Back to Field (Chinese: 向往的生活; pinyin: Xiàngwǎng de shēnghuó) is a Chinese reality show on Hunan TV. The show documents the simplistic lifestyle of living away from the bustling city centers.[1]

Back to Field
Back to Field Official Logo Poster
Traditional Chinese向往的生活
Simplified Chinese向往的生活
Hanyu PinyinXiàngwǎng de shēnghuó
GenreReality show
Directed byWang Zhengyu
Starring
Country of originChina
Original languageStandard Chinese
No. of seasons7
No. of episodes82
Production
Camera setupMulticamera setup
Running time80 minutes
Production companyHunan Broadcasting System
Original release
NetworkHunan Television
Release15 January 2017 (2017-01-15) –
Present (Present)

Format

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Each season takes place in a different rural part of China.[1] The cast members are only provided with the basic life necessities and have to take care of everything else such as cooking their own meals and building their own furniture. To "buy" different cooking ingredients and other tools, they have to complete certain tasks assigned by the production crew, such as planting and harvesting crops. Different guests join the cast in each episode and help out with the daily chores. The goal of the program is to bring the audience along on a slower pace of life and to illustrate the joys of a simple lifestyle.[2]

Members

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Cast

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Name Age Duration
Huang Lei 51 Season 1 – 7
He Jiong 49 Season 1 – 7
Henry Lau 34 Season 1 – 2
Peng Yuchang 28 Season 2 – 6
Zhang Zifeng 22 Season 3 – 6
Lay Zhang 32 Season 5 – 6

Animals

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English Name Chinese Name Pinyin Species Notes
H 爱吃 Ai Chi Shiba Inu
Little Yellow 小黄 Xiǎo huáng Chicken Did not appear in the third season
Little Flower 小花 Xiǎohuā Chicken
Little White 小白 Xiǎo bái Chicken
Little 点点 Diǎndiǎn Goat
Tianba 天霸 Tiān bà Goat Named by Chen He
Nicholas Deng 彩灯 Cǎi dēng Muscovy Duck
O Shiba Inu Joined in S02E00
12 little yellow ducks 12隻小黃鴨 12 Zhī xiǎo huáng yā Ducks Joined in S02E05, brought by Batu
Susu 苏苏 Sūsū Cow Joined in S03E00
Pot Guō Shiba Inu Joined in S03E00, children of H and O, adopted by Zhang Zifeng
Bowl Wǎn Joined in S03E00, children of H and O, adopted by Victoria Song
Ladle Piáo Joined in S03E00, children of H and O, adopted by Wang Luodan
Basin Pén Joined in S03E00, children of H and O, adopted by Zhang Jike
Little Guy 小不点 Xiǎobudiǎn Goat Was born in S03E06
Dongba 动霸 Dòngbà Turtle Joined in S04E07, brought by Chen He
Tua Turtle Joined in S04E12, brought by Chen He

Episodes

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Season 1

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Season 1 was filmed in Huayuan Village, Xinchengzi Town, Miyun District, Beijing, with He Jiong, Huang Lei, and Henry Lau as the main hosts. This show was initially called 一仆二主 or One Servant, Two Masters and the original broadcasting platform for the show was Dragon Television. However, due to unsatisfactory results of the program's investment promotion, Dragon TV planned to intervene in the program's production process, resulting in a disagreement between the producer, Hexin Media, and Dragon TV. Dragon TV finally gave up the broadcasting rights of the program and the producer suspended the recording of the program after the sixth episode. Subsequently, with the strong support of He Jiong, Hunan TV obtained the rights to broadcast the program.[3] The pilot aired on 8 January 2017, and the season premiered on 15 January and concluded on 16 April.[4]

