Goodbye My Princess

Goodbye My Princess or Eastern Palace (Chinese: 东宫; pinyin: Dōng Gōng)[2] is a 2019 Chinese television series based on the novel Eastern Palace by Fei Wo Si Cun; starring Chen Xingxu, Peng Xiaoran and Shawn Wei. It aired on Youku starting February 14, 2019.[3][4] It had a score of 7.5 points on Douban.

Goodbye My Princess
Also known as	Eastern Palace
Traditional	東宮
Simplified	东宫
Mandarin	Dōng Gōng
Genre	Romance Historical fiction Melodrama
Based on	Dong Gong (Eastern Palace) by Fei Wo Si Cun
Written by	Qian Yu Wang Yihan Xu Xiaolin Hu Rong Liu Xiao He Yitong[1]
Directed by	Li Muge
Starring	Chen Xingxu Peng Xiaoran Shawn Wei
Ending theme	Love Catastrophe by Xiao Shi
Country of origin	China
Original language	Mandarin
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	52
Production
Producers	Li Huan Wang Botong
Production locations	Beijing, Bashang Grassland, Dunhuang, Hengdian
Running time	45 mins
Production companies	Talent Film & Television Youku HualuBaina Film & TV HS Entertainment Meinong Entertainment
Release
Original network	Youku
First shown in	China
Original release	February 14 – March 25, 2019

Synopsis

Qu Xiaofeng (Peng Xiaoran), the beloved princess of the Western Liang Kingdom, is promised to the Crown Prince of Li Dynasty in a political marriage between the two countries.

Under the deliberate arrangement by Gu Jian (Shawn Wei), fifth prince Li Chengyin (Chen Xingxu) disguises himself as an ordinary tea merchant by the name Gu Xiaowu, and meets Qu Xiaofeng. They fell in love with each other as Li Chengyin tried to gain her trust to infiltrate Dan Chi, the kingdom ruled by Xiaofeng's grandfather, in order to gain war merits to become the new Crown Prince. After discovering the truth behind Li Chengyin's intentions, she jumps down the River of Forgetfulness to forget the painful memories. Li Chengyin, shocked at Xiaofeng's decision, follows suit.

Several months later, Xiaofeng is now married to Li Chengyin, who is now the crown prince of Li Kingdom. Although the Crown Prince is the second most powerful person in the kingdom, the Eastern Palace, where he lives, is one of the most dangerous places. Due to all the schemes and betrayals in the Eastern Palace, Xiaofeng and Chengyin's lives begin to intersect and somewhere buried within are hidden memories yet to resurface. Will Xiaofeng find true love during her journey and will she be able to face the cruel world of politics?

Cast

Main

• Chen Xingxu as Li Chengyin / Gu Xiaowu, 5th prince of Li Dynasty, later Crown Prince.
  • Initially a carefree and innocent man, Li Chengyin turned ambitious and cruel after knowing the truth behind his mother and elder brother's death. He is a cunning and deceptive man who is skilled in maneuvering politics and hiding his true feelings.
    Despite using Xiaofeng for his political gains, he truly falls in love with her. After losing his memory, he falls in love with her again for the second time but also causes her unbearable pain and anguish.
• Peng Xiaoran as Qu Xiaofeng, 9th Princess of Western Liang, later Crown Princess of Li Dynasty.
  • Innocent, naive, kind and bubbly. She falls in love with Gu Xiaowu, but pained by his betrayal and her family's tragedy, she jumps into the River of Forgetfulness to forget about their love. She falls in love with Li Chengyin for the second time, but is unwilling to open up her heart to him as she believes that Li Chengyin loves Zhao Sese.

• Shawn Wei[5] as Gu Jian, Li Chengyin's cousin, Xiaofeng's teacher.
  • The last descendant of the Gu lineage. He has feelings for Xiaofeng, but can never show them as he is tasked with avenging the Gu family's genocide. He was reluctantly forced by his teacher to assist Li Chengyin in using Xiaofeng to eliminate Danchi, and later uses his remaining life to make redemption to Xiaofeng out of guilt and love for her.

