"The Long Night" is a hardcore criminal investigation drama that has been described as a "white moonlight" production. Upon its release in 2017, it captivated audiences with its fast-paced storytelling, strong logic, and restrained narrative style, quickly establishing itself as a benchmark in the world of web dramas. Within just 16 hours of its online debut, it surpassed 100 million views, ultimately amassing over 4 billion views by the end of its run. It received an impressive Douban rating of 9.1, setting a new record for web drama scores, and was even acquired by Netflix for overseas distribution, becoming the first domestic web series to be widely aired internationally. The show has won the hearts of viewers across the country, who eagerly anticipate its sequels year after year, and often call for updates.

Poster for "The Long Night: Dawn"

Today, on November 20, the highly anticipated sequel to "The Long Night," titled "The Long Night: Dawn," premiered exclusively on Youku after seven years of meticulous production. Youku has reunited the original cast, including Pan Yueming and Wang Longzheng, in hopes of delivering an authentic continuation of the story.

Poster for "The Long Night"

"The Long Night: Dawn" continues the character settings and plot of its predecessor while further advancing the storyline. It revolves around the twin brothers Guan Hongfeng and Guan Hongyu, who are embroiled in a tragic family massacre. They join forces with various allies to confront a concealed criminal organization in pursuit of the truth behind the 213 massacre case, ultimately leading to a victory of light over darkness. The structure of the narrative is intricate, with the main plot and subplots supporting and propelling one another, featuring a series of twists and turns that keep viewers on their toes.

According to Zhang Long, general manager of Alibaba Pictures’ Pangu Studio and executive producer of "The Long Night: Dawn," after extensive discussions, the show opted for a "direct continuation" approach, with only 125 minutes passing in the drama's timeline from the end of the first season to the start of the second. However, in the real world, seven years have elapsed. This choice aims to reduce distractions for the audience and to convey that the characters have never truly moved away.

He also noted, “To recapture the unique essence that audiences remember, 'The Long Night: Dawn' not only brought back the original cast but even tracked down the costumes from seven years ago, recreating every scene from that time as accurately as possible.”

During the creative process, the dedication and strong camaraderie displayed by the production team left a lasting impression on director Liu Yingjian. For example, Pan Yueming maintained his physique by almost skipping dinner; although "The Long Night: Dawn" is set in winter, the filming took place in Haikou, where temperatures soared to around 38 degrees Celsius. Despite the sweltering heat, the actors donned heavy autumn and winter clothing without any sign of slackening their efforts.

Seven years on, many actors have seen changes in their lives. Wang Longzheng, who plays Zhou Xun, has become a father and brought his daughter to the set; Liang Yuan, who plays Zhou Shutong, had just given birth when filming began and also brought her newborn to the shooting location; and Zhang Jianfang, who portrays the victim "Wu Zheng" in the massacre case, had left the film industry for many years, but upon invitation, he readily agreed and flew in for the weekend to film.

Industry experts have highly praised "The Long Night: Dawn" for its thematic elements, character development, and narrative techniques. Guan Ling, dean of the Broadcasting Research Institute at Communication University of China, remarked that the series employs a layered structure based on the brothers’ concealed identities intertwined with episodic cases, creating multiple suspenseful threads; moreover, it exemplifies superb pacing and narrative control, quickly immersing the audience in the brain-teasing cases, while also integrating elements of light comedy to balance the rhythm and enhance the viewing experience.

Notably, "The Long Night: Dawn" is another significant addition to Youku’s "Long Night Theater." In April of this year, Youku upgraded its suspense theater to Long Night Theater, where "long night" symbolizes the certainty that "the long night will ultimately end, and the truth will be revealed." The aim is for viewers to unravel mysteries step by step. The Long Night Theater utilizes genre-specific cinematography while exploring deeper social issues and presenting profound insights into human nature, offering audiences a more immersive viewing experience that resonates emotionally and opens new pathways and spaces for the refinement of domestic dramas.