Nothing Gold Can Stay (TV series)

Nothing Gold Can Stay (Chinese: 那年花开月正圆) is a 2017 Chinese television series directed by Ding Hei and starring Sun Li and Chen Xiao.[1] The series aired on Dragon TV and Jiangsu TV from 30 August 2017 to 8 October 2017. No official credit is given, however, it's clear the series borrows the title from a Robert Frost poem of the same name.[2]

Nothing Gold Can Stay
Drama poster
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese那年花開月正圓
Simplified Chinese那年花开月正圆
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinNànián Huākaī Yuèzhèngyuán
GenreHistorical fiction
Business
Romance
Written bySu Xiaoyuan
Directed byDing Hei
StarringSun Li
Chen Xiao
Peter Ho
Ren Zhong
Myolie Wu
Yu Haoming
Opening themeCan't Forget
by Sun Li
Ending themeWalking in the Midst of Moonlight
by Tan Weiwei
Country of originChina
Original languageChinese
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes74
Production
ProducerZhao Yi
Running time45 mins
Production companyHS Entertainment Group Incorporated
Original release
NetworkDragon TV, Jiangsu TV
ReleaseAugust 30 (2017-08-30) –
October 8, 2017 (2017-10-08)

Background

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The series is an original script based on the real-life story of Widow An Wu (安吴寡妇), who was known as the god-daughter of Empress Dowager Cixi.

Synopsis

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Zhou Ying is sold to the powerful Shen family by her foster father, yet successfully escapes her childish and bratty master Shen Xingyi by sneaking into merchant Wu Pin's palanquin. After a failed business collaboration that resulted in Shen Yuesheng's (Xingyi's older brother) death, the Shen family suspects that Wu Pin was the culprit behind Yuesheng's death. Xingyi then injures Wu Pin by using a club to hit his forehead multiple times, causing Wu Pin to fall into a coma. After the bride-to-be's father has a last-minute change of heart, Zhou Ying is married to Wu Pin in an effort to dispel bad luck. Miraculously, Wu Pin wakes up on the same night, and the couple share a happy few months together. Wu Weiwen, the patriarch of the family also agrees to educate her in the matters of commerce after witnessing her remarkable business acumen.[3]

Unfortunately, Wu Pin is poisoned to death after getting too close to the truth of the failed business collaboration, and Wu Weiwen's imprisonment and death a couple of months later leaves the entire household in disarray. Zhou Ying is determined to turn around their fortune by investing in a cloth factory in Shaanxi. She gains the trust of the Wu family and starts from scratch. Meanwhile, Shen Xingyi has also decided to turn over a new leaf, and starts anew in Shanghai. Shen Xingyi's love for Zhou Ying is initially unrequited, though she eventually acknowledges that she has developed romantic feelings for him. However, romantic affections become of little importance in the face of political upheaval and personal revenge – Shen Xingyi joins the anti-Qing reformist movement and plots to kill the Empress Dowager Cixi while Zhou Ying avenges Wu Pin and her father-in-law's deaths by taking Shen Sihai and Du Mingli head on. After much struggle, Zhou Ying ultimately establishes a business empire, and also lends Empress Dowager Cixi a helping hand when she escapes to Jingyang.

Cast

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Main

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  • Sun Li as Zhou Ying (周莹)
    • A budding businesswoman who initially marries into the Wu Family to ward off bad luck. After her husband dies, she takes on his responsibilities and starts rebuilding their business empire from scratch.
  • Chen Xiao as Shen Xingyi (沈星移)
    • A happy-go-lucky young master who has never known hardship in his life. After meeting Zhou Ying, he eventually decides to change his ways, becoming an educated businessman and later an advocate for modernization who is willing to die to protect his country and loved ones.
  • Peter Ho as Wu Pin (吴聘)
    • Young master of the eastern courtyard in the Wu household, a kind and gentle businessman who is the first person to treat Zhou Ying for who she is, and respect her opinions.
  • Ren Zhong as Zhao Baishi (赵白石)
    • An upright and conservative county magistrate who remains loyal to his people. He has an unrequited love for Zhou Ying.
  • Myolie Wu as Hu Yongmei (胡咏梅)
    • The only daughter of the Hu family. She was betrothed to Wu Pin, but the marriage didn't go through due to Du Mingli's meddling. Hu Yongmei has a deep hatred towards Zhou Ying, believing that Zhou Ying forced her father to his death for his part in the failed business collaboration.
  • Yu Haoming as Du Mingli (杜明礼)
    • The main antagonist. He is an unscrupulous political schemer who serves Zaiyi, an anti-foreign politician and royal prince. He has business ambitions but lacks skill. He also has a twisted love for Hu Yongmei after she gave him food when he was a young beggar on the streets.

