The Legend of Haolan
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Headquarters | China |
| Products | Television drama |
The Legend of Haolan () is a Chinese TV drama from 2019 featuring Wu Jinyan, Mao Zijun, and Nie Yuan in leading roles. It was broadcast on iQiyi between January 19 and March 24, 2019, and was regarded as one of the most eagerly awaited series of that year.
Although it achieved high viewership ratings, it did not reach the same level of success as the 2018 hit Story of Yanxi Palace.
Synopsis
Taking place during the Warring States period in the 3rd century BC, the narrative chronicles Li Haolan’s journey to becoming Empress Dowager.
After suffering betrayal by her family and first love, Li Haolan endures severe hardships. Her father arranges a marriage to Yu Ping, an older man known for mistreating his spouses. When she turns to Prince Jiao for assistance, her stepmother Gao Min conspires to have her killed and cast into a river. Surviving this attempt on her life, Li Haolan returns only to find her reputation tarnished by rumors spread by Gao Min. Following her mother’s murder, Li Haolan is sold into slavery and witnesses her former lover wed her sister.
Driven by a resolve to restore her status and seek justice for her mother, Li Haolan forms a calculated partnership with merchant Lü Buwei, who purchases her. Together, they maneuver through complex power struggles.
With Lü Buwei’s support, Li Haolan gains entry into the imperial court of Zhao and weds Ying Yiren, a captive prince from Qin. As hostilities escalate between Qin and Zhao, Li Haolan’s influence grows amid the shifting political landscape.
Main
- Wu Jinyan as Li Haolan / Zhao Ji
- The eldest daughter of Li He, gifted with intelligence and talent, she is sold into slavery but remains steadfast in avenging her past and securing authority. Aligning with Lü Buwei, she ascends to become the wife of King Zhuangxiang of Qin and mother to Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor.
- Nie Yuan as Lü Buwei
- A cunning merchant hailing from Zhao’s wealthiest family, Lü Buwei aspires to surpass the aristocracy that dismisses his merchant background. Renowned for his sharp business skills and strategic partnerships, he veils self-interest behind seemingly altruistic actions.
- Mao Zijun as Ying Yiren/Zichu
- Originally the 27th prince of Qin and held hostage in Zhao, Ying Yiren is cultured yet harbors resentment toward his captors. He eventually becomes King Zhuangxiang of Qin and father to Qin Shi Huang.
Zhao
- Wang Zhifei as Zhao Dan
- King Xiaocheng is known for his indulgence in pleasures and superstitions while ruling Zhao.
- Ning Jing as Lady Li
- Queen Li possesses keen insight despite being underestimated; she recognizes plots including those involving Haolan and appoints her as maid-in-waiting for both amusement and challenge.
- Yin Xu as Lady Yun Chisu
- Former dancer turned concubine; mother to Prince Yu.
- Yang Caiying as Lady Mei
- A concubine unable to conceive due to Queen Li’s interference.
- Zhang Nan as Han Qionghua
- Princess of Han who later becomes King Xiaocheng’s concubine; lover of Prince Yu.
- Hong Yao as Prince Jiao
- The eldest son by concubine Lady Gao and adopted by Queen Li; ambitious and self-important, he opposes Haolan because of her concubine birth and marries her sister instead.
- He Fengtian as Prince Yu
- Second son born to Lady Yun.
- Zhao Yiqin as Prince Yi
- Third son by Lady Yuan.
- Hai Ling as Princess Ya
- The king’s favored daughter known for her passionate nature; infatuated with hostage prince Yinren, she exhibits a volatile temperament despite privileged status.
- Liu Enshang as Zhao Sheng
- Prime Minister of Zhao; practical and skilled at balancing noble interests while maintaining state affairs.
- Nan Fulong as Gongsun Qian, general.
- Jiang Zixin as Yin Xiaochun
- Leading female physician at the Zhao court noted for integrity.
- Lu Zhongtai as Director of the Grand Diviners.
- Yang Hongwu as Gao Meng, general.
- Pei Zitian as Gao Haoyang, general.
- Yao Weiping as Lian Po, general.
- Lian Lian as Xiao Hongye, servant to Lady Li.
- Zhang Jingru as Azhao, servant to Lady Li.
- Shi Jingzi as Lüzhu
- Servant initially to Han Qionghua then Lady Li.
- Chen Haoming as Xiaxue
- Servant attending Princess Ya.
- Du Lingli as Baihe
- Servant within Xuri Palace.
Lü household
- Wen Haibo portrays Lü Xin, the father of Lü Buwei.
- Gao Yu'er plays Yao Ji, who is Lü Buwei's dancing companion.
- Zheng Long appears as Situ Que, the elder sibling of Situ Yue and a servant under Lü Buwei.
