQiyi, WeTV
- Adapted from the novel: “Dong Zhi” by Ning Long
Hello dear readers… how are you today? The weather is changing where I live, and everyone seems to have caught the flu or cold or just feel sluggish. Please take good care of your health. Be sure to drink plenty of water. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Our bodies need vitamins and minerals. But most importantly, keep your mind healthy and happy.
The Love Song in Winter has caused quite a stir in my small community. People were talking about it, so I decided to give it a try. Even though my schedule was a bit busy at the moment. And here’s the review. Did I like it or did I hate it? Let’s find out. Happy reading!
Love Song in Winter Drama Synopsis
Jiang Cheng Yi had left home to enter a police academy. Eight years later, now a captain in the criminal investigation department, Jiang Cheng Yi returned. This time, in addition to his work, Jiang Cheng Yi returned to his hometown because his father was hospitalized and needed surgery.
Surprisingly, the anesthesiologist in charge of the procedure was Lu Yan, his ex-girlfriend from college. At that time, Jiang Cheng Yi and Lu Yan’s relationship was harmonious and they loved each other. Until one day, Lu Yan dumped him for no apparent reason. The relationship ended badly, and they were separated for years. However, Jiang Cheng Yi and Lu Yan couldn’t shake off their lingering feelings.
But strange things began happening after they met. One night after work, Lu Yan was followed by someone who resembled her dead best friend, Deng Man. Things escalated when murders started happening, and in the middle of this storm were Lu Yan and Jiang Cheng Yi.
As the investigation continues, many things are unraveled before them, including a family secret and the truth behind their separation eight years ago. In the end, will Lu Yan and Jiang Cheng Yi be able to rebuild their relationship?
Love Song in Winter Drama Review
A Confusing Feelings
Love Song in Winter is a mystery romance drama that could be found in the iQiyi Love On series. Although the title might remind you of Amidst Snowstorm of Love drama (both dramas were winter-themed), this one was quite different in genre.
Johnny Huang returned to his uniformed role as a police officer. However, he rarely used it in this drama. Probably the director knew that the audience had seen him in many uniforms. Anyway, he still looks good. 😁😁
The story of Love Song in Winter revolves around the mysteries and murders surrounding a couple who have just reconciled and rekindled their love after being separated for 8 years. The romance was slow-burning and the story moved at a snail’s pace as well.
It’s a bit slow in the beginning and in the middle. I almost lost my patience when the pace suddenly picked up. Well, thank goodness. Otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this review… 😆.
The main story was quite good, but the background was cliché. Jiang Cheng Yi is a police officer and Lu Yan is a doctor. There were many Cdramas about this medical personnel-first responder combo. For example, You Are My Hero, My Dear Guardian, Fireworks of My Heart, and The Flaming Heart. And of course I cannot forget the classic Kdrama Descendant of the Sun. I watched it first, long before My Dear Guardian.
If you are looking for a mature romance drama, then you have come to the right place. You could feel the complicated and awkward situations every time Lu Yan and Jiang Cheng Yi met each other. But when it came to work, they managed to suppress all their emotions. Professionalism comes first. 👍 I bet some of my dear readers know how it feels to run into an ex while working. It’s a real bummer. 😉
At the beginning of the story, you could see vivid emotions on the faces of Lu Yan and Jiang Cheng Yi. A mixture of love, anger, disappointment, longing, fear, and happiness. They used to love each other, but they had to break up.
Jiang Cheng Yi was angry and disappointed with Lu Yan because she had left him without giving him a proper explanation. At that time, he still had hope that they would be together again, but Lu Yan kept him waiting in vain. So he went away with a resentful heart.
Meanwhile, remorse, longing and fear filled Lu Yan. She decided to break up with Jiang Cheng Yi because her best friend, Deng Man, also liked Jiang Cheng Yi. At that time, Deng Man asked Lu Yan to break up with Jiang Cheng Yi so that she could have a chance with him.