Supporting

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Soundtrack

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Nothing Gold Can Stay – Original Television Soundtrack (那年花开月正圆电视原声带)
No.TitleMusicLength
1."Can't Forget (忘不掉)" (Opening theme song)Sun Li4:15
2."Walking in the Midst of Moonlight (行走在茫茫月光的中间)" (Ending theme song)Tan Weiwei3:43
3."I Am the Only One Reluctant to Let Go (一厢情愿的不舍)"Zhang Lei3:56
4."Simple yet Passionately Unforgettable (简单而炽热的难忘)"Chen Chusheng4:04
5."You Once Said (你曾说)"Yisa Yu (Version 1)4:27
6."Let Love Be Broken Repeatedly (让爱碎了再碎)"Ma Shijian4:31
7."You Once Said (你曾说)"Zhou Pin & Cui Zige (Version 2)4:27
8."Tragic (悲壮)"Ni Yafeng3:20
9."Father and Daughter Performing on the Streets (父女街头卖艺)"Ding Ting2:37
10."Full of vitality (生机勃勃)"Ding Ting2:36
11."Zhou Ying (周莹)"Ding Ting1:58
12."Energetic (活泼)"Ding Ting2:02
13."Tragic (情话)"Ding Ting2:18
14."Shen Xingyi (沈星移)"Ding Ting1:54
15."Du Mingli (杜明礼)"Ding Ting4:33
16."Fog (迷雾)"Ding Ting8:07
17."Wu Family (吴家)"Ding Ting2:48
18."Something's Terribly Wrong (大事不妙)"Ding Ting3:09
19."Pounding Heart (悸动)"Ding Ting4:20
20."Young Mistress of the Wu Family (吴家少奶奶)"Ding Ting4:13
21."Passionate (深情)"Ding Ting2:54
22."Shen Family (沈家)"Ding Ting2:27
23."Conspiracy (阴谋)"Ding Ting2:15
24."Misfortune (变故)"Ding Ting8:02
25."Experiencing the vicissitudes of life (阅尽沧桑)"Ding Ting2:48
26."Collapse (崩塌)"Ding Ting2:20
27."Bravery (勇气)"Ding Ting2:45
28."Burial (下葬)"Ding Ting3:01
29."Fate (命运)"Ding Ting3:17
30."Hu Yongmei (胡咏梅)"Ding Ting4:24
31."Longing (思念)"Ding Ting2:33
32."Zhao Baishi (赵白石)"Ding Ting2:32
33."Shen Xingyi's Love (沈星移的爱)"Ding Ting3:08
34."Western Regions (西域城)"Ding Ting2:22
35."Breaking Free of Obstacles (冲破艰难)"Ding Ting3:18
36."Delight (喜上眉俏)"Ding Ting1:47
37."Shen Xingyi's Feelings (沈星移的感情)"Ding Ting2:18
38."Zhou Ying's Sweet Romance (周莹的甜蜜)"Ding Ting2:08
39."Shanghai City (上海城)"Ding Ting2:14
40."Happiness (幸福)"Ding Ting2:43
41."Zhou Ying's Feelings (周莹的感情)"Ding Ting2:16
42."Inwardly Touched (内心的感动)"Ding Ting4:31
43."New Conquest (新的征途)"Ding Ting2:19
44."Can't Forget (忘不掉)" (instrumental)Sun Li4:15
45."Walking in the Midst of Moonlight (行走在茫茫月光的中间)" (instrumental)Tan Weiwei3:43
46."I Am the Only One Reluctant to Let Go (一厢情愿的不舍)" (instrumental)Zhang Lei3:56
47."Simple yet Passionately Unforgettable (简单而炽热的难忘)" (instrumental)Chen Chusheng4:04
48."You Once Said (你曾说)" (instrumental)Yisa Yu (Version 1)4:27
49."Let Love Be Broken Repeatedly (让爱碎了再碎)" (instrumental)Ma Shijian4:31
50."You Once Said (你曾说)" (instrumental)Zhou Pin & Cui Zige (Version 2)4:27
51."You Once Said (你曾说)" (used in the 'full moon' teaser)Ding Ding (Version 3)4:39

Reception

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Critical response

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The show was commercially successful, and dominated the television ratings throughout its run. Initially it generated much positive reviews and discussion on micro-blog site Weibo and popular review site Douban.[4] However, halfway through its run, there have been complaints about inconsistent writing, the number of unnecessary character deaths, illogical business transactions and the female lead's excessive number of love interests, which ultimately left the drama with a 7.6/10 rating.[5] Despite the negative reviews surrounding the story line, there has been near universal praise for the acting, directing and production values.[6]

