A still from "Soldier and the Commander."

Director Kang Honglei, whose hit television drama "Soldiers Sortie" won him the Best Director award at the 2008 Golden Eagle TV Awards and wide acclaims across the nation, returns with his latest military series, "Soldier and the Commander."

The 40-episode series are screened on Dragon TV from Thursday. It keeps the flavor of Kang's past works, with no big-name actors.

Set during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945), the drama portrays many strong, diverse Chinese soldiers and military officers.

"It took us more than two years to make this series," Kang said.

"Viewers are likely to be drawn to the characters' rugged masculinity in the war scenes but they're also people with tender hearts."

Director Kang rose to fame in 2000 with his debut television series, "Years of Passions on Burning."

His television series, which mainly focus on the lives of soldiers, have also attracted many female fans.

The appeal of his works, in many people's eyes, is largely because the men in his television series are manly as well as charming.

Kang's next works will be "My Brother Shunliu," also a heartwarming military series.

(Shanghai Daily March 8, 2009)