Ming Dynasty (2019 TV series)
Ming Dynasty (Chinese: 大明风华) is a 2019 Chinese historical television series starring lead actors Tang Wei and Zhu Yawen.[1][2] The fictionalized series is adapted from the Chinese novel The Chronicle of the Six Eras (Chinese: 六朝纪事) by Lianjing Zhuyi (Chinese: 莲静竹衣).[3] The television series is aired on Hunan Television.[4] The show gained much attention and viewership from non-Chinese viewers, having already achieved high ratings in mainland China, despite the director taking on an artistic interpretation from the literary Chinese classic.
| Ming Dynasty | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Also known as | 大明风华皇妃：孙若薇传 |
| Genre | Historical fiction |
| Based on | The Chronicle of the Six Eras by Lianjing Zhuyi |
| Written by | An Jian, Daijin, Zhang Ting |
| Directed by | Zhang Ting |
| Starring | Tang Wei Zhu Yawen |
| Country of origin | China |
| Original language(s) | Mandarin |
| No. of episodes | 62 |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Yao Yuzhu |
| Production location(s) | Hengdian World Studios, Wuxi, Inner Mongolia |
| Running time | 45 mins |
| Production company(s) | Youku, Ruyi Films, Yuekai Media |
| Release | |
| Original network | Hunan Television |
| Original release | 17 December 2019 – 23 January 2020 |
Synopsis
During the first year of Emperor Yongle of Ming's reign, the royal doctor Jing Qing and his whole family was beheaded by the Emperor. However, his two daughters were saved. The youngest daughter is adopted by the Hu family and is named Hu Shanxiang. The eldest daughter was rescued and adopted by Sun Zhong under the name of Sun Ruowei. Years later, the mysterious yet powerful Qingzheng Cult manipulates Sun Ruowei in secret by trying to get her to marry the ambitious Prince of Han, Zhu Gaoxu. However, Sun Ruowei somehow becomes an imperial concubine to (then) Crown Prince Xuande, whom she had met before on her previous adventures.
Now the concubine of her enemy's son, she plotted revenge but finally gave up her own personal vengeance for the sake of the citizens of Ming, and truly ended up falling in love with her husband. After the untimely passing of the Xuande Emperor, Sun Ruowei successively experienced the power usurpation of her son Emperor Yingzong of Ming by the Jingtai Emperor. With her wisdom and ability, she rescued the Ming dynasty several times from danger while helping her son to become a noble and virtuous ruler.[5]
Cast
Main
- Tang Wei as Sun Ruowei, Empress Sun
- The daughter of an Imperial Physician killed during the reign of Yongle Emperor later adopted by Sun Zhong and renamed as Sun Ruowei. She is intelligent and brave; however, she is manipulated by the Qingzheng cult to seek revenge for her parents' death. She longs to be reunited with her younger sister, who was separated from her while they were running away. She encounters Zhu Zhanji, who suspects her motives and identity. Through their encounters, Zhanji falls in love with her despite knowing her background and her love for Xu Bin. After her father passes away, she honors her father's arrangements for her to married to Zhanji and moves into Forbidden City to become Zhanji's concubine. After getting married, she helps the ill Crown Prince Hongxi Emperor in the affairs of the state, which familiarizes her with state and military affairs and gets her into trouble with the Yongle Emperor as it is taboo for women of the harem to intervene in government affairs. When Zhu Zhanji ascends the throne, she is titled Huang Fei and it is clear from Zhanji's treatment that he loves her more and prefers her over her long-lost sister Hu Shanxiang, who happens to be Zhanji's legitimate wife and Empress. When Ruowei becomes pregnant soon after Shanxiang's miscarriage, tension grows. However Ruowei continues to protect Shanxiang from Zhanji's suspicion and mistrust. Ruowei then gives birth to Zhu Qizhen When Zhanji finds out the truth behind Shanxiang's relationship with Prince Han, he deposes her and promotes Ruowei as his Empress. Soon Ruowei is made aware that Yongle Emperor decreed that if she bore a son, she should not be allowed to live to protect the Ming Dynasty from a usurper. However, Zhanji decides to let Ruowei live and instead of having her buried alive with him and entrusts the country to her before dying. When asked if she ever regretted this life, she tells Zhanji that she doesn't and tells him that she is grateful to him for giving her the love of her life. After his death, Ruowei is tasked with the regnancy of the kingdom, raising her child with development issues and dealing with her sister and her son and the Empress Zhang.Ruowei protects the kingdom multiple times during the ascension and deposing of her son and the Jingtai Emperor, but grows sick and tired of all of the deaths and political machinations she witnessed. She severs ties with her son telling him that every surviving member of the Zhu family is a living dead person and leaves the kingdom to travel the world with Xu Bin, fulfilling her wish from when she was a young woman.