Ratings

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China Dragon TV / Jiangsu TV premiere ratings (CSM52)[7]
Episodes Broadcast date Dragon TV Jiangsu TV
Ratings (%) Audience share (%) Rank Ratings (%) Audience share (%) Rank
1–2 August 30, 2017 1.512 4.996 2 1.164 3.83 3
3–4 August 31, 2017 1.571 5.1 1 1.082 3.521 3
5–6 September 1, 2017 1.701 5.57 1 1.161 3.81 3
7–8 September 2, 2017 1.533 4.99 1 1.491 4.87 2
9 September 3, 2017 1.947 6.36 1 1.162 3.8 3
10–11 September 4, 2017 2.005 6.48 1 1.437 4.66 3
12–13 September 5, 2017 2.076 6.77 1 1.553 5.08 2
14–15 September 6, 2017 1.917 6.58 1 1.347 4.63 3
16–17 September 7, 2017 1.959 6.66 1 1.309 4.46 3
18–19 September 8, 2017 2.11 7.06 1 1.592 5.33 2
20–21 September 9, 2017 2.254 7.44 1 1.609 5.32 2
22 September 10, 2017 2.264 7.37 1 1.749 5.9 2
23–24 September 11, 2017 2.513 8.57 1 1.846 6.3 2
25–26 September 12, 2017 2.633 9.049 1 1.860 6.397 2
27–28 September 13, 2017 2.518 8.701 1 1.773 6.135 2
29–30 September 14, 2017 2.609 8.904 1 1.811 6.197 2
31–32 September 15, 2017 2.712 9.217 1 1.817 6.189 2
33–34 September 16, 2017 2.596 8.599 1 1.972 6.543 2
35 September 17, 2017 2.597 8.835 1 1.816 6.198 2
36–37 September 18, 2017 2.808 9.614 1 1.931 6.632 2
38–39 September 19, 2017 2.543 8.76 1 1.952 6.73 2
40–41 September 20, 2017 2.847 9.7 1 1.821 6.22 2
42–43 September 21, 2017 2.794 9.45 1 1.817 6.16 2
44–45 September 22, 2017 3.009 9.87 1 1.809 5.94 2
46–47 September 23, 2017 2.956 9.63 1 1.927 6.29 2
48 September 24, 2017 2.884 9.33 1 1.807 5.86 2
49–50 September 25, 2017 3.094 10.471 1 1.976 6.71 2
51–52 September 26, 2017 3.07 10.33 1 2.034 6.86 2
53–54 September 27, 2017 2.693 9.137 1 1.985 6.757 2
55–56 September 28, 2017 2.755 9.659 1 1.909 6.703 2
57–58 September 29, 2017 2.81 9.601 1 1.829 6.261 2
59–60 September 30, 2017 2.947 9.57 1 2.16 7.04 2
61 October 1, 2017 2.544 8.98 1 1.777 6.27 2
62–63 October 2, 2017 2.926 9.97 1 1.848 6.3 2
64–65 October 3, 2017 3.105 10.3 1 2.022 6.73 2
66–67 October 4, 2017 2.753 9.21 1 1.682 5.63 2
68–69 October 5, 2017 3.207 10.593 1 1.91 6.331 2
70–71 October 6, 2017 3.402 11.138 1 2.038 6.69 2
72–73 October 7, 2017 3.309 10.471 1 2.387 7.57 2
74 October 8, 2017 3.396 10.759 1 2.137 6.769 2
Average 2.564 8.57 1.756 5.88
  • Highest ratings are marked in red, lowest ratings are marked in blue

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominee Result
2017 4th Hengdian Film and TV Festival of China[8] Best Television Series Nothing Gold Can Stay Won
Best Supporting Actress Niki Chow Won
8th Macau International Television Festival[9] Best Actress Sun Li Nominated
Best Writing Su Xiaoyuan Nominated
2018 31st Flying Apsaras Awards[10] Outstanding Television Series (Historical) Nothing Gold Can Stay Won
Outstanding Actress Sun Li Won
24th Shanghai Television Festival[11] Best Television Series Nothing Gold Can Stay Nominated
Best Director Ding Hei Nominated
Best Actress Sun Li Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Yu Haoming Nominated
Best Art Direction Nominated
29th China TV Golden Eagle Award[12] Best Actress Sun Li Nominated
Best Cinematography Won

References

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  1. ^ "孙俪陈晓《那年花开月正圆》曝概念海报". Sina (in Chinese). September 13, 2016.
  2. ^ "《那年花开》定档曝终极预告 孙俪陈晓力挽狂澜". Sina (in Chinese). August 23, 2017.
  3. ^ "那年花开月正圆电视剧备案公示". SARFT (in Chinese). dsj.sarft.gov.cn. Archived from the original on 2017-09-14. Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  4. ^ "那年花开月正圆评分". Douban (in Chinese). Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  5. ^ "《那年花开月正圆》深陷玛丽苏套路,到底还有多少人喜欢周莹?". Sohu (in Chinese). Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  6. ^ Ye, Zi. "在IP横行的当下,《那年花开》如何重立行业标准". Sina (in Chinese). Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  7. ^ "TV Ratings Archive". tvtv.hk. Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  8. ^ "恭喜!马伊琍凭借《我的前半生》获封视后". Tencent (in Chinese). October 29, 2017.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "第31届飞天奖暨第25届星光奖完整奖单". Sina (in Chinese). April 3, 2018. Archived from the original on May 12, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "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. Archived from the original on October 11, 2018.
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