| Native Name: |
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| Network: | iQiyi | ||||||||
| Location: | Mainland China Hengdian Studios | ||||||||
| Cinematography: | Peng Zhen | ||||||||
| Runtime: | 45 minutes | ||||||||
| Executive Producer: | Yu Zheng Dai Ying | ||||||||
| Producer: | Ma Tian Wang Xiaohui Yang Le | ||||||||
| Genre: | Historical fiction War | ||||||||
| Creator: | Shui Ru Tian Er | ||||||||
| Based On: | Temple Sides are not Begonia Red | ||||||||
| Director: | Hui Kaidong | ||||||||
| Num Episodes: | 49 | ||||||||
| Theme Music Composer: | Lu Hu | ||||||||
| Opentheme: | "Winter Begonia (鬓边不是海棠红)" by Lu Hu | ||||||||
| Endtheme: | "This Life (此生)" by Xin | ||||||||
| Country: | China | ||||||||
| Language: | Mandarin |
Winter Begonia is a 2020 Chinese television series starring Huang Xiaoming, Yin Zheng, and Charmaine Sheh, based on Shui Ru Tian Er's BL web novel of the same name. It aired exclusively on iQiyi and tells the story of the close relationship between a shrewd businessman and a Peking opera genius right before the World War II.[1] While the original web novel depicted the relationship between the two main men as romantic, the adaptation changed this depiction into a "bromance".
The show has been praised for its story, visuals and tasteful promotion of Chinese traditional culture, particularly Peking opera. iQiyi released a talk show named Wang Peiyu Peking Opera Show alongside the drama, which features Peking opera performer Wang Peiyu as she elaborates about operatic repertoire/traditions found in Winter Begonia and in real life.[2]
The series began airing on August 7 on Beijing TV at 19:30 CST.[3]
In 1930s Beijing, Shang Xirui (Yin Zheng) is a famous Peking opera dan performer known for his talent and passion for his art. He meets Cheng Fengtai (Huang Xiaoming), a businessman who saves him from an unruly audience during a performance. Cheng becomes interested in Peking opera and the two men become close. Together, they overcome many obstacles including the objection of Fengtai's wife (Charmaine Sheh), and must struggle to preserve their art in the face of the approaching Japanese occupation.[4]
The previous 55 episodes were shortened to 49 in June 2018. Shooting began on December 13, 2018 at Hengdian World Studios. Principal photography ended on April 29, 2019, and entered post-production.[5]
To accurately depict the traditions of Peking opera on the small screen, production brought in experts of the craft to train the actors. The crew also invited 90-year old Peking Opera performing artist Bi Guyun as a drama consultant. Yin Zheng also received one month of closed training from the master.[6] The crew also invited practitioners of specific styles of Peking opera, such as Hui opera, to direct the plays that are performed in the drama. As there were many scenes featuring Kunqu opera, it is reported that two Kunqu opera directors were needed.[7]
The two theaters featured were one-on-one reconstructions of Beijing-Guangzhou Hall and Hu Guang Hall. The Cheng Fu Pavilion and Shui Yun Tower were also completely built by production, necessitating around 20,000 square meters.[8]
More than 200 sets of costumes were used in the drama, with more than 100 of them customized by the production team. The Peking make-up and hairstyle on actors were also supervised by professional opera teachers. Art design was headed by Luan Hexin, while clothing design was headed by Song Xiaotao and Li Anqi. Li Xiaoli was in charge of makeup.
| Winter Begonia Original Soundtrack (OST) | |
| Type: | soundtrack |
| Artist: | Various artists |
| Caption: | Album cover |
| Released: | March 19, 2020 |
| Genre: | Mandopop Ballad |
| Language: | Mandarin |
| Label: | Dongyang Huanyu Film |
Winter Begonia Original Soundtrack was compiled and released on March 19, 2020 as an extended play.[9]
Winter Begonia has been well received by viewers and critics. Its first 12 episodes debuted with a 7.3 out of 10 on Douban. By its conclusion, the show subsequently rose to an 8.1, aggregated by over 100,000 user reviews.[10] The series reportedly went viral on Sina Weibo, in which the show's hashtag received 480 million clicks.[11]
Beijing Youth Entertainment praised Huang Xiaoming and Yin Zheng's acting as well as the drama's depiction of Peking opera, highlighting it as an example of the potential for film and television to help spread traditional Chinese art and culture. People's Entertainment praised the show's visuals and the interesting depiction of female characters and their relationships.[12]
| Award | Category | Nominee | Result | ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26th Shanghai Television Festival | Best Television Series | Winter Begonia | [13] | |
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Yu Zhou, Shui Ru Tian'er, Jiu Ren | |||
| Best Cinematography | Wang Chengxin | |||
| Best Art Direction | Luan Hexin | |||