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 "title": "Zhaoge (朝歌)",
 "updated": "2026-11-01",
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 "excerpt": "Zhaoge (朝歌), renamed Menghui Zhaoge (梦回朝歌), is an unaired Yu Zheng Chinese costume mythological drama on Ji Fa and Daji, filmed 2016-2017 in Xinjiang, delayed by 2018 costume-drama policy and the 2021 lead-actor ban.",
 "snippet": "Zhaoge (朝歌), renamed Menghui Zhaoge (梦回朝歌), is an unaired Yu Zheng Chinese costume mythological drama on Ji Fa and Daji, filmed 2016-2017 in Xinjiang, delayed by 2018 costume-drama policy and the 2021 lead-actor ban.",
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 "markdown": "# Zhaoge (朝歌)\n\n**Zhaoge** (朝歌), later renamed **Menghui Zhaoge** (梦回朝歌), is an unaired Chinese costume mythological drama set in the late [Shang dynasty](https://www.edgepedia.org/shang-dynasty), produced by Huanyu Film with Huaxia Shiting, Mango TV, and Yahuan Film, with Yu Zheng (于正) as producer, writer, and artistic director<sup>[1](https://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2017-02-07/doc-ifyafcyw0531841.shtml)</sup>. It stars [Zhang Zhehan](https://www.edgepedia.org/zhang-zhehan) as Ji Fa, the future King Wu of Zhou, and [Wu Jinyan](https://www.edgepedia.org/wu-jinyan) as Su Daji, with Bao Jianfeng as the Shang king Di Xin<sup>[2](https://www.sohu.com/a/424311949_450343)</sup>. Filmed in 2016 and 2017, the series has never been broadcast, having been caught in the 2018 tightening of policy on costume dramas and later affected by the lead actor's 2021 industry ban<sup>[3](https://www.sohu.com/a/907146705_122177402)</sup>.\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Original and later title | Zhaoge (朝歌), renamed Menghui Zhaoge (梦回朝歌) around 2020<sup>[4](https://k.sina.cn/article_6484910245_18287e0a500100tkjs.html?from=ent&subch=tv)</sup> |\n| Production | Huanyu Film, Huaxia Shiting, Mango TV, and Yahuan Film; Yu Zheng as producer, writer, and artistic director<sup>[1](https://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2017-02-07/doc-ifyafcyw0531841.shtml)</sup> |\n| Directors | Li Dachao, Liu Zhenming, Ren Haiyao, and Zhu Lihe<sup>[2](https://www.sohu.com/a/424311949_450343)</sup> |\n| Filming | Began September 13, 2016 in Kanas, Xinjiang; wrapped February 2017 at Hengdian after nearly half a year of shooting<sup>[5](https://twwiki.net/wiki/e977v0nx2yj8vwl.html)</sup> |\n| Episode count | 50 episodes as originally produced, cut to 45 for the planned release<sup>[6](https://www.sohu.com/a/389139230_100031166)</sup> |\n| Reported budget | 300 million yuan, with six months of filming and eight months of pre-production<sup>[3](https://www.sohu.com/a/907146705_122177402)</sup> |\n| Broadcast status | Distribution license obtained in the first quarter of 2020 for iQiyi and Mango TV, but the series has not aired<sup>[6](https://www.sohu.com/a/389139230_100031166)</sup> |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Story and source material\n\nThe series is based on the sixteenth-century novel *Investiture of the Gods* (封神演义), with history as the main thread and myth as a supporting element<sup>[7](https://www.vogue.com.tw/culture/content-42156)</sup>. The title comes from Zhaoge, the Shang dynasty capital to which King Di Yi moved his seat, hoping the city would flourish like a resounding morning song<sup>[7](https://www.vogue.com.tw/culture/content-42156)</sup>.