Royal Nirvana (Chinese: 鹤唳华亭) is a 2019 Chinese television series based on the novel of the same name by Xue Man Liang Yuan. It stars Luo Jin and Li Yitong.[1] It started airing on Youku from November 12, 2019.[2]

Royal Nirvana
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese鹤唳华亭
Hanyu PinyinHèlì Huátíng
GenreHistorical fiction
Political
Based onHe Li Hua Ting by Xue Man Liang Yuan
Written byXue Man Liang Yuan
Directed byYang Wenjun
StarringLuo Jin
Li Yitong
Country of originChina
Original languageMandarin
No. of episodes60
Production
Executive producerWu Ruoyan
ProducersMei Zixiao
Huang Yilong
Production locations
Production companiesYouku, Fei Fan Xiang, China Wit Media, Alibaba Pictures, Saren Media
Original release
NetworkYouku
ReleaseNovember 12, 2019 (2019-11-12)

Synopsis

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Crown Prince Xiao Dingquan lost his mother and sister at a young age and his father, the Emperor, is distant towards him because he is backed by his maternal uncle General Gu and the army he controls. He lives on tenterhooks, fearful of losing the handful of people who are close to him. His father is a formidable figure whom he both respects and fears. Even as he strives to receive his love and approval, he is also afraid of the inevitable crushing disappointment if he fails.

Firstborn Prince Qi has designs on the throne and conspires against Dingquan with the help of his father-in-law, the powerful Chancellor Li Baizhou. They cause harm to befall the people he cherishes and widen the rift between the Emperor and Dingquan.

Teacher Lu Shiyu who is strongly influenced by Confucian values is a fatherly figure to Dingquan. He summons his student Lu Ying back to the capital with the intention of recommending the latter’s daughter Lu Wenxi to be the Crown Princess so as to help Dingquan gain an upright and trustworthy ally in court. Dingquan and Wenxi meet by chance when her brother gets into trouble and they develop mutual admiration although Dingquan has never seen what she looks like.

When Wenxi’s father and brother are thrown into jail, Wenxi goes undercover as a maid in the Crown Prince’s residence to help them. In the process, she quietly supports Dingquan to resolve two cases. Together, the couple manages to redress Wenxi’s father and brother’s case and bring the villains to justice. They are each other’s pillar of support as they brave dangers and make sacrifices to bring peace to the country.

Cast

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Main

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Actor Character Introduction
Luo Jin Xiao Dingquan Crown Prince. Third prince of Southern Qi.
He yearns for his father's love but is feared and suppressed due to his position.
Li Yitong Lu Wenxi (Abao) High ranking official Lu Ying's daughter. She is the woman Xiao Dingquan loved.
She disguises as a maidservant and sneaks into the palace to seek revenge for her family’s death.

Supporting

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Royal family

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Actor Character Introduction
Huang Zhizhong Xiao Ruijian Emperor of Northern Qi. Previously the Prince of Ning.
Wang Yuanke Gu Siqing Deceased Empress of Northern Qi. Gu Silin's younger sister. Xiao Dingquan's mother.
Miao Pu Noble Consort Zhao Daughter of Zhao Yong, the Count of Anping. Mother of Xiao Dingtang and Xiao Dingkai.
Zhao Yuanyuan Noble Lady Song
Jin Han[citation needed] Xiao Dingtang Prince of Qi. Eldest prince of Northern Qi.
An extremely ambitious man who schemes in order to claim the title of the Crown Prince. He is favored by the King. He frames Xiao Dingquan of killing Lu Ying.
Lu Yanqi Princess Consort of Qi Li Baizhou's daughter. She is hot-tempered.
Xin Peng[3] Xiao Dingkai Prince of Zhao. Fifth prince of Northern Qi.
He also in love with Lu Wenxi.

Officials

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Actor Character Introduction
Wang Jinsong[4] Lu Shiyu Minister of personnel. Grand tutor. Xiao Dingquan's teacher, who provides him guidance and advice.
Zhang Zhijian Li Baizhou Head of the secretariat. Xiao Dingtang's father-in-law.
Terry Chiu Hsin-Chih Lu Ying Palace assistant secretary.
Bao Daozhi Zhang Luzheng Minister of justice.
Alan Liu Te-Kai Gu Silin Marquis of Wude. Xiao Dingquan's uncle.
He wields great military power.

