New Life Begins (Chinese: 卿卿日常)[1] is a 2022 TV series adapted from the novel Time Travel to the Daily Life of the Qing Dynasty by DuoMuMuDuo. It tells the story of Yin Zheng, the Sixth Young Lord of Xinchuan, and Li Wei, a young girl from Ji Chuan, who accidentally come together and start a life filled with various situations. Directed by Zhao Qichen and produced by Liu Wenyang, New Life Begins is a romantic comedy starring Bai Jingting and Tian Xiwei. The series premiered exclusively on iQiyi, an online TV platform in mainland China, on November 10, 2022.[2] On April 17, 2023, it was renamed Blind Date in XinChuan and aired on Hong Kong TVB Jade.
| New Life Begins | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | 'QingQing Daily','QingChuan Daily', 'New Chuan Daily', 'Blind Date in XinChuan' |
| Genre | Ancient romantic comedy |
| Based on | Time Travel to the Daily Life of the Qing Dynasty by DuoMuMuDuo |
| Written by | Liu Lianzi Wang Xiaoping |
| Directed by | Zhao Qichen |
| Starring | Bai Jingting / Tian Xiwei |
| Country of origin | China |
| Original language | Mandarin |
| No. of episodes | 40 |
| Production | |
| Production location | China |
| Running time | 45 minutes per episode |
| Production company | iQiyi |
| Original release | |
| Network | IQIYI |
| Release | 10 November 2022 – present |
| Related | |
| The Romance of Tiger and Rose (2020) | |
Premise
editDue to a political marriage, girls from all over Ji Chuan gathered in Xinchuan. Yin Zheng, the Sixth Young Lord of Xinchuan, who lives a low-key life, and Li Wei, who hopes to fail in this political marriage and return to her hometown, unexpectedly meet. Together, they begin a new life full of varied and enjoyable experiences. As Yin Zheng enters the government, they gradually find they share similar tastes and feelings. They experience daily life together, sharing meals and seasons, and grow alongside other siblings with distinct personalities and destinies, creating a warm and vibrant story of life within the large Xinchuan family.[3]
Geopolitical theme
editThe TV series is set in nine regions and countries. The continent is divided into nine regions (九川), each called a "Chuan" (川). Each Chuan has its own culture and system, and they intermarry to maintain peace and development. Among them, "XinChuan" is the most powerful region. Consequently, each region must participate in the marriage election convention held by XinChuan to gain its protection.[3]
| Name of Chuan | Introduction |
|---|---|
| Xin Chuan | Situated at the center, the first of the nine Chuans upholds Confucian traditions, values the rule of law, and follows the belief in male superiority over female inferiority. |
| Jin Chuan | Located in the east, close to the sea, Jin Chuan thrives on commerce, fishing, and salt industries. The people of Jin Chuan have a particular fondness for seafood. |
| Dan Chuan | Situated in the west, Dan Chuan has a matriarchal society where women are superior to men. The people of Dan Chuan enjoy spicy food, such as hot pot, and are fond of playing card games. |
| Dai Chuan | Located in the northeast, Dai Chuan is mountainous and rich in mineral resources. The people of Dai Chuan are known for their unique foods, including luosifen and stinky tofu. |
| Yan Chuan | Situated in the south, Yan Chuan enjoys a warm and humid climate, rich in flowers and fruits. Women from Yan Chuan are renowned for their beauty. |
| Mo Chuan | Located in the north, Mo Chuan has vast grasslands and is known for its nomadic lifestyle, developed animal husbandry, and powerful cavalry. The people of Mo Chuan enjoy spirits and barbecued meat. |
| Cang Chuan | In the northwest, Cang Chuan has a dry climate with numerous deserts and barren lands. Resources are scarce, and most people live near oases with clean water. |
| Yin Chuan | Located in the southeast, Yin Chuan enjoys a temperate climate with abundant rainfall and a landscape that resembles spring year-round. Its rivers, lakes, and fertile land make it highly productive. |
| Ji Chuan | Situated in the southwest, Ji Chuan is known for its gender equality, monogamy, and liberal culture. The people of Ji Chuan have a love for mushrooms. |
Cast
editMain
edit| Played by | Role | Key Storyline | Cantonese Dubbing (TVB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bai Jingting | Yin Zheng (尹峥) | Yin Zheng, the Sixth Young Lord of Xinchuan, keeps a low profile and has suffered from a stomach disease since childhood, leading to his picky eating habits and eccentric character. He is not well-liked by his parents and is often overlooked, but he is studious and possesses many skills. Most people know of the Sixth Young Lord but have never seen him. In reality, Yin Zheng is handsome, with an outstanding temperament, elegant demeanor, and a moderate and introverted nature. He has the ability to govern the country and harbors great ideals. Due to his lack of favor from his father, the Lord of Xinchuan, he leads a low-key life while seeking to change the feudal system and create a better life for the people. After meeting Li Wei, they gradually grow closer, sharing similar tastes and connecting on a deeper level.