Episode # Broadcast date Guests Title Notes
S1E00 8 January 2017 No guests Pilot
S1E01 15 January 2017 Song Dandan, Batu
S1E02 22 January 2017 Wang Zhonglei, Winnie, Chen He
S1E03 29 January 2017 Chen He
S1E04 5 February 2017 Hui Ruoqi, Ding Xia, Yuan Xinyue, Hai Qing, Li Jie, Yang Dong, Zeng Hui, Wang Qing
S1E05 12 February 2017 Hai Qing, Li Jie, Yang Dong, Zeng Hui, Wang Qing
S1E06 19 February 2017 Da Zhangwei
S1E07 26 February 2017 Dong Zijian, Xie Yilin, Chen Duling
S1E08 5 March 2017 Dong Zijian, Xie Yilin, Chen Duling
S1E09 12 March 2017 Li Bingbing, Ren Quan
S1E10 19 March 2017 Li Bingbing, Ren Quan, Wei Daxun, Yang Di, Wang Qian
S1E11 26 March 2017 Wei Daxun, Yang Di, Wang Qian, Bai Baihe
S1E12 2 April 2017 Bai Baiehe, Xie Na
S1E13 9 April 2017 Xie Na, Zhao Liying, Sun Honglei
S1E14 16 April 2017 Xie Na, Zhao Liying

Season 2

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Actor Peng Yuchang joins the permanent cast in season 2. Filming began on 13 March 2018, in Heling Village, Jiuxian Subdistrict, Tonglu County, Hangzhou, Zhejiang. The pilot was broadcast on 13 April 2018, and the season premiered on 20 April 2018, and concluded on 6 July 2018.[5]

Episode # Broadcast date Guests Title Notes
S2E00 13 April 2018 No guests Pilot Henry was unavailable for filming
S2E01 20 April 2018 Xu Zheng, Hui Wangyan, Huang Yinuo, Wang Yuanhui When was the last time you washed your hair? Huang Yinuo and Wang Yuanhui did not stay the night; Henry returned at the end of the episode
S2E02 28 April 2018 Zhang Jie, Jin Wenqi Gradually, you've grown up
S2E03 4 May 2018 Zhang Shaogang, Li Dan, Chi Zi We are all naughty
S2E04 11 May 2018 Li Xiaoran, Pan Yueming Sound and silence are parts of life
S2E05 18 May 2018 Zhang Zifeng, Batu, Wang Luodan, Song Dandan, Zhao Baogang A day without a cook Zhao Baogang did not stay the night but returned in S2E06
S2E06 25 May 2018 Qi Wei Follow your dream in the entertainment circle
S2E07 1 June 2018 Qi Wei, Tong Liya, We're not teenagers any more when we meet again Tong Liya arrived late in the day and missed the previous episode
S2E08 8 June 2018 Liu Guoliang, Han Tianyu, Wu Dajing Friends who like barbecue
S2E09 15 June 2018 Sha Yi, Shen Yue, Chen Duling Watch the rainbow with you
S2E10 22 June 2018 Wu Yingjie, Yu Wenwen, Mao Buyi, Liu Wei, An Yuexi, Chen Ziyou, Zhao Chengyu, Liu Chunyan A normal day
S2E11 23 June 2018 Huang Bo, Yu Hewei, Wang Xun A good show, invisible guests
S2E12 29 June 2018 Huang Bo, Yu Hewei, Wang Xun Quite a good show
S2E13 30 June 2018 Angelababy, Ni Ni, Lü Siqing Finally you came Wang Xun decided to stay another day, Lü Siqing did not stay the night
S2E14 6 July 2018 Angelababy, Ni Ni We are all afraid of being lonely

Season 3

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Actress Zhang Zifeng joins the permanent cast in season 3, while Henry Lau announced on his personal Weibo that he will be withdrawing from the show and pivoting his focus towards music.[6] In addition to exploring the simplicity and tranquility of the countryside lifestyle, the theme of the show, season 3 added a separate plot line revolving around the research on rural conditions. The project is jointly completed by the program team and experts and scholars from Peking University, Renmin University of China, and Beijing Normal University. The three dimensions of "current situation and advantages," "problems and dilemmas," and "countermeasures and suggestions" was taken as the overarching framework.[7] Filming began on 19 March 2019, in Wengcao Village, Morong Town, Guzhang County, Hunan Province. The pilot aired on 19 April 2019, and the season premiered on 26 April 2019, and concluded on 19 July 2019.[8]

