Joy of Life

A modern college student, Zhang Qing, decides to try out a provocative idea: he writes a historical novel that reimagines ancient political life through contemporary eyes. In his story he becomes Fan Xian, a young man with a shadowy past who grows up in a quiet seaside town in the Kingdom of Qing under the care of an enigmatic mentor and a blindfolded guardian. When Fan Xian heads to the capital as an adult, he runs into court intrigue, rival factions, and personal tests that force him to sharpen his judgment. He sticks to a personal moral code, uses wit and strategy to survive, and builds a life that mixes honor, humor, and ambition without giving away key surprises.

Released in 2019 and directed by Sun Hao, Joy of Life adapts material from author Mao Ni, with Wang Juan involved in the series creation, and stars Zhang Ruoyun, Li Qin, Chen Daoming, Wu Gang, and Xin Zhilei.

There are no widely reported major international awards tied to the series in commonly available sources, though it achieved strong viewer attention and discussion online, reflected in audience ratings and enthusiastic fan communities.

The show left a mark on fandom and social media, thanks to its unusual tone that blends political plotting with comedic beats. Fans produced fan art, scene breakdowns, and theory threads, and the leads saw noticeable boosts in visibility across platforms because viewers kept talking about memorable episodes and character dynamics.

Critics and audiences gave generally positive responses, with an average vote around 8.1 out of 10 from viewers in available polls. Reviewers tended to note the sharp writing, strong ensemble performances, and the way the series mixes dark palace politics with light humor. Major themes include power and its moral costs, loyalty and betrayal, and how a clever protagonist carves out influence while trying to stay true to a personal code.