Like a Flowing River

{{Infobox television | image = Like_a_Flowing_River_poster.jpg | caption = Promotional poster for part one | alt_name = | genre = Period | creator = | based_on = {{based on|''大江东去'' (River of Time)|Ah Nai}} | writer = Yuan Keping | director = {{ubl|Kong Sheng|Huang Wei}} | starring = {{ubl|Wang Kai|Yang Shuo|Dong Zijian}} | theme_music_composer = | opentheme = | endtheme = | composer = | country = China | language = Chinese | num_episodes = 47 (Part 1), 39 (Part 2), 33 (Part 3) | list_episodes = | executive_producer = Hou Hongliang | producer = | location = | cinematography = | editor = | camera = Multiple-camera setup | runtime = 40-45 minutes | company = {{ubl|Daylight Entertainment (Dongyang) Television Ltd|Shanghai Media Group|SMG Pictures}} | first_aired = {{Start date|2018|12|10}} | last_aired = {{End date|2024|2|1}} | related = | channel = Dragon TV, Beijing TV }}

'''''Like a Flowing River''''' ({{Zh|c = 大江大河|s = |t = |p = Dà Jiāng Dà Hé}}) is a 2018 Chinese period drama based on Ah Nai's novel ''River of Time'' (大江东去 IPA:{{IPAc-cmn|d|a|4|.|j|iang|1|.|d|ong|1|.|q|v|4}}). It is directed by Kong Sheng and Huang Wei, and stars Wang Kai, Yang Shuo and Dong Zijian as budding entrepreneurs who take advantage of the economic reforms being rolled out in 1970s China.<ref name=cite />

The drama, a celebration of 40 years of China's reform and opening up, was split into two parts.<ref name=cite>{{cite web|url=http://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2017-12-19/doc-ifyptkyk5348116.shtml|script-title=zh:聚焦改革开放40周年《大江大河》书写小人物故事|date=December 19, 2017|website=Sina|language=zh}}</ref> The first part ran for 45 episodes, and aired on Dragon TV and Beijing TV beginning December 10, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=zh:超前定档！王凯新剧《大江大河》12.18登东方卫视|url=http://www.dzwww.com/yule/tt/201803/t20180313_17147241.htm|website=大众网|date=March 13, 2018|accessdate=March 19, 2018|language=zh}}</ref> The second part began airing on Dragon TV and Zhejiang TV on December 20, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2018-11-08/doc-ihnprhzw4283362.shtml|script-title=zh:王凯杨烁董子健主演《大江大河》将拍第二部|date=November 8, 2018|website=Sina|language=zh}}</ref>

== Cast == ===Main===

* Wang Kai<ref name="snia 2017-11-13">{{Cite web|last=新浪娱乐|date=2017-11-13|title=《大江大河》公布男一号王凯倾情演绎时代缩影{{!}}大江大河{{!}}王凯{{!}}孔笙_新浪娱乐_新浪网|url=http://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2017-11-13/doc-ifynstfh6764008.shtml|access-date=2020-06-07|website=ent.sina.com.cn}}</ref> as Song Yunhui, a naturally gifted man who comes from a family oppressed by the government, since it didn't belong to the peasant class prior to the establishment of PRC. As such, it was difficult for him to rise in the existing system. He grabs hold of the opportunity of the resumption of traditional examination based on academics and eventually becomes a technical engineer. * Yang Shuo<ref>{{Cite web|last=新浪娱乐|date=2017-11-14|title=小包总变改革排头兵杨烁倾情加盟《大江大河》{{!}}大江大河{{!}}欢乐颂{{!}}杨烁_新浪娱乐_新浪网|url=http://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2017-11-14/doc-ifynshev5931852.shtml|access-date=2020-06-07|website=ent.sina.com.cn}}</ref> as Lei Dongbao, who is resolute and efficient and comes from a military background. During China's Rural Reform, he leads his whole village in following the government initiatives. However, along the way, he realizes he is tied down by his limited knowledge and world view. * Dong Zijian<ref name="sina 2017-12-06">{{Cite web|last=新浪娱乐|date=2017-12-06|title=《大江大河》再公布主演董子健出演改革先行者{{!}}大江大河{{!}}董子健{{!}}大江东去_新浪娱乐_新浪网|url=http://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2017-12-06/doc-ifypikwu1670945.shtml|access-date=2020-06-07|website=ent.sina.com.cn}}</ref> as Yang Xun, a self-employed man who scrambles for every little business opportunity, and undergoes several failures, before finally attaining his own business and property.

