The Journey of Flower

The Journey of Flower 花千骨
The Journey of Flower Official Poster
Also known as	''The Journey of Flower
Simplified	花千骨
Mandarin	Huā Qiāngǔ
Genre	Fantasy Xianxia Romance Angst
Created by	Fresh Guoguo
Based on	Hua Qiangu by Fresh Guoguo
Written by	Fresh Guoguo Rao Jun Hunter Huey
Directed by	Lin Yufen Danny Gao Liang Shengquan
Starring	Wallace Huo Zhao Liying Zhang Danfeng Ma Ke Jiang Xin
Theme music composer	Mai Zhenhong
Opening theme	Fire of the Heart (心之火) by F.I.R Eternity (千古) by Alan Dawa Dolma
Ending theme	Not To Mention (不可说) by Wallace Huo and Zhao Liying
Country of origin	China
Original language(s)	Mandarin
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	58 (TV) 54 (original)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Huang Xilong 黄锡龙
Producer(s)	Tang Lijun 唐丽君
Location(s)	Guangxi, China Hengdian World Studios, China
Production company(s)	Ciwen TV
Release
Original network	Hunan TV
Original release	9 June – 7 September 2015

The Journey of Flower is a 2015 Chinese television series drama based on the fictional novel of the same Chinese name written by Fresh Guoguo (Chinese: Fresh果果; pinyin: Fresh Guǒguǒ^[1]). The novel was first released online and refers to the Daoist legends regarding the path to immortality. It stars Wallace Huo and Zhao Liying. The drama was broadcast on Hunan TV every Wednesdays and Thursdays for two episodes per day, starting from June 9, 2015.

Summary Plot

Hua Qiangu (Zhao Liying) is an unlucky orphan who is born with a weird scent which attracts demons, and therefore is hated and feared by all the villagers. When she faces danger, she is saved by a man called Mo Bing, who is actually Bai Zihua in disguise. Bai Zihua (Wallace Huo) is a kind-hearted demigod who wants to protect all the Earthly beings. The only calamity in his life is actually Hua Qiangu, whom he is tasked to kill by his master. However, after witnessing her kind heart and foreseeing her tragic future, he spares her life.

In search of her benefactor, Hua Qiangu heads to Chang Liu, the immortal mountain. With the help of Bai Zihua, she passes through various trials and tribulations to become his only disciple. As the two spend more time together, Hua Qiangu falls in love with her teacher, but doesn't reveal her true feelings until the end. Eventually, the truth has been revealed that she was born as Nü Wa's descendant and has access to godly power. She summoned the Demon God to save her master, and the Demon God transferred all his power into her body afterwards.

With the death of Tang Bao and her friends, Hua Qiangu fell into desolateness and with that, unleashes the Great Desolate Energy Force and became the new Ruler of the Demons. Bai Zihua tries to get her to return to the righteous path, and comes to her side alone to accompany her. When Hua Qiangu realizes Bai Zihua's true feelings for her, she decided to let herself be killed by him to restore peace to the world.

After Hua Qiangu died, Bai Zihua feels extremely remorseful. One of the three masters from Chang Liu, Mo Yan, decided to use the power of nature to exchange his life for hers and restored her. In the end, Bai Zihua decided to leave Chang Liu to take care of Hua Qiangu.

Cast

Main Cast

• Wallace Huo as Bai Zihua 白子画

Changliu's Sect Leader and the head of all Immortals, tasked to protect the magical realm of Chang Liu. Appears to be outwardly cold and heartless, he cares for Hua Qiangu deeply but has to hide his emotions because of his high sense of propriety.

• Zhao Liying as Hua Qiangu 花千骨

The last descendant of the Goddess Nuwa; the fated calamity to Bai Zihua's life and death. She has a unique scent on her body, which attracts demons. When she was born, she causes all the flowers around her to wilt, therefore she was named "Thousand Bones of Flower". She comes to Chang Liu, and becomes Bai Zihua's only disciple.

• Zhang Danfeng as Dongfang Yuqing 东方彧卿 / Lord of Strange Decay 异朽君

Lord of Pavilion of Strange Decay, who possesses the ability to know everything from the past. He hates Bai Zihua for killing his father, and plans to use Hua Qiangu's special fate to plot against him. However, he fell in love with Hua Qiangu after interacting with her, and eventually died while protecting her from Mo Yan.

