- Drama Title: A Dream within a Dream
- Also Known As: 书卷一梦, Shu Juan Yi Meng
Director: Guo Hu - Genres: Historical, Comedy, Romance, Fantasy
- Cast: Li Yi Tong, Liu Yu Ning
- Number of Episodes: 40
- Date of Release: June 26, 2025
- Original Network: iQiyi
- Where to Watch: iQiyi, WeTV, Viki
- Rating: 8.8/10
Dear readers… July 2025 is almost over, and I still have several drama reviews to talk about. I should be writing reviews, but the weathers too nice. How am I supposed to focus when the sun is practically begging me to go outside? Honestly, I’m torn…🤔
Anyway… (after many failed attempts to focus), reviews are coming… eventually. But for now, let’s just start with this A Dream within a Dream drama review and blame the good weather for my lack of productivity. Well, who else is struggling to adult this summer? 😁
A Dream within a Dream Synopsis
Song Xiao Yu’s new drama is titled “A Dream in the Past”. She was cast as Song Yi Meng, the tragic female lead whose life spirals in misery. Starring opposite her is the notoriously difficult and high maintenance actor, Nan Heng. He plays the villainous prince Nan Feng, and the very source of Song Yi Meng’s despair.
But on a fateful night, a series of strange phenomenon happened. The next day, Song Xiao Yu find herself wake up in the fictional world of A Dream in the Past as Song Yi Meng herself. Knowing that her scripted fate will ends tragedy, Song Xiao Yu planned her every move carefully to avoid the plot and stay away from Nan Feng.
However, after repeatedly dying and start over again, Song Xiao Yu realized that she can’t escape the story. The plot relentlessly pulls her back, re-enacting iconic scenes, and forcefully bind her fate with Nan Feng’s.
Eventually, Song Xiao Yu began to embrace her identity as the female lead, Song Yi Meng. Along the way, she discovers that Nan Feng isn’t as cruel or heartless as it was written on the script. The world she was living now is full of living people who has their own life. They could dream, feel, and hurt. And amidst the chaos of the world build from fiction, can true feelings blossom?
A Dream within a Dream Drama Review
Chinese dramas often contain a powerful message in it. However, as a Your Go-To drama analyst (and a potential eye cream brand ambassador 😉), I had to admit that sometimes the message gets lost. And the drama just ended up as your daily dose of entertainment only.
These are dramas that, in my opinion, deliver a very clear and strong message. A Better Life , starring Sun Li as the resilient single mother Hu Man Li. It shows that when your happiness ultimately lies in your own hand. You shouldn’t rely on others to define it for you. Another drama with a loud message is Filter.
It’s all about accepting yourself. Embracing the good and the bad. Flaws and all. And then there is Blossom in Adversity. Zhang Jing Yi is the perfect example of a strong young woman who stands for empowerment and resilience.
Of course, there were also dramas that seemed to carry nothing more than the usual “good always wins over evil” kind of message. 😁
So, do you have any drama that resonates with your life values?
Let’s back to the review, shall we? A Dream within a Dream drama, I am pretty sure most of the people who watched it had already seen The Prisoner of Beauty. Well, I did too. Liu Yu Ning was remarkable in The Prisoner of Beauty. Who could say no to another 40 episodes of him? Certainly not me! 😁
So, I pressed play, fully aware of what I was about to do. At first, I thought that this one is a serious romance drama. But it turned out that this one is rom-COM drama! I had a very good laugh in the early episodes. Honestly, it was waaaay funnier than the repeated deaths of Ling Miao Miao in Love Game in Eastern Fantasy . Imagine Dumb Ways to Die, but in ancient Cdrama style. 😂
But A Dream within a Dream also offered you so much more than just laughter. It brought me some surprising deep and complex emotions. After the final episode ended, one big question struck me hard, “Can you really change your fate?”. Who knew that this seemingly simple drama has such a loud message for the viewer. Well, at least for me, it did.
From an outsider’s point of view, Song Yi Meng’s struggle to break free from her destined fate was a lesson in courage. Her unyielding spirit was essential. She didn’t have any choice because surrender meant succumbing to misery. It reminded me that sometimes, real strength is about pushing forward even when the road is full of obstacles.
Her story wasn’t just about changing fate. It was about confronting the system, roles, and expectations that was built against her. Everything in her world had already written. Who she supposed to be, how she should feel, and how her life should end were all decided.
