Since its premiere in 1987, the 87th edition of "Dream of Red Mansions" has won the love of countless audiences with its exquisite artistic expression and profound cultural connotation. This drama not only faithfully reproduces the essence of the original novel, but also does an excellent job in character building, plot adaptation, costumes and props, etc., making it a classic in the history of Chinese TV dramas24.
First of all, the replay rate of this drama is extremely high, and it will be rebroadcast on major TV stations almost every year, becoming a must-watch program for many families. Its charm lies in the fact that no matter how many times the viewer has seen it, each time they revisit it, they can discover new details and feel new emotions. This enduring attraction is one of the important reasons for the popularity of the 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions".
Secondly, the reason why the 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions" can be loved by the majority of audiences is that it faithfully adapts the original work. In the process of adaptation, the crew not only referred to the sentences, pictures, music and other elements in the original work, but also combined the research results of red experts, and strived to carry out appropriate artistic processing on the basis of respecting the original work2. This kind of respect and innovation for the original work makes the TV series not only retain the literary value of the original work, but also have the unique charm of television art.
Moreover, the characterization of the 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions" is very successful. The crew auditioned actors across the country, and eclectic selected many ordinary people with no performance experience, as well as opera actors from major troupes. The outstanding performances of these actors make every character in the play lifelike, both physical and spiritual, and let the audience have a deeper understanding and affection for these classic characters4.
In addition, the show has also done a lot of work in terms of costumes, makeup, and music. The costume designer designed and produced more than 2,700 costumes for the show, and the makeup and music were also very distinctive, adding a lot to the successful development of the characters and the advancement of the plot.4
In short, the reason why the 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions" can become one of the TV series with the highest replay rate, and is loved and highly praised by the audience, is that it has successfully presented this literary masterpiece to TV audiences through careful artistic creation on the basis of faithfulness to the original work. Whether it is character building, plot adaptation, or costumes, makeup and music, they have all achieved excellence and meticulousness, showing the high level and profound connotation of Chinese TV dramas.
In 1983, Zhongyang TV decided to put "Dream of the Red Chamber", a treasure of classical Chinese literature, on the TV screen, which was a big move at the time. Director Mr. Wang Fulin, as the first generation of Chinese TV artists, was entrusted with this important task. He knows very well that in order to give this literary work a new life on TV, in addition to a solid script and excellent production, it also needs a group of actors who can deeply interpret the essence of the original work.
Thus, a nationwide casting of actors began. As soon as the news broke, it immediately caused a sensation across the country, and countless young people who love acting and have dreams of being actors have signed up, hoping to be part of this classic. The selection process is divided into two ways: self-recommendation and casting team selection, which has attracted tens of thousands of people with lofty ideals to participate.
The way to self-recommend is relatively simple, and actors can introduce themselves and show their acting skills by mailing their materials and performance videos to the crew. The casting team went to all parts of the country, going deep into various theater troupes, art academies, and even streets and alleys, looking for those potential actors. They are not confined to fame, they don't care if they have acting experience, they only look at whether the actors can get close to the image and temperament of the original characters.
In this process, director Wang Fulin and the casting team showed a high level of professionalism and artistic pursuit. They not only examine the appearance and temperament of the actors, but also pay more attention to the actors' understanding and performance ability of the role. During the casting process, many actors were asked to attend classes to study the original content of "Dream of Red Mansions" in depth, understand the character and fate of the characters, and even learn traditional cultural skills such as piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, in order to be closer to the characters when performing.
It is worth mentioning that during the casting process of the 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions", special attention was paid to the personality and inner temperament of the actors. They are looking for actors who are not only similar in appearance, but more importantly, actors who can deeply understand and convey the inner world of the characters. Therefore, many of the actors who were finally selected, such as Lin Daiyu's actor Chen Xiaoxu and Jia Baoyu's actor Ouyang Fenqiang, all stood out after layers of screening and strict assessment.