Episode # Broadcast date Guests Title Notes
S3E00 19 April 2019 No guests Dear Henry Henry Lau leaves the cast this season, and Zhang Zifeng joins as a new cast member.
S3E01 26 April 2019 Huang Shu-jun, Bibi Zhou, Ye Yiqian, Huang Yali, Ji Dandi Change or No Change
S3E02 1 May 2019 Phoenix Legend, Chopstick Brothers No Birthday Celebration
S3E03 10 May 2019 William Chan, Janine Chang Open or Close
S3E04 17 May 2019 Zhang Jike, Pan Shiyi, Liu Xuan, Wang Tao The New House is a CBD
S3E05 24 May 2019 Mao Buyi, Chi Zi, You Zhangjing, Li Zixuan, Tong Zhuo, Huangzi Hongfan, Liu Yase, Lao Lang Our Youths
S3E06 31 May 2019 Wang Likun, Victoria Song, Joe Chen, Joey Yung, Kris Wu The Lost Years
S3E07 7 June 2019 Wang Likun, Victoria Song, Joe Chen, Joey Yung, Kris Wu We Love You
S3E08 14 June 2019 Richie Ren, Cecilia Cheung, Chen Feiyu, He Landou The Stream of People
S3E09 21 June 2019 Richie Ren, Cecilia Cheung, Chen Feiyu, He Landou Serendipity
S3E10 28 June 2019 Wang Dalu, Wei Daxun, Tan Songyun, Xiong Ziqi, Jiang Xueming An Actor Prepares
S3E11 5 July 2019 Wang Dalu, Wei Daxun, Tan Songyun, Xiong Ziqi, Jiang Xueming, Chen He, Lu Han, Hua-Tao Teng Uncle is Coming
S3E12 12 July 2019 Chen He, Lu Han, Hua-Tao Teng, Sun Li, Wu Bi, Jiao Yang, Wu Jingyi, Ju Yuan, Jiu Lan, Jiu Xingtong, Chen Minghao, Cai Lu, Xiao Su, Yen Shu, Zhang Lu, Friends
S3E13 19 July 2019 Henry Lau

Season 4

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The permanent cast of season 4 remains the same as season 3. Filming began on 26 March 2020, in Manyuan Village, Manleine Village Committee, Menghan Town, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. The pilot aired on 1 May 2020, and the season premiered on 8 May 2020, and concluded on 24 July 2020.[9]

Episode

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Broadcast

Date

Guest
S4E00 1 May 2020 No guests
S4E01 8 May 2020 Zhou Xun, Zhang Ying Yi, Guo Qilin
S4E02 15 May 2020 Sha Yi, Tao Hong
S4E03 22 May 2020 Sha Yi, Tao Hong, Song Wei Long, Silence Wang
S4E04 29 May 2020 Song Wei Long, Silence Wang, Huang Xiao Ming
S4E05 5 June 2020 Seven Tan, Allen Ren, Timmy Xu
S4E06 12 June 2020 Seven Tan, Allen Ren, Timmy Xu, Hai Qing, Ren Zhong
S4E07 19 June 2020 Hai Qing, Ren Zhong, Yue Yunpeng, Mao Bu Yi, Zhou Shen, Zhang Shao Gang
S4E08 26 June 2020 Ren Zhong, Yue Yunpeng, Mao Bu Yi, Zhou Shen, Zhang Shao Gang
S4E09 3 July 2020 Wu Xin, Li Weijia, Du Haitao
S4E10 10 July 2020 Wu Xin, Li Weijia, Du Haitao, Nana Ouyang, Greg Hsu, Lao Lang, Zheng Jun
S4E11 17 July 2020 Nana Ouyang, Greg Hsu, Lao Lang, Zheng Jun
S4E12 24 July 2020 Nana Ouyang, Greg Hsu, Lao Lang, Zheng Jun, Song Dan Dan, Ba Tu, Chen He