But even when every door seemed closed, Song Yi Meng refuse to accept it. And what made her courage so impactful was because every time she falls, she will try again. Even when it seemed hopeless. That’s kind of strength that sticks with you.
So yes, A Dream within a Dream made me laugh. But it also made me think about how often we settle for the role that life hands us. About how real change often starts from simply refusing to accept what “must” be.
I came for Liu Yu Ning. However, throughout this drama I was captivated by Li Yi Tong and Wang You Shuo’s performance. Li Yi Tong’s portrayal as Song Yi Meng was comical and full of charm. In episode 5, there’s a scene when she discover the first rule of the script: “When she’s in danger, he must save her”.
Song Yi Meng was squatting in front of her chalkboard, and when she realized that Nan Feng couldn’t kill her, she sways happily from side to side. The expression in her face was a mix of joy, relief, and gratitude. And it was priceless.
I watch this scene several time. And throughout the show, Li Yi Tong’s expressive face was truly enjoyable to watch. She truly embodied of Song Yi Meng/Song Xiao Yu, a cheerful modern soul in the rigid ancient world.
I first saw Wang You Shuo in Jun Jiu Ling drama. I wasn’t a fan of the drama, but I was instantly drawn to his soft and gentle appearance. Later he appeared in The Blooms at Ruyi Pavillion, You Are My Lover Friend, and Nancheng Banquet.
But honestly, none of his previous character really impressed me. So, I didn’t expect much when I start watching this drama. Surprisingly, Wang You Shuo really delivers as a villain. Beneath that angelic face was a shining evil aura that caught me off guard, in a good way.
If you are wondering, why I haven’t said much about Liu Yu Ning. Well, don’t worry. It was not because he did a bad job. He was still very good. It’s just I already sung my prise for him in my reviews of Th
e Prisoner of Beauty and The Story of Pearl Girl.
In A Dream within a Dream, Liu Yu Ning delivers an exceptional performance as someone whose cold on the surface but deeply expressive underneath. He did a perfect portrayal as Nan Heng. Through his subtle expression, you can truly see and feel the emotional weight he carries as an abandoned prince.
Liu Yu Ning’s portrayal gives Nan Heng a quiet, powerful depth that lingers long after the episode ends.
And once again, we’re treated to an entertaining duet from Liu Yu Ning and Wang Cheng Si. After playing the iconic Wei Shao and Wei Lian in The Prisoner of Beauty, they returned as another oddly matched but harmonious master and subordinate pair.
This time, Wang Cheng Si played the role of Fu Gui, Nan Heng’s closest companion. Just like Wei Liang, Fu Gui is silly but courageous. His unmatched talent for misreading the room was top notch.
Every time the laughter erupted, it mainly because of his hopeless attempts to be a competent assistant. And don’t forget his petty rivalry with Shangguan He. That was absolutely hilarious. I sincerely hoped to see this duo reunite in more dramas.
The Story-A Modern Heart in an Ancient World
I originally planned to treat A Dream within a Dream as a daily dose of entertainment. However, the story was so intriguing that I couldn’t stop binge watching it until late at night. But the story turned out to be so intriguing that I ended up binge-watching it late into the night.
The pacing of A Dream within a Dream is uneven. In the beginning, the scenes changed rapidly, yet the plot moved slowly. But this setup was necessary as it lays the groundwork for Song Xiao Yu’s discovery that she can die and reset within the body of Song Yi Meng.
These early episodes are the most comedic. Watching Song Xiao Yu adapt to her new luxurious life is pure fun. Can you imagine how an ordinary middle-class woman will do when she suddenly surrounded by gold, jewellery, and luxury?
Moreover, Song Xiao Yu can enjoy a first-class spa treatment daily, for free. Well, technically, she even gets a monthly allowance to enjoy it. I laughed out loud when Song Xiao Yu realized she was rich and didn’t need to work anymore. Her only mission was to cherish every moment and stay far away from Nan Heng.
The pace picks up in the middle, right when the love story starts to bloom. Song Xiao Yu/Song Yi Meng fall in love with Li Shiliu, unaware that he is actually Nan Heng in disguise. At the same time, Nan Heng find himself captivated by Song Xiao Yu/Song Yi Meng’s unique, modern personality.
However, she only shows her true self to Li Shiliu. When she was around Nan Heng, Song Xiao Yu/Song Yi Meng remains hostile and guarded. This adds irony and emotional tension to their growing bond.
