Joy of Life (TV series)

Joy of Life (Chinese: 庆余年; pinyin: Qìng Yúnián), also known as Thankful for the Remaining Years, is a 2019 Chinese television series that is based on the novel Qing Yunian (庆余年) by Mao Ni.[1] It stars Zhang Ruoyun, Li Qin and Chen Daoming.[2][3][4] The series premiered on Tencent Video and iQiyi on November 26, 2019.[5]

Joy of Life
Also known as	Celebrating an Affluent Year
Traditional	慶餘年
Simplified	庆余年
Mandarin	Qìng Yúnián
Genre	Historical fiction Political Romance
Based on	Qing Yu Nian by Mao Ni
Written by	Wang Juan
Directed by	Sun Hao
Starring	Zhang Ruoyun Li Qin Chen Daoming
Opening theme	"One Life One Thought" by Li Jian
Ending theme	"Remaining Years" by Xiao Zhan
Country of origin	China
Original language	Mandarin
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	46
Production
Executive producer	Chen Yingjie
Production locations	Hengdian World Studios Duyun
Editor	Zhang Jia
Camera setup	Multiple-camera setup
Running time	40-45 minutes
Production companies	Tencent Pictures New Classics Media China Literature Azure Media Corporation Huayu Shidai Hainan Television
Distributor	New Classics Media
Release
Original network	Tencent Video iQiyi
Picture format	1080i (HDTV)
Audio format	Stereo
First shown in	China
Original release	November 26, 2019

Plot

This is the story of Fan Xian, a man from the 21st century who finds himself reborn in the body of an infant in a place similar to medieval China, but unlike any period of history he knows of. He tries to live a normal civilian life despite the warnings from his grandmother and father that there are people who want him dead. He learns martial arts and how to use poisons from two masters and then travels to the capital, whereupon he finds himself in an arranged marriage with Lin Wan'er, a sickly princess who also happens to like eating drumsticks.

Cast

Main

Actor	Character	Introduction
Zhang Ruoyun[6] Haolin Han as young Fan Xian [7]	Fan Xian / Fan Shen	Fan Jian's adopted son; the son of the emperor and Ye Qingmei. He is skilled in poison, medicine and martial arts. His level of martial arts is between level 7 and level 8 but it can reach level 9 when someone close to him dies, this can be seen when he defeated and later killed an 8th level martial artist with ease who was twice his size. He has memories from the 21st Century which allows him to use that knowledge to his advantage. Lin Wan'er's love interest and fiancee.
Li Qin[8]	Lin Wan'er	Commandery Princess. The illegitimate daughter of Lin Ruofu and the Elder Princess. Fan Xian's love interest and fiancee. She met Fan Xian in a temple while holding a chicken drumstick. She suffers from Tuberculosis, later Fan Xian treats her disease.
Chen Daoming[9]	Emperor	The ruler of Southern Qing. Shows great concern for the country but is full of motives (Besides his surname Li, his given name was never mentioned, as the author said that such a role that could be simply referred as "His Majesty, The Emperor" needed no given name).

Imperial palace

Actor	Character	Introduction
Zheng Yuzhi	Empress Dowager	Empress Dowager of Qing. Mother of the Emperor, Elder Princess Li Yunrui and Prince of Jing. Eunuch Hong attends to her.
Yuan Quan	Ye Qingmei	Fan Xian's birth mother, and lover of the emperor. Her inventions made the royal family wealthy which created the Royal Treasury and also founded the Overwatch department.
Li Xiaoran[10]	Li Yunrui	Eldest Princess(equivalent to the west's Princess Royal) and Lin Wan'er's mother. Younger sister of the Emperor although they are not blood related. Under her kind and blissful nature, she hides her manipulative and sadistic nature. She currently controls the Royal Treasury which will be passed on to whoever marries Wan'er.
Lin Jing	Noble Consort Shu	The mother of the second prince. She enjoys reading books and is very calm and awkward around people.
Deng Tongtian	Concubine Yi	Liu Ruyu's cousin; the mother of the third prince (the fourth prince by birth order, as the Crown Prince is excluded from the ranking).
Qiao Hong	Talented Lady Ning	The mother of the eldest prince. Originally she admires Chen Pingping. A native of Dongyi, her foreign blood bars her son from the succession.
Liu Duanduan	Li Chengze	The second prince of Qing. Born by Noble Consort Shu. He appears laidback but underneath he is calculative and hides his true nature.
Zhang Haowei	Li Chengqian	Crown Prince of Qing and the third prince of Qing by birth order.
Liu Runnan[11]	Li Hongcheng	Son of the Prince of Jing, who is the full younger brother of the Qing Emperor. Close friend and cousin of the second prince.

