The First Half of My Life
The First Half of My Life (Chinese: 我的前半生; pinyin: Wǒ de Qiánbànshēng) is a 2017 Chinese television series based on Hong Kong novelist Yi Shu's novel of the same name, and centers on a group of city dwellers who have to make choices about love and career.[2] It was directed by Shen Yan and stars Jin Dong, Ma Yili, Yuan Quan, Lei Jiayin, Wu Yue, and Chen Daoming.[3] The series was first broadcast on Beijing Television and Dragon Television on 4 July 2017.[4]
| The First Half of My Life | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chinese | 我的前半生 |
| Mandarin | Wǒ de Qiánbànshēng |
| Genre | Romance Drama |
| Based on | The First Half of My Life by Yi Shu[1] |
| Written by | Qin Wen |
| Directed by | Shen Yan |
| Starring | Jin Dong Ma Yili Yuan Quan Lei Jiayin Wu Yue Chen Daoming |
| Opening theme | Once Only |
| Ending theme | In the Pouring Rain by Li Ruoxi |
| Country of origin | China |
| Original language | Mandarin |
| No. of episodes | 42 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Li Xiaobiao |
| Production location | Shanghai |
| Production company | New Classics Media |
| Release | |
| Original network | Beijing Television Dragon Television |
| First shown in | China |
| Original release | July 4 – July 26, 2017 |
Synopsis
Luo Zijun lives a peaceful life as a full-time housewife, yet is unaware of the cracks in her marriage. One day, her husband Chen Junsheng files for divorce and she is shocked. After divorce, Luo Zijun heads back into the workforce with the help of her dear friend Tang Jing and He Han, both being white-collar workers and elites.[5]
Cast
Main
- Jin Dong as He Han (贺涵), an elite in the consulting industry. His girlfriend is Tang Jing, and they've been together for ten years.
- Ma Yili as Luo Zijun (罗子君), a full-time housewife who lives a simple life after marriage with Chen Junsheng.
- Yuan Quan as Tang Jing (唐晶), a career-minded woman and He Han's girlfriend.
- Lei Jiayin as Chen Junsheng (陈俊生), an elite in the career workforce and Luo Zijun's husband.
- Wu Yue as Ling Ling (凌玲), Chen Junsheng's second wife.
- Chen Daoming as Zhuo Jianqing (卓渐清), He Han's friend.
Supporting
- Xu Di as Xue Zhenzhu (薛珍珠), Luo Zijun and Luo Ziqun's mother.
- Zhang Lingxin as Luo Ziqun (罗子群), Luo Zijun's younger sister.
- Zheng Luoqian as Wei Wei'an (薇薇安)
- Wang Tianze as Leng Jiaqing (冷佳清), Ling Ling's son and Chen Junsheng's stepson.
- Vivian Wu as Aunt Wu
- Luan Yuanhui as Bai Guang
- Chuo Ni as Luoluo
- Mei Ting as Zhuo Jianqing's former girlfriend
- Tan Kai as Adom
- Kong Wei as a single woman
- Zhang Yanyan as Su Manshu
- Hou Yansong as Laojin
- Wei Zhihao as Ping'er
- Song Yunhao as Duan Xiaotian
- Xu Caigen as Cui Baojian
- Ren Jimin as Chen Junsheng's father
- Zhang Lan as Chen Junsheng's mother
- Ru Tian as Ya Qin
- Min Tianhao as A Hui
- Shi An as Lawyer Li
- Guo Tongtong as Xiaodong
- Chen Guanning as Cui Baojian's son
- Yang Mei as a chubby girl.
- Sun Yuhan as Caicai
- Xu Sheng as Phil
- Guan Xueying as Sandra Dong
- Bi Hanwen as the lawyer of Chen Junsheng
- Qu Lingzi as He Han's assistant
- Lu Ling as Yingying
- Cheng Hong as the marketing manager
- Huang Jing as Tang Jing's assistant
- Yu Mingjia as the CEO of Angel
- Ren Donglin as Li Rui
- Zhang Yi as Luo Ping
Soundtrack
| No. | Title | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Once Only (曾今唯一)" (Opening theme song) | ||
| 2. | "In the Pouring Rain (滂沱大雨里)" (Ending theme song) | Li Ruoxi | |
| 3. | "With Infinite Care (小心翼翼)" | Ye Linsheng | |
| 4. | "The Moment the Crystal Ball Breaks (水晶球破裂那刻)" | Lin Siyun | |
| 5. | "When I See You There" | Knox Summerour | |
| 6. | "You & I" | Linda Jackson | |
| 7. | "A Playground Where Lights Undousing (不熄灯的游乐场)" | Lin Siyun |
Ratings
- Highest ratings are marked in red, lowest ratings are marked in blue
| Broadcast date | Episode # | Dragon TV CSM52 | Beijing TV CSM52 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ratings (%) | Audience share (%) | Rank | Ratings (%) | Audience share (%) | Rank | ||
| 2017.7.4 | 1-2 | 0.863 | 3.06 | 3 | 0.517 | 1.82 | 5 |
