''Medal of the Republic'' () is a 2021 Chinese eight-part anthology

biographical drama A biographical film or biopic () is a film that dramatizes the life of a Nonfiction, non-fictional or History, historically-based person or people. Such films show the life of a historical person and the central character's real name is used. The ...

television series, consisting of eight segments directed by eight directors,

Zheng Xiaolong Zheng Xiaolong (; born November 30, 1953) is a Chinese TV and film director and screenwriter. Selected filmography *''Stories from the Editorial Board'' (1991)—China's first sitcom *''A Native of Beijing in New York'' (1992)—first Chinese TV ...

(also chief director), , Lin Nan, , , , , and . It stars many of China's top actors, many in supporting roles and cameos. The series follows the stories of the first group of eight recipients (, Yu Min, ,

Huang Xuhua Huang Xuhua (; born 12 March 1926) is a Chinese mechanical engineer and submarine designer, and was one of the chief designers for the country's first generation of nuclear submarines ( Type 091 and Type 092). He is director emeritus of the Wu ...

Shen Jilan Shen Jilan (; 29 December 1929 – 28 June 2020) was a Chinese politician affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party and former farmer. She had held numerous governance positions and was elected to the 1st National People's Congress in 1954, an ...

Sun Jiadong Sun Jiadong (; born 8 April 1929) is a Chinese aerospace engineer who is an expert in carrier rocket and satellite technology. He has long served as a leader of Chinese satellite projects, and is currently the chief designer for the Chinese Lunar ...

Tu Youyou Tu Youyou (; born 30 December 1930) is a Chinese pharmaceutical chemist and malariologist. She discovered artemisinin (also known as , ) and dihydroartemisinin, used to treat malaria, a breakthrough in twentieth-century tropical medicine, sav ...

and

Yuan Longping Yuan Longping (; September 7, 1930May 22, 2021) was a Chinese agronomist and member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering known for developing the first hybrid rice varieties in the 1970s, part of the Green Revolution in agriculture. For his ...

) of the

Medal of the Republic The Medal of the Republic () is one of the People's Republic of China's two highest decorations for Chinese nationals. On December 27, 2015, the National People's Congress Standing Committee passed a law establishing three national orders of meri ...

, China's highest honor for those who have made great contributions to the development of the People's Republic of China. ''Medal of the Republic'' is also a production to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party. The series was aired on

Zhejiang Television Zhejiang Television (ZJTV, ) is a satellite television channel owned by Zhejiang Radio and Television Group serving Zhejiang Province. It was launched on October 1, 1960. History January 1, 1994, Zhejiang TV program first started to use satel ...

Dragon Television Shanghai Dragon Television or Dragon TV () is a provincial satellite TV station. It launched in October 1998 as "Shanghai Television" but changed its name to Dragon Television on October 23, 2003.Beijing Television Beijing Radio and Television Station (BRTV), formerly Beijing Media Network (BMN), is a government-owned television network in China. It broadcasts from Beijing. The channel is available only in Chinese. Beijing Media Network was founded on ...

and

Jiangsu Television Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation (JSBC) () is China's third biggest television network after China Central Television (CCTV) and Hunan Broadcasting System (HBS). The television network is owned by the Jiangsu provincial government. The network is ...

on 26 September 2021.

Synopsis

Li Yannian

The episode on , a soldier of the

People's Volunteer Army The People's Volunteer Army (PVA) was the armed expeditionary forces deployed by the People's Republic of China during the Korean War. Although all units in the PVA were actually transferred from the People's Liberation Army under the order ...

, centers on the battlefield during the

Korean War , date = {{Ubl, 25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953 (''de facto'')({{Age in years, months, weeks and days, month1=6, day1=25, year1=1950, month2=7, day2=27, year2=1953), 25 June 1950 – present (''de jure'')({{Age in years, months, weeks a ...

, he and his fellow soldiers retake a strategic highland and fulfill the mission.

Yu Min

The episode on Yu Min, a nuclear physicist, is about how he overcome obstacles and make breakthroughs in

hydrogen bomb A thermonuclear weapon, fusion weapon or hydrogen bomb (H bomb) is a second-generation nuclear weapon design. Its greater sophistication affords it vastly greater destructive power than first-generation nuclear bombs, a more compact size, a lowe ...

research after several months of undertaking complex calculations.

