Youku unveiled its 2024 "Spring Gathering" lineup, announcing 77 major dramas spanning five categories: historical, suspense, urban, legend, and Hong Kong dramas. However, one series stands out prominently, distinct from the five main categories, it is "Sea of Dreams," adapted from Liu Cixin's eponymous short science fiction story.
The mention of "science fiction" stirs mixed feelings. Chinese sci-fi dramas have had a tumultuous track record, with audience expectations rising and falling over the years. There has always been hope that the rise of the Chinese film and TV industry would bring higher-quality local sci-fi productions. However, science fiction remains a "high-hanging fruit" in Chinese dramas, seldom attempted. Few dare to take on the challenge, and even fewer succeed. Thus, upon learning that "Sea of Dreams" is a sci-fi series, one can't help but feel a mix of curiosity and concern. Will this show manage to uphold the promise of Chinese sci-fi, a promise rekindled by "The Wandering Earth," or will it fall short and close the door on this genre once again?
"Sea of Dreams" boasts significant pedigree. It is based on Liu Cixin's short story, published in 2002 in the "Science Fiction World" magazine, and tells a wildly imaginative and artistic tale. An alien civilization removes Earth's surface water as part of an art project, creating a massive ice ring. With the land completely desertified, humanity faces the brink of extinction, prompting Chinese astronauts to undertake a mission to retrieve the sea.
The story features numerous hardcore sci-fi elements, including post-apocalyptic survival and space exploration, making it a true "hard science fiction" narrative. Liu Cixin has publicly stated that "Sea of Dreams" is the adaptation he most eagerly anticipates, calling it a "unique, unprecedented exploration." Moreover, Liu Cixin is personally supervising the production as an executive producer, underscoring its significance. Reading this, the initial apprehension seems to ease a bit, even sparking some anticipation. With Liu Cixin's direct involvement and the intriguing premise, "Sea of Dreams" could potentially become a landmark in Chinese sci-fi television, bridging the gap between ambitious storytelling and compelling visual execution.
Will "Sea of Dreams" Be a Good Sci-Fi Drama?
What constitutes a good sci-fi drama? For viewers, it might be visually striking scenes, meticulously crafted scientific plots, and a backdrop brimming with technology and futurism. However, for Chinese drama producers, the sci-fi denotes a significant challenge, one not easily tackled by everyone. With the rapid advancement and iteration of Chinese film and television technology in recent years, hardware barriers have long been surpassed. Concepts, flashy tech, and stunning visuals are now achievable even by AI. Yet, the true challenge lies in breaking open this tough nut to deliver the marrow of sci-fi to the audience.
From the current 2-minute and 12-second trailer of "Sea of Dreams," it is evident that the series encapsulates the essence of sci-fi with just a few shots, leaving a powerful impression without many words. The extraction of surface water, forming massive ice rings that ascend slowly, creates an overwhelming sense of impending doom. The launch of manned space rockets transitions from news documentation to vivid on-screen action, meticulously depicting the entire process from preparation and ignition to stage separation and final return. The space station maneuvering between the Earth's surface and the ice rings brings distant horizons within reach, presenting a seamless "sky-earth connection" to the audience.
The trailer takes viewers on an emotional rollercoaster: ice rings shrouding the stars, yellow sand storms raging, humanity struggling for survival in dire straits, and searching for a last glimmer of hope. Then, it touches the heart with a poignant sense of pain and hope: our home may be destroyed, but our people will never abandon it; they will strive to reclaim the sea and return home.
The trailer is packed with information: under the authentic "post-apocalyptic" high concept, it presents a world view that rivals or even surpasses current top-tier sci-fi works. The proficient use of hardcore visual effects technology delivers an ultimate audio-visual experience. Moreover, it resonates with an undeniable sense of relevance and emotional connection that even general audiences can't resist.
The casting choices further elevate the anticipation for "Sea of Dreams." This time, Huang Jingyu is not confined to earthly roles; he's reaching for the stars. The combination of a tough guy in a hard sci-fi setting amplifies the excitement. Wang Zixuan, previously known for her mystical roles, now delves into science, showcasing indispensable female strength in a new domain. Liu Chang, known for his "suit thug" persona, transforms into a brilliant writer with a post-apocalyptic makeover, exuding a profound sense of narrative. The innovative and fitting cast adds to the series' allure, bringing both surprise and compatibility. After watching the trailer, there's a sense of relief. It seems that our distance from good sci-fi dramas might be significantly bridged by "Sea of Dreams."
