The King's Woman
The King's Woman (Chinese: 秦时丽人明月心) is a 2017 Chinese television series starring Dilraba Dilmurat and Vin Zhang. It is adapted from the novel The Legend of Qin: Li Ji Story (秦时明月之丽姬传).[1][2] The series aired on Zhejiang TV every Monday to Wednesday, from 14 August to 4 October 2017.[3]
The King's Woman | |
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Genre | Historical fiction Wuxia Romance |
Based on | The Legend of Qin: Li Ji Story by Wen Shiren |
Written by | Chen Huiru Zhu Xianzhong |
Directed by | Liu Xin |
Starring | Dilraba Dilmurat Vin Zhang Li Tai Liu Chang Zhang Xuan |
Country of origin | China |
Original language(s) | Mandarin |
No. of episodes | 48 |
Production | |
Production company(s) | Beijing HualuBaina Film & TV Zhong He Media Beijing Hua'er Tai He |
Release | |
Original network | Zhejiang TV |
Original release | 14 August – 4 October 2017 |
Synopsis
Gongsun Li is the granddaughter and disciple of military commander Gongsun Yu. When she was young, she met and rescued Ying Zheng, who then fell in love with her at first sight. When the Qin troops were attacked, Gongsun Li's childhood lover, Jing Ke was poisoned while protecting her. In order to attain the antidote for Jing Ke, Gongsun Li agreed to marry Ying Zheng.
However, she found out that she was already pregnant with Jing Ke's child. Ying Zheng decides to hide the truth for Gongsun Li, treating the child, Tianming, as his own. Gongsun Li was deeply touched by Ying Zheng's actions. At the same time, Han Shen (Sun Li and Jing Ke's senior) entered the palace to save her and stayed on in the palace as an imperial guard. After much time, Gongsun Li comes to know a kinder and lesser known side of Ying Zheng and begins to fall for him. Facing the harem, the schemes of the concubines, and Ying Zheng's mercurial nature, Gongsun Li uses her wits, intelligence, and kindness to earn the love and respect of everyone.
However, Jing Ke tries to free Gongsun Li and his child from the Qin Palace. He attempts to assassinate Ying Zheng, but the plan fails and he is killed. Gongsun Li witnesses the murder of her former lover, and willingly lets herself die by Ying Zheng's sword. Ying Zheng is greatly saddened and lost his human nature. He would later become the first Emperor of China, sparking the events of Legend of Qin.
Cast
Main
- Dilraba Dilmurat as Gongsun Li
A kind and caring woman who was in love with Jing Ke. After he was poisoned, she gives herself up to the King in order to pay for the cure. She soon finds herself falling in love with Ying Zheng and willing to do anything for him. She tends to put others before herself and doesn’t care if she gets hurt. She holds the affection of Jing Ke, Ying Zheng, and Han Shen. She also has a child with Jing Ke named Tianming.
- Vin Zhang as Ying Zheng
The King of Qin who plans to unite China. As a child, he fell in love with Gongsun Li, one of the first people to show him compassion. Years later, he runs into her and recognizes her as the girl who saved him. He immediately makes her a fugitive in order to force her to become his wife. He is known for his unpredictable temper and is feared by everyone in his court. He has two sons, Fusu, his biological son, and Tian Ming, Gongsun Li's son.
- Li Tai as Han Shen
The senior disciple of both Jing Ke and Gongsun Li. He is in love with her and is willing to protect her with his life. When Li first entered the palace, Han Shen followed her and became an imperial guard to protect her. He is known as a skilled martial artist and sword master.
- Chang Liu as Jing Ke
Gongsun Li's second senior disciple and Han Shen's junior disciple. He is in love with Gongsun Li and has a special relationship with Ge Lan. He is skilled in Swan Swordsmanship, a deadly sword technique that was passed down from his master. He planned to assassinate Ying Zheng, but ultimately failed.
- Zhang Xuan as Ge Lan
Jing Ke and Gongsun Li's close friend. She is the daughter of a skilled sword master, Ge Nie. She is in love with Jing Ke, but holds in her feelings because she knows he’ll never love her back. She is light hearted and kind, often putting others before herself.
