The Lament of Autumn: Plot Summary
Set in 1920s China during the unsettled Republican era, The Lament of Autumn (玉簟秋) centres on Ye Pingjun, a student who needs money for her mother’s medical treatment. She takes a job at a meeting house in Western Hunan, but it puts her in the wrong place at the wrong time. When someone tries to kill Yu Changxuan, fifth son of the influential Yu family, suspicion lands squarely on her.
Refusing to take the blame, Pingjun strikes a daring bargain with Changxuan: a ten-day deadline to expose whoever is really responsible and clear her name. The investigation throws the two into close and uneasy contact. Changxuan soon begins pursuing her with careful intent, yet he keeps much of himself hidden, and the secrets he carries cast a shadow over their growing bond.
Against a backdrop of looming conflict, the drama mixes suspense, period atmosphere and slow-burning romance. It asks whether trust can take root between two people whose first meeting began with an accusation.
Review Guide: What Makes It Notable
- Lead cast: Cheng Lei plays Yu Changxuan and Xu Ruohan plays Ye Pingjun. Both leads appear in all 40 episodes.
- Supporting cast: Dai Yunfan (Gu Ruitong), Guo Yuxin (Tao Ziyi), Chang Long (Li Boren), Xu Fan (Zhao Baoru), Lv Xiaoyu (Yu Qixuan), Zhang Fengyi (Yu Zhongquan), Liu Dongqin (Jiang Xueting) and Julia Ye (Yu Jinxuan).
- Behind the camera: Directed by Wang Hui and Kuk Kok-Leung, with a screenplay by Ye Yang.
- Broadcaster: A Chinese production airing on Hunan Television and Mango TV.
- Source material: The series is based on a novel.
- Format: One season of 40 episodes, each running about 49 minutes. Season 1 premiered on 12 October 2026.
- Genre and setting: A period romance drama set in the Chinese Republican era of the 1920s.
Who Will Enjoy It
- Fans of Chinese Republican-era period dramas and 1920s settings
- Viewers who like romance built around secrets and shifting loyalties
- Anyone drawn to stories that open with a mystery or a false accusation
- Followers of Cheng Lei and Xu Ruohan
- Readers who enjoy screen adaptations of novels
Where to Watch The Lament of Autumn in the US
In the United States, The Lament of Autumn is available on Rakuten Viki with a subscription. In China, the series airs on Hunan Television and Mango TV.
Trailer
Cast
Cheng Leias Yu Changxuan40 episodes
Xu Ruohanas Ye Pingjun40 episodes
Dai Yunfanas Gu Ruitong16 episodes
Guo Yuxinas Tao Ziyi15 episodes
Chang Longas Li Boren14 episodes
Xu Fanas Zhao Baoru12 episodes
Lv Xiaoyuas Yu Qixuan11 episodes- Zhang Fengyias Yu Zhongquan11 episodes
Photo: TMDB
Episode guide
| Season | Episode | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Aired | |
| 1 | 2 | Aired | |
| 1 | 3 | Aired | |
| 1 | 4 | Aired | |
| 1 | 5 | Aired | |
| 1 | 6 | Aired | |
| 1 | 7 | Aired | |
| 1 | 8 | Aired | |
| 1 | 9 | Aired | |
| 1 | 10 | Aired | |
| 1 | 11 | Aired | |
| 1 | 12 | Aired | |
| 1 | 13 | Aired | |
| 1 | 14 | Aired | |
| 1 | 15 | Aired | |
| 1 | 16 | Aired | |
| 1 | 17 | Aired | |
| 1 | 18 | Aired | |
| 1 | 19 | Aired | |
| 1 | 20 | Aired | |
| 1 | 21 | Aired | |
| 1 | 22 | Aired | |
| 1 | 23 | Aired | |
| 1 | 24 | Aired | |
| 1 | 25 | Aired | |
| 1 | 26 | Aired | |
| 1 | 27 | Aired | |
| 1 | 28 | Aired | |
| 1 | 29 | Upcoming | |
| 1 | 30 | Upcoming | |
| 1 | 31 | Upcoming | |
| 1 | 32 | Upcoming | |
| 1 | 33 | Upcoming | |
| 1 | 34 | Upcoming | |
| 1 | 35 | Upcoming | |
| 1 | 36 | Upcoming | |
| 1 | 37 | Upcoming | |
| 1 | 38 | Upcoming | |
| 1 | 39 | Upcoming | |
| 1 | 40 | Upcoming |
Dates are original broadcast dates in the country of origin (Korea/China). Official streaming platforms in your country may add episodes the same day or later.
FAQ
- How many episodes does The Lament of Autumn have?
- Season 1 of The Lament of Autumn has 40 episodes. Each episode runs about 49 minutes.
- When was The Lament of Autumn released?
- The series premiered on 12 October 2026 on Hunan Television and Mango TV.
- Where can I watch The Lament of Autumn legally in the US?
- In the United States, you can watch The Lament of Autumn on Rakuten Viki with a subscription.
- Who stars in The Lament of Autumn?
- Cheng Lei stars as Yu Changxuan and Xu Ruohan as Ye Pingjun. The supporting cast includes Dai Yunfan, Guo Yuxin, Chang Long, Xu Fan, Zhang Fengyi and Julia Ye.
- What genre is The Lament of Autumn, and is it based on a book?
- It is a Chinese period romance drama set in the 1920s Republican era, and it is based on a novel.
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