===Supporting===

* Tong Yao<ref>{{Cite web|last=网易|date=2018-02-22|title=《大江大河》主演阵容曝光宋运萍花落童瑶|url=http://ent.163.com/18/0222/12/DB8GKUTV000380EO.html|access-date=2020-06-07|website=ent.163.com}}</ref> as Song Yunping, Song Yunhui's sister and Lei Dongbao's wife. A gentle, kind and courageous woman who provides endless support and warmth to her brother and husband. She dies later due to hemorrhaging complications during childbirth. * Zhou Fang as Cheng Faiyan, Song Yunhui's first wife. She has a daughter with him. * Yang Caiyu as Liang Sishen, Song Yunhui's pen-pal and close confidante. A beautiful, independent and confident lady. She studied in the USA from a young age and later becomes a business executive. Teenager portrayed by Zhao Yunzhuo. * Yang Lixin as Clerk Shui * Zhao Yang as Yu Shanqing * Wang Hong as Lei Tugen * Wang Yongquan as Old Clerk * Tian Lei as Shi Hongwei * Li Baoan as Song Jishan, Song Yunhui's father * Qian Jie as Song Yunhui's mother

== Production ==

=== Shooting === The "Jin Ling County (晋陵县)" in ''Like a Flowing River'' was filmed in Nanjing. As the Yeshan iron ore plant in Nanjing retains the 1970s to 1980s appearance, the building was used for a variety of scenes; scenes of bookstores, photo studios, guest house, government offices, etc. were all shot there.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=December 28, 2018|title=《大江大河》在南京的六合江宁多地取景|url=http://ent.sina.com.cn/zz/2018-12-28/doc-ihqfskcn1920364.shtml|access-date=2020-06-06|website=新浪新闻}}</ref> The drama also filmed in Nanjing Yuntai Shan Pyrite Co., Ltd., also in Nanjing, where the crew filmed the mine dormitory, canteen, town hall and children's school, where Song Yunhui taught. The Ministry of Chemical Industry was filmed at ''Nanjing Art Institute''.<ref name=":0" /> In order to create a more authentic "Xiao Lei Jia Village (小雷家村)", the crew planted a large tree at the location a year in advance,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=安徽网|title=走进《大江大河》泾县拍摄现场：20天造起一座"小山村"（2）_安徽网|url=http://www.ahwang.cn/anhui/20180403/1754783_2.shtml|access-date=2020-06-07|website=www.ahwang.cn|archive-date=2018-12-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230030349/http://www.ahwang.cn/anhui/20180403/1754783_2.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> and spent more than 20 days in the village to shoot.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=《大江大河》热拍将于7月杀青|url=http://sz.people.com.cn/n2/2018/0429/c202846-31521824.html|access-date=2020-06-07|website=sz.people.com.cn|archive-date=2018-12-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230030350/http://sz.people.com.cn/n2/2018/0429/c202846-31521824.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

It is reported that the money used to "restore the texture of the age" was double the amount used in other TV series, with ultra-wide format used for the first time.<ref>{{Cite web|last=网易|date=2018-02-23|title=王凯春晚接力《大江大河》"眼镜凯"获赞神还原|url=http://ent.163.com/18/0223/10/DBAR3OKT000333J5.html|access-date=2020-06-07|website=ent.163.com}}</ref> For the many snow scenes, the crew used naturally degradable paper foam instead of the cheaper magnesium sulfate or aluminum, citing that the old way produced pollution.<ref name=":1" /> Actor Wang Kai reportedly lost weight to achieve the look the impoverished main character, while Yang Shuo gained weight to become the well-off secretary of the village.<ref>{{Cite web|title=《大江大河》杀青?杨烁增肥王凯减重演绎"时代缩影"_娱乐头条_大众网|url=http://www.dzwww.com/yule/tt/201806/t20180629_17547397.htm|access-date=2020-06-07|website=www.dzwww.com}}</ref>

