Synopsis
"Joy of Life" is a phenomenal 2019 historical drama directed by Sun Hao, written by Wang Juan, 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, a modern soul who travels back to ancient times and grows in a world of political intrigue. With a Douban rating of 7.9 and over a million reviews, it was one of the most talked-about domestic TV series of the year.
Overview
Joy of Life is a Chinese historical fantasy drama that premiered on November 26, 2019. Directed by Sun Hao and written by Wang Juan and Mao Ni, the series stars Zhang Ruoyun and Li Qin in leading roles, with Chen Daoming in a special starring role. The cast also includes Wu Gang, Li Xiaoran, Xin Zhilei, Li Chun, Song Yi, Guo Qilin, and others. The 46-episode series holds a Douban rating of 7.9 based on over 1.05 million reviews, making it one of the most talked-about and influential domestic TV dramas of 2019.
Adapted from Mao Ni's web novel of the same name, the drama tells the legendary story of Fan Xian, a young man with a mysterious background, who navigates a treacherous world of political intrigue to uncover the truth and protect his loved ones. The show skillfully blends elements of time travel, political scheming, martial arts, and comedy. It features both grand narratives of state and family and lighthearted, humorous daily interactions, earning it the playful nickname of a "historical political intrigue light comedy" among viewers.
Plot
Zhang Qing, a university student majoring in literary history, decides to write a novel to illustrate his thesis topic in order to gain approval from Professor Ye. He conceives a time-travel story about a young man named Fan Xian with a mysterious background, who grows up in the small coastal city of Danzhou.
Fan Xian (played by Zhang Ruoyun) has lived with his grandmother since childhood. While appearing to be an ordinary youth, his mother, Ye Qingmei, was a legendary woman who once changed the world's landscape, leaving behind countless unsolved mysteries. As an adult, Fan Xian is summoned to the capital and becomes entangled in the power struggles among various factions in the imperial court.
Emperor Qing (played by Chen Daoming) is Fan Xian's nominal father. His inscrutable imperial machinations are hidden beneath a facade of paternal affection. Chen Pingping (played by Wu Gang), the head of the Supervision Bureau, shows great care for Fan Xian, but every move he makes carries deeper implications. The Eldest Princess (played by Li Xiaoran) is the court's greatest schemer, constantly at odds with Fan Xian.
In the capital, Fan Xian meets Lin Wan'er (played by Li Qin), the "chicken leg girl," and they fall in love. With his modern mindset and knowledge, Fan Xian thrives in the ancient world, repeatedly resolving crises. However, as the truth gradually unfolds, he discovers that the world he inhabits is far more complex than he imagined, and his mother Ye Qingmei's death conceals a shocking conspiracy.
Cast
| Actor | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Zhang Ruoyun | Fan Xian | A young man with a mysterious background, witty and brave |
| Li Qin | Lin Wan'er | The Prime Minister's daughter, Fan Xian's beloved |
| Chen Daoming | Emperor Qing | An inscrutable emperor |
| Wu Gang | Chen Pingping | Head of the Supervision Bureau, a mentor and father figure |
| Li Xiaoran | Eldest Princess | A powerful court schemer |
| Guo Qilin | Fan Sizhe | Fan Xian's younger brother, the comedic relief |
Cultural Impact
Joy of Life was one of the most talked-about TV dramas of 2019, trending almost daily on Weibo during its broadcast. Scenes such as Fan Xian drunkenly reciting the "Three Hundred Tang Poems," the psychological battles between Emperor Qing and Chen Pingping, and the adaptation of various modern memes into a historical setting became hot topics on social media.
Chen Daoming's portrayal of Emperor Qing is widely regarded as the show's most outstanding performance. He masterfully depicted an emperor who appears loving on the surface but is profoundly scheming, conveying complex psychological activity through every glance and micro-expression. Wu Gang's Chen Pingping was equally brilliant; confined to a wheelchair, his commanding presence and every gesture exuded the demeanor of a master strategist.
The success of the drama led to the broadcast of Joy of Life 2 in 2024, which also achieved high ratings and significant buzz. The Joy of Life series has become one of the most popular historical drama IPs in China in recent years.
References
- Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/25853071/
- Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/庆余年/18023915
- Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/庆余年_(电视剧)
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