my-server
← Wiki

The Long Ballad

The Long Ballad () is a 2021 Chinese television series based on the manhua of the same name by Xia Da. It is directed by Zhu Ruibin, and stars Dilraba Dilmurat, Wu Lei, Zhao Lusi and Liu Yuning. Set against the backdrop of the Tang dynasty, during the reigns of Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong, it tells the story of an imperial princess who seeks revenge for her family, and in doing so, her fate intertwines with that of a tribal prince. Although the series features many real historical figures, most of the relationships between the characters and plotlines are fictional.

Plot

The story starts in Chang'an in the year 626 and revolves around Li Changge, one of the daughters of Li Jiancheng.

Her peaceful life turns upside down after her family is brutally massacred during the Xuanwu Gate Incident, a coup d'état instigated by her uncle Li Shimin, who later becomes Emperor Taizong. Traumatized by the sudden loss of her mother and the betrayal of her uncle, Li Changge's anguish evolves into a burning intent for vengeance.

With her mind firmly fixed on revenge, she sets off on a journey to overthrow Li Shimin. Along the way, she unexpectedly meets Ashile Sun, who is later revealed to be a valiant general of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate and Tegin of the Eagle Division. Through countless events, their fates become increasingly intertwined, and together they soon discover the forces working behind the scenes that could jeopardise the safety and peace of everything they love.

Cast

Main

  • Dilraba Dilmurat as Li Changge, Commandery Princess Yongning
  • <small>Historical prototype: County Princess Dingxiang ()</small>
Li Jiancheng's daughter. Proficient in martial arts and military strategy, she seeks to avenge her mother who was killed by her second uncle, Li Shimin.
  • Leo Wu as Ashile Sun, Tegin of the Eagle Division
  • <small>Historical prototype: Ashina Zhong (阿史那忠)</small>
Yanli Qaghan's adopted son. A skilled warrior and strategist who is embroiled in rivalry for the throne.
  • Liu Yuning as Hao Du
  • <small>Historical prototype: Du He (杜荷)</small>
Du Ruhui's foster son. Cold-blooded and loyal, he works for Li Shimin.
  • Zhao Lusi as Li Leyan, Princess Yongan
  • <small>Historical prototype: Princess Chengyang ()</small>
Li Shimin's daughter. A shy but independent princess. She is Li Changge's closest friend.
Wei Zheng's son. A Tang official who grew up with Li Changge and Li Leyan.

Supporting

Tang

Li Changge's beloved second uncle who betrayed her trust.
Li Shimin's troublemaking eldest son.
Li Changge's father and elder brother of Li Shimin.
  • Xu Rongzhen as Lady Jin
Li Changge's mother.
Hao Du's foster father. A Tang official and Li Shimin's loyal supporter.
Wei Shuyu's father. Li Jiancheng's advisor who later becomes Li Shimin's official.
  • Nicholas Wang as General Wang Junkuo
  • Yang Zi Hua as Fang Xuanling
Li Changge's teacher and later chancellor of Tang under Li Shimin.
Li Jing's wife.
Li Chengqian's servant.

Ashile

  • Jin Song as Ashile Chuobi, Yanli Qaghan
  • <small>Historical prototype: Illig Qaghan (颉利可汗)</small>
Ashile Sun's adoptive father and ruler of the Ashile Tribe. Uncle and stepfather of Ashile She'er.
A princess from the Sui dynasty. Mother of Ashile She'er and Yanli Qaghan's wife.
  • Kudousi Jiang Ainiwaer as Ashile She'er, Young Khan of Ashile Tribe
Princess Yicheng's only child, and nephew and stepson of Yanli Qaghan. Ashile Sun's biggest rival and leader of the Wolf Division.
  • Lu Yanbei as Lady Jinse
Yanli Qaghan's concubine and granddaughter of a Sui dynasty duke.
  • Zhu Liqun as A'Yi'er
Ashile Sun's foster mother.
  • Yi Daqian as Mu Jin
Ashile Sun's childhood friend and trusted general.
  • Jiang Xiaolin as Su Yishe
Ashile Sun's trusted general.
  • Zhang Haozhe as Yaluo
Ashile Sun's trusted general.
  • Cao Xiyue as Mimi Guli
Li Changge's close friend and childhood playmate of Ashile She'er.

People around Li Changge

  • Feng Junjie as A'Dou
Li Changge's apprentice.
  • Lu Xingyu as Gongsun Heng
Governor of Shuozhou.
  • Wang Jingyan as Madame Gongsun
Gongsun Heng's wife.
  • Li Jianyi as Qin Lao
Gongsun Heng's butler.
  • Wu Chengxu as Xu Feng
Gongsun Heng's bodyguard.
  • Liu Chuxuan as Luo Shiba
General Luo's last warrior who later serves Li Changge.
Li Changge's martial arts teacher.
A Taoist physician renowned for his medical knowledge and skills.
Leader of Luiyin Taoist Monastery in Luoyang.

Others

  • Zhou Aoyun as Buzhen
Mimi Guli's younger brother and the companion of the King of Sui.

Production

The Long Ballad is based on Xia Da's manhua Chang Ge Xing, which was published from 2011 to 2016. The manhua has received numerous awards such as the Golden Dragon Award for Best Girls' Comic and the Newcomer Award at the first Sino-Japanese Youth Exchange Cartoon Festival.

Original soundtrack

Awards and nominations

International broadcast

It is available for streaming on Netflix, YouTube and Viu.

Reception

The Long Ballad was well received both at home and overseas. According to the overseas distributors of the series, the first 20 episodes of the English and Vietnamese versions accumulated over 20 million views online as of April 6, 2021, just a little over three weeks after it began airing.

References