Legend of the Phoenix

Legend of the Phoenix (Chinese: 凤弈) is a 2019 Chinese historical romantic comedy television series starring He Hongshan, Jeremy Tsui, Cao Xiwen and Wayne Lai.[1] Produced by Shanghai Tencent Penguin Film Culture Communication Co., Ltd and Shanghai Drama Apple Limited, it debuted on Tencent Video and myVideo on May 28, 2019. The series followed the love story between Ye Ningzhi, a travelling artist, and General Wei Guang during the Great Liang in ancient China.

Legend of the Phoenix
Promotional image
Traditional	鳳弈
Simplified	凤弈
Mandarin	Fèngyì
Genre	Historical, romantic comedy
Written by	Zhang Huabiao
Directed by	Wei Hantao
Starring	He Hongshan Jeremy Tsui Cao Xiwen Wayne Lai
Country of origin	China
Original language(s)	Mandarin
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	41
Production
Executive producer(s)	Fang Fang Yu Haiyan
Production location(s)	Hengdian World Studios
Release
Original network	Hunan Television
First shown in	China
Original release	May 28, 2019 (2019-05-28)

Plot

During the rule of Great Liang, an artist named Ye Ningzhi performed at a banquet in front of the Empress Dowager. However, she was accused of treason by Pang Zhen, the Princess. Luckily, Ningzhi was saved by a general named Wei Guang, who later became her lover. Two years later, Ningzhi enters the palace and becomes the palace maid of the Empress. She witnessed the struggles of the palace and politics, and with her wits and skills survives the game of power.

Cast

Main

• He Hongshan as Ye Ningzhi, a travelling artist who becomes a maid later, she loves Wei Guang.
• Jeremy Tsui as Wei Guang, a general in the Great Liang.
• Cao Xiwen as Zheng Shujun, Empress of the Great Liang.
• Wayne Lai as Lang Kun, minister.

Supporting

• Liu Min as Pang Zhen, Princess of Great Liang; sister of the Emperor of Great Liang.
• Cui Peng as Pang Tong, Emperor of Great Liang.
• Wang Xichao as Pang Yu, prince of Great Liang; brother of the Emperor of Great Liang.
• Luo Qiuyun as Ban Ling'er, a maid who becomes a concubine later, evil and dies later
• Liu Chenxia as Empress dowager.
• Bai Haitao as Yan Kuan.
• Nan Fulong as Yan Zheng.
• Wang Ruizi as Concubine Fu.
• Shao Sihan as Hua Zhangshi.
• Luo Siwei as Ah Jiao.
• Chen Haoming as Ah Qiao.
• Zhang Jialing as Zi Ling.
• Qiao Xi as Chen Xue.

Soundtrack

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Singer(s)	Length
1.	"Fengyi (凤弈)" (Opening theme)	Duan Sisi	Tan Xuan	Li Ziting
2.	"Yinghuo (萤火)" (Ending theme)	Liu Chang	Tan Xuan	Zhang Yihao and Zi Ning
3.	"Hongchen Xiangkan (红尘相看)" (Interlude)	Duan Sisi	Tan Xuan	Li Qi
4.	"Yinian Zhichi (一念咫尺)" (Interlude)	Liu Chang	Tan Xuan	Dong Shiyun

Production

Hong Kong director Wei Hantao (Lotus Lantern, The Story of Han Dynasty and The Starry Night, The Starry Sea) was signed to direct the series from a script by Zhang Huabiao.

For the first time, He Hongshan acted as a leading female role and Jeremy Tsui acted as a leading male role.[2][3]

Principal photography started on April 15, 2018 and wrapped on July 15, 2018.[4][5]

Awards and nominations

Award	Category	Nominee	Results	Ref.
Golden Bud - The Fourth Network Film And Television Festival	Best Web Series	Legend of the Phoenix	Nominated	[6]
	Best Actor	Xu Zhengxi	Nominated
	Best Actress	He Hongshan	Nominated

References

1. 邵思涵《凤弈》开启后宫梨花学堂“堂主”之路. 163.com (in Chinese). 2018-04-19.
2. 《凤弈》预告来袭!何泓姗第一次担任女主,91天无缝连轴拍摄. qq.com (in Chinese). 2018-07-17.
3. 《凤弈》担任男一号，帅气依旧. sky0771.com (in Chinese). 2019-05-30.
4. 曹曦文《凤弈》开机 “戏精皇后”开启进击之路. 163.com (in Chinese). 2018-04-16.
5. 太师男主剧《凤弈》杀青，徐正溪战场戏份燃爆了. sina (in Chinese). 2018-07-16.
6. 金骨朵网络影视盛典提名揭晓 王一博肖战杨紫等入围. Ynet (in Chinese). November 25, 2019.

International broadcast

Region	Network	Dates	Notes
Malaysia	8TV	23 October, 2019 - 18 December, 2019 (Monday to Fridat at 8:35 PM	Original
Hong Kong,  Macau	TVB Jade	18 November, 2019 - 3 January, 2020 (Monday to Friday at 8:30 PM)	Dubbed with Cantonese

External links

• Legend of the Phoenix at Douban (in Chinese)
• Legend of the Phoenix at the Mtime.com (in Chinese)