Dream in Red Mansions (1987)
A landmark Chinese television adaptation of one of the greatest classical novels ever written, celebrated across generations for its artistry and cultural fidelity.
Dream in Red Mansions - Series Information
- Original Title: 红楼梦
- First Air Year: 1987
- Last Air Year: 1987
- Created by: Wang Fulin
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Family
- Content Rating (US): TV-G
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 45 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 36
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- First Air Date: January 29, 1987 (United States - TV-G)
- Networks: CCTV-1
- Alternative Titles: Hong Lou Meng (CN), A Dream of Red Mansions (US), Сон в красном тереме (RU), Hồng lâu mộng (VN)
- Production Companies: China Central Television 中央电视台 (CCTV), China Television Production Center 中国电视剧制作中心 (CTPC)
- Production Countries: China
Dream in Red Mansions - Plot
Dream of the Red Chamber, first released in 1987, was a television series produced by CCTV, adapted from the classic 18th century Chinese novel of the same name. It gained enormous popularity for its music, cast, and plot adaptation, being regarded by many within China as being a near-definitive adaptation of the story.
Dream in Red Mansions - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Wang Fulin
Main Cast
- Deng Jie
- Ouyang Fenqiang
- Chen Xiaoxu
- Zhang Li
- Dongfang Wenying
- Guo Xiaozhen
- Ji Peijie
- Cheng Mei
- 李婷
- Zhou Xianzhen
Writers
- Zhou Ling
- Zhou Lei
- Liu Genglu
Executive Producers
- Linfeng Dai
Dream in Red Mansions - FAQs
Is Dream in Red Mansions based on a true story?
No, it is not based on a true story. The series is adapted from Dream of the Red Chamber, an 18th-century Chinese novel by Cao Xueqin, widely considered one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. It depicts the rise and fall of the aristocratic Jia family during the Qing dynasty.
Why is the 1987 Dream in Red Mansions considered definitive?
The 1987 CCTV adaptation is widely regarded as definitive in China due to its meticulous production, faithful screenplay, iconic casting, and celebrated original music composed by Wong Lap-Ping. The cast spent years in preparation, and the series set a cultural benchmark that later adaptations have struggled to surpass.
Who are the main actors in Dream in Red Mansions?
The principal cast includes Deng Jie, Ouyang Fenqiang, Chen Xiaoxu, Zhang Li, Dongfang Wenying, Guo Xiaozhen, Ji Peijie, Cheng Mei, 李婷, and Zhou Xianzhen. Chen Xiaoxu's portrayal became especially iconic and is still celebrated by audiences decades after the series first aired.
When did Dream in Red Mansions first air?
Dream in Red Mansions first aired on January 29, 1987, on CCTV-1 in China. The series ran for a single season comprising 36 episodes, and its broadcast was a major cultural event that attracted enormous viewership across the country.
What is Dream in Red Mansions about?
The series adapts Cao Xueqin's classic novel, chronicling the opulent yet doomed Jia family clan during the Qing dynasty. It weaves together romance, family politics, and social decline, centering on the sensitive young nobleman Jia Baoyu and his relationships with his two cousins, Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai.
How many episodes does Dream in Red Mansions have?
Dream in Red Mansions consists of 36 episodes across a single season. Each episode runs approximately 45 minutes. The series was produced by China Central Television (CCTV) and the China Television Production Center, and it concluded in 1987 after its original broadcast run.
Who created and directed Dream in Red Mansions?
The series was created and directed by Wang Fulin. The screenplay was written by Zhou Ling, Zhou Lei, and Liu Genglu, adapting Cao Xueqin's celebrated novel. Executive production was overseen by Linfeng Dai, with music composed by Wong Lap-Ping, whose score became one of the most recognizable in Chinese television history.
What are shows similar to Dream in Red Mansions?
Viewers who enjoyed Dream in Red Mansions may also appreciate Nirvana in Fire (2015), The Empress of China (2014), My Fair Princess (1998), Ming Dynasty (2019), and Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty (2019). These series share a focus on Chinese historical settings, court intrigue, and rich period drama storytelling.
More About Dream in Red Mansions
Explore further details about this classic Chinese series through these authoritative resources.