The First Half of My Life (Chinese: 我的前半生; pinyin: Wǒ de Qiánbànshēng) is a 2017 Chinese television series based on Hong Kong novelist Yi Shu's novel of the same name and centers on a group of city dwellers who have to make choices about love and career. It was directed by Shen Yan and stars Jin Dong, Ma Yili, Yuan Quan, Lei Jiayin, Wu Yue, and Chen Daoming. The series was first broadcast on Beijing Television and Dragon Television on 4 July 2017.
Contents
Synopsis
Luo Zijun lives a peaceful life as a full-time housewife, yet is unaware of the cracks in her marriage. One day, her husband Chen Junsheng files for divorce, and she is shocked. After divorce, Luo Zijun heads back into the workforce with the help of her dear friend Tang Jing and He Han, both being white-collar workers and elites.
Cast
Main
Jin Dong as He Han (贺涵), an elite in the consulting industry. His girlfriend is Tang Jing, and they've been together for ten years.
Ma Yili as Luo Zijun (罗子君), a full-time housewife who lives a simple life after marriage with Chen Junsheng.
Yuan Quan as Tang Jing (唐晶), a career-minded woman and He Han's girlfriend.
Lei Jiayin as Chen Junsheng (陈俊生), an elite in the career workforce and Luo Zijun's husband.
Wu Yue as Ling Ling (凌玲), Chen Junsheng's second wife.
Chen Daoming as Zhuo Jianqing (卓渐清), He Han's friend.
Supporting
Xu Di as Xue Zhenzhu (薛珍珠), Luo Zijun and Luo Ziqun's mother.
Zhang Lingxin as Luo Ziqun (罗子群), Luo Zijun's younger sister.
Zheng Luoqian as Wei Wei'an (薇薇安)
Wang Tianze as Leng Jiaqing (冷佳清), Ling Ling's son and Chen Junsheng's stepson.
Vivian Wu as Aunt Wu
Luan Yuanhui as Bai Guang
Chuo Ni as Luoluo
Mei Ting as Zhuo Jianqing's former girlfriend
Tan Kai as Adom
Kong Wei as a single woman
Zhang Yanyan as Su Manshu
Hou Yansong as Laojin
Wei Zhihao as Ping'er
Song Yunhao as Duan Xiaotian
Xu Caigen as Cui Baojian
Ren Jimin as Chen Junsheng's father
Zhang Lan as Chen Junsheng's mother
Ru Tian as Ya Qin
Min Tianhao as A Hui
Shi An as Lawyer Li
Guo Tongtong as Xiaodong
Chen Guanning as Cui Baojian's son
Yang Mei as a chubby girl.
Ratings
Highest ratings are marked in red, lowest ratings are marked in blue
Reception
Since its broadcast, the series has caused heated discussions online and obtained high ratings. Shen Yan, director of the series, attribute the show's success to its capability to capture modern life in China through several ordinary people's lives and the great influence of book writer Isabel Nee Yeh-su. By emphasizing the importance of female independence, the series has won much favor among female audiences. However, the series has been criticized by book fans for veering too much from the plot. Its display of improper ethical values has also been criticized for degrading social conduct.
International broadcast
The series will be broadcast by Star Chinese Channel outside of China and Mediacorp Channel 8 in Singapore every Saturday, 10:30pm to 12:30am the next day, broadcasting two episodes in a day.
It first aired in Thailand on Channel 3 in 2021 daily at 2:50 am starting Friday 27 August, following Eternal Love (rerun) finished.