The highly anticipated historical drama The Story of Pearl Girl, which garnered over 4 million reservations before its premiere, was released on Youku on November 1. And after its premiere, it quickly topped the Maoyan Hot List for real-time popularity.
The Story of Pearl Girl is adapted from Tan Tian Yin’s novel “Kun Shan Yu Qian Zhuan” and tells the story of a pearl diver named Duan Wu (Zhao Lu Si), who escapes from the pearl-hunting trade to be free from humiliation. The C-drama portrays how Duan overcomes struggles, including the loss of her beloved and betrayal by those she trusted, and how she, with her intelligence and courage, ultimately becomes a prominent businesswoman.
Employing realism, this series unfolds a tale of female entrepreneurship within the commercial world of ancient China. The female lead, Duan Wu, played by Zhao Lu Si, rises from an enslaved pearl hunter to a successful businesswoman through her intelligence and relentless effort. Through her journey, the drama illustrates various aspects of the ancient Chinese jewelry industry, from production and logistics to marketing, presenting a vivid picture of China’s historical business landscape. The series also showcases a dazzling array of ancient jewelry, including pearls, Tridacna clams, tortoiseshell nail guards, gold and silver vases, glass locks, etc.
The executive producer of The Story of Pearl Girl, Zhang Yuan Huan, described the series as “a road movie about the ancient Chinese jewelry business.” The protagonist’s journey begins at Hepu in Guangxi, an important starting port on the maritime Silk Road, continues through Guangzhou in Guangdong, and stretches all the way to the Hexi Corridor, an important route of the Silk Road, covering extensive parts of China’s ancient trade routes.
As the plot unfolds gradually along various stops on the ancient Silk Road, it leads viewers on a business adventure, expanding the map with each step.
Director Xie Ze expressed that genuine, grounded emotions are key to resonating with viewers. He noted that in creating this series, he strived to present the ancient business world with a sense of reality. “We want viewers to feel the character’s emotions. Emotional expression is one aspect, but first, there must be an inner motivation pushing her actions within a real, grounded world.”
The Chinese series’s realism is rooted in extensive historical research. According to The Story of Pearl Girl‘s historical consultant, Professor Cao Jian Dun from Henan University’s School of History and Culture, the C-drama draws upon works such as the “Historical Atlas of China” and incorporates detailed research on the Silk Road in the Tang Dynasty. Cao explained, “In the Tang Dynasty, transportation was mainly by water. So the route depicted in the series — from the South Pearl production sites of Hepu and Guangzhou to Chang’an — was mapped based on the actual transportation routes of the Tang Dynasty.”
“The heroine was born as a pearl hunter slave. Emerging from suffering, she endures numerous hardships and twists of fate, yet ultimately chooses to live facing the light,” explained Wang Ying, the executive producer of The Story of Pearl Girl.
The series uses a realist approach to depict an inspiring story of female entrepreneurship in ancient times, reflecting reality and showcasing a woman’s pursuit of self-esteem and courageous struggle. It aims to resonate with modern audiences.
Industry experts also commented on the show’s concept after a preview. “The Story of Pearl Girl is not focused on the stories of noblewomen but zooms in on ancient working-class women struggling to survive, portraying the harsh yet legendary world of pearl divers. The protagonist’s business journey reflects the struggle of women and showcases the beauty of traditional Chinese jewelry craftsmanship,” noted Lu Jia Ning, associate professor at the Communication University of China.
The Story of Pearl Girl is streaming on YOUKU.
Source: Baidu
