Informal Talks (simplified Chinese: 非正式会谈; traditional Chinese: 非正式會談; pinyin: Fēi Zhèngshì Huìtán) is a Chinese talk show co-produced by Bilibili and Hubei Television.[1] Informal Talks airs on Hubei Television and Heilongjiang Television on Fridays at 21:20 beginning April 24, 2015.
| Informal Talks | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | talk-variety show |
| Directed by | Chen Juan, Wan Longhua, Wang Ziting, Gu Xueying, Zhang Longfu, Ma Xiao |
| Starring | Da Zuo, Yang Di, Chen Ming, Chen Chao, Brian Gonzalez, Dylan Jaye, Sasha Chzhao, Idris Kartav, Steven Oo, Ichinose Asuka, Ben McMahon, Alex Martini, Kyle Obermann |
| Opening theme | Season 1 Sugar by Maroon 5 We Like 2 Party by Big Bang What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction Season 2 Walk Thru Fire by Vicetone (ft. Meron Ryan) |
| Country of origin | China |
| Original language | Chinese |
| No. of seasons | 6 |
| Production | |
| Production location | China |
| Running time | 80 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | Hubei Television |
| Release | April 24, 2015 – present |
Starting Season 1 Episode 5, every episode begins with a Culture Discussion (Chinese: 全球文化相对论; pinyin: Quánqiú Wénhuà Xiāngduìlùn), followed by debates related to the discussion topic (Chinese: 提案环节; pinyin: Tíàn Huánjié), where representatives can share their opinions. The show discusses various topics and issues in Mandarin. The atmosphere is meant to emulate a meeting of world leaders, but the tone of the show can range from serious to emotional to humorous.
Series overview
In Season 1, there were 20 regular episodes, and 3 special episodes (Episode 17, 18, 23). In Season 2, there were 46 regular episodes and 3 special episodes that look back at certain moments on the show. Season 6 consisted of 8 episodes filmed in the studio in Beijing, and 16 episodes filmed remotely due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.[2]
| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | |||
| 1 | 23 | 20 | April 24, 2015 | October 2, 2015 |
| 3 | August 21, 2015 | October 2, 2015 | ||
| 2 | 50 | 46 | December 11, 2015 | November 11, 2016 |
| 4 | November 18, 2015 | December 2, 2016 | ||
| 3 | 61 | 59 | December 9, 2016 | April 27, 2018 |
| 2 | November 3, 2017 | December 1, 2017 | ||
| 4 | 12 | June 29, 2018 | September 14, 2018 | |
| 5 | 12 | May 17, 2019 | August 2, 2019 | |
| 6 | 24 | January 17, 2020 | August 7, 2020 | |
Hosts
The panel consists of a "President" (Chinese: 会长; pinyin: Huìzhǎng), a "Vice President" (Chinese: 副会长; pinyin: Fù Huìzhǎng), a “Secretary General" (Chinese: 秘书长; pinyin: Mìshūzhǎng), a "Clerk" (Chinese: 书记官; pinyin: Shūjì guān) and "representatives" from different countries.
