- Drama Title: Twelve Letters
- Also Known As: 十二封信, Hou Hui You Qi, Shi Er Feng Xin
- Director: Sha Wei Qi
- Cast: Zhou Yi Ran, Wang Ying Lu
- Screenwriter: Cheng Xiao Mao, Cheng Meng Yan
- Genres: Romance, Mystery, Fantasy
- Episodes: 12
- Date of Release: August 29, 2025
- Original Network: Tencent Video
- Where to Watch: WeTV, Tencent Video, Viki, Apple TV
Dear readers, this is another review of Zhou Yi Ran and Wang Ying Lu’s drama, Twelve Letter. This drama has exceeded my expectations so far. But before we dive in, let me ask you this, don’t you especially enjoy it when a drama surprises you in the best way possible? I honestly didn’t expect to get hooked. Yet here I am, still thinking about Twelve Letters drama days later. So, I’d love to show you why this drama is worth your time. So, without further ado. Let’s take a deep dive. Happy reading!
Twelve Letters Synopsis
In 2026, Yu Nian’s father goes missing. Yu Zhi Yong, now old and often muddled by Alzheimer, had a peculiar habit. He was often seen sitting beside an old mailbox in an abandoned factory. He always claimed he was waiting for a letter. On the night before his disappearance, he was seen slipping a letter into that very mailbox.
Thirty-five years earlier, in the small town of Meiwan, Ye Hai Tang was trapped in a difficult life. Her father is a chronic gambler, and her mother had left when she was young. The only thing that kept her going was the dream of acing the college entrance exam to escape the town.
Then a love letter from the future reaches her hands, connecting her with a boy burdened by hardship, Tang Yi Xun. They find solace and strength in each other.
Together, Tang Yi Xun and Ye Hai Tang unravelled the mystery of the letter that spoke of their bleak future. This opened a communication channel between them and the future. but as the letters continued to travel back and forth, one question remained. Whose truth was hidden in the mailbox, and whose fate was waiting to be rewritten?
Twelve Letters Drama Review
I happened to come across this drama just after finishing the articles on When Destiny Brings the Demon. Who can resist a show with short episodes? Certainly not me. So, I happily started watching Twelve Letters. What started as a brief interlude turned into a day of binge-watching.
Yes, I finished this drama in one day. I gave up my nap time and my beauty sleep just to willingly have my eyes swollen from crying, and my happy mood plummeted to the ground.
Still, this melodrama was too good to miss 👍🏻.
As a self-proclaimed romance junkie, I love spending time watching good, happy dramas with handsome and beautiful leads, strong acting, and stunning visuals. Romance will always be my first choice, followed by mystery.
I’m not someone who would willingly choose horror or heavy melodrama over sweet love stories or gripping mysteries. However, I think it’s nice to step out of my comfort zone sometimes.
A different genre might not be my favorite, but it’s like a mental workout. It might feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but it shakes things up, keeps me flexible, and reminds me that balance is what makes the viewing experience feel complete.
Wow, that was deep for someone who has been neglecting her YouTube workout videos for months. 😆
Oh well. Actually, I chose this drama because of Zhou Yi Ran 😁.
Twelve Letter was part of Tencent Firefly Theatre or Firefly Unit. This is Tencent’s special line that consists of a collection of light-hearted and tear-jerking dramas with high-quality videos. There were already a handful of dramas that you could choose for your binge-watching time.
I have reviewed some of them, like Angel Fall Sometimes (starring Li Lan Di and Lin Yi), Later, I Laughed (starring Li Geng Xi, Wei Da Xun, and Wang Hao), Reborn (starring Zhang Jing Yi, Zhou Yi Ran, and Liu Dan), and now, Twelve Letters. I’ve also watched What If and Such A Good Love. They were quite entertaining for me.