By the final arc, the story charges forward at full throttle. From episode 32 onward, things escalate quickly. The drama genre shifts dramatically; rom com turns into sci-fi/fantasy. Suddenly everything becomes layered and intense. I had to watch this part carefully because I didn’t want to miss how all the twist tie together in the end.
One of the best parts of A Dream within a Dream is how every character feels distinct and well written. There are no flat or stereotypical roles. Each character has their own personality, function, and meaningful presence in the story. The actors brought their roles to life impressively.
I found contrast between Song Xiao Yu and Song Yi Meng very interesting. Song Yi Meng before the transmigration, had much simpler, much fragile personality.
Song Xiao Yu, in the other hand, is far more resourceful. She is not a genius, but she’s street-smart. Her survival instincts and emotional intelligence helped her in surviving the predestined fate.
Nan Heng, in contrast, is a brilliant strategist. He is meticulous, perceptive, and highly intelligent. But when it comes to emotional awareness, Song Xiao Yu surpasses him. As a modern person, she wasn’t bound by rigid norms. She understands emotions better, adapts faster, and has a broader sense of empathy.
These traits can only be shaped by modern society where people surrounded by multicultural environment. Ancient people, like Nan Heng, prioritized duty, survival, and obedience. Expressing emotion or defying one’s father, especially if the father also works as an emperor, would be considered disgraceful, unfilial, and worthy for a fatal punishment like death.
Nan Heng’s loyalty and silence were shaped by fear and cultural expectation. He chose to swallow his pain because speaking it out would mean challenging the system he was born into. If only he had lived in modern times, they might have a different relationship. At the very least, Nan Heng could have walked away from his father’s cruelty without being condemned.
Personally, I found the emperor’s hatred towards Nan Heng was frustrating and unfair. When the empress died, Nan Heng was the only survivor. Instead of protecting him, the emperor blamed him as the mastermind. How could he forget that Nan Heng was also his son? And still a young boy at that.
I believe that the emperor’s anger stemmed from guilt of his own failure to protect his wife. Rather than investigating properly, he lashed out at the easiest target. Even years later, he still refused to let go of his grudge. Honestly, the emperor didn’t deserve to be a ruler.
One of the most compelling arcs in this drama is how the characters grow. Song Xiao Yu begins by treating everyone around her as a fictional character. Some of them even serve as NPCs (non-Player Characters) with no emotional weight. But gradually, her perception changes.
Song Xiao Yu start to see them as a real people who capable of feeling and suffering. This subtle shift showed her emotional maturity. Meanwhile, Nan Heng also influenced by her. He started thinking less like a rigid ancient prince and more like a modern person with an open mind.
Chu Gui Hong is another standout. He is not your typical second male lead or villain. His obsession and hatred didn’t come instantly. They were built gradually. Like the emperor, he projected of his pain of losing his father and fellow soldiers onto Nan Heng. Instead of seeking the truth, he clung to his own version of it. this is a big reminder for us that the truth isn’t always in plain sight.
Another interesting part of this drama is the re-make of iconic scenes that reminded me of some of my favourite dramas. The lantern festival moment when Li Shiliu saves Song Yi Meng felt like a homage to Love Like the Galaxy drama, where Ling Bu Yu (Leo Wu) rescues Cheng Shao Shang (Zhao Lu Si).
Another hilarious homage is in episode 26 when Nan Heng and Song Yi Meng try to make fire by friction. It’s a comedic twist on the scene from The Rebel Princes, where Xiao Qi (Zhou Yi Wei) struggles to light a fire with Wang Xuan (Zhang Zi Yi). but in A Dream within a Dream, it takes an hour for Nan Heng to light the fire. An Hour! If it were me, I’d have tossed the stick and given up. 😂
The Story-Love that Cross the Era
Cdramas loooves triangle love and third wheels trope. In The Prisoner of Beauty , Su E Huang longed for Wei Shao’s affection. In Love Between Fairy and Devil, where Xiao Lan Hua found herself torn between her admiration for Changheng and her true love for Dongfang Qing Cang.
In Story of Kunning Palace, Jiang Xue Ning was caught between Xie Wei and Zhang Zhe. And in The Longest Promise, Zhu Yan was swept into love storm between Shi Ying and Zhu Jiu Ying.