Principal photography began on February 23, 2018 in Jing County, Xuancheng, Anhui and ended on June 26.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Yao|first1=Dan|date=February 23, 2018|script-title=zh:王凯再次合作孔笙侯鸿亮《大江大河》开机|url=http://ent.news.cn/2018-02/23/c_1122439648.htm|accessdate=March 19, 2018|website=Xnhua News Agency|language=zh}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=网易|date=2018-06-22|title=施诗《大江大河》杀青挑战最美戴娇凤备受期待|url=http://ent.163.com/18/0622/15/DKTREG0600039913.html|access-date=2020-06-07|website=ent.163.com}}</ref>

=== Casting and release === At Tencent Video VVision Conference held on November 8, 2017, ''Like a Flowing River'' was announced, with confirmation of its television broadcast on Dragon TV as a tribute to the 40th anniversary of the reform and opening up.<ref>{{Cite web|title=东方卫视办开放大会发布年度"9个第一"_娱乐_腾讯网|url=https://ent.qq.com/a/20171112/000537.htm|access-date=2020-06-07|website=ent.qq.com}}</ref> Beijing TV also announced its broadcast shortly after. Daylight Entertainment announced Wang Kai as Song Yunhui and Yang Shuo as Lei Dongbao on the 13th and 14th respectively.<ref name="snia 2017-11-13" /> On December 6, Dong Zijian was cast as Yang Xun.<ref name="sina 2017-12-06" />

== Original soundtrack == {{Infobox album | name = Like a Flowing River Original Soundtrack (OST) | type = soundtrack | artist = Various artists | cover = | alt = | caption = Album cover | released = July 2, 2016 | recorded = | venue = | studio = | genre = Mandopop Instrumental | length = {{Duration|m=|s=}} | language = Mandarin | label = Mai Tong Music | producer = Dong Yingda | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = | next_year = }} The main composer of the ''Like a Flowing River OST'' is Dong Yingda, who also worked on ''The Great River'' (2018) and ''Ming Dynasty'' (2019).<ref>{{Cite web|title=董颖达 - QQ音乐-千万正版音乐海量无损曲库新歌热歌天天畅听的高品质音乐平台！|url=https://y.qq.com/n/yqq/singer/000Y8GI62DJ8B7.html#tab=album&|access-date=2020-06-09|website=y.qq.com}}</ref> On December 4, the show held a press conference in Shanghai, and announced that the promotion song of the same name would be sung by Wang Kai.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=《大江大河》献礼改革开放王凯用奋斗奏响时代最强音|url=http://ent.ifeng.com/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206033755/https://ent.ifeng.com/|archive-date=2018-12-06|access-date=June 8, 2020|website=凤凰网}}</ref>{{Track listing | extra7 = Dong Yingda | extra8 = Dong Yingda | music8 = | lyrics8 = | note8 = | title8 = Arrogant Times ({{lang|zh-Hans|时代骄子}}) | length7 = 0:40 | music7 = | title9 = Great Men Speak ({{lang|zh-Hans|伟人讲话大江大河片头}}) | lyrics7 = | note7 = | title7 = Life Outlook - Light version ({{lang|zh-Hans|人生展望淡版}}) | length6 = 0:52 | extra6 = Dong Yingda | music6 = | length8 = 1:00 | note9 = Opening theme | note6 = | length10 = 1:04 | length11 = | extra11 = Dong Yingda | music11 = | lyrics11 = | note11 = | title11 = Xiao Lei Village Tractor ({{lang|zh-Hans|小雷家拖拉机}}) | extra10 = Dong Yingda | lyrics9 = | music10 = | lyrics10 = | note10 = | title10 = Xiao Lei Village Reform ({{lang|zh-Hans|小雷家改革}}) | length9 = 0:59 | extra9 = Dong Yingda | music9 = | lyrics6 = | title6 = Quantitative hope ({{lang|zh-Hans|量地的希望}}) | total_length = | music1 = | music2 = | lyrics2 = | note2 = | title2 = Time goes by ({{lang|zh-Hans|时间走过}}) | length1 = 2:48 | extra1 = Wang Kai | lyrics1 = | length2 = 2:42 | note1 = | title1 = Like a Flowing River ({{lang|zh-Hans|大江大河}}) | extra_column = Singers/Composer | arranger_credits = | all_music = | all_lyrics = | all_writing = | extra2 = Lei Jia | title3 = Our Life is a River ({{lang|zh-Hans|我们的生活是一条河}}) | length5 = 2:37 | extra4 = Dong Yingda | extra5 = Dong Yingda | music5 = | lyrics5 = | note5 = | title5 = ''Like a Flowing River'' Theme variation ({{lang|zh-Hans|大江大河主题变奏}}) | length4 = 0:47 | music4 = | note3 = | lyrics4 = | note4 = | title4 = The Beauty of First Love ({{lang|zh-Hans|初恋的美好}}) | length3 = 2:04 | extra3 = Gu Qing | music3 = | lyrics3 = | note12 = | headline = ''大江大河'' 电视剧原声带 }}

