The romance novels by Chiung Yao that launched many acting careers

Princess Pearl I and Ruby Lin. [Photo/Mtime; file photo]

Princess Pearl I & II and Ruby Lin

Princess Pearl I, the 1998 TV adaption, created a legend on the Chinese mainland and many Asian countries attracting remarkable ratings. In the autumn of 1998, almost every family watched the series that later became an unforgettable memory for many post-80s and 90s young Chinese people.

The Princess Pearl series was inspired by Gong Zhu Fen in Haidian district, a place in Beijing Qiong once visited.

A series of young actors who played roles in the popular series became household names overnight, including Zhao Wei, Ruby Lin, Zhou Jie and Alec Su. Ruby Lin played the role of Princess Ziwei, a lost daughter of the emperor.