Historical drama brings revolutionary stories to the screen

A new revolutionary historical television drama inspired by the experiences of founding military commanders from Central China's Hubei province is bringing a chapter of modern Chinese history to the screen through a fictional coming-of-age story.

Titled Nine Bullet Holes (Jiuge Dankong), the series is produced by China Media Group's China Central Television and Perfect World Pictures. Directed by Bai Tao and written by Li Jiuhong and Zhang Yu, it stars Zhang Yu (also known as Zhang Tong), He Yuhong, Li Huan and Xu Baihui, with special appearances by Sun Shaolong and Yang Yi.

The drama has been released to commemorate the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Red Army's Long March, and ahead of the centenary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army in 2027.

Spanning nearly two decades, the series follows fictional protagonist Li Zhixin as he grows from a young villager driven by personal loss into a revolutionary military commander. His journey unfolds against the backdrop of some of the defining events of modern Chinese history.

According to the production team, the drama draws on the real-life experiences of numerous founding military commanders from Hubei province, while combining and adapting their stories into fictional characters and narratives.

Historical events including the counter-revolutionary coup on April 12, 1927, the Long March, the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), and the War of Liberation (1946-49) are woven into the storyline, tracing the development of China's revolutionary armed forces from Red Army guerrilla units to the New Fourth Army and ultimately the People's Liberation Army.

Recently released promotional posters highlight the contrasting trajectories of the principal characters. Li Zhixin, portrayed by Zhang Yu, is juxtaposed with Kuomintang commander Pan Zuwang, played by Li Huan, illustrating the different ideological choices and personal destinies that shape the narrative.

The title Nine Bullet Holes serves as both a reference to the wounds of war and a metaphor for the protagonist's repeated tests of conviction. According to the producers, each "bullet hole" symbolizes a stage in Li's transformation from seeking personal revenge to dedicating himself to a larger revolutionary cause.

The series is currently airing on CCTV-8 and is also available on streaming platforms, including iQIYI and Tencent Video.