| 2017.7.5 | 3-4 | 1.071 | 3.71 | 2 | 0.576 | 1.98 | 4 |
| 2017.7.6 | 5-6 | 1.185 | 4.03 | 2 | 0.647 | 2.19 | 4 |
| 2017.7.7 | 7-8 | 1.165 | 4.12 | 1 | 0.637 | 2.25 | 5 |
| 2017.7.8 | 9 | 1.095 | 3.94 | 1 | 0.693 | 2.5 | 4 |
| 2017.7.9 | 10-11 | 1.345 | 4.64 | 1 | 0.934 | 3.23 | 3 |
| 2017.7.10 | 12-13 | 1.565 | 5.44 | 1 | 0.751 | 2.61 | 5 |
| 2017.7.11 | 14-15 | 1.456 | 5.09 | 1 | 0.92 | 3.21 | 4 |
| 2017.7.12 | 16-17 | 1.517 | 5.39 | 1 | 0.926 | 3.29 | 5 |
| 2017.7.13 | 18-19 | 1.654 | 5.77 | 1 | 1.119 | 3.92 | 3 |
| 2017.7.14 | 20-21 | 1.86 | 6.44 | 1 | 1.104 | 3.84 | 2 |
| 2017.7.15 | 22 | 1.66 | 6.21 | 1 | 1.036 | 3.87 | 2 |
| 2017.7.16 | 23-24 | 2.126 | 7.19 | 1 | 1.438 | 4.88 | 2 |
| 2017.7.17 | 25-26 | 2.157 | 7.26 | 1 | 1.473 | 4.95 | 2 |
| 2017.7.18 | 27-28 | 2.301 | 7.72 | 1 | 1.574 | 5.26 | 2 |
| 2017.7.19 | 29-30 | 2.552 | 8.29 | 1 | 1.712 | 5.55 | 2 |
| 2017.7.20 | 31-32 | 2.307 | 7.8 | 1 | 1.86 | 6.28 | 2 |
| 2017.7.21 | 33-34 | 2.41 | 7.23 | 1 | 1.751 | 5.97 | 2 |
| 2017.7.22 | 35 | 2.253 | 8.27 | 1 | 1.4 | 5.14 | 2 |
| 2017.7.23 | 36-37 | 2.548 | 8.35 | 1 | 1.894 | 6.2 | 2 |
| 2017.7.24 | 38-39 | 2.649 | 8.819 | 1 | 1.988 | 6.619 | 2 |
| 2017.7.25 | 40-41 | 2.836 | 9.601 | 1 | 2.002 | 6.784 | 2 |
| 2017.7.26 | 42 | 3.012 | 10.48 | 1 | 1.99 | 6.9 | 2 |
Reception
Since its broadcast, the series has caused heated discussions online and obtained high ratings. Shen Yan, director of the series, attribute the show's success to its capability to capture modern life in China through several ordinary people's lives and the great influence of book writer Isabel Nee Yeh-su. By emphasizing the importance of female independence, the series has won much favor among female audiences. However, the series has been criticized by book fans for veering too much from the plot. Its display of improper ethical values has also been criticized for degrading social conduct.[6]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 4th Hengdian Film and TV Festival of China | Best Actress | Sun Li | Won | [7] |
| 8th Macau International Television Festival | Best Television Series | The First Half of My Life | Nominated | [8] | |
| Best Director | Shen Yan | Nominated | |||
| Best Writing | Qin Wen | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor | Jin Dong | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Yuan Quan | Nominated | |||
| 2018 | 24th Shanghai Television Festival | Best Television Series | The First Half of My Life | Nominated | [9] |
| Best Director | Shen Yan | Nominated | |||
| Best Writer | Qin Wen | Won | |||
| Best Actor | Lei Jiayin | Nominated | |||
| Best Actress | Ma Yili | Won | |||
| Yuan Quan | Nominated | ||||
| Best Supporting Actress | Wu Yue | Nominated | |||
| Xu Di | Won | ||||
| 29th China TV Golden Eagle Award | Best Actress | Yuan Quan | Nominated | [10] | |
International broadcast
The series will be broadcast by Fox Network outside of China and Mediacorp Channel 8 in Singapore every Saturday, 10:30pm to 12:30am the next day, broadcasting two episodes in a day.[11]
References
- 电视剧《我的前半生》只有剧名和亦舒有关？. NetEase (in Chinese). July 12, 2017.
- "TV drama to center on urban life and love". Shanghai Daily. June 29, 2017.
- "我的前半生"播放破10亿 马伊琍真情流露赢抚养权. NetEase (in Chinese). July 11, 2017.
- "'The First Half of My Life' to Be Released Soon on Beijing TV". womenofchina.cn. July 3, 2017.
- "Divorcee finds new life in new TV series". China Daily. June 30, 2017.
- "Hit TV drama explores modern women's issues". China.org.cn. July 19, 2017.
- 恭喜！马伊琍凭借《我的前半生》获封视后. Tencent (in Chinese). October 29, 2017.
- 2017第八届澳门国际电视节奖项提名. Weibo (in Chinese). Macau International Television Festival. December 11, 2017.
- 第24届上海电视节白玉兰奖中国电视剧单元入围名单公布. People's Daily (in Chinese). May 24, 2018.
- 第29届中国电视金鹰奖提名演员名单出炉. Xinhua News Agency (in Chinese). October 9, 2018.
- "Fox Networks Group to broadcast hit series 'The First Half Of My Life' outside China". Screen Daily. July 13, 2017.
External links
- The First Half of My Life at IMDb
- The First Half of My Life at Douban (in Chinese)
- The First Half of My Life on Sina Weibo (in Chinese)