“The Glory” Becomes First Hit for Tencent in 2025

The Glory (雁回时) took audiences by surprise when it “airdropped” its first episodes on March 18, 2025. There was also a sudden title change from Noble Lady (贵女)—which is closer in title to the novel it’s based on—to Yan Hui Shi (lit. When the Swan Returns), alluding to the return of the main protagonist, Hanyan. The drama has dropped the “rebirth” theme from the novel to focus on its heroine’s intense, revenge-driven plot.

It seems all of the above has worked in its favor, as The Glory has steadily climbed popularity rankings, becoming the first drama in 2025 to cross 30,000 heat index on Tencent.

Chen Duling’s Career-Defining Role

Needless to say, this is huge for Chen Duling, who has played second leads and villain—it’s finally her time to shine in her own hit drama as the female lead. She’s earning praise for her portrayal of Zhuang Hanyan, a seemingly meek noblewoman with a razor-sharp mind. Once abandoned in her youth, she rises to power through meticulous schemes, seeking revenge and uncovering dark family secrets. Many are also calling it Director Yang Long’s time to shine as he has been receiving a lot of praise for the drama’s cinematography, while the script—written by Love Between Fairy and Devil’s Cao Xiaotian—has captivated viewers.

Familiar Tropes, But It Works

So, how’s the drama? There’s been comparisons to Blossom—it has a similar vibe, and that’s definitely a good thing. Loving that after Meng Ziyi, her The Legend of Heroes co-star Chen Duling is also getting her big break. The Glory is also another one from the author who wrote The Double. Plot-wise, it brings familiar tropes in household intrigue dramas, but somehow keeps it fresh. I’m still behind on episodes, but the premiere—especially with the mom—definitely delivered the shock factor.

As for the cast, opinions on the main CP seem divided. Zhuang Hanyan’s cunning ambition meets its match in the equally calculating judicial officer Fu Yunxi, played by Xin Yunlai and some are loving these two together. This should be Xin Yunlai’s big break after The Legend of Shen Li; however, he’s also faced complaints from his looks not being “good enough” to his acting, with some finding him wooden and lacking the charisma his character demands.

But the real winners? The women. Chen Duling and former Rocket Girls member turned actress Fu Jing (who plays the assassin friend) have sparked CP shippers. The female storyline has resonated well with viewers—even the side characters. Special mention to Wen Zhengrong, who is stealing the show as Zhuang Hanyan’s mother. At 46, she’s proving that you can break out at any age—her chilling, almost ghastly performance is unforgettable, especially when you learn her backstory.

With fast-paced storytelling, The Glory is shaping up to be a success. Safe to say, the cast and crew have a lot to celebrate!