Joy of Life

Synopsis

"Joy of Life" is a 2019 historical political drama with a Douban rating of 7.9, 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 story of Fan Xian, who has a mysterious background and grows amid political struggles. With 1.16 million ratings, it was a popular domestic drama of 2019.

Overview

"Joy of Life" is a historical political drama that premiered on November 26, 2019. Directed by Sun Hao and written by Wang Juan, it is adapted from the web novel of the same name by author Mao Ni. Zhang Ruoyun plays Fan Xian, Li Qin plays Lin Wan'er, Chen Daoming plays Emperor Qing, Wu Gang plays Chen Pingping, Li Xiaoran plays the Eldest Princess, with powerful actors like Xin Zhilei and Song Yi joining the cast. The entire series consists of 46 episodes, broadcast on platforms such as Tencent Video and iQiyi. It holds a Douban rating of 7.9 from over 1.16 million reviews, becoming one of the most-watched domestic TV dramas of 2019.

The uniqueness of "Joy of Life" lies in its introduction of modern thinking into the world of ancient political intrigue. The protagonist, Fan Xian, possesses a soul from the modern era, confronting ancient power struggles with a contemporary perspective and knowledge. This time-travel setup, combined with the intricate political schemes and rich ensemble of characters from Mao Ni's original work, sets "Joy of Life" apart from numerous other historical dramas.

Plot

Fan Xian (played by Zhang Ruoyun) grew up in Danzhou, raised by his grandmother. He is exceptionally intelligent, yet his origins are shrouded in mystery—he is the illegitimate son of Emperor Qing (played by Chen Daoming). His mother, Ye Qingmei, was a remarkably talented woman who died mysteriously shortly after giving birth to him. Fan Xian is sent to the capital, ostensibly to marry Lin Wan'er (played by Li Qin), the daughter of the Prime Minister, but in reality, he becomes embroiled in a grand game of power.

In the capital, Fan Xian must navigate the struggles between various factions. Emperor Qing appears benevolent but is inscrutable at his core. The head of the Supervision Bureau, Chen Pingping (played by Wu Gang), both protects and uses Fan Xian, while the Eldest Princess (played by Li Xiaoran) secretly plots unfathomable schemes. Maneuvering between these forces, Fan Xian gradually uncovers the truth behind his mother's death and deeper secrets of this world.

Cast

Cultural Impact

The success of "Joy of Life" lies in its breaking of the serious stereotypes of traditional political dramas. The series incorporates numerous lighthearted and humorous elements. The scene where Fan Xian recites Tang and Song dynasty poetry in the imperial court is particularly iconic, cleverly juxtaposing modern culture with an ancient setting and sparking widespread discussion among viewers. This narrative style, blending solemnity with humor, gives "Joy of Life" both the depth of a political drama and the entertainment value of a comedy.

Chen Daoming's portrayal of Emperor Qing is the most memorable character in the series. He masterfully depicts a calculating, inscrutable emperor, with every glance and movement hinting at hidden depths. Wu Gang's Chen Pingping is equally brilliant—confined to a wheelchair yet controlling the world's intelligence network, laying out grand schemes with an impassive demeanor. The performances of these veteran actors set an exceptionally high standard for the entire drama.

The second season of the drama aired in 2024 and also achieved notable success, proving the strong appeal of the "Joy of Life" IP.

References

1. Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/25853071/
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)