Synopsis
"Wind Blows from Longxi" is a 2022 period entrepreneurial drama with a Douban rating of 8.2, directed by Fu Dongyu and starring Zhao Liying, Ou Hao, and Li Guangjie. It tells the story of Xu Banxia, who starts from collecting scrap iron in the 1990s and becomes a female entrepreneur in the steel industry. Zhao Liying successfully transformed her career with this drama, winning the Feitian Award for Best Actress, and the series ranked third among the highest-rated Chinese-language dramas on Douban in 2022.
Overview
Wind Blows from Longxi is a period entrepreneurship drama that premiered simultaneously on Jiangsu TV, Zhejiang TV, and iQiyi on November 27, 2022. It was directed by Fu Dongyu and Mao Wei, with the screenplay written by Zhang Ting and Fu Dongyu. Zhao Liying stars as Xu Banxia, Ou Hao as Tong Xiaoqi, and Li Guangjie as Zhao Lei. The series consists of 36 episodes, holds a Douban rating of 8.2 (based on approximately 460,000 reviews), and was ranked the 3rd highest-rated Chinese-language drama on Douban in 2022.
Wind Blows from Longxi is a period ensemble drama centered on a female entrepreneur. Set against the backdrop of 1990s China, the story follows a young woman named Xu Banxia who starts from a small scrap metal collection business. Relying on her exceptional courage and tenacious will, she carves out her own path in the male-dominated steel industry. The drama's high acclaim stems not only from its portrayal of the hardships and passion of entrepreneurship but also from its depiction of a flesh-and-blood female character—flawed yet authentic, capable of deep love and strong hatred.
Plot
The story begins in 1996. Xu Banxia (played by Zhao Liying) is a girl who grew up in a scrap collection yard. Her name, Banxia, is derived from a Chinese medicinal herb—raw Banxia is toxic, while processed Banxia heals—mirroring her own life, which becomes strong only after enduring hardships.
Xu Banxia runs a scrap steel business with her childhood friends Tong Xiaoqi (played by Ou Hao) and Chen Yuzhou. Starting from collecting scrap metal and reselling steel, the trio gradually establishes a foothold in the steel industry. With her keen business acumen and bold decision-making, Xu Banxia seizes one opportunity after another—from importing scrap steel from Russia to building her own storage yard, from courting high-level executives in state-owned enterprises to outmaneuvering competitors.
During her entrepreneurial journey, Xu Banxia encounters Zhao Lei (played by Li Guangjie)—a seasoned businessman deeply entrenched in the steel industry. Their relationship evolves from business rivals to partners and then lovers, becoming increasingly complex. Zhao Lei admires Xu Banxia's daring and wisdom but also has to contend with her sometimes overly aggressive business decisions.
Cast
| Actor | Character | Introduction |
|---|---|---|
| Zhao Liying | Xu Banxia | Female entrepreneur who started from scrap metal, bold yet meticulous, daring to think and act |
| Ou Hao | Tong Xiaoqi | Xu Banxia's childhood friend and business partner, fiercely loyal |
| Li Guangjie | Zhao Lei | Veteran businessman in the steel industry, Xu Banxia's lover and rival |
| Liu Wei | Wu Jianshe | Senior figure in the steel industry, a complex character |
| Ke Lan | Gao Yuejin | A strong businesswoman and senior figure in the commercial world |
In this drama, Zhao Liying achieves a remarkable transformation from a popular idol actress to a skilled performer. The role of Xu Banxia is starkly different from the ancient fantasy heroines she previously portrayed—there is no setting of peerless beauty, no protection from a male lead, only an ordinary woman navigating the brutal business world. Zhao Liying cut her hair short, wore minimal makeup, and portrayed Xu Banxia's stubbornness, decisiveness, vulnerability, and growth in a genuinely moving way. For this role, she won the Best Actress awards at the 31st China TV Golden Eagle Awards and the 33rd Flying Apsaras Awards.
Cultural Impact
Wind Blows from Longxi has been dubbed by audiences as the female version of Like a Flowing River. It depicts how a group of courageous and insightful young people struggled and fought in the wave of the market economy during China's reform and opening-up in the 1990s. The plot elements involving steel industry competition, state-owned enterprise reform, and import trade authentically reflect the socio-economic landscape of that era.
The visual quality of the drama has also been highly praised. Director Fu Dongyu adopted a cinematic shooting style with warm yellowish tones and meticulous cinematography, vividly recreating the atmosphere of the 1990s. From costumes to props, settings to soundtrack, every detail is imbued with a strong sense of the period.
References
- Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/35161592/
- Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/风吹半夏
- Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/风吹半夏
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