Supporting
Qin kingdom
- Li Qiang as Lü Buwei
Ying Zheng's biological father. He used his son to gain his position in the royal court. After he is banished, he faked his death and helped an enemy territory. He is then killed by Ying Zheng.
- Chen Yisha as Queen Dowager Zhao
Ying Zheng's mother and Lü Buwei's lover. After her lover, Lao Ai, is killed, she goes crazy and is punished to be confined in the Southern Palace.
- Yang Tong as Li Zhong
He is Ying Zheng's closest friend and head of the royal palace guards. He ends up sacrificing himself in the duel between Ying Zheng and Jing Ke.
- Su Youchen as Zhao Chengjiao
Ying Zheng's brother who was coerced to rebel. He then surrendered and is punished by reduction to a lower rank. They indirectly make peace thanks to Li Er's intervention.
- Liao Xueqiu as Queen Dowager Huayang
Ying Zheng's grandmother and the head of all concubines. She hates Gongsun Li and would do anything to make sure she doesn’t become queen.
- Wang Ting as Lady Chu
A concubine from Chu who is close with Queen Dowager Huayang. She is scheming and sabotages Gongsun Li as much as possible. However, she grows to be a more mature and considerate person - even advising Li Er to protect herself against Ying Zheng.
- Qiu Yinong as Lady Min
A concubine who is close friends with Gongsun Li. It is then revealed that she purposely married into Qin so she could help her homeland.
- Zhang Gu as Zhao Gao
An advisor of Ying Zheng who is willing to do anything to help his homeland, Zhao. He worked with Lady Min in order to ensure Zhao's safety.
- Zhao Tingliang as Li Si
A member of the royal court who is jealous of anybody who could threaten his position.
- Liu Haochen as Lao Ai
A lover of Queen Dowager Zhao who used her seal to rebel.
- Zhou Xiaopeng as Sima Kong
- Yuan He as Yao Gu
- Cheng Dachun as Ji Fengjian
- Zhu He as Mang Bianlin
- Li Junying as Kuang Huoquan
- Yuan Zhiwei as Rui Lishan
- Huang Qian as Meng Wu
- Meng Yuli as Jing Liangren
Yan kingdom
- Sean Pai as Crown Prince Dan
A prince of Dan who was imprisoned his whole life in the Qin Kingdom. Although Ying Zheng views him as a close friend, Yan Dan believes that Ying Zheng is a cruel person. Gongsun Li helped him escape Qin.
- Yao Kan as Tian Guang
Prince Dan's royal tutor that sacrifices himself for Dan.
- Jiang Yi as Gao Jianli
Others
- Wang Tonghui as Ge Nie
- Yang Zhe as Gongsun Yu
- Sun Kan as Crown Prince Jia
- Lin Jiandong as Dou Yi
- Jin Youming as Xiahou Yang
Production
The producing team of The King's Woman included Chen Minzheng, the fashion designer for Empresses in the Palace and the creative director for Nirvana in Fire and The Disguiser, Zhao Changyong.[4]
Casting
To immerse in the role, Vin Zhang prepared a month long beforehand to learn about the related history and the background of Qin Shi Huang.[5] During this period, Zhang also learnt horse riding for the scenes required by the series.[5] The King's Woman is Dilraba Dilmurat's fourth collaboration with Vin Zhang after V Love, Eternal Love , and Pretty Li Hui Zhen.[6]
Filming
The series was filmed on set at the Hengdian Studios throughout the Lunar New Year of 2017.[7]
Soundtrack
No. | Title | Music | Length |