Zhang Fuqing

The episode on , a soldier of the

People's Liberation Army The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is the principal military force of the People's Republic of China and the armed wing of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The PLA consists of five service branches: the Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, ...

, is about his distinguished service in the

Chinese Civil War The Chinese Civil War was fought between the Kuomintang-led government of the Republic of China and forces of the Chinese Communist Party, continuing intermittently since 1 August 1927 until 7 December 1949 with a Communist victory on m ...

and his efficiency in

Laifeng County Laifeng County () is a county of southwestern Hubei province, People's Republic of China. It is under the administration of the Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture () is located in the mountainou ...

after he retired from active duty.

Huang Xuhua

The episode on

, picks up his efforts to develop China's first

nuclear submarine A nuclear submarine is a submarine powered by a nuclear reactor, but not necessarily nuclear-armed. Nuclear submarines have considerable performance advantages over "conventional" (typically diesel-electric) submarines. Nuclear propulsion, ...

between 1952 and 1988.

Shen Jilan

The episode on

, a delegate to the

National People's Congress The National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China (NPC; ), or simply the National People's Congress, is constitutionally the supreme state authority and the national legislature of the People's Republic of China. With 2, ...

, highlights her efforts to defend women's labor rights and advocate for the inclusion of "equal pay for equal work" between men and women in the

Constitution A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of Legal entity, entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed. When ...

Sun Jiadong

The episode on

, sees his efforts to develop China's first space satellite,

Dong Fang Hong I ''Dong Fang Hong 1'' (), in the western world also known as China 1 or PRC 1, was the first space satellite of the People's Republic of China (PRC), launched successfully on 24 April 1970 as part of the PRC's Dongfanghong space satellite prog ...

, in the 1960s.

Tu Youyou

The episode on

, a Nobel Prize winner, focuses on her efforts to develop

artemisinin Artemisinin () and its semisynthetic derivatives are a group of drugs used in the treatment of malaria due to ''Plasmodium falciparum''. It was discovered in 1972 by Tu Youyou, who shared the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her dis ...

in the 1970s, which is used to treat

malaria Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and other animals. Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches. In severe cases, it can cause jaundice, seizures, coma, or death. S ...

Yuan Longping

The episode on

, an agronomist, is about how he develops the first

hybrid rice Hybrid rice is a type of Asian rice that has been crossbred from two very different parent varieties. As with other types of hybrids, hybrid rice typically displays heterosis or "hybrid vigor", so when grown under the same conditions as comparable p ...

varieties

Cast

Li Yannian (directed by Mao Weining)

* as , a soldier of the

Yu Min (directed by Shen Yan)

Lei Jiayin Lei Jiayin () is a Chinese actor. He is best known for his role as Chen Junsheng in drama ''The First Half of My Life''. Lei ranked 62nd on ''Forbes'' China Celebrity 100 list in 2019, and 61st in 2020. Early life Lei Jiayin was born in Tiedon ...

as Yu Min, a nuclear physicist, recipient of

Two Bombs, One Satellite Two Bombs, One Satellite () was an early nuclear and space project of the People's Republic of China. ''Two Bombs'' refers to the atomic bomb (and later the hydrogen bomb) and the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), while ''One Satellite' ...

Achievement Medal, known as the "Father of Chinese Hydrogen Bomb". *

Ni Ni Ni Ni (, born 8 August 1988) is a Chinese actress best known for portraying Yu Mo in the 2011 film ''The Flowers of War'', directed by Zhang Yimou; and Ling Xi in the 2019 television series ''Love and Destiny''. She is considered to be one of t ...

as Sun Yuqin, wife of Yu Min. * Yang Shuo as Lao Ma * as Lu Jie * as Lao Hao * as Yuan Jinhong *

Bai Fan Bai Fan (born May 4, 1962) is a Chinese actor who has starred in various genres of film and television series. He is well known for ''Ren Changxia'' (2005), ''Crime Domain'' (2008), ''No 1 Landmark'' (2010), ''Beijing Love Story'' (2012) and '' ...