Season 5

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Lay Zhang was added to the permanent cast for season 5. Filming began on 18 March 2021 in Bailinzhou Village, Taohuayuan Town, Taoyuan County, Changde, Hunan. The season premiered on 23 April.[1]

Episode

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Broadcast

Date

Guest
S5E00 23 April 2021 No guests
S5E01 30 April 2021 No guests
S5E02 7 May 2021 Qiao Shan, Liu Xiaoyi
S5E03 14 May 2021 Qiao Shan, Liu Xiaoyi, Yang Zi
S5E04 21 May 2021 Yang Zi
S5E05 28 May 2021 Yang Zi, Chen He, Li Dan
S5E06 4 June 2021 Chen He, Li Dan
S5E07 11 June 2021 Chen He, Li Dan, Li Xueqin
S5E08 16 June 2021 No Guests
S5E09 20 June 2021 Na Ying, Liang Jing
S5E10 25 June 2021 Wang Mian, Connor Leong, Su Qing, Qi Si Jun, Shi Kai, Wu Xing, Wu Yi, Huang Yali, Lu Liang (Xiao Fang), Li Wei Jia
S5E11 3 July 2021 Jin Jing, Liu Shen Ying
S5E12 9 July 2021 Liu XiaoYi, Wu Kai, Huang Bo
S5E13 16 July 2021 Huang Bo, Lü Siqing, Chen Sa, Wang Tao
S5E14 23 July 2021 Mao Buyi, Ouyang Nana

Season 6

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The permanent cast of season 6 remains the same as season 5. Filming began on 7 March 2022 in Shayutang Village, Haiwei Town, Changjiang, Hainan. The season premiered on 29 April 2022.[10]

Episode

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Broadcast

Date

Guest
S6E00 29 April 2022 Turbo Liu
S6E01 30 April 2022 No guests
S6E02 14 May 2022 Turbo Liu, Vicky Chen, Zhang Youhao
S6E03 21 May 2022 Turbo Liu, Vicky Chen, Zhang Youhao

Awards

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Year Award Category Nominated Work Results Ref.
2018 24th Shanghai Television Festival Best Seasonal Variety Show Back to Field (Season 1) Nominated [11]
2020 26th Shanghai Television Festival Best Variety Show Back to Field (Season 3) Nominated [12]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "向往的生活 第五季 (豆瓣)". movie.douban.com. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  2. ^ 新浪娱乐_其他 (15 January 2017). "《向往的生活》黄磊何炅刘宪华田园迎客". ent.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  3. ^ "新航标|新航标王征宇:一个理想主义者的现实追求_新浪娱乐_新浪网". ent.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  4. ^ "向往的生活 第一季 (豆瓣)". movie.douban.com.
  5. ^ "向往的生活 第二季 (豆瓣)". movie.douban.com.
  6. ^ sina_mobile (10 March 2019). "刘宪华退出《向往的生活3》:不舍但想专心做音乐". ent.sina.cn. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  7. ^ "《向往的生活》温暖"回家" 张子枫加入四大常驻阵容_湖南卫视". zixun.hunantv.com. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  8. ^ "向往的生活 第三季 (豆瓣)". movie.douban.com.
  9. ^ "Back to Field (TV Series 2017– ) - IMDb".
  10. ^ "《向往的生活》大海篇启幕,搜索热度直线上升的沙渔塘村是?_节目_广大观众_渔村". www.sohu.com. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  11. ^ "第24届上海电视节白玉兰奖完整入围名单公布|界面新闻 · 娱乐". www.jiemian.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  12. ^ "Nominations for The 26th Shanghai TV Festival". www.stvf.com. Retrieved 23 May 2021.