Joy of Life (2019)

In the waning light of the Eastern Jin era, the throne is seized by Liu Yu, marking the inception of the Liu Song dynasty. Amid the brutal carnage, a newborn royal, the only survivor, is adopted by Fan Jian of the Imperial Secretariat. This child, Fan Xian, grows under the dual tutelage of a mysterious mentor and a blindfolded watchman in the remote seaside town of Kingdom Qing. As he reaches adulthood, Fan Xian finds himself on the precipice of a politically-charged marriage to a princess that thrusts him into the limelight of ambitious princes. However, he deftly navigates these complex waters, refusing to ally with any faction. His loyalty to the emperor during two back-to-back rebellions earns him respect and admiration. Mirroring this historical narrative, Zhang Qing, a modern-day culture and history undergraduate, aspires to join Professor Ye's postgraduate class. He crafts an insightful historical fiction to juxtapose his contemporary understanding of ancient literature history, placing himself in the shoes of Fan Xian. In the bustling capital, Fan Xian's life becomes a crucible of trials and tribulations. A shocking revelation unravels his lineage - he is the biological son of the tyrannical emperor, Liu Yu, who ordered his mother's assassination. Driven by vengeance and a longing for kingdom-wide peace, Fan Xian embarks on a perilous political duel with the emperor, ultimately forcing Liu Yu to relinquish his throne. Throughout, Fan Xian stands as a beacon of justice and virtue, etching an indelible mark on the annals of the kingdom. "Joy of Life" (2019) is a tale of resilience and political intrigue interwoven with a contemporary narrative, offering viewers a vibrant exploration of historical and modern perspectives.

Joy of Life is a drama show featuring Zhang Ruoyun and created by Sun Hao.

Joy of Life is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on KoreaOnDemand and Rakuten Viki and it's also available on Rakuten Viki.