One scene that particularly impressed Liu Xin was shot in Prague last October. Over 100 local extras were hired to play residents in a low-income neighborhood.

"It was a cold and windy day. But I was surprised to see most of the extras were very professional and displayed commendable acting skills. I was so moved by their professional spirit," he says.

"When the shooting finished, I ran onto the set in an abandoned stadium and bowed to all the extras to express my appreciation."

About 80 days were spent shooting in Beijing and Tianjin with assistance from local law enforcement.

Liu Xin says actress Wang Ou worked intensively on the set and slept fewer than four hours a day to memorize lines riddled with finance jargon.

"Actor Hu Jun's father passed away when he was shooting, so he applied for a break to go home," Liu Xin recalls.

"When he returned, I worried his grief might affect his acting. But he's a very dedicated actor and hid his sorrow. We really respect him."

Liu Xin sees a bright future for the Chinese TV drama industry that's increasingly moving online while still broadcasting on television.

Good stories will never be outdated, he believes.

"You shouldn't try to follow audiences but rather try to make them follow you," he says.

Contact the writer at [email protected]