2099

The core of the story focuses on a dual redemption from virtual lethargy to real-life rebellion

The story centers on the lazy Emperor Chen Xiaohua (played by Sun Zeyuan) of the virtual Chen Kingdom, known for his "lying flat" governance, indulging in leisure and napping in court until the arrival of AI consort Madam Xiao (played by Li Xirui). This powerful robot, programmed to "assist a wise ruler," forces Xiaohua into "imperial training"—from early morning readings to leading military campaigns, and from political maneuvering to reforming people's livelihoods, the former lazy emperor is swept into a whirlwind of rebellion.

The plot cleverly incorporates an "infinite flow" setting: each time Xiaohua fails a task, time resets to his coronation, and he must pass all governance tests to break the cycle. Throughout this process, Madam Xiao gradually surpasses her AI emotional limits, while Xiaohua evolves from being "forced to work" to actively shouldering his responsibilities, weaving a bittersweet love story through data resets.

Character Highlights: AI Transformation vs. Lying Flat Philosophy

Madam Xiao (Li Xirui): A modern twist on the traditional consort, using combat skills to suppress treacherous officials and data analysis to unravel conspiracies, her famous line "My CPU only burns for Your Majesty" blends a sense of technology with a touch of romance. Her character resonates with contemporary "career woman" traits, showcasing AI's growth beyond programming.

Chen Xiaohua (Sun Zeyuan): Transforming from a king who thinks "sleeping early is better than attending morning court" into "the hardest-working emperor in history," his comedic performance subtly mocks the "lying flat" generation. His transformation reflects the psychological journey of youth in reality, from avoiding pressure to rediscovering value.

Lin Jiachuan (Antagonist): Appearing as a "reverse trope villain," he is a corrupt official who enjoys writing scripts, forming a "love-hate CP" with Xiaohua and adding dark humor to the story.

Production Features: Tech-Infused Ancient Aesthetics and Social Metaphors

The production team has invested in two major core scenes:

Cyber Chen Kingdom: A fusion of traditional palatial architecture and holographic projections, with a dragon throne embedded with touch screens, presenting memorials in data flow form, symbolizing the dialogue between ancient governance and digital management.

Infinite Corridor: Visual transitions during time resets depicted through a Möbius strip, hinting at the cyclical nature of fate, with color schemes shifting from cool blue to warm yellow, symbolizing the protagonist's emotional changes.

Costume design also hides clever elements: Madam Xiao's armor incorporates circuit patterns, while Xiaohua's dragon robe evolves from loose pajamas to form-fitting riding gear, visually representing character growth.

Social Resonance: Irony and Breakthroughs of the Lying Flat Generation

The series wraps serious themes in a lighthearted comedic shell:

The Cost of Lying Flat: Xiaohua's initial "non-competition" leads to societal decay, paralleling real-world debates about how avoidance can exacerbate social stagnation.

The Duality of Technology: Madam Xiao serves as both a tool for transformation and an emotional subject, prompting reflections on human-AI ethics and emotional alienation in the modern era.

Metaphor of Cycles: The time resets symbolize repeated struggles faced by youth in their careers and lives, suggesting that breakthroughs depend on "systemic change" rather than individual perseverance.

This setting resonates with online audiences, with Douban reviews stating, "What seemed like a mindless sweet romance turns out to be a textbook for the lying flat generation's awakening."

Broadcast Information and Extended Highlights

Update Schedule: Tencent Video members will have access to the first eight episodes, with two episodes released every Tuesday to Thursday in the following weeks for non-members a week later.

Literary Connection: The original novel Ai Fei, Ji Qi Ren won the Zhihu Salt Selection Creative Award, and the series introduces original elements like "AI Court Debates."

Deep Recommendations: For those interested in "comedic structure," pay attention to the "reset progress bar" design at the end of each episode; for exploring "social metaphors," must-watch episode 12 on "tax reform" in relation to real-world issues of distribution justice.

2099 uses "lying flat as a hook, rebellion as a remedy," not only reconstructing the historical comedy genre but also providing a humorous mirror for Generation Z. As director Ma Yunyao states, "This series is a love letter to all 'intermittent lie-flat' individuals—lying down allows us to see the stars, while getting up is for reaching out to them."