Joy of Life cast and characters
庆余年 · Qing Yu Nian
Who plays whom in Joy of Life, and how the 19 characters are connected. Identity reveals stay closed until you open them.
Main cast
How they are connected
Grouped around the main characters. Connections that give away a twist are hidden.
Fan XianZhang Ruoyun
Fan Jian 范建Played by Gao Shuguangfather
Ye Qingmei 叶轻眉Played by Yuan Quanmother
Fan Sizhe 范思辙Played by Guo Qilinhalf-brother
Fan Ruoruo 范若若Played by Song Yisister
Wuzhu 五竹Played by Tong Mengshiguardian
Fei Jie 费介Played by Liu Huateacher
Teng Zijing 滕梓荆Played by Wang Yangbodyguard and friend
Wang Qinian 王启年Played by Tian Yusidekick
Chen Pingping 陈萍萍Played by Wu Gangprotector
Haitang Duoduo 海棠朵朵Played by Xin Zhileirival from Northern Qi
Xiao En 肖恩Played by Yu Rongguangprisoner on the mission
Si Lili 司理理Played by Li Chunsecret contact
Plot revealShow 2 hidden connections
Emperor of Qing 庆帝Played by Chen Daomingreal father
Yan Bingyun 言冰云Played by Xiao Zhanstabs him in the finale
Lin Wan'erLi Qin- Fan Xian 范闲Played by Zhang Ruoyunbetrothed
Li Yunrui 李云睿Played by Li Xiaoranmother
Emperor of QingChen Daoming- Li Yunrui 李云睿Played by Li Xiaoransister
Li Chengze 李承泽Played by Liu Duanduansecond son
Li Chengqian 李承乾Played by Zhang Haoweicrown prince
Chen PingpingWu Gang- Yan Bingyun 言冰云Played by Xiao Zhanagent
Ye QingmeiYuan Quan- Chen Pingping 陈萍萍Played by Wu Gangold ally
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Who's who
- Fan Xian (Zhang Ruoyun): smart, funny, and better at poisons than at swordplay. He has a modern sense of fairness and a talent for getting out of trouble with words.
- Lin Wan'er (Li Qin): his betrothed, who is ill for much of the season. The two meet before they know who the other is.
- The Emperor of Qing (Chen Daoming): an emperor who almost never raises his voice and seems to know every move before it is made.
- Chen Pingping (Wu Gang): the head of the Inspection Bureau, a disabled old man who frightens everyone in the capital and protects Fan Xian for reasons of his own.
- Li Yunrui (Li Xiaoran): the Princess Royal, charming and dangerous, Lin Wan'er's mother and Fan Xian's most open enemy.
- Wuzhu (Tong Mengshi): Fan Xian's silent guardian, blindfolded and nearly unbeatable.
- Wang Qinian (Tian Yu): a fussy, cash-strapped bureau clerk who becomes Fan Xian's most loyal helper.
- The princes: the Second Prince, Li Chengze (Liu Duanduan), and the Crown Prince, Li Chengqian (Zhang Haowei), who compete for Fan Xian's support.
Identity Reveals
Ending spoilerShow identity reveals
Joy of Life is built on secrets about identity. The biggest is Fan Xian's parentage: he is raised as the Count of Sinan's illegitimate son, but the drama hints throughout the season, and season 2 confirms, that the emperor is his father. Si Lili, the courtesan Fan Xian meets on the river, turns out to be a Northern Qi agent with a royal connection. Lin Wan'er's own parentage is also kept quiet at court. And Wuzhu, who never seems to age, is something stranger than a servant, though the drama saves the full answer for later seasons.