In 'Story of Minglan', Zhao Liying shines in strong female role

As one of China's highest-earning actresses, Zhao Liying has returned to her most familiar role of an independent woman in ancient China.

Starring Zhao Liying, ''The Story of Minglan'', has aired on satellite channels on the Chinese mainland. [Photo: IC]

The Story of Minglan, a 73-episode series, has aired on satellite channels on the Chinese mainland, in Hong Kong, and in Taiwan, and the streaming site YouTube. It may also become available on Chinese sites iQiyi, Youku and Tencent.

Adapted from a hit online novel, the series set in the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) chronicles the legend of Sheng Minglan, an unfavored daughter of an official who wins her true love and becomes the wife of a powerful politician.

Zhao stars as Sheng, while her newly married husband, actor Feng Shaofeng, plays the politician. The series marks their first work together after they tied the knot in October.

During a recent event to promote the series, Feng said the script has a lot of dialogue, with most narrated in the way that ancient Chinese would speak.

But producer Hou Hongliang said the story can resonate with modern audiences as the conflicts in families and marriages are somewhat similar to those seen today.