In A Dream within a Dream, Chu Gui Hong takes the role of the third wheel between Song Yi Meng and Nan Heng. Initially, Song Yi Meng was actually engaged to Chu Gui Hong and the real Song Yi Meng genuinely liked him. But after she met Nan Heng, she fell hard. Well, this is the classic case of “good girl always falls for the bad boy”.
After Song Xiao Yu wakes up in Song Yi Meng’s body, she too ended up falling for the bad boy. But not Nan Heng. Instead, she fell for his secret identity, Li Shiliu (Li Sixteen). Nan Heng created this persona to secretly run Moonshade and raised the Night Wanderers.
Interestingly, the emotions between them were real. With Li Shiliu, Song Xiao Yu could be her true self. And that’s exactly what made Nan Heng fall for her. But because she only showed this side to Li Shiliiu, Nan Heng decided to keep it a secret just to stay close to her.
As for Chu Gui Gong, his love for Song Yi Meng also sincere. You could really feel his heartbreak when she broke off their engagement. He was even the first person to suspect that Song Yi Meng wasn’t quite the same as before, which showed how week he truly knew her. If only he hadn’t been consumed by obsession and bitterness, Chu Gui Hong could’ve been one of those second male leads who actually steal my heart.
Aside from the main couple, we also got a fun and lively second couple, Song Yi Ting and Shangguan He. Their romance is enjoyable and funny. I especially love how Song Yi Ting did everything she could to win him over. For instance, painting 73 portraits of him in just three days! This truly showed that she is talented and relentless. I couldn’t stop myself from cheering for her.
A Dream within a Dream wrapped up with a happy ending. But you shouldn’t expect a smooth ride. The final arc was full of twists and sudden shifts. My advice is to pay close attention, especially near the end. Blink, and you might miss how everything comes together…😆
The Visual-Who Needs Plot When You Have the Robes?
I was sooo satisfied of the costumes in A Dream within a Dream. Whenever I saw the intricate designs, the colourful and flowing fabric, I felt pure joy. Some hair ornaments might have been a bit over the top, occasionally looking more plastic than gold.
But honestly, I choose to overlook that. And why? Because the costumes themselves were gorgeous. I am sure many of my readers knew that I’m obsessed with intricate dresses and can never resist colourful ones.
Usually, I am more drawn to female costumes in historical dramas. but this time I completely fell fort Nan Heng’s wardrobe. The level of detail was insane. You could actually see the tiny beads sewn into the fabric, and the embroidery was absolutely stunning. I imagine that the costume must’ve been heavy and not the most comfortable to wear, but they did look regal on screen.
I must give a huge shoutout to the production team of A Dream within a Dream. The OST and score added depth and (comedic) atmosphere into the scenes. The cinematography is breathtaking. And I especially loved the action sequences.
Every fight was choreographed like a dance. The action director, Fan Yi Zhu, is no stranger to excellence. He worked behind the scenes for several of my favorite dramas such as The Long Ballad and The Blue Whisper .
The director of A Dream within a Dream is Guo Hu. He is the creative force behind A Moment but Forever, Only for Love , Tiger and Crane , Mysterious Lotus Casebook , and Immortal Samsara . Of course, no drama is without any flaws. But overall, the storytelling and the visual execution of A Dream within a Dream were nothing short of exceptional.
The Characters
Song Yi Meng / Song Xiao Yu (Played by Li Yi Tong)
Song Xiao Yu is a struggling actress in the acting world. She was not the ambitious, career chasing type. On the contrary, she prefers a more relaxed and peaceful life. in A Dream in the Past drama, she played the female lead, Song Yi Meng.
Song Yi Meng is the legitimate daughter of the Minister of War, Song Yu De. Although she lost her mother at a young age, her father continued to dote on her. but without her mother’s guidance, Song Yi Meng grew up with a timid and weak personality.
However, after Song Xiao Yu finds herself living the life of Song Yu Meng, everything changes. The new Song Yi Meng is cheerful, clever, outspoken, independent, resourceful, and a little bit sarcastic. Still, as a modern woman who suddenly thrown into an ancient world, she often comes across as awkward, childish, stubborn, and impulsive person.
Sometimes, Song Xiao Yu/Song Yi Meng acts like a coward simply because she is desperately trying to avoid the tragic fate written for her. But in other moments, no one is braver than her.