Ranks: Sixth Young Lord of Xinchuan (六少主) → Crown Prince of Xinchuan (元储 储君) || Carlos Lee (李凯杰) |
|
| Tian Xiwei | Li Wei (李薇) | Li Wei, born into a humble yet harmonious family, is cheerful and sweet, with a love for food. She initially hopes to fail in the political marriage with Xinchuan and return home to live a peaceful life. However, she accidentally marries Yin Zheng, the Sixth Young Lord of Xinchuan, and must adjust to her new life with him.
Ranks: Jichuan Girl (霁川秀女) → Concubine of the Sixth Young Lord of Xinchuan (六少主侧夫人) → Main Wife of the Sixth Young Lord of Xinchuan (六少主正夫人) → Wife of the Crown Prince of Xinchuan (元储夫人) || Heidy Ling Hei (凌晞) |
|
| Chang Long | Yin Qi | The Fifth Prince of Xinchuan and husband of Shang Guan Jing. Yin Qi is known for his kindness and is the biological brother of Princess Linlang.
Ranks: Fifth Young Lord of Xinchuan (五少主) |
|
| Fan Shuai Qi | Shang Guan Jing | Shang Guan Jing, a Princess of Danchuan, is the younger sister of the Madam of Danchuan. She becomes the main wife of Yin Qi, the Fifth Young Lord of Xinchuan.
Ranks: Princess of Danchuan → Main Wife of the Fifth Young Lord of Xinchuan (五少主正夫人) |
Jiu Chuan (Nine Regions)
editXin Chuan
edit| Played by | Role | Key storyline | Cantonese Dubbing (TVB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gao Shuguang | The Lord of Xinchuan (新川主) | The Lord of Xinchuan: The ruler of Xinchuan and Jiu Chuan. | Zhao Shiliang |
| Zhang Ruika | Mrs. Xinchuan (川夫人) | Madam Xinchuan: Wife of the Lord of Xinchuan and the biological mother of Yin Song. | Yuan Shuzheng |
| Karina Zhao | Madam He | Madam He: The mother of Yin Zheng and the Eleventh Prince. She became the Lord of Xinchuan's concubine at a young age and gave birth to Yin Zheng at 15. Due to postpartum depression, she neglected Yin Zheng and treated him coldly. She later tried to make up for her past mistakes by treating the Eleventh Prince better, but with Li Wei's help, she reconciled with Yin Zheng. | |
| Yin Kun | First Prince: The first son of the Lord of Xinchuan, born to a concubine. He was stationed in the Mo Chuan region and is the father of Ping'an. | ||
| Jiang Yue | Lady of the Eldest Prince: Yin Kun's main wife and the mother of Ping'an. | ||
| Edward Zhang | Yin Song | Legitimate Eldest Prince: The second prince of Xinchuan, born to Mrs. Xinchuan. He is the biological brother of the Tenth Prince and Princess Shuyu. Husband of Lady Fangru and ex-husband of Hao Jia. | |
| Chen Zi Han | Zhao Fangru | Lady Zhao: Yin Song's main wife, originally from Danchuan. She moved to Xinchuan for an alliance marriage. Her family owns most of the mines in Daichuan. | |
| Yin An | Third Prince: Husband to Lady Dong. His biological mother died when he was young, so he was raised by Madam Xinchuan. | ||
| Liu Meng Meng | Dong Haitong | Lady Dong: Yin An's main wife, originally from Cangchuan. She moved to Xinchuan for an alliance marriage. | |
| Yin Han | Ninth Prince: Friends with Li Wei. | ||
| Yin Yue | Tenth Prince: The tenth son of the Lord of Xinchuan, born to Madam Xinchuan. Biological brother of Yin Song and Princess Shuyu. | ||
| Yin Zai | Eleventh Prince: Born to Madam He and the biological younger brother of Yin Zheng. | ||
| Liu Mei Han | Song Wu | Princess Kening: Adopted daughter of Madam He. Later marries a man named Song Wu. |
Jinchuan
edit| Played by | Role | Key storyline | Cantonese Dubbing (TVB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liu Ling Zi | Yuan Ying | Lady Ying: Princess of Jinchuan and Yin Zheng's main wife. |
Danchuan
edit| Played by | Role | Key storyline | Cantonese Dubbing (TVB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madam of Danchuan | The older sister of Shang Guan Jing and ruler of the Danchuan region. Sister-in-law of Yin Qi. | ||
| Shang Guan Jing | The younger sister of the Madam of Danchuan. |
Daichuan
edit| Played by | Role | Key storyline | Cantonese Dubbing (TVB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chen Zi Han | Zhao Fangru | Lady Zhao: Yin Song's main wife. She moved to Xinchuan for an alliance marriage but later divorces Yin Song and moves back to Daichuan. |
Jichuan
edit| Played by | Role | Key storyline | Cantonese Dubbing (TVB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hu Ke | Zhu Ge Xiao Mei | Mother of Li Wei and Li Cang. Wife of Li Wen Bi. She fell in love with her husband at first sight and had her parents propose the marriage. | |
| Yu En Tai | Li Wen Bi | Father of Li Wei and Li Cang. He is a lower official in Jichuan. | |
| Xu Wai Luo | Li Cang | Younger brother of Li Wei. The son of Zhu Ge Xiao Mei and Li Wen Bi. |
Broadcasting
edit▲ Unless otherwise noted, all times in this article are UTC+8.
