The Ordinary World (2015)
A sweeping Chinese drama adapting Lu Yao's beloved novel, tracing two brothers through love, hardship, and hope in rural China.
The Ordinary World - Series Information
- Original Title: 平凡的世界
- First Air Year: 2015
- Last Air Year: 2015
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (45 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 56
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- Networks: Beijing Television 北京卫视
- Alternative Titles: The Ordinary World (CN)
- Production Companies: 上海剧合影视文化有限公司
- Production Countries: China
The Ordinary World - Plot
A TV serialization of the classic Chinese novel 'Ordinary World'.
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The Ordinary World - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Wang Lei
- Yuan Hong
- Lv Yi
- Tong Liya
- Liu Wei
- You Yongzhi
- Li Xiaomeng
- Xu Yukun
- Zhang Haotian
- Kang Aishi
Writers
- Wen HaoJie
The Ordinary World - FAQs
Is The Ordinary World based on a true story?
The series is not based on a true story, but it draws deeply from real history. It adapts Lu Yao's celebrated novel of the same name, which is rooted in the social realities of rural China during the 1970s and 1980s, reflecting genuine struggles of ordinary people during a transformative era.
What is The Ordinary World about?
The series follows two brothers, Sun Shaoan and Sun Shaoping, from a poor rural family in northern China as they strive for dignity, love, and a better life across a turbulent decade. It's a sweeping portrait of perseverance, family bonds, and the quiet heroism of everyday people.
Who are the lead actors in The Ordinary World?
Wang Lei and Yuan Hong lead the cast as brothers Sun Shaoan and Sun Shaoping. They are joined by Lv Yi, Tong Liya, Liu Wei, You Yongzhi, and Li Xiaomeng, among others, in a large ensemble that brings Lu Yao's beloved characters vividly to life.
Is The Ordinary World worth watching?
For fans of sweeping family dramas and Chinese literary adaptations, it's absolutely worth your time. The series captures the emotional depth of Lu Yao's source novel with strong performances and a richly detailed portrait of rural Chinese life across a defining historical period.
What novel is The Ordinary World adapted from?
The series adapts Ordinary World (平凡的世界) by Lu Yao, one of the most celebrated Chinese novels of the 20th century. Published between 1986 and 1989, the novel won the Mao Dun Literature Prize in 1991 and has sold tens of millions of copies across China.
How many episodes does The Ordinary World have?
The Ordinary World consists of 56 episodes across a single season, with each episode running approximately 45 minutes. The generous episode count allows the series to faithfully explore the breadth of Lu Yao's multi-generational narrative without sacrificing character depth or story detail.
Where was The Ordinary World filmed?
The series was filmed primarily in China's Shaanxi province, the same rugged loess plateau region that inspired Lu Yao's original novel. The authentic landscape — with its cave dwellings, terraced fields, and vast skies — gives the production a powerful sense of place and historical grounding.
What are some shows similar to The Ordinary World?
If The Ordinary World resonated with you, consider Love Like the Galaxy (2022) for another sweeping Chinese period drama, or Sanditon (2019) and Hotel Portofino (2022) for richly character-driven literary adaptations. Expats (2024) and Chesapeake Shores (2016) also offer compelling family-centered storytelling.
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