Imperial court

Actor	Character	Introduction
Yu Yang[12]	Lin Ruofu	Prime Minister of Qing. Lin Wan'er', Lin Dabao and Lin Gong's father.
Gao Shuguang[13]	Fan Jian	Count of Sinan and formerly Assistant Minister of Revenue, now Minister of Revenue. Fan Ruoruo and Fan Sizhe's biological father. Fan Xian's adoptive father.
Chang Cheng	Guo Youzhi	Minister of Rites. Father of Guo Baokun.
Li Jianyi	Mei Zhili	Local Prefect of the Capital City. He acts as the judge in civil court. Assassinated en route to return to hometown for retirement.
Li Zifeng	Yan Xiaoyi	Commander of the Palace Guards. The only 9th level archery martial artist in existence according to Wuzhu. He has sharp ears that allow him to distinguish different people's breathing in nearby surroundings and even through thick walls. According to the emperor, martial artist ranking level 9 and above have this natural power. He was saved and promoted from a hunter by Princess Yunrui, he kept loyal to her.
Cui Peng	Gong Dian	Vice-Commander of the Palace Guards and the emperor's bodyguard. 8th level martial artist.
Cui Zhigang	Eunuch Hou	The emperor's head eunuch
Du Yuming	Eunuch Hong Siku	Empress Dowager's head eunuch. Reputed to be one of the four martial grandmasters.
Zhao Zhen Ting	Xie Bian	2nd Prince's Bodyguard. A martial artist who is highly skilled in using swords.

Control department aka Overwatch

Actor	Character	Introduction
Wu Gang[14]	Chen Pingping	Ruthless and astute head of the government's Overwatch Department, an investigative agency that monitors other government branches. Is considered to be the second most powerful person in Southern Qing.
Hai Yitian	Zhu Ge	Head of the first bureau of the Overwatch Department, the branch in charge of the capital city.
Liu Hua[15]	Fei Jie	Head of the third bureau of the Overwatch Department, the branch specialising in poison and gadgets. Fan Xian’s first teacher. Master of poisons and medicine.
Dong Jingchuan	Senior Leng	Acting head of the third bureau of the Overwatch Department.
Li Qiang	Yan Ruohai	Head of the fourth bureau of the Overwatch Department, the branch in charge of everything outside the capital city, including foreign espionage.
	Hei Qi	Head of the fifth bureau of the Overwatch Department, the armed division known as the Black Knights.
Wang Yifu	Ying Zi (Shadow)	Head of the sixth bureau of the Overwatch Department, the assassination branch. Known as Lord Shadow. He appears mysterious and no one has ever seen his face under his mask and hood. He is highly skilled in martial arts and according to Chen Ping Ping, he can wipe out an army by himself.
Jiang Yang	Xuan Jiu	Head of the eighth bureau of the Overwatch Department, the branch in charge of publication of books.
Tian Yu[16]	Wang Qinian	A notary of the first bureau. Loves money and is afraid of his wife.
Xiao Zhan[17]	Yan Bingyun	Yan Ruohai's son. He is dispatched as the spymaster in Northern Qi. Stands for peace and order in Northern Qi.

Fan's family and household

Actor	Character	Introduction
Cao Cuifen		Fan Jian's mother. Fan Xian's (adoptive) grandmother. Fan Ruoruo and Fan Sizhe's biological grandmother. She lives in Danzhou and looked after Fan Xian when he was born. Fan Xian deliberately asked his grandmother to act cold towards him so she wouldn't be targeted by enemies who wants him dead. She cares deeply for Fan Xian.
Zhao Ke[18]	Liu Ruyu	Fan Jian's second wife and Fan Sizhe's mother
Song Yi[19]	Fan Ruoruo	Fan Jian's daughter, Fan Xian's (adoptive) younger sister, and Fan Sizhe's elder sister. She is known to be the most talented girl in the capital.
Guo Qilin[20]	Fan Sizhe	Fan Jian's son with Liu Ruyu. Fan Xian (adoptive) and Fan Ruoruo's younger brother. Is very focused on money.
Wang Yang[21]	Teng Zijing	Originally a member of the fourth bureau of the control department, later Fan Xian's close friend and bodyguard. 7th level martial artist. Had a tragic death.
Han Yuanqi		Teng Zijing's son.

