Love on the Turquoise Land: A New Era in Chinese Entertainment
The novel 枭起青壤, also known as "Love on the Turquoise Land" in English, has been making waves in the entertainment industry with its unique blend of historical fantasy, suspense, and supernatural themes. Written by author Weiyu, the story spans two timelines - ancient and modern China - and begins 2000+ years ago when Emperor Qin Shi Huang sent a secret military unit into the Southern Ba Forest. In modern times, the story follows Nie Jiuluo, a member of the "Nanshan Hunters" organization, who becomes embroiled in a world of supernatural abilities and mysteries involving creatures called "ground hawks."
3 June 2025
The novel's adaptation into a highly anticipated series starring popular actress Dilraba Dilmurat as the lead character Nie Jiuluo has generated significant buzz on social media platforms like Weibo. The series combines elements of supernatural thriller, romance, and historical fantasy, which has captivated audiences and contributed to its trending status. The show's release has also coincided with Dilraba's birthday on June 3rd, further fueling the online activity around the series.
At the heart of the story are the main characters, including Nie Jiuluo, a skilled fighter known as a "Mad Blade," and Yan Tuo, a legal representative of a traditional Chinese medicine distribution company driven by revenge. The two initially start as adversaries but gradually develop trust and understanding as they fight against evil forces. Other key characters include Lin Xijou, Yan Tuo's paralyzed adoptive mother, and Lü Xian, whose role is intricately woven into the narrative.
The novel's conclusion, which involves Nie Jiuluo's death and rebirth, has left some mystery and open questions, sparking discussions and references to the existing completed story. Despite the lack of new developments or continuations since its conclusion, the series represents a significant shift in production quality and storytelling in the industry. With an adaptation value assessed at 11.47 million yuan, it demonstrates the commercial potential of literary IP and sets new standards for adaptations.
The series is part of a broader industry trend moving away from pure "traffic star" dependence and toward more sophisticated, culturally-rich content that balances commercial appeal with artistic merit. It combines traditional Chinese culture with modern mystery elements, helping bridge historical heritage with contemporary storytelling. The show also features strong female characterization through the protagonist Nie Jiuluo, reflecting evolving gender representation in Chinese media.
The adaptation of 枭起青壤 into a series signals the industry's adaptation to new market realities where pure celebrity power is no longer sufficient. It is part of the "quality over quantity" trend, with data showing an overall decrease in total productions but an increase in production values. As part of a new wave of high-quality productions, the series represents a successful collaboration between literary IP and visual media, setting new standards for adaptations and demonstrating growing sophistication in Chinese TV production and storytelling techniques. overall, 枭起青壤 is a testament to the evolving landscape of Chinese entertainment, where culturally-rich content and artistic merit are increasingly valued.
