The Ideal City (2021)
A gripping Chinese workplace drama about ambition, betrayal, and integrity in the high-stakes world of construction engineering.
The Ideal City - Series Information
- Original Title: 理想之城
- First Air Year: 2021
- Last Air Year: 2021
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 45 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 40
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- First Air Date: August 12, 2021 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: iQiyi
- Alternative Titles: 苏筱的战争 (CN)
- Production Companies: 霍尔果斯聚海文化传媒有限公司, iQIYI, China Central Television 中央电视台 (CCTV)
- Production Countries: China
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The Ideal City - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Sun Li
- Mark Chao
- Chen Minghao
- Yu Hewei
- Li Hongtao
- Li Chuanying
- Gao Ye
- Zhao Jun
- Yang Chaoyue
- Liu Yichang
Writers
- Ruo Hua Ran Ran
The Ideal City - FAQs
Who are the main actors in The Ideal City?
The Ideal City stars Sun Li as Su Xiao and Mark Chao as Xia Ming in the lead roles. The supporting cast includes Chen Minghao, Yu Hewei, Li Hongtao, Gao Ye, Yang Chaoyue, Zhao Jun, Li Chuanying, and Liu Yichang, forming a rich ensemble of workplace characters.
Where can I stream The Ideal City online?
The Ideal City is available to watch on iQIYI with ads. iQIYI is a major Chinese streaming platform accessible internationally, making it the primary destination for viewers looking to enjoy this workplace drama online.
What is The Ideal City about?
The series centers on Su Xiao, a sharp and principled cost engineer who faces betrayal and systemic obstacles in China's competitive construction industry. Driven by integrity and ambition, she fights to reclaim her career and prove her worth in a world where office politics and corruption run deep.
Why did Sun Li's performance resonate so strongly with viewers?
Sun Li's portrayal of Su Xiao struck a chord because the character is refreshingly competent and emotionally grounded rather than a typical melodrama heroine. Audiences praised her nuanced depiction of a professional woman who refuses to compromise her ethics, making Su Xiao one of the most celebrated female leads in recent Chinese workplace dramas.
Is The Ideal City based on a true story?
The Ideal City is not based on a specific true story, but it draws heavily from the realities of China's construction and real estate industries. Writer Ruo Hua Ran Ran crafted a narrative grounded in authentic workplace dynamics, making the drama feel remarkably close to real professional experiences many viewers recognize.
How many episodes does The Ideal City have?
The Ideal City consists of 40 episodes across a single season, with each episode running approximately 45 minutes. The series aired in 2021 and has since concluded, offering viewers a complete, self-contained story from beginning to end.
What makes The Ideal City different from other Chinese dramas?
Unlike many Chinese dramas that lean heavily on romance or fantasy, The Ideal City puts professional life front and center. Its detailed portrayal of cost engineering, contract disputes, and corporate betrayal gives it a grounded, almost documentary-like texture that sets it apart from more conventional genre offerings.
What are some shows similar to The Ideal City?
If you enjoyed The Ideal City, you might also like The World of the Married, Inhuman Resources, or She Was Pretty for their sharp workplace tensions and complex characters. For more Chinese drama recommendations with similar themes, Forever Was a Lie and My Dear People are worth exploring.
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