I’ve watched two melodramas starring Zhou Yi Ran: Reborn and this one. I now have a new impression of Zhou Yi Ran. He is no longer the cute high school boy with dimples that I saw in You Are My Desire and When I Fly Towards You. He has transformed into a mature person who has experienced life’s storms.
Twelve Letters is not a drama for the faint-hearted, as it is full of intense scenes and emotionally charged moments. It was made for you, who was willing to bawl your eyes out and wasn’t afraid to show up at the office/school with swollen eyes the next day.
The story is heavy, and the emotional intensity is high. I was hooked because of the emotional roller coaster I experienced. If you cry hard while watching it, you might experience a good catharsis, which will make you feel tired but also relieved, calm, and clearheaded.
For my part, I feel gratitude. I know dramatic stories usually exaggerate things, but someone, somewhere, might lived that kind of life. It made me thankful for my ordinary life.
I said so much about heavy emotions because the story of Twelve Letters was very tragic. The bond between Tang Yi Xun and Ye Hai Tang was admirable. But their bond was built over suffering. Time and time again, they faced hardships and dead ends. So often, in fact, that I felt suffocated, wondering when they would finally have a good life.
I mostly felt sadness and frustration for them. There was little joy, and the ending was bittersweet because it was left open. Brace yourself; this drama will torture you with intense emotions from beginning to end.
The Story – The Letters That Waited for Us
I want to give you a sunny day, but I only have an umbrella woven from storm clouds (Episode 4)
Twelve Letters’ story spans 35 years across two cities, Meiwan Town in 1991 and Beixing City in 2026. In Meiwan Town, the story follows two teenagers, Ye Hai Tang and Tang Yi Xun.
In Bixing City, we meet two adults, Yu Nian and Shen Cheng, who are searching for their missing elderly parents. And the thread that connected two places and two timelines is a pair of old red mailboxes.
The title itself refers to the twelve letters sent through the mailboxes. But there were strict conditions: the letters would be delivered if written on a certain brand of paper, mailed at certain times, when a certain cat appeared.
The story moves back and forth between the past and the future. But after two episodes, you’ll find yourself adjusting easily. It wasn’t hard to follow the plot. What keeps me hooked are the puzzles to solve and the twists waiting to be revealed. Just like I said in the synopsis, “Whose truth was hidden in the mailbox, and whose fate was waiting to be rewritten?
Yu Nian and Shen Cheng’s connection to the past lies in their blood. Shen Cheng is Ye Hai Tang’s son, while Yu Nian is Yu Zhi Yong’s daughter, and Yu Zhi Yong once knew Ye Hai Tang. Both Yu Nian and Shen Cheng had lost their parents, and it was at Meiwan Town’s police station that their paths crossed.
It was interesting to see their interaction because of the vast differences in their personalities. Yu Nian is an outspoken, witty, and sassy. She has the lively, street-smart energy of a Chinese local. Shen Cheng, on the other hand, was raised abroad by his father. He is reserved, practical, and logical.
You got explanations that don’t make sense? He surely rejects them outright. So it’s no surprise that Shen Cheng found Yu Nian’s chatter frustrating… and honestly, I was kinda enjoying his annoyed expressions 😆.
But their partnership grew out of necessity, because the mysteries wouldn’t solve themselves.
The first puzzle to solve was Yu Zhi Yong’s life. When Yu Nuan reported his disappearance, the police told her that Yu Zhi Yong had died 20 years ago in prison. So who was the man who raised her all these years? What was his true identity? And how was he connected to Ye Hai Tang and the letters?
Well, if you watched this drama, you might have some guesses in mind. But it didn’t reveal everything at once. Watching it feels like opening an old diary. Every page holds a secret, and none can be skipped.
The second puzzle was Ye Hai Tang’s disappearance. Why was her car abandoned in the mountains? What happened to her? Shen Cheng racked his orderly mind, trying to find answers, refusing to accept Yu Nian’s supernatural explanations.
