To Be a Better Man
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To Be a Better Man (Chinese: 好先生) is a 2016 Chinese television series produced by LeEco and directed by Zhang Xiaobo. It stars Sun Honglei, Jiang Shuying, Wao Yaoqing, Che Xiao, Lay Zhang and Guan Xiaotong. The series was aired on Jiangsu TV and Zhejiang TV from 31 May to 22 June 2016.
Synopsis
Lu Yuan worked hard in America to become a Michelin 3-star chef. To many, he is the Devil incarnate, reckless and wanton. But when it comes to the person he loves, he is an entirely different "good man" who is loyal, kind, and honest. After a nightmarish car accident takes away his friend, he returns home with his remains.
Now returning to China, Lu Yuan initially has three goals. First, he wants to bring the ashes of his friend, who died in the car accident, back to China and let them rest in peace. Second, he wants to return his best friend’s seventeen-year-old daughter Jia He to her birth mother, before finding a remote place and committing suicide. However unexpectedly, he met the person he least wants to see and becomes entangled with both his unresolved and new relationships.
Cast
- Sun Honglei as Lu Yuan
- Jiang Shuying as Jiang Lai
- Wang Yaoqing as Jiang Haokun
- Che Xiao as Gan Jing
- Lay Zhang as Xiao Cai
- Guan Xiaotong as Peng Jiahe
- Dong Yong as Peng Hai
- Wan Qian as Xu Li
- Feng Jiayi as Manager Hui Jing
Soundtrack
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Singer | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Mr. Right" (Opening theme song) | Ke Ke | 2:03 | |
| 2. | "Far Road (路远)" (Ending theme song) | Cai Kejun | Zhang Lei | 5:24 |
| 3. | "Forget About Her (忘了她)" | Bi Feng | Perhat Khaliq | 5:00 |
| 4. | "Be Good (好好的)" | Bi Feng | Ceng Di | 4:24 |
| 5. | "Song About Love" | Li Yuxi | Li Yuxi | 4:11 |
| 6. | "Grow" | Li Yuxi | Li Yuxi | 4:36 |
Reception
The drama is both a critical and commercial success. It received acclaim for its heart-warming and realistic storyline, strong performance of its leads as well as cinematography and costume design. According to NetEase, the drama discusses from a detached point of view on searching for the true meaning of life in a society where people blindly chase after materialistic wants. It also touches on the importance of trust, family and love.
Ratings
| Broadcast | Episode | Zhejiang TV CSM52 ratings | Jiangsu TV CSM52 ratings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ratings (%) | Audience share (%) | Rank | Ratings (%) | Audience share (%) | Rank | ||
| 2016.5.31 | 1 | 1.000 | 2.843 | 3 | 0.922 | 2.613 | 5 |
| 2016.6.1 | 2-3 | 0.726 | 2.24 | 4 | 0.705 | 2.174 | 5 |
| 2016.6.2 | 4-5 | 0.747 | 2.25 | 5 | 0.839 | 2.523 | 3 |
| 2016.6.3 | 6-7 | 0.867 | 2.59 | 4 | 0.764 | 2.26 | 5 |
| 2016.6.4 | 8-9 | 1.081 | 3.39 | 2 | 0.794 | 2.52 | 3 |
| 2016.6.5 | 10 | 0.980 | 2.93 | 2 | 0.920 | 2.89 | 3 |
| 2016.6.6 | 11-12 | 0.955 | 2.89 | 4 | 1.046 | 3.16 | 3 |
| 2016.6.7 | 13-14 | 1.052 | 3.20 | 4 | 1.124 | 3.42 | 3 |
| 2016.6.8 | 15-16 | 1.070 | 3.30 | 3 | 1.100 | 3.39 | 2 |
| 2016.6.9 | 17-18 | 0.968 | 3.04 | 3 | 1.133 | 3.56 | 2 |
| 2016.6.10 | 19-20 | 1.092 | 3.33 | 3 | 1.092 | 3.30 | 2 |
| 2016.6.11 | 21-22 | 1.186 | 3.43 | 2 | 1.094 | 3.17 | 3 |
| 2016.6.12 | 23 | 1.202 | 3.58 | 2 | 1.200 | 3.56 | 3 |
| 2016.6.13 | 24-25 | 1.594 | 4.61 | 3 | 1.250 | 3.70 | 4 |
| 2016.6.14 | 26-27 | 1.312 | 3.85 | 2 | 1.224 | 3.59 | 3 |
| 2016.6.15 | 28-29 | 1.405 | 4.23 | 2 | 1.245 | 3.74 | 3 |
| 2016.6.16 | 30-31 | 1.214 | 3.83 | 2 | 1.196 | 3.77 | 3 |
| 2016.6.17 | 32-33 | 1.320 | 4.09 | 2 | 1.237 | 3.77 | 3 |
| 2016.6.18 | 34-35 | 1.162 | 3.81 | 3 | 1.464 | 4.50 | 2 |
| 2016.6.19 | 36 | 1.381 | 4.20 | 3 | 1.469 | 4.66 | 2 |
| 2016.6.20 | 37-38 | 1.597 | 4.93 | 1 | 1.555 | 4.49 | 2 |
| 2016.6.21 | 39-40 | 1.738 | 5.42 | 1 | 1.586 | 4.94 | 2 |
| 2016.6.22 | 41-42 | 1.752 | 5.38 | 1 | 1.657 | 5.09 | 2 |
| Average ratings | 1.169 | 1.172 |
- Highest ratings are marked in red, lowest ratings are marked in blue
Awards and nominations
| Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11th National Top-Notch Television Award Ceremony | Outstanding Television Series | To Be a Better Man | Won | |
| 22nd Huading Awards | Best Director | Zhang Xiaobo | Nominated | |
| Best Screenwriter | Li Xiao, Yu Miao, Zhang Yingji | Won | ||
| Best Actor | Sun Honglei | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress (Contemporary) | Jiang Shuying | Nominated | ||
| Best Supporting Actor | Wang Yaoqing | Nominated | ||
| Best Supporting Actress | Guan Xiaotong | Nominated | ||
| Best New Actor | Lay Zhang | Nominated | ||
| Top 10 Dramas | To Be a Better Man | Won | ||
| 23rd Shanghai Television Festival | Best Television Series | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor | Sun Honglei | Nominated | ||
| Best Supporting Actress | Guan Xiaotong | Won |
International broadcast
| Channel | Place | Date | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jiangsu Television Zhejiang Television | China | May 31, 2016 | Everyday 19:30-21:15 | |
| Star Chinese Channel | Hong Kong Singapore Malaysia Canada United States | International Version | ||
| VTV3 | Vietnam | January 18, 2017 | Monday-Friday 12:00 |