My Fair Princess (1998)
Plot.
Where to Watch.
Cast & Crew.
Huang Yi
Xiao Yanzi
Zhao Wei
Xiao Yanzi
Leo Ku
Yong Qi
Li Mingqi
Rong Momo
Ruby Lin
Zi Wei
Ma Yili
Zi Wei
Alec Su
Yong Qi
Ying Chen
Liu Hong
Zhou Jie
Fu Erkang
Lu Shiyu
Liu Qing
Wang Yan
Qing'er
Zhang Tielin
Qian Long
Huang Xiaoming
Xiao Jian
Fan Bingbing
Jin Suo
Qin Lan
Zhi Hua
Cristina Valenzuela
Rose
Media.
Details.
Release DateApril 28, 1998
Original Name還珠格格
StatusEnded
Seasons3
Episodes112
Running Time45m
Content RatingNR
Genres
Last updated:
This TV Show Is About.
Wiki.
My Fair Princess, also known as Return of the Pearl Princess or Princess Returning Pearl (Chinese: 還珠格格), is a 1998–1999 Chinese-Taiwanese period drama jointly produced by Yi Ren Communications Co. (怡人傳播公司) of Taiwan and Hunan Broadcasting System of China. Season 1 (1998) was filmed in 1997, and Season 2 (1999) in 1998–1999. Both seasons were filmed in Beijing, Chengde and the Bashang Plateau in China, and first aired on China Television in Taiwan.
Written by Chiung Yao, the story is set in 18th-century Qing dynasty during the Qianlong Emperor's reign. It follows tomboyish and innocent Xiaoyanzi, originally an orphaned and semi-literate vagrant in Beijing who, after befriending the emperor's illegitimate daughter Xia Ziwei, becomes a princess in place of her by accident. Although partially based on historical events and figures, the drama employed considerable artistic license.
Originally produced with a small budget and a cast of little-known young actors, My Fair Princess became a massive hit across East and Southeast Asia. It is regarded as one of the most commercially successful Chinese-language series in history. After reaching audience shares as high as 65%, Hunan Broadcasting System grew to become China’s second-largest network. Meanwhile, previously unknown cast members like Zhao Wei, Ruby Lin and Fan Bingbing became household names and overnight teen idols. In 2021, the series was blacklisted in mainland China following the government’s ban on Zhao Wei.