Others

Actor	Character	Introduction
Tong Mengshi[22]	Wuzhu	A blind martial arts grandmaster and loyal servant of Ye Qingmei. He serves Fan Xian under orders from his mother. Only a few people know of his existence.
Kang Jie	Lin Gong	Lin Ruofu's second son and Lin Wan'er's older brother, he dislikes Fan Xian.
	Lin Dabao	Lin Ruofu's eldest son. He suffered an illness a young age which impacted his mental development. He and Fan Xian get along well.
Jia Jinghui	Guo Baokun	Guo Youzhi's son. Friend of the Crown Prince.
Xiao Haoran	He Zongwei	An orator/lawyer who often argues cases in favour of the aristocrats, much to the disgust of the commoners.
Han Jiunuo[23]	Ye Ling'er	Lin Wan'er's friend and daughter of the head of the Garrison
Li Shen[24]	Gao Da	A guard escort accompanying Fan Xian to Northern Qi.
	Si Gujian	One of four martial arts grandmasters. Resides in Dongyi. His disciples are never without a sword.

Empire of Northern Qi

Actor	Character	Introduction
Liang Aiqi		Empress Dowager of Northern Qi.
Liu Meitong[25]	Zhan Doudou	Emperor of Northern Qi. Obviously a female but for some reason nobody knows.
Li Chun[26]	Si Lili	A spy from Northern Qi to infiltrate Southern Qing. Noble Consort of Northern Qi. Granddaughter of a Qing prince (presumably an uncle of the Qing Emperor). She later develops feelings for Fan Xian.
Yu Xiaowei[27]	Shen Zhong	Commander of the Jinyiwei Guards. He is highly skilled in martial arts and appears cunning and sadistic.
Xin Zhilei[28]	Haitang Duoduo	Blessed Maiden of Northern Qi. 9th level martial artists and youngest disciple of Ku He.
Yu Rongguang	Xiao En	Zhuang Mohan's younger brother. Former Northern Qi spymaster. Is captured and imprisoned by the Overwatch Department more than a decade before the start of the story
Sun Yimu[29]	Lang Tao	Eldest Disciple of Northern Qi's grandmaster Ku He. One of the most powerful martial artists in the world.
He Ziming	Shang Shan Hu	Northern Qi general. God-son of Xiao En. It is not known whether his surname is Shang or Shangshan
Guo Jia Nuo	He Daoren	Northern Qi swordmaster, disciple of Si GuJian and 9th level martial artist.
	Ku He	Uncle of the Emperor of Northern Qi. One of four martial arts grandmasters. Wants Xiao En dead.

Production

Principal photography commenced in January 2018 and the entire filming wrapped up in August 2018.[30]

Plagiarism

The drama has been accused by Chinese netizens of plagiarizing content from the fantasy novel series The Twelve Kingdoms (1992) written by Japanese novelist Fuyumi Ono.[31]

Reception

The drama received positive reviews for its skillful adaptation of the original novel, comedic elements and logical story flow.[32] It also received praise for its cinematography, acting performance, special effects and action scenes; as well as its tight plot and interesting storyline.[33] Popular streaming site Viki gave it a 9.6 out of 10 with over 2,500 reviews, becoming one of the most highly rated television series on the site.[34]

Awards and nominations

Award	Category	Nominee	Results	Ref.
Film and TV Role Model 2019 Ranking	Popular Web Series	Joy of Life	Won	[35]
China Literature Award Ceremony	IP Adapted Drama of the Year		Won	[36]
26th Shanghai Television Festival	Best Television Series		Nominated	[37]
	Best Director	Sun Hao	Nominated
	Best Adapted Screenplay	Wang Juan	Won
	Best Actor	Zhang Ruoyun	Nominated
	Best Supporting Actor	Chen Daoming	Nominated
		Tian Yu	Won

Soundtrack

Mainland China

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Singers	Length
1.	"One Life One Thought (一念一生)" (Opening theme song)	Li Jian	Li Jian	Li Jian	04:36
2.	"Remaining Years (余年)" (Ending theme song)	Lu Jingya	Chen Shimei	Xiao Zhan	04:25

Hong Kong

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Singers	Length
1.	"The Coldest Day (最冷的一天)" (Opening theme song)	Sandy Chang	Alan Cheung	Brian Tse	03:29

Taiwan

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Singers	Length
1.	"Anything Goes (皆可)" (Opening theme song)	Xiaoxie Lan (藍小邪)	Terence Lam	Hebe Tien	04:26
2.	"One, after Another (一一)" (Ending theme song)	Radio Mars (火星電台)	Radio Mars (火星電台)	Hebe Tien	04:10

International broadcast

Region	Network	Dates	Notes
Hong Kong,  Macau	TVB Jade	2 March 2020 - 18 April 2020 (Monday to Friday at 9:30 PM) & 21 March (Saturday at 8:30 PM back to back episodes)	Dubbed with Cantonese
Malaysia	8TV (Malaysia)	15 May 2020 - (Monday to Friday at 8:30 PM)	Original

