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This review may contain spoilers
A masterful blending of fiction and history during the late Qing dynasty
"Legend of the Magnate" (大生意人) is the last drama that I completed in 2025 (December 27) and it wrapped up the year pretty well for me.
The story is set during the late Qing dynasty, a time fraught with internal conflicts and pressures from foreign powers. It focuses on Gu Ping Yuan, a bright young scholar whose life is turned upside down when he is falsely accused of wrongdoing in the imperial civil service exam. This leads to his exile in Ning Gu Ta, a cold town in the frontiers of the Qing empire. He works his way up and after 5 years, he meets Li Qin, son of the rich businessman Li Wan Tang, who comes from the capital for a business deal. Soon after, Gu Ping Yuan escapes from Ning Gu Ta with the help of Chang Si Ye, Chang Yu Er and their horse caravan. As he readjusts to life outside and begins engaging in business, he meets many people such as a Mongol Prince, the heads of the rich families in Shan Xi and General Li Cheng, to name a few. He also reunites with his family and encounters challenging situations that test his resilience, business acumen and abilities.
STORY / PLOT 📚:
The story creatively intertwines fiction with the historical events in China at that time. It shows the growth of Gu Ping Yuan, from an exiled former scholar to a fast learner of business and politics with a heart to help the country, in the context of the late Qing dynasty where foreign powers had started to pressure the government into business deals with them. It also shows how politics and business affected and influenced each other. In the latter part of the drama, I like that the story shows the interactions and negotiations between Qing representatives and the Westerners.
The drama moves at a steady pace for the most part and one arc moves smoothly to the next one. However, I feel that they tried to pack too many stuff into the last few episodes, thus the happenings feel a bit rushed. Despite this, the show wraps up the ending quite well.
I like how Gu Ping Yuan was able to overcome challenges despite many trials, as things did not always go smoothly for him ~ from pawnshops and banks, growing Huizhou's tea industry, helping the people of Nantong get lower grain prices, and to fighting against foreign acquisition of the crucial salt trade. But he did not win alone as there were people who helped him along the way and he knows it.
Another thing that I really appreciate is how the drama team showed the change in Gu Ping Yuan and Bai Yi Mei's relationship. They did not use a convenient plot device such as killing off her character before Gu Ping Yuan returns to Shanjian village. Instead, they showed how she grows and unexpectedly finds her own love in Li Cheng, one of the generals in the southern rebellion. They did a good job in developing that subplot and connecting it to the overall story 👍.
As for Gu Ping Yuan's search for his missing father, it had been part of his quest in the story, and when it finally unraveled, I have mixed feelings on how it got resolved. Still, I think the drama team made the best out of it.
ACTING / CAST 🎭:
Chen Xiao was able to show the different sides of Gu Ping Yuan quite well - smart scholar, savvy businessman, loyal friend, devoted person and unwavering patriot. He nailed his expressions and mannerisms. He was able to inject humor in scenes where it's needed, e.g., with his brother Gu Ping Wen. I can't think of another actor as Gu Ping Yuan 💫.
The team made the right choice in casting Sun Qian as Chang Yu Er. She was able to show the different sides of Chang Yu Er ~ brave, straightforward, loyal and a great fighter, yet she has her vulnerable moments. She has rescued Gu Ping Yuan more than once. They complement each other.
Li Cheng is my favorite character in this drama! He does not appear in many episodes but he plays an important part in the overall story. Zhu Ya Wen convincingly portrayed the principled, stoic and yet warm-hearted general, who's had his fair share of hardships and is fighting injustice. He brought Li Cheng to life 👏. He's now one of the actors that I'm following.
Julia Xiang did a great job as Bai Yi Mei! This role effectively shows her range as an actress. She was able to portray the timid and smart young woman who, after unexpectedly finding the man she wants to be with for the rest of her life, made a brave decision to pursue this love despite the consequences. Her growth to become the strong wife of a general is truly believable and her character development is very solid 👍.
Luo Yi Zhou is righty cast as Li Qin, who is the heir of the wealthy merchant Li Wan Tang. He was able to show Li Qin's wits and his carefree, somewhat naive and competitive personality. He and Gu Ping Yuan are friends but also competitors. In the latter part, he was overcome by his anger and grief that led him to make impulsive choices. I got annoyed with him so I would say his acting was effective.
Su Zi Xuan is an astute woman with ample money, many connections and her own agenda. She's behind the scenes of many happenings and she's a gray character, because at times, you're not sure where she really stands. Li Chun fits the role, and her portrayal is good, though I wouldn't say it's exceptional.
The other cast members gave good performances and added to the positive watch experience.
OTHER THOUGHTS 🔮:
• Though romance is not the main theme of this drama, it's worth mentioning the love story of the two main couples. The romance between Gu Ping Yuan and Chang Yu Er grows over time and through many trials. It is the kind that is comfortable, reliable and a great partnership. They have good chemistry in that sense but I don't feel their fiery passion. On the other hand, the love between Li Cheng and Bai Yi Mei develops in a shorter time and also in difficult situations, but it is more passionate (you can feel it in their embrace, conversations and interactions, and the looks they give each other), heart-touching and unforgettable (刻骨铭心) ❤️. Although they don't appear in many episodes, their story line is significant.
• The location shoots and cinematography are excellent, especially scenes in Ning Gu Ta, the Mongolian plains and the tea plantations in Huizhou.
• I like the soundtrack and my favorite is the theme song "Wan Liang" (万两) , literally "Ten Thousand Taels", sung by Liu Yu Ning! It's upbeat and has rock elements.
FINAL VERDICT ⭐️: If you like a business-themed drama that blends fiction and history, with good story-telling, interesting characters and a dash of politics and romance, then I would definitely recommend this. I enjoyed it and it's a great drama to wrap up my 2025!
