The Imperial Doctress
GenreHistorical fiction
Medical
Romance
Written byZhang Wei
Directed byLee Kwok Lap
StarringCecilia Liu
Wallace Huo
Huang Xuan
Opening themeHeavy Rain is Coming by Lala Hsu
Ending themeUntil That Day by Sara Liu
Country of originChina
Original languageMandarin
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes50
Production
ProducerKaren Tsoi
Production locationChina
Running time42 minutes
Production companiesNew Classics Media
Tangren Media
Original release
NetworkJSTV, Dragon TV
Release13 February (2016-02-13) –
9 March 2016 (2016-03-09)

The Imperial Doctress (Chinese: 女医·明妃传) is a 2016 Chinese television series based on the story of Tan Yunxian, a female physician during the Ming dynasty in China. It stars Cecilia Liu as the titular character. The series aired every day at 7.30pm on Jiangsu TV and Dragon TV, from 13 February to 9 March 2016.[1][2]

Synopsis

Set in the Ming Dynasty during the rule of Emperor Yingzong, Tan Yunxian (Cecilia Liu) came from a long line of medicine practitioners, her family having served as court physicians for several generations. However, the practice for female physicians came to a halt when many were framed for abusing the form. Yet, Yunxian was determined to learn medicine and she did so in secrecy. Through her enthusiasm and persistence, Yunxian overcame many difficulties and rose through the ranks to become the most famous female doctor of the Ming Dynasty. Along the way, she meets and falls in love with Zhu Qizhen (Wallace Huo) and Zhu Qiyu (Huang Xuan), two royal siblings with opposite personalities who enter into a rivalry for the throne.

Cast

Main

Supporting

Royals (House of Zhu)

Northern Yuan

Tan (Hang) Household

Royal Physicians

Court Officials and servants

Others

Historical accuracy

See also: Tan Yunxian

The titular character in the drama series, Tan Yunxian, is a real-life historical figure who came from a renowned medical family. She was one of the few female physicians/doctors that was known to exist in history. Before her death, she published a book titled "Sayings of a Female Doctor", which was passed on throughout generations. However, the romance depicted in the drama between Tan Yunxian and the two Emperors is strictly fictional. In reality, Tan Yunxian did not exist in the same time period as Zhu Qizhen and Zhu Qiyu, and naturally would not be able to work at the Zhengtong Emperor's Palace.[3] The character in the story is actually a combination of Tan Yunxian and the historical Empress Hang.

During the writing of the drama, screenwriter Zhang Wei consulted professional Chinese physicians regarding medical terminology and prescription use.[4] Lead actress Cecilia Liu reportedly took lessons with a traditional physician to learn the basics of Chinese medicine and treatment (such as acupuncture, taking pulse and massage techniques) in preparation for the role.

Soundtrack

No.TitleSingerLength
1."Heavy Rain is Coming (大雨将至)" (Opening theme song)Lala Hsu3:51
2."Typhoid Fever (傷寒)"GJ4:33
3."Before Forgotten (遺忘之前)"Lala Hsu3:52
4."Until That Day (直到那一天)" (Ending theme song)Liu Xijun4:28

Reception

The series received positive feedback from the audience and topped Baidu's charts of most popular TV dramas in China. It gained attention for its exquisite costumes, showcase of traditional Chinese medicine and performance of its leads.[2] The series was also noted for featuring a well-respected female figure in China history.[5]

The series was also commercially successful, achieving an average ratings of 1.2 on both Dragon TV and Jiangsu TV and placing first in its ratings slot nationally. It was among the highest rated dramas of the year, and ranked #9 on Huading's Top 100 Satisfaction Survey for TV series.[6][7]

