Prince of Lan Ling is a 2013 Mainland China and Taiwan joint production historical period costume drama set during the lifetime of the Northern Qi Dynasty prince Gao Changgong. It starred Chinese actor Feng Shaofeng, Taiwanese actress singer Ariel Lin, Hong Kong actor singer Daniel Chan as the main leads with Taiwanese actor George Hu, Chinese actors Shawn Wei, Zhai Tian Ling and Chinese actresses Nikita Mao, Wang Di as supporting cast.
Filming began on April 16, 2012 and finished on August 10, 2012 in Mainland China. Filming locations include Hengdian World Studios and Xiangshan Movie & Television Town in Zhejiang Province, China. Also at Tianmo Natural Desert in Huailai County Hebei Province, China. It began airing in China on 4 channels (ZJSTV, Dragon TV, Shenzhen TV, YNTV) simultaneously on August 14, 2013. Final episode for China's version aired on August 30, 2013 with 46 episodes total. Taiwan's version began airing on channel CTV on August 23, 2013 and finished on September 23, 2013 with 22 episodes total. Running time for China's version is 45 minutes per episode while Taiwan's version is 120 minutes per episode. The series was also aired in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Thailand and other Asia-Pacific countries.
The Prince of Lan Ling is one of the four most handsome men in ancient Chinese history. Known as the god of War, he led his army into battle and vanquished his foes while wearing a fearsome mask to hide his face. The Prince of Lan Ling was Gao Changgong and he was a famed general during the Northern Qi period. His legend painted him as a wise and loyal person, who treated his soldiers with great generosity and respect.
A prophecy foretold that victory would go to the one who has the priestess blessing. Yang Xue Wu, the last priestess of her clan, unwittingly becomes embroiled in a war between Northern Qi and Northern Zhou. Although she foresees a tragic fate for the Prince of Lan Ling, the military general of Northern Qi, she falls in love with him and helps him win the war against Yuwen Yong, the Emperor of Northern Zhou. However, her attempts only bring him closer to his fate. As his standing among his people grows, so does the murderous jealousy in Crown prince’s heart. Can she protect him when it’s family who wants him dead?
Main cast
Feng Shaofeng (馮紹峰) as Gao Changgong, prince of Lan Ling 高長恭 蘭陵王 - 26 years old
Crowned with the title “Beautiful God of War”, the Prince of Lan Ling is an undefeatable and strong general, who possesses both strength and intelligence. As a prince of royal blood, he treats everyone equally, regardless of their rank and background. He fights battles, seeing them each as a step towards world peace. Being a kindhearted man, he chooses to wear a demonic mask whenever he goes on a war, and under the mask, he becomes a cruel and heartless general who soars to bring victory to his kingdom. Upon seeing his mother’s fate of not being able to be with the man that she loves, he vows to marry and love only one woman in his lifetime, not wanting his wife to share the same misery as his mother.
Ariel Lin (林依晨) as Yang Xue Wu 楊雪舞 - 20 years old
The last descendant of the legendary line of female seers known as the Heavenly Maiden. An innocent, cheerful, smart, kindhearted and innovative girl who loves experimenting and inventing new things, she often causes trouble in her village. Her grandmother is the great seer of the village, but does not want her to follow in her footsteps. Xue Wu is looked down upon by the other girls in the village because she is comparatively plain and does not occupy all of her time chasing men. As Xue Wu has never taken a step out of her village, she is ignorant about things going on in the world and easily trusts strangers she meets, and often willing to step out bravely and protect what she think is right. Even with her limited medical knowledge, she is able to cure many illnesses and this, coupled with her intelligence, people unanimously acknowledged her as the Heavenly Maiden.(Jiang Yi Yi 蒋依依 as young Yang Xue Wu) (Voiced by Nana Mizuki in Japanese Dub)
Daniel Chan (陳曉東) as Yuwen Yong Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou 宇文邕 周武帝 - 25 years old
As a natural ruler with good looks, wisdom, perception and strength, Yu Wen Yong is also a ruthless emperor who does not tolerate betrayal. Having to survive in the Palace to protect his throne, he learnt to think calmly, protect himself and to never reveal his weakness to anyone. He is kind to his servants and loving to his niece Zhen Er. Even as the ruler of the Kingdom of Zhou who lacks nothing, he is unable to open his heart to anyone due to the cruel environment that he grew up in. He views the Prince of Lan Ling as an honourable rival and strikes up a peace treaty between the two states. Unfortunately, only one of them can survive to be the ruler of the North. (Voiced by Hiroaki Takahashi in Japanese Dub)
George Hu (胡宇威) as Gao Yanzong An De Wang 高延宗 安德王 – 20 years old
An De Wang is the Prince of Lan Ling’s beloved younger half brother; he is also a capable assistant of the Prince of Lan Ling in his work and private life. Entering the palace with the same circumstance as his elder brother, he is very dependent on and loyal to his brother. He carries out the Prince of Lan Ling’s orders with no complaints and is extremely protective of him. An De Wang is a sweet talker and flirtatious man who treats every woman with love, hence, he has a harem of concubines in his household. He is also the matchmaker of the Prince of Lan Ling and Xue Wu, and often provides the comic relief in the series. Eventually, he marries and settles down with Xue Wu's servant Xiao Cui.