| Channel | Location | Date | Time | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IQIYI | China | November 10, 2022 – December 30, 2022 | 20:00 | VIP Members:
The first day includes 6 episodes, followed by 2 episodes per day for 7 days. Starting from November 20, 2 episodes will be updated every Sunday to Wednesday. Non-Members: The first day includes 2 episodes, followed by 1 episode daily. Starting from November 20, 1 episode will be updated every Sunday to Thursday. |
| IQIYI International Edition | Overseas | |||
| Astro Quan Jia HD | Malaysia | January 15, 2023 – February 23, 2023 | 19:00 | Daily update of 1 episode. |
| TVB Jade | Hong Kong, China | April 17, 2023 – May 26, 2023 | Monday to Friday from 20:30 to 21:30 | TVB Cantonese dubbing version on Jade Channel (30-episode cut), renamed "Blind Date in XinChuan." |
Soundtrack
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Qing hui (清晖)" (Theme Song) | Yang Yuxiao | |
| 2. | "Jing nian (经年)" (Ending Song) | Yang Yuxiao | |
| 3. | "Zhi wei (至味)" (Interlude) | Yang Yuxiao | |
| 4. | "Sheng xi (声息)" (Interlude) | Yang Yuxiao | |
| 5. | "Nan feng (南风)" (Interlude) | Yang Yuxiao | |
| 6. | "Wu cong (无从)" (Interlude) | Yang Yuxiao |
Ratings
edit| Air date | Episode # | Audience share | Average live TV ratings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023.04.17—2023.04.21 | 01－05 | 19.6 | 16.4 |
| 2023.04.24—2023.04.28 | 06－10 | 19.8 | 17 |
| 2023.05.01—2023.05.05 | 11－15 | 19.6 | 17.2 |
| 2023.05.08—2023.05.12 | 16－20 | 19.1 | 17.8 |
| 2023.05.15—2023.05.19 | 21－25 | 19.7 | 16.8 |
| 2023.05.22—2023.05.26 | 26－30 | ||
| Average ratings | |||
- Highest ratings are marked in blue.
Accolades
edit| List of Accolades | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Award / Festival | Category | Result |
| 2023 | The Third Global Film and Television Culture Communication Summit Forum and Annual Selection | Excellent Series in International Communication | Won |
References
edit- ^ "官宣定档!白敬亭田曦薇"卿卿日常"将于11月10日开播_手机网易网" [Officially announced! Bai Jingting and Tian Xiwei's "New Life Begins" will be broadcast on November 10]. www.163.com. 2022-11-08. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
- ^ bjnews.com., Entertainment (2022-11-08) [14:34]. "白敬亭、田曦薇新剧《卿卿日常》11月10日开播" [Bai Jingting and Tian Xiwei's new drama "New Life Begins" premiered on November 10]. Meilin Xu.
- ^ a b "《卿卿日常》劇情看點+角色關係介紹！《贅婿》團隊操刀，白敬亭&田曦薇先婚後愛甜炸" [plot point + character relationship introduction! Bai Jingting & Tian Xiwei love sweet after marriage]. BEAUTY美人圈. ivonne. 2022-11-22.
- ^ ol.mingpao.com, Instant Entertainment (2023-04-24). "首周播映劇集《川內相親》最高收視19.6點（126萬觀眾）" [First week drama "Blind Date in XinChuan" peaked at 19.6 points (1.26 million viewers)].