| Schemes of a Beauty | |
|---|---|
Official poster |
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| Genre | Historical fiction |
| Format | Costume drama |
| Created by | Yu Zheng |
| Written by | Yu Zheng Novel: Xiao Qiying |
| Directed by | Wu Jinyuan Liang Xinquan Chan Kwok-wah |
| Starring | Ruby Lin Sammul Chan Wang Likun Yang Mi Mickey He |
| Opening theme | Luo Hua (落花) by Ruby Lin |
| Ending theme | Jiao Fang Dian (椒房殿) by Mickey He |
| Country of origin | China Hong Kong |
| Language(s) | Mandarin |
| No. of episodes | 40 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Lin Guohua |
| Producer(s) | Yu Zheng |
| Location(s) | Wuxi, Wuhan, Hengdian World Studios |
| Camera setup | Multi camera |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Shanghai TV Drama |
| Original run | March 15, 2010 – June 11, 2010 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | World of a Beauty (2011) |
| Schemes of a Beauty | |||||||||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 美人心計 | ||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 美人心计 | ||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | Schemes of a Beauty | ||||||||||||||
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Meiren Xinji, also known by its literal English title Schemes of a Beauty, is a 2010 Chinese television series, adapted from Xiao Qiying's short story Turbulence in the Empress's Chamber (未央沉浮). Produced by Lin Guohua and directed by Wu Jinyuan, Liang Xinquan, and Chen Guohua, the series is a joint production between Heyday Television Culture Company, Zijun Brilliance, and Yu Zheng Workshop, also funded by Lafeng Entertainment.
Set in Chang'an, China during the beginnings of the Han Dynasty, Meiren Xinji tells a dramatized account of Empress Dou and how her efforts and achievements in the royal court positively influenced the reign of her husband Emperor Wen, which paved the way for the creation of the Rule of Wen and Jing.
Due to its large and diverse cast as well as expensive set and costume production, the series attracted international attention during its production stages.[1] The series were primary filmed in Wuxi, Wuhan, and Hengdian World Studios, Meiren Xinji was produced with a budget of ¥50 million (US$7.3 million).[2]
There were some reports lately saying that Meiren Xinji based its plot from TVB's Beyond the Realm of Conscience. The director denied this, claimed the first draft of the script for the series was released when Beyond the Realm of Conscience was still in its script writing.
It was first broadcast on Shanghai TV Drama on March 15, 2010. On May 11, 2010, it was aired on CTV in Taiwan.
Contents |
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Dai Chunrong | Lü Zhi 呂雉 |
Empress Dowager, Liu Ying's mother |
| Bai Shan | Bo Ji 薄姬 |
Liu Heng's mother |
| Luo Jin | Liu Ying / Dou Changjun 劉盈 / 竇長君 |
The previous emperor of Han Dynasty, Liu Heng's elder brother |
| Su Qing | Zhang Yan 張嫣 |
|
| Sammul Chan | Liu Heng 劉恆 |
Emperor of Han Dynasty |
| Ruby Lin | Dou Yifang 竇漪房 |
Empress Dou |
| Wang Likun | Lie Shen'er 聶慎兒 |
Concubine of Liu Heng |
| Feng Shaofeng | Liu Zhang 劉章 |
Liu Heng's nephew |
| Myolie Wu | Lü Yu 呂魚 |
Liu Zhang's wife |
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Yang Mi | Xueyuan | |
| Mickey He | Zhou Yafu | |
| Sun Feifei | Qingning | |
| Timimi Chen | Li Meiren | |
| Frankie Lam | Jin Wangsun | |
| Du Junze | Lu Lu | |
| Gao Hao | Liu Qi | |
| Yan Kuan | Liu Shaokang |
During the early Western Han Dynasty, the young Dou Yifang’s mother was drawn into a palace conflict which resulted in her entire family being executed. When she grew up, she unexpectedly entered the palace as a maid. She displayed extraordinary talents when she arranged for Consort Li’s child to be swapped under the care of the Empress. Her intellects impressed the Empress Dowager, and she was sent to Prince of Dai so she could spy on them.
In order to rid the world of further sufferings under the regime, but at the same time earn the trust of Empress Dowager Lu, she suggested to her husband Liu Heng to start training his army under the guise of building his grand ceremonial tomb. People, believing that she was bringing downfall to the kingdom, pleaded for her to be put to death. But none the less, Liu Heng trusted her completely and subsequently made her his queen.
The 5th Seoul International Drama Award
2011 YOUKU Entertainment Award
QQ Annual Entertainment Star Award
2011 Anhui TV drama Award