Ratings

Broadcast date[8] Episode Dragon TV CSM52 ratings Jiangsu TV CSM52 ratings
Ratings (%) Audience share (%) Rank Ratings (%) Audience share (%) Rank
2016.2.13 1-2 0.893 2.359 3 0.782 2.068 5
2016.2.14 3 0.918 2.435 4 0.646 1.714 10
2016.2.15 4-5 1.03 2.666 4 0.844 2.19 7
2016.2.16 6-7 0.978 2.56 4 0.902 2.37 5
2016.2.17 8-9 0.992 2.55 3 0.912 2.35 5
2016.2.18 10-11 0.988 2.58 4 0.956 2.5 5
2016.2.19 12-13 0.98 2.495 2 0.895 2.285 4
2016.2.20 14-15 1.127 2.96 2 0.881 2.32 4
2016.2.21 16-17 1.122 2.86 2 1.038 2.65 4
2016.2.22 18-19 1.09 2.745 1 1.029 2.596 4
2016.2.23 20-21 1.309 3.416 1 1.152 3.014 2
2016.2.24 22-23 1.279 3.4 1 1.228 3.28 2
2016.2.25 24-25 1.158 3.079 2 1.204 3.206 1
2016.2.26 26-27 1.205 3.116 2 1.244 3.227 1
2016.2.27 28-29 1.192 3.169 1 1.163 3.104 3
2016.2.28 30-31 1.36 3.539 1 1.32 3.441 2
2016.2.29 32-33 1.450 3.92 1 1.333 3.593 2
2016.3.1 34-35 1.540 4.188 1 1.260 3.434 2
2016.3.2 36-37 1.590 4.237 1 1.395 3.725 2
2016.3.3 38-39 1.530 4.134 1 1.260 3.400 2
2016.3.4 40-41 1.466 3.791 2 1.478 3.832 1
2016.3.5 42-43 1.521 3.926 1 1.471 3.796 2
2016.3.6 44 1.481 3.935 1 1.306 3.465 2
2016.3.7 45-46 1.725 4.52 1 1.406 3.69 2
2016.3.8 47-48 1.792 4.729 1 1.527 4.056 2
2016.3.9 49-50 2.007 5.118 1 1.706 4.375 2
Average ratings 1.296 3.39 - 1.175 3.08 -

Awards and nominations

Year Awards 　Category Nominee Results Ref.
2016 1st China Television Drama Quality Ceremony Most Influential Actress Cecilia Liu Won
Most Influential Actor Wallace Huo (also for Love Me If You Dare) Won
Most Popular Actor Won
3rd Hengdian Film and TV Festival of China Best Actor Huang Xuan Won
2017 2nd China Quality Television Drama Quality Ceremony Quality Drama of the Year Won [9]
Audience Favorite TV Series (Dragon TV) Won
22nd Huading Awards Best Actress Cecilia Liu Nominated [10]
Top 10 Dramas Won

References

  1. ^ "'The Imperial Doctress' expected to be another hit TV series". Shanghai Daily. January 20, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Liu Shishi and Huo Jianhua Reunite for TV Drama "The Imperial Doctress"". China Radio International. February 20, 2016. Archived from the original on February 21, 2016.
  3. ^ "Badass Ladies of Chinese History – Tan Yunxian". The World of Chinese. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  4. ^ "《女医》偏方引热议 编剧:我一点不懂中医". Sina. February 25, 2016.
  5. ^ "《女医明妃传》刘诗诗成古代职场女性典范". NetEase. February 24, 2016.
  6. ^ "Chinese TV Drama 'The Imperial Doctress' Brings 15th Century Female Doctor Tan Yunxian Back to Life". Whats On Weibo. February 25, 2016.
  7. ^ "《女医明妃传》电视节重磅登场 刘诗诗忙学中医". Sohu. June 13, 2014.
  8. ^ "电视剧收视率排行榜 | 收视率排行" (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  9. ^ "品质盛典：孙俪着戏装现身 胡歌现场致敬老艺术家". NetEase. March 3, 2017.
  10. ^ "华鼎奖提名公布投票开启 《人民》吴刚陆毅齐入围". Sina. April 28, 2017.
Categories