| Alt Name: | Ballad of the Desert |
| Genre: | Historical fiction Romance |
| Based On: | Ballad of the Desert by Tong Hua |
| Director: | Lee Kwok-lap |
| Opentheme: | The World I Pacified for You by Li Jianqing |
| Endtheme: | A Kind of Courage Called Giving Up by Della Ding |
| Composer: | Zhou Sixian |
| Country: | China |
| Language: | Mandarin |
| Num Episodes: | 35 (Hunan TV version: 36) |
| Producer: | Karen Tsoi |
| Executive Producer: | Luze Liang |
| Location: | China |
| Runtime: | 45 minutes |
| Company: | Chinese Entertainment Shanghai |
| Channel: | Hunan Television |
| T: | 風中奇緣 |
| S: | 风中奇缘 |
| P: | Fēng zhōng qí yuán |
Sound of the Desert is a 2014 Chinese television series based on the historical romance novel Ballad of the Desert by Tong Hua. It stars Liu Shishi, Eddie Peng and Hu Ge. The series aired on Hunan TV from 1 October to 27 November 2014.[1]
Jin Yu (Liu Shishi), an orphan girl of Xiongnu ethnicity, was raised by wolves in the desert, until a Han Chinese decided to adopt her. Two years later, following the death of her adoptive father due to political changes, she decides to follow the man's wish and flees to Jian'an, the capital of Western Han dynasty, changing her name to Xin Yue. Along her journey, she meets Mo Xun (Hu Ge), a calm and kind disabled man, and later the handsome, cold general Wei Wu Ji (Eddie Peng). In Jian'an, thanks to her determination, Xin Yue becomes the head of a dance house and helps a quiet girl named Qin Xiang (Fala Chen) to meet the Emperor. Qin Xiang then turns into the Emperor's most powerful concubine and schemes against Xin Yue. In the meantime, Xin Yue's past with the Xiongnu catches up with her when she meets her childhood friend, Hu Wei Li (Qin Hao), who is now the Ruler of the Damo plains.
While battling against the onslaught of her painful childhood memories and the political intrigue of the royal family, Xin Yue must also choose between Mo Xun and Wei Wu Ji.
An orphan girl of Xiongnu ethnicity who was raised by wolves in the desert; Xin Yue is free-spirited, brave, straightforward and dares to love and hate. After she arrives in Jian'an, she uses her wits and intelligence to gain a foothold in the city.
The capable young general of the Southern dynasties, and beloved nephew to the Emperor. A master tactician and warrior, he has led continuous victories on the battlefield. Arrogant and proud, he refuses to be governed by anyone else, and loves once and for all time. This character is based on Huo Qubing.
Also known as the Ninth Master, Mo Xun is the reserved and contemplative owner of the largest business in Jian'an; the Shi Enterprise. He is also the Emperor's nephew, known for his wide influences in the Damo Plains, as well as his kindness and generosity toward its citizens - who hail him as the "Great Man". He loves Xin Yue but is afraid to tell her because of his disability.
A dancer in Luo Yu Fang who befriends Xin Yue, and later receives her help to enter the palace. Her true intention is to get close to the Emperor and seek revenge for her mother's death. After becoming the most powerful concubine, she turns against Xin Yue who refuses to help her because of Wei Wu Ji. She loves Li Ji but gives up their relationship for the sake of fulfilling her promise. She is based on Consort Li.
Ruler of the Damo Plains, and Xin Yue's childhood sweetheart. In order to usurp the throne, he killed Xin Yue's adoptive father and the Crown Prince, sacrificing the love and friendship between him and Xin Yue. He has lofty ambitions, and engaged in a long-term war with the Southern dynasties in order to seek power and control the whole country. Ultimately, he was defeated by Wei Wu Ji.
Filming for the series started on 8 March 2012[12] and ended on 2 July 2012. Originally cast in the role of the leading male role, Hu Ge decided to take on the role of the second male lead instead, as it was a type of character he has never played before.[13]
Subsequent review by SARFT claimed the series of falsifying historical accounts. Extensive changes were thus required, resetting the entire premise to take place in a fictional era in a fictional country. Character names from the novel which were based on Chinese historical figures were changed, and dialogues and subtitling were revised.[14]
Early titles of the series were Ballad of the Desert (大漠谣, Dàmò yáo, also known as A Story of the Wolf Girl),[15] Romance of the Desert (大漠奇缘, Dàmò qí yuán) and The Legend of Moon and Star (星月传奇, Xīng yuè chuánqí).
| Episode # | Original broadcast date | Average audience share (CSM50) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| width=100 | Ratings | width=100 | Audience share | |
| 1-2 | 1 October 2014 | 1.144 | 5.790 | |
| 3-4 | 2 October 2014 | 1.066 | 5.550 | |
| 5-6 | 8 October 2014 | 0.568 | 3.283 | |
| 7-8 | 9 October 2014 | 0.649 | 3.716 | |
| 9-10 | 15 October 2014 | 0.560 | 3.441 | |
| 11-12 | 16 October 2014 | 0.568 | 3.364 | |
| 13-14 | 22 October 2014 | 0.538 | 3.385 | |
| 15-16 | 23 October 2014 | 0.614 | 3.784 | |
| 17-18 | 29 October 2014 | 0.662 | 3.961 | |
| 19-20 | 30 October 2014 | 0.606 | 3.488 | |
| 21-22 | 5 November 2014 | 0.550 | 3.297 | |
| 23-24 | 6 November 2014 | 0.675 | 3.934 | |
| 25-26 | 12 November 2014 | 0.728 | 4.435 | |
| 27-28 | 13 November 2014 | 0.695 | 4.092 | |
| 29-30 | 19 November 2014 | 0.684 | 4.098 | |
| 31-32 | 20 November 2014 | 0.699 | 4.355 | |
| 33-34 | 26 November 2014 | 0.737 | 4.363 | |
| 35-36 | 27 November 2014 | 0.930 | 5.176 | |
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Most Popular Actor | [16] | ||||
| 2015 | 2nd Hengdian Film and TV Festival of China | Best Supporting Actor | [17] |
| Country | Network | Airing dates |
|---|---|---|
| CHING | November 10, 2014 - (Monday to Friday at 17.20) | |
| December 8, 2014 - (Monday to Friday from 20:00 to 21:00.) | ||
| December 8, 2014 - (Monday to Friday from 21:00 to 22:00.) | ||
| December 15, 2014 - (Monday night - Friday night) | ||
| December 17, 2014 - (Monday to Friday from 22:00 to 23:00.) | ||
| January 2, 2015. - (Monday to Friday from 21:00 to 22:00.) | ||
| 1 November 2017 - on air (Tuesday - Thursday from 21:00 pm to 22:00 pm) | ||