Streaming tale of ties

"I was quite excited when I received producer Yu Zheng's call to ask me to direct Winter Begonia. Few films and television series have featured such a theme in recent years, making it a fresh and interesting job for me," recalls Hui.

Yin Zheng, who is also a singer and graduated from the Xinghai Conservatory of Music in Guangdong province, says his favorite opera show performed in the series is Zhan Wan Cheng (The Battle of Wan City). It's about an ancient ruler who forces a widow to marry him. Yin Zheng says he is captivated by the tension and conflict conveyed through the tragedy.

Although Yin Zheng underwent intensive training with Peking Opera masters while wearing heavy head accessories for over 10 hours a day, he says he has only obtained a "shallow understanding" of the performance art.

"The opera masters are like floating museums. Most began to study at a young age and have practiced for over a decade," Yin Zheng says.

Industry insiders have predicted the COVID-19 pandemic would bring unprecedented changes to the country's film and television industry.

Streaming sites have experienced a surge in viewers since most of China's cinemas are still shut and most people are advised to stay home.

Winter Begonia has been listed as the most popular content since it started streaming on iQiyi on March 20.

Huang, who reveals he and his team have purchased masks from South Africa to support Chinese medical staff, predicts China's online content industry will expand in the next few years.