Others

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Actor Character Introduction
Zheng Yecheng[5] Gu Feng'en Count of Jiayi. Gu Silin's son.
Liu Yitong Lu Wenpu Lu Ying's son.
Cheng Xiaomeng Zhang Nianzhi Zhang Luzheng's daughter.
Dong Chunhui[6] Zhang Shaoyun Zhang Luzheng's son.
Wang Yu Xu Changping
Liu Hailan Xixiang A palace maid.
Hao Lei Lady Zhang A palace maid of the deceased empress.
Wang Ruizi Lady Wu A palace maid of the service bureau. Lady Zhang's daughter.

Soundtrack

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No.TitleLyricsMusicSinger(s)Length
1."Leave the Secular World (出尘)" (Opening theme)Duan SisiTan XuanKim Jimun 
2."Wish to Have Your Heart (愿得一人心)" (Ending theme)Yin YueQian LeiZhou Shen 
3."Picture of Crane (放鹤图)" (Interlude)Liu ChangTan XuanZhou Shen 
4."Crane and Fire (鹤·焰)" (Interlude)Yin YueYin Yue, Sa DingdingSa Dingding 

Production

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The series is produced and directed by Yang Wenjun (Happy Memories of the Ma's; Best Director winner at Shanghai Television Festival). It is written by Xue Man Liang Yuan, the author of the original novel. Other notable cast members include style director William Chang and art director Chen Haozhong (Empresses in the Palace, Eternal Love).[citation needed]

The series began filming in May 2018 at Xiangshan Film and Television Town,[7] and wrapped up in January 2019 at Dunhuang.[citation needed] Filming also took place in Wuxi and Inner Mongolia.[citation needed]

Reception

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Douban gave the drama 7.1 out of 10 out of more than 57,000 user reviews.[8]

Awards and nominations

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Award Category Nominee Results Ref.
Golden Bud - The Fourth Network Film And Television Festival Best Web Series Royal Nirvana Nominated [9][10]
Top Ten Web Series Won
Quality Director of the Year Yang Wenjun Won
Best Actor Luo Jin Nominated
Wang Jinsong Nominated
Jin Han Nominated
Best Actress Li Yitong Nominated
Most Promising Actor Zheng Yecheng Won
Sina Film & TV Award Ceremony Top Ten Television Series Won [11]
26th Shanghai Television Festival Best Cinematography Gan Yunquan Nominated [12]
Best Art Direction Chen Haozhong Nominated
29th Huading Award Best Actor Luo Jin Pending
Best Actress Li Yitong Pending

References

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  1. ^ 罗晋李一桐合作出演《鹤唳华亭》. Xinhua News Agency (in Chinese). May 22, 2018. Archived from the original on May 22, 2018.
  2. ^ 《鹤唳华亭》开播 罗晋李一桐迎克己守礼人生逆旅. Netease (in Chinese). November 12, 2019.
  3. ^ 辛鹏出演电视剧《鹤唳华亭》 众星加盟权谋经典. Netease (in Chinese). May 21, 2018.
  4. ^ 罗晋李一桐合作《鹤唳华亭》 王劲松金瀚等倾力加盟. Tencente (in Chinese). May 17, 2018.
  5. ^ 《鹤唳华亭》再曝新阵容 郑业成参演象山热拍. People's Daily (in Chinese). August 27, 2018.
  6. ^ 《鹤唳华亭》开机 董春辉新角色挑战宫廷历史大剧. Netease (in Chinese). May 29, 2018.
  7. ^ 《鹤唳华亭》开机 罗晋重回古装引关注典. Netease (in Chinese). May 22, 2018.
  8. ^ "鹤唳华亭 (豆瓣)". movie.douban.com. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  9. ^ 金骨朵网络影视盛典提名揭晓 王一博肖战杨紫等入围. Ynet (in Chinese). November 25, 2019. Archived from the original on May 24, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  10. ^ 匠心筑臻,造就年度精品. Sina (in Chinese). December 22, 2019.
  11. ^ 新浪2019年度影视综获奖名单. Sina (in Chinese). December 19, 2019.
  12. ^ "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.
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