CHINESE DRAMA NEWS · UPCOMING DRAMA PREVIEW
When I Meet the Moon (折月亮): Cast, 2026 Release Window, Story and Hidden Love Connection
折月亮
Chinese Drama News | October 14, 2026
The upcoming Chinese romance drama When I Meet the Moon (折月亮), starring Lin Yi and Lu Yuxiao, is preparing to bring another story from author Zhu Yi's popular Nanwu Trilogy to television.
Following the adaptations of Hidden Love (偷偷藏不住) and The First Frost (难哄), the new iQIYI production introduces a different couple whose relationship begins with an old crush and develops into a romance shaped by personal growth, emotional misunderstandings, and second chances.
Directed by Zhang Boyu, the series follows a socially anxious young woman who unexpectedly reunites with the brilliant man she admired during high school.
While the official promotional material highlights a sweet romance, the synopsis also confirms that the couple will experience a breakup and separation before finding their way back to each other.
According to iQIYI's updated 2026–2027 programming slate, When I Meet the Moon is currently scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026. However, an exact premiere date has not been announced.
What Is When I Meet the Moon About?
When I Meet the Moon follows Yun Li, portrayed by Lu Yuxiao, a young woman who struggles with social anxiety and wants to prove that she can make independent decisions.
Determined to establish a life outside her father's expectations, Yun Li applies to a postgraduate program in Nanwu.
Shortly before the semester begins, she receives an invitation to visit a local virtual reality experience center as a video content creator.
There, she unexpectedly encounters Fu Shize, played by Lin Yi.
Fu Shize is a gifted young man whom Yun Li admired during high school. Their reunion brings back feelings she never completely forgot.
Although Yun Li is normally uncomfortable interacting with people, her feelings for Fu Shize encourage her to become more confident and proactive.
With encouragement from the people around her, she begins pursuing him.
Her persistence and warmth gradually break through his emotional defenses, and the two eventually enter a romantic relationship.
However, their happiness does not last uninterrupted.
As their relationship develops, differences in how they approach problems and understand each other's feelings create tension.
Those disagreements eventually lead to a breakup.
Yun Li leaves China, while Fu Shize is forced to confront painful experiences he has kept buried.
Determined to rebuild his life, he focuses on his scientific research and personal growth.
When Yun Li returns to China, Fu Shize begins pursuing her, hoping to repair their relationship and earn another chance.
Their story centers on whether two people who once loved each other can overcome the differences that separated them.
Who Stars in When I Meet the Moon?
The confirmed cast includes:
- Lin Yi (林一) as Fu Shize (傅识则), a talented researcher and Yun Li's former high school crush.
- Lu Yuxiao (卢昱晓) as Yun Li (云厘), a socially anxious young woman learning to pursue her own ambitions and romantic feelings.
- Lu Yangyang (卢洋洋) — Supporting cast.
- Li Geyang (李歌洋) — Supporting cast.
- Huang Shengchi (黄圣池) — Supporting cast.
- Huang Tingting (黄婷婷) — Supporting cast.
- Xie Binbin (谢彬彬) — Supporting cast.
The drama is directed by Zhang Boyu (张博昱) and adapted from Zhu Yi's novel Zhe Yue Liang (折月亮).
Lin Yi has previously appeared in romantic dramas including Love Scenery and Ski Into Love, while Lu Yuxiao is known for productions such as My Journey to You, Blossoms in Adversity, and Love Between Lines.
Their pairing brings together two actors familiar to viewers of contemporary and historical Chinese romances.
How Is When I Meet the Moon Connected to Hidden Love and The First Frost?
One of the biggest reasons When I Meet the Moon has attracted attention is its connection to two established Chinese romance dramas.
The new series adapts the final novel in Zhu Yi's Nanwu Trilogy, a collection of three interconnected romance stories set within the same fictional world.
The trilogy consists of:
Hidden Love (偷偷藏不住)
The first story follows Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu, whose relationship develops from a long-standing crush into an adult romance.
