Chinese dramas and films

The release date has been set for the 26-episode drama «In My Prime» (生逢其时).

The series stars Guan Xiaotong («Dazzling», «Romance in the Alley») and Wang Ziqi («The Imperial Coroner», «Serendipity»), and is directed by Lin Yan («Take Us Home», «She & Her Perfect Husband»).

Set in the 1990s in the northern industrial town of Qingwu, the story follows two families — the Qi and the Cao — whose children were accidentally swapped at birth. The daughter, Qi Shi (Guan Xiaotong), was born with albinism, giving her pale hair and eyebrows. From an early age, she endures mockery and alienation from her peers. Desperate to fit in, she wears a wig and even drinks soy sauce, hoping it might darken her complexion.

To embody the role, Guan Xiaotong bleached her own hair and eyebrows and spent roughly two months observing the physical traits of people with albinism — their tendency to squint in sunlight and other characteristic mannerisms.

Her neighbor and classmate Cao Xin (Wang Ziqi) is regarded as a prodigy and a model student. Yet beneath that polished image lies the crushing weight of his father's expectations and a simmering desire to escape his control.

The two young outcasts gradually become each other's anchor.

One of the drama's standout features is its use of real locations. Instead of building sets, the production team chose the city of Qianwei in Sichuan Province, where architecture from the 1990s remains largely intact. According to the director, the decision was driven by the city's authentic atmosphere — old school buildings, public squares, and streets that have changed little over the past three decades.

Filming spanned roughly 100 days, with many local residents appearing as extras. The cast and crew also developed a taste for the regional cuisine, which the townspeople eagerly prepared for them — especially "chao" dumplings and a signature hot-and-sour noodle dish.

Industry observers note that the unusual premise of an albino lead character — a rarity on Chinese television — could put the series in contention for major awards.

The premiere had originally been slated for September 26 on CCTV-8, but was later moved forward. The series will now debut on September 3 on CCTV-1 and iQiyi.

The drama has been designated a key project by the Beijing Radio and Television Bureau and is supported by a government-backed initiative for online audiovisual content.

Sources 1, 2, 3