The series' success owes much to composer Wang Liping (王立平). He set many of the novel's classical verses to music, taking as long as four years to deliberate and complete his compositions.
Post-broadcast activities
On December 6, 2003, the CCTV-3 program "Art Life" recorded the episode "Art Life - Reunion of Dream of the Red Chamber," directed by Wang Fulin, written by Zhou Ling, produced by Dai Linfeng, starring Ouyang Fenqiang, Chen Xiaoxu, Deng Jie, Dongfang Wenying, along with over 70 other guests including actors and behind-the-scenes staff, revisiting various stories from the production of this version of the TV series. During the program, Zhang Li, who portrayed Xue Baochai and singer Chen Li, who had been absent from the public eye for a long time, returned to the spotlight. Additionally, due to the secrecy maintained by the program recording staff, guests were unaware of each other's presence before the show, resulting in many surprises during the program. The episode premiered on CCTV-3 on January 9, 2004.[4]
On December 7, the day after the program recording, the cast and crew revisited the filming location of the Daguanyuan, where they were deeply moved, reminiscing about the series of stories from twenty years ago during the filming and in life.[5]
On June 1, 2007, a memorial service for Chen Xiaoxu, who portrayed Lin Daiyu (she passed away on May 13 of that year), was held at the Daguanyuan in Beijing. Ouyang Fenqiang, Zhou Ling, Deng Jie, Zhang Li, Wu Xiaodong, Sha Yuhua, and other main creative personnel of the production attended to mourn.[6]
On September 26 and October 10, 2012, Beijing TV aired "Stars of Film and Television Journey" where the cast of Dream of the Red Chamber reunited.[7]
On December 2, 2012, Beijing TV's "Watch Beijing Drama" broadcast "Dreams of the Red Chamber" - Memories of the Red Mansion.[8]
On December 30, 2012, and January 6, 2013, CCTV-4 aired "Chinese Literature and Art" presenting "Unfinished Love in Dream of the Red Chamber".
On March 15 and 22, 2017, Tianjin TV aired "Gathering of the Elite" featuring characters from Dream of the Red Chamber.
On June 17, 2017, "1987, Our Dream of the Red Chamber Concert," curated by Ouyang Fenqiang, took place at the Great Hall of the People, attended by over a hundred actors who had been absent for many years or living overseas.[9]
On July 23 and 30, 2017, CCTV-8 broadcast "Talking about Drama" featuring the cast of Dream of the Red Chamber.
On September 3, 2017, the first Tourism Industry Development Conference was held in Zhengding County, Shijiazhuang City, featuring a themed concert for the 1987 version of the TV series Dream of the Red Chamber.[10]
On September 9 and 16, 2017, CCTV aired "Chinese Literature and Art" paying tribute to the classic: the 1987 TV series Dream of the Red Chamber.
