Red Sorghum () is a 2014 Chinese television series based on Nobel laureate Mo Yan's 1986 novel of the same name. Directed by Zheng Xiaolong, it also features the highly anticipated return of actress Zhou Xun to television after 10 years. The series chronicles the struggles of the protagonist Jiu'er (played by Zhou) in rural Shandong province in early 1930s. It aired simultaneously on four satellite television channels from 27 October to 17 November 2014 for 60 episodes.
Cast Zhou Xun as Jiu'er / Dai Jiulian Zhu Yawen as Yu Zhan'ao Huang Xuan as Zhang Junjie Yu Rongguang as Zhu Haosan Qin Hailu as Shu Xian Matt William Knowles as AP Press Reporter
Production To reproduce the scenes of the novel, the Gaomi local government planted more than 200 hectares of sorghum. The field, now known as "Red Sorghum TV Production Base", became a shooting site for the TV series. More than 500 local residents performed as extras in the TV show.
Reception The series premiered to rave reviews online on Weibo and has enjoyed good ratings. It topped the ratings on four satellite TV channels for three weeks during its broadcast; and has been viewed more than 1.4 billion times on major streaming site iQiyi. According to Qilu Evening Post, the series also spawned viral greetings. Xinhua News Agency praised the drama, calling it a "classic in Chinese television history" and Hainan Daily called Zhou an "impeccable performer".
However, the series has been criticized the series as "too commercial" and "losing the touch of authenticity." The casting of Zhou in the role of the 19-year-old protagonist has also sparked a controversy.
Ratings CSM50 City RatingsAir dateEpisodeBeijing TVShandong TVZhejiang TVDragon TVRatingsRankRatingsRankRatingsRankRatingsRankOctober 2701–031.15121.09930.65980.7297October 2804–061.15831.23620.94250.7527October 2907–091.19531.29820.92150.7807October 3010–121.15431.38020.97140.7817October 3113–151.26421.39210.85070.9766November 116–171.46831.54810.84271.1544November 218–191.47431.68410.89961.1114November 320–221.50511.42830.90561.0005November 423–251.52811.39031.22240.9945November 526–281.47231.47821.27041.0785November 629–311.64511.46341.48130.9107November 732–341.66611.56921.29040.9457November 835–361.79611.75721.09351.1084November 937–381.59421.78111.41241.2025November 1039–411.41531.56321.40940.9766November 1142–441.65521.61431.37441.0295November 1245–471.66821.61731.38741.0555November 1348–501.71021.58431.44041.0305November 1451–531.68521.71111.32441.0275November 1554–551.92011.88421.14541.1055November 1656–571.93911.91021.34541.1845November 1758–601.94911.87031.49441.1785Total34.011-34.256-25.675-22.104-Average1.546-1.557-1.167-1.005-
Highest ratings are marked in red, lowest ratings are marked in blue
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result2014 China TV Drama Awards Top Ten Television Series Red Sorghum Best Actress Zhou Xun Outstanding Contribution Award Zheng Xiaolong2015 Shanghai Television Festival Best Television Series Red Sorghum Best Director Zheng Xiaolong Best Actor Zhu Yawen Best Actress Zhou Xun Best Supporting Actor Huang Xuan Best Supporting Actress Qin Hailu Huading Awards Best Television Series Red Sorghum Best Director Zheng Xiaolong Best Actress Zhou Xun Best Actor (Revolution-Era Drama) Zhu Yawen Best Supporting Actress Qin Hailu Best Supporting Actor Huang Xuan Best Newcomer Best Producer Cao Ping Flying Apsaras Awards Best Director Zheng Xiaolong Best Actress Zhou Xun Hengdian Film and TV Festival of China Best Actress 2016China TV Golden Eagle Award Best Director Zheng Xiaolong Best CinematographyYu Fei, Wang He, Yang HaipengBest Art DirectionWang Shaolin, Yao Zhijie, Yang KaiqiangBest LightningZhang Xin'an, Chen Li
International broadcast Country Network(s)/Station(s) Series premiere Title Modernine TV August 1, 2015 Tamnan Rak Thung Si Plerng (ตำนานรักทุ่งสีเพลิง, lit: Fire-Colored Field Love Legend)SingaporeMalaysiaIndonesiaCambodiaThailandOh!KOct 13,2017Wed To Fri 17:50 (SIN)16:50 (JKT/BKK)18:55 (HK)
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