Call Me by Fire

Last updated
Call Me by Fire
Call Me by Fire official poster.jpg
Traditional Chinese 披荊斬棘的哥哥
Simplified Chinese 披荆斩棘的哥哥
Literal meaningBig brothers cutting through thorns
Hanyu Pinyin pī jīng zhǎn jí de gēgē
Genre Reality
Presented by Liu Tao
Country of originChina
Original languageMandarin
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes12
Production
Camera setup Multi-camera
Running time94–208 minutes
Original release
Network Mango TV
Release12 August (2021-08-12) 
29 October 2021 (2021-10-29)
Related
Call Me by Fire (season 2)
Sisters Who Make Waves
Boyhood (哥哥的少年时代)
Definition  [ zh ] (定义)
Night in the Greater Bay  [ zh ] (大湾仔的夜)
Braving Life  [ zh ] (我们的滚烫人生)

Call Me by Fire (Chinese :披荆斩棘的哥哥; pinyin :pī jīng zhǎn jí de gēgē; lit.'Big brothers cutting through thorns') is a 2021 Chinese singing reality television show broadcast on Mango TV. It features 33 male celebrities who have been in the entertainment industry for close to ten years or more competing to form a 17-member performance group. [1] [2] The show aired from August 12 to October 29, 2021, with 12 episodes in total.

Contents

It is a spin-off of the well-received Sisters Who Make Waves , [3] which featured a similar premise with female celebrities. Both shows followed in the footsteps of trending idol group audition programs like Produce 101 and Idol Producer , with Call Me by Fire aiming to put together a range of experienced male entertainers and provide them opportunities to collaborate on stage. [4] [5]

Aside from the main episodes, there are also special "Plus" episodes that can be accessed through paid subscription to Mango TV, featuring additional behind-the-scenes footage not aired in the main show.

A second season premiered on August 19, 2022, featuring 4 members of Season 1's final "Singing Family" group, alongside 28 new celebrity contestants.

In 2024, the Vietnamese production company named Yeah1 purchased the rights to the show's format and broadcast the reality show titled Anh Trai Vượt Ngàn Chông Gai. The program is jointly produced by the Arts Department of Vietnam Television (VTV) and 1Production, a subsidiary of Yeah1. [6] [7]

Format

The competition is carried out through a series of concerts, with the contestants performing in groups. Depending on the round's specific rules, the audience and a panel of industry experts vote for their favourite group performances and/or individual contestants. The resulting rankings determine which contestants are eliminated and/or how groupings are shuffled. Voting scores are also tabulated as "firepower," which acts as currency for contestant groups during bidding for the following concert's song selection and performance order.

The show opened with a "Premiere Concert" introducing the 33 contestants. This was followed by five rounds with different groupings and concert themes. At the end of the fifth round, the remaining 22 contestants competed in a final "Family Formation Night" concert that determined the successful members of the ultimate 17-member performance group.

Aside from segments related to the formal competition such as rehearsals and bidding, the show also features contestants' dormitory life and informal group activities like a talent show or cook-off.

Contestants

The contestants' names within both the English and Chinese language entertainment industries are shown. [8] Top 17 contestants will debut as a group on the show's finale.