The turning points in their relationship came when they discovered Ye Hai Tang’s letter. It was a blow for Shen Cheng, who didn’t believe in supernatural things, and clearly a win for Yu Nian, who tried hard to make him believe.
But then their fragile bond broke again when Shen Cheng finally found his mother. Yu Nian’s fear only deepened because her father was still missing. To her, it no longer mattered whether the man who raised her was truly Yu Zhi Yong or not, because in her heart, he was her father.
I was deeply touched by her. Yu Nian never thought of herself. She worried only for the old man. She feared her father wouldn’t even be able to answer simple questions like his own name or where he lived.
She worried if he was shivering in the cold, if his clothes were warm enough to fight the weather. And when she broke down at the steering wheel, crying in helpless regret, I couldn’t hold back. I bawled my eyes out. 😭
In contrast with Yu Nian and Shen Cheng, Tang Yi Xun and Ye Hai Tang have something strikingly similar within them. They seemed to share the same soul, one tempered and hardened by life.
They leaned on each other like a pair of wolves, moving together against the wind in a perfect rhythm, bound by survival and protection. Their bond was youthful yet fierce, fragile but resilient.
Their first encounter was anything but gentle. Tang Yi Xun, together with his thug friends, Li Chan Dong and Zhang Hao, went to her house to collect debt. Her father borrowed the money for his ailing mother, but after Grandma passed away, he abandoned her.
Leaving Ye Hai Tang alone to face the debt collector. It was in that moment that Tang Yi Xun fell in love with her. Fate brought them together again in the classroom when, unexpectedly, Tang Yi Xun became her classmate.
When Tang Yi Xun and Ye Hai Tang were at school, I was struck by how mature they looked. Sure, their faces were still youthful, but something about them set them apart from their classmates like Wang Man Yu or Shen Xiao Jun. While the others looked and acted their age, Tang Yi Xun and Ye Hai Tang carried themselves with a maturity that felt way beyond their age.
Ye Hai Tang dreamed of escaping Meiwan town by entering college. It was her only chance to break free from her wretched life. Her grandmother understood this and entrusted her with the house deed before she passed away.
She urged Ye Hai Tang to sell it after graduation to pay for her college tuition. Her teacher, Tang Xin, also supported her, encouraging her to keep fighting. Yet, the biggest obstacle for Ye Hai Tang was her own father, Ye Yi Bo.
Ye Yi Bo is one of the ugliest father characters I’ve ever seen in Cdramaland. He was a gambling addict who drained Ye Hai Tang’s meager salary and even schemed to send her to a mental hospital just so he could sell the house. For Ye Hai Tang, being beaten was an everyday torment.
Yet no one around her knew the extent of her suffering, because Ye Yi Bo was a good actor. In public, he played the role of a pitiful husband who was abandoned by his wife and a good father who cared so much for his daughter. While on the back, he didn’t hesitate to smear Ye Hai Tang’s name, branding her as mentally unstable to cover his own cruelty.
Yu Nian and Shen Cheng didn’t know about Tang Yi Xun’s problem. But they did know about Ye Hai Tang’s pain because her suicide note ended up in their hand. At the same time, Tang Yi Xun knew that his future life would be full of unbearable pain and longing for Ye Hai Tang.
Yu Nian and Shen Cheng realized that Ye Hai Tang needed help so her life wouldn’t remain trapped in suffering, while Tang Yi Xun resolved to change their fate and fight for a chance at happiness.
What made this drama more heartbreaking was that both Yu Nian and Shen Cheng knew so little about their parents, only the parts that were shown to them. Yu Nian never learned Yu Zhi Yong’s true identity, while Shen Cheng remained in the dark about his mother’s past and the life she had endured.
There is a deep sorrow in not truly knowing your parents. It’s like living in a house where one door is forever locked. And even if the door opens, the room behind it is swallowed in darkness. No light, no switch, no electricity. Just silence and shadows.
