Female-centric multigenerational drama Zu Ji 足迹 is all set to make its premiere on September 4, 2025. Featuring an ensemble cast led by Tong Yao and Cheng Lei, the series pieces together the stories of three generations of women, and the century old house in Shanghai’s French Concession that silently bears witness to their history. Zu Ji also stars Liu Yijun, Lin Yun, Wang Herun with special appearances by Yang Jue and Ning Li.
From playing Gu Jia in Nothing But Thirty to Nan Ya in Tender Light, Tong Yao’s versatility and skill as an actress shines through once again as she plays another independent and strong woman in Zu Ji. Meanwhile, it’s definitely shaping up to be quite a season for her co-star Ryan Cheng Lei. His drama Zu Ji will soon be out, joining the other two that have aired recently – Legend of the Female General with Zhou Ye and Shadow Love with actress Song Yi.
Zu Ji Synopsis
Three women, three stories, one family home. From the passionate youth of the 1930s to the idealistic struggles of the 1950s, then onwards to the fast changing 90s, the Lin family home bears silent witness to all the changes faced by three generations of women in the family. In the 1930s, Lin Si Yun (Jelly Lin Yun) returns from overseas to chaos. Faced with bankruptcy and a betrayal by her fiancé, she fights to turn the Lin family home in the French Concession into a obstetrics and gynecology hospital. During her efforts, she meets the young barrister Cheng Ao (Cheng Lei).
In the 50s, following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the family home is converted into a factory by Si Yun’s niece Yi Yi (Tong Yao). Because she is the widow of a Kuomintang official, she finds herself ostracized and facing unemployment. Later she forms a mutually supportive relationship with Wen Pu (Liu Yijun) .
Enter the 90s and the family home has evolved into a mixed-use commercial and residential property. Yiyi’s granddaughter Ye Xining (Wang Herun) used to head a state owned company but was forced to quit after being in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was delivering a wedding dress to her best friend when she saw her friend accepting money, leading to her losing her job. Later she meets university lecturer Xiang Beichuan (Yang Jue) with whom she goes into business with later.
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Basil
I was hesitant because of the era of the drama but gave it a try because of Cheng Lei. Eight episodes in and highly recommend even if you don’t initially think this genre is your cup of tea. Beautiful setting, good story and amazing acting. I look forward to watching the rest.