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Upcoming historical drama Northern Wei Dynasty officially announced its cast lineup. Yang Mi, Liu Xue Yi, Hu Jun, Liu Yi Jun, and Eric Le Yang will star as leads. Lin Yong Jian, Luan Yuan Hui, and Wang He Run also make appearances, while Guo Xiao Dong comes in a special starring role.
During the Northern and Southern Dynasties period, small states were divided across northern China. To avoid being annexed by the powerful neighboring Northern Wei, the King of Northern Yan offered his daughter Feng Zhui (Yang Mi) to Tuoba Tao (Hu Jun) as an imperial concubine. However, this could not curb Tuoba Tao's ambition to expand his territory. He successively conquered Xia, Northern Yan, and Northern Liang.
Harboring hatred, Feng Zhui secretly resolves to destroy Wei and restore Yan. After Tuoba Tao's death, the royal court falls into turmoil, and the throne eventually passes to Tuoba Jun (Liu Xue Yi). Deeply devoted to Feng Zhui's niece, Feng Yan Er (Yang Mi), he defies all opposition to install her as empress.
Influenced by Feng Zhui, Feng Yan Er approaches Tuoba Jun with the intention of restoring her fallen kingdom. However, she is moved by his exceptional insight and broad-minded magnanimity, and ultimately lets go of her obsession with reviving the state.
Unfortunately, Tuoba Jun dies young. Amid the ensuing political turmoil, Feng Yan Er becomes the inheritor of her husband's political legacy. She overcomes the Tuoba royal family's conservative forces and the Old Yan restoration movement, steadfastly advancing a policy of ethnic reconciliation. She actively embraces Han civilization and plays a significant role in promoting the integration of the various groups of the north.
Yang Mi takes on the challenge of dual roles, portraying Princess Feng Zhui of Northern Yan and her niece Feng Yan Er. She is to depict a decades-long age span, from a young girl to a powerful empress dowager. Liu Xue Yi plays Emperor Wen Cheng of Northern Wei (Tuoba Jun).
In terms of production, veteran director Yan Jian Gang is at the helm. The screenplay is co-written by Jin Hai Shu and Li Xiang, with the former specializing in political intrigue narratives and the latter focusing on character development. Art director Zheng Chen and costume director Li Zhou oversee the visual design throughout.
Stay tuned!
Source: Qilu Evening Post, Hengdian World Studios
