If you’ve ever sat through a 70-episode C-drama marathon just to feel like your soul was put through a paper shredder, you probably watched the all out of love chinese drama. Honestly, it's one of those shows that stays with you. Not because it’s a happy, fluffy rom-com—it definitely isn't—but because it captures that specific, agonizing ache of loving someone you just can't seem to reach.
It’s been a few years since Liang Sheng, Can’t We Not Be Sad (the original title’s literal translation) hit our screens, and the discourse hasn't really stopped. Based on the novel by Le Xiaomi, this drama is the definition of "it's complicated." It stars Wallace Chung, Ma Tianyu, and Sun Yi in a love triangle that stretches across decades, continents, and more medical tragedies than a season of Grey's Anatomy.
But why do we keep coming back to it?
Most people think it’s just another melodramatic idol drama. They’re wrong. It’s actually a pretty brutal look at how childhood trauma shapes adult relationships.
The Story Behind All Out of Love Chinese Drama
Let’s get the basics down.
Jiang Sheng (Sun Yi) and Liang Sheng (Ma Tianyu) grow up together. They aren't biological siblings, but they think they are for a long time. They’re poor. They’re struggling. But they have each other. Then, life happens. A car accident, a disappearance, and a mysterious biological lineage tear them apart.
Enter Cheng Tianyou.
Wallace Chung plays Tianyou, and let’s be real, he carries the "protective male lead" trope on his back. He’s wealthy, powerful, and absolutely devoted to Jiang Sheng. But the ghost of Liang Sheng is always there. It’s a mess. A beautiful, high-budget, tear-jerking mess.
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What's fascinating is how the show handles the passage of time. We see these characters go from dirt-poor kids in a small village to high-flying elites in the city. The contrast is stark. It makes you realize that no matter how much money they get, they’re still those scared kids inside.
The Liang Sheng vs. Cheng Tianyou Debate
Fans are still divided. It’s like the Team Edward vs. Team Jacob of the C-drama world, but with more business mergers and bone marrow transplants.
On one hand, you have Liang Sheng. He’s the childhood companion. He’s gentle, soft-spoken, and his bond with Jiang Sheng is almost spiritual. But it’s also stifling. Their love is rooted in a shared past of suffering. Some viewers find it beautiful; others find it a bit too close to "trauma bonding."
Then there’s Cheng Tianyou. He represents the future. He’s the guy who stays, even when Jiang Sheng is literally pushing him away to go find her "brother." Wallace Chung brings this incredible maturity to the role. When he goes blind later in the series—yeah, that happens—it’s some of the most heart-wrenching acting in modern Chinese television.
Honestly, the chemistry between Sun Yi and Wallace Chung is what kept the 70-episode runtime from feeling like a chore. You want her to choose him, but you understand why she can’t let go of the other guy.
Why the Production Value Matters
You can tell Hunan TV put a lot of money into this. The cinematography isn't just "bright and colorful" like your standard rom-com. It uses muted tones, long shots, and a lot of symbolic imagery—flowers, snow, the rolling hills of their hometown.
The soundtrack is also top-tier. When that main theme hits, you know someone is about to have a mental breakdown in the rain.
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- Location scouting: The transition from the rural landscapes to the cold, glass-and-steel architecture of the city mirrors the characters' loss of innocence.
- Fashion: Watch Jiang Sheng's wardrobe. It evolves from simple, earth-toned knits to sophisticated, sharp lines as she tries to fit into Tianyou's world.
- Pacing: It’s slow. Very slow. If you like fast-paced thrillers, this isn't for you. But if you want to marinate in the characters' emotions, the pacing is actually a strength.
Addressing the Controversies
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: the "incest" undertones. Because Jiang Sheng and Liang Sheng grew up as siblings, even though they find out they aren't biologically related, it makes some viewers uncomfortable.
The drama handles this by leaning heavily into the "found family" aspect. It’s less about romance in the traditional sense and more about a deep, primal need for belonging. If you can get past that initial hurdle, the story is much more about sacrifice than anything else.
Another gripe people have is the length. 70 episodes is a commitment. In the second half, there are definitely some "filler" subplots involving secondary characters that nobody really cared about. If you're watching it today, you might find yourself hitting the skip button on some of the corporate espionage scenes. They just don't carry the same weight as the central trio's drama.
The Cast: Why They Worked
Sun Yi is underrated. She has this "willow-like" quality—she looks fragile but she’s incredibly resilient. Playing Jiang Sheng requires a lot of crying. Like, a lot. But she manages to make every cry feel different. Sometimes it’s quiet resignation; sometimes it’s explosive grief.
Ma Tianyu was perfectly cast as Liang Sheng. He has this ethereal, almost fragile beauty that fits the character’s tragic arc. You believe he’s someone who has been through the wringer.
And then there’s Wallace Chung. He’s a veteran for a reason. His ability to convey deep longing with just a look is unmatched. He turns what could have been a "bossy CEO" trope into a deeply empathetic human being.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Ending
There’s a lot of confusion regarding the ending of the all out of love chinese drama. Without giving away every single spoiler, let's just say it’s a bittersweet resolution.
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Many viewers felt it was "unfinished" or that Jiang Sheng's choice was forced. However, if you look at the themes of the whole show, the ending makes perfect sense. It’s about growing up. It’s about realizing that the love you had as a child isn't necessarily the love you need as an adult to survive.
It’s about choosing the person who helps you grow, not just the person who reminds you of where you came from.
Impact on the C-Drama Industry
This show was part of a wave of "heavy" melodramas that dominated the late 2010s. It proved that audiences were willing to sit through long, emotionally taxing stories if the characters were compelling enough.
It also helped solidify the "healing" sub-genre. Even though it’s sad, there’s a sense of catharsis in watching these characters overcome their pasts. It’s not "healing" because everyone gets a happy ending—it’s "healing" because they learn to live with their scars.
Practical Advice for New Viewers
If you're planning to dive into this 70-episode journey, here’s how to do it without losing your mind:
- Don't binge it all at once. Seriously. The emotional weight is too much. Watch 2-3 episodes a night. Give yourself room to breathe.
- Focus on the lead trio. The side stories about the rival companies and the cousins can get tedious. It’s okay to fast-forward.
- Keep tissues nearby. This isn't a suggestion; it’s a requirement.
- Watch the "uncut" version if possible. Some streaming platforms trimmed scenes for time, which can make the character motivations feel a bit jumpy.
The all out of love chinese drama isn't just a TV show; it’s an endurance test of the heart. It challenges your ideas of loyalty, family, and what it means to truly "move on." Whether you're in it for the chemistry between Sun Yi and Wallace Chung or the tragic backstory of Liang Sheng, it’s a journey that remains one of the most significant entries in the genre.
Your Next Steps for Watching
- Check the Platform: Look for the series on Viki or YouTube (the Croton MEGA HIT channel often has high-quality uploads).
- Compare with the Novel: If you find the drama too long, the original novel by Le Xiaomi is much tighter, though significantly darker and more tragic.
- Follow the Cast: If you enjoyed the leads, check out Wallace Chung in The Sword and the Brocade for a more "mature" romance, or Sun Yi in Because of Meeting You for something slightly more upbeat.
- Identify the OST: Download the song "Not Over You" (不愿红尘错过你). It basically encapsulates the entire vibe of the show in four minutes.
Understanding the cultural context of "filial piety" and "fated love" helps in appreciating why the characters make the frustrating choices they do. Once you accept that their logic is driven by emotion rather than pragmatism, the story becomes much more powerful. Stop looking for a perfect happy ending and start looking for the small moments of growth. That’s where the real value of this drama lies.