The entertainment world got a big update in early 2026 with the official announcement of Zhang Ruo Nan and Wang An Yu as co‑leads in the upcoming urban romance series I Live in Your Time. This adaptation — from a well‑regarded novel — has been a topic of discussion among fans and industry watchers for months.
There was earlier speculation that Fan Cheng Cheng might reunite with Zhang Ruo Nan, after their popular dynamic on Keep Running. But in the end — the male lead role went to Wang An Yu. (Fans are still talking about that change, btw.)
Recent leaked set photos have shifted the conversation. In those stills, Zhang Ruo Nan is seen in crisp, professional outfits — giving off the vibe of a career‑minded woman. Wang An Yu, on the other hand, appears in a more classic, retro wardrobe. The contrast is hard to miss — like two different timelines meeting — and viewers are already commenting that the chemistry looks strong.
Some fans who preferred the “sweet, bickering” energy between Zhang and Fan Cheng Cheng have expressed surprise at the new pairing. But others point out that Wang An Yu has a robust resume — from playing an intense coach in Falling into You to a rebellious lead in Sinking into Our Woods — showing he can handle emotional range.
Meanwhile, Zhang Ruo Nan continues to evolve too. After roles such as the innocent “school flower” in Cry Me a Sad River and a bold journalist in A Date with the Future, her portrayal of the industrious producer Shen Qian Zhan in I Live in Your Time is shaping up to be one of her most significant to date.
What the Series Is About
I Live in Your Time centers on Shen Qian Zhan, a busy film producer in the UTC+8 time zone — and Ji Qinghe, a clock restorer living (and waking up) in the UTC‑5 zone. Their lives connect across different time zones, and the recurring question that frames their story is: “I Live in Your Time” — a title that also mirrors the show’s central theme.
It’s described as a “time‑zone romance,” rooted in real challenges faced by modern, long‑distance relationships. While Shen Qian Zhan hustles on tight schedules and tight deadlines, Ji Qinghe takes his time — working carefully, quietly, on antique clocks and gears.
Director Qu Youning — known for the emotionally nuanced In Time with You — is at the helm, and the narrative sets up an interesting contrast: an efficient professional vs. a slow‑living craftsman. That tension — between structured hours and relaxed rhythms — is being billed as the core emotional engine of the series.
The new cast pairing — Zhang Ruo Nan and Wang An Yu — has turned initial skepticism into renewed buzz, and I Live in Your Time is quickly becoming one of the year’s most talked‑about romance projects.
Source (sina)
