The Long Ballad (Chinese: 长歌行; pinyin: Chánggē Xíng) is a 2021 Chinese television series based on the manhua of the same name by Xia Da. It is directed by Zhu Ruibin, and stars Dilraba Dilmurat, Wu Lei, Zhao Lusi and Liu Yuning.[1] Set against the backdrop of the Tang dynasty, during the reigns of Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong, it 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 the series features many real historical figures, most of the relationships between the characters and plotlines are fictional.[2]
Plot
The story starts in Chang'an in the year 626 and revolves around Li Changge, one of the daughters of Li Jiancheng.
Her peaceful life turns upside down after her family is brutally massacred during the Xuanwu Gate Incident, a coup d'état instigated by her uncle Li Shimin, who later becomes Emperor Taizong. Traumatized by the sudden loss of her mother 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 Li Shimin. Along the way, she unexpectedly meets Ashile Sun, who is later revealed to be a 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]
Historical prototype: County Princess Dingxiang (定襄县主)
Li Jiancheng's daughter. Proficient in martial arts and military strategy, she seeks to avenge her mother who was killed by her second uncle, Li Shimin.
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 manhua Chang Ge Xing, which was published from 2011 to 2016. The manhua 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]
Original soundtrack
The Long Ballard Original Soundtrack (长歌行视原声音乐专辑)[6]
The Long Ballad was well received both at home and overseas. According to the overseas distributors of the series, the first 20 episodes of the English and Vietnamese versions accumulated over 20 million views online as of April 6, 2021, just a little over three weeks after it began airing.[8]