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1. | "Follow You through Life and Death (生死相随)" (Ending theme song) | Cui Zige & Roger Yang | 3:50 |
2. | "Fated (注定)" | Chang Sisi | 4:24 |
3. | "Hundred Flowers Wilted (百花残)" | Cui Zige | 4:34 |
4. | "Love Hasn't Ended (情未央)" | Cui Zige | 4:28 |
Reception
The drama garnered over 1.5 billion viewers in total on Youku.[4] The series placed first in television ratings and became one of the most searched and discussed topic online during its broadcast with around 1.2 billion readers on Weibo and shares over 5 million.[4]
China Zhejiang TV premiere ratings (CSM52) | ||||
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Broadcast date | Episodes | Ratings (%) | Audience share (%) | Rank |
2017.8.14 | 1-2 | 0.984 | 5.406 | 1 |
2017.8.15 | 3-4 | 0.696 | 3.880 | 3 |
2017.8.16 | 5-6 | 0.873 | 4.882 | 2 |
2017.8.21 | 7-8 | 0.890 | 5.089 | 1 |
2017.8.22 | 9-10 | 0.881 | 4.905 | 2 |
2017.8.23 | 11-12 | 0.854 | 4.856 | 2 |
2017.8.28 | 13-14 | 0.953 | 5.400 | 1 |
2017.8.29 | 15-16 | 1.083 | 6.221 | 1 |
2017.8.30 | 17-18 | 0.996 | 5.884 | 1 |
2017.9.4 | 19-20 | 0.587 | 3.930 | 2 |
2017.9.5 | 21-22 | 0.628 | 3.780 | 1 |
2017.9.6 | 23-24 | 0.452 | 2.904 | 3 |
2017.9.11 | 25-26 | 0.537 | 3.313 | 2 |
2017.9.12 | 27-28 | 0.504 | 3.011 | 2 |
2017.9.13 | 29-30 | 0.556 | 3.545 | 2 |
2017.9.18 | 31-32 | 0.436 | 2.888 | 3 |
2017.9.19 | 33-34 | 0.620 | 3.980 | 1 |
2017.9.20 | 35-36 | 0.722 | 4.619 | 1 |
2017.9.25 | 37-38 | 0.720 | 4.838 | 1 |
2017.9.26 | 39-40 | 0.621 | 4.228 | 1 |
2017.9.27 | 41-42 | 0.591 | 3.847 | 1 |
2017.10.2 | 43-44 | 0.645 | 3.762 | 1 |
2017.10.3 | 45-46 | 0.804 | 4.570 | 1 |
2017.10.4 | 47-48 | 1.041 | 5.950 | 1 |
International broadcast
Country | Network | Airing dates |
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Zhejiang TV (浙江卫视) | August 14, 2017 - October 4, 2017 (Star Theater Monday to Wednesday 22: 00-23: 30) | |
8TV | 5 January 2018 – 2018 (Best of the East: Asian Selection Monday through Friday 20:30 - 21:30) | |
myTV SUPER | October 3, 2017 - December 7, 2017 (Monday to Friday 11:45 - 12:45, 15:15 - 16:15, 18:00 - 18:45, 19:30 - 20:30 and 22:30 - 23:30) | |
TVB Chinese Drama
(華語劇台) |
October 3, 2017 (Monday to Friday 22: 30-23: 30) | |
StarHub (Hub VV Drama channel) | November 26, 2017 - February 17, 2018 (Saturday, Sunday 19:15 - 21:00; two episodes broadcast) | |
緯來戲劇台 | December 22, 2017 (Monday to Friday 22:00 - 23:00) | |
LTV (龍華數位媒體科技) | December 25, 2017 (Monday to Friday 19: 00-20:00) | |
Channel 9 MCOT HD | March 24, 2018 - June 10, 2018 (9 SERIES Every Saturday and Sunday from 14.05 - 15.50) | |
CANAL+ MAE MADI | April 12, 2018 - September 18, 2018 (Every Tuesday, Thursday 20:00 - 21:30) | |
Southeast Asia | tvN (Asia) | Every Monday To Saturday 17:30-18:30 |
References
- "《丽姬传》横店开机 迪丽热巴张彬彬集结亮相". NetEase. 2016-12-09.
- "《丽姬传》杀青 迪丽热巴戎装告别张彬彬魔性尬舞". Sina. 2017-03-20.
- "《秦时丽人明月心》定档 迪丽热巴张彬彬身份解锁". Sina.
- "《秦时丽人明月心》匠心制作维护周播剧的尊严". Sina (in Chinese). September 8, 2017.
- "《丽姬传》开机 张彬彬迪丽热巴演"倾国之恋"". NetEase (in Chinese). December 9, 2016.
- "《丽姬传》开机 主演迪丽热巴张彬彬亮相". Sina (in Chinese). December 9, 2016.
- "《秦时明月之丽姬传》取景秦王宫汉街". Dongyang News (in Chinese). February 14, 2017.