US TV channels to air 'Legend of Zhen Huan'

 China.org.cn, January 23, 2013

A popular Chinese costume drama, "Legend of Zhen Huan," is likely to be introduced in the United States, said the series' director Zheng Xiaolong on Monday.

A popular Chinese costume drama might be introduced in the U.S., where it would be re-edited into six mini-films and broadcasted in English.[File photo]

Zheng, also a member of Beijing Municipality's Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference -- the local advisory body, said he has so far signed a draft contract with a U.S. company, who will later re-cut the series into six mini-films to be broadcasted by the mainstream U.S. TV stations.

Zheng said the unnamed U.S. company plans to re-edit the entire series, while at the same time adding some scenes and changing its soundtrack. He said the original Chinese producers will completely stay out of the remake, because they are not up-to-date about what would appeal to the American viewer.

Additionally, the company believes the show can attract a large audience on the English speaking market, according to Zheng, who added that the show's popularity in China is based on the positive values it tries to convey.

The show has reportedly been aired in its original language on several Chinese TV stations in the States. Of course this language barrier limited its audience to one strictly consisting of ethnic Chinese based in the U.S.

But the remake of the "Legend of Zhen Huan" will enable it to reach a broader public. "This is a real going-abroad," the director said.

Despite the excitement surrounding the new project, China's online community has expressed some concern. One netizen named @Zhang Xinyu wasn't sure whether or not the Americans would understand the drama's cultural implications. But she showed optimism about the show's ability to expand cultural influence.

A Californian student who has been living in China for five years said he had watched the show in its original version. The student, named Shang De in Chinese, was doubtful about the remake. "Most of my friends from the U.S. and Europe are more interested in blind dating shows such as 'If You Are the One'," he said.

In his opinion, the cultural difference forms the main obstacle for obtaining good ratings. On the one hand, the plot seems too slow to be exciting, unlike the average Hollywood or HBO show. On the other hand, the American audience still has difficulties to comprehend any Chinese costume drama set in long foregone times.

Shang added that Jackie Chan and Zhang Yimou's films cater better to the average American taste.