For a drama to be made, a lot goes in it. Expensive equipment, crew, set design, and actors are few to name that add to the making and expense of a drama production. Here, we will take a look at ten C-Dramas that cost a lot to make.
1. Ruyi's Royal Love In The Palace (2018)
Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace is a Chinese television series based on Liu Lianzi's novel Hou Gong Ru Yi Zhuan. The series, featuring Zhou Xun and Wallace Huo, follows Emperor Qianlong and Empress Nara's romantic and marital connection. The drama’s cast was very compelling, and the fees of the two leading actors were more than 100 million.
2. Heroes In Sui And Tang Dynasties (2013)
Heroes in the Sui and Tang Dynasties is a Chinese television drama based on Chu Renhuo's historical novel Sui Tang Yanyi, which portrays the genuine events that led to the Sui dynasty's demise and the creation of the Tang dynasty. The drama cost ¥280 million to be made, making it one of the most expensive dramas to be made in C-Drama history until “The Empress of China.”
3. The Empress Of China (2014)
The Empress of China is a Chinese television series based on events in the 7th and 8th centuries Tang dynasties, starring Fan Bingbing as the titular character Wu Zetian—the only female emperor (empress regnant) in Chinese history, with a budget of over 300 million (roughly US$49.53 million). 2 million were spent only for the costume of the drama.
4. The Rebel Princess (2021)
For the sake of power, Wang Xuan and Xiao Qi make an agreement. They marry before falling in love, and they work together to safeguard their homeland. She is a lady who is equal to any guy, notwithstanding his humble beginnings. The royal family has rotted from the inside out. Princess Wang Xuan and the third prince, her childhood sweetheart, become pawns in a prophecy that declares, "To acquire thee is to obtain the world." After getting drawn into court troubles, Wang Xuan's father marries her off to Xiao Qi, who hails from a poor family. The budget of the drama was $110,000,000.
5. The Longest Day In Chang'an (2019)
Cao Dun directs The Longest Day in Chang'an, a Chinese historical suspense drama. Lei Jiayin and Jackson Yee star in the show. It is based on Ma Boyong's novel of the same name. The story portrays Zhang Xiaojing and Li Bi as they attempt to stop a terrorist attack on Chang'an, the Tang dynasty's capital. The cost of production of this drama was 88 million dollars.
6. The Legend Of Fei (2020)
Legend of Fei is a Chinese historical play based on Priest's novel Bandits. Zhao Liying is Zhou Fei, and Wang Yibo is Xie Yun. The story depicts the development of the female fighter Zhou Fei as she embarks on an adventure with the traveling poet and traveler Xie Yun at a time when the martial arts society is in chaos and losing authority due to the revelation of a great secret that has been hidden for 20 years. The drama cost 87 million dollars to be made.
7. Three Kingdoms (2010)
Three Kingdoms is a Chinese television drama series around the Three Kingdoms period and the late Eastern Han dynasty. Its plot is based on the 14th century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms as well as other romances occurring at the time of the Three Kingdoms' reign. The series cost more than 160 million RMB (US$30 million) and required five years of pre-production work.
8. The Long Ballad (2021)
The Long Ballad, commonly known as Chang Ge Xing, is a Chinese historical drama series based on Xia Da's 2011 novel of the same name. Dilraba Dilmurat, Leo Wu, Zhao Lusi, and Liu Yuning star. Based on the setting of the Tang dynasty, during the rule of Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong, the drama depicts the narrative of an imperial princess seeking vengeance for her family, and her fate crosses with that of a tribal prince. Fifty-five million dollars was the production cost of the drama.
9. Nirvana In Fire (2015)
Nirvana in Fire is a Chinese historical drama and thriller based on the novel Lang Ya Bang by Hai Yan. It stars Hu Ge, Liu Tao, and Wang Kai as Mei Changsu, Princess Nihuang, and Prince Jing and was directed by Kong Sheng and Li Xue. The tale follows Lin Shu, who approaches the capital of Liang under the alias Mei Changsu to seek justice for a scheme that painted his family as traitors 12 years previously. Nineteen million dollars was the budget for the drama, and the money was well spent as the drama was a huge hit.
10. My Chief And My Regiment (2009)
My Chief and My Regiment, popularly known as "Chief" or "The Chief Show," is a well-known Chinese television series. The series is based on award-winning novelist Lan Xiaolong's novel of the same name. The series cost many millions to bring this story to the world.