NameProfessionBirthdate (Age)
Bridge布瑞吉RapperNovember 4, 1993 (age 31)
Cannon Hu Hai Quan
(Member of rock duet Yu Quan)
胡海泉Actor, singer, hostAugust 13, 1975 (age 49)
Chen Hui
(Member of rock band Faces Band)
陈辉Lead singerJanuary 1, 1973 (age 52)
Edmond Leung Hon-man 梁漢文Singer-songwriter, actorNovember 5, 1971 (age 53)
GAI 周延RapperMarch 22, 1987 (age 37)
Henry Huo Zun 霍尊Singer-songwriterSeptember 18, 1990 (age 34)
Henry Prince Mak
(Former member of JJCC)
麦亨利SingerMay 24, 1990 (age 34)
James Lee
(Former member of Royal Pirates)
李铢衔Bassist, keyboardistJune 9, 1988 (age 36)
Jerry Lamb Hiu-fung 林曉峰ActorSeptember 28, 1970 (age 54)
Jerry Yan 言承旭Actor, singerJanuary 1, 1977 (age 48)
Jordan Chan Siu-Chun 陈小春Actor, singerJuly 8, 1967 (age 57)
Julian Cheung Chi-lam 张智霖Actor, singerAugust 27, 1971 (age 53)
Kido Gao Hanyu 高瀚宇Actor, singerFebruary 6, 1989 (age 36)
Leon Zhang Yunlong 张云龙Actor, singerMarch 2, 1988 (age 36)
Li Xiang李响DancerJanuary 4, 1992 (age 33)
Li Yundi 李云迪PianistOctober 7, 1982 (age 42)
Liu Cong / Key.L刘聪RapperAugust 13, 1988 (age 36)
Liu Duan Duan 刘端端Actor, singerJune 4, 1986 (age 38)
Liu Jia刘迦DancerSeptember 20, 1991 (age 33)
Max Zhang Jin 张晋Actor, martial artistMay 19, 1974 (age 50)
MC HotDog 热狗RapperApril 10, 1978 (age 46)
MC Jin 欧阳靖Rapper, actorJune 4, 1982 (age 42)
Michael Tse Tin-wah 谢天华Actor, singerJuly 15, 1967 (age 57)
Nathan Lee Seung-hyun  [ zh ]李承铉Singer, actorOctober 30, 1984 (age 40)
Owodog 敖犬Singer, actorOctober 30, 1982 (age 42)
Paul Wong Koon-chung
(Member of Beyond)
黄贯中Lead singerMarch 31, 1964 (age 60)
Pax Congo / Bai Ju Gang白举纲Singer-songwriterNovember 2, 1993 (age 31)
Ricky
(Member of rock band Click#15)
瑞奇Lead singer, guitaristDecember 19, 1988 (age 36)
Shawn Huang Zheng黄征Singer, actorDecember 12, 1973 (age 51)
Terry Lin 林志炫SingerJuly 6, 1966 (age 58)
Vincent Zhao Wenzhuo
(Also known as Chiu Man-cheuk)
赵文卓Actor, martial artistApril 10, 1972 (age 52)
Welly Zhang Qi
(Member of Black Panther 黑豹乐队)
张淇Lead singerJanuary 22, 1981 (age 44)
Yin Zheng 尹正ActorDecember 30, 1986 (age 38)

Synopsis

Premiere Concert

Theme: The First Meeting, Pleased to Meet You

The contestants are introduced to the rules and to one another. They are then assigned to groups of similar skills for their first introductory performances. Each group stage featured short individual performances of different songs, with the final song continuing into a full group performance to end off. After each stage, the audience voted for their favourite member in the group, with the top-ranking member gaining 100 firepower for the next round. After all 8 group stages, the 33 contestants performed a closing song together.

This premiere concert was hosted by Qi Sijun  [ zh ] alongside three contestants from Sisters Who Make Waves: Baby Zhang and Shen Mengchen from Season 1, and Yang Yuying from Season 2.

GroupMembersSongs
SingersJulian Cheung, Edmond Leung, Terry Lin祝君好 (Wish You Well), 拔河 (Tug of War), 瞬间永恒 (Instant Eternity)
Pax Congo, Cannon Hu, Shawn Huang玫瑰玫瑰我爱你 (Rose, Rose, I Love You), 飞鸟 (Stray Bird), 奔跑 (Run)
DancersJames Lee, Nathan Lee, Henry Mak, Kido Gao水星记 (Mercury), 天上飞 (Fly in the Sky), 神奇 (Magical), 情人 (Lover)
Max Zhang, Yin Zheng, Liu Jia, Li Xiang, Owodog倩女幽魂 (A Chinese Ghost Story), 独一无二 (Only One), 刀剑如梦 (Dream-like Sword), 不染 (Unstained), 失恋阵线联盟 (Lovelorn Front Alliance)
ActorsVincent Zhao, Liu Duan Duan, Leon Zhang, Li Yundi, Jerry Yan漫漫人生路 (Long Road of Life), 心太软 (Too Softhearted), 心云 (Heart Cloud), 爱是永恒 (Love is Eternal), 流星雨 (Meteor Shower)
Jordan Chan, Michael Tse, Jerry Lamb叱咤红人 (All-Star), 原来你什么都不想要 (So You Didn't Want Anything), 友情岁月 (Friendship Years)
MusiciansRicky, Chen Hui, Welly Zhang, Paul Wong夜夜夜夜 (Every Night), 幻觉 (Hallucination), 别来纠缠我 (Don't Bother Me), 不再犹豫 (No Longer Hesitating)
RappersMC HotDog, MC Jin, Bridge, Liu Cong, GAI差不多先生 (Mr. Not Bad), Brother Man, 爱就爱了 (Love Love), 单身公寓 (Single Apartment), 沧海一生笑 (A Lifetime of Laughter)
Whole cast笨小孩 (Stupid Child) by Andy Lau

