A stirring era, daring to lead the way.

Following the early‑year hit urban drama “You Who Go Against the Current,” which swept the nation with both stellar ratings and critical acclaim, the Zhu brothers return to Hunan TV’s Golden Eagle Exclusive Theater with another powerful series, “Turbulent Times.” As a recommended production by the National Radio and Television Administration to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, “Turbulent Times” will officially premiere tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m., airing Monday through Thursday at 8:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Simultaneous updates will be available on iQIYI, Youku, and Tencent Video at midnight.

“Turbulent Times” is an urban romance series co-produced in post-production by the Zhu brothers, directed by Yu Ding, and starring Ren Zhong, Guo Xiaodong, Li Nian, and Che Xiao in the leading roles.

Small People, Great Times

Set against the backdrop of 1990s Shanghai, “Turbulence” follows the three Lu siblings as they grow up together in the traditional lane neighborhoods, witnessing the city’s economic upheavals and the tumultuous two-plus decades during which China’s capital markets emerged from scratch.

Wisdom and Courage in Action—Lu Jiangtao

The male lead, Lu Jiangtao, lost his parents at a young age and has relied on his older brother, Lu Haibo, and his younger sister, Lu Siqi, ever since. His impoverished upbringing during adolescence has shaped him into a bold, tenacious, and relentlessly ambitious character.

Responsibility and Commitment—Lu Haibo

Older brother Lu Haibo went to work at a young age to support his younger brother and sister. With his down-to-earth diligence and steady, reliable nature, he carved out a successful life for himself.

The star attraction—hot springs

The female lead, a Shanghai girl who grew up in the alleyways, is beautiful and smart, with a fresh, unpretentious demeanor that mirrors her inner self. She’s quick-witted and outspoken, with a straightforward, lively, and endearing personality—someone who can’t stand the slightest bit of hypocrisy or injustice.

The group’s favorite—Lu Siqi

Third sister Lu Siqi didn’t want to drag her two older brothers down with her; her secret stint working in the kitchen was a microcosm of the struggles faced by many students in the 1990s who found it hard to afford their studies.

The series, by depicting the fates and emotional transformations of ordinary individuals amid the tides of history, highlights the significance of business ethics and the irreversibility of epochal change.

Late-stage revelations of the major series

This time, the Zhu brothers were responsible for the color grading, sound design, and subtitles for “Turbulent Times.”

The protagonist of “Turbulent Times” spans more than two decades, from youth to the ups and downs of the business world. Accordingly, the colorists devised a “period‑specific” tonal palette, enabling viewers to intuitively trace the passage of eras through the imagery—thus reinforcing the work’s central theme of “turbulence.”

During the students’ years, a yellow-green palette predominates, deliberately emphasizing the campus’s freshness, innocence, passion, and beauty. As the protagonists enter society and embark on their entrepreneurial journeys, the color artists shift their approach, adopting a blue-gray tonal scheme to underscore a sense of modernity and technological sophistication. Meanwhile, flashbacks are rendered in warm browns, evoking a palpable sense of bygone eras.

The sound department produced both stereo and mono mixes for “Turbulent Times.” Set in 1990s Shanghai, the team deliberated at length to authentically recreate the era’s distinctive sonic texture, using sound to flesh out the characters and ensure their personalities feel vivid and enduring. To that end, during the sound design process, with the crew’s assistance, they recorded extensive on‑location field recordings in Shanghai—rich with period‑specific, regionally distinctive ambient human voices. For foley as well, they adhered to the era’s characteristic grainy quality, such as the tinkling of a rickshaw bell.

To present this gift on the occasion of our 70th anniversary in the best possible light, all departments have worked in close collaboration, striving for excellence and ensuring that we make the most of this beautiful September season!

Beyond its realistic, big‑picture perspective and top‑notch post‑production, “Rising Up with Chicken Feathers” boasts director Yu Ding—winner of numerous prestigious awards including the Flying Goddess Award, the Magnolia Award, and the Golden Eagle Award—alongside a stellar cast of talented young actors and seasoned veterans like Hou Yong, Tao Zeru, and Li Chengru. With such an impressive lineup, we’ve already pulled up our chairs, eager to join the three Lu siblings as they step back into the 1990s and experience the vibrant, tumultuous journey of life!