# Back to Field

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.

## Format

Each season takes place in a different rural part of China. 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.

## Members
### Cast

| 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

| 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 | Did not appear in the third season |
| Little White | 小白 | Xiǎo bái | Chicken | Did not appear in the third season |
| 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 | 锅 | Guō | Shiba Inu | Joined in S03E00, children of H and O, adopted by Zhang Zifeng |
| Bowl | 碗 | Wǎn | Shiba Inu | Joined in S03E00, children of H and O, adopted by Victoria Song |
| Ladle | 瓢 | Piáo | Shiba Inu | Joined in S03E00, children of H and O, adopted by Wang Luodan |
| Basin | 盆 | Pén | Shiba Inu | 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
### Season 1

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. The pilot aired on 8 January 2017, and the season premiered on 15 January and concluded on 16 April.
| Episode # | Broadcast date | Guests | Title |
| 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

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.
| 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

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. 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. 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.
| 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

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.
| Episode # | 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

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.
| Episode # | 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

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.
| Episode # | 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

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