The Disguiser

The Disguiser
The Disguiser promotional poster/image
Also known as	伪装者 The Pretender
Genre	Spy Action thriller Romance War
Created by	Zhang Yong
Based on	The Spy War on Shanghai Beach (諜戰上海灘)
Written by	Zhang Yong
Directed by	Li Xue
Starring	Hu Ge Jin Dong Wang Kai Liu Mintao
Theme music composer	Meng Ke
Opening theme	"Main 1 (主题 1)" by Wang Shu Yi
Ending theme	"From the Heart (诉衷情)" by Duo Liang
Composer(s)	Wang Shu Yi
Country of origin	China
Original language(s)	Standard Mandarin
No. of episodes	48
Production
Executive producer(s)	Hou Hong Liang
Location(s)	Shanghai Hengdian World Studios Jiaxing
Camera setup	Multiple-camera setup
Running time	45 minutes
Production company(s)	Shandong Television Media Group Daylight Entertainment Ltd.
Release
Original network	Hunan Broadcasting System (Hunan TV)
Picture format	1080i (HDTV) SDTV
Audio format	Stereo
Original release	August 31 – September 28, 2015

The Disguiser (Chinese: 伪装者; pinyin: Wèi Zhuāng Zhě) is a 2015 Chinese spy war television drama based on Zhang Yong's novel, Spy War on Shanghai Beach and was originally aired daily on Hunan Television from August 31 to September 28. It was directed by Li Xue, and stars Hu Ge, Jin Dong, Wang Kai and Liu Mintao as the members of the Ming family. The series tells the story Ming Tai, a rich and naive young master of the Ming household, who is trained to become a spy for the Kuomintang to fight Wang Jingwei’s leadership of Japan’s puppet regime in China.

The drama was met with critical acclaim, receiving 37.5 million views on Youku^[1] as well as topping Sohu TV ratings,^[2] and was nominated for "Outstanding Drama" at the 30th Flying Apsaras Awards.^[3]

Synopsis

The plot centers around the Ming household during the Japanese occupation era: college student Ming Tai is kidnapped by Kuo Min Tang leader, Wang Tian Feng, who gives him spy training and a life-and-death partner Yu Man Li to carry out the party's many missions. Eldest brother, Ming Lou is the patriarch of the Ming household, while also holding many important positions and connections in the Kuo Mintang, Communist, and New Government, although not many know his true intentions and loyalties. Ming Cheng acts as the Ming Lou's trusted assistant, making him the number one target for others to get to Ming Lou. Through the many dangerous predicaments the family face, together, they fight to bring down their enemies and end the occupation.^[1]

Cast and characters

Ming household

• Hu Ge as Ming Tai, a spoiled, naive and youngest brother of the family. His birth mother died saving Ming Lou and Ming Jing from an assassination attempt, leaving him orphaned. The siblings later took him in as an adopted member of the family. Ming Tai is gifted in his skills as a spy, but still retains an immature personality. His code name is "Scorpion".
• Jin Dong as Ming Lou, the eldest brother. He is mysterious and very active in politics, although no one really knows his true loyalties are placed in. Highly skilled in the ways of a spy, his code name is "Viper".
• Liu Min Tao as Ming Jing, the sister who acts as the mother of the whole family unit. She is the chairman of the Ming Corporation and funds the Chinese Communist Party. She tried to keep Ming Tai away from politics for his safety by sending him away for an education.
• Wang Kai as Ming (Ah) Cheng, the middle brother who is the assistant of Ming Lou. He was adopted by the Ming housekeeper Auntie Gui. After seeing how abusive the she was toward the boy, the Ming siblings decided to take Ah Cheng into their family.
• Guo Hong as Auntie Gui, Ming Cheng's adopted mother who was dismissed for her abusive behavior toward him. She later reappeared and became a spy for Wang Man Chun, collecting intelligence from the Ming family.
• Zhu Meng Yao as Ah-Xiang
• Feng Hui as Ming Tang

Kuomintang

• Liu Yi Jun as Wang Tian Feng, the leader of the Kuo Mintang's military training program, who recognized Ming Tai's abilities and kidnapped him. He trained Ming Tai to become a spy and made him the leader of his team. His code name is "Wasp".
• Song Yi as Yu Man Li, Ming Tai's life-and-death partner. She was sold to a brothel by her father, but was saved by Boss Yu, who sent her to school. However, he was robbed and killed. She later took revenge by murdering the criminals, and while waiting for her death sentence, was discovered and recruited by Wang Tian Feng.
• Wang Zheng as Guo Qi Yun
• Wang Hong as Lin Can Mo

Communist

• Wang Le Jun as Cheng Jin Yun, a medical student who works as a spy for the Communist party. She is a frequent partner during Ming Tai's missions. The two eventually fall in love and marry.
• Guo Xiao Feng as Uncle Li, Ming Tai's long lost father.
• Zhang Yan Yan as Dr. Su
• Sun Chen as Dong Yan
• Gao Xin as Zhang Yue Yin

