Rush to the Dead Summer (TV series)

Rush to the Dead Summer (Chinese: 夏至未至; pinyin: Xiàzhì Wèi Zhì) is a 2017 Chinese television series based on Guo Jingming's novel of the same name; starring Chen Xuedong, Zheng Shuang and Bai Jingting.^[1][2] On 11 June 2017, the series aired on Hunan TV.^[3][4] The drama was acclaimed for its authentic portrayal of youth and campus life, along with striking cinematography.^[5][6]

Rush to the Dead Summer
Drama poster
Also known as	Love till the End of Summer
Genre	Romance Teen Coming of age
Based on	Rush to the Dead Summer by Guo Jingming
Written by	Liu Fei Liu Chenguang Shi Shi
Directed by	Han Yang
Starring	Chen Xuedong Zheng Shuang Bai Jingting Chai Biyun Zheng Hehuizi Pang Hanchen Xia Zitong
Country of origin	China
Original language	Mandarin
No. of episodes	46
Production
Production locations	Xiamen Shanghai
Running time	40 minutes
Production companies	China Syndication Hunan TV
Original release
Network	Hunan TV
Release	11 June (2017-06-11) – 8 July 2017 (2017-07-08)

Synopsis

Li Xia (Zheng Shuang), a hardworking girl from a poor family, earns a scholarship to the prestigious Qian Chuan Secondary School. There, she befriends Fu Xiaosi (Chen Xuedong), a reserved, talented artist, and Lu Zhiang (Bai Jingting), a lively and charismatic student who acts as a loyal “guardian angel” to them both. Along with friends Cheng Qiqi (Chai Biyun) and Yu Jian (Xia Zitong), they share a vibrant high school life full of dreams and romance.^[7][8]

After graduation, their lives take different paths: Fu Xiaosi becomes a famous painter with Li Xia as his assistant and partner; Cheng Qiqi rises as a popular idol; and Yu Jian pursues singing overseas. But hardships soon follow—Lu Zhiang faces his mother’s death and imprisonment, Cheng Qiqi betrays the group, and Li Xia leaves, causing the bright “summer” of their youth to fade. Lu Zhiang’s once cheerful spirit turns somber as he struggles through loss. Over ten years, the story explores the fragility of friendship and the lasting power of memories amid growth and change.^[9][10]

Cast

Main

Actor	Character	Introduction
Chen Xuedong	Fu Xiaosi	An artist regarded as a legend by others. Despite his deep feelings for Li Xia, his actions caused her pain, ultimately leading to the end of their relationship. He remains at Qian Chuan, waiting for her return.
Zheng Shuang	Li Xia	She is a hardworking girl with a passion for drawing. She falls in love with Fu Xiaosi and becomes his assistant after graduation. However, their relationship is shattered by Cheng Qiqi's betrayal, leading Li Xia to leave him.
Bai Jingting	Lu Zhiang	He is a friendly and dependable friend to both Fu Xiaosi and Li Xia. After the death of his mother, he becomes more withdrawn and introverted. He is later imprisoned for assaulting a man who insulted Fu Xiaosi. Following his early release, he proposes to Yan Mo and marries her.[11]

Supporting

Qian Chuan Secondary

Actor	Character	Introduction
Xia Zitong	Yu Jian	An independent orphan with a gifted voice, determined to become a singer despite challenges. She is a loyal friend to Li Xia, whom she considers her best friend.[12]
Chai Biyun	Cheng Qiqi	Seen as perfect but inwardly insecure, she is Li Xia’s longtime best friend. Her possessiveness toward Fu Xiaosi ultimately drives her apart from her friends.[13]
Wang Yuwen	Li Yanran	A proud girl who grew up with Fu Xiaosi and harbors unrequited love for him. She repeatedly tries to sabotage his relationship with Li Xia.[14]
Zhao Yami	Song Yingying	Li Xia’s dorm mate and classmate, she is a cheerful girl who enjoys eating and admiring handsome men.
Jin Liting	Ren Xiaofei	Li Xia’s dorm mate and classmate, she is a quiet girl who aspires to become a manga artist.
Jessie Li	Chen Wenjing	Li Xia’s dorm mate and classmate, she enjoys gossiping and claims to be the head of Lu Zhiang’s fan club. She transferred to another school after the first semester.
He Jiaxuan	Luo Xun	A student regarded as a childish troublemaker, he has had a crush on Cheng Qiqi since childhood.[15]
Hu Yitian	Ou Jun	Student and Luo Xun's mate.
Wang Xinting	Yao Nana	Student
Zhao Zimeng	Liu Yang	Student
Ni Jingyang	Wen Ren	Form teacher, strict but loving teacher.[16]
Wang Jinkun	Wu Kai	PE teacher. He loves Wen Ren and becomes her boyfriend.
Li Dong	Department Head Mao
Zhou Yunshen	Teacher Luo	Chemistry teacher.