Lu Yan refused. When Lu Yan and Jiang Cheng Yi met again, they were surprised and scared, but there was also a little bit of happiness blossoming in the corner of their hearts.
They used to love each other but they had to separate. Jiang Cheng Yi was angry and disappointed in Lu Yan because she left him without a proper explanation. Back then, he still hoped for them to be together again, but Lu Yan made him wait for nothing.
So, he left with a heart full of resentment. Meanwhile, Lu Yan was full of remorse, yearning, and fear. She decisively decided to break up with Jiang Cheng Yi because her best friend, Deng Man, also liked Jiang Cheng Yi.
Things got worse because Deng Man committed suicide after Lu Yan refused her demand to break up with Jiang Cheng Yi. However, after years of separation, Lu Yan and Jiang Cheng Yi still haven’t moved on from their love. So, deep down inside, they still feel some happiness to see each other.
After watching all the episodes, I decided that my favorite couple in this drama is Tang Jie and Zhong Wen Xuan.They showed us what a good relationship should be like. It took understanding, communication, and empathy to build a healthy relationship.
Zhong Wen Xuan was not the smartest person in this drama, but Tang Jie was definitely the one with the biggest heart of all, her actions were based on logic, but you could see her kindness radiating everywhere.
Anyway, my overall impression of Love Song in Winter was that this drama could be a good one. There were many good actors in the cast. In addition to the lead actors, Johnny Huang, Sun Qian, Kira Shi, and Wang Tian Chen, you could also find seasoned actors in the supporting cast.
Li Jia Qi, playing Tang Jie, is one of my favorite actors in The Legend of Shen Li. She also played the role of the hilarious queen in The Legendary Life of Queen Lau as well.
Liu Min, who played the role of Jiang Cheng Yi’s mother, could be seen in many highly rated dramas such as Melody of the Golden Age, Story of Kunning Palace, Scent of Time, and Till the End of the Moon.
Zhang Xi Lin, who plays the role of Jiang Cheng Yi’s father, has appeared in Destined, Unshakable Faith and Growing Together. There were also Shi Yu, Tian Ling, He Hong Shang, Zhang Tao, and others.
Something is Missing Here
The director of this drama is Yu Chung Chung, the person behind Go Go Squid 2: Dt. Appledog’s Time, The Furthest Distance, Everyone Loves Me, and Follow Your Heart.
However, I have a feeling that this drama has a lack of something. For me, a good drama is one that makes you forget it’s a drama because you’re so immersed in the story. And that wasn’t there for me in Love Song in Winter.
The story gives us a lot of flashbacks to understand the mystery and the relationship between Lu Yan and Jiang Cheng Yi, as well as their characters. However, due to the mixed genre that Love Song in Winter had, I felt that the plot wavered between romance and mystery.
There was too much romance for a mystery drama, but it was too complicated to be just a romance drama. And I still couldn’t fully grasp the personality of the main characters in this drama, no matter how many flashbacks they gave us. There was a lack of nuance and a lack of depth in their characters.
It is probably because of this that I feel that there is a lack of chemistry between our main characters. Those who read my reviews know that I love Johnny Huang. And I also love Sun Qian. She has always done a good job in her work, especially in the Wind Direction drama. And unlike others, I love her flowing hair.
It gives a natural look that is hard to find in dramas these days. And Johnny Huang, there is nothing wrong with his appearance (which is always the same in every drama 😆) or his acting. He gave a full performance as he always did in other dramas.
Sun Qian and Johnny Huang always have a good chemistry with their former partners. However, I didn’t feel the same atmosphere between Sun Qian and Johnny Huang. Yes, the kissing scenes were good, but they didn’t just kiss each other for the whole 36 episodes.
At the beginning of the story, they have some awkward moments between them. It was understandable if you felt there was a gap between them. But as the story progressed, Lu Yan and Jiang Cheng Yi became a couple, and I still didn’t feel the fireworks.