\n\nThe plot follows Ji Chang's son Ji Fa (Zhang Zhehan), who from childhood took his elder brother Boyi Kao's name as the eldest son and served as a political hostage in Zhaoge, where he became close friends with [Di Xin](https://www.edgepedia.org/di-xin)'s son Wu Geng (Merxat)<sup>[7](https://www.vogue.com.tw/culture/content-42156)</sup>. When the substitution was exposed, Di Xin killed Boyi Kao and imprisoned Ji Fa, who escaped with Wu Geng's help and, aided by figures including [Jiang Ziya](https://www.edgepedia.org/jiang-ziya) (Lin Youwei), Nezha, and Yang Jian ([Xu Kai](https://www.edgepedia.org/xu-kai)), reached Xiqi<sup>[7](https://www.vogue.com.tw/culture/content-42156)</sup>. Ji Fa then rallied eight hundred lords to campaign against Di Xin at the Battle of Muye; Wu Geng, believing Ji Fa had caused his mother's death, turned against him and ultimately took his own life on the battlefield, after which Ji Fa founded the Western Zhou dynasty<sup>[7](https://www.vogue.com.tw/culture/content-42156)</sup>.\n\nWu Jinyan plays Su Daji, daughter of the Shang general Su Hu, portrayed as innocent and kind-hearted until possessed by a fox spirit<sup>[8](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/tw/entertainment/movies/g22781980/zhao-ge-2018/)</sup>. The adaptation drew attention for its revisionist reading: one account describes the script recasting Di Xin as a \"restoring monarch\" who campaigned against the Dongyi and imprisoned King Wen to preserve the dynasty, and Daji as a victim of war whose romance is with Ji Fa rather than the king<sup>[3](https://www.sohu.com/a/907146705_122177402)</sup>.\n\n## Production\n\n**Filming and locations.** The production began on September 13, 2016 in Kanas, Xinjiang, where two concept posters were released, and wrapped in February 2017 at [Hengdian World Studios](https://www.edgepedia.org/hengdian-world-studios) after nearly half a year of shooting<sup>[5](https://twwiki.net/wiki/e977v0nx2yj8vwl.html)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[1](https://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2017-02-07/doc-ifyafcyw0531841.shtml)</sup>. Yu Zheng said he chose Xinjiang for all exterior locations and built interior sets himself, a decision he attributed to the lessons of his previous series *Ban Yao Qing Cheng*, and stated three aims for the show: making every frame look like a film, presenting the historical civilization of the Xia and Shang periods, and transmitting traditional culture<sup>[9](https://ylzbl.com/article/526)</sup>. Huanyu's CEO Yang Le said the crew put great effort into Xinjiang locations to show China's landscape to the world and reconstructed the highly developed bronze civilization of the period<sup>[10](https://ent.sina.com.cn/zz/2017-10-18/doc-ifymvuyt4020667.shtml)</sup>.\n\n**Costumes and design.** The crew produced about 2,000 costumes and more than 100 accessories and hairpieces<sup>[11](https://ent.ifeng.com/c/7favuTupOr2)</sup>. Costume designer He Xi said the palette of white, red, and black followed the *Liji* record that \"the Yin people esteemed white and the Zhou people esteemed red,\" with the Zhou later favoring black as well, and that dimensional gold embroidery was produced in India to match<sup>[11](https://ent.ifeng.com/c/7favuTupOr2)</sup>. A later account adds more than 200 independently built sets and nearly a kilometer of fully carved architecture made by hand<sup>[12](https://k.sina.cn/article_5239817114_13851439a00100u5mq.html?from=ent&subch=tv)</sup>.\n\n**Historical consultation.** Yu Zheng said two historians were invited to give professional guidance during filming to achieve authenticity<sup>[13](https://yule.sohu.com/20170322/n484189294.shtml)</sup>. Wu Jinyan said her Daji had dozens of costumes and that the clothing and headdresses were supervised by historians, giving a mythological character the feel of a historical drama<sup>[13](https://yule.sohu.com/20170322/n484189294.shtml)</sup>. A later report names the historical scholars as [Cao Bin](https://www.edgepedia.org/cao-bin) and Tang Bo<sup>[3](https://www.sohu.com/a/907146705_122177402)</sup>.