'Express delivery' puts spotlight on ancient Lingnan
The novel's popularity has Li widely resonating with online readers who empathize with the diligent protagonist struggling to navigate complex workplace relationships under a demanding boss.
Interestingly, Ma, who also serves as a consultant, shares that he once visited the drama's filming location in Xiangshan county, Ningbo, Zhejiang province. However, the trip turned into a stressful work assignment when Director Cao immediately arranged for him to sit alone in a makeshift tent and write key plot points, as the script still wasn't flowing smoothly at the time.
When revealing the key to maintaining his passion for writing, Ma admits that drawing from his experiences drains him emotionally. After working in an international office for years and experiencing the bureaucracy, he drew inspiration from the way people would talk.
Ma adds: "Chang'an was a lot like modern international cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, filled with international people. They brought diverse cultures and came to China to chase their dreams. In that sense, Chang'an had a very modern vibe, and though the tale is set in the past, it reflects the struggles and aspirations of people in big cities today."
By Sunday, each of the drama's episodes reached an average of 6.29 percent of the country's television show subscribers, with the most viewed episode reaching 7.07 percent, surpassing all TV shows broadcast during the same prime time slot, according to CSM Media Research, an influential industry investigator.