==Reception==

=== Ratings ===

* Highest ratings are marked in '''red''', lowest ratings are marked in '''blue'''

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible jquery-tablesorter" style="text-align:center" ! rowspan="2" |Broadcast date<ref>{{Cite web|title=电视剧收视率排行榜 {{!}} 收视率排行|url=http://www.tvtv.hk/archives/category/dianshiju|access-date=2020-06-06|language=zh-CN|archive-date=2021-10-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005081419/http://www.tvtv.hk/archives/category/dianshiju|url-status=dead}}</ref> ! colspan="3" |Beijing TV CSM52 ratings ! colspan="3" rowspan="1" |Dragon TV CSM52 ratings |- !'''Ratings (%)''' !'''Audience share (%)''' !'''Rank''' !'''Ratings (%)''' !'''Audience share (%)''' !'''Rank''' |- |2018.12.10 |'''0.971''' |'''3.48''' |1 |0.527 |1.89 |4 |- |2018.12.11 |1.035 |3.71 |1 |'''0.513''' |'''1.84''' |4 |- |2018.12.12 |1.041 |3.85 |1 |0.722 |2.68 |2 |- |2018.12.13 |1.159 |4.25 |1 |0.791 |2.9 |2 |- |2018.12.14 |1.2 |4.22 |1 |0.85 |2.99 |2 |- |2018.12.15 |1.104 |3.92 |1 |0.735 |2.61 |2 |- |2018.12.16 |1.192 |4.19 |1 |0.904 |3.17 |3 |- |2018.12.17 |1.246 |4.6 |1 |0.919 |3.56 |2 |- |2018.12.18 |1. 276 |4.69 |1 |0.781 |2.84 |3 |- |2018.12.19 |1.195 |4.40 |1 |0.862 |'''3.78''' |2 |- |2018.12.20 |1.214 |4.39 |1 |0.838 |3.03 |2 |- |2018.12.21 |1.417 |'''5.04''' |1 |0.893 |3.17 |2 |- |2018.12.22 |1.248 |4.35 |1 |0.931 |3.25 |2 |- |2018.12.23 |1.343 |4.67 |1 |0.972 |3.37 |2 |- |2018.12.24 |1.374 |5.01 |1 |0.902 |3.29 |2 |- |2018.12.25 |1.284 |4.59 |1 |0.925 |3.30 |3 |- |2018.12.26 |1.326 |4.72 |1 |0.989 |3.52 |3 |- |2018.12.27 |1.359 |4.77 |1 |'''1.014''' |3.56 |2 |- |2018.12.28 |1.346 |4.7 |1 |0.967 |3.38 |2 |- |2018.12.29 |1.386 |4.64 |1 |0.947 |3.17 |2 |- |2018.12.30 |1.318 |4.42 |1 |0.971 |3.25 |2 |- |2019.01.01 |1.324 |4.39 |1 |0.916 |3.04 |4 |- |2019.01.02 |'''1.419''' |4.99 |1 |0.963 |3.39 |3 |- |2019.01.03 |1.361 |4.8 |1 |0.950 |3.35 |3 |- |2019.01.04 |1.380 |4.71 |1 |0.956 |3.26 |2 |- !'''Average ratings''' ! colspan="3" rowspan="1" |'''1.262''' ! colspan="3" rowspan="1" |'''0.873''' |}

