June 18 (2018-06-18) – August 13, 2018 (2018-08-13)
Legend of Fuyao (Chinese: 扶摇) is a 2018 Chinese television series based on the novel Empress Fuyao (Chinese: 扶摇皇后) by Tianxia Guiyuan. It stars Yang Mi and Ethan Juan.[1] The series aired on Zhejiang TV from June 18 to August 13, 2018.[2][3]
Synopsis
The story takes place in the universe of Five Kingdoms that is led by the Imperial City of Tianquan. Fuyao was formed from a lotus borne by the Ancient firmament. Adopted as an orphan, she served as a slave for the Xuanyuan sect from the Taiyuan Kingdom. A series of tragedies resulted in a journey across the land to gather the magical artifacts that could lift the curse that blighted her life. Along the way, she met the Crown Prince of Tianquan who was masquerading as the heir of Taiyuan while conducting secret missions to quell unrest in the Five Kingdoms. The pair fell in love as they battled the complicated politics and power plays between the different forces. With the help of her loyal companions, Fuyao set out to unravel the heinous plot of the ancient firmament. She discovered her real identity as the "Lotus Princess" and succeeded in destroying the evil forces, bringing peace to the land of Five Kingdoms.
A woman born from a divine lotus petal and owner of the five-colored stone. She was a lowly servant at Xuanyuan Sect, until she learned an invincible fighting technique named "Po Jiu Xiao" and began her journey to gather the five magical artifacts to break the five seals that were put on her. She was revealed to be the true Lotus princess and ascends the throne to become the Queen of Xuanji. Fuyao also simultaneously holds the title of Tiansha's King of Han as well as Magistrate of Yao City.
Crown Prince of Tianquan kingdom. He is the descendant of Chang Qingzi, Grand Mentor of the Ancient Firmament; and is the owner of the Xuanling True Leaf. Wuji also owns a magical pet hamster named Yuan Bao.
Yuan Zhaoxu is Wuji's alias as the Crown Prince's assistant.
A well-known medicine practitioner. His identity is actually the elder son of Prince Wenyi, the previous heir apparent of Taiyuan; and was saved by Fei Yan, who imparted divine medical skills to him in exchange for forty years of his lifespan.
Pei Yuan's maid. She secretly hates Pei Yuan due to the former's mistreatment of her. She is responsible for ruining Pei Yuan's face and eventually killing her.
Zhang Zhizhong
Mr. Qiu (邱先生)
Prince Wenyi's former subordinate. He saved Zong Yue and Yun Hen's lives by sneaking them away during the massacre. He later revealed the truth behind their identities.
Senior disciple of Xuanyuan Sect. He is Fuyao's first love. Despite his feelings for her, he was forced to leave her to marry Pei Yuan due to his father's wishes.
Qi Zhen's niece. Yan Jingchen's disciple junior and wife. She has a one-sided and obsessive love for Yan Jingchen. When she realizes that Yan Jingchen is deeply in love with Fuyao, she is bent on destroying the latter.
Head of Xuanyou faction. A fatherlike figure to Fuyao. His identity was revealed to be Sheng Ling, who ranks 2nd out of the 10 saints. He saved Fuyao and helped her unlock the "Po Jiu Xiao" fighting technique.
Emperor of Tianquan and Ruler of the Five Continents. A well-respected man who groomed Zhangsun Wuji for the role of Crown Prince since a young age, but actually hides a dark secret.
Juan Zi
Yuan Qingyi (元清漪)
Empress Ci'en. Zhangsun Wuji's mother. She and Zhangsun Jia are secretly in love with each other, but she was forced to marry Zhangsun Jiong.
Prince Lie, leader of the Black Wind troops. Later the King of Tiansha. He admires Fuyao due to her courage and loyalty, but falls for Yalan Zhu's sincerity.
Princess of Qiongye, later the Queen of Tiansha. She liked Zhan Beiye since they were young and follows him wherever he goes. She also befriends Fuyao and becomes close to her.
One of the 10 saints. Feng Qi's husband and Fuyao's birth father. He stays by Feng Xuan's side as her shadow guard in order to find out the truth of Feng Qi and Feng Wuming (Fuyao)'s whereabouts.
Second princess. Known as the Saintess of the five continents. Fei Yan's disciple. A cunning and evil woman who stole Fuyao's identity as the "Lotus Princess" and puts up a kind and benevolent pretense. She has a one-sided love for Zhangsun Wuji.
