Winter Begonia (Chinese: 鬓边不是海棠红; pinyin: Bìn Biān Bùshì Hǎitánghóng) 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. 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.
The series began airing on August 7 on Beijing TV at 19:30 CST.
Contents
Synopsis
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.
Cast
Main
Huang Xiaoming as Cheng Fengtai, a businessman
Yin Zheng as Shang Xirui, an opera performer
Charmaine Sheh as Fan Xianger, Fengtai's wife
Supporting
Tan Jianci as Chen Renxiang
Merxat as Fan Lian
Tang Zengcao as Cao Guixiu
Liu Min as Cheng Meixin
Huang Shengyi as Gu Dali
Li Zefeng as Du Qi
Chin Shih-chieh as Jiang Rongshou
Du Chun as Yuan Xiaodi
Bai Bing as Jiang Mengping
Li Chunai as Xiao Lai
Wang Xichao as Jiang Dengbao
Ma Su as Yue Liang
Anna Fang as Shi Jiu
Tang Jingmei as Ceng Aiyu
Zhang Yixi as Cha Chaer
Huang Xingyou as Zhou Xiangyun
Cheng Feng as Xue Qianshan
Chi Shuai as Chang Zhixin
Wang Maolei as Shang Juzhen
Li Yixiao as Cheng Mu
Hei Zi as Cao Siling
Michelle Yim as Lao Fujin
Gao Yu'er as Yu Qing
Hou Yansong as Liu Hanyu
Zhang Gongshi as Wang Qi
Production
Shooting
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.
Peking opera depictions
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. 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.
Sets and costumes
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.
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.
Original soundtrack
Winter Begonia Original Soundtrack was compiled and released on March 19, 2020 as an extended play.
Reception
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. The series reportedly went viral on Sina Weibo, in which the show's hashtag received 480 million clicks.
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.