Nan Heng / Li Shiliu / Nan Feng (Played by Liu Yu Ning)
Nan Feng is the very definition of a high maintenance actor. His fans were scary and will always support him no matter what. To his agent, Nan Feng is the money-making machine that requires careful handling to keep the cash flowing. And for Nan Feng himself, nothing matters more than himself 😆.
In the drama, Nan Feng plays Nan Heng, the Seventh Prince of Dajing. Born to a noble consort and backed by the powerful Gao family, Nan Heng’s future was brimming with power. He holds an immense military power and his ability to lead were unmatched.
But this exactly the things that made his emperor father wary of him. determined to strip Nan Heng of power, the emperor did everything in his reach to force Nan Heng into submission.
Yet, beneath the image of an image of cruel and ruthless warlords, lies a man with brilliant strategy, sharp intelligence, and strong sensitivity. Nan Heng is meticulous, perceptive, and surprisingly progressive for someone who was born in the palace.
While the world fears him, those who truly know him understand that his ambitions stemmed from a desperate need to protect the people he loves from the hatred of an emperor.
Chu Gui Hong / Chu Liang Chen (Played by Wang You Shuo)
In real life, Chu Liang Chen is known for his easy-going nature and kind personality. Bu ton the drama, his character is a whole different story.
Chu Gui Hong is the General of the Qianyu Armi and son of Lord Qianyu, who perished in the Battle of Pingrong alongside 20,000 of Qianyu soldiers. He is also the nephew of the late empress and the cousin of Nan Rui. Since childhood, he had been engaged to Song Yi Meng. Chu Gui Hong was known for being gentle, loyal, and completely devoted to him.
Seriously, this man wrote more than a thousand letters to her. If that’s not proof of love, I don’t know what is. 😆
However, tragedy and loss changed him. After the Qianyu Army was defeated, Chu Gui Hong was imprisoned, and he blamed Nan Heng for everything. The resentment grew into obsession. Chu Gui Hong became a man driven by vengeance, determined to drag Nan Heng down, no matter the cost.
Nan Rui (Played by Chang Long)
Nan Rui is the Eight Prince of Dajing and Nan Heng’s younger brother. Born from the beloved late Empress, Nan Rui grew up spoiled by the emperor, who always turned a blind eye to his shortcomings.
Despite being impulsive, reckless, and a bit dim-witted, Nan Rui has a pure heart. I regarded him as a husky who was loud and energetic but not threatening.
Nan Rui’s constant supporter is Chu Gui Hong. Nan Rui trusts him with everything, sometimes a little too much.
Song Yi Ting (Played by Zhu Xu Dan)
Song Yi Ting is Song Yi Meng’s younger half-sister. She was born from the second wife of Song Yu De. Song Yi Ting is very smart, sharp tongued and a skilled negotiator. With her modern way of thinking, Song Yi Ting would thrive as a successful businesswoman in today’s world. Her cold demeanour and calculating nature in stark contrast to Song Yi Meng’s character.
Song Yi Ting also known as a talented young lady who mastered paintings and zither. However, the script wrote her in a negative way as a greedy younger sister who set her eyes on her brother-in-law. because of this, Song Xiao Yu/Song Yi Meng always kept her guard up around her.
Shangguan He (Played by Riley Wang)
Shangguan He is the second-in command boss of the Moonshade and Li Shiliu’s most trusted aide. He is the only one who knew Li Shiliu’s true identity. He used to be a thief and was saved by Nan Heng. Shangguan He paid the debt of gratitude with his unwavering loyalty.
Though he acts like a flirt and often claims to understand women, deep down, Shangguan He is pure hearted, clever, and devoted. His true strength lies in his diplomacy skill. That silver tongue of his could help him sell sunscreen in the Arctic. 😁
The Conclusion
A Dream within a Dream is not just visually stunning, but also thoughtfully written. The comedy will make you laugh, and the underlying message might make you stop and think. Nothing about this drama disappointed me. Honestly, I feel that my days spent for binge-watching and writing the review of this drama felt completely worth it.
I would recommend this drama for those who need a good laugh and needed a few gorgeous faces to brighten up their screen. However, this one is only made for those who enjoyed fantasy and didn’t mind letting go of some logic while watching it.
So dear readers, have you decided to put A Dream within a Dream into your watchlist? If you do, don’t forget to share your thoughts about it in the comment box below. I would love to hear what you think. I’ll see you in the next Drama Review and Ending Explained article. Until then, goodbye and happy watching!