Zhai Tian Ling 翟天臨 as Gao Wei Emperor of Northern Qi 高緯 北齊後主
Born as the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Qi, many people have high expectations of him. Because of this, his father has treated him strictly since he was a child, resulting in him feeling belittled and underappreciated. His mother and Zheng Er were the only ones who were kind to him when he was young. Gao Wei is kindhearted in nature, but seeing that he is surpassed by his cousin, the Prince of Lan Ling, in every way, he becomes bitter and feels the need to prove himself to everyone. At first, he is able to suppress his jealousy and think of the good of the kingdom, but he eventually becomes a multi-faceted and cruel man due to his jealousy taking over. He is often reckless when making important decisions because he thinks only to assert his dominance as the Crown Prince. He resorts to every means in order to get to the throne, including murdering his father. The Crown Prince has been in love with Zheng Er since he was young, but this love blinds him and Zheng Er abuses his love to exact revenge on the Prince of Lan Ling and Xue Wu.
Nikita Mao 毛林林 as Zheng Er/Feng Xiao Lian 鄭兒/馮小憐
Zheng Er used to be the palace maid of the previous Empress of Qi, a beautiful and innocent girl who fell in love with the Prince of Lan Ling at first sight. At the beginning of the series, she is a candidate for the Prince of Lan Ling’s Official Wife and is skilled in cooking, music and dancing. Xue Wu tells her that she is meant to marry the Prince of Lan Ling (since the prophecy told that he is destined to be with a woman of the name Zheng), and tries to push the two together. She is later tricked by the Empress and Zu Ting and becomes a slave for participating in a conspiracy of which she was unaware. She eventually escapes the slave camp, only to arrive at Lan Ling Manor in time to find out that Xue Wu was to marry the Prince. Zheng Er believes that Xue Wu purposely misled her with false hope and sets out to break the two apart. She resorts to all sorts of trickery to make Xue Wu look bad and spend more time with the Prince of Lan Ling. Eventually, the Prince finds out about her trickery and banishes her, resulting in her being raped by two strangers. Her love for the Prince of Lan Ling turns to hatred and she takes on the identity of Feng Xiao Lian and becomes the current Empress of Qi. Feng Xiao Lian is an extremely scheming empress who manipulates the Emperor of Qi (Gao Wei) in the shadow to revenge the two people who made her life miserable.
Shawn Wei 魏千翔 as Han Xiao Dong 韓曉冬
Xiao Dong is the guardian angel of Xue Wu and is extremely loyal and caring towards her. Originally a poor boy from Beggars' Village, he tricks Xue Wu and sells her to a slave trader. However, after she escapes and sees the terrible conditions that made it necessary for him to commit crimes to gain money, she forgives him and helps the Village recover. Since then Xiao Dong has been working at Lan Ling Manor until he is chased away by Zheng Er. Regardless of his poor background, Xue Wu regards him as her best friend. Xiao Dong likens Xue Wu to the moon in the sky, an unattainable beauty - he will not try to drag her down, but he will forbid any clouds to overshadow her. He is secretly in love with Xue Wu, but is always loyal and never abuses her love for him. He is the first to notice Zheng Er's suspicious behaviour and is ruthless in calling her out. He is literally loyal to Xue Wu until the very end, when he uses his own body to shield her from Zheng Er's soldiers.
He Zhonghua 何中华 as Emperor Gao Zhan Emperor Wucheng of Northern Qi 高湛 北齊武成帝
Fourth Emperor of Northern Qi Dynasty. Gao Wei's father. the Prince of Lan Ling and An De Wang's uncle. Was killed by his son Gao Wei.
Dai Chunrong 戴春荣 as Empress Hu 胡皇后
Empress to Emperor Gao Zhan. Gao Wei's biological mother. Will do anything to make sure her son Gao Wei ascends to the throne.
Li Donghan 李東翰 as Yang Shi Shen 陽士深
Northern Qi General. Played crucial role in many battles. Trusted friend and subordinate to the Prince of Lan Ling. Did not have favorable impression of Yang Xue Wu in the beginning.
He Qiang 賀鏹 as Duan Shao 段韶
the Prince of Lan Ling's trusted mentor. Personally brought the Prince of Lan Ling to the palace at age 6.
