Zhang Linghe and Wang Churan's 'This Second, Too Hot' Lost! The Champion of Chinese Drama's 'Love at the Cost of Life' Top 10 CPs: Eternal Reincarnations to Save Her, Called the Xianxia Version of 'Someday or One Day'

Some Chinese drama couples rely on sweet moments to express love, while others repeatedly place their lives in each other's hands—knowing full well they may face death, yet still willing to shield their lovers, exhaust their spiritual cultivation, and even transcend countless lifetimes just to see each other again. From the tragic wartime romance of Zhang Linghe and Wang Churan in 'This Second, Too Hot' to Luo Yunxi and Bai Lu's mutual sacrifices in 'Till the End of the Moon,' xianxia and historical dramas are filled with characters who love so deeply they are willing to die. This article compiles the top 10 Chinese drama 'love-at-the-cost-of-life' couples based on the depth of sacrifice, mutual devotion, completeness of life-and-death storylines, and online discussion.

Chinese Drama 'Love-at-the-Cost-of-Life CP' Top 10: Song Weilong and Ju Jingyi in 'Qian Xiang' In 'Qian Xiang,' Song Weilong plays Lei Xiuyuan, the young master of the Yaksha clan, while Ju Jingyi portrays Jiang Lifei, an orphan from Qingqiu. Jiang Lifei is the embodiment of the Jianmu fruit, a key object sought by all three realms. Lei Xiuyuan is naturally drawn to her power, but their fates are mutually destructive. Their relationship begins with danger—starting as reluctant classmates and evolving into allies who must choose between clan loyalty, the safety of the three realms, and each other's lives.

Fans describe this 'mutually destructive yet co-dependent' dynamic as 'Tang Monk's flesh and a vampire.' Though getting close risks losing control, they repeatedly cross boundaries. The on-screen neck-biting scene sparked heated discussion, with viewers calling it 'more story-rich than traditional kissing scenes,' heightening both danger and romantic tension. This makes Lei Xiuyuan and Jiang Lifei a standout couple in the current wave of fate-bound pairings.

Chinese Drama 'Love-at-the-Cost-of-Life CP' Top 10: Song Weilong and Ju Jingyi in 'Qian Xiang' (Image via Weibo)

Chinese Drama 'Love-at-the-Cost-of-Life CP' Top 9: Zhang Linghe and Wang Churan in 'This Second, Too Hot' In 'This Second, Too Hot,' Zhang Linghe plays Murong Qingye, while Wang Churan portrays Ren Susu. As a youth, Murong Qingye escapes persecution and is saved by Ren Susu, but his presence inadvertently leads to the destruction of her family. Years later, they reunite burdened by guilt, resentment, and unresolved feelings. Ren Susu fakes her death to save others and later returns as Murong Qingye's future sister-in-law. As misunderstandings clear, a national crisis emerges, and the two ultimately face their enemies with the resolve to die.

Fans note that Ren Susu 'abandons her dignity for revenge,' yet also recognize Murong Qingye's 'isolated and constantly blamed' position. Though they hurt each other on the surface, they protect one another in moments of danger. This entangled love, where they move toward each other despite uncertain tomorrows, gives the drama a uniquely melancholic Republican-era tragic romance feel.

Chinese Drama 'Love-at-the-Cost-of-Life CP' Top 9: Zhang Linghe and Wang Churan in 'This Second, Too Hot' (Image via Weibo)

Chinese Drama 'Love-at-the-Cost-of-Life CP' Top 8: Liu Yuning and Li Yitong in 'A Book and a Dream' In 'A Book and a Dream,' Liu Yuning plays Nan Heng, and Li Yitong plays Song Yimeng. Modern actress Song Xiaoyu accidentally enters a script world, becoming Song Yimeng—the original heroine destined to be abused and killed by Nan Heng. She tries to escape her fate but is repeatedly pulled back to Nan Heng by the plot. Nan Heng gradually realizes he lives in a manipulated world. In the end, Nan Heng dies in Song Yimeng's arms from an arrow wound, and Song Yimeng dies in grief and rage. Their deaths reset time and allow fate to be rewritten.

Many viewers find this couple 'highly addictive,' and some praise 'A Book and a Dream' as a drama that 'truly respects its characters.' Song Yimeng initially avoids Nan Heng but later fights for him, his family, and the entire world. Nan Heng, knowing deviation from the script brings backlash, refuses to send her back to her original death. Their love evolves beyond 'who saves whom'—they jointly overthrow the script that decides everyone's life and death.

Chinese Drama 'Love-at-the-Cost-of-Life CP' Top 8: Liu Yuning and Li Yitong in 'A Book and a Dream' (Image via Weibo)

Chinese Drama 'Love-at-the-Cost-of-Life CP' Top 7: Liu Yuning and Liu Shishi in 'A Journey Called Life' In 'A Journey Called Life,' Liu Yuning plays Ning Yuanzhou, head of the Liudao Hall, while Liu Shishi portrays Ren Ruyi, former left commander of the Zhuyi Guard. Two elite warriors meet during a diplomatic mission, evolving from mutual suspicion to deep trust. Ning Yuanzhou dies saving Li Tongguang, and upon hearing the news, Ren Ruyi infiltrates enemy territory alone, assassinating the Beipan leader and dying in an explosion.

Though they fail to fulfill their dream of retiring to the mountains, both leave their final lives defending their country and beliefs. After the finale aired, fans questioned, 'Where’s the HE (Happy Ending)?' Some said they 'watched in vain,' criticizing the all-tragedy ending. Despite controversy, Ning Yuanzhou and Ren Ruyi stand out as a rare dual-strong couple—neither waits to be saved; both take up arms for their final battles.

