Chinese Drama: 足迹 (Zu Ji) - quietly begins production?

#TongYao #童瑶 #足迹 #CDrama

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As a general practice, I avoid linking actors Tong Yao or Sun Li to drama series that have not been officially announced. I made an exception for Tender Light, confident that its production had concluded before I chose to write about it. However, 足迹 (Zu Ji) seems to be a confirmed project, although I maintain some reservations, as the supporting information is not as conclusive as it was for Tender Light.

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My decision to cover this topic was influenced primarily by the official Sina Television Weibo account, which announced the upcoming series on iQiyi. The announcement included a list of cast members and a graphic featuring iQiyi’s logo, which adds substantial weight to the series’ confirmation. (Click Me)

Typically, I remain cautious about discussing such projects because circumstances can shift, and until production commences, there’s no guarantee the series will materialize or retain the initially announced cast. Nevertheless, I’m inclined to take a chance here, as three pieces of evidence suggest that the drama may have discreetly started production, with Tong Yao already on board.

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Firstly, Tong Yao herself hinted at being on set in two separate posts on Weibo. One was dedicated to cheering on Gaokao students, although she did not reveal the specific project she was working on. She mentioned that she was on location and posted a photo of what looks like a Sony camera.

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And in the second post, she wished everyone a happy Duanwu Festival. Again she didn't specify what she was working on but alongside a photo of rice dumplings, she also posted a photo of boom poles with microphones, a softbox, c-stands, scrims etc which pretty much means that she's on location.

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Secondly, a separate post from this account showed Tong Yao sporting a new, short hairstyle, which was likely taken at the filming location, hinting at her involvement in a current production. The photo isn't the best quality but it does bear some resemblance to her.

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Lastly, a Weibo post suggested that production began on May 28th at the Shanghai Chedun Film Park. While such posts can sometimes be unreliable, the combined weight of the Sina announcement, Tong Yao’s own update, and the photographic evidence, although not the best, lends greater credibility to the claim.

The series 足迹 (Zu Ji), which has yet to receive an official English title, translates to “footprints,” a term which aptly describes the narrative. Spanning 60 years, the story centers around three generations of women and the “footprints” they leave over time in a Western-style house in Shanghai. Lin Siyun, Yi Yi, and Ye Xining each grapple with the clash between their aspirations and reality through six tumultuous decades.

Lin Siyun, the first protagonist, returns to China in the 1930s, aspiring to establish a maternity hospital, only to be met with wartime turmoil. By the 1950s, the hospital has evolved into a garment factory.

Yi Yi, Lin Siyun’s niece, aspires to be a fashion designer but faces obstacles in her career and personal life due to her status as a widow of a Kuomintang military officer.

In the 1990s, the historical house has been transformed into a prestigious hotel. Yi Yi’s granddaughter, Ye Xining, finds herself embroiled in a conspiracy while preparing for a friend’s wedding, leading to her unemployment and significant debt. This compels her to join the wave of economic reform in China.

This series promises to be intriguing, as it aims to portray six decades of upheaval and transformation in Shanghai—and possibly China—through the lives of ordinary women. These characters don't seem to be spies, resistance fighters, military officers, or otherwise extraordinary; they are simply women with dreams, striving to realize them in an era of change. Thus, the series offers viewers a unique perspective on 60 years of rapid evolution in China.

It appears to be an anthology series, with three relatively independent stories connected through the familial relationships of the female protagonists. It remains unclear which role Tong Yao will assume, IF she is really involved in the project. It seems improbable that she will portray all three characters, especially since two other actresses are linked to the production. If I were to speculate, I’d surmise that Tong Yao might portray Lin Siyun, particularly if the series is being shot sequentially in Shanghai. This would likely mean that the first story is filmed before progressing to the subsequent narratives.

It’s plausible that Lin Siyun’s storyline will intersect with Yi Yi’s, but it’s unlikely that Lin Siyun will feature prominently in the final tale, given her advanced age by that point. If so, Tong Yao is unlikely to continue in that role. Lin Siyun may only be present in photographs, flashbacks, or the memories of other characters in the third part of the anthology

All this remains conjecture until official announcements are made so I may have to come back and correct this post in the future and regret the risk I took writing it up. Nonetheless, if this is true, then I look forward to this series, as it holds the potential to offer a fresh take on the historical and cultural shifts experienced by women in China.

If you wish to check out my Tong Yao guide, please click me.