I couldn’t see the mutual connection or attraction or spark between them. It feels like they are roommates who have a good relationship and take care of each other. Very friendly, very compatible. But not in love. It’s a pity because I like both Sun Qian and Johnny Huang. 😞
The story of Yu Zheng and Yu Bo Feng was supposed to be another highlight of Love Song in Winter. They were the second couple in the drama. Yu Zheng and Yu Bo Feng have a complicated relationship due to their profession, age difference and personalities.
And because of the entanglement with a painful past, it takes a turn for the worse. In my opinion, the story of Yu Zheng and Yu Bo Feng seemed to be forced into the middle of the plot. And I couldn’t get rid of that feeling until this drama ended.
For me, the star of this drama is Wang Tian Cheng, who played Wen Peng. I have watched his dramas since he first appeared in General and I. Then I saw him in See You Again, Island, and Joy of Life Season 2. Wen Peng is a complicated character.
From the first time he appeared in Episode 2, I could immediately sense that he was up to no good. Yes, he seemed to be nice and decent. But there was something wrong with him. I had a feeling right away that he would be a tough love rival for Jiang Cheng Yi. Wang Tian Cheng channelled the dark side of the gentle Wen Peng very well.
I also found some plot holes in the story. And it really disappoints me. For example, the Criminal Investigation Unit in this drama seemed too slow. And that includes Captain Jiang Cheng Yi.
It was obvious that the murders were not only connected to Lu Yan, but also to Jiang Cheng Yi. But it took him a while to connect the dots, because he needed someone to remind him. From the beginning of the drama, we all know that the mysterious things started after his return to the city.
Lu Yan was living fine until she met him again. How did Jiang Cheng Yi manage to ignore the clue? Did he think that no one would target him? I mean, a policeman is used to dealing with bad people and threats, right? Why can he see the possibility here?
Another flaw in this drama. Zhong Wen Xuan is a businessman. He owned a company, and I am sure that he had some other business dealings as well. And yet his judgment was clouded, and he fell into a trap. How is that possible? Did he never ask a lawyer to check every contract that he had to sign? And also, the age of some of the characters and the time line was a little bit confusing. But I couldn’t say it here, it would give away the spoiler. 😅
The ending of Love Song in Winter is a happy ending, of course. The mystery ended in episode 35, and the last episode was dedicated to Lu Yan and Jiang Cheng Yi’s relationship. If I were to watch this drama again, I would probably stop at episode 35. But I would definitely watch the last scene of Tang Jie and Zhong Wen Xuan when she was asking her boss for a raise in salary. 😂😂
I Love The Visual, But Not The…
From a production point of view, Love Song in Winter has good cinematography. The visuals were quite impressive because of the careful arrangement of the sets, lighting and camera angles. The director and the production team managed to create a serene yet melancholic atmosphere that added depth to the drama.
However, I must admit that I was not particularly fond of the color tone used throughout the Love Song in Winter. While it was intended to enhance the melancholic atmosphere by using a cooler palette, it felt too muted and lacked vibrancy.
One thing I must praise. The soundtracks! Now it lived in my head rent-free. Especially Eric Chou’s Valentine’s Day. And also Johnny Huang’s Day and Night as the ending theme song. I never knew he could sing. 😁😁
The Characters
Lu Yan
Lu Yan (played by Sun Qian) used to be a happy college student. She loves to be around her best friends Tang Jie and Deng Man. However, after Deng Man’s death, Lu Yan was filled with guilt. Her lively personality disappeared, and she became the calm and serious Lu Yan.
As a doctor, Lu Yan was highly praised by her mentor at the hospital for her skill and intelligence. As a person, Lu Yan is gentle and soft-hearted. On the other hand, she is a stubborn and determined person.
Jiang Cheng Yi
Jiang Cheng Yi (Played by Johnny Huang) has always wanted to be a police officer. But his parents didn’t agree. But in the end, he joined the police academy because of Lu Yan. His father is also a police officer. The sense of righteousness, the sense of justice, and the courage run deep in his blood.
Jiang Cheng Yi is an attentive man. He paid full attention to Lu Yan’s needs and was always ready to help her. From the way he looked at her, it was obvious that Jiang Cheng Yi’s love for her was deep, and he couldn’t let go of her no matter what.