Royal family

• Gallen Lo as Emperor
• Siqin Gaowa as Empress Dowager
• Zhang Dinghan as Zhang Meiniang
• Gao Yihan[6] as Gao Ruyi
  • Royal Consort Gao. Daughter of Gao Yuming.
• Wang Jiaqi as Gu Yuyao
  • Consort Shu. Li Chengyin's birth mother. The Emperor's most beloved woman.
• Zhang Tong as Wei Xiuyi
  • Consort Wei. Li Chengmei's birth mother.
• Dong Xian as Consort De
• Yao Anlian as Prince Zhong
  • Brother of the Emperor.
• Kristy Yang[7] as Princess Mingyuan
  • Younger sister of the Empress. Consort of Qu Wencheng. She dotes on Li Chengyin, and is the one who revealed the truth of his mother's death to him.
• Zhang Aoyue as Li Chengji
  • Crown prince. He was killed in a planned attack by Li Chengye.
• Kingone Wang[8] as Li Chengye
  • Second prince (Prince Xuande). A cruel and power-hungry man who killed Li Chengji and attempted to assassinate the Emperor in order to attain the throne.
• Yang Tong as Li Chengmei
  • Third prince (Prince Rong).
• Jin Xuanyu as Li Chengyuan
  • Fourth prince (Prince Yun).
• Xia Wa as Zhao Sese
  • Daughter of Zhao Jingyu. Consort of Li Chengyin.
    A cunning and deceptive woman, who hides behind an innocent and weak facade. She loves Li Chengyin and tries to sabotage both Xiaofeng and Xu Baolin many times. She later becomes insane after Li Chengyin tells her that he never loved her and was only using her.
• Cheng Xiaomeng[9] as Yong Ning
  • Seventh princess. One of Xiaofeng's best friends in the palace.
• Chen Jinru as Luo Xi
  • Eight princess. She was in love with Pei Zhao since she was young, and later marries him. One of Xiaofeng's best friends in the palace.

Officials and generals

• Wang Zhifei as Gao Yuming
  • Prime minister. He is at odds with the Emperor, and attempts to control Li Chengyin to secure his position at court.
• Wang Guan[10] as Pei Zhao
  • Commander of Yulin Army. Loyal subordinate of Li Chengyin. Son of Elder Princess Pingnan. Luo Xi's husband. He feels guilty toward Xiaofeng, and showers her with extra kindness and protection in the palace.
• Fan Linfeng[11] as Li Yan, son of Prince Zhong. Loyal subordinate of Li Chengye.
• Lu Xing as Gao Xian, Dingyuan general. First son of Gao Yuming.
• Yu Bin as Gao Kun, Minister of Revenue. Second son of Gao Yuming.
• Feng Xiaotong as Gao Zhen
  • Assistant minister. Third son of Gao Yuming. A playboy and gambler. He was exposed for his crimes and killed in a planned attack by his rival, Zhao Shixuan.
• Zhao Tao as Zhao Jingyu, Duke of Zhenbei. Zhao Sese's father.
• Zhu Zanjin as Zhao Shixuan, assistant minister. Son of Zhao Jingyu, Zhao Sese's brother.
• Wang Han as Zeng Xian, commander of Shen Wu army.
• Li Jianxin as Ye Cheng, grand secretary.
• Cheng Guodong as Xi Qingzhuo, Minister of Rites.
• Wang Huan as Gu Ruhui, former Minister. Gu Jian's father. He was falsely accused and killed by Gao Yuming.
• Han Jinghuo as Zhang Can
  • Left commander of the Left Yulin Army. Nephew of the Empress. Subordinate of Pei Zhao. He was killed by Gao Zhen.
• Shen Baoping as Wang Shu, officer of Dali Temple.
• Han Xuanlong as Scholar Li, teacher of Li Chengyin.
• Shen Xuewei as Scholar Fang, teacher of Li Chengyin. He was tasked to watch over Li Chengyin by Gao Yuming.
• Fan Shende as Minister An, he was killed by Gao Xian while protecting Xiaofeng from being taken away.
• Fan Jinlun as Yuan Tong, Gao Xian's subordinate.
• Wang Yueyao as Leng Kun, Li Yan's subordinate. He took on Batu'er's identity and admitted to killing the Crown prince.

Servants

• Jiang Changyi as Cao Jiu, head eunuch. Personal attendant of the Emperor.
• Gao Yuan as Shi En, personal attendant of Li Chengyin.
• Gu Jia as Yong Niang
  • Personal attendant of Xiao Feng. She was sent to serve Xiao Feng by the Empress Dowager, and does her best to assist/protect Xiao Feng.
• Wang Tongyu as Rong Shuang
  • Personal attendant of the Empress. She is extremely loyal to the Empress, and attempts to assassinate Li Chengyin for her.
• Li Wenlong as Wei Shen, personal attendant of the Empress.
• Yu Han as Xu Niang
  • A maid under the Empress, who was pregnant with Zhang Can's child. She was instructed by the Empress to lie that the child belonged to Li Chengyin, and became his consort (baolin). She was later secretly sent out of the palace by Li Chengyin.
• Li Na as Ying'er
  • A maid under the Empress. She was instructed by the Empress to spy on Li Chengyin in the Eastern palace.
• Shang Siqi[12] as Chan'er
  • A maid under Li Chengye. She was sent to serve Li Chengyin and framed him for poisoning Xiao Feng. She was later killed by the Emperor in order to protect Li Chengye.
• Gao Xirui as Jin'er, Personal attendant of Zhao Sese.
• Shen Xuewei as Fang Shangyi, etiquette teacher who was responsible for teaching Xiao Feng.
• Zhu Xinfang as Physician Wang

