Chinese drama fans, get ready — because Live Up To Your Youth is bringing nostalgia, dreams, and heartfelt romance straight to your screens. Starring the ever-versatile Bai Yu and the charming Zhang Ruonan, this upcoming youth drama captures the bittersweet journey of growing up, chasing ambitions, and learning what it truly means to “live up” to your younger self.

Set against the evolving backdrop of Beijing from the 1990s to modern times, this drama promises emotional depth, friendship goals, and career struggles that feel incredibly real.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know–

Quick Drama Facts

• Drama Title: Live Up To Your Youth (冬去春来)
• Genre: Youth, Life, Romance, Urban
• Episodes: 40
• Platform: iQIYI
• Language: Mandarin
• Setting: Beijing (1990s–2018 timeline)
• Status: Completed filming
• Expected Release: 2026

Plot Summary: Live Up To Your Youth

Live Up To Your Youth follows a group of ambitious young dreamers who gather at a small Beijing inn called “Winter Gone, Spring Comes.” Each of them arrives with a burning dream — to write, sing, perform, or create something meaningful. But life in the real world isn’t as romantic as their youthful fantasies. As the years pass, friendships are tested, love blossoms and fades, and reality challenges their passion. The drama beautifully explores:

• The cost of chasing artistic dreams
• The pain of failure and self-doubt
• The warmth of found family
• The emotional weight of growing up

Through economic changes and personal struggles, the characters must decide — will they give up, or will they truly live up to their youth?

Expect nostalgia, slow-burn romance, and deeply relatable life lessons.

Cast & Characters

Bai Yu as Xu Shengli: A passionate aspiring screenwriter who refuses to let rejection define him. Bai Yu is known for his emotionally layered performances, and this role is expected to highlight his mature, introspective acting style.

Zhang Ruonan as Zhuang Zhuang: A determined singer chasing stage dreams. Zhang Ruonan brings softness and emotional vulnerability, making her character both strong and heartbreakingly relatable.

Lin Yun as Shen Ranran: Bright, lively, and ambitious — she adds warmth and energy to the friend group.

Why This Drama Is Highly Anticipated

• Bai Yu & Zhang Ruonan pairing – Their chemistry alone is enough to spark excitement.
• Nostalgic 90s aesthetic – Retro Beijing vibes mixed with modern storytelling.
• Realistic life struggles – Not just romance, but growth, ambition, and heartbreak.
• Multi-year timeline – Watching characters evolve over decades makes it emotionally powerful.

If you loved character-driven dramas about dreams and adulthood, this one will definitely be on your watchlist.

Live Up To Your Youth isn’t just another youth romance — it’s a story about time, change, and whether we become the person our younger self once imagined. With Bai Yu’s emotional depth and Zhang Ruonan’s heartfelt charm, this drama is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most meaningful Chinese releases.

Get ready for nostalgia, tears, and moments that make you reflect on your own dreams.