Seoul [South Korea], February 7 : Taiping Nian, with its massive budget , is one of the epic dramas slated to be a "television blockbuster" of 2026, attempting to recreate the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907-979), a chaotic era spanning over 70 years with hundreds of intertwined wars for power and the parallel existence of numerous independent forces.
Ten years of preparation, enormous expenses.
After the decline of the Tang Dynasty, Chinese history entered the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. The complexity and vicissitudes of this era resulted in scattered and protracted historical sources, causing filmmakers to often "avoid" it because it is difficult to recreate it fully and engagingly.
Therefore, Taiping Nian is considered one of the few television series that accurately portrays the historical landscape of this period. The series features three main characters, each with a different perspective and destiny: Wu Yue King Qian Hongshu (played by Bai Yu) - a man who aspired to peace, valued righteousness and knowledge; Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin (played by Zhu Yawen) - who later became a decisive and pragmatic emperor, believing that only military force could end the chaos; and Guo Rong (played by Yu Haoming) - a mediator with a crucial role in the relationship between the great powers and dynasties.
Two crucial events are recreated: the "Chenqiao Mutiny," which paved the way for the Song Dynasty, and the "collateralization of territory" establishing a peace treaty to end the series of land disputes. Beyond recounting major events, the film also confronts the "dark" aspects of history, such as brutal warfare, starving soldiers, and bloody acts during times of turmoil, without embellishing or romanticizing the truth. This is also why the work has been highly praised by historians and critics.
The value of Taiping Nian lies in its massive investment and nearly 10 years of preparation, with a publicly announced budget of 350 million yuan, approximately 1.131 billion VND, almost double the typical amount for S+ (Super Star/Super, the highest-budget, largest-scale film projects in China - Cbiz) television series.
The production team comprised over 1,000 people, including screenwriters, directors, lighting specialists, cinematographers, and top-tier visual effects artists from China. The Hengdian Film Studios were recreated, covering an area of over 60,000 square meters, and featured more than 8,000 costumes, including official robes, armor, and civilian clothing, all designed based on historical research.
The film's image quality is therefore considered near cinematic, with spectacular wide shots and settings meticulously crafted down to the smallest detail.
Featuring a cast of talented Chinese actors such as Bai Yu, Zhu Yawen, Zhou Yutong, Yu Haoming, Dong Yong, Ni Dahong, and Mei Ting, " The Great Pacification of the Year" is not only noteworthy for its production but also for the vivid and multifaceted performances of its characters. In the first 20 episodes, Bai Yu and Zhu Yawen garnered the most attention. Bai Yu conveyed depth through his eyes and emotions, appearing both relatable and exuding the historical aura of the King of Wu Yue. Zhu Yawen, on the other hand, presented a decisive leadership model, with every line and gesture reflecting the competence of a character in a position of responsibility.
Multidimensional evaluation
On major Chinese social media platforms like Weibo, Douban, and Bilibili, "Taiping Nian" (The Taiping Era) was a hot topic of discussion. According to statistics, hashtags related to "Taiping Nian" topped Weibo's trending list with over 180 million impressions in just the first week of airing. Discussions about the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms and Zhao Kuangyin garnered over 95 million interactions, demonstrating significant online interest.
The average rating on Douban is around 7.9/10, noteworthy for a historical drama. The majority of reviews praise its epic value and authenticity, although some younger viewers wished for a faster pace of storytelling. Viewers appreciate the historical accuracy (approximately 42% positive reviews), the complex character structures (35%), and the strong acting (23%).
Nevertheless, there was considerable debate about the slow pace of the film and the "dense" inclusion of historical figures' names, which some viewers found difficult to follow. Some viewers felt the film "should have been more explosive" given the substantial budget and preparation time.
The biggest difference between Taiping Nian and many recent historical dramas is its epic drama nature. The film doesn't follow a simplistic script but prioritizes history, setting, and characters. This is why, despite not generating immediate ratings, the series has been highly praised by critics and discerning viewers. Vietnamese audiences can now watch Taiping Nian on FPT Play with both Chinese subtitles and dubbing.
Source: Thanhien
