Original source │Vision and Sound of China │ July 26, 2026
Written by Lan Xiaolong, directed by Kong Sheng, and executive-produced by Hou Hongliang, the three-part web story film Mo De Xian stars Xiao Zhan, Zhou Yiran, and Peng Yuchang, alongside a distinguished ensemble cast. Today, the film officially announced its August 1 premiere date and will be available exclusively in the “Ju Hao Kan” big-screen on-demand section.
Consisting of three episodes, Mo De Xian will release its complete Director’s Cut in one go, allowing audiences to fully immerse themselves in the story without waiting for updates. This all-at-once release also introduces a new premium viewing experience for high-quality web story films on television and other large-screen platforms.
Ten Years in the Making: The Director’s Cut Fully Realizes the Story of Ordinary People Defending Their Home
Mo De Xian tells the story of its titular protagonist during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Fleeing the ravages of war, Mo De Xian seeks refuge in Gezhi Town, a remote and peaceful settlement hidden deep within the mountains of western Hubei. But war eventually reaches even this isolated corner of the country. As Japanese tanks advance to the outskirts of the town, a single Solothurn autocannon unexpectedly becomes the town’s last weapon against the invaders.
The story continues the theme of “ordinary people struggling to survive in extraordinary times.” Faced with overwhelming odds, a group of common folk who simply wish to live peaceful lives find themselves with nowhere left to retreat and are forced to rise up in defense of their homeland.
In 2015, the creative team at Daylight Entertainment embarked on years of field research and story development before deciding to tell a small, intimate story set against the vast backdrop of wartime history. At the heart of the narrative is an unlikely matchup: an anti-aircraft autocannon pitted against an enemy tank ill-suited for urban combat. More importantly, the people operating the weapon are not soldiers—they are machinists, farmers, craftsmen, and ordinary townsfolk who only want to live in peace. How do they journey from merely surviving to choosing resistance? After ten years of refinement, the film De Xian Jin Zhi premiered in theaters in 2025, bringing the story of the fictional Gezhi Town to audiences.
Following the film’s theatrical release, audience response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic, and many viewers expressed a strong desire to see the Director’s Cut. This sentiment aligned closely with the creative team’s own aspirations. During production, extensive backstories and character details were developed for every role, but many compelling character arcs could not be fully explored within the constraints of a theatrical runtime.
With a desire to explore new forms of storytelling, the web story film Mo De Xian was born. Rather than being a simple extended cut of the movie, it is a complete reimagining of the material—from script structure and narrative pacing to emotional development—resulting in an independent work with its own artistic expression.
The Complete Cast Returns for the Director’s Cut
The newly released Mo De Xian stars Xiao Zhan, Zhou Yiran, and Peng Yuchang (listed by surname stroke order), with special appearances by Gan Yunchen, Xu Juncong, Liu Yuan (Liu Haoran), Aruna, Yan Zhidu, Yang Xinming, Zhou Siyu, Zu Feng, Liao Fan, and Tan Junpeng (Yin Zheng), all returning as part of the original ensemble.
Notably, Liu Haoran makes his first appearance in the De Xian series.
The complete web story film consists of three episodes with a total runtime exceeding 160 minutes and will be released in its entirety at once. This binge-release format preserves the integrity and immersive nature of the narrative while also accommodating the flexible viewing habits of online audiences.
The creators hope viewers will accompany Mo De Xian and the residents of Gezhi Town on their emotional journey—from:
- withdrawing from the world to stepping into it,
- struggling to survive to defending their homeland,
- individual destiny to a greater sense of national duty and collective purpose.
“Ju Hao Kan” Builds a New Ecosystem for Premium Big-Screen On-Demand Viewing
The “Ju Hao Kan” big-screen on-demand section was established under the guidance of the Television Drama Department of China’s National Radio and Television Administration to promote the standardized and high-quality development of the television on-demand market.
Jointly developed by:
- the Audiovisual Content Center of the National Radio and Television Administration,
- the Academy of Broadcasting Science of the National Radio and Television Administration,
- and the China Television Drama Production Industry Association,
the platform is now available across major television services, including cable TV, IPTV, and OTT platforms.
Operating under the principles of:
- unified branding,
- unified standards,
- unified management,
- and unified promotion,
the initiative aims to bring together premium content and provide viewers with a more streamlined, convenient, and high-quality large-screen viewing experience.
As the first flagship title to launch following the official operation of the “Ju Hao Kan”专区, Mo De Xian represents an important milestone for the platform. Its release signifies not only the next phase of development for the service but also marks the arrival of truly exclusive premium content designed specifically for big-screen audiences.
Presented in its complete Director’s Cut form, Mo De Xian delivers the full cinematic depth and artistic vision of the work directly to television viewers.
Opening a New Frontier for Web Story Films
The release of Mo De Xian is more than the debut of a new production—it is also an industry experiment in storytelling and content distribution.
As a web story film, its significance extends beyond its own narrative. Alongside traditional long-form dramas, short dramas, and micro-dramas, the combination of a “Director’s Cut” and a dedicated big-screen on-demand platform pioneers a new content format and viewing model.
For the first time, audiences are able to experience a creator’s complete artistic vision from the comfort of their living rooms. This represents not only an advancement in viewing technology but also a meaningful return to preserving and conveying authorial intent in its fullest form.
The creative team has taken its first step into this emerging format with Mo De Xian. Every aspect of the work—from script structure and pacing to emotional storytelling—has been redesigned to better suit modern online viewing habits and audience expectations. In doing so, it opens a practical new avenue for bringing high-quality, values-driven storytelling to digital audiences.
How to Watch
***note: this is only available in China at the moment
Beginning August 1, viewers can access Mo De Xian in the “Ju Hao Kan” big-screen on-demand section using either of the following methods:
Method 1
- Open your TV’s home screen.
- Select the “Ju Hao Kan” category from the navigation menu.
- Enter the “Ju Hao Kan”专区.
- Click on the Mo De Xian poster under “Recommended” or “New Releases.”
Method 2
- Use your TV’s global search function.
- Enter the initials MDX.
- Open the Mo De Xian details page.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to begin high-definition on-demand viewing.