First Performance

Theme: Outer Space Message Board

The contestants are split into 8 tribes with three to five members each, named after the respective tribe leader. Every tribe performed one song in the concert, with the two lowest-ranking tribes having to select one member to transfer out to another tribe.

TribeMembersSong
Jordan Chan TribeMichael Tse, Jordan Chan, Jerry Lamb, Julian Cheung, Edmond Leung3189
Nathan Lee TribeWelly Zhang, Nathan Lee, James Lee, Henry Huo Yellow (by Coldplay)
MC Jin TribeShawn Huang, MC Jin, Owodog, Henry Mak彩虹西服 Rainbow Suit
Bridge TribeGAI, Ricky, Bridge站在高岗上 Stand on a High Hill
Terry Lin TribeTerry Lin, Li Yundi, Liu Jia, Li XiangLove
Chen Hui TribePaul Wong, Chen Hui, Jerry Yan, Liu Duan Duan, Leon Zhang淒美地 Poignantly
Max Zhang TribeMax Zhang, Kido Gao, Pax CongoMMA
Vincent Zhao TribeVincent Zhao, Cannon Hu, MC HotDog, Yin Zheng, Liu Cong离开地球表面 Leaving Earth's Surface

Second Performance

Theme: The 25th Hour

In this round, tribes had to form an alliance with a second tribe to perform one "Vocal" category song and one "Perform" category song together. A limit of six performers per song was imposed. The voting scores for both songs were combined, with the lowest-ranking alliance having to select three members to send home.

AlliancePerforming MembersSongCategory
Chen Hui Tribe + MC Jin TribeJerry Yan, Owodog, Liu Duan Duan, Leon Zhang, Henry Mak被驯服的象 Tamed ElephantPerform
Paul Wong, Chen Hui, Shawn Huang, MC Jin明天更漫長 Tomorrow is LongerVocal
Max Zhang Tribe + Nathan Lee TribeWelly Zhang, Henry Huo, Pax Congo悟空 Wu Kong / Monkey King Vocal
Max Zhang, Nathan Lee, Henry Huo, James Lee, Kido Gao, Pax Congo鞋子特大号 Extra Large ShoesPerform
Terry Lin Tribe + Vincent Zhao TribeTerry Lin, Cannon Hu, MC HotDog, Liu Jia飞云之下 Under the CloudsVocal
Vincent Zhao, Li Yundi, Yin Zheng, Liu Cong, Ricky, Li Xiang大艺术家 Great ArtistPerform
Jordan Chan Tribe + Bridge TribeJordan Chan, Michael Tse, Julian Cheung, Edmond Leung, GAI, Bridge往事只能回味 The Past Can Only Be ReminiscedPerform
Jordan Chan, Michael Tse, Jerry Lamb, Edmond Leung, GAI, Bridge你要如何我们就如何 We'll Do As You WishVocal

Third Performance

Theme: Wait for Me to Find You

The alliances of the previous round were dissolved and the eight tribes reorganised into four larger camps, named after the respective camp leader. Like the previous round, each camp had to perform one "Vocal" category song and one "Perform" category song. However, this round was conducted in two halves, with two camps competing directly in each half. Audience and expert panel voting determined the losing camp of each half, as well as the individual contestant ranking in each camp. The losing camp would then have to vote within itself to eliminate one of its three lowest-ranking members.