The whole casting process was full of challenges and hardships, but it was this attitude of excellence that laid a solid foundation for the success of the 87th version of "Dream of Red Mansions". Under the training and guidance of the crew, these actors have gradually grown into artists who can deeply interpret the complex relationships between the characters in "Dream of Red Mansions", and their wonderful performances have become an indispensable part of this classic TV series. 101112
During the production of the 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions", the crew put a lot of effort into the training of actors and the preparation of roles. In order to ensure the high quality of the series and the faithful presentation of the original book, the crew held a special training course for actors, so that the actors could deeply understand the essence of "Dream of Red Mansions" before the roles were assigned20.
This training course is not simple, it covers a wealth of content, from guqin performance to ancient etiquette, from poetry and song to qin, chess, calligraphy and painting, including almost all the relevant traditional cultural elements of that era. This kind of training not only gave the actors a deeper understanding of the roles, but also made them feel as if they had really returned to the elegant world of Red Mansions.
In the training class, the actors listened carefully and took notes frequently, and their eyes flashed with a thirst for knowledge and awe for the role. Everyone is fully engaged in learning, whether it is a veteran repertory actor or a fledgling newcomer, everyone is at the same starting point, making progress and growing together.
In particular, it is worth mentioning that the guqin performance course in the training class not only allowed the actors to learn an ancient musical instrument, but also allowed them to experience the state of mind of the ancient literati. When the sound of the guqin sounds, every note seems to tell the joys and sorrows of the characters in the Red Mansion, allowing the actors to have a more delicate grasp of the emotions of the characters.
In addition, special attention was paid to the actors' study and understanding of the original work. Under the guidance of red experts, the actors delved into every detail of "Dream of Red Mansions", from the character characteristics of the characters to the deep meaning of the storyline, all of which were chewed repeatedly and strive for precision. This kind of in-depth excavation of the original work makes the actors more handy when creating the characters, and they can interpret the roles to the fullest.
Through this training, the actors not only improved their artistic accomplishment, but also deepened their understanding and perception of the role. When they walked onto the shooting scene, every movement, every line, seemed so natural and full of power. Such preparation laid a solid foundation for the success of the 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions", and also allowed the audience to see a living world of Red Mansions.
The crew of the 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions" can be said to be a big family full of magic. Here, a group of young actors, mostly young, embark on an unforgettable journey with an infinite love of acting and a reverence for the classics30. In the process, they not only learned how to shape their characters, but also how to support and encourage each other.
In this team, some actors were even underage at the time, but their dedication to art and devotion to the role were not lost to experienced veteran actors at all. They get up early every day, practice together, attend classes together, and discuss scripts together, and this kind of day and night get along with each other, so that the friendship between them is deepening. Just like a big family, everyone is each other's strongest support31.
The team spirit of the crew is not only reflected in the shooting site. In addition to filming, the actors will also participate in various activities together, such as playing chess together, reading books, and even cooking together, which makes their relationship closer. The friendship between them, like the relationship between the characters in the play, is complex and profound, full of sincerity and warmth30.
Moreover, this team spirit and camaraderie did not end with the end of the episode. Even years later, when they get together again, that deep emotion can still be ignited instantly. The interaction between them is still full of the innocence and enthusiasm of the past, as if time has never passed, and they are still the youth in the Grand View Garden34.
This team spirit and camaraderie played a key role in the success of the series. It is precisely because of such a group of actors who are united, cooperative, and supportive of each other that the 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions" can be so vividly presented in front of the audience. With their own efforts and sweat, they jointly created this classic and made it a monument in the history of Chinese TV dramas30.
During the filming of the 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions", the friendship and team spirit between the actors were a valuable asset. It not only makes this drama more real and moving, but also allows everyone involved to gain many unforgettable memories and valuable life experiences. This team spirit and camaraderie will always be remembered and become the most precious part of their lives.
The 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions" is a TV series, but it is not just a TV series. It is like a gentle spring breeze, blowing into the hearts of countless people, leaving an indelible mark. More than 30 years have passed, and this drama still occupies a special place in the hearts of the audience and has become an inseparable complex in the hearts of many people.
In that year, this drama presented the whole picture of Cao Xueqin's original work in the form of a full-length series for the first time.41 For many viewers who have not read the original work, it was the 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions" that gave them the first time they really understood "Dream of Red Mansions". It is not only a TV series, but also a cultural popularization and a spiritual baptism. Its influence goes far beyond the screen and penetrates into the daily life of the audience.
