Joy of Life

Synopsis

"Joy of Life" is a 2019 historical political drama with a 7.9 rating on Douban, directed by Sun Hao and starring Zhang Ruoyun, Li Qin, Chen Daoming, and Wu Gang. Adapted from Mao Ni's novel of the same name, it tells the legendary story of Fan Xian, who travels from a small coastal town to the capital to stir up the political landscape. Blending elements of political intrigue, comedy, and martial arts, the series has received over 1.16 million reviews. The most standout characters are Emperor Qing, played by Chen Daoming, and Chen Pingping, played by Wu Gang. The second season is set to air in 2024.

Overview

"Joy of Life" is a historical political intrigue drama that premiered in November 2019 on Tencent Video and iQiyi. Directed by Sun Hao and written by Wang Juan, the series stars Zhang Ruoyun as Fan Xian, Li Qin as Lin Wan'er, Chen Daoming as Emperor Qing, Wu Gang as Chen Pingping, Li Xiaoran as the Eldest Princess, Xin Zhilei as Haitang Duoduo, and Song Yi as Fan Ruoruo. The complete series consists of 46 episodes, holds a Douban rating of 7.9, and has been rated by over 1.16 million users. It is adapted from the web novel of the same name by author Mao Ni.

"Joy of Life" is a work difficult to categorize—it possesses the suspenseful, step-by-step tension of a political intrigue drama, the lighthearted humor of a comedy, and the passionate fervor of a wuxia story. The male protagonist, Fan Xian, has a mysterious background but a cheerful personality. He navigates the treacherous imperial court with wit and luck, turning danger into safety. This narrative style of handling weighty matters with a light touch felt refreshing to audiences. The series incorporates time-travel elements—Fan Xian retains the knowledge and memories of a modern person, using modern thinking to navigate ancient society, creating a wealth of hilarious contrasts.

Plot

Fan Xian (played by Zhang Ruoyun) grows up in the seaside town of Tanzhou, raised by his grandmother. His origins are mysterious—it is said his mother, Ye Qingmei, was the world's most extraordinary woman, who was killed shortly after his birth. From a young age, Fan Xian displays exceptional talent, being well-read in poetry and literature and possessing remarkable martial skills.

After being brought to the capital, Fan Xian discovers a world a hundred times more complex than he imagined. Emperor Qing (Chen Daoming) appears benevolent on the surface but is profoundly inscrutable. The head of the Supervision Office, Chen Pingping (Wu Gang), cares deeply for Fan Xian but has unclear motives. The Eldest Princess (Li Xiaoran) is ambitious and harbors murderous intentions. Fan Xian maneuvers among the struggles of various factions, seeking both to uncover the truth behind his mother's death and to protect himself and those close to him.

Cast

Chen Daoming's portrayal of Emperor Qing is the most impressive character in the series. He masterfully depicts an emperor who appears amiable on the surface but holds absolute control—every glance, every smile carries hidden depths. Wu Gang's performance as Chen Pingping is equally outstanding—a disabled old man in a wheelchair who is also the most feared head of the Supervision Office in the realm. The relationship between Chen Pingping and Fan Xian, resembling that of a father and teacher, is the warmest emotional thread in the series.

Production Features

The production quality of "Joy of Life" is top-tier among similar series. The martial arts scenes are ingeniously choreographed, especially the distinctive and varied fighting styles of the eight masters from the Supervision Office's departments. The costumes and props are meticulously crafted, blending stylistic elements from multiple dynasties. Wang Juan's screenwriting skills ensure a tightly paced plot full of suspense, with almost every episode featuring unexpected twists.

Cultural Impact

After its broadcast, "Joy of Life" sparked a nationwide viewing frenzy, with online viewership exceeding tens of billions. Classic lines and scenes from the show spread widely on social media. The second season aired in May 2024, consisting of 36 episodes with a Douban rating of 7.3, continuing the story from the first season. The series successfully brought Mao Ni's novel IP to the screen, becoming a benchmark work for online literature adaptations.

References

1. Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/25812730/
2. Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/庆余年
3. Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/庆余年_(电视剧)
4. Mao Ni Original Novel: https://baike.baidu.com/item/庆余年_(小说)