From hospital ward to drama series

When screenwriter Zhou Yifei was researching the sequel to the acclaimed medical drama The Heart, she noticed an intriguing detail at a hospital: several female patients had similar given names written on their IV bags — most of the names were either Zhaodi or Tiao'e.

The names in local dialects, which literally mean "calling for a younger brother" and "hoping the next child will be a boy", reflect the traditional preference for sons.

Growing up in rural Jiangsu province, where a preference for sons has traditionally been more pronounced than in urban areas, Zhou found the discovery both striking and thought-provoking. What surprised her most was that such naming practices — often regarded as a fading tradition in modern society — had persisted across multiple generations, with women born from the 1950s through the 1990s still bearing these names.

The real-life observation eventually inspired one of the most memorable storylines in the 40-episode series The Heart 2, which recently concluded its first run on China Central Television's CCTV-8 and streaming platforms Tencent Video and iQIYI.

Having attracted more than 360 million online views, the drama has emerged as one of this summer's most popular television series.

Reuniting actors Mark Chao, Mao Xiaotong and Jin Shijia as elite doctors at the fictional Dongli Hospital, the drama opens with cardiologist Zhou Xiaofeng, played by Chao, returning after completing a two-year medical aid mission in a remote area of Guizhou province. On the journey back, he accompanies several patients he treated through a local charity program when an emergency unfolds aboard their bus: a pregnant woman carrying twins suddenly suffers acute heart failure. The situation becomes even more critical because one of the fetuses has been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.

"When preparing for the second season, we accumulated more knowledge about cardiovascular diseases and gained more practical experience by working alongside doctors. That allowed us to raise the dramatic stakes and portray more complicated medical cases," Zhou Yifei says.

Authentic portrayal

To ensure authenticity, the screenwriter carried out extensive field research. She visited more than a dozen hospitals, ranging from top-tier medical centers to county-level institutions, across Beijing, Shanghai and the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou.

She spent weeks shadowing doctors in cardiology departments, cardiac surgery units and intensive care units, sometimes remaining at a single hospital for more than a month to observe daily routines, consultations and surgeries.

It was during this research that the names on the IV bags inspired the characters Zhang Tiao'e and Long Jiaojiao, two former classmates who unexpectedly reunite in the hospital ward.

Zhang, who suffers from a pulmonary arteriovenous fistula, is under constant pressure from her husband to give birth to a son, even though they already have two daughters. Fearing that surgery might affect her fertility, the husband opposes the operation, leaving Zhang to postpone treatment in hopes of becoming pregnant again.

"Zhang has received little formal education, and her opportunities to change her circumstances are limited. We cannot simply condemn her for preferring sons, nor blame her for lacking awareness of the health risks. I understand the difficult reality she faces. She may not even truly want a son — she simply wants a better life. I have great sympathy for women like her," Zhou Yifei explains further.

By contrast, Long is financially independent, having built a successful career as an internet influencer with millions of followers. Her birth name, Long Quan, was inspired by a poem written by Qiu Jin (1875-1907), a revolutionary heroine.

"Long changed her destiny through a college education. She left the countryside and became someone with a stronger sense of independence and self-awareness. Her friendship with Zhang ultimately becomes a journey of mutual redemption for both women," Zhou Yifei says.

While the series examines social issues through the lives of its patients, it also sheds light on aspects of the medical field and healthcare system that are less frequently depicted in dramas.

One example is Ouyang Da, a new character played by actress Zhang Jianing. As a medical device sales representative, she demonstrates not only professional expertise but also high emotional intelligence. She uses a clever approach to persuade Zhang Tiao'e's husband to give up his stubborn pursuit of having a son and instead support the lifesaving operation for his wife.

Zhou Yifei says researching the profession has changed her perception of medical device sales representatives. One such individual she interviewed had spent decades specializing in cardiovascular devices and possessed profound knowledge of both medical technology and clinical practice.

"Although he isn't qualified to perform surgery, he understands the entire procedure and diagnostic process so well that he can even offer useful suggestions to young doctors," she says.

Firsthand insight

Director Li Zhi, who also helmed the first season, says returning to the series took on new meaning after he experienced hospitalization himself.

Shortly after completing the first season, he was admitted to the hospital because of health problems, giving him firsthand insight into patients' emotions.

"Every time my attending physician came on her rounds, I typed my questions into my phone beforehand," Li recalls.

"She spoke very quickly because she had so many patients to see, but her thinking was always clear, and she knew my condition thoroughly. That reassured me."

The experience also reminded him of delivery rider Lu Dadong, a character diagnosed with hereditary hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Doctors warned Lu that a sudden attack could leave him unconscious, making it necessary for immediate family members to make key decisions and sign the informed consent form for surgery.

"I didn't want my parents to know I had been hospitalized because I didn't want them to worry. It was very similar to Lu's situation in the drama. Eventually, my attending physician and her intern helped me find a solution that complied with hospital regulations," Li says.

"Everyone has been to a hospital at some point, either as a patient or accompanying a loved one. That's why medical stories resonate with almost everyone."

With over 200 medical specialists serving as consultants throughout production, The Heart 2 strives to present every diagnosis, treatment and surgical procedure with professional accuracy. Beyond telling compelling human stories, Zhou Yifei and her team hope the series will also help audiences see the country's progress in medical research and healthcare technology.

"Today, our country's medical devices are advancing rapidly, and our basic scientific research is also making remarkable progress. Over the past three or four years — especially since the first season of The Heart — I've been amazed by the development of domestically produced devices such as artificial hearts. In many respects, they now rival, and in some areas even surpass, imported products," she says.