Update: August 27th — the Chinese drama has now passed 24,000 on the heat index
I am so absolutely thrilled that the new Chinese war-themed drama The Long Way Back has already grabbed 21000 on Tencent’s heat index just a couple of hours after the C-drama premiered earlier today.
After all, The Long Way Back isn’t the usual wuxia or xianxia drama that is normally a big hit, but is instead a brutal historical drama that tells one of those stories that is immensely important to the Chinese psyche — ie: the story of China’s invasion and subsequent years-long vile abuse by the Japanese, and the way the ordinary Chinese citizen fought back.
That story is, apparently, speaking to the Chinese people as, after just three episodes released on Tencent Video in China, The Long Way Back had already hit 20000 on the heat index this morning, and then quickly climbed to 21000 soon after.
The 21000 milestone was celebrated by Tencent Video with another gorgeous The Long Way Back poster (see above) and a comment reminding viewers:
#The Long Way Back# hits a new high!
#归队# hits over 21,000! Deep in the jungle, the Anti-Japanese Allied Forces march forward with conviction, each step filled with passion and emotion.
Every night at 19:30 — Tencent Video is currently airing.
Meanwhile Tencent Video’s earlier celebration as The Long Way Back hit 20000 spawned another vibrantly-designed poster (above) and with a comment that went like this:
#The Long Way Back# Good news from the front! #归队#
The popularity value on the site has exceeded 20,000!
The anti-Japanese fighters, holding steel guns, broke through the dangerous pass, splashed blood and sincerity on the battlefield, and wrote the legend of returning to the team!
Every night at 19:30, Tencent Video is currently on air, immediately.
The Long Way Back stars Hu Jun, Li Nai Wen, Chen Jing Ke, Mabel Yuan, Ren Bin and Song Jia Teng.
The Chinese drama’s first three episodes are already available for streaming internationally for WeTV’s VIP subscribers, with the platform’s Express subscribers also getting access to Episode 4.
And, yes, I have watched Episode 1 so far and not only are the performances superb, but the cinematography and soundtrack are stunning.
In other words, if The Long Way Back continues on in the same vein as Episode 1, it could be one of the best dramas of 2025.
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