The superb performances of actors such as Chen Xiaoxu and Ouyang Fenqiang have made Lin Daiyu, Jia Baoyu and other characters deeply rooted in the hearts of the people42. They are not only playing roles, but also interpreting these classic characters with their own souls. What the audience sees is not only fictional characters, but also a vivid life. These images have become irreplaceable classics in the hearts of the audience.
Even today, the 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions" is still rebroadcast countless times, and each time it is broadcast, it can attract a large number of loyal viewers. The charm of this drama has not diminished with the passage of time, but is like an old wine, the older it gets, the more fragrant it becomes. The audience's enthusiasm for this drama has not diminished because of the passage of time, but has become stronger and stronger.
The impact of this drama on the audience is all-round. It not only gives people a deeper understanding of the literary masterpiece "Dream of Red Mansions", but also gives people a deeper understanding of life and emotions. It allows people to see the brilliance of human nature, and also allows people to see the helplessness of life. It makes people feel the beauty of love, but also makes people feel the bitterness of love.
The success of the 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions" lies not only in its faithful presentation of the original work, but also in its profound portrayal of characters and delicate expression of emotions. It allows people to see flesh-and-blood characters and feel sincere and touching emotions. This kind of deep-rooted influence is difficult for any TV series to achieve.
The show was able to become a classic because it somehow hit the hearts of the audience at one point and then cannot be replicated.41 It is the result of the painstaking and painstaking efforts of the editors, and the result of their careful care and meticulous crafting. This kind of awe and dedication to art, as well as their rigorous and simple style and sincerity in doing things, are the rare qualities of contemporary literary artists.
The impact of the 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions" on the audience is far-reaching and long-lasting. It is not just a TV series, but also a culture, a feeling, and a spirit. It allows people to feel the charm of classics and the power of art in the impetuous era. This influence will be remembered forever and become an eternal classic in the hearts of the audience.
The 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions", for me, is not only a TV series, but also a feeling, a memory, and an emotion that is difficult to give up. Whenever I mention this drama, those familiar faces, those moving plots, and those melodious melodies come to my mind. I believe that for many people, this drama also carries their youthful memories and emotional experiences.
I have some stills from the shooting in my house, and every time I look at these photos, I feel like I have returned to that innocent era. Chen Xiaoxu in the photo, those tearful eyes, seem to tell Lin Daiyu's sorrow and helplessness; Jia Baoyu, played by Ouyang Fenqiang, reveals his disdain for the world and his desire for freedom in his uninhibited eyes. For me, these photos are a living story and a touch to my heart.
I still remember that when this drama premiered, the black and white TV at home was always crowded with people, and everyone laughed and cried with the ups and downs of the plot. At that time, we didn't have mobile phones or the Internet, but our love for TV dramas and our resonance with the characters were so sincere and profound. Now, although time has passed, that emotion is forever engraved in my heart.
Here, I would like to invite every reader to share your story with the 87th version of "Dream of Red Mansions", tell us who your favorite actor is, which plot moved you to tears, and which character makes you unforgettable. Let's reminisce about those good times and feel the same feelings together.
I believe that everyone has their own "Dream of Red Mansions" in their hearts. Maybe it's Lin Daiyu's sentimentality, maybe it's Wang Xifeng's wit and decisiveness, or maybe it's Jia Baoyu's frank rebellion. Each character has their own unique charm, and every story has its profound meaning. Let's discuss, communicate, and share the touching and love in our hearts.
The reason why the 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions" can become a classic is that it touches the softest part of our hearts. It is not only a work, but also a spirit and a heritage. It makes us believe that no matter how times change, those beautiful emotions and profound thoughts will never go out of style.
So, dear readers, don't be stingy with your sharing, don't hide your emotions. Let's walk into the grand view garden full of dreams and relive those moments that make our hearts move. Whether it is laughter or tears, they are our common treasure. Let's find resonance in memories and warmth in sharing. Because, the 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions" is our common memory and our eternal classic.