The Rise of Phoenixes (Chinese: 天盛长歌; pinyin: Tiānshèng Cháng Gē) is a 2018 Chinese television drama based on the novel Huang Quan (Chinese: 凰权) by Tianxia Guiyuan, taking place in the fictional kingdom of Tiansheng, starring Chen Kun and Ni Ni in the main roles. On 14 August 2018, it premiered on Hunan Television, and Netflix on 14 September 2018. It became one of the top rated shows, was nominated for 'Best Drama Series' at the Asian Television Awards, and won 'Best Cinematography' at the 25th Shanghai Television Festival.
Contents
Synopsis
Ning Yi (Chen Kun) is a clever prince of Tiansheng, hides his true self while plotting revenge and secretly seeks justice for his brother. Feng Zhiwei (Ni Ni), wrongly accused and banished, disguises herself as a man, joins Qingming Academy, and rises to become a court official through her talent and knowledge.
Feng Zhiwei, as Wei Zhi, earns the emperor’s trust during the succession struggle but must reveal her identity when he proposes marriage to his daughter. After a near-execution, she’s pardoned and sent on a mission with the Prince of Chu, where her mutual feelings with Ning Yi surface. Following his illness and recovery, they confess their love and plan to seek the emperor’s approval to marry. She discovers she is surviving royalty from the previous empire and, believing Tiansheng was built on her loved ones’ deaths, seeks revenge, including on Ning Yi.
Cast
Production
On 27 27 April 2017, the extended cast was revealed; Principal photography began on 27 May 2017, and concluded on 12 December 2017. The series was also noted for using "real-time" voice recording during filming. It was the first television drama filmed at Tang City Film Studios, Xiangyang; the location was chosen for its historical authenticity and uniqueness. Additional filming took place in Wuxi and Duyun. It received distribution licence to broadcast 70 episodes.
Crew
Directors: Shen Yan and Liu Haibo (Chinese Style Relationship)
Writers: Lu Jing - original author, Lu Yi, Zou Yue, Wang Pei, and Qiu Yongyi
Costume Designer & Artistic Director: William Chang (The Flowers of War, The Grandmaster)
Additional Costume Designers: Lu Fengshan and Fang Sizhe
Stunt Choreographer: Yuan Bin (Flying Swords of Dragon Gate)
Stills Photographer: Bao Xiangyu (Coming Home, Mojin: The Lost Legend)
Composer: Dong Yingda (Sweet Sixteen, All Quiet in Peking)
Cinematographer: Li Xi (Love is Not Blind)
Artistic Director: Kun Xiaotong
Editor: Zhang Jia (Go Lala Go!)
Etiquette Consultant: Li Bin (Nirvana in Fire, The Legend of Mi Yue)
Reception
The series’ slow pacing and complex plot led to low television ratings, reducing the original 70 episodes to 56. However, it received strong online acclaim, rated 8.3/10 on Douban by over 113,000 users, ranking it among the top-rated TV series of the year.