{ "id": "ephmakvxqa", "slug": "eternal-faith", "title": "Eternal Faith (吉星高照)", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series", "label": "Series and fictional screen worlds", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_international_serials", "label": "International serial drama and telenovelas", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_international_serials" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia", "label": "East Asian drama series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia.east_asian_web_streaming_serials", "label": "East Asian web and streaming serials", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia.east_asian_web_streaming_serials" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia.east_asian_web_streaming_serials.alpha-cr-to-in", "label": "Titles Cr to In", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia.east_asian_web_streaming_serials.alpha-cr-to-in" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia.east_asian_web_streaming_serials.alpha-cr-to-in", "label": "China · 2021 and later: Titles Cr to In", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia.east_asian_web_streaming_serials.alpha-cr-to-in", "path": [ { "id": "geo.chn", "label": "China", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.chn" }, { "id": "geo.chn.t2021", "label": "China · 2021 and later", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.chn.t2021" }, { "id": "geo.chn.t2021.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.chn.t2021.culture" }, { "id": "geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series", "label": "Series and fictional screen worlds", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series" }, { "id": "geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_international_serials", "label": "International serial drama and telenovelas", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_international_serials" }, { "id": "geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia.east_asian_web_streaming_serials", "label": "East Asian web and streaming serials", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia.east_asian_web_streaming_serials" }, { "id": "geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia.east_asian_web_streaming_serials.alpha-cr-to-in", "label": "Titles Cr to In", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.chn.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia.east_asian_web_streaming_serials.alpha-cr-to-in" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Eternal Faith (吉星高照, also 天官赐福) is an unaired 60-episode Chinese xianxia drama by iQIYI adapting Mo Xiang Tong Xiu's Heaven Official's Blessing, starring Zhai Xiaowen as Xie Lian and Zhang Linghe as Hua Cheng; filmed 2021–2022, shelved under China's dangai restrictions.", "snippet": "Eternal Faith (吉星高照, also 天官赐福) is an unaired 60-episode Chinese xianxia drama by iQIYI adapting Mo Xiang Tong Xiu's Heaven Official's Blessing, starring Zhai Xiaowen as Xie Lian and Zhang Linghe as Hua Cheng; filmed 2021–2022, shelved under China's dangai restrictions.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_east_asia.east_asian_web_streaming_serials.alpha-cr-to-in", "markdown": "# Eternal Faith (吉星高照)\n\n**Eternal Faith** (吉星高照) is an unaired Chinese xianxia (Chinese fantasy of immortal cultivators, gods, and demons) television drama adapted from the novel *Heaven Official's Blessing* (天官赐福) by [Mo Xiang Tong Xiu](https://www.edgepedia.org/mo-xiang-tong-xiu) (墨香铜臭), produced by iQIYI and starring Zhai Xiaowen as the god Xie Lian and Zhang Linghe as the ghost king Hua Cheng.[1](https://danmei.fandom.com/wiki/TGCF/Live_Action) • [2](https://m.1905.com/m/news/vivo/1532775.shtml) Filming was completed in early 2022, but the series has never received a release permit under China's restrictions on dramas adapted from BL (danmei) novels, and no broadcast date has been announced.[3](https://www.worldjournal.com/wj/story/121233/9428826) • [4](https://note.com/mirecat/n/n4a196e00006d)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Original title | 天官赐福 (Tian Guan Ci Fu), renamed 吉星高照 (Ji Xing Gao Zhao) before filming; English title Eternal Faith, earlier tentative title Faithful Together[2](https://m.1905.com/m/news/vivo/1532775.shtml) • [4](https://note.com/mirecat/n/n4a196e00006d) |\n| Source | Xianxia novel *Heaven Official's Blessing* by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu[1](https://danmei.fandom.com/wiki/TGCF/Live_Action) |\n| Lead roles | Zhai Xiaowen (翟潇闻) as Xie Lian; Zhang Linghe (张凌赫) as Hua Cheng[2](https://m.1905.com/m/news/vivo/1532775.shtml) |\n| Director | Chen Jialin (Chan Ka-Lam), director of the 2018 hit *The Untamed*[2](https://m.1905.com/m/news/vivo/1532775.shtml) • [5](https://letterboxd.com/film/eternal-faith/) |\n| Format | 60 episodes; production