High immortal of Ancient Firmament, Lord of Huansheng Shrine. Granddaughter of Di Feitian. Her main goal is to revive Di Feitian, by using Fuyao and her five-colored stone to bring upon chaos to the Five Continents.
Fei Yan's disciple. She has an unrequited love for Wuji.
Production
Casting and filming
During Linmon Picture's annual television production showcase in February 2017, Yang Mi was announced to be the female lead for upcoming project Legend of Fuyao. Fuyao was said to contain eastern elements of fantasy, with its plot containing exciting political maneuvers and modern values of relationship.[32]
In June 2017, Ethan Juan was announced to play the male lead. Both Juan and Yang announced their roles through their respective Weibo account.[33] Major supporting cast members were unveiled through picture stills in July 2017.[34]
The series is primarily filmed in Hengdian World Studios as well as Yinchuan. Numerous sets were built in a piece of barren land of up to 60,000 square meters.[35]
Fuyao was praised by CCTV media for transmitting positive values and messages such as persistence, independence and magnanimity; as well as encouraging people to chase after their dreams.[39] However, audience response has not been positive; the series was criticized for having cliché plots and a "Mary Sue" protagonist; as well as very similar storylines to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.[citation needed]
Despite divided reviews, the series' popularity remains high domestically with high online views; as well as acclaim from overseas fans. In particular, the series was highly praised in the Daily Pakistan newspaper, with the media outlet calling the show "a wonderful presentation of Chinese characteristics" and praising its cinematography.[40] It gained 14 billion views in 50 days, becoming the most viewed online drama of the summer season.[41]
Ratings
Episode #
Original broadcast date
Average audience share (CSM52)
Ranking
Average audience share (National Average)
Ranking
Ratings
Audience share
Ratings
Audience share
1-2
June 18, 2018
0.655
3.727
1
0.35
2.57
1
3-4
June 19, 2018
0.611
3.742
2
0.23
1.85
2
5-6
June 20, 2018
0.655
4.174
2
0.32
2.63
2
7-8
June 21, 2018
0.691
4.194
1
0.392
3.047
1
9-10
June 25, 2018
0.755
4.563
1
0.38
2.97
1
11-12
June 26, 2018
0.664
3.997
1
0.33
2.55
2
13-14
June 27, 2018
0.673
3.327
1
0.44
2.64
1
15-16
June 28, 2018
0.753
4.346
1
0.34
2.42
1
17-18
July 2, 2018
0.648
3.53
1
0.37
2.68
2
19-20
July 3, 2018
0.689
3.984
1
0.49
3.6
1
21-22
July 4, 2018
0.941
6.029
1
0.57
4.4
1
23-24
July 5, 2018
0.927
5.964
1
0.7
5.23
1
25-26
July 9, 2018
0.789
5.108
2
0.441
3.478
2
27-28
July 10, 2018
0.795
4.8
2
0.525
3.703
2
29-30
July 11, 2018
1.088
6.553
1
0.71
4.93
2
31-32
July 12, 2018
0.951
5.832
1
0.65
4.77
1
33-34
July 16, 2018
0.951
6.089
1
0.523
3.876
2
35-36
July 17, 2018
0.972
6.123
1
0.61
4.328
2
37-38
July 18, 2018
1.017
6.243
1
0.6
4.35
2
39-40
July 19, 2019
1.073
6.77
1
0.68
5.03
2
41-42
July 23, 2018
0.795
5.106
2
0.58
4.29
2
43-44
July 24, 2018
0.844
5.33
2
0.52
3.91
2
45-46
July 25, 2018
0.923
5.777
2
0.61
4.48
2
47-48
July 26, 2018
0.879
5.588
1
0.64
4.85
1
49-50
July 30, 2018
0.87
5.796
2
0.49
3.78
2
51-52
July 31, 2018
0.842
5.448
2
0.6
4.39
2
53-54
August 1, 2018
0.799
5.137
2
0.5
3.73
2
55-56
August 2, 2018
0.91
5.752
1
0.6
4.46
1
57-58
August 6, 2018
0.908
6.135
1
0.61
4.76
2
59-60
August 7, 2018
0.782
5.292
1
0.55
4.09
2
61-62
August 8, 2018
0.847
5.46
1
0.66
4.81
2
63-64
August 9, 2018
0.868
5.632
1
0.56
4.19
1
65-66
August 13, 2018
0.786
4.91
1
0.6
4.31
2
Average
—
0.84
5.2
—
0.6
4.31
—
Note: Part of the series is broadcast online on Tencent Video before airing on Zhejiang TV. VIP members of Tencent are four episodes ahead of non-VIP members and regular television broadcast.
