Star Power Collides: Yang Mi and Gong Jun Share the Screen
Mark your calendars, fantasy drama fans—2025 is about to get extra magical. ‘Fox Spirit Matchmaker: First Love’, the highly anticipated Chinese historical fantasy series, kicks off its DVD rental on October 3, 2025, with full DVD sets dropping in January 2026. The buzz? A dream pairing between Yang Mi (eternally beloved from ‘Eternal Love: Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms’) and Gong Jun (hello, ‘Word of Honor’ royalty).
From Manga to Mega-Series
The show is based on the wildly popular Tencent comic ‘Fox Spirit Matchmaker’, which boasts over 11 billion views thanks to its earlier animated version. The live-action adaptation is just as ambitious—this is only Part 1 of a planned fantasy trilogy. This first arc, ‘First Love’, unveils the heart-wrenching bond between a powerful fox spirit and a human boy she raises as her own… until romance complicates everything.
Fantasy, Romance, and Conflict on a Grand Scale
Set in a mythical realm where humans and spirits (called ayakashi in Japanese or yao in Chinese) coexist in a tense peace, Yang Mi stars as Tu Shan Honghong, leader of the fox tribe. She raises Dongfang Yuechu (played by Gong Jun), the sole survivor of a powerful human clan. As he matures, so does their affection—blurring lines between maternal and romantic, spirit and mortal. Their forbidden love unfolds against rising war and political unrest.
Meet the All-Star Cast & Creative Dream Team
- Guo Xiaoting (‘Eternal Love of Dream’) as the witty fox general
- Wei Zheming, reuniting with Gong Jun after ‘Word of Honor’
- Mao Zijun, Zhang Linghe, and more
The drama is directed by Mai Guanzhi (‘Love and Redemption’) and penned by Han Peizhen (‘The Moon Brightens for You’). Production comes from Stellar Media, the same studio behind ‘Love Between Fairy and Devil’ and ‘Love You Seven Times’—aka your favorite romantic tearjerkers in period costume.
A Love Story for the Ages
What sets this drama apart? Besides the jaw-dropping visuals and swoon-worthy OST, it’s the slow-burn-transcending-lifetimes feel that hits like a ship you can’t quit. Yang Mi and Gong Jun’s chemistry is already being called “dangerously sweet” by C-drama fans online.
What’s Next?
Two more parts are coming in the trilogy: ‘Huai Shui Zhu Ting’ starring Liu Shishi and Zhang Yunlong, and ‘Wang Quan Pian’ headlined by Cheng Yi and Li Yitong. If the first chapter sets the tone, this fantasy franchise could shape up to be China’s answer to the ‘Twilight’ saga—with a deeper mythos and even higher production value.
Release Info You Need
- Rental Vol. 1–6: October 3, 2025
- Vol. 7–12: November 5, 2025
- Vol. 13–18: December 3, 2025
- DVD Box Set: January 14, 2026 (3 boxes, 12 episodes each)
The DVD boxes come with bonus booklets—perfect for collectors and rewatchers alike.
Final Thought
With a mix of emotional storytelling, fantasy politics, and a heart-tugging love plot, ‘Fox Spirit Matchmaker: First Love’ is poised to steal global hearts. So… are you Team Human or Team Fox?