Current Hosts
| Name | Chinese Name | Birthday | Title | Episodes | Absences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Da Zuo (Ryan) | 大左 | July 29, 1985 | President | S1 E5 - present | S3 E56, 57 |
| Yang Di (Andy) | 杨迪 | August 26, 1986 | Vice President | S2 E1 - present | |
| Clerk | S1 E5 - E23 | S1 E10, 11 | |||
| Chen Ming (Calvin) | 陈铭 | April 7, 1988 | Secretary General | S2 E22 - 25, 32 - 39, 44 - 47 S3 E1 - present | S3 E33 S5 E5-9, 12 |
| Chen Chao (Cynthia) | 陈超 | October 24, 1989 | Clerk | S1 E1 - present | S2 E38, 39 S3 E13 - 16 S5 E7, 8 |
Past Substitute Hosts
| Name | Chinese Name | Birthday | Title | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liu Yiwei | 刘仪伟 | April 28, 1969 | President | S1 E1 - E4 |
| Yuan Chengjie | 袁成杰 | March 10, 1983 | Vice President | S1 E1 - E4 |
| Ma Weiwei (Vivian) | 马薇薇 | Vice President | S1 E5 - E23 | |
| Secretary General | S1 E1 - S1 E4 | |||
| Huang Yixin | 黄艺馨 | November 16, 1982 | Clerk | S1 E10, 11 |
| Li Yitong | 李艺彤 | December 23, 1995 | Secretary General | S2 E1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 10 |
| Chen Si | 陈思 | September 14, 1991 | Secretary General | S2 E4, 7 |
| Yu Shasha | 于莎莎 | May 30, 1985 | Secretary General | S2 E6, 8, 11, 12, 17 - 20, 31 |
| Xie Binbin | 谢彬彬 | December 20, 1995 | Secretary General | S2 E13, 14 |
| Shao Mingming | 邵明明 | October 25, 1996 | Secretary General | S2 E15, 16 |
| Jiang Chen (Joanna) | 姜尘 | November 27, 1987 | Secretary General | S2 E26 - 30 |
| Liu Xiye | 刘熙烨 | Clerk | S2 E38, 39 | |
| Jiang Tao | 江涛 | Secretary General | S2 E40, 43 | |
| Zang Hongna | 臧洪娜 | June 28 | Secretary General | S2 E41, 42 |
| Zhang Yu'an | 张玉安 | Secretary General | S3 E33 | |
| Li Songwei | 李松蔚 | Secretary General | S5 E7-9 |
Representatives
In Season 1, there were 10 representatives of Informal Talks (known as IT10): Brian Gonzalez, Beijing International Studies University international business student; Arash Estilaf, actor and PhD Film Studies student; YOYO, model; Giuseppe Mighali, Suhrobjon Nazarov, Renmin University of China student; Alexandre Dubos, founder of French-Street (wine company);[3] Nathaus Patrick, Audi executive;[4] Kim Han-il (Jack), singer; Zack Ireland Splittgerber, actor and Mohammed Osama, Xinhua News Agency journalist.[5] After Episode 4, Giuseppe Mighali left due to work related reasons and was replaced by Alec Odahara, marketing manager, in Episode 5. After Episode 15, Suhrobjon Nazarov left to serve in the Russian Army and was replaced by Vladislav Shergin in Episode 17. At the end of Season 1, Alexandre Dubos and Nathaus Patrick left due to work related reasons.
In Season 2, there were 11 representatives (IT11). Alistair Bayley, Monash University arts student; James Ifeanyi Ogbobe, tourism management student and kindergarten teacher; and Steven Oo, fashion designer joined the cast. At the end of Season 2, Steven Oo left due to work related reasons. Mohammed Osama, Zach Ireland Splittgerber, and Vladislav Shergin announced on Weibo that they were informed by the producers of Informal Talks they would not continue to be representatives in Season 3. Kim Han-il (Jack) left for unknown reasons.
In Season 3, Cedric Jun Jie Loo (guest representative in Season 2 Episode 13), actor and model; Mirco Tranchina, Beijing Normal University Linguistics student; Sasha, Harbin Engineering University international business student; Idris Kartav, Xiamen University International Relations and Affairs student and Dominic Romeo joined the cast. After Season 3, Mirco left due to immigration difficulties, and Alec and James left due to work. In Season 3.5, they were replaced with Dylan Jaye, an investment banker; Brian O'Shea and Patrick Köllmer.