\n\n## Cast\n\nThe leading roles are Zhang Zhehan as Ji Fa, Wu Jinyan as Su Daji, and Bao Jianfeng as Di Xin<sup>[2](https://www.sohu.com/a/424311949_450343)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[8](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/tw/entertainment/movies/g22781980/zhao-ge-2018/)</sup>. The supporting cast includes Xu Kai as Yang Jian, Gillian Chung (Zhong Xin Tong), Merxat (Mi Re), Wu Jiayi, Bai Lu, He Fengtian, and Li Yitong<sup>[2](https://www.sohu.com/a/424311949_450343)</sup>. For Xu Kai, a former model, the series was his first television drama after signing with Huanyu<sup>[14](https://www.sohu.com/a/903952186_121119368)</sup>.\n\n## Trademark dispute\n\nBefore broadcast, the series faced an infringement claim. On January 16, 2017, the blogger \"Changchun Guomao\" reported that the drama was suspected of infringing a registered trademark; a trademark database query posted online showed that the \"Zhaoge\" mark had been registered in 2008 by a [Guangzhou](https://www.edgepedia.org/guangzhou) company across categories including entertainment activities, cosmetics, sports, and education<sup>[15](https://ip.people.com.cn/n1/2017/0119/c136655-29036405.html)</sup>. Under Article 52 of the Trademark Law, using a mark identical or similar to a registered mark on the same or similar goods without the registrant's permission constitutes infringement, and the report noted the drama's large-scale use of the name in internet, print, and commercial promotion<sup>[15](https://ip.people.com.cn/n1/2017/0119/c136655-29036405.html)</sup>. The trademark owner had made no rights-protection statement at the time of the report<sup>[15](https://ip.people.com.cn/n1/2017/0119/c136655-29036405.html)</sup>.\n\n## Delay and unaired status\n\nThe series entered post-production after wrapping in February 2017 and then went quiet<sup>[12](https://k.sina.cn/article_5239817114_13851439a00100u5mq.html?from=ent&subch=tv)</sup>. It was originally slated for Hunan TV with a January 2018 premiere date listed in some program guides<sup>[16](https://www.kuyv.cn/tv/chaoge/)</sup>, but from 2018 policy on costume dramas tightened sharply, with strict controls on palace-intrigue and historically adapted subjects affecting Shang-Zhou period dramas in particular<sup>[3](https://www.sohu.com/a/907146705_122177402)</sup>. The revisionist script was also reported to have drawn regulatory sensitivity, leading to repeated revisions<sup>[3](https://www.sohu.com/a/907146705_122177402)</sup>.\n\nIn 2020 the series was renamed Menghui Zhaoge, cut to 45 episodes, obtained a distribution license in the first quarter of that year, and was set for iQiyi and Mango TV with satellite broadcast, entering the queue of dramas awaiting air dates<sup>[6](https://www.sohu.com/a/389139230_100031166)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[4](https://k.sina.cn/article_6484910245_18287e0a500100tkjs.html?from=ent&subch=tv)</sup>. It still did not air. In 2021 lead actor Zhang Zhehan became widely known for *Word of Honor* but was banned from multiple platforms within months after a controversy at a wedding, which a report describes as a further blow to the production<sup>[3](https://www.sohu.com/a/907146705_122177402)</sup>. As of the most recent reporting in the sources, the series remains unaired<sup>[3](https://www.sohu.com/a/907146705_122177402)</sup>.\n\nThe long delay changed the standing of its cast. At the time of filming the leads were largely new faces; by 2020, after the success of *Story of Yanxi Palace* (2018), Wu Jinyan and Xu Kai were major stars, and commentators noted that the shelved series had turned its once-new actors into well-known names<sup>[12](https://k.sina.cn/article_5239817114_13851439a00100u5mq.html?from=ent&subch=tv)</sup>.