Others

• Shao Feng[13] as Chai Mu
  • Leader of Pugilistic organization, Qian Long Order. He is actually Chen Zheng, an officer of Li kingdom who was falsely accused and evicted by Gao Yuming. He was later killed by the Emperor.
• Wei Xiaohan[14] as Ming Yue
  • A courtesan at Ming Yu brothel. She is actually Chen Yan, daughter of Chen Zheng. Gu Jian's childhood friend, and one of Xiao Feng's best friends. She later became a consort of the Emperor to seek revenge for her family, and committed suicide after her father's death.
• Guan Le as Mi Luo
  • Owner of Mi Luo Wine House. One of Xiao Feng's best friends. She is secretly in love with Pei Zhao.
• Zhao Renjie[15] as Hu Xiao, Chai Mu's subordinate.
• Lu Keke as Tao Jian, member of Qian Long order.
• Guo Junke as Sun Er, An assassin under Li Chengyin.
• Zhuang Qingning as Madame Peiguo, Mother of the Empress.
• Han Ying as Madame Zhang, Zhang Can's mother.
• Wei Yiyi as Xiao Wei, shopkeeper of the cosmetics and clothing store Wei Pin Ge.
• Xu Min as Mother Wang, owner of Ming Yu brothel.

Western State Palace

• Jiang Kai[16] as Qu Wencheng
  • King of Western State. Xiao Feng's father. He goes crazy after he witnessed his wife committing suicide in front of him.
• Tian Ling as Ashina Yun
  • Queen of Western State. Daughter of King Tomur. Xiao Feng's mother. She was reluctant to marry off Xiao Feng to the Central Plains, and sends her off to Danchi to prevent it. In the end, she was forced to commit suicide by Gao Xian.
• Hu Chunyong as Qu Tianze, prince of Western State. Xiao Feng's brother.
• Li Mingde as Di Mo, personal attendant of the Queen.
• Fang Shuai as Lahemeng, Minister of Relations.
• Zhao Zhengang as Witch Doctor

Danchi

• Zhang Xiaoning as King Tömür
  • King of Dan Chi. Xiao Feng's grandfather. He was beheaded by Li Chengyin, in the war between Li Kingdom and Danchi.
• Zhang Ge as Yi Moyan
  • Grandson of King Tomur. Xiao Feng's cousin. He died in the war between Li Kingdom and Danchi.
• Zhang Hengrui as He Shi
  • Great warrior of Dan Chi. Ah Du's brother. He died in the war between Li Kingdom and Danchi.
• Najima[17] as Ah Du
  • Xiao Feng's best friend and loyal servant. She pretends to be a mute in order to stay by Xiaofeng's side. She was killed by Gao Xian after assassinating Gao Xiao.
• Tian Xinyu as Batu'er
  • A man from Danchi who was framed for killing the Crown Prince. He was later killed by Li Yan on their journey to the Central Plains and replaced by Li Yan's subordinate to make it seem like Danchi was responsible for the death of the Crown prince.

Shuo Bo

• Hao Wenxue as King
• Zhao Longhao as Prince Lidun
  • Nephew of the King. He colludes with Li Chengyin to eliminate Danchi.
• Chen Tao as Yuan Ge, general.

Production

The drama was filmed from August 2017 to February 2018.[18] Filming also took place in Beijing, Bashang Grassland, Dunhuang and Hengdian World Studios.

The series reportedly has a production budget of 200 million yuan.[1]

Reception

The drama has earned positive reviews since its premiere, due to the outstanding performance of the cast, beautiful costumes and fitting props; as well as high-quality cinematography.[19][20] The writing of the adaptation was also praised for staying true to the classic scenes within the novel, while adding in additional scenes that fleshed out the details of the novel and allowing the plot to unfold steadily.[21]

Soundtrack

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Singers	Length
1.	"First Encounter (初见)" (Theme song)	Li Yufei	Feng Da	Yu Shaoyuan & Ye Li	4:29
2.	"Little Fox (小狐狸)" (Insert song)	Feiwo Sicun	Feng Da	Ye Li	3:09
3.	"Love Catastrophe (爱殇)" (Ending theme song)	Wang Yijie	Xiao Huan	Xiao Shi
4.	"Love Catastrophe - Male Version (爱殇男版)" (Insert song)	Wang Yijie	Xiao Huan	Xiao Huan