Chinese Drama 'Love-at-the-Cost-of-Life CP' Top 7: Liu Yuning and Liu Shishi in 'A Journey Called Life' (Image via Weibo)

Chinese Drama 'Love-at-the-Cost-of-Life CP' Top 6: Xu Kai and Zhou Dongyu in 'Ancient Love Poetry' In 'Ancient Love Poetry,' Xu Kai plays Bai Jue, and Zhou Dongyu plays Shang Gu. As the primordial goddess, Shang Gu is fated to bear the chaos calamity. To change her destiny, Bai Jue secretly cultivates chaotic power, rebuilds his divine meridians, and takes on all misunderstandings and pain. He ultimately sacrifices himself in her place, dissipating. Shang Gu kneels before the ancestral god for centuries, begging for Bai Jue's return.

Viewers note that Bai Jue seems cold and calculating, but 'it's all for Shang Gu.' His love is rarely spoken, yet he spends eons setting up a plan for her survival. The most heartbreaking part is that Shang Gu only realizes at the end—every painful decision was proof Bai Jue had already chosen to sacrifice himself.

Chinese Drama 'Love-at-the-Cost-of-Life CP' Top 6: Xu Kai and Zhou Dongyu in 'Ancient Love Poetry' (Image via Weibo)

Chinese Drama 'Love-at-the-Cost-of-Life CP' Top 5: Wang Hedi and虞 Shuxin in 'Love Between Fairy and Devil' In 'Love Between Fairy and Devil,' Wang Hedi plays Dongfang Qingcang, the Moon Supreme, while Yu Shuxin plays Xiao Lanhua. To stop a war between two tribes, Xiao Lanhua stabs herself in front of Dongfang Qingcang, sacrificing her life for peace. After losing her, Dongfang Qingcang burns his heart fire and consumes his soul essence to create a dream world, preferring to remain in false happiness. When he learns Xiao Lanhua plans to sacrifice herself again, he enters the Tai Sui's body first, attempting to destroy the enemy with his soul.

Many viewers hail 'Love Between Fairy and Devil' as the 'top xianxia drama,' praising its 'perfect ending.' Dongfang Qingcang trapped in dreams is said to be 'even more heartbreaking than Xiao Lanhua's suicide.' Their alternating sacrifices teach the emotionless Moon Supreme compassion, transcending the feud between celestial and moon clans.

Chinese Drama 'Love-at-the-Cost-of-Life CP' Top 5: Wang Hedi and Yu Shuxin in 'Love Between Fairy and Devil' (Image via Weibo)

Chinese Drama 'Love-at-the-Cost-of-Life CP' Top 4: Hou Minghao and Zhou Ye in 'Guardian' In 'Guardian,' Hou Minghao plays Tian Yao, a thousand-year-old dragon spirit, while Zhou Ye plays Yan Hui, a young woman from a mystical sect. As a child, Yan Hui survives thanks to Tian Yao's heart-protecting scale. As an adult, she helps him recover his severed and sealed body. When Yan Hui prepares to sacrifice herself against Fu Yin, Tian Yao has already cast a life-swap curse, binding his life to hers. After Yan Hui dissipates, Tian Yao searches for her memory fragments for years until they reunite.

Fans love their mutual salvation, calling the drama 'nostalgic xianxia.' Though some found the finale 'confusing,' with memory fragments and rebirth too abrupt, the life-swap curse perfectly embodies their theme: from that moment, Tian Yao had already given his life to Yan Hui.

Chinese Drama 'Love-at-the-Cost-of-Life CP' Top 4: Hou Minghao and Zhou Ye in 'Guardian' (Image via Weibo)

Chinese Drama 'Love-at-the-Cost-of-Life CP' Top 3: Cheng Yi and Yuan Bingyan in 'Love and Redemption' In 'Love and Redemption,' Cheng Yi plays Yu Sifeng, a disciple of Li Ze Palace, while Yuan Bingyan plays Chu Xuanji, who lacks six senses. Sifeng follows Xuanji through ten lifetimes of love tribulations—killed by her or dying for her in the first nine. In the tenth, he still chooses to protect her, even taking on the identity of the Demon Star to draw hatred away.

During 'Love and Redemption’s' run, fans constantly said, 'Sifeng breaks my heart every day.' His taking the blame for the Demon Star earned cries of 'too heartbreaking.' Fans praised Cheng Yi and Yuan Bingyan's 'explosive chemistry.' The accumulation of ten lifetimes of unrequited love makes every time Sifeng stands before Xuanji deeply moving.

Chinese Drama 'Love-at-the-Cost-of-Life CP' Top 3: Cheng Yi and Yuan Bingyan in 'Love and Redemption' (Image via Weibo)

Chinese Drama 'Love-at-the-Cost-of-Life CP' Top 2: Luo Yunxi and Bai Lu in 'Till the End of the Moon' In 'Till the End of the Moon,' Luo Yunxi plays Tan Taijin, and Bai Lu plays Li Susu. To prevent Tan Taijin from becoming a demon god who destroys the three realms, Li Susu travels back 500 years, only to fall in love with him before his corruption. She exchanges her immortal essence for his evil bone, dying to change his fate. Five centuries later, Tan Taijin schemes to force Li Susu into godhood, making her personally execute his demon form—his dissolution securing the realms' rebirth.

Li Susu's leap from the city wall to exchange the evil bone is hailed as 'the most heartbreaking episode.' After the finale, fans said the story 'left a strong aftertaste.'