Ten Years of Loving You
Ten years ago, Wen Heng, who was fostered in a water town in the south of the Yangtze River, was taken back to Wen's northern house for the first time. There she met Yanxi. Their life is entangled together, life path taking them separate ways and together again.
The film earned $26.4M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Ten Years of Loving You (2022) demonstrates precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Zhao Fei's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 44 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Xiaoqiu is introduced as a dedicated career woman working long hours at her demanding job, showing her driven but emotionally isolated life before everything changes.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Xiaoqiu reunites with Aoran, her first love from ten years ago, at a mutual friend's wedding, reigniting feelings she thought were long buried.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Xiaoqiu agrees to give their relationship another chance, choosing to step out of her guarded life and actively pursue love with Aoran., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Aoran receives a devastating diagnosis of a terminal illness, transforming their hopeful future into a race against time and shifting the relationship from joy to impending loss., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Aoran's condition worsens dramatically and he is hospitalized, with doctors saying there's little time left, bringing Xiaoqiu to her lowest point of despair., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 83 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Xiaoqiu realizes that the ten years of loving Aoran—even ending in loss—have transformed her into someone capable of deep connection, and she chooses to be present for his final days., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Ten Years of Loving You's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Ten Years of Loving You against these established plot points, we can identify how Zhao Fei utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Ten Years of Loving You within the romance genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional romance films include South Pacific, Last Night and Diana.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Xiaoqiu is introduced as a dedicated career woman working long hours at her demanding job, showing her driven but emotionally isolated life before everything changes.
Theme
A colleague tells Xiaoqiu that "love isn't about perfection, it's about showing up," introducing the theme of commitment and presence over idealized romance.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Xiaoqiu's fast-paced corporate world, her strained relationship with her family, and her practical approach to life that leaves no room for romance.
Disruption
Xiaoqiu reunites with Aoran, her first love from ten years ago, at a mutual friend's wedding, reigniting feelings she thought were long buried.
Resistance
Xiaoqiu resists reconnecting with Aoran, debating whether to open herself to love again while friends encourage her to take the risk and Aoran pursues her persistently.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Xiaoqiu agrees to give their relationship another chance, choosing to step out of her guarded life and actively pursue love with Aoran.
Mirror World
Aoran introduces Xiaoqiu to his warm, close-knit family, contrasting sharply with her emotionally distant upbringing and showing her what unconditional love looks like.
Premise
Xiaoqiu and Aoran enjoy their rekindled romance, experiencing the joy and vulnerability of loving each other, traveling together, and building a life filled with intimacy and hope.
Midpoint
Aoran receives a devastating diagnosis of a terminal illness, transforming their hopeful future into a race against time and shifting the relationship from joy to impending loss.
Opposition
Xiaoqiu struggles to cope with Aoran's deteriorating health while trying to make every remaining moment count, facing the reality that love cannot conquer death.
Collapse
Aoran's condition worsens dramatically and he is hospitalized, with doctors saying there's little time left, bringing Xiaoqiu to her lowest point of despair.
Crisis
Xiaoqiu sits alone in darkness, grieving the unfairness of finally finding love only to lose it, questioning whether loving Aoran was worth this unbearable pain.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Xiaoqiu realizes that the ten years of loving Aoran—even ending in loss—have transformed her into someone capable of deep connection, and she chooses to be present for his final days.
Synthesis
Xiaoqiu stays by Aoran's side, fulfilling promises, sharing memories, and saying goodbye with grace, honoring their love by being fully present until the end.
Transformation
Months later, Xiaoqiu visits the places she and Aoran loved, now able to smile through tears, transformed from someone who feared vulnerability into someone who cherishes having loved deeply.