References

1. "China's Tencent Pictures to Adapt Internet Novel 'Qing Yu Nian'". Variety. June 18, 2017.
2. 陈道明张若昀《庆余年》演父子 古装权谋大戏曝角色海报 李沁郭麒麟吴刚加盟. Mtime (in Chinese). January 26, 2018.
3. 《庆余年》豪华阵容曝光 老戏骨新生代齐亮相. Tencent (in Chinese). January 26, 2018.
4. 《庆余年》首曝剧照 描绘传奇众生相. Xinhua News Agency (in Chinese). April 23, 2018.
5. 张若昀李沁《庆余年》将上线，晚8点开播. Beijing News (in Chinese). November 26, 2019.
6. 电视剧《庆余年》开机 张若昀挑战澹泊公子范闲. Netease (in Chinese). February 1, 2018.
7. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11273352/characters/nm11053400
8. 李沁短发亮相《庆余年》 自称“三好姑娘”. Xinhua News Agency (in Chinese). January 26, 2018.
9. 《庆余年》剧照首度曝光！陈道明颠覆帝王形象. Sina (in Chinese). April 24, 2018.
10. 李小冉《庆余年》演绎“千面”长公主. People's Daily (in Chinese). April 25, 2018.
11. 《庆余年》发布会 刘润南新鲜加盟蓄势待发. Tencent (in Chinese). January 26, 2018.
12. 于洋走进《庆余年》与李沁饰演父女. Tencent (in Chinese). January 26, 2018.
13. 《庆余年》开机 高曙光新角色名字承包笑点. Netease (in Chinese). January 26, 2018.
14. 陈道明吴刚 加盟古装剧《庆余年》. ifeng (in Chinese). January 27, 2018.
15. 引燃期待！《庆余年》阵容华丽刘桦领衔英雄战队. Tencent (in Chinese). January 26, 2018.
16. 田雨加盟超级IP《庆余年》 发布会上逗乐全场. Netease (in Chinese). January 26, 2018.
17. 《庆余年》肖战帅气亮相 谈角色：宠辱不惊. Netease (in Chinese). January 26, 2018.
18. 《庆余年》赵柯杀青古装造型亮相温婉如玉. Netease (in Chinese). May 8, 2018.
19. 《庆余年》召开发布会 宋轶饰演“哥控”范若若. Netease (in Chinese). January 26, 2018.
20. 《庆余年》口碑热度双丰收 张若昀郭麒麟逗趣频出. Netease (in Chinese). November 8, 2019.
21. 《庆余年》加更热度攀升 呆萌冷面杀手王阳遗憾下线. Tom.com (in Chinese). December 4, 2019.
22. 佟梦实《艳骨》收官 《庆余年》五竹获期待. Netease (in Chinese). January 31, 2018.
23. 孙红雷“初恋”雁秋 《庆余年》携手张若昀演绎师生情. People's Daily (in Chinese). January 29, 2018.
24. 《庆余年》发布会曝定妆海报 李燊忠心护主. Netease (in Chinese). January 26, 2018.
25. 《庆余年》开机发布会 刘美彤成张若昀“书迷”. Netease (in Chinese). January 26, 2018.
26. 《庆余年》主演剧透片场照 李沁辛芷蕾李纯发出“探班邀请”. Netease (in Chinese). June 14, 2018.
27. 于小伟亮相《庆余年》发布会 “笑面权臣”演绎权谋相争. Yule (in Chinese). January 26, 2018.
28. 辛芷蕾《庆余年》自曝“我很凶” 直率反差萌圈粉. Netease (in Chinese). January 26, 2018.
29. 《庆余年》曝光造型 孙亦沐饰绝世高手与张若昀“劲敌”. Huanqiu (in Chinese). May 8, 2018.
30. 《将夜》杀青、《庆余年》开机 阅文超级IP改编万众期待. China Daily (in Chinese). April 13, 2019.
31. https://daydaynews.cc/en/tertainment/299287.html
32. 挺好笑！《庆余年》“另类”开场. Beijing Newspaper (in Chinese). December 3, 2019.
33. 《庆余年》突然来袭， 这些亮点你get到了吗？. Wuhu News (in Chinese). December 1, 2019.
34. "Joy of Life Reviews". Rakuten Viki. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
35. "影视榜样·2019年度总评榜暨影视论坛举行". Sohu (in Chinese). January 7, 2020.
36. ""心动四子"王凯、肖战、张若昀、罗云熙，喜提"阅动人心经典形象"的荣誉". SMG Shanghai TV Official Channel (in Chinese).
37. "第26届上海电视节白玉兰奖入围名单公布". China News (in Chinese). July 17, 2020.