Informal Talks () is a Chinese talk show co-produced by Bilibili and Hubei Television. Informal Talks airs on Hubei Television and Heilongjiang Television on Fridays at 21:20 beginning April 24, 2015.
Starting Season 1 Episode 5, every episode begins with a Culture Discussion (), followed by debates related to the discussion topic (), 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.
Hosts The panel consists of a "President" (), a "Vice President" (), a “Secretary General" (), a "Clerk" () and "representatives" from different countries.
Current Hosts NameChinese nameBirthdayTitleEpisodesAbsences Da Zuo (Ryan) 大左 President S1 E5 - present S3 E56, 57 Yang Di (Andy) 杨迪 Vice President S2 E1 - present Clerk S1 E5 - E23 S1 E10, 11 Chen Ming (Calvin) 陈铭 Secretary General S2 E22 - 25, 32 - 39, 44 - 47S3 E1 - present S3 E33S5 E5-9, 12 Chen Chao (Cynthia) 陈超 Clerk S1 E1 - present S2 E38, 39S3 E13 - 16S5 E7, 8
Past Substitute Hosts NameChinese nameBirthdayTitleEpisodes Liu Yiwei 刘仪伟 President S1 E1 - E4 Yuan Chengjie 袁成杰 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 Clerk S1 E10, 11 Li Yitong 李艺彤 Secretary General S2 E1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 10 Chen Si 陈思 Secretary General S2 E4, 7 Yu Shasha 于莎莎 Secretary General S2 E6, 8, 11, 12, 17 - 20, 31 Xie Binbin 谢彬彬 Secretary General S2 E13, 14 Shao Mingming 邵明明 Secretary General S2 E15, 16 Jiang Chen (Joanna) 姜尘 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);Alexandre's Linkedin Nathaus Patrick, Audi executive;Nathaus' Linkedin Kim Han-il (Jack), singer; Zack Ireland Splittgerber, actor and Mohammed Osama, Xinhua News Agency journalist.Mohammed's Linkedin 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 Brian AlejandroGonzalez Ruiz 功必扬 BISU InternationalBusiness student S1 E1 S4 E8 Aleksandr "Sasha"Chzhao 萨沙 HRBEU InternationalBusiness student S3 E1 S3 E5, 6, 46S4 E5-8S5 E4 Alessandro Martini 阿雷 Student S6 E1Harry MooreHarry's social media欧阳森S6.5Brett Lyndall Singh阿乐Medical Technology EntrepreneurS6 E9S6, E12 - 13Zach BielakZach's social media小白/姜海S6.5Gustav GillundGustav's Instagram顾思达S6.5Takeuchi Ryo竹内亮S6.5Challi沙力S6.5Steven Oo (Than Naing Oo)赖合成 OOFashion DesignerS2 E1-E47S6 E1S2 E36, 44 - 47
Past Representatives
Country Name Chinese name Occupation Birthday Episodes Absences Returns Giuseppe MighaliGiuseppe's weibo 朱赛Researcher in ChineseClassical Philology S1 E1 - 4Explained in Season 1 Episode 5 that he left for work reasons] Suhrobjon NazarovSuhrobjon's vk page 阿克毛 Student Suhrobjon's weibo S1 E1 - 15Explained in Season 1 Episode 15 that he would leave to return to Russia] S1 E14 S3 E5, 6, 25 Alexandre DubosSeason 1 Episode 16 杜波 1986Season 2 Episode 15 S1 E1 - 23Explained in Season 1 Episode 23 that he would leave for work reasons] S2 E15, 16S4 E8 Nathaus PatrickNathaus' LinkedIn