Current Representatives
| Country | Name | Chinese name | Occupation | Birthday | Since | Absences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Argentina Spain | Brian Alejandro Gonzalez Ruiz[6] | 功必扬 | BISU International Business student | April 13, 1991[7] | S1 E1 | S4 E8 |
 Russia | Aleksandr "Sasha" Chzhao[8] | 萨沙[9] | HRBEU International Business student | September 29, 1998[10] | S3 E1 | S3 E5, 6, 46 S4 E5-8 S5 E4 |
 Italy | Alessandro Martini | 阿雷 | Student | June 19, 1996 | S6 E1 | |
 United Kingdom | Harry Moore[11] | 欧阳森 | S6.5 | |||
 South Africa | Brett Lyndall Singh | 阿乐 | Medical Technology Entrepreneur | S6 E9 | S6, E12 - 13 | |
 United States | Zach Bielak[12] | 小白/姜海 | S6.5 | |||
 Norway | Gustav Gillund[13] | 顾思达 | S6.5 | |||
 Japan | Takeuchi Ryo | 竹内亮 | S6.5 | |||
 Cameroon | Challi | 沙力 | S6.5 | |||
 Myanmar | Steven Oo (Than Naing Oo) | 赖合成 OO | Fashion Designer | November 10, 1984 | S2 E1-E47 S6 E1 | S2 E36, 44 - 47 |
Past Representatives
| Country | Name | Chinese name | Occupation | Birthday | Episodes | Absences | Returns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | Giuseppe Mighali[14] | 朱赛 | Researcher in Chinese Classical Philology | S1 E1 - 4[15] | |||
Russia Tajikistan | Suhrobjon Nazarov[16] | 阿克毛 | Student | November 20, 1993[17] | S1 E1 - 15[18] | S1 E14 | S3 E5, 6, 25 |
 France | Alexandre Dubos[19] | 杜波 | 1986[20] | S1 E1 - 23[21] | S2 E15, 16 S4 E8 | ||
 Germany | Nathaus Patrick[22] | 潘天楷 | Audi Executive | S1 E1 - 23[21] | S1 E5 - 7, 9 - 12 | S2 E4, 6 - 8, 33, 34 S3 E15, 16 | |
 South Korea | Jack Kim (Kim Han-il)[23] † | 金韩一 | Singer | June 4, 1990[citation needed] | S1 E1 - S2 E47 | S2 E25, 41 - 47 | |
| United States | Zach Mark Ireland Splittgerber[24] | 左右 | February 13, 1990[25] | S1 E1 - S2 E47[26] | S2 E2, 4, 6 - 8 | ||
 Egypt | Mohamed Osama Mohamed Ragab[27] | 穆小龙 | Translator | September 6, 1988[28] | S1 E1 - S2 E47[29] | S3 E18 - 22, 25 S4 E5 | |
| Russia | Vladislav Aleksandrovich Shergin[24] | 卷弗/弗拉德 | October 15, 1990[30] | S1 E17 - S2 E47[31] | S4 E6 | ||
United Kingdom Australia | Alexander "Alec" Guy Odahara[24] | 田原皓 | Marketing manager IT Analyst | February 9, 1990[32] | S1 E5 - S3 E40 | S2 E27 - 30 S3 E28, 34 - 40 | |
 Nigeria | James Ifeanyi Ogbobe[33] | 钱多多 | Tourism Management student | 1988 | S2 E1 - S3 E40 | S2 E35 | |
| Italy | Mirco Tranchina[34] | 米可 | BNU Linguistics student | June 26, 1991[35] | S3 E1 - 40 | S3 E13, 14, 18 19, 28 - 30, 34, 37 - 40 | S5 E9, 10 |
| Japan | Yūsuke Asai | 浅井悠佑 YOYO[36] | Model | September 15, 1985[37] | S1 E1 - S3 E61 | S2 E36 - 43 S3 E25 | |
 Malaysia | Cedric Jun Jie Loo[38] | 吕锐 吕俊杰 | Model, actor | 1988 | S3 E1 - 61 | ||
| Italy Argentina | Brian O'Shea | 波波 | April 10, 1993 | S3 E41 - 61 | |||
| Germany | Patrick Köllmer | 吴雨翔 | September 16, 1988 | S3 E41 - 61 | S3 E46 | ||
| France | Wilfried Buiron [39] | 阮奕信 | Student, Entrepreneur | September 2, 1995[40] | S4 E1 - 12 | S5 E6 | |
