Love O2O (Chinese: 微微一笑很倾城) is a 2016 Chinese television series based on the novel of the same name written by Gu Man, starring Yang Yang and Zheng Shuang. It aired on Jiangsu TV and Dragon TV from 22 August to 6 September 2016.[2]
The drama is a commercial success in China, and internationally. It is one of the most watched Chinese modern dramas, with over 24 billion views online.[3]
Synposis[]
Bei Weiwei (Zheng Shuang) is the computer department goddess, who excels in her studies. She aspires to be an online game developer, and goes by the user ID of Luwei Weiwei in the online role-playing game A Chinese Ghost Story. After she gets dumped by her online husband Zhenshui Wuxiang, she gets approached by the number one player Yixiao Naihe, who suggested that they get married so they both can participate in a couple competition within the game. The newly formed couple instantly hit it off, and undergo many adventures together in the game.
However, Wei Wei never expected the real identity of her virtual husband to be her college senior, Xiao Nai (Yang Yang) who is described as the cream of the crop in both sports and academics. When Wei Wei discovers his true identity, getting to know that their meeting in the game and getting married wasn't just their ranks or a mere coincidence but Xiao Nai had once seen her duelling with another player in an internet cafe. She realized that he had already fallen for her when he saw her for the first time, not for her beauty but for her quick, swift finger movements on the keyboard!
Cast[]
Main[edit][]
| Actor | Character | Introduction |
|---|---|---|
| Yang Yang[4] | Xiao Nai | A 4th year computer science student and member of the basketball team. He is also the CEO of Zhi Yi technology company. He appears to be gentle and kind, but hides intellect, creativity and an academic personality. Known by the web name "Yixiao Naihe", he is a famous figure and top player in the game A Chinese Ghost Story. In real life, Xiao Nai is also the most popular guy in campus. |
| Zheng Shuang[5] | Bei Weiwei | A 2nd year computer science student, who is considered the "belle" of the computer science major. She placed second in a beauty voting that took place online within the student community. She is bright, smart and helpful, and aspires to be a game designer. Known by the alias "Luwei Weiwei" in A Chinese Ghost Story, she is the only female player in the Top 10 PK ranking. She catches Xiao Nai's attention unintentionally as she is playing the game in an internet cafe. |
Supporting[edit][]
People at Qing University[edit][]
| Actor | Character | Introduction |
|---|---|---|
| Mao Xiaotong[6] | Zhao Erxi | Wei Wei's best friend and dorm mate. She's bright and cheerful, but can be oblivious and stubborn at times. She falls for Cao Guang in the game Dreaming of Jianghu as Cao Guang mistook her in-game name for Wei Wei's and start to befriend her. |
| Bai Yu[7] | Cao Guang | A foreign language scholar. He initially misunderstood Wei Wei, but later develops a friendship and a crush on her. Later, he also forms a friendship and budding romance with Er Xi. |
| Ma Chunrui[8] | Meng Yiran | The school's "belle", who placed first in the school's online beauty voting. She has a crush on Xiao Nai. |
| Qin Yu[9] | Xiao Ling | Wei Wei's dorm mate. Because of her wealthy background, she is often referred to as "Little Rich Woman". |
| Songxin Jiayi[10] | Tian Sisi | Wei Wei's dorm mate. |
| Zhou Chenjia[11] | Nana | Yiran's roommate and sycophant, who constantly encourages her to pursue Xiaonai. She sucks up to Yiran in order to capture the attention of her cousin, Shaoxiang. |
| Zhang Chaoren[12] | Da Zhong | Xiao Ling's boyfriend, and member of the basketball team. |
| Chen Jie | Aixiang Nai'er | Yiran's friend; a famous online blogger. A nasty person. |
People in Zhi Yi Technology[edit][]
| Actor | Character | Introduction |
|---|---|---|
| Niu Junfeng[13] | Yu Banshan | Known by the alias "Yugong Pashan". He often misuses idioms due to a childhood trauma. |
| Cui Hang[14] | Qiu Yonghou | Known by the alias "Houzi Jiu". |
| Zheng Yecheng[15] | Hao Mei | Known by the alias "Mo Zha Ta". One of the top 3 experts in Zhi Yi. He has a baby face, and is often called "Mr. Beauty". |
| Vin Zhang[16] | KO | A top hacker and one of the top 3 experts in Zhi Yi. He shares a twisted fate with Hao Mei, whom he previously met in a game. |
| Hu Haobo[17] | Ah Shuang | In charge of QA/Testing in Zhi Yi. He has a phobia of women, known to be gynophobic. |
| Xiao Xiaobai | Ah Li |
People in Dreaming of Jianghu[edit][]
