My Fair Princess, also known as Return of the Pearl Princess or Princess Returning Pearl, is a 1998-1999 television costume drama jointly produced by Yi Ren Communications Co. (??????) in Taiwan and Hunan Broadcasting System in Mainland China. Season 1 (1998) was filmed in 1997, and Season 2 (1999) in 1998-1999. Both seasons were filmed in Beijing, Chengde and the Bashang Plateau on the mainland, and first shown on China Television in Taiwan.Written by creator Chiung Yao, the Cinderella-like story is set in 18th-century Qing dynasty during the Qianlong Emperor's reign. It follows tomboyish and innocent Xiaoyanzi, originally an orphaned and semiliterate vagrant in Beijing who, after befriending the emperor's illegitimate daughter Xia Ziwei, becomes a princess by accident. Although some characters, the plot premise, and certain sections of the story are based on historical events and figures, considerable artistic license was employed.A massive international hit in East Asia and Southeast Asia, the drama is considered the most commercially successful Chinese-language series in history. Hunan Broadcasting System, having recorded ratings as high as 65% of audience shares, permanently became China's second largest network. Meanwhile, little-known cast members were made household names and huge teen idols over night. The actress trio of Zhao Wei, Ruby Lin and Fan Bingbing, in particular, are still among the biggest stars in Chinese entertainment more than 15 years later.The first 2 seasons were followed by a sequel, My Fair Princess III, in 2003. A remake, New My Fair Princess, was produced in 2011.
$8 Million