Normally, Jiang Cheng Yi always wore an indifferent expression on his face. But whenever he saw Wen Peng near Lu Yan, we could see him seething with jealousy. Yes, love rivals could detect each other wherever they were. 😆😆
Wen Peng
Wen Peng (Played by Wang Tian Chen) is a successful businessman who owns a talent agency. Handsome, smart, and rich, his life seemed perfect to everyone else. Wen Peng is Lu Yan’s senior in college. They met when he was at his lowest point and Lu Yan helped him.
Impressed by Lu Yan’s kindness and cheerfulness, Wen Peng started to like her more. He always tried to be close to her. Sometimes Lu Yan didn’t even realize that he was there. As time passed, Wen Peng’s feelings deepened. For years and years, Wen Peng had been waiting for Lu Yan’s feelings to change. But Lu Yan never stopped treating him with the courtesy of a junior to a senior.
Yu Zheng
Professor Yu is a dangerous woman. She is so attractive and smart that she would win the heart of any man. She has all the knowledge of physiology and she knows how to read people, because that was her area of expertise.
Yu Zheng (played by Kira Shi) worked as a professor at the Police Academy. She often helped the Criminal Investigation Department with their cases. Yu Zheng is a broad-minded person, courageous and meticulous. As a modern person, Yu Zheng always followed logic. She enjoyed life to the fullest, but knew how to let go of some things.
Yu Bo Feng
Yu Bo Feng (played by Ziao Kai Zhong) is a famous actor under Wen Peng’s talent agency. He is a man with a fiery temperament. He dares to love and dares to hate.
However, deep down in his heart, Yu Bo Feng is a naive person. It was easy for him to believe in others and it was also easy to control him. Because of his immature traits and narrow-mindedness, people could manipulate his emotions by inciting his anger or hatred. Yu Bo Feng has a tough childhood. His life has never been easy, so his weaknesses are the result of a lonely childhood.
Tang Jie
Tang Jie (Played by Li Jia Qi) was Lu Yan’s roommate during their college years. Just like Lu Yan, she was known for her cheerful and vivacious personality. Although they were close and took care of each other like sisters, Deng Man was closer to Lu Yan during their college years.
But after her death, Tang Jie became the closest person to Lu Yan next to Wang Qian Qian. Tang Jie has a mature character. She is a compassionate person with an open mind and strong empathy for others.
Zhong Wen Xuan
Like Tang Jie, Zhong Wen Xuan (Played by Guan Zi Jing) is a college friend of Lu Yan and Jiang Cheng Yi. Since their younger years, Zhong Wen Xuan has been known for his goofy personality, impulsiveness, lack of judgment, and clumsiness.
Zhong Wen Xuan is not a stupid person, but his simple character often got him into trouble. Fortunately, he has good people around him like Tang Jie and Jiang Cheng Yi. God knows how much he needs them.
The Conclusion
Love Song in Winter is a good drama if you are looking for something between romance and mystery. However, if you want to watch real romance, you should watch Amidst Snowstorm of Love, Everyone Loves Me, or You Are My Secret.
And if you like mysteries, you might want to check out the iQiyi Light On series. I’ve written reviews for some of their dramas like Echo, Interlaced Scenes, and The Limbo. Or you could try Regeneration on Netflix. It was a good mystery drama. 👍
If you don’t mind the plot holes and confusion during the binge-watching moments, this drama is perfect for you to pass the time. However, with the good kissing scenes and the beautiful faces on screen, I’m sure you’ll get over it eventually. You’ll just enjoy the flow of the story.
So, for those who are into a medical personnel-first responder troupe, I would still recommend this Love Song in Winter drama. And you should check out Johnny Huang’s filmography. He has a lot of them. 😆
Anyway, dear readers… I would always love to hear your opinion about the drama I reviewed. Don’t forget to write your comment in the comment box below. Thanks for stopping by, I’ll see you in another post of drama review. Goodbye!