CampPerforming MembersSongCategory
First Half
Nathan Lee CampPaul Wong, Welly Zhang, Nathan Lee, James Lee花祭 Flower FestivalVocal
Paul Wong, Welly Zhang, MC Jin, Ricky, Liu Jia不超级的马里奥 Non-Super MarioPerform
Vincent Zhao CampTerry Lin, Shawn Huang, Jerry Yan, Leon Zhang偶然 AccidentallyVocal
Vincent Zhao, MC HotDog, Liu Cong, Henry Mak夏夜晚风 Summer Night WindPerform
Second Half
Max Zhang CampMax Zhang, Cannon Hu, Yin Zheng, Kido Gao, Pax Congo什么是快乐星球 What is a Happy PlanetVocal
Max Zhang, Yin Zheng, Owodog, Kido Gao, Li Xiang好春光 Good SpringPerform
Jordan Chan CampJulian Cheung, Edmond Leung, Jerry Lamb, Li Yundi护花使者 Messenger of FlowersVocal
Jordan Chan, Michael Tse, GAI, Bridge摇滚怎么了 What's Up With RockPerform

Fourth Performance

Theme: Thirty Thousand Days

Continuing with the camps from the previous round, this round was further divided into three showdowns featuring solo, duet and full camp performances. Only the camp with the top overall ranking would be safe from elimination and proceed to the next round without reshuffling members. Meanwhile, the four lowest-ranking members across the remaining three camps were sent home.

CampPerforming Member(s)Song
SoloNathan Lee CampWelly ZhangWar
Jordan Chan CampJordan Chan算你狠 You Are Vicious
Vincent Zhao CampTerry LinEmpty
Max Zhang CampYin Zheng一剪梅 A Spray of Plum Blossoms
DuetMax Zhang CampMax Zhang, Kido Gao跳舞街 Dancing Street
Vincent Zhao CampTerry Lin, MC HotDog曾经我也想过一了百了 I've Thought About It a Hundred Times
Nathan Lee CampMC Jin, Nathan Lee你要跳舞吗 Do You Want to Dance
Jordan Chan CampEdmond Leung, GAI无名之辈 Anonymous
CampVincent Zhao CampVincent Zhao, MC HotDog, Leon Zhang, Jerry Yan, Terry Lin, Shawn Huang, Liu Cong这世界那么多人 So Many People in This World
Nathan Lee CampPaul Wong, Welly Zhang, MC Jin, Nathan Lee, James Lee, Ricky, Liu Jia达拉崩吧 Dalabengba
Max Zhang CampMax Zhang, Yin Zheng, Owodog, Kido Gao, Pax Congo, Canon,Li Xiang舍离断 Let Go
Jordan Chan CampJordan Chan, Michael Tse, Julian Cheung, Edmond Leung, Jerry Lamb, GAI, Bridge当年情 Past Love

Fifth Performance

Theme: Another Me in this World

The final group reshuffle occurred at the start of this round to form two main camps: "Qilin (麒麟) Camp" and "One Flower (一枝花) Camp," led by Nathan Lee and Max Zhang respectively. The two camps faced off in three group rounds, with members allowed to participate in only one performance each. One elimination slot was added each time a camp lost a group round, with the lowest-ranking member(s) in that camp filling in the slot(s) to be sent home.

CampPerforming MembersSong
Group 1One Flower CampJordan Chan, Cannon Hu, Jerry Yan, Kido Gao, Li Xiang无所求必满载而归 Returning Full of Nothing
Qilin CampMichael Tse, Ricky, Leon Zhang, Liu Jia男孩別哭 Boy, Don't Cry
Group 2One Flower CampMax Zhang, Julian Cheung, Yin Zheng给电影人的情书 Love Letter to Filmmakers
Qilin CampEdmond Leung, Jerry Lamb, Li Yundi, Nathan Lee她来听我的演唱会 She Came to My Concert
Group 3One Flower CampTerry Lin, Chen Hui, MC HotDog, GAI, Pax Congo See You Again ( Furious 7 soundtrack)
Qilin CampPaul Wong, Vincent Zhao, James Lee, Welly Zhang, MC Jin如果还有明天 If There's Still Tomorrow

Family Formation Night

This last competition stage to determine the winning members of the ultimate 17-member "Singing Family" was held in three rounds. The Qilin and One Flower Camps were maintained, with the winning camp gaining 3 Family slots in the first two rounds and 5 Family slots in the third round. These 11 slots were filled based on the individual member rankings in each camp. The last 6 Family slots were awarded to the 6 highest-ranking contestants from the remaining 11 without considering their camp.