- Zhu Yawen as Zhu Zhanji, Xuande Emperor, Hongxi Emperor's 1st son (Crown prince)
- The son of Hongxi Emperor and Empress Zhang. He is ambitious, proud and aims to be like his grandfather. A favorite of the Yongle Emperor, he encounters Ruowei while investigating an attempt to assassinate the Emperor. He falls in love with Ruowei and promises her dying father to take care of her. However, he is forced to marry Hu Shanxiang, a candidate nominated by Prince Han and takes Ruowei as his concubine. While fighting a battle with the Emperor, he finds out the Emperor's plan to enthrone Prince Han instead of his father, he blocks all news of the death of the Emperor which causes the deepening of resentment between him and Prince Han and Prince Zhao. After his father's death, he is enthroned as the Xuande Emperor. Prince Han begins to lose his mind and Prince Zhao attempts to manipulate him against Prince Han. After the birth of his children, he finds out that the Empress allowed Prince Han to escape Beijing resulting in a huge rebellion that almost took his life. He also finds out that Prince Han's conspiracies led to his father's and grandfather's death. After the revelation, Zhanji distances himself from all politics and grows immensely sick. He also reveals to Ruowei about the edict left behind to have her killed if she bore a son, and tells her he is contemplating having her buried with him alive. However, he takes her off the list containing the people who would be buried alive with him and tells her that despite his love for her, he has to let her go for the sake of their son.
Supporting
Royal family
- Tan Xueliang as Zhu Yunwen, Jianwen Emperor
- Wang Xueqi as Zhu Di, Yongle Emperor
- Liang Guanhua as Zhu Gaochi, Hongxi Emperor, Yongle Emperor's 1st son (Crown Prince)
- Yu Haoming as Zhu Gaoxu, Prince of Han, Yongle Emperor's 2nd son
- Luan Yuanhui as Zhu Gaosui, Prince of Zhao, Yongle Emperor's 3rd son
- Wu Yue as Zhang Yan
- Long Ni as Consort Wei
- Deng Jiajia as Hu Shanxiang, Empress Gongrangzhang
- Lay Zhang as Zhu Qizhen, Yingzong Emperor, Xuande Emperor's 1st son (Crown Prince)
- Li Xinliang as Zhu Qiyu, Jingtai Emperor, Xuande Emperor's 2nd son
- Hu Lingmeng as Empress Qian
- Chu Junchen as Sima Guang
- Zhao Yingzi as Noble Consort An
- Xiaoxiao as Consort Pu
Ministers
- Qiao Zhenyu as Xu Bin
- Gao Kaiyuan as Xie Jin
- Zhang Hao as Yang Shiqi
- Jiang Yang as Yang Rong
- Yang Weiqi as Yang Pu
- Zhou Yunshen as Jing Qing
- Su Ke as Yu Qian
- Guo Zhiting as Fan Zhong
- Tang Jianjun as Xu Youzhen
- Fu Lei as Shi Heng
- Dai Chaodong as Cao Bin
- Jianuo Guo as Chen Wenrong
Others
- Sun Yaoqi as Shuang Xi
- Shi Yueling as Hu Shangyi
- Wei Wei as Huangpu Yunhe
- Cao Minghua as Mahamud
- Zhu Jiayi as Jing Qing's wife
- Lobsang Namdak as Nie Xing
- Cui Tianyi as Xiao Douzi
- Li Haohan as Yao Guangxiao, Buddhist Monk, adviser of Yongle Emperor and mentor of Xuande Emperor
Production
Director Zhang Ting was previously the screenwriter for numerous well known dramas including Four Generations Under One Roof while supervisor Zhang Li has previously produced many famous historical drama including Towards the Republic, Ming Dynasty in 1566 and The Road We Have Taken. The crew also includes creative director Zhao Hai, winner of both the Hong Kong Film Award and Golden Rooster Awards and Academy Awards nominee costume designer, William Chang.[6] William Chang designed 140 costumes for Tang Wei's character in the series.[6]