\n\n## Other works named Zhaoge\n\nThe title has been used by other productions. *Zhao Ge Fu* (朝歌赋) is a 2023 Chinese short-form mini-series adapted from a web novel, first aired July 25, 2023, with 29 episodes of about three minutes each<sup>[17](https://thetvdb.com/series/zhao-ge-fu)</sup>. *Yi Qu Zhaoge* (一曲朝歌) is a 2026 short drama of 70 episodes on iQiyi, whose heroine is named Xia Zhaoge<sup>[18](https://www.iqiyi.com/a_2abc7gpyecp.html)</sup>. Zhaoge is also a supporting character in the 2020 xianxia drama *Qie Ting Feng Ming*, played by Chen Yihan<sup>[19](https://bkso.baidu.com/item/%E6%9C%9D%E6%AD%8C/55482596?fromModule=lemma_inlink)</sup>. Separately, the 2023 film *Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms* (封神第一部：朝歌风云) shares the place name in its Chinese title and received nine nominations including Best Picture at the 36th Golden Rooster Awards<sup>[20](https://static.0471tv.org.cn/wb/pc/att/202310/21/07699c94-7473-4da5-b0a1-06d6697499ef.pdf)</sup>.\n\n## References\n\n1. [《朝歌》杀青曝剧照 保剑锋铠甲显英姿, Sina Entertainment (2017)](https://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2017-02-07/doc-ifyafcyw0531841.shtml)\n2. [20部2018年杀青未播剧集，原因几何？, Sohu (2020)](https://www.sohu.com/a/424311949_450343)\n3. [投资3亿，45集神话剧《梦回朝歌》，被压8年, Sohu (2024)](https://www.sohu.com/a/907146705_122177402)\n4. [《朝歌》更名为《梦回朝歌》, Sina (2020)](https://k.sina.cn/article_6484910245_18287e0a500100tkjs.html?from=ent&subch=tv)\n5. [朝歌（2016年劉鎮明、任海曜執導電視劇）, 天天百科](https://twwiki.net/wiki/e977v0nx2yj8vwl.html)\n6. [于正剧《梦回朝歌》将播, Sohu (2020)](https://www.sohu.com/a/389139230_100031166)\n7. [再一部！《朝歌》吳謹言扮妲己, Vogue Taiwan (2018)](https://www.vogue.com.tw/culture/content-42156)\n8. [吳謹言、許凱新劇《朝歌》, Cosmopolitan Taiwan (2018)](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/tw/entertainment/movies/g22781980/zhao-ge-2018/)\n9. [专访于正：过去的我很\"娱\"，现在的我要变\"正\"了, 娱乐资本论 (2017)](https://ylzbl.com/article/526)\n10. [欢娱影视杨乐：我们向海外输出的是民族自豪感, Sina Entertainment (2017)](https://ent.sina.com.cn/zz/2017-10-18/doc-ifymvuyt4020667.shtml)\n11. [《延禧》待完结 \"璎珞\"将再合作于正出演\"狐狸精\", Phoenix Entertainment (2018)](https://ent.ifeng.com/c/7favuTupOr2)\n12. [苦等三年《朝歌》\"物是人非\", Sina (2020)](https://k.sina.cn/article_5239817114_13851439a00100u5mq.html?from=ent&subch=tv)\n13. [欢娱影视推出多部大剧 邀史学家进行专业指导, Sohu Entertainment (2017)](https://yule.sohu.com/20170322/n484189294.shtml)\n14. [投资3亿，45集神话剧《梦回朝歌》，积压了8年, Sohu (2024)](https://www.sohu.com/a/903952186_121119368)\n15. [于正神话剧《朝歌》被指商标侵权, People's Daily Online (2017)](https://ip.people.com.cn/n1/2017/0119/c136655-29036405.html)\n16. [〖朝歌〗剧情介绍, 酷娱网](https://www.kuyv.cn/tv/chaoge/)\n17. [朝歌赋, TheTVDB](https://thetvdb.com/series/zhao-ge-fu)\n18. [一曲朝歌, iQiyi](https://www.iqiyi.com/a_2abc7gpyecp.html)\n19. [朝歌（电视剧《且听凤鸣》中的女性角色）, 百度百科](https://bkso.baidu.com/item/%E6%9C%9D%E6%AD%8C/55482596?fromModule=lemma_inlink)\n20. [2023年10月21日报纸版面, 0471tv](https://static.0471tv.org.cn/wb/pc/att/202310/21/07699c94-7473-4da5-b0a1-06d6697499ef.pdf)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › International serial drama and telenovelas › East Asian drama series › East Asian web and streaming serials › Titles Sp to Z*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n",
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 "credit": "\"Zhaoge (朝歌)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/zhaoge. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.",
 "credit_md": "\"[Zhaoge (朝歌)](https://www.edgepedia.org/zhaoge)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/zhaoge](https://www.edgepedia.org/zhaoge). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).",
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 "speakable": "Zhaoge, renamed Menghui Zhaoge, is an unaired Yu Zheng Chinese costume mythological drama on Ji Fa and Daji, filmed 2016-2017 in Xinjiang, delayed by 2018 costume-drama policy and the 2021 lead-actor ban."
}