The Bachelor (Chinese TV series)
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Headquarters | China |
| Products | Television drama |
The Bachelor is a family drama from China released in 2012, produced by Yujia Shixing Pictures ().
The series features Xu Zheng portraying a 35-year-old bachelor under familial pressure to wed, focusing on his journey through romantic relationships. It was co-directed by Sun Hao, known for directing the 2010 drama Will You Marry Me and My Family, which included Song Jia in a distinct role. Both productions share writers Rao Hui, Li Xiao, and Liu Shen.
Initially broadcast on Shanghai Television starting August 8, 2012, The Bachelor later aired nationwide on channels such as Anhui Television, Zhejiang Television, and Shenzhen Television, as well as various online services from October 7, 2012. The show also reached Taiwanese audiences via EyeTV in 2014.
Cast
- Xu Zheng plays Cao Xiaoqiang, a genuine 35-year-old sales manager dealing with romantic challenges.
- Zhu Yin portrays Cao’s protective mother.
- Wang Yang appears as Cao’s father.
- Guo Jingfei takes the role of Huang Weiye, a close friend of Cao aged 33.
- Wang Maolei acts as Li Wenda, Cao’s uncle who is 32 years old.
Primary female leads:
- Mei Ting as Gu Qing, a Peking opera performer aged 29.
- Cao Yuan as Wu Xiaoliu, a French language instructor aged 22.
- Sui Lan in the role of Ma Xiaomei, a 25-year-old from rural areas.
- Ma Su as Cai Weilan, a recent university graduate aged 23.
- Che Xiao portraying Xu Ruoyun, a vice-CEO with Harvard credentials aged 31.
- Song Jia as Zhao Kai, a urological surgeon aged 33.
- Zhang Xinyi plays Liu Chenxi, a divorced single mother of 33 and Cao’s college sweetheart.
Ending
The finale ends on an open note with an unidentified woman calling out Cao Xiaoqiang’s name, which led to much speculation among viewers online. At the December 2012 TV Drama Awards Made in China event, Xu Zheng suggested that the voice could belong to any character. Director Sun Hao later disclosed that the voice was recorded by actress Fan Bingbing, who happened to visit the filming location during production.
Awards and nominations
2012 TV Drama Awards Made in China
- Awarded - Top 10 Dramas of the Year (#10)
- Awarded - Favourite Male Character for Cao Xiaoqiang (played by Xu Zheng)
- Nominated - Best Actor for Xu Zheng
See also
- Call for Love, a romantic comedy film from 2007 starring Xu Zheng; also featuring Song Jia.