Casting
To immerse in the role, Tang Wei prepared 8 months beforehand to learn about the history and culture of the Ming dynasty.[7] Approximately 400 extras auditioned for the drama while the line-up for the main cast exceeded ten actors.[6]
Filming
Principal photography started at Wuxi on 18 December 2017 and wrapped up on 29 July 2018.[8]
Original soundtrack
| Ming Dynasty Original Soundtrack (OST) | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by Various artists | |
| Released | December 25, 2019 |
| Genre | Mandopop Instrumental |
| Language | Mandarin |
| Label | Mai Tong Music |
| Producer | Dong Yingda |
The main composer of the Ming Dynasty OST is Dong Yingda, who also worked on The Great River (2018) and Like a Flowing River (2019).[9] All versions of "One Heart" and "Life Guardian" were not included in the album and were released independently.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Zhu Di's lamp (朱棣的灯)" | Dong Yingda | 1:16 | ||
| 2. | "The Hidden Worries of War (战争的隐忧)" | Dong Yingda | 1:08 | ||
| 3. | "If I refer to that person (如朕指亲临牌)" | Dong Yingda | 1:04 | ||
| 4. | "Exotic warfare (异域战争)" | Dong Yingda | 1:24 | ||
| 5. | "Ancient Love Song (上古情歌)" | Dong Yingda | Dong Yingda | Qi Yu | 1:02 |
| 6. | "Do you want Military Power? (你要兵权？)" | Dong Yingda | 1:02 | ||
| 7. | "Unwillingness (其木格不舍)" | Dong Yingda | 1:24 | ||
| 8. | "Good Two Brothers (哥俩好)" | Dong Yingda | 1:14 | ||
| 9. | "For Food (对食儿)" | Dong Yingda | 1:18 | ||
| 10. | "Disturbing at the Time (当时已惘然)" | Dong Yingda | Dong Yingda | Wang Xiaomin | 2:00 |
| 11. | "Emotional Fluctuation (情感波动)" | Dong Yingda | 1:06 | ||
| 12. | "New Emperor (新皇)" | Dong Yingda | 2:02 | ||
| 13. | "Pu Fei's Palace (朴妃宫廷)" | Dong Yingda | 0:52 | ||
| 14. | "White Cloud Dog (白云苍狗)" | Dong Yingda, Zhang Ting | Dong Yingda | Xu Hebin | 1:56 |
| 15. | "Nie Xing Ruowei (聂兴若微)" | Dong Yingda | 1:28 | ||
| 16. | "Relaxed (轻松)" | Dong Yingda | 1:02 | ||
| 17. | "Easy - pipa version (轻松 - 琵琶版)" | Dong Yingda | 1:04 | ||
| 18. | "One Heart - Theme song (一次心 (主题曲))" | Nan Jiu'er | Liu Fengyao | Henry Huo, Mi Liang | 4:46 |
| 19. | "One Heart - Theme song (一次心 (主题曲))" | Nan Jiu'er | Liu Fengyao | Henry Huo | 4:49 |
| 20. | "Lifetime Guardian - Interlude (生世守护（插曲）米靓)" | Liu Fengyao | Liu Fengyao | Shuang Sheng | 3:08 |
| 21. | "Lifetime Guardian - Interlude (生世守护（插曲）双笙)" | Liu Fengyao | Liu Fengyao | Mi Liang | 3:05 |
Ratings
- Highest ratings are marked in red, lowest ratings are marked in blue
| Hunan TV CSM59 City ratings[10] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Broadcast date | Ratings (%) | Audience share (%) | Rank |
| 2019.12.17 | 1.918 | 7.23 | 1 |
| 2019.12.18 | 1.918 | 7.36 | 1 |
| 2019.12.19 | 1.892 | 7.08 | 1 |
| 2019.12.20 | 1.854 | 6.15 | 1 |
| 2019.12.21 | 1.718 | 5.79 | 1 |
| 2019.12.22 | 1.993 | 7.09 | 1 |
| 2019.12.23 | 1.949 | 7.51 | 1 |
| 2019.12.24 | 1.909 | 7.26 | 1 |
| 2019.12.25 | 1.975 | 7.36 | 1 |
| 2019.12.26 | 2.044 | 7.73 | 1 |
| 2019.12.27 | 1.549 | 5.37 | 2 |
| 2019.12.28 | 1.504 | 4.99 | 2 |
| 2019.12.29 | 1.906 | 6.91 | 1 |
| 2019.12.30 | 2.078 | 7.72 | 1 |
| 2020.1.1 | 2.111 | 7.56 | 1 |
| 2020.1.2 | 1.913 | 7 | 1 |
| 2020.1.3 | 1.672 | 5.65 | 1 |