Two special titles were also awarded:

CampPerforming MembersSong
Round 1

Camp Leader Battle

One Flower CampJulian Cheung, Max Zhang, Cannon Hu, Yin Zheng, Kido Gao, Li Xiang, Pax CongoMy Boo
Qilin CampNathan Lee, Leon Zhang, James Lee, Liu JiaPapillon
Round 2
Small Group Showdown
Qilin CampPaul Wong, Michael Tse, Jerry Lamb, Vincent Zhao, Welly Zhang, MC Jin友情岁月 Years of Friendship
One Flower CampTerry Lin, Jordan Chan, MC HotDog, Jerry Yan, GAI海阔天空 Wide Sea and Sky
Round 3
Camp Final Face-off
Qilin CampNathan Lee, Welly Zhang, Paul Wong, Michael Tse, Jerry Lamb, Vincent Zhao, MC Jin, Leon Zhang, James Lee, Liu Jia星辰大海 Sea of Stars
One Flower CampMax Zhang, Terry Lin, Jordan Chan, Julian Cheung, MC HotDog, Cannon Hu, Yin Zheng, Jerry Yan, GAI, Kido Gao, Li Xiang, Pax Congo存在 Existence

The concert also featured special celebratory performances by guests and eliminated contestants.

Performer(s)Song
Faces Band (Chen Hui, Ouyang, Wu Jindi, Liu Zong)
Piping Hot Band (Edmond Leung, Shawn Huang, Liu Cong, Ricky, Henry Mak, Bridge)
滚烫乐队.唱演人生 Piping Hot Band, Singing Life
Karen Mok, Jerry Yan, MC Jin, James Lee如果沒有你 If There Wasn't You
Faces Band (Ouyang, Wu Jindi), Piping Hot Band (Shawn Huang, Owodog, Ricky, Liu Duan Duan)滚烫乐队.滚烫友谊 Piping Hot Band, Piping Hot Friendship
Max Zhang, Ada Choi 倩女幽魂 A Chinese Ghost Story
Nathan Lee, Stephy Qi 天上飞 Fly in the Sky
Edmond Leung, Chen Hui, Owodog, Liu Cong滚烫乐队.滚烫告别 Piping Hot Band, Piping Hot Farewell
Ning Jing (Sisters Who Make Waves Season 1 contestant)Call Me by Fire
Whole cast of Call Me by Fire (including eliminated contestants)敬酒歌 Toast Song

Results

The contestants' names within both the English and Chinese language entertainment industries are shown. [9] Top 17 contestants will debut as a group on the show's finale.

   Eliminated   Revived   Did not participate   Withdrew
NamePremiere ConcertFirst Performance [a] Second PerformanceThird Performance [b] Fourth PerformanceFifth PerformanceFinal Ranking
Jordan Chan Siu-Chun 陈小春2434141 (X-Fire)
Nathan Lee Seung-hyun  [ zh ]李承铉6111232 (X-Fire)
Julian Cheung Chi-lam 张智霖7417623
Welly Zhang Qi张淇1519584
Jerry Yan 言承旭5625875
Paul Wong Koon-chung 黄贯中4612956
Max Zhang Jin 张晋9513317 (X-Leader)
Terry Lin 林志炫1343468
MC HotDog 热狗826131299
MC Jin 欧阳靖14817 [c] 71910
Vincent Zhao Wenzhuo 赵文卓1922216151611
Liu Jia刘迦22310111012
GAI 周延37714191713
Kido Gao Hanyu 高瀚宇24515101314
Michael Tse Tin-wah 谢天华2342117161215
Pax Congo / Bai Ju Gang白举纲25522222116
Leon Zhang Yunlong 张云龙286812171417
Cannon Hu Hai Quan胡海泉16214211118
Jerry Lamb Hiu-fung 林曉峰1741824231819
Yin Zheng 尹正27216132320
Li Xiang李响29319141521
James Lee李铢衔13124182222
Edmond Leung Hon-man 梁漢文26426212425
Ricky瑞奇117272024
Shawn Huang Zheng黄征3183028
Owodog 敖犬33832
Bridge布瑞吉1872527
Liu Cong / Key.L刘聪212 [d] 25
Henry Prince Mak麦亨利3082830
Chen Hui陈辉2062926 [e]
Liu Duan Duan 刘端端32631
Li Yundi 李云迪1231922 [f]
Henry Huo Zun 霍尊1015

