A TV series viewers can bank on

Loosely based on an online novel, the story follows Lin, a former deputy general manager at the credit approval department of a major bank. After a falling-out with his superior, he is transferred to a remote subbranch.

Despite this setback, Lin excels by creating an investment program for college students to better utilize pocket money and securing a large loan for a local fishing company. As he investigates a questionable loan, Lin becomes entangled in a web of mysteries.

Zhang tells China Daily that he was inspired to write the script because he developed a strong interest in the online novel Qian Tu (literally, "a career in money"), on which the TV series is based.

"The novel is written entirely from an insider's perspective, offering those of us whose main interaction with a bank is likely just for getting cash or saving money, a fresh and in-depth view of the financial world. It's like being invited into the kitchen of a restaurant to see how the dishes are prepared," Zhang explains.

During the preparation process, Zhang and his fellow creators visited several banks, engaging in detailed conversations with the presidents as well as staff members at various levels, and thoroughly studying terminologies and industry regulations, as China launched a new financial regulatory reform last year.

Yan Jin, the chief producer, echoes that the intensive research and interviews have provided many inspirations for the plotlines. Besides, they also recruited a professional to supervise all the details, ensuring that the dialogues and props accurately reflect reality in the financing sector, she adds.

Zhang says, "The financial mechanism is complicated and intricate. However, it can be easily understood by examining human nature."