The Story – Romance that Break Your Heart
The romance between Tang Yi Xun and Ye Hai Tang was subtle, but you can feel the depth. Tang Yi Xun’s jealousy felt ironic when he learned that Shen Cheng is Ye Hai Tang’s son, but he didn’t carry his surname. He racked his brain for so long, trying to find who the man was who was marrying the love of his life.
Thankfully, he didn’t become another Yi Tian Yu from Summer of Our Youth, who was blinded by jealousy for something he didn’t even know the truth about.
Although Ye Hai Tang, in the end, lived in the same house with Tang Yi Xun, they were very strict with decency and morals. No kissing or whatsoever. There were hugs, but the kind of hugs to comfort and protect.
Basically, there was nothing to enjoy for my romantic soul. Yet, it was touching that Ye Hai Tang still remembered to bring him a birthday cake every year. That alone was enough to show how deeply engraved their bonding was.
But on the other hand, I was surprised to find myself wanting to know more about Yu Nian and Shen Cheng. They could be another pair of lovers who have shared a moment of hardship. And I wondered if it would be awesome if they ended up together. At least this thought can console my broken heart that yearns for a good love story.
Because, obviously, after Legend of the Female General drama, Summit of Our Youth, and When Destiny Brings the Demon, Twelve Letters feels like a barren desert of romance. And my fragile heart was too weak to accept it.
There were two supporting couples in this drama. The first one is between Tan Xin, who worked as a teacher, and Li Cha Dong, who was infamous as a thug, a debt collector, and the owner of the billiard hall.
The second is Zhen Zhu, the girl who works at the theatre, and Zhang Hao, another thug who also works for Li Cha Dong at his billiard hall. Their relationships weren’t just a filler for the story. They are also part of Tang Yi Xun and Ye Hai Tang’s life journey.
The Production – Behind the Lens and Beyond the Script
I have to give a BIG shout-out to the director and the screenwriters. Twelve Letters might just be a short drama with only 12 episodes, but the impact of the story is huge. I can’t remember the last drama that could make my eyes swell so big and my mood so wrecked that I need time to adjust and start writing the review.
Sha Wei Qi, the director, did a good job in creating this drama. This is the second time I’ve watched his work of art after Love Me, Love My Voice. Both have stunning visuals and great chemistry between the leads.
In Twelve Letters, the muted colors tone emphasized the gloomy, melancholy, and somber atmosphere. He didn’t bring any vibrant color to this drama, making the mailboxes the most eye-catching things that you’ll always remember.
I’m already familiar with the screenwriters. Cheng Xiao Mao and Cheng Meng Yan are the duo behind Angels Fall Sometimes and Wind Direction drama. Their work is impressively layered. The story always has heartfelt emotions, while keeping the pacing tight enough to keep viewers like me hooked. It was no wonder that Twelve Letters also carried the same depth and intrigue.
Angels Fall Sometimes and Wind Direction were touching and tear-jerking. You should put them on your watch list or read my reviews about them.
And last but not least. Our leads, Zhou Yi Ran and Wang Ying Lu, have nailed it as Tang Yi Xun and Ye Hai Tang. Their acting deserves huge praise, and their chemistry was undeniable. They didn’t just play the characters, they became them. Every glance, every smile, every tear, and every unspoken emotion felt real. You don’t just see it, you feel it. And that’s the kind of performance that stays with you long after the episode ends.
The Characters
Tang Yi Xun (Played by Zhou Yi Ran)
Tang Yi Xun is an orphan who was abandoned by his parents at a young age. He grew up in an orphanage under the care of an aunt, who happened to be Tan Xin’s mother. From an early age, life has demanded so much from him. Tang Yi Xun quickly adapted and learned to be a tough boy who relied on his fist to survive and earn money.
As he grew older, Tang Yi Xun became a hardworking, loyal, and very responsible person. Despite the condition that shaped him, Tang Yi Xun never lost his capacity to love and to care. His kindness shines in his own way. It was quiet but fierce.