Zhang Guoqing 張國慶 as Zu Ting 祖珽
Northern Qi official and Gao Wei's trusted adviser. Causes tension between the Prince of Lan Ling and Gao Wei by instilling jealousy in Gao Wei. Planned to betray Northern Qi empire by poisoning Yuwen Yong and controlling him. Northern Qi army turns against him and he is killed in the hands of the Prince of Lan Ling.
Lu Yong 盧勇 as Hulu Guang 斛律光
Great Northern Qi General. Killed by Gao Wei for his honest comments towards Gao Wei. Hulu Xu Da's father.
Wang Tianye 王天野 as Hulu Xu Da 斛律須達
Northern Qi General. Trusted friend to the Prince of Lan Ling since young. Does not like to follow orders. Captured and tortured by Northern Zhou Empire. Died during his rescue. Hulu Guang's son.
Deng Sha 鄧莎 as the Prince of Lan Ling's birth mother 高長恭之母
the Prince of Lan Ling's biological mother. She escaped from the palace when she was pregnant with her son, but had to give him up once they were found.
Zhu Haijun 朱海君 as Xiao Cui 小翠
the Prince of Lan Ling's house maid and loyal servant. She is one of the first to notice Zheng Er's suspicious behaviour and protects Xue Wu. She stays with An De Wang after all his concubines leave him.
Wang Di 王笛 as Empress Ashina 阿史那皇后 - 20 years old
Even though the Empress’s marriage with Yuwen Yong is a political move, she loves Yuwen Yong deeply. She is a wise and knowledgeable woman who is able to aid her husband to acquire and become the ruler of the North wholeheartedly. Even with all the things she had done for Yuwen Yong, she is still unable to capture his heart.
Zheng Xiao Ning 鄭曉寧 as Yuwen Hu 宇文護
Northern Zhou empire Chief Minister . Yuwen Yong´s uncle. His cruel ambitions for power and the throne leads him to kill Yuwen Yong brothers and previous Northern Qi Emperors. Was eventually killed by Yuwen Yong.
Wang Zheng 王峥 as Yuwen Shen Ju 宇文神举
Yuwen Yong's trusted subordinate.
Zhao Yi 趙毅 as Yuchi Jiong 尉迟迥
Northern Zhou general. Ambitious and unscrupulous, his main goal is for victory against the enemy. Loyal subordinate of Yuwen Yong. Yuwen Yong was forced to kill him after the Chief Minister Yuwen Hu shames him for losing a battle against the Prince of Lan Ling.
Zhang Zi Mu 張籽沐 as Yuwen Zhen 宇文貞
Yuwen Yong's niece. She is a sickly child. Yuwen Yong is very protective of her since her father was killed by his uncle Yuwen Hu.
Zong Feng Yan 宗峰岩 as Yuwen Yu 宇文毓
Northern Zhou's previous Emperor. Yuwen Yong's half brother. Yuwen Zhen's father. Was poisoned to death by his uncle Yuwen Hu.
Lu Zhong 呂中 as Yang Linshi 楊林氏
Xue Wu's grandmother. Very protective of Xue Wu since they are the last of their tribe. Predicted the prophecy of the Prince of Lan Ling's tragic fate.
Huang Xin Di 黄心娣 as Yu Tu 玉兔
Yuwen Yong's spy against Yuwen Hu. Is killed by Yuwen Hu.
Producer:
Ren Zhonglun 任仲倫, Yang Dengkui 杨登魁, Yang Zili 楊自立, Zhang Xiaowu 張曉武
Director:
Chung Shu Kai 钟澍佳, Zhou Xiao Peng 周晓鹏
Screenwriter:
Wu Da Wei 吴大伟, Huang Rou Rou 黄柔柔, Chen Xiao Hao 陳小豪, Meng Zhi 孟芝
Production Company :
SFG Emperor Culture Development Co., Ltd. 上海上影英皇文化
Polyface Entertainment Media Co.,Ltd. 臺灣柏合麗娛樂傳媒集團
Beijing Dongwang Media Co.,Ltd 北京東王文化發展有限公司
Shanghai Youhug Media Co.Ltd. 上海耀客文化傳媒有限公司
The Prince of Lan Ling Original Soundtrack (CD) (兰陵王 電視原聲帶) was released on August 30, 2013 by various artists under B'In Music International Co., Ltd. record label. It was released in Taiwan to coincide with the Taiwan airing of the drama. It contains 13 tracks, in which 8 tracks are various instrumental versions of the songs. The opening theme is track 2 "Into The Array Song 入陣曲" by Mayday 五月天, while the closing theme is track 1 "Heart of Palms 手掌心" by Ding Della 丁噹.
