Blossoms Shanghai (2023)
Wong Kar-Wai's landmark Chinese drama charts one man's dazzling rise through the booming streets of 1990s Shanghai.
Blossoms Shanghai - Series Information
- Original Title: 繁花
- First Air Year: 2023
- Last Air Year: 2024
- Created by: Wong Kar-Wai
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (46 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 30
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- First Air Date: December 27, 2023 (Spain - 16), December 27, 2023 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: CCTV-8, Tencent Video
- Alternative Titles: Расцвет (RU), Blossoms (US), 블러섬 상하이 (KR), 繁花 (CN)
- Production Companies: Tencent Penguin Pictures, Shanghai Film Group, Blossoms Island, Jet Tone Production
- Production Countries: China, Hong Kong
Blossoms Shanghai - Plot
Set against the backdrop of massive economic growth in the 1990s, the story follows A Bao, a self-made millionaire and his journey from being a young opportunist with a troubled past to accumulating dazzling wealth in the city of Shanghai. It also follows his entanglement with four women who represent the pursuits of his life: adventure, honour, love and innocence.
Blossoms Shanghai - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a first look at Wong Kar-Wai's cinematic vision of 1990s Shanghai.
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Blossoms Shanghai - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Wong Kar-Wai
Main Cast
- Hu Ge
- Ma Yili
- Tang Yan
- Xin Zhilei
- Ryan Zheng
- You Benchang
- Chen Long
- Dong Yong
- Jiang Yilei
- Wu Yue
Blossoms Shanghai - FAQs
Is Blossoms Shanghai based on a novel?
Yes, Blossoms Shanghai is adapted from the acclaimed novel 繁花 (Blossoms) by Jin Yucheng, published in 2013. The novel won the Mao Dun Literature Prize, China's most prestigious literary award. Wong Kar-Wai transposed the story's setting from the 1960s–1990s to focus primarily on the economic boom of the 1990s.
Why did Blossoms Shanghai take so long to make?
Wong Kar-Wai spent approximately three years filming Blossoms Shanghai, a reflection of his famously meticulous and immersive directorial process. Production involved extensive location work, period-accurate set construction, and multiple reshoots. The result is a series widely praised for its cinematic quality, which rivals feature film production standards.
Where can you stream Blossoms Shanghai?
Blossoms Shanghai is available to stream on the Criterion Channel in the United States. It originally aired on CCTV-8 and Tencent Video in China. For a full list of current streaming options in your region, check JustWatch for up-to-date platform availability.
Who are the main actors in Blossoms Shanghai?
The principal cast of Blossoms Shanghai includes Hu Ge as Ah Bao, Ma Yili as Ling Zi, Tang Yan as Miss Wang, Xin Zhilei as Li Li, Ryan Zheng as Mr. Wei, You Benchang as Uncle Ye, Chen Long as Tao Tao, Dong Yong as Mr. Fan, Jiang Yilei as Ling Hong, and Wu Yue as Jin Hua.
What is Blossoms Shanghai about?
Blossoms Shanghai follows Ah Bao, a self-made millionaire navigating the dizzying economic transformation of 1990s Shanghai. Rising from a troubled past, he accumulates wealth while becoming entangled with four women who each embody a defining pursuit: adventure, honour, love, and innocence. Critics praise its lyrical style and rich period atmosphere.
How was Blossoms Shanghai received by critics?
Blossoms Shanghai received widespread critical acclaim, celebrated as a landmark achievement in Chinese television. Critics praised Wong Kar-Wai's signature visual poetry, the immersive 1990s Shanghai atmosphere, and Hu Ge's commanding lead performance. It was widely regarded as one of the most cinematic and artistically ambitious Chinese dramas ever produced.
How many episodes does Blossoms Shanghai have?
Blossoms Shanghai consists of 30 episodes in its main season, with an average runtime of approximately 46 minutes per episode. An additional set of 6 special episodes is also available. The series concluded in 2024 and is not currently in production for a second season.
Who directed and created Blossoms Shanghai?
Blossoms Shanghai was created and directed by Wong Kar-Wai, the legendary Hong Kong filmmaker known for In the Mood for Love and Chungking Express. This marks his first foray into television, and he brought his full cinematic vision to the project, including cinematographer Peter Pau Tak-Hai and composers Xu Xiang and Frankie Chan Fan-Kei.
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