- Zhang Yixi acts as Situ Yue, the younger sister of Situ Que, serving Lü Buwei and later working within the palace.
Bai household
- Yu Yankai takes on the role of Bai Qi, Lord Wu'an.
- Li Chuan plays Bai Zhong, the son of Bai Qi.
- Pu Guanjin is cast as Bai Ling'er, Bai Qi's daughter. Known for her capricious nature and infatuation with Lü Buwei, she manipulates Yiren to arrange a marriage with him. Ling'er remains loyal to Lü Buwei, despite his affection for Haolan, ultimately sacrificing her life on his behalf.
Li household
- Shen Baoping embodies Li He, father to Li Haolan and Censor of Zhao. Ambitious and self-centered, he endures his family's hardships to further his own interests.
- Lu Ling portrays Wang Wan'er, Li He's first wife and Li Haolan's mother. After Gao Min marries Li He, Wang Wan'er is relegated to concubine status due to her foreign origins.
- Wang Lin plays Gao Min, Li He's principal wife. She is ruthless and calculating, using family wealth and intelligence to assert control over the Li household.
- Li Chun'ai acts as Li Xiuyu, Gao Min's younger daughter and Prince Jiao's spouse. Jealous of Li Haolan, she reveals her true character in adulthood.
- Liu Shitong appears as Fangcao, initially a servant to Gao Min who later serves Li Xiuyu.
Yu household
- Wang Jianguo portrays Yu Ping, Zhao's Minister of Criminal Justice known for his severity. The Li family owes him favors; his unwelcome proposal to marry Li Haolan precipitates her decline.
- Gong Zhengnan plays Yu Hao, Yu Ping’s eldest son; privileged yet lacking his father’s intellect.
Qin
- He Qiang takes on the role of Ying Ji, grandfather to Ying Yiren and King Zhaoxiang of Qin.
- Wang Maolei appears as Ying Zhu, Ying Yiren’s father who serves as Crown Prince before becoming King Xiaowen of Qin.
- Tan Zhuo plays Lady Huayang, a noblewoman from the Mi clan in Chu, wife of Lord Anguo and adoptive mother to Ying Yiren; later known as Queen Dowager Huayang.
- He Jiayi portrays Xia Ji, Lord Anguo’s concubine and Ying Yiren’s biological mother; destined to become Queen Dowager Xia.
- Wang Yu acts as Ying Zixi, son of Lord Anguo.
- Fang Anna appears as Siluo, a jealous concubine of Ying Yiren who is executed for offenses against Haolan and the state.
- Tong Mengshi portrays Ying Zheng, eldest son of Ying Yiren and Li Haolan; prince and future Crown Prince of Qin.
- Zhu Jian plays Lao Ai, youngest son of the King of Han. Rescued by Haolan, he claims kinship with Han Qionghua and is historically recognized as Haolan’s secret lover according to Sima Qian.
Fan household
- Tan Jianchang depicts Fan Ju, the Prime Minister of Qin.
- Xu Muchan plays Fan Ya, daughter of Fan Ju.
- Gu Kaili acts as Fan Ya’s nanny.
Chu
- Zhao Jiuyi portrays Xiong Wan, Crown Prince who later becomes King Kaolie of Chu.
- Liu Min appears as Lady Xiong, elder sister to Lady Huayang and spouse of Marquis Xuan.
- Zhou Yunshen acts as Xiong Chen, younger brother to Lady Huayang and Lord Yangquan.
Additional Cast
- Tang Xiangen portraying Zhu Xian
- Hong Shiya in the role of Cheng Xiu, who was assassinated by Lü Buwei
- Wang Meixin playing Pang Min, the daughter of a Qin military officer and a supporter of Prince Yu
Production Details
Filming took place between December 20, 2017, and April 8, 2018. Originally intended to span 63 episodes, the series' concluding episode was removed due to historical inaccuracies. As a result, the story wraps up with a narrated voiceover at the end of Episode 62.
Awards and Nominations
| Award | Category | Nominee | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Bud - The Fourth Network Film And Television Festival | Best Web Series | The Legend of Haolan | Template:Nom |
| Best Actress | Wu Jinyan | Template:Nom |
International Broadcast
| Region | Network | Air Dates | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Template:HK, Template:MAC, Template:SIN, Template:AUS, Template:US, Template:MYS Astro AOD and Worldwide | TVB Jade | February 4 – April 14 (Monday to Friday at 8:30 p.m.; Saturdays feature two episodes consecutively at 8:30 p.m.) | Cantonese dubbed version |
| Template:HK and Southeast Asia | Star Chinese Channel | January 19 – April 16, 2019 (Weekdays at 22:00) | Broadcast limited to select countries |
| Template:ROK | Channel China | July 4, 2019 | |
| Template:THA | Channel 3 | November 1, 2023 (Daily at 02:50) | Thai dubbed version |