"Once Upon a Time in the Strait" is a historical drama set in Taiwan in the late period of the First Sino-Japanese War, which profoundly depicts the tenacious struggle of the Taiwanese people against Japanese colonial rule, as well as the deep emotional entanglement between compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. This drama is directed by Zhang Guoqing, starring Zhao Wenxuan, Ding Jun, Miao Liang, Liu Yuanyuan, etc.
The main plot of the play revolves around the battle for and defense of Mazu's golden body. The Mazu faith is the common spiritual sustenance of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. In the play, in order to weaken the national consciousness of the Taiwanese people, the Japanese army occupied the golden body of Mazu and planned to dedicate it to the Japanese emperor. The Taiwanese people have waged a fierce struggle to reclaim this precious symbol of faith. Several of the main characters in the play, Lin Wenxuan (played by Zhao Wenxuan), Chen Zonghan (played by Ding Jun), and Haiyun (played by Liu Yuanyuan), each played an important role. Lin Wenxuan, a highly skilled doctor and a leader in the martial arts, fought a series of life-and-death battles with the Japanese army to protect Mazu's golden body. Chen Zonghan, a brave and loyal businessman, did not hesitate to sacrifice his family and life in order to safely return Mazu's golden body to Tianhou Temple in Quanzhou, Fujian. Haiyun, a smart and beautiful Taiwanese woman, driven by love and justice, bravely fights wits and courage with the Japanese. The fate of these characters is closely linked to the fate of Mazu's golden body, and at the same time, it is deeply intertwined with the history and emotions of both sides of the strait.
Overview of the episode's climax:
In the climax stage of "Once Upon a Time in the Strait", Lin Wenxuan and Chen Zonghan encountered fierce pursuit by the Japanese army after recapturing Mazu Jin. They faced off in a decisive duel with the Japanese in an abandoned mine. Although both men were seriously wounded in this battle, they insisted on handing over the golden body of Mazu to a Fujian fisherman, hoping that he would return it safely to the Tianhou Temple in Quanzhou. During the tense escape, the fishing boat they were on was shelled by the Japanese and the boat was destroyed. Lin Wenxuan and Chen Zonghan hugged each other in the sea and died, and Mazu's golden body also sank to the bottom of the sea with them. This tragic ending is not only heart-wrenching, but also inspires deep anger. They paid with their lives in order to defend their faith and protect the dignity of Taiwan and the Chinese nation. Their fearless spirit will always be remembered.
Episode Reviews:
"Once Upon a Time in the Strait" was evaluated as a historical drama with deep meaning and emotional temperature. The play not only faithfully reproduces the historical truth of Taiwan's resistance against Japan, but also shows the deep emotions between compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. In the cast, especially the performances of Zhao Wenxuan and Ding Jun are impressive, and their acting skills show the emotions of the characters profoundly. Director Zhang Guoqing paid attention to details during the filming process, and went to Taiwan many times to conduct field investigations in order to achieve meticulous results. Screenwriters Wang Zhujun, Xiao Sen, and Wang Jian showed talented script writing, which has both historical depth and vividness of the characters, both the tense atmosphere of war and the warmth of the characters' emotions. In terms of music, costumes, props, and set design, the show also excels, providing an immersive viewing experience for the audience. Overall, this is an outstanding work that deserves to be watched many times, not only as a TV series, but also as a textbook of history and a bridge of emotions.