The fantasy costume drama Love in the Dark Night has officially premiered in Taiwan, instantly drawing attention not only for its high-concept storyline but also for its surprising casting choices. Among them, the most talked-about is Gillian Chung (Zhong Xintong, also known as Ah Sa), who takes on the role of Ding Yuxi’s mother—a reveal that left many viewers stunned.
Starring Ding Yuxi and Esther Yu (Yu Shuxin), the drama marks the duo’s second collaboration following Moonlight, once again igniting discussions around their on-screen chemistry. Set in a fantastical world that blends romance, danger, and game-like survival mechanics, the story follows Esther Yu’s character Ling Miaomiao, a modern girl who accidentally transmigrates into a novel. Trapped inside the story as a doomed villainess, she must complete system-assigned missions to return to reality—chief among them, making the cold and hostile male lead Mu Sheng (played by Ding Yuxi) fall in love with her.
Failure means restarting the world again and again, forcing Ling Miaomiao to relive deadly scenarios in a relentless loop. This unique “no save point” setting has earned the drama praise for its fast pace and refreshing twist on the transmigration genre.
As the plot unfolds, Ling Miaomiao teams up with Mu Sheng, demon hunter Mu Yao (played by Zhu Xudan), and Liu Fuyi (Yang Shize) to battle threats arising from the long-standing conflict between humans and demons. Alongside the main cast, the addition of Chen Duling, Zhang Chenguang, and Yu Menglong significantly enriches the narrative layers, elevating the emotional depth of the series.
However, it is Gillian Chung’s appearance that has generated the most buzz. In Love in the Dark Night, she portrays Mu Sheng’s mother Murong’er, a character that spans two starkly contrasting phases. Initially introduced as a gentle, mysterious demon woman living in seclusion, Murong’er falls in love with a human—a forbidden relationship that ultimately leads to betrayal. After being abandoned, she fully descends into darkness, transforming into a ninth-rank great demon known as the “Grudge Woman.”
Despite playing the mother of a much younger male lead, Gillian Chung’s ethereal beauty has drawn widespread admiration. Fans have dubbed her the “most beautiful mother in costume drama history,” with many joking that she looks more like Mu Sheng’s sister than his parent. The actress revealed that her elaborate styling required up to eight hours of makeup and hair preparation, including heavy accessories and long hairpieces. While she admitted the headpieces were physically taxing, she shared that she particularly enjoyed the darker, villainous version of her character, finding the emotional contrast refreshing and challenging.
Beyond casting surprises, the drama also benefits from the established rapport between Ding Yuxi and Esther Yu. Ding Yuxi noted that their second collaboration felt especially smooth, explaining that their familiarity with each other’s acting rhythms eliminated awkwardness—even during intimate scenes. He added that if given the chance for a third project together, he would love to explore a modern slice-of-life story, such as childhood friends turned neighbors.
With its brisk storytelling, genre-blending premise, and a cast that spans both rising stars and seasoned names, Love in the Dark Night injects new energy into the costume drama landscape. As it officially begins its broadcast, viewers are eager to see whether this high-stakes love mission—from hostility to heartfelt connection—can ultimately clear the game and reach a happy ending.
Sources: Yahoo News
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