The Long Ballad (2021)
A Tang Dynasty princess turns soldier and strategist in this sweeping Chinese historical epic of revenge, war, and unexpected love.
The Long Ballad - Series Information
- Original Title: 长歌行
- First Air Year: 2021
- Last Air Year: 2021
- Created by: Xia Da
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure, War, Politics
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (45 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 49
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- First Air Date: March 31, 2021 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: Tencent Video
- Alternative Titles: 电视剧版长歌行 (CN), The Long Ballad (US), สตรีหาญ ฉางเกอ (TH)
- Production Countries: China
The Long Ballad - Plot
Li Chang Ge's family was murdered by Li Shi Min, the Emperor of Tang, during the Xuanwu Gate Incident. She heads to Shuo Province under the guise of a man with hopes of raising an army to kill Li Shi Min to avenge her family's death. However, as a captain of the army of Shuo Province in Zhangzhou, she loses a siege by the Eastern Turkic Khaganate General Ashina Sun, who takes her to serve him as a personal military strategist.
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The Long Ballad - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Xia Da
Main Cast
- Dilraba Dilmurat
- Leo Wu
- Liu Yuning
- Zhao Lusi
- Fang Yilun
- Yi Daqian
- Cao Xiyue
- Wa Er
- Liu Chuxuan
Writers
- Chang Jiang
The Long Ballad - FAQs
Is The Long Ballad based on a true story?
The Long Ballad is based on a popular Chinese manhua (comic) by Xia Da, not a true story. However, it draws on real historical events — the Xuanwu Gate Incident of 626 AD was an actual Tang Dynasty coup in which Li Shi Min seized power, lending the fictional drama a grounded historical backdrop.
Is The Long Ballad worth watching?
Fans of Chinese historical dramas will find plenty to love here. The Long Ballad delivers sweeping battle sequences, a compelling revenge-driven heroine, and a slow-burn romance between Dilraba Dilmurat and Leo Wu that earned devoted international audiences. Its 49-episode run rewards patient viewers with rich character development and epic Tang Dynasty spectacle.
Who are the main actors in The Long Ballad?
The series stars Dilraba Dilmurat as the revenge-seeking princess Li Changge and Leo Wu as Ashina Sun, the Eastern Turkic general who becomes her captor and eventual love interest. The supporting cast includes Zhao Lusi, Liu Yuning, Fang Yilun, Yi Daqian, Cao Xiyue, Wa Er, and Liu Chuxuan.
Where can you stream The Long Ballad?
The Long Ballad is available to stream on Rakuten Viki, which offers it both with a subscription and with ads. You can also watch it for free on Plex and the Plex Channel. Availability may vary by region, so check your local options for the most current access.
Why does Li Changge disguise herself as a man?
After the Xuanwu Gate Incident leaves her family dead, Li Changge adopts a male disguise to travel safely to Shuo Province and build an army capable of challenging Emperor Li Shi Min. The cross-dressing ruse is central to her survival strategy, allowing her to operate in military circles where a woman would be dismissed or endangered.
How was The Long Ballad received by critics and audiences?
The Long Ballad was warmly received across Asia and among international C-drama fans, praised for its strong female lead, production values, and the electric chemistry between its two leads. Dilraba Dilmurat's performance drew particular acclaim, and the series became one of the most-discussed Chinese historical dramas of 2021.
What are some shows similar to The Long Ballad?
If you enjoyed The Long Ballad, try The Rebel Princess (2021) for another fierce Tang-era heroine, The Longest Day in Chang'an (2019) for gripping Tang Dynasty intrigue, The Untamed (2019) for slow-burn bromance turned romance, or Who Rules The World (2022) for martial arts action wrapped in political drama.
Who composed the music for The Long Ballad?
The score for The Long Ballad was composed by Jin Dazhou, whose music underscores the series' sweeping historical atmosphere and emotional beats. The soundtrack blends traditional Chinese instrumentation with orchestral arrangements, enhancing both the epic battle sequences and the quieter, more intimate moments between characters.
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