| 2020.1.4 | 1.69 | 5.48 | 2 |
| 2020.1.5 | 2.048 | 7.13 | 1 |
| 2020.1.6 | 2.288 | 8.32 | 2 |
| 2020.1.7 | 2.191 | 7.83 | 1 |
| 2020.1.8 | 2.266 | 8.15 | 1 |
| 2020.1.9 | 2.28 | 8.06 | 1 |
| 2020.1.10 | 2.095 | 7.12 | 1 |
| 2020.1.11 | 1.714 | 5.59 | 1 |
| 2020.1.12 | 2.256 | 7.77 | 1 |
| 2020.1.13 | 2.136 | 7.69 | 1 |
| 2020.1.14 | 2.034 | 7.26 | 1 |
| 2020.1.15 | 2.01 | 7.06 | 1 |
| 2020.1.16 | 2.012 | 7.11 | 1 |
| 2020.1.17 | 1.959 | 6.88 | 1 |
| 2020.1.19 | 1.033 | 3.56 | 5 |
| 2020.1.20 | 1.951 | 6.97 | 1 |
| 2020.1.21 | 1.951 | 7.05 | 1 |
| 2020.1.22 | 1.926 | 6.7 | 1 |
| 2020.1.23 | 1.911 | 6.11 | 1 |
| Average ratings | 1.935 | 6.88 | / |
| Hunan TV CSM National Network ratings[10] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadcast date | Ratings (%) | Audience share (%) | Rank
(including CCTV) |
Rank
(excluding CCTV) |
| 2019.12.17 | 0.75 | 3.4 | 2 | 1 |
| 2019.12.18 | 0.82 | 3.75 | 2 | 1 |
| 2019.12.19 | 0.81 | 3.64 | 2 | 1 |
| 2019.12.20 | 0.92 | 3.3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2019.12.21 | 0.82 | 2.94 | 3 | 1 |
| 2019.12.22 | 0.81 | 3.45 | 3 | 1 |
| 2019.12.23 | 0.77 | 3.55 | 2 | 1 |
| 2019.12.24 | 0.76 | 3.39 | 4 | 1 |
| 2019.12.25 | 0.80 | 3.50 | 3 | 1 |
| 2019.12.26 | 0.5 | 3.54 | 3 | 1 |
| 2019.12.27 | 0.60 | 2.18 | 4 | 2 |
| 2019.12.28 | 0.66 | 2.36 | 3 | 1 |
| 2019.12.29 | 0.90 | 3.88 | 3 | 1 |
| 2019.12.30 | 0.85 | 3.76 | 3 | 1 |
| 2020.1.1 | 0.96 | 4.19 | 2 | 1 |
| 2020.1.2 | Not available | |||
| 2020.1.3 | 0.64 | 2.37 | 3 | 1 |
| 2020.1.4 | 0.64 | 2.33 | 4 | 2 |
| 2020.1.5 | 0.85 | 3.53 | 2 | 1 |
| 2020.1.6 | 0.97 | 4.17 | 2 | 1 |
| 2020.1.7 | 0.93 | 2.89 | 2 | 1 |
| 2020.1.8 | 1.02 | 4.25 | 2 | 1 |
| 2020.1.9 | 0.96 | 3.98 | 2 | 1 |
| 2020.1.10 | 1.13 | 4.3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2020.1.11 | 0.77 | 2.78 | 3 | 1 |
| 2020.1.12 | 1.16 | 4.56 | 2 | 1 |
| 2020.1.13 | 1.19 | 4.98 | 2 | 1 |
| 2020.1.14 | 1.08 | 4.38 | 2 | 1 |
| 2020.1.15 | 1.03 | 4.08 | 2 | 1 |
| 2020.1.16 | 1.11 | 4.5 | 3 | 1 |
| 2020.1.17 | 1.16 | 4.65 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020.1.19 | 0.70 | 2.70 | 4 | 2 |
| 2020.1.20 | 1.06 | 4.27 | 2 | 1 |
| 2020.1.21 | 1.06 | 4.38 | 2 | 1 |
| 2020.1.22 | 1.16 | 4.64 | 2 | 1 |
| 2020.1.23 | 1.08 | 3.86 | 2 | 1 |
| Average ratings | 0.89 | 3.67 | / | / |
Award and nominations
| Award | Category | Nominee | Result | ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26th Shanghai Television Festival | Best Supporting Actress | Deng Jiajia | Nominated | [11] |
References
- "大明皇妃孙若微传 全部影人". Douban (in Chinese).
- "《大明皇妃》开机 汤唯朱亚文带妆甜蜜同框" (in Chinese). Sina Corp.
- "汤唯确认参演《大明皇妃》 自曝古装怕踩裙摆". NetEase (in Chinese).
- "从来没拍过古装剧汤唯时隔十六年再演电视剧". NetEase (in Chinese). 25 October 2017.
- "电视剧拍摄制作备案公示表". SARFT (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 9 June 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
- "《大明皇妃·孙若微传》无锡正式开机". China Daily (in Chinese). 18 December 2017.
- "汤唯首演古装巨制 《大明皇妃孙若微传》打造顶级巨制". NetEase (in Chinese). 26 October 2017.
- "大明皇妃》今开机 朱亚文再牵汤唯演绎明朝传奇". NetEase (in Chinese). 18 December 2017.
- "董颖达 - QQ音乐-千万正版音乐海量无损曲库新歌热歌天天畅听的高品质音乐平台！". y.qq.com. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- "电视剧收视率排行榜 | 收视率排行" (in Chinese). Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- "第26届上海电视节白玉兰奖入围名单公布". China News (in Chinese). 17 July 2020.