Awards and nominations

Award	Category	Nominated work	Result	Ref.
26th Huading Awards	Best Actor (Historical drama)	Chen Xingxu	Nominated	[22]
	Best Actress (Historical drama)	Peng Xiaoran	Nominated
China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival (1st Network Drama Awards)	Most Popular Actress		Won	[23]
Golden Bud - The Fourth Network Film And Television Festival	Best Web Series	Goodbye My Princess	Nominated	[24][25]
	Top Ten Web Series		Won
	Best Actor	Chen Xingxu	Nominated
	Best Actress	Peng Xiaoran	Nominated
	Most Popular Actress		Won
Baidu Fudian Awards	Top Ten Television Series		Won	[26]
Sina Film & TV Award Ceremony	Top Ten Television Series		Won	[27]

International Broadcast

•  Korea
•  Taiwan
•  Vietnam - TTV11 May 22, 2019

References

1. "獨家專訪／《東宮》編劇解密！　選角秘辛曝光". ET Today (in Chinese). March 11, 2019.
2. "东宫 (豆瓣)". douban (in Chinese). February 14, 2019.
3. "《东宫》开播曝光终极海报 实力演员助阵吸粉无数". China Radio International. February 14, 2018.
4. "《东宫》首播 陈星旭彭小苒正式解锁"忘川"夫妇". ifeng (in Chinese). February 15, 2019.
5. "魏千翔《东宫》开播古装诠释深情剑客". Netease (in Chinese). February 15, 2019.
6. "高艺涵新剧《东宫》定档12月12日 宫廷虐恋因爱成痴". China Daily (in Chinese). December 12, 2018.
7. "杨恭如低调加盟《东宫》 艳丽绝伦诠释冻龄美颜". Sina (in Chinese). October 27, 2017.
8. "王传一远赴敦煌拍古装"东宫"挑战大反派". Netease (in Chinese). November 22, 2017.
9. "《东宫》开机 程小蒙演绎古灵精怪七公主". Tencent (in Chinese). August 23, 2017.
10. "王冠《东宫》演绎多面裴照 铁血将军也有"软肋"". People.com (in Chinese). March 5, 2019.
11. "樊霖锋新戏杀青 忠心武将惹人疼". Netease (in Chinese). January 24, 2018.
12. "《东宫》开机 尚斯琪王传一首合作 演绎权势之争". Sina (in Chinese). August 14, 2017.
13. "古装剧《东宫》开播 邵峰颠覆造型演技精湛". People.com (in Chinese). February 18, 2019.
14. "《东宫》开机 清倌魏晓涵首扮古装 一展睿智聪颖". Sina (in Chinese). August 11, 2017.
15. "赵仁杰《东宫》杀青 谦卑好学获得认可". ifeng (in Chinese). February 2, 2018.
16. "《东宫》在北京开机 蒋恺再演帝王角色引期待". Tencent (in Chinese). August 11, 2017.
17. "娜吉玛演绎《东宫》最惨"硬核女孩"". Huanqiu (in Chinese). February 27, 2019.
18. "《东宫》开机 彭小苒携陈星旭演绎盛世王朝的爱情". Sina (in Chinese). August 10, 2017.
19. "《东宫》为什么能成为弹幕量第一的网剧？颜值抗打＋智商在线". Tencent (in Chinese). March 7, 2019.
20. "《东宫》：相亲不谨慎，亲人两行泪". The Paper (in Chinese). February 15, 2019.
21. "《东宫》剧集改编获赞 李承鄞小枫寻找失忆真相". ifeng (in Chinese). March 8, 2019.
22. "第26届华鼎奖提名名单：李现肖战获新锐演员提名". Sina (in Chinese). November 8, 2019.
23. "第一届互联网影视文娱盛典暨"飞鹭"文娱之夜在厦门举行". Xiamen Web (in Chinese). November 24, 2019.
24. "金骨朵网络影视盛典提名揭晓 王一博肖战杨紫等入围". Ynet (in Chinese). November 25, 2019.
25. "第四届#金骨朵获奖名单#（剧集部分）". Weibo (in Chinese).
26. "百度沸点2019年度十大电视剧发布". Sina (in Chinese). December 12, 2019.
27. "新浪2019年度影视综获奖名单". Sina (in Chinese). December 19, 2019.

External links

• Goodbye My Princess on Sina Weibo