Fans flock to ‘The Lament of Autumn’ as Cheng Lei and Xu Ruohan light up screens

Chinese stars Cheng Lei as Yu Chang Xuan (right) and Xu Ruohan as Ye Ping Jun in the new drama ‘The Lament of Autumn’. — Picture courtesy of iQiyi Malaysia

By Ian Jeremiah Patrick

First Published: Friday, 23 Oct 2026 3:13 PM MYT

Last Modified: Friday, 23 Oct 2026 3:14 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Chinese stars Cheng Lei and Xu Ruohan’s new Republican-era romance drama The Lament of Autumn has climbed to No. 1 on iQiyi Malaysia’s Hot Dramas chart within its first week, with a rating of 9.8.

Interest in the series was evident even before its debut, with viewers sharing their excitement on social media.

Viewers welcomed the drama’s arrival on the platform, expressing excitement about Cheng’s character, Yu Chang Xuan.

The actor, who serves as iQiyi International’s global ambassador, visited Kuala Lumpur in September as part of the Starship programme, where he met local fans.

During the event, he took part in games, learned popular Malay phrases, showcased his photography skills and read fans’ letters on stage.

In The Lament of Autumn, Cheng as Yu is the fifth young master of the Yu family, presenting himself as a charming playboy but also a calculating strategist navigating the turmoil of warlord-era China.

The drama follows Ye Ping Jun, played by Xu, a student who takes a job at a meeting house in western Hunan to pay for her mother’s medical treatment.

On her first day, Ping Jun becomes entangled in an assassination attempt involving Yu and is wrongly suspected of involvement.

Refusing to accept the accusations, she enters into a 10-day pact with him to investigate the case and clear her name.

As they work together, Yu grows closer to her, though his pursuit is complicated by hidden intentions.

What follows is a tale of mystery, hidden secrets, and a gradual romance unfolding amid the chaos of warlord-era China.

The Lament of Autumn premiered on October 12, with 20 of its 38 episodes now out.