Shangguan Wan'er (TV series)

Shangguan Wan'er is a Chinese television series based on the life of Shangguan Wan'er, a female official in the court of Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history. Starring Ruan Danning as the titular character, the series was first aired in mainland China in December 1998. The series was broadcast again in March 2003 on Sichuan Satellite TV.[1]

Shangguan Wan'er
DVD cover art
Traditional Chinese上官婉兒
Simplified Chinese上官婉儿
Hanyu PinyinShàngguān Wǎn'ér
GenreHistorical drama
Screenplay byNing Yegao
Ning Yelong
Ning Yun
Fang Tianmin
Directed byGong Yiqun
Liu Guonan
Wang Haoying
Presented byCui Qiang
Cui Yiping
Liu Yanming
StarringRuan Danning
Huang Haibing
Zhang Qing
Theme music composerFu Zhang
Opening themeRen Shijian (人世间) performed by Tu Meihua
Ending themeMengxing (梦醒) performed by Li Hong
ComposerFu Zhang
Country of originChina
Original languageMandarin
No. of episodes30
Production
Executive producersLi Peisen
Wang Qiu
Ma Runsheng
Qiu Zhijun
Zhang Haibo
ProducersZeng Rihua
Zheng Suixu
Qu Chenggen
Wang Ning
Production locationChina
CinematographyDu Xiaosi
Wang Weidong
Running time48 minutes per episode
Production companies
  • Phoenix Television
  • China International Television Corporation
  • Hairun International Commercials

Plot

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Shangguan Wan'er was the granddaughter of Shangguan Yi, a government official. After Shangguan Yi tried to depose Empress Wu, his whole family was executed except for Wan'er and her mother, Lady Zheng. They were protected by another official named Pei Yan.

At the age of 15, Wan'er entered the Imperial Palace to become the study mate of the Crown Prince, Li Xian. They developed feelings for each other despite their backgrounds. However, Li Xian's beliefs contrasted from his mother's beliefs. Li Xian was deposed from his position as Crown Prince and was sentenced to death. Wan'er decides to find the truth and appeals to Empress Wu. Empress Wu is regretful and makes Wan'er her secretary. She was titled the world's number one lady.

Even after all those years, Wan'er never forgot Li Xian. She kept his words at heart, and helped restore peace to the Tang dynasty. Wan'er enlisted the help of Di Renjie and Princess Taiping, and together they stopped the ambitions of Wu Sansi, Wu Chengsi, and Pei Yan. She dedicates the rest of her life to the Li family, and later becomes a consort to Li Xian's brother, Li Zhe.

Cast

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List of songs

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  • Ren Shijian (人世间), the opening theme song, performed by Tu Meihua
  • Mengxing (梦醒), the ending theme song, performed by Li Hong
  • Tongxin Jie (同心结), insert song, performed by Xiao Chanjuan
  • Tong Shi Tianya Lunluo Ren (同是天涯沦落人), insert song, performed by Tu Meihua

References

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