When we at Artlangs Translation took on the English subtitling for the hit Chinese costume drama "Lovesickness Order" (相思令), it wasn't just another job—it was a chance to bridge cultures through storytelling that resonates on a global scale. Released in 2025 and starring Angelababy and Song Weilong, the series weaves a tale of forbidden love, political intrigue, and personal transformation in a fictional ancient realm. With its 30 episodes packed with high-stakes drama, intricate dialogue, and emotional depth, the show quickly gained traction on platforms like Tencent Video and iQIYI. Our task? To ensure that non-Chinese audiences could dive into this world without losing a single nuance of the original script.
The project kicked off with a deep dive into the source material. "Lovesickness Order" draws from a popular novel, blending romance with elements of adventure and conflict—think forced alliances turning into genuine passion, all set against a backdrop of warring city-states. Subtitling something like this demands more than word-for-word translation; it's about capturing the poetry in the prose, the subtext in heated exchanges, and the cultural references that might otherwise fly over international viewers' heads. For instance, terms rooted in ancient Chinese folklore or idiomatic expressions needed equivalents that felt natural in English, without diluting the story's authenticity. Our team, drawing from years of specializing in video localization and short drama subtitling, approached this with a mix of linguistic expertise and creative flair.
What set Artlangs apart here was our longstanding focus on multimedia localization. For over a decade, we've honed our skills across translation services in more than 230 languages, tackling everything from game adaptations to multilingual dubbing for audiobooks and short-form content. This isn't just about volume—it's about the depth of experience that comes from handling diverse projects. We've localized countless videos, ensuring that subtitles sync perfectly with on-screen action while preserving emotional beats. In "Lovesickness Order," we faced challenges like timing rapid-fire banter during fight scenes or conveying the subtle irony in courtly dialogues. Our process involved multiple rounds of review: initial translations by native speakers, cultural consultants to flag potential misinterpretations, and final tweaks for readability on streaming devices.
The results spoke for themselves. Post-release feedback highlighted how our subtitles elevated the viewing experience—viewers on international forums praised the seamless flow, noting that the English version felt as gripping as the original. One reviewer on Douban even mentioned how our work helped the show break into Western markets, boosting its global ratings to around 5.2. This success builds on our portfolio of standout cases, from dubbing popular web novels into multiple languages to localizing mobile games that topped charts in Asia and Europe. It's the kind of track record that comes from a team passionate about making content accessible, not just translated.
In the end, projects like this remind us why we do what we do at Artlangs: to turn language barriers into gateways. If you're looking to bring your own story to a worldwide audience—whether it's a drama series, a game, or an audiobook—our expertise in localization can make it happen with precision and heart.
