King's War
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | December 28, 2012 |
| Founder | Gao Xixi (director) |
| Headquarters | China |
| Products | Television drama |
King's War, alternatively titled Legend of Chu and Han, is a Chinese TV drama portraying the final years of the Qin dynasty and the Chu–Han Contention period (206–202 BC), which ultimately led to the creation of the Han dynasty. Under the direction of Gao Xixi, the series features Chen Daoming in the role of Liu Bang, the founder of the Han dynasty, alongside Peter Ho as his adversary Xiang Yu. The show debuted on Anhui TV, Zhejiang TV, Jiangxi TV, and Tianjin TV on 28 December 2012.
By 2017, King's War extended its global availability through streaming on Netflix.
Plot
Set during the late third century BC in China, this drama centers on the harsh governance of the Qin dynasty after it unified the six Warring States under the First Emperor in 221 BC. Following his demise, large-scale uprisings broke out in 209 BC. Two prominent rebel commanders, Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, joined forces to dismantle Qin rule by 206 BC. Afterwards, they contended for supremacy in the Chu–Han Contention, which concluded with Liu Bang’s triumph in 202 BC and the founding of the Han dynasty.
Cast
- Chen Daoming portraying Liu Bang
- Peter Ho as Xiang Yu
- Duan Yihong playing Han Xin
- Yang Lixin as Xiao He
- Qin Lan in the role of Lü Zhi
- Li Yixiao as Consort Yu
- Sun Haiying as Fan Zeng
- You Yong portraying Yong Chi
- Huo Qing as Zhang Liang
- Kang Kai playing Fan Kuai
- Wang Jishi as Lu Wan
- Zhang Chenghao portraying Zhou Bo
- Fan Yulin as Long Ju
- Zhu Yanping in the role of Xiang Liang
- Cai Yida as Xiang Zhuang
- Xu Maomao playing Xiang Bo
- Hu Dong as Ying Bu
- Yu Hewei portraying Qin Shi Huang
- Elvis Tsui as Wei Bao
- Xu Wenguang playing Zhao Gao
- Li Jianxin as Li Si
- Yu Bin portraying Huhai
- Cao Weiyu as Zhang Han
- Wang Hualong in the role of Ziying
- Lin Peng playing Xiahou Ying
- Shi Weijian as Li Yiji
- Tang Yan portraying Consort Qi
- Xu Yang as Consort Bo
- Yu Mingjia in the role of Consort Cao
- Wu Gang portraying Shen Yiji
- Ji Chenmu as King Huai II of Chu
- Liu Jingfan playing Peng Yue
- Shi Yanjing as Li Zuoche
- Peng Guobin portraying Ji Xin
- Zhang Jingyuan as Chen Ping
- Lu Yong playing Guan Ying
- Zheng Jingyuan as Zhou Ke
- Xu Xiaojian portraying Cao Shen
- Yang Yucheng as Sui He
- Liu Zifeng playing Liu Taigong
- Wang Jun as Cao Wushang
- Xu Fengnian portraying Chen Yu
- Li Bingyuan in the role of Ji Bu
- Ye Peng playing Zhongli Mo
- Yang Ziduo as Yu Ziqi
- Yan Pei portraying Song Yi
- Zhang Xiqian as Zhang Er
- Liu Guanghou playing Shusun Tong
- Wu Xiaodong portraying Sima Xin
- Liu Jingxi as Liu Bang's mother
- Zheng Tianyong in the role of Lü Taigong
- Siqin Gaowa Nanji portraying Chenxi
- Xu Wanqiu as Lü Xu
- Guo Ketong playing Xiaoxian
- Zhang Ruibo portraying Liu Fei
- Dong Chunming as Liu Ying
- Yang Zhiwen playing Liu Le
Production
King's War represents the second historical drama helmed by director Gao Xixi, following his earlier work on Three Kingdoms in 2010. The project received an unprecedented investment from Bona Film Group, with a budget reaching 1.7 billion yuan, not accounting for any future expansions.
Shooting commenced on 25 August 2011 and wrapped up by 5 May 2012.
Set construction
A standout feature of the production was the authentic recreation of sets. The palace and other prominent settings were carefully built to align precisely with the script’s demands, aiming for completion by July 2011.
Casting
Chen Daoming was officially cast in the role of Liu Bang. On 25 August 2011, director Gao Xixi revealed six principal actors, including Chen, Peter Ho, and Hu Dong, with Peter Ho anticipated to portray Xiang Yu.
Script
The screenplay, crafted by Wang Peigong over several years, chronicles Liu Bang’s journey from a local patrol officer in Pei County to the founder of the Han dynasty. Director Gao highlighted that the series sets itself apart by focusing on the "Legend" component within the Legend of Chu and Han narrative.
English dub
By 15 August 2015, an English language dub covering all 80 episodes had been finalized for broadcast on South African Cable Television.
Reception
Although the ratings were moderate, Gao Xixi emphasized that the series succeeded in engaging a well-educated viewership.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1st Hengdian Film and TV Festival of China | Best Actor | Peter Ho | won |
| Best Actress | Li Yixiao | won |
International broadcast
| Country | Network(s)/Station(s) | Series premiere | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | True4U | August 10, 2015 | ฉู่ฮั่น ศึกชิงบัลลังก์ สะท้านปฐพี (Chu Han Suek Ching Ballang Sataan Pattapi) |