48 episodes of a corrupt official's rise and fall? The Qing Dynasty's answer to Succession, but with more backstabbing and better robes.
Season 1 • Episode 48
LatestActing
Wang Gang's Heshen: somehow making you root for a historical villain
Costume
Qing court finery that cost more than your car
Writing
48 episodes and barely a wasted scene — the plotting is ruthless
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Heshen remains the most notorious corrupt official in Chinese history; calling someone 'Heshen' is still slang for 'greedy bureaucrat.' The show had to walk a tightrope making him watchable.
Wang Gang had played Heshen multiple times before this — by 2002, he basically owned the role. The Qianlong actor Zhang Yongshou was reportedly cast specifically because he resembled historical portraits of the emperor.
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