Others

Actor	Character	Introduction
Zheng Hehuizi	Yan Mo	From a wealthy background, she is a talented artist who returns from Japan and later marries Lu Zhiang.[17]
Pang Hanchen	Duan Qiao	A kind architecture student who dates Yu Jian until a fatal car accident separates them.[18]
Juck Zhang	Qing Tian	A bar singer and Yu Jian’s first love, they separated due to life’s realities.[19]
Li Xian	Qing Yun	Li Xia's fiancé
Zhang Liao	Jie Xun	A hardworking man who eventually fulfills his dream of becoming a rock star.
Liu Tao		Fu Xiaosi's father.
Zhao Qian		Fu Xiaosi's mother.
Zhang Li		Li Xia’s mother, a resilient woman who works multiple jobs to provide the best for her child.
Song Tao		Lu Zhiang's father
Li Lin		Lu Zhiang's mother, a understanding lady who respects his child's opinions.
Fu Heng		Cheng Qiqi's father, a businessman who is strict with his children and discourages Qiqi’s ambition to become a singer.
Lin Jing		Cheng Qiqi's mother, a meek woman who consistently chooses to yield.
Guo Qiucheng		Li Yanran's father.
Rong Rong		Li Yanran's mother.
Jiang Bing	Aron	Yan Mo's father, a head of a large company in Shanghai, who runs Fu Xiaosi's art career.
Shang Kan	Carol	Cheng Qiqi's manager.
Yang Shuwen	Ding Yiyang	The culprit who maligned Lu Zhiang.
Yan Qingyu	CEO He

Production

The actors' original voices are used in this drama, with no dubbing.^[20] Filming began on August 5, 2016 at Guankou Middle School and ended on November 24.^[21][22] Guo Jingming acts as the artistic director of this series.^[23]

Soundtrack

Rush to the Dead Summer - Original Television Soundtrack (夏至未至电视剧原声音乐大碟)

No.	Title	Music	Length
1.	"My First Memory (最初的记忆)"	Lala Hsu
2.	"That Boy (那個男孩)"	Silence Wang
3.	"Rush to the Dead Summer (夏至未至)"	Hu Xia
4.	"Chaser of the Light (追光者)"	Yoyo Sham
5.	"Starlight before Yesterday's Night (昨夜以前的星光)"	Zhang Yang Yang
6.	"Haven't End (未至)"	Yisa Yu
7.	"I Miss (我想念)"	Jin Zhiwen
8.	"A Person's Scenery (一个人的风景)"	Milk Coffee

Ratings

Episode #	Original air date	(CSM52)		(National Average)		Ranking in National timeslot
		Ratings	Audience share	Ratings	Audience share
1-2	June 11, 2017	1.144	3.951	1.44	5.43	1
3-4	June 12, 2017	1.050	3.606	1.59	5.95	1
5-6	June 13, 2017	1.110	3.785	1.64	6.04	1
7-8	June 14, 2017	1.122	3.93	1.64	6.04	1
9-10	June 15, 2017	1.224	4.248	1.79	6.66	1
11	June 16, 2017	0.842	3.161	1.17	4.89	2
12	June 17, 2017	0.754	2.813	1.18	5.13	2
13-14	June 18, 2017	1.089	3.772	1.5	5.59	2
15-16	June 19, 2017	1.105	3.864	1.49	5.46	2
17-18	June 20, 2017	1.027	3.603	1.67	6.29	2
19-20	June 21, 2017	0.961	3.31	1.69	6.26	2
21-22	June 22, 2017	1.07	3.702	1.77	6.58	2
23	June 23, 2017	0.855	3.058	1.31	5.37	3
24	June 24, 2017	0.843	3.031	1.19	4.83	2
25-26	June 25, 2017	1.104	3.735	1.7	6.38	1
27-28	June 26, 2017	1.133	3.994	1.66	6.38	3
29-30	June 27, 2017	1.124	4.011	1.8	6.9	3
31-32	June 28, 2017	1.082	3.861	1.8	6.87	2
33-34	June 29, 2017	1.215	4.246	2.1	7.78	2
35	June 30, 2017	0.648	2.303	1.56	-	2
36	July 1, 2017	0.661	2.384	1.15	4.69	2
37-38	July 2, 2017	0.936	3.175	1.69	6.25	1
39-40	July 3, 2017	0.935	3.264	1.54	5.8	3
41-42	July 4, 2017	1.032	3.603	1.77	6.55	3
43-44	July 5, 2017	1.107	3.798	1.91	6.93	2
45-46	July 6, 2017	1.229	4.116	1.93	6.9	2
47	July 7, 2017	0.916	3.386	1.46	6.1	2
48	July 8, 2017	0.893	3.209	1.61	6.66	1
Average		1.05	3.66	1.6	6.08	-

• Highest ratings are marked in red, lowest ratings are marked in blue

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Note	Status	Ref.
2017	The Actors of China Awards	Outstanding Actor	Bai Jingting	Won
		Best Performance By An Actor		Won