Friday, 8 June 2018

Joy of Life

Web Drama: Joy of Life / Qing Yu Nian Season 1
Chinese Title: 庆余年 / Qing Yu Nian
Broadcast Website: iQIYI, Tencent

Broadcast Date: November 26, 2019

Air Time: Revised schedule starting December: Monday-Wednesday 20:00 (2 eps), 6 more eps released for VIP (See Viewing Calendar)
Genre: Historical, Politics, Time Travel
Language: Mandarin
Episodes: 46
Director: Sun Hao
Screenwriter: Wang Juan
Production Company: Tencent Pictures, NCM Television
Origin: China
Related: Joy of Life Season 2
Source: Adapted from the web novel Joy of Life by Mao Ni
Watch Episodes On: Viki (eng subs), Youtube (eng subs)

Love Meter

Synopsis and Plot Summary

The story follows a young man with a mysterious background. He comes from a small city by the sea, hails from a prominent family and undergoes trials and tribulations in his personal journey.

When Fan Xian (Zhang RuoYun) was 15 years old, his father Fan Jian (Gao ShuGuang) and Chen Ping Ping (Wu Gang), the head of the Procuratorate, arrange for Fan Xian to study martial arts and the use of poison under Fei Jie (Liu Hua). Four years later, Fan Xian has improved considerably and travels to the capital. Along the way, he encounters Liu RuYu and his younger brother Fan SiZhe (Gao QiLin). He falls in love at first sight with Lin WanEr (Li Qin) and meets his talented younger sister Fan RuoRuo (Song Yi).

His peaceful life is shattered when he is assassinated on the streets which results in the death of Teng Zi Jing (Wang Yang). Fan Xian also becomes the subject of interest in a power struggle between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, but Fan Xian's heart grows cold when he thinks back to his friend whose sacrifice was deemed inconsequential. Determined to change the current world, he faces challenges head on while holding on to his beliefs.

Fun Facts

Filming lasted 173 days from January 31, 2018 to July 22, 2018.
Filming took place in Guizhou and Hengdian World Studios.
Zhang Ruoyun read the novel before filming began to get a better understanding of the character.
The cast is one of the main reasons why Gao ShuGuang took the role. He and Director Sun Hao are classmates in film school. He, Chen DaoMing and Wu Gang grew up together.
The title which translates in English to celebrating the remaining life is a metaphor for the protagonist miraculously getting a second chance in life.
It is unclear whether the drama will adapt the novel and its entirety or discard the aspects relating to reincarnation since the main protagonist is supposed to wake in the body of an infant after his death.
Translated from the novel, "Myasthenia gravis — an incurable disease where one’s muscle slowly degenerated until the day when one can no longer move and only tears may flow. “Is this… dying?” When he opened his eyes again, he had crossed over into the body of a two year old infant, right in the middle of an assassination attempt." (Source: NovelUpdates)
Episode count was changed from 52 to 46 in the records filed with NRTA (formerly SARFT).
Veteran actors Chen Daoming and Wu Gang are in special starring roles.
Yuan Quan and Yu Rongguang make cameo appearances.
Xiao Zhan sang the ending song Yu Nian.
After the success of The Untamed, many fans of Xiao Zhan were anticipating his appearance in Joy of Life even though he plays a smaller role.
When the show started airing, many were surprised because what seemed like a serious historical drama turned out be quite comedic. Similar to the novel, the main protagonist is from the modern day.
Due topopular demand and requests from the cast and fans for episodes to come out sooner, Qing Yu Nian released a revised schedule so that 6 episodes are released per week.
Starting December 11, Tencent announced that VIP members can avail of a promo to pay to watch 6 additional episodes on top of what they currently avail as VIP members. Many complained about the site's attempts to profit from its viewers.

Cast

	Zhang Ruoyun as Fan Xian
	Li Qin as Lin Waner
	Chen Daoming as Qing Di
	Wu Gang as Chen Pingping
	Li Xiaoran as Princess Zhang
	Ringo Yu Rongguang as Xiao En
	Xin Zhilei as Hai Tang Duo Duo
	Li Chun as Si Lili
	Song Yi as Fan Ruoruo
	Liu Hua as Fei Jie
	Tian Yu as Wang Qinian
	Wang Yang as Teng Zijing
	Yu Xiaowei as Shen Zhong
	Guo Qilin as Fan Siche
	Gao Shuguang as Fan Jian
	Li Qiang as Yan Ruohai
	Yu Yang as Lin Ruofu
	Real Hai Yitian as Zhu Ge
	Xiao Zhan as Yan Bingyun
	Thomas Tong Mengshi as Wu Zhushu
	Liu Duanduan as Second Prince
	Zhang Haowei as Li Chenggan
	Li Junxian as Gao Da
	Liu Runnan as Li Hongcheng
	Han Jiunuo as Ye Linger
	Liu Meitong as Zhan Doudou