companies iQIYI and Croton Media (HUACE)[6](https://www.cpophome.com/eternal-faith-zhai-xiaowen-zhang-linghe/) |\n| Filming | Script reading 23 June 2021; filming from 26 July 2021 to a wrap on 15 January 2022 (fan-collated dates); locations in Datong and Xiangshan[7](https://tgcflacast.carrd.co/) |\n| Status | Shelved since the 2021 crackdown on dangai dramas; no release permit and no announced date[1](https://danmei.fandom.com/wiki/TGCF/Live_Action) • [3](https://www.worldjournal.com/wj/story/121233/9428826) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Source novel and story\n\nThe drama adapts *Heaven Official's Blessing*, one of the most popular works of the danmei writer Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, whose earlier novel *Mo Dao Zu Shi* had already been adapted into the hit drama *[The Untamed](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-untamed-tv-series)*.[2](https://m.1905.com/m/news/vivo/1532775.shtml) • [8](https://www.sohu.com/a/508093787_120099896) The novel follows Xie Lian, the [crown prince](https://www.edgepedia.org/crown-prince) of the kingdom of Xian Le, who ascends to godhood, is banished, and ascends a third time, working as a scrap collector while solving supernatural cases; across these events he repeatedly encounters Hua Cheng, a ghost king feared by gods and demons alike, in a story of devotion spanning 800 years.[5](https://letterboxd.com/film/eternal-faith/) • [9](https://www.moviefone.com/tv-shows/eternal-faith/vuU2Q8hHGkbZopN18rfdz/) An animated adaptation had streamed on Bilibili from 2020, and a comic adaptation was also running, both building a large fan base before the live-action version was announced.[2](https://m.1905.com/m/news/vivo/1532775.shtml)\n\n## Production\n\nThe project was produced by iQIYI with Croton Media (HUACE), planned for 60 episodes, with Chen Jialin (Chan Ka-Lam) as director, Han Zhong as art director, Fang Sizhe as styling director, and Li Zhaoye as visual effects director.[2](https://m.1905.com/m/news/vivo/1532775.shtml) • [6](https://www.cpophome.com/eternal-faith-zhai-xiaowen-zhang-linghe/) Fan-collated production notes record a script reading on 23 June 2021, the start of filming on 26 July 2021, and a wrap on 15 January 2022, with location shooting in Datong and studio work at Xiangshan; media reports give the schedule as an August 2021 start and a December 2021 wrap.[7](https://tgcflacast.carrd.co/) • [3](https://www.worldjournal.com/wj/story/121233/9428826) Alongside the leads, the cast included Xiao Kaizhong as Feng Xin, Cai Yao as Mu Qing, Chang Huasen as Shi Qingxuan, Tian Xuning as Ming Yi, Zheng Yibin as Nan Feng, Bian Tianyang as Qi Rong, Ding Jiawen as Lang Qianqiu, and Yao Yichen as the Heavenly Emperor Jun Wu.[7](https://tgcflacast.carrd.co/)\n\n## Casting and early reception\n\n**Casting controversy.** The choice of leads was contested online for months before confirmation, with fans of the novel and fans of rumored candidates clashing over the roles.[8](https://www.sohu.com/a/508093787_120099896) The roles ultimately went to Zhai Xiaowen, a former member of the boy group R1SE, and Zhang Linghe, then known for *The Princess* ([少女大人](https://www.edgepedia.org/maiden-holmes)).[2](https://m.1905.com/m/news/vivo/1532775.shtml) • [8](https://www.sohu.com/a/508093787_120099896) When the title change to 吉星高照 and the first leaked set photographs appeared, reaction was largely negative: commenters mocked the new title as rustic, and criticized the actors' look and the costumes as cheap, with some saying fan cosplay looked more refined than the production's wardrobe.[2](https://m.1905.com/m/news/vivo/1532775.shtml) • [8](https://www.sohu.com/a/508093787_120099896) A report by the film channel 1905.com also described an incident in which crew members allegedly drove away and assaulted photographers who had been leaking set photos after the negative coverage.[2](https://m.1905.com/m/news/vivo/1532775.shtml)\n\n## Censorship and shelving\n\nThe series finished filming but never obtained a release permit. From around 2021, Chinese regulators tightened restrictions on \"dangai\", dramas adapted from BL novels, judging the genre's fan fervor and certain portrayals harmful to a healthy social climate.[10](https://note.com/mirecat/n/n4a7bc5aff61e) *Eternal Faith* was caught by this policy during editing and censorship, and like other shelved dangai productions such as *Hao Yixing* (皓衣行) it has remained in a waiting state without distribution permission.[10](https://note.com/mirecat/n/n4a7bc5aff61e) • [3](https://www.worldjournal.com/wj/story/121233/9428826) Reports state that the drama underwent multiple rounds of reshoots and revisions but still did not receive a permit, and that its core obstacle is the policy line on the dangai genre rather than any change in the leads' popularity.