• Ma Ke as Sha Qianmo 杀阡陌

Demon Lord of the Seven Murder Factions, said to be the most beautiful man of all six realms. He treated Hua Qiangu as a replacement for his deceased younger sister, but eventually fell in love with her.

• Jiang Xin as Xia Zixun 夏紫熏

1 of the 5 immortals, in charge of the Heavenly Court's spices. She becomes crazed when Bai Zihua does not reciprocate her love, and turned into a demon.

Supporting Cast

• Li Chun as Ni Mantian 霓漫天

Young mistress of Peng Lai, a haughty and proud girl who tries to bring harm to Hua Qiangu due to jealousy. She likes Shuo Feng.

• Xu Haiqiao as Meng Xuanlang 孟玄郎

2nd Prince of Shu kingdom and later the Emperor. He becomes a special disciple of Chang Liu. He likes Hua Qiangu, and protects her when she is being bullied by fellow sect mates.

• Bao Tianqi as Qing Shui 轻水

Princess of Zhou kingdom. She betrayed Hua Qiangu because she was jealous of Meng Xuanlang's affections toward her, but later regrets it and died protecting her.

• Dong Chunhui as Luo Shiyi 落十一

Mo Yan's senior disciple; a kind-hearted and fair man who helps protect Chang Liu. He likes Tang Bao.

• An Yuexi as Tang Bao 糖宝

A ginx worm formed by Hua Qiangu's blood and the phoenix's tear. She becomes human after she was agitated by Ni Mantian. She likes Luo Shiyi.

• Jiang Yang as Shuo Feng 朔风

A piece of jade formed into a human, destined to assist Hua Qiangu in gathering 10 immortal devices. He likes Ni Mantian, despite going against her multiple times in order to protect Hua Qiangu.

Chang Liu

• Jiang Yiming as Mo Yan 摩严 (Chang Liu's Shi Zun, Bai Zihua's senior)
• Miao Chi as Sheng Xiaomo 笙箫默 (Chang Liu's Ru Zun, Bai Zihua's junior)
• Gong Zhengnan as Zhu Ran 竹染 Zhu Ran (Son of Mo Yan, and estranged disciple of Chang Liu. In order to obtain the immortal devices, he manipulated Liu Xia)
• Qian Yongchen as Dong Hua 东华 (1 of the 5 immortals, eldest sect brother of Chang Liu)
• Zhang Zhengyan as Huo Xi 火夕
• Lu Jiyi as Wu Qingluo 舞青萝
• Li Xing as Yun Duan 雲端
• Li Hanyang as Li Meng 李蒙

Seven Murder Factions

• Ruan Weijing (阮伟旌) as Shan Chunqiu 单春秋 (Custodian of Law, Sha Qianmo's most loyal follower)
• Wang Xiuze as Kuang Yetian 旷野天 (Shan Chunqiu's follower, a demon adept at traps)
• Du Zheyu as Yin Shangpiao 尹上漂 (Shan Chunqiu's disciple, a spy at Chang Liu)
• Li Qian as Liu Xia 琉夏 (Sha Qianmo's deceased younger sister; loves Zhu Ran)
• Li Shanyu as Buo Ruohua 波若花 (One of Seven Murder Factions' disciple)

Mt Shu

• Gao Hai as Yun Yin 云隐 (Senior disciple of Mt Shu, elder brother of Yun Yi; became sect leader of Mt Shu after Hua Qiangu)
• Gao Jiang as Yun Yi 云翳 (Suffers a curse because he was not born as the first son; he betrayed Mt Shu and joined the Seven Murder Factions to restore his disfigured face)
• Zhang Shuangli as Reverend Qingxu 清虚道长
• Dan Ni as Qing Feng 清风
• Lin Yizheng as Qing Yang 清扬