as Doctor Sun *

You Yong You Yong (born 13 December 1963) is a Chinese actor. He enrolled in the Xi'an Drama School (西安话剧院) in 1979 and joined the Shanghai Theatre Academy Shanghai Theatre Academy () is a public university in Shanghai, People's Republic of ...

as Deputy Minister *

Hu Ke Hu Ke is the name of: * Hu Ke (actress) (born 1975), Chinese actress * Hu Ke (cyclist) (born 1988), Chinese male track cyclist {{hndis ...

as Yu Su

Zhang Fuqing (directed by Kang Honglei)

* Guo Tao as , a soldier of the

. * as Sun Yulan, wife of Zhang Fuqing. * as

Peng Dehuai Peng Dehuai (; October 24, 1898November 29, 1974) was a prominent Chinese Communist military leader, who served as China's Defense Minister from 1954 to 1959. Peng was born into a poor peasant family, and received several years of primary edu ...

Huang Xuhua (directed by Yang Yang)

Huang Xiaoming Huang Xiaoming or Mark Huang (, born 13 November 1977) is a Chinese actor, singer, and model. He graduated from the Performance Institute of the Beijing Film Academy in 2000. Huang first rose to prominence in 2001 for playing Emperor Wu of Han in ...

, chief designers for China's first generation of

s ( Type 091 and Type 092). * Chen Hao as Li Shiying, wife of Huang Xuhua. * as Chun Ling *

Ai Liya Ai Liya (; born 1 December 1965 in Inner Mongolia) is a Chinese film and television actress. She graduated from the Acting Department of Beijing Film Academy Beijing Film Academy (BFA; ) is a coeducational state-run higher education institu ...

as Director Liu

Shen Jilan (directed by Lin Nan)

Jiang Xin Jiang Xin (; born 8 May 1983), also known by her English name Rulu Jiang, is a Chinese actress. Life and career Jiang Xin entered Zhengzhou City's Children Arts Group at the age of 7 and Henan Children Arts Group at the age of 8. At the age of 9 ...

, delegate to the

. *

Chen He Chen He (; born 9 November 1985), also known as Michael Chen, is a Chinese actor. Chen is noted for playing Zeng Xiaoxian in the romantic comedy television series ''IPartment'', which enjoyed the highest ratings in China when it was broadcast ...

as Li Chengying, husband of Shen Jilan. *

Zuo Xiaoqing Zuo Xiaoqing (; born 25 June 1977) is a Chinese actress, TV presenter and former rhythmic gymnast. She represented China at the 1992 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships. In 1993, Zuo played a minor role in Jiang Wen's directorial debut ''In ...

as Li Hua * as Zhang Hailiang *

Liu Yuning Liu Yuning (; born 8 January 1990) is a Chinese pop singer, actor, and the lead singer of Modern Brothers. In 2018 Liu rose to stardom by his covers on social media platforms, and released his debut single "Imagination" in September 15, 2018. He r ...

as a correspondent * as a journalist * as mother of Xiu Zhi * as battalion commander *

Jian Renzi Jian Renzi (; born 19 October 1991), also known as Joyce Jian, is a Chinese actress. She is known for her roles in '' My Sunshine'' (2015) and '' Game of Hunting'' (2017). Early life and education Jian was born 19 October 1991 in Shenyang, Liao ...

as Xiu Zhi * Lin Siyi as Lai Di * as Li Guiying * as Shitou

Sun Jiadong (directed by Yang Wenjun)

Tong Dawei Tong Dawei (, born 3 February 1979) is a Chinese actor and singer. Tong is best known for starring in the television series ''Jade Goddess of Mercy'' (2003), ''Struggle'' (2007), and ''Tiger Mom'' (2015); as well as the films ''Lost in Beijing'' ...

, father of China's carrier rocket and satellite technology. * Sun Li as Wei Suping, wife of Sun Jiadong. * Liu Yijun as

Qian Xuesen Qian Xuesen, or Hsue-Shen Tsien (; 11 December 1911 – 31 October 2009), was a Chinese mathematician, cyberneticist, aerospace engineer, and physicist who made significant contributions to the field of aerodynamics and established engineeri ...

