2015-06-11
Looking ahead to the future of “phenomenal” TV series
Premiered earlier this year, the 56-episode TV series The Ordinary World adapted from Lu Yao’s novel with the same name from 20 years ago is considered to be a “phenomenal” TV series and gained positive reception from critics and the audience.
Wen Haojie, scriptwriter of The Ordinary World, discussed adapting the classic novel from a different time into a TV series that appeals to young audience at yesterday’s Magnolia TV Forum on the future of “phenomenal” TV series.
“We all have the ambition to produce a work that stays with the audience, and every era needs works reflecting that period.” Wen said.
The story set in the 1970s offered a panorama of the country life in Shaanxi Province, an inspiring story that portrayed honest, kind and hardworking young people fighting for a better future.
TV series adapted from classic literature works have the advantage of an existing fan base.
The TV series is a huge success, receiving high ratings and views when broadcast on television networks and online platforms.
According to Wang Juan, deputy general manager of Tencent Online Video and chief editor of Tencent Video, The Ordinary World gained more than 200 million views on Tencent Video when first broadcast, and now the number is over 400 million. The audience are still watching the series after the premiere run, and there are more than 20 thousand high quality comments.
“Introducing ‘phenomenal’ series like The Ordinary World is crucial and very much needed for our brand.” Wang said.
For TV series on online platforms, the content quality is even more important.
“The requirement is much higher for the series’ quality, because the competition online is intense.” said Wang Chen, general manager of Huashi Media, which is the production company of The Ordinary World.
“The content also needs to be precise and fragmented,” she said, “as the audience needs to be able to watch the series in any environment, at home or on the way to work.”
Wen Haojie, scriptwriter of The Ordinary World, discussed adapting the classic novel from a different time into a TV series that appeals to young audience at yesterday’s Magnolia TV Forum on the future of “phenomenal” TV series.
“We all have the ambition to produce a work that stays with the audience, and every era needs works reflecting that period.” Wen said.
The story set in the 1970s offered a panorama of the country life in Shaanxi Province, an inspiring story that portrayed honest, kind and hardworking young people fighting for a better future.
TV series adapted from classic literature works have the advantage of an existing fan base.
The TV series is a huge success, receiving high ratings and views when broadcast on television networks and online platforms.
According to Wang Juan, deputy general manager of Tencent Online Video and chief editor of Tencent Video, The Ordinary World gained more than 200 million views on Tencent Video when first broadcast, and now the number is over 400 million. The audience are still watching the series after the premiere run, and there are more than 20 thousand high quality comments.
“Introducing ‘phenomenal’ series like The Ordinary World is crucial and very much needed for our brand.” Wang said.
For TV series on online platforms, the content quality is even more important.
“The requirement is much higher for the series’ quality, because the competition online is intense.” said Wang Chen, general manager of Huashi Media, which is the production company of The Ordinary World.
“The content also needs to be precise and fragmented,” she said, “as the audience needs to be able to watch the series in any environment, at home or on the way to work.”

图说The guests expressed their opinions on the stage. Pic by Wu Kai