New government

• Wang Ou as Wang Man Chun, Ming Lou's lover and director of the intelligence department of the New Government. She is of the Wang family, who are sworn enemies of the Mings, although she still cares for Ming Lou deeply.
• Yue Yang as Liang Zhong Chun
• Matsumine Lilie as Nantian Yangzi (Yōko Minamida)
• Hirata Yasuyuki as Teng Tian Fang Zheng
• Sun Meng Jia as Zhu Hui Yin
• Matsuura Noriyuki as Gaomu (Takagi)
• Liu Lu as Secretary Liu
• Gao Zheng as Secretary Li
• Qu Hao Tian as Secretary Chen
• Feng Qian as Wang Fu Qu
• Guo Tong Tong as Momoko-san

Production

The Disguiser was adapted from Zhang Yong's novel, The Spy War on Shanghai Beach. The script was inspired by the novels characters who have multiple identities, with many skills to transform and camouflage in a variety of scenarios, hence the television series' title.^[4] The creative team included author Zhang Yong as the screenwriter, Magnolia award-winning director Li Xue, head producer, Hou Hong Liang, main composer Meng Ke and Wang Shu Yi, casting and dubbing directors Bi Ying Jie, Jiang Guang Tao and Zhang Kai, artistic director Shao Changyong, action stunt director Hao Wanjun, costume designer Ru Mei Qi and set designer Su Zhi Yong.^[5][6][7]

Location filming began on January 4, and ended on April 27, 2015, where it entered post-production.^[8][9]

Soundtrack

Tracks 1 through 20 were composed by Meng Ke, while tracks 21 through 24 were composed by Wang Shu Yi, who also composed the theme song, "From the Heart (诉衷情)".^[10]

Track listing
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Brotherhood Theme (兄弟情主题)"	–
2.	"Tragedy (悲壮)"	–
3.	"Fight (打斗 厮杀)"	–
4.	"Humor (幽默 诙谐)"	–
5.	"Tense Evacuation (紧张 撤离)"	–
6.	"Confrontation (对峙)"	–
7.	"Quickness (急促)"	–
8.	"Training (训练)"	–
9.	"Partner (搭档)"	–
10.	"Tragic Execution Grounds (悲惨 刑场)"	–
11.	"Father and son (父与子)"	–
12.	"Soft Sadness-female voice (柔软悲情 女声)"	–
13.	"Solemn Memories (肃穆回忆)"	–
14.	"Main Emotions (主题情感)"	–
15.	"Emotions 1 (情感 1)"	–
16.	"Emotions 2 (情感 2)"	–
17.	"Emotions 3 (情感 3)"	–
18.	"Emotions 4 (情感 4)"	–
19.	"Warm Dialogue (对话 温暖)"	–
20.	"Love (爱意)"	–
21.	"Sweet Happiness (甜蜜幸福)"	–
22.	"Main 1 (主题 1)"	–
23.	"Main 2 (主题 2)"	–
24.	"Ideas (悠扬)"	–
25.	"From the Heart (诉衷情)" (performed by Duo Liang)	3:07
26.	"From the Heart (诉衷情) Interlude ver." (Duo Liang)	3:07
Total length:		6:14+

Broadcast

Network Channel	Location	Broadcast start date	Note
Hunan TV	Mainland China	August 31, 2015[5]	Two episodes Sunday to Thursday 20:00, Friday and Saturday 19:30
Jinan TV		November 20, 2015	Daily 19:30
Shanghai TV		December 16, 2015	Daily 19:45
Zaozhuang TV		December 25, 2015	Daily 19:45
Guizhou TV		January 16, 2016	Two episodes Saturday to Thursday 19:30, Friday 19:30
Fujian TV		TBA	Daily 20:10
Chinese TV	South Korea	March 1, 2016	Monday through Friday 23:00-00:00