Immortals and Alliance of Chang Liu

• Yang Shuo as Tan Fan 檀凡 (1 of the 5 immortals, head of Mt Fanjing. Loves Zixun)
• Zeng Hongchang as Wu Gou 无垢 (1 of the 5 immortals, head of Lotus City. Fell in love with Yun Ya, his fated calamity)
• Zhao Chulun as Wen Shufeng 温丰予 (Head of Mt. Yu Zhuo)
• Yan Hanqing as Yi Hongyuan 尹洪渊 (Head of Tian Shan Sect)
• Shi Jiantao as Luo Hedong 洛河东 (Head of Kun Lun Sect, Dongfang Yuqing's teacher)
• Li Jinzhe as Fei Yan 绯颜 (Head of Tai Bai Sect)
• Wang Yehua as Yan Tingsha 雁停沙 (Head of Shao Bai Sect)
• Yang Anqi as Wei Xi 卫昔 (Senior disciple of Shao Bai Sect)
• Shen Yu as Mei'er 媚儿 (Disciple of Shao Bai Sect)

Others

• Kang Lei as Meng Xuancong 孟玄聪 (Meng Xuanlang's rebellious brother. Used by Seven Murder Factions because he wants to usurp the throne)
• Zheng Yecheng as Nan Xianyue 南弦月 (Previous demon lord and leader of the Seven Murder Factions; rescued by Hua Qiangu when the 10 immortal devices are restored)
• Lu Ziyi as You Ruo 幽若 (Daughter of the Jade Emperor and Hua Qiangu's disciple; loves Nan Xianyue)
• Liu Bo as Ni Qianzhang 霓千丈 (Sect leader of Peng Lai)
• Li Cheng as Lu Qiao 绿鞘 (Lord of Strange Decay's most loyal servant)
• Sun Gelu as Yun Ya 云牙 (Rabbit demon; loves Wu Gou and cause of Wu Gou's killing)
• Na Jiacheng as Lie Xingyun 烈行云 (Imperial Family's loyal guard)

Special appearances

• Wang Jiusheng as Hua Qiangu's father 花父
• Shen Baoping as Reverend Yan 衍道 (Bai Zihua's teacher)
• Hou Yaohua as Tao Weng 桃翁
• Li Qi as the Emperor 皇帝 (Meng Xuanlang's father)
• Shen Xuewei as Jin Quan (Ni Mantian's uncle who was killed by him after discovering she is learning the forbidden powers of the sect) ^[2]

Featured songs

Production

Zhao Liying and Wallace Huo were the producer (Zhang Lijun)'s ideal choice for the lead roles of Hua Qiangu and Bai Zihua. Those who read the novel agreed that only Wallace was most suitable to portray the role, and spent half a year casting him.

Fresh Guoguo, the writer of the novel, was recruited to be one of the scriptwriters of the drama. Academy-award winner Chung Munhai, who was responsible for the costume design of the movie Curse of the Golden Flower was also recruited on set. The 3D effects are handled by the company Prime Focus.

The shooting of the drama started on May 6, 2014, in Guangxi, China and was wrapped up on September 14, 2014 in Hengdian World Studios, China. The preliminary work started one and a half years ago, including choosing of outdoor scene locations and building filming sites in scenic spots.

Reception

Two versions of a three-minute short trailer, one in Chinese and the other dubbed in English, were released online, receiving more than 280 million views on Weibo and becoming one of the hottest topics on social media. In October 2014, two longer trailers dubbed in both Chinese and English language have been released in Cannes, France and received an overwhelming response.

During its run on Hunan TV, the drama consistently ranked #1 in its time slot. It achieved a peak rating of 3.034, the highest rating achieved by a drama in 2015. It broke records to become the first drama in mainland China to achieve 400 million views in a day, and the first drama to break 2 billion views. As of September 8, 2015, the drama series surpassed 18 billion views online. The show also developed a cult following online. Due to the overwhelming success of the drama, it was named "Drama of the Year" by iQiyi. Lead actors Wallace Huo and Zhao Liying experienced a sharp rise in popu

It is the first drama to surpass 20 billion views aside, and one of the three Chinese dramas other than The Legend of Mi Yue (2015) and Noble Aspirations (2016).

In 2016, The Journey of Flower was featured on the New York Times.^[3] It reached a milestone of 23 million views, becoming the most watched Chinese drama of all time.

Awards and Nominations

International broadcast

• Taiwan - CTi Variety, CTV, KKTV
• Cambodia - Rasmey Hang Meas HDTV
• Vietnam - HTV3, ZingTV^[4]
• Thailand - PPTV
• Malaysia - 8TV
• Singapore - Mediacorp Channel 8

References

External links

• (Chinese) The Journey of Flower's Official Weibo
• Flowering overseas - Global Times News
• (Chinese)The Journey of Flower's Facebook