Beneath his roughness and hardened exterior lies a heart that is full of sincerity. His feelings for Ye Hai Tang are pure and unwavering. His love is all about protection, presence, and persistence. He is a restless yet determined person, especially when it comes to Ye Hai Tang’s happiness.
Ye Hai Tang (Played by Wang Ying Lu)
Ye Hai Tang also grew up in difficult circumstances. When she was young, she lived in an old house with her parents and grandmother. Her parents worked at the same company. However, Ye Yi Bo would often beat her. Ye Hai Tang’s mother, Wu Feng Ying, then left the house and never returned, which made people pity Ye Yi Bo and treat him kindly.
Ye Hai Tang is intelligent, and her teacher saw her talent and urged her to ace the college entrance exam. With that dream still in her mind, she endured every hardship from her father. This shows how resilient Ye Hai Tang is, as well as her ambition and hope. She cares deeply for those around her and shows her affection in subtle yet profound ways.
Yu Nian (Played by Zheng He Hui Zi)
Yu Nian is the only daughter of Yu Zhi Yong. Her mother died when she was young, so she lived with her grandmother for a few years while her father was away. After he returned, her grandmother died of an illness.
From then on, the father-daughter pair relied solely on each other. Yu Nian has a job in Beijing. She recently returned to Beijing to care for her father, whose health is deteriorating and whose memory is fading due to Alzheimer’s disease.
Yu Nian is a very interesting person. She is outspoken and sassy and never afraid to speak her mind. Her words are sharp yet humorous. She is quick-thinking and clever. Her cleverness was more like the kind of street-smart clever.
Yet, beneath her determined exterior, she has a soft heart. Her heart is compassionate, caring, and sensitive. This blend of strength and tenderness is what makes Yu Nian so endearing.
Shen Cheng (Played by Ren You Lun)
Shen Cheng is Ye Hai Tang’s son. He was raised abroad by his father after being separated from his mother. His relationship with Ye Hai Tang is distant. He didn’t know much about her life or the hardship she endured.
As a person, Shen Cheng is the complete opposite of Yu Nian. He is calm, rational, and practical, and often relies on logic rather than emotion. His reserved and guarded personality was obvious. Having been raised overseas, his manner is restrained and aloof.
He dislikes anything that doesn’t make sense and has little patience. But beneath the composed exterior, Shen Cheng is loyal and steadfast. Once he decides to shoulder responsibility, he does so with unyielding resolve. His quiet strength balanced the fiery energy of Yu Nian.
Ye Yi Bo (Played by Li Yi Xiang)
Ye Yi Bo is a manipulative gambling addict who treats money only as a fuel for his addiction. He is often found in gambling dens, chasing wings while ignoring losses. He spends money without thinking of the consequences. His constant need for cash makes him erratic.
And when desperation strikes, his temper turns violent. Whenever Ye Yi Bo lost a game, he would vent his Frustration by beating Ye Hai Tang. Yet outside the house walls, he hides behind a carefully crafted mask. To the people around them, Ye Yi Bo pretended to be a pitiful man whose wife ran away with another man, and a devoted father struggling to raise his daughter.
The Conclusion
Dear readers, do you need a reason to cry or a chance to release your emotions? Then watch this drama. Make sure you did it at home, away from prying eyes, because Twelve Letters will tug at your heartstrings relentlessly.
This story reminded us that family isn’t always just blood and that love can take many forms. Those who stand by us through hardships shape who we become.
Don’t forget to stock up on tissues, you’ll need them. Arm yourself with the extra eye cream or eye patch or cucumbers or anything that worked for swollen eyes. Most importantly, drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. You’ll need them to replace all the tears this drama will draw from you.
Anyhow, after this heartfelt review, has my writing touch your heart? Have you decided to watch Twelve Letters? If not, at least add it on your watchlist. You’ll thank me later. And for now, I thank you for stopping by. Until then, goodbye.