Ratings

China Hunan TV/ Online premiere ratings[11]
Episodes	Broadcast date	Hunan TV (CSM50)			Online ratings
		Ratings (%)	Audience share (%)	Rankings	Ratings (%)	Audience share (%)	Rankings
1-2	August 31, 2015	1.306	3.704	1	1.89	5.74	1
3-4	September 1, 2015	1.261	3.696	1	1.96	6.06	1
5-6	September 2, 2015	1.414	4.521	1	1.72	6.27	1
-	September 3, 2015	CCTV 70th anniversary of Sino-Japanese War Memorial Gala broadcast
7-8	September 4, 2015	1.912	5.480	1	2.30	7.06	1
9-10	September 5, 2015	2.078	5.932	1	2.35	7.30	1
11	September 6, 2015	0.950	2.799	2	1.22	3.83	1
12-13	September 7, 2015	1.843	5.396	1	2.31	7.21	1
14-15	September 8, 2015	1.723	4.955	1	2.23	6.92	1
16-17	September 9, 2015	2.029	5.95	1	2.56	8.00	1
18-19	September 10, 2015	2.262	6.58	1	2.91	8.89	1
20	September 11, 2015	1.276	3.682	1	1.83	5.28	1
21	September 12, 2015	1.440	4.201	1	1.82	5.40	1
22-23	September 13, 2015	1.936	5.503	1	2.34	7.13	1
24-25	September 14, 2015	2.128	6.231	1	2.39	7.43	1
26-27	September 15, 2015	2.150	6.213	1	2.40	7.46	1
28-29	September 16, 2015	2.137	6.28	1	2.26	7.18	1
30-31	September 17, 2015	2.269	6.72	1	2.34	7.47	1
32-33	September 18, 2015	2.357	6.581	1	2.52	7.46	1
34	September 19, 2015	1.416	4.262	1	1.53	4.57	1
35	September 20, 2015	1.658	4.792	1	1.76	5.13	1
36-37	September 21, 2015	2.098	6.205	1	2.21	6.91	1
38-39	September 22, 2015	2.290	6.309	1	2.46	7.77	1
40-41	September 23, 2015	2.474	7.335	1	2.46	7.93	1
42-43	September 24, 2015	2.356	6.854	1	2.46	7.75	1
44	September 25, 2015	1.297	3.934	1	1.47	4.39	1
45	September 26, 2015	1.955	5.658	1	2.35	6.59	1
46	September 27, 2015	1.789	5.169	1	2.08	5.97	1
47-48	September 28, 2015	2.724	7.801	1	3.02	9.10	1
Average ratings		1.93	5.6	1	2.26	7.01	1

• Highest ratings are marked in red, lowest ratings are marked in blue

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Nominee	Result	ref.
2015	2nd Wen-rong Award	Best Screenplay	The Disguiser	Won	[12]
		Best Actor	Hu Ge	Won
	30th Flying Apsaras Awards	Outstanding Actor		Nominated	[13]
		Outstanding Drama	The Disguiser	Nominated	[14]
	7th China National Drama Awards	Top Ten Dramas		Won	[3]
		Best Actor	Hu Ge	Won
		Most Powerful Actor	Jin Dong	Won
		Most Popular Actor (mainland)	Wang Kai	Won
		Breakthrough Actor		Won
2016	2015 Annual Global Entertainment Festival	"Golden" Drama	The Disguiser	Won	[15]
	2015 Big Data Index of Culture and Entertainment Industry Conference	"Most Talked About Drama"		Won	[16]

References

1. "These are the online television shows that Chinese people are watching". CCTV America. September 8, 2015. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
2. "War spy drama 'The Disguiser' dominates ratings - Global Times". www.globaltimes.cn. September 15, 2015. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
3. "2015国剧盛典获奖名单 范冰冰胡歌获最佳". ent.sina.com.cn. January 1, 2016. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
4. "《伪装者》转战横店嘉兴 胡歌上演热血军校 _娱乐_腾讯网". ent.qq.com. March 13, 2015. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
5. "《伪装者》定档8月31日 胡歌弹雨逃生". ent.sina.com.cn. August 17, 2015. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
6. "靳东《伪装者》戏份杀青 "话唠"长官温情告别-新华网". ent.news.cn. April 21, 2015. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
7. "胡歌新戏探班避谈江疏影 称喝酒再不敢拿手机_娱乐_腾讯网". ent.qq.com. February 5, 2015. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
8. "谍战大戏《伪装者》热拍 靳东再演高智商公子-搜狐娱乐". yule.sohu.com. February 9, 2015. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
9. "《伪装者》正式杀青 主演解读海报曝光耐人寻味_娱乐_腾讯网". ent.qq.com. April 30, 2015. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
10. "《伪装者》片尾曲MV曝光 多亮深情演绎乱世情谜_娱乐_腾讯网". ent.qq.com. August 5, 2015. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
11. "TV rating archives for television". tvtv.hk. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
12. 网易 (October 31, 2015). "第二届"文荣奖"揭晓 胡歌周迅分获最佳男女主角_网易新闻中心". news.163.com. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
13. 网易 (December 23, 2015). "第30届飞天奖公布提名名单 胡歌陈宝国争视帝_网易娱乐". ent.163.com. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
14. "第三十届电视剧飞天奖入围名单公布". ent.sina.com.cn. December 23, 2015. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
15. 陈罡 (January 18, 2016). "2015环球文娱盛典 麒麟影业关注电影跨国合作 - 国内新闻 - 中国日报网". cnews.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
16. ""2015文娱盛典"山影荣封"最具业界口碑电视剧出品方"-山东影视传媒集团 山东影视集团 山东电影电视剧制作中心". www.sd-ysjt.com. January 18, 2016. Retrieved 2016-02-04.

External links

• The Disguiser on Weibo
• The Disguiser on Baidu