 Iran | Arash Estilaf[41][42] | 华波波 | Actor, Film Studies student | August 28, 1988[43] | S1 E1 - S5 E12 | S4 E8 (start) | |
| Australia United Kingdom | Alistair Bayley[44] | 贝乐泰 | Monash Arts student | May 26, 1993[45] | S2 E1 - S5 E12 | S2 E2, 32 - 35, 45, 46 S3 E29, 30 | |
| United States | Dominic Joseph Romeo[46] | 罗狮杰 | Student | 1992 | S3 E1 - S5 E12 | S4 E1 (end), 2 | |
| United Kingdom | Russell | 成明 | Student | S5 E1 - S5 E12 | S5 E4, 9, 10 | ||
| United States Italy | Dylan Jaye[47] | 钟逸伦 | Investment Banker Musician | October 22, 1995 | S3 E41 | S4 E9, 10 | |
| South Africa | Mark Minnie Jr.[48] | 宁大人 | Student | May 9, 1994[49] | S4 E1 | ||
 India Thailand | Siwathep Singh Khanderpor[50] | 天乐 | Student | June 4, 1993[51] | S4 E1 | S5 E5, 6 | |
| Japan | Ichinose Asuka | 一之瀬飞鸟 | Video blogger | 1995 | S4 E1 | ||
| United States | Kyle Obermann | 欧阳凯 | Photographer | S6 E1 | |||
| Australia | Ben McMahon | 孟杰明 | Real Estate Developer | S6 E1 | |||
 Turkey | Idris Talha Kartav[52][53] † | 唐小强[10] | Stone Importer | August 24, 1992[54] | S3 E1 | S3 E18 - 22 S4 E5-8 |
Guest Representatives
| Country | Name | Chinese name | Birthday | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Brazil | Kevin Tai[55] | 戴启明 | 1992 - 1993[56] | S1 E1 (cut from episode), E14 |
| Spain | Antonio Coll (Nio)[57] | 蓝子龙 | March 11, 1989[58] | S1 E3, 16 |
 Ukraine | Yegor Shyshov[citation needed] | 椰果 | May 22, 1989[59] | S1 E5 |
 Canada | Brendan Frentz[60] | 范柏仁 | S1 E6 | |
| Australia | 小白 | S1 E10 | ||
| United States | Martin | 马丁 | 1986 - 1987[61] | S1 E10 |
| United States | 龙小龙 | 2001[62] | S1 E11 | |
 New Zealand | Patrick Rosevear[63] | 罗斯文 | June 24, 1987[64] | S1 E14, 21 |
| Spain | David Garcia Lou[65] | 搂大卫 | October 25[65] | S1 E15 |
| Italy | Anthony[66] | 安东尼 | May 9, 1990[67] | S1 E15, 33 |
| Spain | Gerald [citation needed] | 杰拉德 | S1 E19 | |
| Cameroon | David | 大卫 | S1 E20 | |
| Egypt | 周晓龙 | S1 E22 | ||
| India | Mani[citation needed] | 马尼 | August 22[68] | S2 E2 |
| United States | 罗罗 | S2 E3 | ||
| South Africa | Oliver[69] | 奥利/赵子玉 | August 11[69] | S2 E4, 7, 35 |
| Italy | Andre[citation needed] | 安德 | S2 E5 | |
 Sweden | Markus[70] | 张维 | S2 E6 S3 E2, 3 | |
| United States | 李越 | December 30, 1992 | S2 E6, 8, 31 | |
| Spain | Isa[citation needed] | 伊萨 | S2 E8, 31 | |
| United States | Paul Craddock[71] | 美保/美宝[72] | October 14, 1993 | S2 E9 |
| Italy | Jacopo Maria Lasala[73] | 徐天佑 | S2 E10 | |
| Germany | Simon Dominic | 西蒙 | S2 E11, 12 | |
| Malaysia | Cedric Jun Jie Loo[38] | 吕锐/吕俊杰 | S2 E13 | |
 Switzerland | Franco Lodovico Maglio[74] | 弗朗克 | S2 E14 | |
| France | 方兴为 | S2 E17, 18 | ||
| Thailand | Palang Jakkrawansilp[75] | 帕朗 | S2 E19 | |
| Brazil | Eduardo de Carvalho Rodrigues Filho[76] | 栎树 | S2 E20 | |
| United States | Josh Gordon[77] | 戈登 | S2 E21, 29, 30, 32, 35 S3 E21, 22 | |