The First Frost (难哄)
The second story centers on Sang Yan, Sang Zhi's older brother, and Wen Yifan, whose complicated history eventually brings them together again.
When I Meet the Moon (折月亮)
The third story introduces Yun Li and Fu Shize, whose romance involves an old crush, personal insecurities, separation, and reconciliation.
Although the novels share a fictional setting and character connections, each focuses on a different central couple.
That distinction matters for the television adaptations.
The dramas are based on related literary works, but shared source material does not automatically guarantee that actors from the previous adaptations will appear in When I Meet the Moon.
No crossover appearances involving the earlier television casts should be treated as confirmed without an official announcement.
Viewers can approach the new drama as a separate romance while recognizing its connection to the wider Nanwu universe.
Does When I Meet the Moon Have a Breakup?
Yes. The official iQIYI synopsis explicitly confirms a breakup between Yun Li and Fu Shize.
This is not a fan theory or an assumption based on the original novel.
According to the platform's official description, the couple begins dating after Yun Li successfully pursues Fu Shize.
However, their different ways of handling problems eventually cause misunderstandings and conflict.
The relationship ends, and Yun Li travels abroad.
During their time apart, Fu Shize confronts unresolved emotional pain and works to rebuild his life.
After Yun Li returns to China, he makes a determined effort to win her back.
The official synopsis confirms that the two eventually resolve their differences and rekindle their relationship.
That provides useful information for viewers who prefer to know about romantic conflicts before starting a drama.
However, the synopsis does not reveal how many episodes the breakup lasts, how long the characters remain apart, or whether the adaptation changes details from the original novel.
The precise breakup and reconciliation timeline will need to be verified after the series premieres.
Will When I Meet the Moon Have a Happy Ending?
The official synopsis offers a positive indication for the main couple, but the television adaptation's complete ending has not yet been verified.
iQIYI describes Yun Li and Fu Shize overcoming their differences and rekindling their love after their separation.
That strongly suggests reconciliation is an important part of the intended story.
However, it does not establish every detail of the final episode.
The production has not independently confirmed whether the television adaptation concludes with marriage, engagement, or another explicit long-term commitment.
For now, the most accurate relationship information is:
- Main couple: Yun Li and Fu Shize.
- Romance: They become a couple during the story.
- Breakup: Yes, explicitly confirmed.
- Separation: Yes, Yun Li goes abroad.
- Reconciliation: Confirmed in the official synopsis.
- Final romantic ending: Not yet verified from the completed drama.
- Kissing and physical affection: Full-series assessment pending.
Viewers should also distinguish the novel's ending from the television adaptation's final scenes.
An adaptation may preserve the central romantic outcome while changing how the story reaches that conclusion.
Official Trailer and Behind-the-Scenes Footage
iQIYI has released official promotional footage for When I Meet the Moon, including its first trailer and behind-the-scenes features.
The trailer introduces Yun Li and Fu Shize's contrasting personalities, emphasizing her growing confidence and his more reserved demeanor.
The promotional campaign presents Yun Li's pursuit of Fu Shize as an important part of the romance.
It also highlights the emotional distance that develops between the characters and the possibility of repairing their relationship.
Additional behind-the-scenes videos give viewers a closer look at the actors and production.
The footage establishes the drama's contemporary setting and romantic tone, but does not confirm the final episode's events.
The trailer is available through the drama's official iQIYI International page.
When Will When I Meet the Moon Premiere?
As of October 14, 2026, When I Meet the Moon is listed for Q4 2026, according to iQIYI's updated programming slate.
That places the anticipated release window between October and December 2026.
However, the platform has not announced an exact premiere date.
An earlier iQIYI programming slate listed a third-quarter window, but the newer official presentation identifies Q4 2026.
The updated schedule should therefore take precedence over older release estimates.
The drama is listed as an upcoming title on iQIYI International, where viewers can currently access official promotional materials.
Its final episode-release calendar and precise international launch schedule remain unconfirmed.
Where Can International Viewers Watch When I Meet the Moon?
iQIYI has confirmed that When I Meet the Moon is planned for release through its international streaming service, iQ.com.