Spin-offs

Two spin-off shows aired concurrently with Call Me by Fire, featuring various contestants: Brothers' Boyhood (哥哥的少年时代) put contestants in a schoolroom setting to play various games, while Definition (定义) served as a talkshow with sit-down interviews.

Cooking reality show Night in the Greater Bay  [ zh ] (大湾仔的夜) premiered in November 2021, shortly after the final episode of Call Me by Fire, featuring Jordan Chan, Julian Cheung, Michael Tse, Jerry Lamb and Edmond Leung. These five Hong Kong celebrities were known informally as the "Greater Bay Brothers" after forming the "Jordan Chan tribe" in the First Performance round. They were tasked with running a small eatery modelled after dai pai dong , an iconic part of Hong Kong food culture.

In December 2021, another spin-off show Braving Life  [ zh ] (我们的滚烫人生) began airing, featuring various contestants such as Jordan Chan, Julian Cheung, Max Zhang, Welly Zhang and Nathan Lee. The cast experienced six different ordinary yet extraordinary professions such as firefighting and teaching, with each visit ending with a live concert to thank and celebrate the people in each profession.

Notes

  1. In this round, only the tribe rankings were tabulated.
  2. In this round, only the losing camps' individual rankings were announced.
  3. Following Henry Huo's departure from the show, MC Jin was brought back as he had the highest ranking of the previous round's eliminated members.
  4. Liu Cong was unable to perform in this round due to COVID-19 quarantine measures.
  5. Chen Hui was brought back as a "reserve member" in this round, but he was ultimately eliminated again.
  6. Li Yundi was brought back as a "reserve member" in this round and made the cut for the next round, but was edited out and pulled from the show due to a personal scandal. [10] [11]

References

  1. 网易 (2020-06-19). "哥哥们真要来了!《披荆斩棘的哥哥》将筹备录制". www.163.com. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
  2. "HK stars Julian Cheung, Jordan Chan join male version of Sisters Who Make Waves". The Star.
  3. "宁静宣布姐姐团解散:没有这么多精力,不想再和她们唱唱跳跳了-上游新闻 汇聚向上的力量". 重庆晨报. 2021-01-01. Archived from the original on 2021-02-02.
  4. "Debut of Call Me By Fire, male version of Sisters Who Make Waves". The Straits Times. August 13, 2021.
  5. "Male version of Sisters Who Make Waves to include Jerry Yan, Julian Cheung and Jordan Chan". www.msn.com.
  6. Bích Ngọc (2024-01-25). "'Anh trai vượt ngàn chông gai' sắp lên sóng VTV3". Báo điện tử VTV (in Vietnamese). Archived from the original on 2024-02-26. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  7. Bích Ngọc (2024-01-25). "'Anh trai vượt ngàn chông gai' sắp lên sóng VTV3". Báo điện tử VTV (in Vietnamese). Archived from the original on 2024-02-26. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  8. "乘风破浪的姐姐". Zhihu. Archived from the original on 2021-08-10. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  9. "乘风破浪的姐姐". Zhihu. Archived from the original on 2021-08-10. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  10. "China's 'piano prince' Li Yundi detained for allegedly hiring sex worker". The Guardian .
  11. "披荆斩棘的哥哥下架8期!李云迪被打马赛克,此前霍尊因丑闻退赛". Sohu. October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.