=== Awards and nominations === {| class="wikitable" |- ! Award !! Category !! Nominated work !! Result!!Ref. |- | rowspan=7|25th Shanghai Television Festival || Best Television Series || || {{won}}|| rowspan=7|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ent.people.com.cn/n1/2019/0523/c1012-31100442.html|script-title=zh:第25届“白玉兰奖”入围名单公布《都挺好》成夺奖热门|date=May 23, 2019|website=People's Daily|language=zh}}</ref> |- | Best Director || Kong Sheng, Huang Wei ||{{won}} |- | Best Adapted Screenplay ||Yuan Keping, Tang Yao || {{won}} |- | Best Actor || Wang Kai || {{nom}} |- | Best Supporting Actress || Tong Yao ||{{won}} |- | Best Cinematography || || {{nom}} |- | Best Art Direction || ||{{won}} |- |Influence of Recreational Responsibilities Awards |TV Drama of the Year |rowspan=2|''Like a Flowing River'' |{{won}} |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://k.sina.com.cn/article_1822398137_p6c9f96b902700hhny.html|title=2019文娱责任影响力获奖名单出炉|date=March 28, 2019|website=Sina|language=zh}}</ref> |- | 12th Tencent Video Star Awards | Top Ten Series |{{won}} |<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ent.qq.com/a/20181218/013151.htm|title=腾讯视频星光盛典：Baby美杨超越萌，老戏骨们最有范儿|date=18 December 2018|website=Tencent|language=zh}}</ref> |- |rowspan=2|Golden Bud - The Fourth Network Film And Television Festival |Best Actor |Wang Kai |{{nom}} | rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ent.ynet.com/2019/11/25/2225215t1254.html|title=金骨朵网络影视盛典提名揭晓王一博肖战杨紫等入围|date=November 25, 2019|website=Ynet|language=zh|access-date=November 25, 2019|archive-date=December 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220232744/http://ent.ynet.com/2019/11/25/2225215t1254.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |Best Actress |Tong Yao |{{nom}} |- |rowspan=7|30th China TV Golden Eagle Award |Outstanding Television Series |''Like a Flowing River'' |{{nom}} |rowspan=7|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i.ifeng.com/c/7znEPz12aS8|title=第30届金鹰奖提名名单：易烊千玺入围最佳男演员，蒋雯丽赵丽颖争视后|date=September 15, 2020|website=ifeng|language=zh}}</ref> |- |Best Director |Kong Sheng |{{won}} |- | Best Actor |Wang Kai |{{nom}} |- | Best Actress |Tong Yao |{{won}} |- |Best Screenwriter |Yuan Keping |{{nom}} |- |Best Cinematography |Lei Ming |{{nom}} |- |Best Original Soundtrack |Shi Jian Zou Guo |{{nom}} |- |rowspan=3|32nd Feitian Awards |Outstanding Television Series (Struggle Era) |''Like a Flowing River'' |{{won}} |rowspan=3|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movie.douban.com/awards/feitian/32/nominees|title=第32届中国电视剧飞天奖 (2020)的获奖名单|accessdate=May 27, 2021|website=Douban|language=zh}}</ref> |- |Outstanding Director |Kong Sheng, Huang Wei |{{nom}} |- | Outstanding Actress |Tong Yao |{{nom}} |- |}

==References== {{reflist|2}}

== External links == * ''[https://www.weibo.com/dajiang2018?refer_flag=1005050010_ Like a Flowing River]'' on Weibo {{in lang|zh}} {{Beijing Television Dramas}} {{Dragon Television Dream Drama}} {{Zhejiang Television Dramas}}

Category:Television series about China Category:Television shows based on Chinese novels Category:Dragon Television original programming Category:Television series by Daylight Entertainment Category:Television series by SMG Pictures Category:2018 Chinese television series debuts Category:Chinese historical television series