The official international page currently lists the drama as Coming Soon and provides options to reserve the series and watch promotional videos.
The listing identifies Mandarin as the original language and categorizes the production as a romance drama.
However, a Coming Soon page does not establish that full episodes are already available in the United States.
U.S. playback, final subtitle availability, and actual streaming quality should be checked once the series premieres.
International viewers can follow the official listing for updates:
Official iQIYI page: https://www.iq.com/album/when-i-meet-the-moon-2026-ysyflhzw09?lang=en_us
Why When I Meet the Moon Is Worth Following
The connection to Hidden Love and The First Frost is likely to attract viewers who enjoyed Zhu Yi's earlier adaptations.
However, When I Meet the Moon introduces its own romantic dynamic.
Yun Li is not initially presented as an outspoken or naturally confident heroine.
Her feelings for Fu Shize encourage her to challenge her social anxiety and take steps she might otherwise avoid.
That personal growth gives the early romance an emotional foundation beyond a simple crush.
Fu Shize's storyline also involves significant development.
Following their breakup, he must confront unresolved trauma and change aspects of his life before attempting to rebuild their relationship.
The official synopsis suggests that both characters undergo personal changes rather than simply reuniting because they still have feelings for each other.
Whether those developments feel convincing will depend on the adaptation's execution.
The confirmed breakup may also divide viewers.
Some romance fans enjoy second-chance relationships where both characters demonstrate meaningful growth.
Others prefer couples who confront problems together without separating.
For that reason, When I Meet the Moon may appeal most strongly to viewers who appreciate emotional reconciliation stories and are comfortable with a significant romantic conflict.
Final Thoughts
When I Meet the Moon brings the Nanwu Trilogy closer to completing its journey from popular romance novels to television adaptations.
With Lin Yi and Lu Yuxiao leading the cast, the drama offers a contemporary love story about an old crush, personal confidence, emotional distance, and the possibility of rebuilding a relationship after separation.
Its connection to Hidden Love and The First Frost provides a familiar literary background, but the new couple's relationship has its own challenges.
The official iQIYI synopsis already confirms that Yun Li and Fu Shize will fall in love, break up, spend time apart, and eventually reconcile.
What remains unknown is how the television adaptation will handle that journey, particularly the length of the separation and the final romantic resolution.
For now, When I Meet the Moon remains an upcoming drama with a Q4 2026 release window and no officially announced premiere date.
Shen Zhiyi Writes Reviews will continue tracking the official release schedule, international streaming availability, and verified relationship developments as more information becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will When I Meet the Moon premiere?
iQIYI's updated programming slate lists the drama for Q4 2026. An exact premiere date has not been announced.
What is the Chinese title?
The Chinese title is 折月亮, romanized as Zhe Yue Liang.
Who stars in When I Meet the Moon?
Lin Yi stars as Fu Shize, and Lu Yuxiao plays Yun Li.
Is When I Meet the Moon connected to Hidden Love?
Yes. It is adapted from the final novel in Zhu Yi's Nanwu Trilogy, which also includes Hidden Love and The First Frost.
Do viewers need to watch Hidden Love and The First Frost first?
The three novels focus on different central couples. The new drama can be approached as a separate romance, although familiarity with the connected fictional world may add context.
Do Yun Li and Fu Shize break up?
Yes. iQIYI's official synopsis confirms that the couple separates after disagreements and misunderstandings.
Do Yun Li and Fu Shize get back together?
Yes. The official synopsis says Fu Shize pursues Yun Li after her return to China and that they reconcile. The completed television ending has not yet been independently verified.
Does When I Meet the Moon have a happy ending?
The official synopsis indicates reconciliation, but the television adaptation's final romantic ending remains unverified.
How many episodes does When I Meet the Moon have?
The current official iQIYI International listing does not confirm a final episode count. The count should be rechecked against the official streaming listing when the series premieres.
Where will When I Meet the Moon stream?
The drama is officially listed as Coming Soon on iQIYI International. Actual U.S. episode playback and English-subtitle availability remain to be verified.