* as Chen Xiyuan * as Huang Zhiming *

Lin Yongjian Lin Yongjian (, born 14 February 1970) is a Chinese actor. Lin, Yongjian graduated from PRC Academy of Drama in 1990, has been a successful stage actor at Guangzhou Soldiers' Drama Troupe after graduation. He has been starring in more than 50 ...

Nie Rongzhen Nie Rongzhen (; December 29, 1899 – May 14, 1992) was a prominent Chinese Communist military leader, and one of ten Marshals in the People's Liberation Army of China. He was the last surviving PLA officer with the rank of Marshal. Biography ...

* Liu Jing as

Zhou Enlai Zhou Enlai (; 5 March 1898 – 8 January 1976) was a Chinese statesman and military officer who served as the first Premier of the People's Republic of China, premier of the People's Republic of China from 1 October 1949 until his death on 8 J ...

* as Chen Qian * as Li Donghai

Tu Youyou (directed by Zheng Xiaolong)

Zhou Xun Zhou Xun (, born 18 October 1974) is a Chinese actress and singer. She is regarded as one of the Four Dan Actresses of China. She gained international fame for her roles in '' Suzhou River'' (2000) and ''Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress'' ...

, pharmaceutical chemist and malariologist who discovered

and

dihydroartemisinin Dihydroartemisinin (also known as dihydroqinghaosu, artenimol or DHA) is a drug used to treat malaria. Dihydroartemisinin is the active metabolite of all artemisinin compounds (artemisinin, artesunate, artemether, etc.) and is also available as ...

, used to treat

, a breakthrough in twentieth-century tropical medicine, saving millions of lives in South China, Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America. *

Zhang Songwen Zhang Songwen () is a Chinese actor and acting coach. He is known for starring in the 2018 film '' The Shadow Play'', 2020 drama '' The Bad Kids'' and the 2023 drama ''The Knockout''. Early life In 2000, Zhang entered Beijing Film Academy. After ...

as Li Tingzhao, husband of Tu Youyou. *

Chen Baoguo Chen Baoguo (; born 9 March 1956) is a Chinese actor. He graduated from the Central Academy of Drama, Erjia in 1977 and has since acted in many films and television series, including ''The Emperor in Han Dynasty'', ''Da Zhai Men'' and ''Rob-B-Ho ...

as Doctor Liao *

Xi Meijuan Xi Meijuan () is a Chinese film, television and stage actress. She is a member of the 12th National People's Congress The 12th National People's Congress was elected in national congressional conferences from October 2012 to February 2013 a ...

as mother of Tu Youyou *

Yu Rongguang Yu Rongguang (; born 30 August 1958), also known as Ringo Yu, is a Chinese actor and martial artist. He is best known for the title role in '' Iron Monkey'' along with Donnie Yen as well as being featured in films such as '' The East Is Red'', '' ...

as Zhang Jianguang * as Lü Chuanzhi * *

Yuan Longping (directed by Yan Jiangang)

* Huang Zhizhong as

, agronomist, known for developing the first

varieties. *

Dong Jie Dong Jie (, born 19 April 1980) is a Chinese actress and dancer. Dong made her debut in Zhang Yimou's '' Happy Times'' (2000) ( Yimou girl), playing a blind girl mistreated by her stepmother. Zhang selected Dong after a casting call on the Int ...

as Deng Zhe, wife of Yuan Longping. * as Tan Panggong *

Jiang Mengjie Jiang Mengjie (, born 7 December 1989) is a Chinese actress. She is best known for her role as Lin Daiyu in 2010 television series '' The Dream of Red Mansions''. Personal life Jiang was born in Wuhu, Anhui on December 7, 1989. She was a gradua ...

as Tian Hehua

Reception

Douban Douban.com (), launched on 6 March 2005, is a Chinese online database and social networking service that allows registered users to record information and create content related to film, books, music, recent events, and activities in Chinese c ...

, a major Chinese media rating site, gave the drama 9.1 out of 10.

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Medal of the Republic 2021 Chinese television series debuts 2021 Chinese television series endings Chinese period television series