Eternal Love (Chinese TV series)

Did You Know?

• The Eternal Love OST was digitally released on February 18, 2017, and the soundtrack 'Bracing the Chill' became one of the most covered songs of 2017.
• The soundtrack and background music were released on three discs with a total of 60 tracks.

Synopsis

The story begins when Zhe Yan brings Bai Qian, disguised as the male immortal Si Yin, to Kunlun Mountain, where she becomes the God of War Mo Yuan's 17th disciple and receives the Jade Purity Fan of Kunlun as her weapon. For 20,000 years, Bai Qian trains and causes trouble. She is kidnapped by the jealous goddess Yao Guang and rescued by Mo Yuan, then later captured by the Ghost Lord along with the 9th disciple Ling Yu. After weeks as prisoners, Mo Yuan rescues them again, provoking Qing Cang to declare war on the Celestial Tribe. During her stay in the Ghost Realm, Bai Qian develops feelings for Li Jing, the second prince of the Ghost Tribe, but Xuan Nü uses her ability to morph into Bai Qian's appearance to seduce Li Jing, enraging a heartbroken Bai Qian. During the war, Bai Qian witnesses Ling Yu's death. Qing Cang uses the Bell of the East Emperor to try to destroy heaven and earth, and Mo Yuan sacrifices his spirit to stop the bell and seal Qing Cang's spirit inside it. After seeing Mo Yuan's spiritless body, Bai Qian breaks down. The disciples of Kunlun Mountain disperse. 70,000 years later, Bai Qian has lived in Qing Qiu without leaving. Knowing the seal could break, she attempts to re-seal Qing Cang but needs more power. To ascend to High God, she must undergo a trial that seals away her memories and powers, making her a mortal woman who forgets who she is.

Cast

Yang Mi portrays Bai Qian, a white Nine-Tailed Fox and youngest child of the Fox King, current female monarch of Qingqiu and a well-respected High Goddess revered for her beauty. She has a sassy and forthright personality. Although her memories and affection for Ye Hua were erased, she fell in love with him again when they met in the heavenly realm. Yang Mi also plays Si Yin, Bai Qian's alias as Mo Yuan's disciple, who fell in love with Li Jing but was betrayed by him and Xuan Nü, and who tried to bring Mo Yuan back after his soul was destroyed. As Si Yin, only Zhe Yan, Mo Yuan, Li Jing, and Bai Qian knew she was a woman. Yang Mi also plays Su Su, Bai Qian's mortal identity with memories and powers sealed by Qing Cang, who unknowingly fell in love with Ye Hua, married him, and gave birth to their son A Li, but jumped off the Zhu Xian terrace due to misunderstandings. Mark Chao plays Mo Yuan, the eldest son of Heavenly Father and undefeatable God of War, Master of Kunlun and Ye Hua's older twin brother, who used his soul to seal Qing Cang and spent 70,300 years piecing his soul back together. Chao also plays Jin Lian, the Golden Lotus at Kunlun cared for by Si Yin; Ye Hua, a black dragon and Crown Prince of the Nine Heavens with a stoic personality who fell in love with Su Su; and Zhao Ge, Ye Hua's mortal reincarnation sent to the mortal realm as punishment.

Production

The series began production in 2015, with Lam Yuk-fan as director, Zhang Shuping as style director, Chen Haozhong as art director, and Zhang Shijie as costume designer. Gcoo Entertainment, a subsidiary of Huace Studio, produced the drama. Principal photography began on February 10, 2016, at Xiangshan Movie & Television Town and wrapped on June 30, 2016, with additional filming in Puzhehei, Yunnan. More than 80% of the sets were newly built to avoid replication.

Reception

Eternal Love became a massive hit in China, pulling in over 50 billion views across streaming platforms and earning the title of the most-watched Chinese drama ever. It also scored ratings above 1% on two major networks, averaging 1.288% on Dragon TV and 1.041% on Zhejiang TV. The show drew a significant international audience, sparking talk of a new golden age for Chinese TV. Its appeal came from gorgeous scenery, lyrical dialogue, famous actors, and the loyal readership of the original novel.