The WORST episodes of A Dream Within a Dream
Every episode of A Dream Within a Dream ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of A Dream Within a Dream!
When Song Xiaoyu is unexpectedly pulled into a scripted world as a tragic heroine fated to be discarded by the villainous male lead, she tries to escape, only to be trapped in an endless loop of fatal outcomes each time she strays from the plot. No matter how hard she resists, the story keeps pushing her toward Nan Heng, the cold and calculating lead. As she navigates this paper-thin world where every character is bound by fate, Song Xiaoyu must fight not just for her survival, but for control over her own story.
#1 - World In A Storybook
Season 1 - Episode 31 - Aired 7/9/2025
Nan Heng arranges for a proposal at Fading River Moon. However, Song Yi Meng rejects him unwillingly after his confession.
#2 - A Do-or-die Plan
Season 1 - Episode 22 - Aired 7/4/2025
Zhou Xue Yi continues to force Song Yi Ting to get married. She has had enough and decides to trap Li Shi Liu when he comes for the sword. Nan Heng dresses up as Li Shi Liu to meet her...
#3 - Identity Revealed
Season 1 - Episode 23 - Aired 7/5/2025
The capital is trying to arrest the Night Wandering Gods. Li Shi Liu goes to their hiding spot and announces their disbandment. But they think that he's trying to protect them by saving Shangguan He himself. Due to that, they aren't willing to leave.
#4 - Atone with His Life
Season 1 - Episode 24 - Aired 7/5/2025
Learning Shangguan He is going to be executed, Song Yi Ting asks Song Yi Meng for help.
#5 - Let Go of Yourself
Season 1 - Episode 25 - Aired 7/6/2025
Song Yi Meng is stopped by Nan Heng as she leaves the execution ground and refuses to listen to his explanation.
#6 - Assassination
Season 1 - Episode 26 - Aired 7/6/2025
Nan Heng rushes over when he finds out that Song Yi Meng is in danger. He fights the men in black despite his injuries.
#7 - Destiny Can Be Changed
Season 1 - Episode 27 - Aired 7/7/2025
Song Yi Meng hears about Gao Chang Ying's death. Song Yu De says that the rumors circulating in the Capital have pinpointed Nan Heng as the culprit. Song Yi Meng insists that Nan Heng won't do something like that.
#8 - Forced to Extremes
Season 1 - Episode 28 - Aired 7/7/2025
Long and Hu are caught and interrogated by Chu Gui Hong, who resorts to brutal torture just to make them testify against Nan Heng.
#9 - Mastermind
Season 1 - Episode 29 - Aired 7/8/2025
Chu Gui Hong accuses Nan Heng of ordering the assassination of Lu Yi. Nan Heng refutes the claim, stating that the testimony is fabricated and that the witnesses can be summoned at any time for cross-examination.
#10 - Redemption
Season 1 - Episode 30 - Aired 7/8/2025
The Gao Residence has been sealed off. His accomplices and everyone in his party are exiled to Han Bei. Nan Heng returns the Tiger Tally of the Armored Soldiers to His Majesty.
#11 - Last Farewell
Season 1 - Episode 21 - Aired 7/4/2025
Shangguan He tells Nan Heng everything about the blade and Song Yi Ting. Nan Heng wants Shangguan He to disguise himself as Li Shi Liu for one last time tomorrow and retrieve the blade.
#12 - The Vow
Season 1 - Episode 32 - Aired 7/9/2025
Nan Heng brings Song Yi Meng to the Temple and vows to protect her and her family. Touched by his confession, Song Yi Meng finally agrees to marry him.
#13 - New Life
Season 1 - Episode 33 - Aired 7/10/2025
Nan Heng wakes up from his injury. The emperor orders the Eastern Palace to be built on the side of the inner palace for Nan Heng.
#14 - The Scripted World
Season 1 - Episode 34 - Aired 7/10/2025
Chu Gui Hong returns to the capital city with King Qian Yu. While Song Yi Meng is waiting for Nan Heng at Fanghua Hall, she accidentally runs into King Qian Yu who calls himself the Screenwriter.
#15 - In A Different Light
Season 1 - Episode 35 - Aired 7/11/2025
Song Yi Meng takes King Qian Yu to Fading River Moon to let him experience the interesting place. At the same time, she tries to convince him to respect the characters and allow them to live as they please.
#16 - Fate
Season 1 - Episode 36 - Aired 7/11/2025
King Qian Yu tells Nan Heng that according to the rule of scripted world, anyone who changes their fate will suffer backlash.
#17 - Sacrifice
Season 1 - Episode 37 - Aired 7/11/2025
Song Yi Meng rushes into King Qian Yu's residence and asks him if he is involved in the poisoning of the emperor and the framing of Nan Rui...
#18 - Infinity Loop
Season 1 - Episode 38 - Aired 7/11/2025
Song Yi Meng wakes up from a dream-like death scene. She realizes that she is back at the crown prince's residence. She is thrilled when she sees that Nan Heng is still alive.
#19 - Launching A Preemptive Strike
Season 1 - Episode 39 - Aired 7/11/2025
Chu Gui Hong changes his plans. He frames Nan Heng in advance for the poisoned mandarins the emperor was having. He intrudes upon the emperor's bedchamber to do the deed.
#20 - Turning the Tide
Season 1 - Episode 40 - Aired 7/11/2025
The group sets up an ambush in the streets to intercept the Qianyu Army.
#21 - Fire in the Southern District
Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/29/2025
Concerned about the raging fire at the oil mill, Li Shi Liu leads the members of Fading River Moon into the heart of the blaze to help.
#22 - Six Months Before The Wedding
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/26/2025
After crossing over into Song Yi Meng's body, Song Xiao Yu is surprised to find out that she has arrived six months before her wedding. It seems she now has enough time to gradually change the course of the story.
#23 - Love Line
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/26/2025
Nan Heng jumps into the water as soon as he hears Song Yi Meng falling into the water. While Song Yi Meng is struggling, she sees Nan Heng who looks exactly like Nan Feng. Her first reaction is to never go through the plot with him.
#24 - Stalling Tactic
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/26/2025
Song Yi Meng doesn't know that Nan Heng is determined to kill her. She tries to bargain for her life with the Duan Blade Technique.
#25 - Law of Mutual Rescue
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/26/2025
Song Yi Meng intends to be on good terms with Chu Gui Hong, who was just released from prison. She tells him how Nan Heng is going to put him on the spot in the imperial court.