Michelle Topham 
Chinese Title: 书卷一梦 (Shū Juàn Yī Mèng)
English Title: A Dream Within a Dream
Also Known As: Dream Within a Scroll
Genre: Historical, Fantasy, Romance, Comedy
Episodes: 40
Director: Guo Hu (A Moment But Forever)
Screenwriters: Ren Zhuang Liu, Xia Luo Te
Original Work: Original screenplay
Plot Synopsis
A Dream Within a Dream is a whimsical historical fantasy romance that follows Song Xiao Yu, a struggling modern actress who unexpectedly finds herself transported into the script of a period drama she was reading. Once inside the narrative, she becomes Song Yi Meng, the tragic heroine fated to be discarded and abused by the cold and enigmatic prince Nan Heng.
No matter how hard Song Xiao Yu tries to escape the rigid plot, whether by altering key events or attempting to align with supporting characters, she continually loops back into the scripted storyline, facing deadly “bugs,” uncanny events, and repeated deaths.
Each attempt to create a better ending pushes her closer to Nan Heng, forcing her to reconsider her assumptions about the story’s roles and her own agency within it.
Over time, as she discovers more about the scripted world’s constraints and the hidden depth of Nan Heng’s character, including his masked identity and personal burdens, the drama blends comedy, fate-bending fantasy, and heartfelt romance in a narrative about fighting destiny and seeking genuine connection.
Main Cast & Characters
Lead Cast
- Li Yi Tong as Song Yi Meng / Song XiaoYu
- Liu Yu Ning as Nan Heng / Li Shi Liu / Nan Feng
Supporting Cast
- Zhu Xu Dan as Song Yi Ting
- Riley Wang (Wang Yi Lun) as Shangguan He
- Wang You Shuo as Chu Gui Hong
- Chang Long as Nan Rui
- Wang Yan as Consort Gao
- Wang Cheng Si as Fu Gui
- Lu Xing as Song Yu De
- Zhang Lei as the Emperor
- Chen Zi Han as Zhou Xue Yi
- Su Meng Yun as Ying Qiu
Production Details
Production Company: iQIYI & Linmon Pictures
Filming:
- Booting Ceremony: May 3rd, 2024
- Filming Wrap: September 11th, 2024
- Primary Location: Hengdian World Studios
The story’s meta-script concept drew interest early in production, with teasers and trailers emphasizing both the comedic loops and emotional growth of characters.
Episodes & Airing
- Total Episodes: 40
- Episode Length: 45 minutes
- First Aired: June 26th, 2025
- Final Episode: July 11th, 2025
- Original Network / Platform: iQIYI
The series was one of iQIYI’s major mid-year launches, gaining buzz early with its blend of fantasy meta-narrative and romance themes.
Where to Watch
China:
- iQIYI — Official domestic streaming platform.
International Platforms:
- Viki (Rakuten Viki) — Available with English and multiple subtitle languages
- WeTV — Region-dependent availability.
Why It’s Worth Watching
- Meta-Narrative Fun: Its unique “trapped inside a script” premise adds fantasy and humor to traditional period romance.
- Character Growth: Song Xiao Yu’s journey from a modern actress to someone fighting a scripted fate offers both emotional depth and comedic beats.
- Chemistry & Cast: Lead pairing Li Yi Tong and Liu Yu Ning has been praised for vibrant on-screen chemistry.
- Blending Genres: Combines historical setting with fantasy loops, comedic twists, and heartfelt romance.
- Engaged Audiences: Many viewers have called it one of the most entertaining period fantasies of 2025 due to its humor and twists.
Articles About A Dream Within a Dream
A Dream Within a Dream ‘Dreaming Within the Pages’ poster and ensemble cast poster drop
First ‘A Dream Within a Dream’ stills released after C-drama premieres on iQIYI
A Dream Within a Dream character visuals drop as Nan Heng and Song Yi Meng jump off a cliff
3 A Dream Within a Dream heat index posters drop as C-drama hits 9,500 for first time
A Dream Within a Dream earns 150 million barrage comments – celebratory poster drops!
A Dream Within a Dream hits 9,600 on iQIYI’s heat index – C-drama’s rating rising even higher on MDL
A Dream Within a Dream exceeds 200 million barrage comments – earning 50 million in just 4 days
10 reasons why C-drama A Dream Within a Dream is a fabulous watch
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