The Long Ballad
Promotional poster
GenreHistorical
Romance
Adventure
Based onChang Ge Xing (长歌行) by Xia Da (夏达)
Written byPei Yufei
Chang Jiang
Directed byZhu Ruibin
StarringDilraba Dilmurat
Leo Wu
Zhao Lusi
Liu Yuning
Country of originChina
Original languageMandarin
No. of episodes49
Production
ProducerYan Bei
Production locationHengdian
Running time45 minutes
Original release
NetworkTencent Video

The Long Ballad (Chinese: 长歌行), also known as Chang Ge Xing, is a 2021 Chinese historical series based on the 2011 manhua of the same name by Xia Da. It is directed by Zhu Ruibin and stars Dilraba Dilmurat, Leo Wu, Zhao Lusi and Liu Yuning.[1] Set against the backdrop of the Tang dynasty, during the reigns of Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong, the drama tells the story of an imperial princess who seeks revenge for her family, and in doing so, her fate interwines with that of a tribal prince. Although it features many real historical figures, most of the relationship between the characters and plotlines are fictional.[2] Chinese American Film Festival 2021 Golden Angel Award for Dilraba Dilmurat (Li Changge) Golden Angel Award for Outstanding Television Series "The Long Ballad"

Plot

The story takes place in the political center of Chang'an in the year 626 C.E of the Tang Dyanasty, revolving around Li Changge, the daughter of Li Jiancheng, the Crown Prince of Tang.

However, her peaceful life turns upside down after her family was brutally murdered during the Xuanwu Gate Incident, a coup d'état instigated by her uncle, who is known afterwards as Emperor Taizong. Traumatized by the sudden loss of her family and the betrayal of her uncle, Li Changge's anguish evolves into a burning intent for vengeance.

With her mind firmly fixed on revenge, she sets off on a journey to overthrow Taizong. Along her way, she unexpectedly meets Ashile Sun, who is later revealed to be the valiant general of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate and Tegin of the Eagle Division. Through countless events, their fates become increasingly intertwined, and together they soon discover the forces working behind the scenes that could jeopardise the safety and peace of everything they love.[3]

Cast

Main

Daughter of the Crown Prince of Tang. Proficient in martial arts and military strategy. She seeks to avenge her parents who were killed by her second uncle, Li Shimin.
Adopted son of Yanli Qaghan. A skilled warrior and strategist who is embroiled in rivalry for the throne.
Du Ruhui's cold-blooded and loyal foster son who works for Li Shimin.
Li Shimin's daughter. A shy but independent princess. She is Li Changge's cousin and closest friend.
A Tang official and the son of Wei Zheng. He grew up with Li Changge and Li Leyan as their closest friend.

Supporting

Tang

Li Changge's beloved second uncle who betrayed her trust.
Li Shimin's troublemaking eldest son. Leyan's younger brother and Changge's cousin.
Changge's father. Older brother of Li Shimin.
Changge's mother.
A Tang official and Li Shimin's loyal supporter. Hao Du's foster father.
Li Jiancheng's advisor, who later becomes Li Shimin's official.
A chancellor under Li Shimin. Li Changge’s teacher.
General Li Jing, Duke Wei. Du Ruhui tries to convince him to take over the Ministry of War.
Li Jing's wife
Imperial astronomer
Li Chengqian's servant.

Ashile

Ruler of the Ashile Tribe and Sun's foster father. The uncle and stepfather of Ashile She'er.
A princess from the Sui dynasty. The mother of Ashile She'er and Yanli Qaghan's wife.
The only child of Princess Yicheng. Nephew of Qaghan. Ashile Sun's biggest rival and foster brother. Leader of the Wolf Division.
Ashile Chuobi's concubine. Princess Yicheng's right hand woman. Granddaughter of a Sui dynasty duke plotting against the Tang dynasty.
Ashile Sun's foster mother.
Ashile Sun's childhood friend and trusted general.
Ashile Sun's trusted general.
Ashile Sun's trusted general.
A slave who was saved by Li Changge and became her close friend. The childhood playmate of Ashile She'er.

People around Changge

Li Changge's apprentice whose dream is to become a general.
The Governor of Shuozhou.
Gongsun Heng's wife.
Gongsun Heng's butler.
Gongsun Heng's bodyguard.
General Luo's last warrior who later serves Li Changge.
Li Changge's martial arts teacher. Only descendant of Yue Nu Sword. Wanders freely with Sun Simiao.
A Taoist physician renowned for his medical knowledge and skills.
Leader of the Luiyin Taoist Temple in Luoyang.

Others

Mimi Guli's younger brother and the companion of the King of Sui.

Production

Editions of the manhua Chang Ge Xing

The Long Ballad is based on Xia Da's comic Chang Ge Xing, which was published from 2011 to 2016. The comic has received numerous awards such as the Golden Dragon Award for Best Girls' comic and the Newcomer Award at the first Sino-Japanese Youth Exchange Cartoon Festival.[4]

Soundtrack

The Long Ballard Original Soundtrack (长歌行视原声音乐专辑)[5]
No.TitleLyricsMusicSingersLength
1."Cocoon (茧)[5]" (Ending theme song)Sa JiJin Da Chuan (金大洲)Zhou Shen3:25
2."The Direction of Light (光的方向) [5]" (Opening theme song)Sa JiJin Da Chuan (金大洲)Zhang Bichen3:04
3."If You Come Back (如若归来) [5]"Sa Ji, Kun Ming Li (申明利)Sa JiSa Dingding3:21
4."Falling Sand (落砂)[5]"Sa JiJin Da Chuan (金大洲)Jin Wen Qi3:24
5."I Wish You Were My Long Lasting (多麼願你是我恆久的歌)[6]"Sa JiJin Da Chuan (金大洲)Zhao Lusi3:34
6."A Love Like Before (一愛如故)"Zhang ChangJin Da Chuan (金大洲)Liu Yuning3:55

Awards and nominations

Year Award ceremony Category Nomination Results Ref.
2021 Seoul International Drama Awards Asian Star Award Zhao Lusi Won [7]

International broadcast

The Long Ballad is available for streaming on Netflix, YouTube and Viu with English & Turkish subtitles (only on YouTube).

Reception

The Long Ballad was well received both at home and overseas. According to the distributors of the series, the first 20 episodes accumulated over 20 million views online as of April 6, 2021, just a little over three weeks after it began airing.[8]

References

  1. ^ "长歌行 (豆瓣)". movie.douban.com.
  2. ^ "《长歌行》全员颜值逆天！10位古装男神＆女神，除了迪丽热巴赵露思，男配也帅_李乐嫣". www.sohu.com. Retrieved 2022-07-10.
  3. ^ 长歌行 (in Chinese (China)), retrieved 2022-07-10
  4. ^ "【国漫】夏达知名作品《长歌行》，尽管争端不断，但不失为一部优秀的漫画。". www.bilibili.com.
  5. ^ a b c d e "The Long Ballad OST". kdramaost.com. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  6. ^ "The Long Ballad OST". lyricstranslate (in Chinese). 2021-04-12.
  7. ^ "16th Seoul International Drama Awards 2021 Ends Successfully". Yahoo! News. 22 October 2021.
  8. ^ 周冰. "Riveting period drama scores big overseas". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2022-07-10.
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