Dream of the Red Chamber (Chinese: 红楼梦; pinyin: Hónglóu Mèng), first released in 1987, is a television series produced by CCTV adapted from the classic 18th century Chinese novel Dream of the Red Chamber. It gained enormous popularity for its music, cast, and plot adaptation. It was first filmed in Beijing in Mandarin, then the series was dubbed in Cantonese and Shanghainese. The series is 36 episodes long.
The TV series is regarded by many within China as being a near-definitive adaptation of the novel. A TV remake of the novel started airing in 2010; however, much objection was raised over the unorthodox costume design and other contested interpretations.
Contents
Plot summary
The series follows the plot of Cao Xueqin's novel Dream of the Red Chamber. The series begins with the mother-less child, Lin Daiyu - whose beauty and intelligence surpasses all - moving into the family compound of her maternal grandmother in the capital. There, the child meets numerous relatives, one of whom is Jia Baoyu, her mother's nephew and male protagonist. Baoyu was born with a piece of jade in his mouth and, so, is treated like a fragile egg and spoiled by his grandmother. He often spends his time with his female cousins and maids instead of tending to his studies. In addition to Daiyu, one of the cousins he spends time with the most is the tactful Xue Baochai.
As the story goes on, Baoyu and Daiyu eventually fall in love with each other, but Daiyu is not very well liked by the family and, instead, the family members favor Baochai. Eventually, Baoyu and Baochai are forced to marry, and Daiyu dies of a broken heart. The series ends with the Emperor confiscating the Jia family properties and the family members scattered, some to their own tragic end. While some of the members do eventually reunite, Baoyu leaves to become a monk.
Episodes
The serial contains 36 episodes spanning the novel.
1. Daiyu Parted With Her Father and Went to the Capital (林黛玉别父进京都)
2. Baoyu, Daiyu, and Baochai's First Meeting at the Hall of Glorious Pageant (宝黛钗初会荣庆堂)
3. Granny Liu Pays Her First Visit to the Jung Mansion (刘姥姥一进荣国府)
4. Daiyu Feels Slight Jealous While Meeting Baoyu at Baochai's Home (探宝钗黛玉半含酸)
5. Xifeng Sets a Vicious Trap for a Lover (王熙凤毒设相思局)
6. Xifeng Helps to Manage Affairs at the Ning Mansion (王熙凤协理宁国府)
7. Literary Talent Tested by Composing Inscriptions for Grandview Garden (大观园试才题对额)
8. Jung Mansion Had the Imperial Consort's Visitation on the Lantern Festival (荣国府归省庆元宵)
9. A Sweet Girl Shows Deep Feeling One Quiet Day (意绵绵静日玉生香)
10. A Song Awakes Baoyu to Esoteric Truths (听曲文宝玉悟禅机)
11. Meeting a Nightmare in Seeking After Favor (为争宠姐弟遭魔魇)
12. Daiyu Weeps at Falling Petals (埋香冢飞燕泣残红)
13. The Fortune Enjoys Deep Fortune and Long Life (享福人福深还祷福)
14. Chin-chuan Dies a Heroic Death in Shame (含耻辱情烈死金钏)
Cast
Ouyang Fenqiang as Jia Baoyu
Chen Xiaoxu as Lin Daiyu
Zhang Li as Xue Baochai
Cheng Mei as Jia Yuanchun
Dongfang Wenying as Jia Tanchun
Guo Xiaozhen as Shi Xiangyun
Ji Yu (former name Ji Peijie) as Miaoyu
Deng Jie as Wang Xifeng
Jin Lili as Jia Yingchun
Zhang Lei as Qin Keqing
Shen Ling as Ping'er
An Wen (former name Zhang Jinglin) as Qingwen
Yuan Mei as Xiren
Gao Liang as Jia Lian
Zhou Xianzhen as Lady Wang
Wu Xiaodong as Jia Yun
Yang Junyong as Jia Rong
Reception and soundtrack
The 1987 series was initially somewhat controversial as few Redologists believed a TV adaptation could do the novel full justice. Producer and director Wang Fulin's decision in employing non-professional youths was vindicated as the TV series gained enormous popularity in China.
The series' success owes much to composer Wang Liping (王立平). He set many of the novel's classical verses to music, taking as long as four years to deliberate and complete his compositions.
Post-broadcast activities
On December 6, 2003, the CCTV-3 program "Art Life" recorded the episode "Art Life - Reunion of Dream of the Red Chamber," directed by Wang Fulin, written by Zhou Ling, produced by Dai Linfeng, starring Ouyang Fenqiang, Chen Xiaoxu, Deng Jie, Dongfang Wenying, along with over 70 other guests including actors and behind-the-scenes staff, revisiting various stories from the production of this version of the TV series. During the program, Zhang Li, who portrayed Xue Baochai and singer Chen Li, who had been absent from the public eye for a long time, returned to the spotlight. Additionally, due to the secrecy maintained by the program recording staff, guests were unaware of each other's presence before the show, resulting in many surprises during the program. The episode premiered on CCTV-3 on January 9, 2004.
On December 7, the day after the program recording, the cast and crew revisited the filming location of the Daguanyuan, where they were deeply moved, reminiscing about the series of stories from twenty years ago during the filming and in life.
On June 1, 2007, a memorial service for Chen Xiaoxu, who portrayed Lin Daiyu (she died on May 13 of that year), was held at the Daguanyuan in Beijing. Ouyang Fenqiang, Zhou Ling, Deng Jie, Zhang Li, Wu Xiaodong, Sha Yuhua, and other main creative personnel of the production attended to mourn.
On September 26 and October 10, 2012, Beijing TV aired "Stars of Film and Television Journey" where the cast of Dream of the Red Chamber reunited.
On December 2, 2012, Beijing TV's "Watch Beijing Drama" broadcast "Dreams of the Red Chamber" - Memories of the Red Mansion.
On December 30, 2012, and January 6, 2013, CCTV-4 aired "Chinese Literature and Art" presenting "Unfinished Love in Dream of the Red Chamber".
On March 15 and 22, 2017, Tianjin TV aired "Gathering of the Elite" featuring characters from Dream of the Red Chamber.
On June 17, 2017, "1987, Our Dream of the Red Chamber Concert," curated by Ouyang Fenqiang, took place at the Great Hall of the People, attended by over a hundred actors who had been absent for many years or living overseas.