TV series operates on a different level

Consisting of around 70 cases, the drama touches on a variety of critical situations in the emergency intensive care unit, enabling audiences to see the warmth and love surrounding those bravely fighting different illnesses.

Such touching tales include that of a prestigious scholar with a primary cardiac tumor who insists on undergoing a risky surgery, because he wants to spend more time with his wife; and an 8-year-old girl with terminal uremia who comforts her father as the end of life draws near.

"We hope the drama can convey positive and warm messages about the importance of emotional caring in hospitals, and help the audience better understand that doctors and nurses are also people just like us. Witnessing grief and disease every day, they have to face their own stressful and exhausting moments," says Zhang.

In conjunction with the Population Culture Development Center of the National Health Commission, the series began shooting in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, in November 2019. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, filming was sporadic and took nearly two years to complete. One of the main difficulties for the producers was that some of the child actors grew up, resulting in reshoots or script revision.

"Most of the cases featured in the drama are inspired by real-life stories. With the production of this drama, most of our cast and crew say that they have realized how fragile life is and now cherish the time spent with their loved ones much more," says Zhang.

Most of the series is shot in the newly decorated, but not yet opened area of an actual hospital, and to ensure the details mirrored reality, the show established a team of 16 doctors to act as consultants. Working in rotation, they helped examine the script and monitor scenes depicting medical treatment for accuracy.