Time-travel twist breathes life into Chiung Yao classic

In a blend of nostalgia and innovation, the new short drama Returning Pearl has reignited interest in Taiwan romance writer Chiung Yao's classic novel My Fair Princess since its release on Nov 7.

The 30-episode series, with each episode running 15 minutes, offers a fresh twist on the story. It follows top actress Lin Suisui as she unexpectedly travels into the drama. Instead of taking on the heroine's role, Lin becomes a palace maid tasked with fixing the damaged storyline to survive.

Audiences initially met the adaptation with skepticism, but many have found it surprisingly engaging. Netizens said the time-travel plot evokes a strong sense of nostalgia and reminds them of childhood memories of watching the original TV series.

At a recent promotional event during the Golden Rooster Film Market's Taiwan session in Xiamen, Fujian province, Jessie Ho Hsiu-chiung, a Taiwan TV series producer and Chiung Yao's daughter-in-law, said the short drama garnered more than 200 million views within a week, boosting the team's confidence.

Ho noted that since Chiung Yao's works were introduced to the Chinese mainland in 1989, cross-Strait collaborations have flourished, with more projects expected ahead. She said that even after Chiung Yao's passing, her works remain deeply cherished, and the team aims to rediscover their vitality from a new perspective.

The short drama is a core part of the "Love and Joy – Chiung Yao Legacy" project, an initiative to revitalize Chiung Yao's library of more than 70 works through formats including stage plays, exhibitions and cultural tourism. Ho said the team plans to incorporate elements that resonate with contemporary audiences and fit current viewing habits, while preserving the spiritual core of the originals.

Ouyang Changlin, former head of Hunan Broadcasting Company and a longtime participant in cross-Strait drama collaborations, said Chiung Yao's stories have a timeless charm rooted in their poetic style and integration of Chinese cultural elements and majestic landscapes, which evoke a strong sense of national sentiment.

Ouyang said it is important to leverage new technologies such as AI and short videos to transform these classics into "light, fast and new" content to ensure their relevance for future generations.

Deng Shiyu contributed to this story.