# Dream of the Red Chamber (1987)

> A lavish 1987 CCTV adaptation of the eighteenth century Chinese novel that follows the rise and decline of a noble household through the romance of Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/6696

## Facts

- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 36
- Episode runtime: 45 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: drama, family
- Created by: Wang Fulin
- Network: CCTV-1
- Cast: Chen Xiaoxu, Zhang Li, Ouyang Fenqiang, Dongfang Wenying, Guo Xiaozhen, Deng Jie, Wang Xiaodong, Jinzhong Wang
- TMDB rating: 8.8/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1162595/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: moderate
- Complexity: layered
- Violence: none
- Tone: melancholic, elegant, contemplative, wistful, lyrical

## Synopsis

Dream in Red Mansions (1987) is a mainland Chinese period drama series created by Wang Fulin for CCTV-1, adapted from the eighteenth century novel Dream of the Red Chamber. The story follows the noble Jia household in the Qing dynasty, centering on the gentle, emotionally fragile Jia Baoyu (Ouyang Fenqiang) and his intense bond with the sickly, sharp-tongued Lin Daiyu (Chen Xiaoxu), while the sensible Xue Baochai (Zhang Li) stands among the rivals for his affection. Other principal figures include the capable Wang Xifeng (Deng Jie) and the poised Jia Tanchun (Dongfang Wenying). Each episode is built from the daily life of a large household: banquets, poetry gatherings, quarrels between relatives, servants' intrigues, and the slow accumulation of family obligations that gradually strain fortunes. The result is a contemplative, melancholic and elegant register, with a wistful sense that grandeur is fleeting. Its music and costume craft made it an enduring classic in its home country. Fans of Downton Abbey, Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace and Pride and Prejudice will find resonance in its aristocratic milieu, lyrical romance and family decline. The series runs 36 episodes in a single season, a faithful staging of a canonical literary work.

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