I’m having a hard time imagining Wu Lei as the powerful general, because he is still a kid to me. It’s unfortunate Qu Chuxiao was pulled from the role at the last minute due to a contractual dispute with his agency, because I really think he could’ve made the role his own.

Period drama The Long Ballad 长歌行 stars Dilraba as Tang-dynasty princess Li Changge, daughter of crown prince Li Jiancheng. Her father was assassinated at Xuanwu Gate in a palace coup by Li Shimin, and she has sworn to get revenge by overthrowing her uncle.

Dilraba vs manhua Li Changge

Li Changge escapes death at the hands of her uncle by cross-dressing as a man. She travels to Youzhou in an attempt to raise an army against Li Shimin, and befriends Qin Huai (Wu Lei) along the way. In one of the battles with the Turkish Khaganate, Changge taken captive, and is stunned to find out Qin Huai is actually enemy general Ashina Sun.

While a prisoner in the tribe, she discovers the Khan’s ambitious plans to wreak havoc on Tang, and must choose between personal vendetta and the greater good of the Tang Dynasty. Zhao Lusi (The Killing of Three Thousand Crows) and Liu Yuning (Hot-Blooded Youth) costar.

Based on the manhua of the same name by Xia Da, the 50 episode drama is directed by Zhu Ruibin (Ashes of Love, Skate into Love) and written by Pei Yufei (The Locked Room).

Turns out this photoshoot was preview of the Dilraba X Wu Lei ship