| Actor | Character | Introduction |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan Zhang | Zhen Shaoxiang | Wei Wei's ex-virtual husband, known by the alias "Zhenshui Wuxiang". He is also Yiran's elder cousin and the son of Zhen Yi technology's CEO. A person who judges people by appearance; he dumps Wei Wei thinking she is ugly and marries "Xiaoyu Yaoyao", but later comes to regret it when he sees Wei Wei in real life. |
| Liu Yinglun[18] | Yu Yao | Known by the alias "Xiaoyu Yaoyao", leader of the Xiao Yu clan. She is regarded as the number one beauty of the game. A hypocritical and attention-seeking person. She dates Zhen Shaoxiang in real life. |
| Lu Yunxuan[19] | Leishen Nini | Wei Wei's guild mate. She loves to gossip. |
| Liu Yujin[20] | Diemo Weixing | Ex-leader of the "Jade Seas Rising Tide" guild and Zhan Tianxia's virtual wife. |
| Zhang Shou[21] | Zhan Tianxia | Current leader of the "Jade Seas Rising Tide" guild and Diemo Weixing's virtual husband. He has an ambiguous relationship with Xiaoyu Qingqing. |
| Yang Xueying[22] | Xiaoyu Qingqing | One of Xiaoyu Yaoyao's followers. She likes to flirt with male players, especially with Zhan Tianxia. |
| Song Yuqing | Xiaoyu Feifei | One of Xiaoyu Yaoyao's followers. |
| Liu Qianyu | Xiaoyu Mianmian | One of Xiaoyu Yaoyao's followers. |
| Xiao Xiaobai | Youming Guilao | A "boss" in the game who likes to capture male players and make them his slaves. |
| Zhang Haoyu[23] | Tianxia Dayi |
Others[edit][]
| Actor | Character | Introduction |
|---|---|---|
| Cai Gang | Xiao Nai's father | A archaeologist professor at Qing university. |
| Gu Kaili | Xiao Nai's mother | A history professor at Qing university |
| Fu Jun | Wei Wei's father | |
| Yang Manqin | Wei Wei's mother | |
| Bian Cheng | Xiao Yang | Wei Wei's tutee. |
| Cheng Gong | CEO Zhen | CEO of Zhen Yi technology. Shaoxiang's father and Yiran's uncle. He uses underhanded means to try to steal Xiao Nai's game creation. |
| Ling Haiming[24] | CEO Li | Head of the gaming department at Zhen Yi technology. |
| Denny Huang | Feng Teng | CEO of Feng Teng Organization. |
| Liu Guhao | CEO Wang | |
| Yang Yucheng | Xiao Nai's uncle |
Production[edit][]
The series was filmed at Shanghai Songjiang University Town, East China University of Political Science and Law and Shanghai Commercial Plaza.[25]
The fictional game in the universe uses the content provided by A Chinese Ghost Story, a popular MMORPG game in China.[26]
Soundtrack[edit][]
| No. | Title | Music | Singer | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "A Smile is Beautiful (一笑倾城)[27]" (Opening theme song) | Silence Wang | Silence Wang | |
| 2. | "Weiwei's Beautiful Smile (微微一笑很倾城)[28]" (Ending theme song) | Silence Wang, Liu Yanjia | Yang Yang | |
| 3. | "The Next Second (下一秒)" | Zhang Bichen | ||
| 4. | "A Little Sweet (有点甜)" | Silence Wang, By2 | ||
| 5. | "A Possible Night (有可能的夜晚)" | Dong Zhen | ||
| 6. | "Want to Meet Someone (想遇见一个人)[29]" | Zeng Manzi | Teresa Tseng |
Reception[edit][]
The series ranked first in television ratings and became the number one most searched and discussed topic online during its broadcast.[30] The drama is also well-received internationally.
The drama was praised for following the details of the novel faithfully, as well as its refreshing and unique plot. Unlike most dramas, Love O2O does not succumb to overused cliches and plot devices, making it stand out from dramas with similar themes.
Awards[]
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2nd China Quality Television Drama Ceremony | Popular Quality Actor | Yang Yang | Won | [33] |
| Innovative Themed Drama of the Year | Love O2O | Won
|
International Broadcast[]
| Channel | Location | Broadcast start date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jiangsu TV, Dragon TV | Mainland China | 22 August 2016 | Monday to Sunday 19:30 - 21:00 (two eps) |
| DramaFever | U.S., Canada and Latin America | 23 August 2016 | Monday to Saturday (two eps) |
| Anhui TV | Mainland China | 24 August 2016 | Daily 09:00 am |
| Astro HD | Malaysia | 25 August 2016 | Monday to Friday 18:00 - 19:00 |
| Shenzen TV | Mainland China | 29 September 2016 | Every day 19:30 (two eps) |
| Zing TV | Vietnam | ||
| CHOCO TV | Taiwan | 1 October 2016 | |
| TVB J2 | Hong Kong | 10 January 2017 | Monday to Friday 19:00 - 20:00 |
| Jiangxi TV | Mainland China | 28 January 2017 | |
| Home Drama | Japan | 15 March 2017 | Aired with title Cinderella is Online at 1:15 |
| iMBC | South Korea | 19 September 2017 | |
| Channel 3 | Thailand | 3 March 2018 | Every Saturday and Sunday at 16:30 - 18:00 |
| HTV3 | Vietnam | 19 March 2018 | Every Monday to Friday at 21:00 |
| GMA Network | Philippines | 10 September 2018 | Monday to Friday at 08:50 during The Heart of Asia Mornings |