Hit mini-series To the Wonder set to air in Kazakhstan in June

To the Wonder, an 8-episode mini-series produced by iQIYI, often referred to as China’s Netflix, is slated to hit Kazakhstan’s mainstream television channel tv7 in June, featuring Kazakh dubbing, according to a recent announcement by iQIYI.

Following its debut on tv7, the series will also be broadcast on other major Kazakhstani networks, including Khabar TV and Channel 31.

Ilkham Ibragim, general director of the tv7 in Kazakhstan, noted that the drama series has already garnered significant attention in the country even prior to its official broadcast. Across social media local audiences have shown interest in the series’ storyline, cast and the featured Kazakh song.

Directed by Teng Congcong and starring actresses Ma Yili and Zhou Yiran, along with actor Yu Shi, the show is an adaptation of award-winning essay collection My Altay by Li Juan. The collection recounts her personal experiences in the Altay region of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

Since its premiere on April 25 in Beijing, the mini-series has attracted widespread acclaim for offering a fresh narrative and sensory experience. It blends light comedy with Li’s literary aesthetics to explore themes of nature reverence, self-discovery and the simple yet resilient spirit of the northern Xinjiang herders.

In March, To the Wonder was announced by the CANNESERIES (The Cannes International Series Festival) as part of this year's Official Selection for Long Form Competition. This marks the first time a Chinese language long-form drama series has been selected in this competition since its launch in 2018.