Now, I am an absolute obsessive when it comes to investigative dramas about missing historical artifacts. So much so, I think I was probably an archaeologist in a former life.
So, you bet my senses activated when a new poster for the upcoming Chinese historical mystery detective-themed drama The Lost Scrolls dropped earlier this morning, as this one sounds like it has all the makings of a gripping thriller.
Especially as it is based on a true story, and features a search for an artifact from the Song Dynasty, one of the most important and longest-surviving Chinese imperial dynasties.
The new The Lost Scrolls poster came with a short message from iQIYI reminding fans to reserve the drama now, while commenting:
“The sky is full of doubts, but the road ahead is clear. Wait for the truth to be revealed.”
The Lost Scrolls cast
The latest The Lost Scrolls poster features main leads Tong Da Wei and Li Ze Feng, both of whom have done a stellar job in recent more “adult-themed” dramas like Tong Da Wei’s Once Again and The Tale of Rose, and Li Ze Feng’s Alliance and Liberation of Shanghai.
They star in The Lost Scrolls alongside a cool supporting cast.
It includes Wang Zhen Er (You Are My Secret), Feng Jia Yi (In The Name of Justice), Cao Fei Ran (The Litchi Road) and Wang Ke Da (aka Kid Young) (The Wolf).
In other words, a cast where most actors are over the age of 35 and, yep, I am most definitely ‘all in’ for that as well, aren’t you?
The Lost Scrolls production details
Titled 宋纸迷踪 in Manadarin Chinese, The Lost Scrolls is directed by Teng Hua Tao (City of the City and Alliance)
The Chinese drama was officially announced as being an iQIYI property on January 9th, 2025, with character visuals also being released at the same time.
The Lost Scrolls also began filming in January, 2025 and wrapped filming on March 14th.
With it not being an historical romance or fantasy drama that usually requires over a year in post-production before even being able to apply for a distribution license, that also means it is possible the Chinese drama could drop before 2025 is over.
Fingers crossed.
Update, April, 2026 — Yep, I hate to admit I was wrong as we are now almost a year after this post and, as of now, there is still no sign of The Lost Scrolls releasing. Sigh.
The Lost Scrolls plot
Lan Yi (played by Tong Da Wei), the director of Wuyi County Museum, is troubled by a photo of Song Dynasty paper circulating on the black market. Convinced it is a priceless, one-of-a-kind national treasure from the Song Dynasty never before seen in history, Lan Yi decides to protect it—even if it means tarnishing his own reputation by posing as a corrupt artifact smuggler.
Teaming up with criminal police officer Wang Sen (played by Li Ze Feng), they infiltrate the “antiques circle.”
After painstakingly capturing the gang responsible for looting Xu Weili’s tomb, they discover that multiple volumes of the national treasure have already been smuggled to Hangzhou.
Lan Yi and Wang Sen head to Hangzhou, engaging in a battle of wits with cunning criminals, and ultimately intercept the Xu Weili documents at Hong Kong’s port just as they are about to be shipped overseas.
Yep, definitely my cup of tea. How about you?
Of course, there is no word yet on when The Lost Scrolls will premiere on iQIYI. I will let you know here on Michelle Topham as soon as more information is released.
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