The story is set during the late Qing dynasty, a time fraught with internal conflicts and pressures from foreign powers. It focuses on Gu Ping Yuan, a bright young scholar whose life is turned upside down when he is falsely accused of wrongdoing in the imperial civil service exam. This leads to his exile in Ning Gu Ta, a cold town in the frontiers of the Qing empire. He works his way up and after 5 years, he meets Li Qin, son of the rich businessman Li Wan Tang, who comes from the capital for a business deal. Soon after, Gu Ping Yuan escapes from Ning Gu Ta with the help of Chang Si Ye, Chang Yu Er and their horse caravan. As he readjusts to life outside and begins engaging in business, he meets many people such as a Mongol Prince, the heads of the rich families in Shan Xi and General Li Cheng, to name a few. He also reunites with his family and encounters challenging situations that test his resilience, business acumen and abilities.
STORY / PLOT 📚:
The story creatively intertwines fiction with the historical events in China at that time. It shows the growth of Gu Ping Yuan, from an exiled former scholar to a fast learner of business and politics with a heart to help the country, in the context of the late Qing dynasty where foreign powers had started to pressure the government into business deals with them. It also shows how politics and business affected and influenced each other. In the latter part of the drama, I like that the story shows the interactions and negotiations between Qing representatives and the Westerners.
The drama moves at a steady pace for the most part and one arc moves smoothly to the next one. However, I feel that they tried to pack too many stuff into the last few episodes, thus the happenings feel a bit rushed. Despite this, the show wraps up the ending quite well.
I like how Gu Ping Yuan was able to overcome challenges despite many trials, as things did not always go smoothly for him ~ from pawnshops and banks, growing Huizhou's tea industry, helping the people of Nantong get lower grain prices, and to fighting against foreign acquisition of the crucial salt trade. But he did not win alone as there were people who helped him along the way and he knows it.
Another thing that I really appreciate is how the drama team showed the change in Gu Ping Yuan and Bai Yi Mei's relationship. They did not use a convenient plot device such as killing off her character before Gu Ping Yuan returns to Shanjian village. Instead, they showed how she grows and unexpectedly finds her own love in Li Cheng, one of the generals in the southern rebellion. They did a good job in developing that subplot and connecting it to the overall story 👍.
As for Gu Ping Yuan's search for his missing father, it had been part of his quest in the story, and when it finally unraveled, I have mixed feelings on how it got resolved. Still, I think the drama team made the best out of it.
ACTING / CAST 🎭:
Chen Xiao was able to show the different sides of Gu Ping Yuan quite well - smart scholar, savvy businessman, loyal friend, devoted person and unwavering patriot. He nailed his expressions and mannerisms. He was able to inject humor in scenes where it's needed, e.g., with his brother Gu Ping Wen. I can't think of another actor as Gu Ping Yuan 💫.
The team made the right choice in casting Sun Qian as Chang Yu Er. She was able to show the different sides of Chang Yu Er ~ brave, straightforward, loyal and a great fighter, yet she has her vulnerable moments. She has rescued Gu Ping Yuan more than once. They complement each other.
Li Cheng is my favorite character in this drama! He does not appear in many episodes but he plays an important part in the overall story. Zhu Ya Wen convincingly portrayed the principled, stoic and yet warm-hearted general, who's had his fair share of hardships and is fighting injustice. He brought Li Cheng to life 👏. He's now one of the actors that I'm following.
Julia Xiang did a great job as Bai Yi Mei! This role effectively shows her range as an actress. She was able to portray the timid and smart young woman who, after unexpectedly finding the man she wants to be with for the rest of her life, made a brave decision to pursue this love despite the consequences. Her growth to become the strong wife of a general is truly believable and her character development is very solid 👍.
Luo Yi Zhou is righty cast as Li Qin, who is the heir of the wealthy merchant Li Wan Tang. He was able to show Li Qin's wits and his carefree, somewhat naive and competitive personality. He and Gu Ping Yuan are friends but also competitors. In the latter part, he was overcome by his anger and grief that led him to make impulsive choices. I got annoyed with him so I would say his acting was effective.
Su Zi Xuan is an astute woman with ample money, many connections and her own agenda. She's behind the scenes of many happenings and she's a gray character, because at times, you're not sure where she really stands. Li Chun fits the role, and her portrayal is good, though I wouldn't say it's exceptional.
The other cast members gave good performances and added to the positive watch experience.
OTHER THOUGHTS 🔮:
• Though romance is not the main theme of this drama, it's worth mentioning the love story of the two main couples. The romance between Gu Ping Yuan and Chang Yu Er grows over time and through many trials. It is the kind that is comfortable, reliable and a great partnership. They have good chemistry in that sense but I don't feel their fiery passion. On the other hand, the love between Li Cheng and Bai Yi Mei develops in a shorter time and also in difficult situations, but it is more passionate (you can feel it in their embrace, conversations and interactions, and the looks they give each other), heart-touching and unforgettable (刻骨铭心) ❤️. Although they don't appear in many episodes, their story line is significant.
• The location shoots and cinematography are excellent, especially scenes in Ning Gu Ta, the Mongolian plains and the tea plantations in Huizhou.
• I like the soundtrack and my favorite is the theme song "Wan Liang" (万两) , literally "Ten Thousand Taels", sung by Liu Yu Ning! It's upbeat and has rock elements.
FINAL VERDICT ⭐️: If you like a business-themed drama that blends fiction and history, with good story-telling, interesting characters and a dash of politics and romance, then I would definitely recommend this. I enjoyed it and it's a great drama to wrap up my 2025!
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