Responsibility in the Face of Crisis
Just as top students are expected to excel in every exam, the visual effects and the alignment of the cast in "Sea of Dreams" are only the surface-level attractions. What truly deserves to be broken down, scrutinized, and savored is the unique worldview constructed through Chinese narrative discourse. It allows the audience to hear a Chinese voice and see a uniquely Chinese romanticism within the science fiction genre.
Globally, no other story has built a worldview around the fate of humanity after surface water disappears. "What would Earth look like without the sea? How would humans survive without it?" Director Tian Li poses these questions in the behind-the-scenes featurette. In the face of uncontrollable forces, human power becomes palpably insignificant. Countless astronauts sacrifice themselves to save their homeland, climbing the icy rings to restore the world to its original state.
In the face of disaster, Chinese astronauts embody the nation's responsibility by "going to the sky to retrieve the sea," taking on the mission of seeking a future for Earth and a way for humanity to survive. The manned spacecraft's journey from preparation to entering the predetermined orbit encapsulates 20 years of Chinese space exploration, marking the past and the future of reaching into deep space. In an interview, Director Tian Li mentioned that besides restoring the original "annular eclipse" phenomenon, the creators introduced a new concept—the "solar waterfall." After the icy rings block the sun, they amplify the sun's radiation and heat like a magnifying glass, creating extreme weather that poses a more lethal threat to humans who have lost surface water.
Therefore, "Sea of Dreams" fundamentally differs from other disaster sci-fi films. In past films, humans often dug deep underground to build bunkers to survive disasters. In contrast, "Sea of Dreams" depicts humans overcoming countless obstacles to build a "dome city" above ground. This grand structure, briefly glimpsed in the trailer, consists of numerous hexagons. Before the solar waterfall strikes, the "dome" undergoes "carbon charging" to help people inside avoid the solar waterfall's onslaught.
This is a life-and-death struggle between humans and disaster, where the idea that man can conquer nature overlaps with a fantastical and magnificent sci-fi world. It reflects the creators' meticulousness and warmth. As Director Tian Li shared upon completion, the film fulfills dreams of science fiction, post-apocalyptic scenarios, and space exploration simultaneously. In this colossal catastrophe tied to humanity's fate, the story of ordinary people stopping a chariot with their arms to save the world stirs a deep-seated memory and cultural heritage in the hearts of the Chinese people about the saying, "Every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the nation."
Always Clear-headed, Always Progressing
Before "Sea of Dreams," the landscape of Chinese science fiction series was virtually untouched. The prospect of being the first to delve deeply into this genre is enticing, yet fraught with high risks. This time, however, Youku, Xiangongfu Culture, and Liu Cixin himself have shown immense sincerity and courage. Xiangongfu Culture made a significant impact in 2017 with "Tientsin Mystic" This series, with its mature and highly stylized suspenseful narrative, masterful integration of folk elements, and scientifically plausible explanations, has been highly praised by audiences. It has become one of the phenomenal super web series in recent years, winning over 20 domestic and international film festival awards, establishing itself as a pioneer in the "Year of Web Series."
Following this success, while other production companies rushed into the web series market to replicate proven "blockbuster" themes, Xiangongfu chose a different path. After years of dormancy, they bravely ventured into the hard science fiction genre, creating "Sea of Dreams." The core creative team, including producer Chang Ben, director Tian Li, and production director Wang Boxue, founders of Xiangongfu Culture, have developed exceptional chemistry through their long-term collaboration on "Tientsin Mystic," "Sea of Dreams," and "Love on the Turquoise Land." Beyond mere chemistry, this team has cultivated a shared ethos of continuous self-challenge and innovation through years of creative practice. For Xiangongfu, playing it safe holds no interest; they prefer to tread paths that others dare not. While others cluster together, they choose to walk their single-plank bridge.
Judging from the released materials, the sparks generated by Xiangongfu's creativity in "Sea of Dreams" are indeed more intense and brilliant, promising a highly anticipated viewing experience. As Director Tian Li noted, "Sea of Dreams" is special. It tackles the challenging core of Liu Cixin's original work, faithfully capturing its spirit and presenting elements of science fiction, post-apocalypse, space exploration, and adventure on screen. With such sincerity and shared vision, this attempt at creating a domestic hard science fiction series seems poised for success.