[3](https://www.worldjournal.com/wj/story/121233/9428826) • [11](https://uptogo.com.tw/%E5%A8%9B%E6%A8%82/%E9%9B%BB%E8%A6%96%E5%8A%87/%E5%90%89%E6%98%9F%E9%AB%98%E7%85%A7%E5%A4%A9%E5%AE%98%E8%B3%9C%E7%A6%8F%E6%BC%94%E5%93%A1%EF%BC%9F/) As of 2026, no official release date has been announced for mainland China or for international platforms, and iQIYI's platform carries no full episodes.[4](https://note.com/mirecat/n/n4a196e00006d) • [11](https://uptogo.com.tw/%E5%A8%9B%E6%A8%82/%E9%9B%BB%E8%A6%96%E5%8A%87/%E5%90%89%E6%98%9F%E9%AB%98%E7%85%A7%E5%A4%A9%E5%AE%98%E8%B3%9C%E7%A6%8F%E6%BC%94%E5%93%A1%EF%BC%9F/)\n\n## Adaptation changes\n\nTo pass censorship, the drama altered the source's central relationship. In the novel, Xie Lian and Hua Cheng develop a romance that transcends gender; the drama version reworks this as \"brotherhood\" (兄弟情誼).[3](https://www.worldjournal.com/wj/story/121233/9428826) Reporting on leaked information indicates the adaptation kept the broad story frame, including Xie Lian's three ascensions, his years collecting scrap, and the Ghost City, while weakening the love line in favor of sworn friendship and themes of protecting the common people.[11](https://uptogo.com.tw/%E5%A8%9B%E6%A8%82/%E9%9B%BB%E8%A6%96%E5%8A%87/%E5%90%89%E6%98%9F%E9%AB%98%E7%85%A7%E5%A4%A9%E5%AE%98%E8%B3%9C%E7%A6%8F%E6%BC%94%E5%93%A1%EF%BC%9F/) The 800-year dual-lead storyline was compressed, and some characters were cut.[12](https://inf.news/zh-hant/entertainment/904eff3ec14a253c6784bda2f23292f6.html)\n\n## Renewed attention\n\nThe shelved drama returned to public discussion in 2026 when Zhang Linghe became popular through the costume drama *Zhu Yu* (逐玉) and leaked photographs from *Eternal Faith* circulated again, trending on Chinese social media with commentary mocking the dated styling of both leads.[3](https://www.worldjournal.com/wj/story/121233/9428826) • [13](https://www.sohu.com/a/1007357734_121622754) Fan commentary has described the series as the least accepted live-action derivative of *Heaven Official's Blessing*, with the common verdict that \"it is not Tian Guan\".[12](https://inf.news/zh-hant/entertainment/904eff3ec14a253c6784bda2f23292f6.html)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Heaven Official's Blessing – Live Action, Danmei Wiki](https://danmei.fandom.com/wiki/TGCF/Live_Action)\n2. [不许说不好！《吉星高照》路透引差评 剧组曝打人, 1905电影网 (27 July 2021)](https://m.1905.com/m/news/vivo/1532775.shtml)\n3. [張凌赫演過耽改劇 網笑：造型也太土了 幸好沒播, 世界新聞網 (8 April 2026)](https://www.worldjournal.com/wj/story/121233/9428826)\n4. [急に口調が変わったGemini：実写ドラマ「天官賜福」：「吉星高照」について聞いてみた, みれのスクラップ (24 March 2026)](https://note.com/mirecat/n/n4a196e00006d)\n5. [Eternal Faith directed by Chan Ka-Lam, Letterboxd](https://letterboxd.com/film/eternal-faith/)\n6. [Eternal Faith – Chinese Drama, CPOP HOME](https://www.cpophome.com/eternal-faith-zhai-xiaowen-zhang-linghe/)\n7. [Eternal Faith Cast Tracker (fan-collated production notes)](https://tgcflacast.carrd.co/)\n8. [《天官赐福》改土剧名、简陋服装被吐槽 网心碎不能忍了, Sohu (14 December 2021)](https://www.sohu.com/a/508093787_120099896)\n9. [Eternal Faith: Cast & Where to Watch, Moviefone](https://www.moviefone.com/tv-shows/eternal-faith/vuU2Q8hHGkbZopN18rfdz/)\n10. [華流＞実写ドラマ「天官賜福」：「吉星高照」｜みれのスクラップ](https://note.com/mirecat/n/n4a7bc5aff61e)\n11. [深度解析吉星高照天官賜福演員？張凌赫翟瀟聞領銜全陣容盤點, UpToGo](https://uptogo.com.tw/%E5%A8%9B%E6%A8%82/%E9%9B%BB%E8%A6%96%E5%8A%87/%E5%90%89%E6%98%9F%E9%AB%98%E7%85%A7%E5%A4%A9%E5%AE%98%E8%B3%9C%E7%A6%8F%E6%BC%94%E5%93%A1%EF%BC%9F/)\n12. [天官最魔幻衍生，白衫花城、苦相謝憐，想不到的全在《吉星高照》, 資訊咖](https://inf.news/zh-hant/entertainment/904eff3ec14a253c6784bda2f23292f6.html)\n13. [张凌赫4年前拍耽改剧画面冲热搜，他搭档翟潇闻演鬼王，造型超土, Sohu (9 April 2026)](https://www.sohu.com/a/1007357734_121622754)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › International serial drama and telenovelas › East Asian drama series › East Asian web and streaming serials › Titles Cr to In*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/eternal-faith", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/eternal-faith.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Eternal Faith (吉星高照)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/eternal-faith. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Eternal Faith (吉星高照)](https://www.edgepedia.org/eternal-faith)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/eternal-faith](https://www.edgepedia.org/eternal-faith). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Eternal Faith (吉星高照)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/eternal-faith. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Eternal Faith is an unaired 60-episode Chinese xianxia drama by iQIYI adapting Mo Xiang Tong Xiu's Heaven Official's Blessing, starring Zhai Xiaowen as Xie Lian and Zhang Linghe as Hua Cheng; filmed 2021–2022, shelved under China's dangai restrictions." }