Medal of the Republic (2021)
A landmark Chinese anthology drama honoring eight real-life national heroes whose courage and brilliance helped shape modern China.
Medal of the Republic - Series Information
- Original Title: 功勋
- First Air Year: 2021
- Last Air Year: 2021
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (46 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 48
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- Networks: Beijing Television 北京卫视, Zhejiang Television, Jiangsu Television 江苏卫视, Youku, iQiyi, Tencent Video, Dragon Television 东方卫视
- Alternative Titles: 功勋（2021） (CN)
- Production Companies: 东阳春羽影视文化有限公司, 东阳市乐视花儿影视文化有限公司, 融创未来影视文化传媒（北京）有限公司, Shanghai Media Group 上海文化广播影视集团 (SMG)
- Production Countries: China
Medal of the Republic - Plot
An anthology about the lives of eight legendary figures in China: Yu Min, Shen Jilan, Sun Jiadong, Li Yannian, Zhang Fuqing, Yuan Longping, Huang Xuhua, and Tu Youyou.
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Medal of the Republic - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Wang Lei
- Lei Jiayin
- Guo Tao
- Huang Xiaoming
- Jiang Xin
- Tong Dawei
- Zhou Xun
- Huang Zhizhong
- Lin Yongjian
- Shao Wen
Writers
- Gong Xiangdong
- Wang Xiaoqiang
- Fangjin Song
- Xiaoping Wang
- 李修文
Executive Producers
- Fang Fang
- Yang Bei
Medal of the Republic - FAQs
Are the eight figures in Medal of the Republic real people?
Every one of them. The series dramatizes the lives of eight real Chinese national heroes who received the Republic Medal — China's highest state honor — including nuclear physicist Yu Min, agricultural scientist Yuan Longping, and Nobel Prize-winning pharmacologist Tu Youyou, among others.
Who plays Tu Youyou in Medal of the Republic?
Zhou Xun portrays Tu Youyou, the pioneering pharmacologist who discovered artemisinin and became the first Chinese woman to win a Nobel Prize in science. Zhou Xun's nuanced performance brings warmth and quiet determination to one of the anthology's most celebrated segments.
What is Medal of the Republic about?
Medal of the Republic is a sweeping anthology drama that chronicles the extraordinary lives of eight Chinese national heroes — scientists, soldiers, and innovators — who shaped modern China. Each story arc is self-contained, offering an intimate portrait of sacrifice, dedication, and groundbreaking achievement across different fields.
Where can you stream Medal of the Republic?
Medal of the Republic is available on major Chinese streaming platforms including Youku, iQiyi, and Tencent Video. It also aired on several Chinese broadcast networks. Availability outside China may vary by region, so check your local streaming services for the latest options.
How many episodes does Medal of the Republic have?
The series runs for 48 episodes across a single season, with each episode averaging around 46 minutes. The episodes are grouped into eight story arcs, each dedicated to one of the eight Republic Medal recipients portrayed in the anthology.
How was Medal of the Republic received by critics and audiences?
The series earned strong praise in China for its ambitious scope and the quality of its ensemble cast. Critics highlighted the standout performances by Zhou Xun, Lei Jiayin, and Huang Xiaoming, while audiences responded warmly to the emotionally resonant storytelling and the respectful treatment of each hero's legacy.
What makes Medal of the Republic different from other Chinese dramas?
Its anthology format sets it apart — rather than following a single narrative thread, the series dedicates distinct story arcs to eight different real-life figures. This structure allows each segment to adopt its own tone and pacing, making it feel more like eight intimate biographical films than a conventional drama series.
What are some shows similar to Medal of the Republic?
Fans of anthology biographical dramas may enjoy Small Axe (2020), Steve McQueen's acclaimed series of films about the West Indian community in Britain, or Genius (2017), which profiles iconic historical figures like Einstein and Picasso. The Romanoffs (2018) also offers high-quality self-contained story arcs with a strong ensemble cast.
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