| Italy | David | 伟鸥 | 1992[78] | S2 E22 |
| Turkey | Yasin[79] | 亚星 | September 28, 1993[79] | S2 E23 |
| Italy | Mauri[80] | 风明睿 | S2 E24 | |
| United Kingdom | Elliot O'Donnell[81] | 董锦程 | 1993 - 1994[82] | S2 E25 |
| Italy | Riccardo Moratto (Skanda)[83] | 韦佳德 | December 4, 1985[84] | S2 E26 |
| Switzerland | Machi[85] | 马喜 | August 15, 1981[85] | S2 E27 |
 Belgium | Romuald Bronchart[86] | 彭望龙 | June 24, 1989[87] | S2 E28 |
| Russia | Gaudi[citation needed] | 高迪 | S2 E32 | |
| Japan | Nakamura Onishi | 中村大西 | S2 E36 | |
| France | Pascal Bonnisseau[88] | 宋博宁 | July 2, 1981[89] | S2 E36, 37, 41 - 46 S3 E9 - 11, 37 - 40 |
| France | Quentin Albert[90] | 信誓蛋蛋 (钢蛋) | S2 E38, 39 | |
| France | Romeo Delebecque[91] | 信誓蛋蛋 (铁蛋) | S2 E38, 39 | |
| Thailand | 徐才文 | S2 E39 | ||
| Germany | Constantin[92] | 康廷 | January 11, 1987[92] | S2 E40 |
| Japan | Tsukagoshi Hirotaka | 冢越博隆 | April 18, 1978 | S2 E42, 43 S3 E13, 14 |
| France | 晓冬 | S2 E43 | ||
| Russia | Andrey[citation needed] | 安德烈 | S2 E44 | |
| Australia | 黎昕 | S2 E45, 46 | ||
 Bangladesh | Rashed[93] | 瑞江明 | S2 E45 | |
 Netherlands | Sander Kole[94] | 柯桑德 | September 19, 1994 | S2 E46 |
 Uzbekistan | Kamol Munisov | 康晓鑫 | S3 E23 | |
| United Kingdom | Mark | 马克 | S3 E26 | |
 Costa Rica | Rodley | 罗德利 | S3 E27 | |
| Germany | David | 江南 | S3 E28, 34 | |
| Thailand | 范桂忠 | S3 E28 | ||
| Thailand | 兴川瑞 | S3 E29, 30 | ||
| United States | 马爱文 | S3 E30 | ||
| Japan | 坂尚 | S3 E31 | ||
| Italy Argentina | Brian O'Shea[95] | 波波 | April 10 | S3 E34 |
| Brazil | Uyan Tien | 田舞阳 | August 1, 1985 | S3 E35, 36 |
| Germany | Patrick Köllmer | 吴雨翔 | September 16, 1988 | S3 E37, 38 |
| United States Italy | Dylan Jaye | 钟逸伦 | October 22, 1995 | S3 E39 |
| United Kingdom | Laurence Heyes | 何安杰 | January 1, 1995 | S3 E46 |
| United Kingdom | 葛金鹰 | S3 E49 | ||
 Israel | Raz Galor | 高佑思 | September 28, 1994 | S3 E50, 51 S5 E8 |
 Lebanon | Michael | 卡子彤 | S3 E53 | |
| United States | Lila Kidson[96] | 星悦 | S3 E54 | |
 Somalia | 莫哈 | S3 E56 | ||
| Thailand | Phichet Ang | 洪健城 | S3 E57 | |
| Egypt | 王力宏 | S3 E59 | ||
| Brazil | Vinicius Batista de Oliveira | 欧力 | September 17, 1991 (age 27) | S4 E5 |
| Germany | 发币 | S4 E6 | ||
 China | Oscar Sun | 孙坚 | May 23, 1983 | S4 E7 |
 Venezuela Spain | 文楷 | S4 E8 | ||
 DRC | 龙儿 | S4 E9 | ||
| United Kingdom | 梁悦信 | S4 E10 | ||
| United States | Stephen Turban | 唐文理 | S5 E3 | |
 Sudan | 白石 | S5 E4 | ||
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | Elie Kipanga | 苏阳 | S5 E5 | |
 Poland | Philip | 菲利普 | S5 E7 | |
| Japan | Yamashita Tomohiro | 山下智博 | S5 E11 | |
Egypt Palestine | 刘正曦 | S6 E5 | ||
| France | 广坦 | 1983 (age 37) | S6 E7 | |
| Japan | Erica | 林绘梨华 | S6 E7 | |
| Belgium | Gianni Girolami[97] | 杰宁 | 1988 | S6 E8 |
| Malaysia | Joey Chua | 蔡卓宜 | S6 E9 | |
| Malaysia | Yan Rujing | 颜如晶 | S6 E10 |
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