The Journey of Legend is an upcoming Chinese drama that tells the story of Xiao Ming Ming, a man whose youthful passion for martial arts novels has been worn down by the harsh realities of life. He finds solace and a renewed sense of purpose by experiencing the world of martial arts through the perspective of the protagonist of an online fantasy novel, Xiao Qiu Shui.
The series follows Xiao Qiu Shui’s journey, which begins with him as an impulsive and low-skilled swordsman. However, through his trials and adventures, he matures and gradually transforms into a hero who embodies loyalty and dedicates himself to protecting his family and his country. After this adventurous journey, Xiao Ming Ming is inspired to continue writing in his spare time, using his novels to convey his personal belief in the power of righteousness to unite people.
Cast and Anticipation
The series features a talented cast, with Cheng Yi starring in the dual role of Xiao Qiu Shui and Xiao Ming Ming. He is joined by Gulnezer Bextiyar as Xiao Xue Yu, Eleanor Lee as Tang Fang, Xu Zhen Xuan as Liu Sui Feng, Liu Meng Rui as Song Ming Zhu, and Ding Xiao Ying as Zhao Shi Rong.
Even before its release, The Journey of Legend garnered significant attention and multiple awards, including the Most Anticipated Series awards at the 2024 iQIYI Membership Festival and the 2025 Starlight Awards. It was also named the Most Anticipated Series of 2025 by The Beijing News and the Most Anticipated Series of the Year at the Kuyun Digital Entertainment Annual Influence Ceremony. The show’s immense popularity was further solidified in August 2025 when its reservations across all platforms exceeded 9.5 million.
Controversy and Resolution
The drama’s journey to the screen was not without its challenges. In May 2025, actress Eleanor Lee became the subject of a controversy when an audio recording, allegedly released by her former assistant, accused her of degrading Chinese people and the country. This sparked outrage, and the drama itself was accused of “insulting Chinese people,” which reportedly led to a delay in the premiere.
In response to the false claims, the production team announced that they would be taking strict legal action. Eleanor Lee also filed a defamation lawsuit. The situation was resolved in July when Lee won the case for the violation of her right to protection of reputation. Before this, on May 21, her former assistant issued a public apology, admitting that he had maliciously edited and fabricated the recording due to personal disputes. He also pledged never to repeat such actions.
The Journey of Legend is set to premiere on September 11. You can stream it on Viki, WeTV, and iQIYI.