page 潘天楷 Audi Executive S1 E1 - 23 S1 E5 - 7, 9 - 12 S2 E4, 6 - 8, 33, 34S3 E15, 16 Jack Kim (Kim Han-il)[weibo.com/jackjhy Jack's weibo] † 金韩一 Singer S1 E1 - S2 E47 S2 E25, 41 - 47 Zach MarkIreland SplittgerberSeason 1 Episode 17 左右 Zach's weibo S1 E1 - S2 E47Zach confirms he will not be in Season 3 S2 E2, 4, 6 - 8 Mohamed Osama Mohamed RagabSeason 1 Episode 15 穆小龙 Translator Mohamed's weibo S1 E1 - S2 E47Mohammed confirms he will not be in Season 3 S3 E18 - 22, 25S4 E5 VladislavAleksandrovich Shergin 卷弗/弗拉德 Vlad's weibo S1 E17 - S2 E47Vlad confirms he will not be in Season 3 S4 E6 AlecOdahara 田原皓 Marketing manager Alec's weibo S1 E5 - S3 E40 S2 E27 - 30S3 E28, 34 - 40 James IfeanyiOgbobeJames' instagram 钱多多 TourismManagement student 1988 S2 E1 - S3 E40 S2 E35 Mirco TranchinaMirco's instagram post 米可 BNU Linguisticsstudent Mirco's weibo S3 E1 - 40 S3 E13, 14, 1819, 28 - 30, 34, 37 - 40 S5 E9, 10 Yūsuke Asai 浅井悠佑YOYOHe is called YOYO on the show Model S1 E1 - S3 E61 S2 E36 - 43S3 E25 Cedric Jun Jie Loo 吕锐吕俊杰 Model, actor 1988 S3 E1 - 61 Brian O'Shea 波波 S3 E41 - 61 Patrick Köllmer 吴雨翔 S3 E41 - 61 S3 E46 Wilfried Buiron 阮奕信 Student, Entrepreneur S4 E1 - 12 S5 E6 Arash EstilafArash's instagram 华波波 Actor, Film Studiesstudent S1 E1 - S5 E12 S4 E8 (start) Alistair Bayley 贝乐泰 MonashArts student S2 E1 - S5 E12 S2 E2, 32 - 35, 45, 46S3 E29, 30 Dominic JosephRomeo 罗狮杰 Student 1992 S3 E1 - S5 E12 S4 E1 (end), 2 Russell 成明 Student S5 E1 - S5 E12 S5 E4, 9, 10 Dylan Jaye 钟逸伦 Investment BankerMusician S3 E41 S4 E9, 10 Mark Minnie Jr. 宁大人 Student S4 E1 Siwathep SinghKhanderpor 天乐 Student S4 E1 S5 E5, 6 Ichinose Asuka 一之瀬飞鸟 Video blogger 1995 S4 E1 Kyle Obermann 欧阳凯 Photographer S6 E1 Ben McMahon 孟杰明 Real Estate Developer S6 E1 Idris Talha KartavArticle on Idris † 唐小强 Stone Importer 唐小強's weibo S3 E1 S3 E18 - 22S4 E5-8
Guest Representatives Country Name Chinese name Birthday Episodes Kevin TaiKevin's instagram 戴启明 1992 - 1993Season 1 Episode 14 S1 E1 (cut from episode), E14 Antonio Coll (Nio)Nio's LinkedIn 蓝子龙 Nio's weibo S1 E3, 16 Yegor Shyshov 椰果 Yegor's weibo S1 E5 Brendan FrentzArticle on Brendan 范柏仁 S1 E6 小白 S1 E10 Martin 马丁 1986 - 1987Season 1 Episode 10 S1 E10 龙小龙 2001Season 1 Episode 11 S1 E11 Patrick RosevearArticle on Patrick 罗斯文 Patrick's weibo S1 E14, 21 David Garcia LouDavid's weibo 搂大卫 October 25 S1 E15 AnthonySeason 1 Episode 15 安东尼 Anthony's weibo S1 E15, 33 Gerald 杰拉德 S1 E19 David 大卫 S1 E20 周晓龙 S1 E22 Mani 马尼 August 22马尼's weibo S2 E2 罗罗 S2 E3 OliverOliver's weibo 奥利/赵子玉 August 11 S2 E4, 7, 35 Andre 安德 S2 E5 MarkusMarkus' weibo 张维 S2 E6S3 E2, 3 李越 S2 E6, 8, 31 Isa 伊萨 S2 E8, 31 Paul CraddockPaul's instagram 美保/美宝Paul's weibo S2 E9 Jacopo Maria LasalaArticle on Jacopo 徐天佑 S2 E10 Simon Dominic 西蒙 S2 E11, 12 Cedric Jun Jie Loo 吕锐/吕俊杰 S2 E13 Franco Lodovico MaglioFranco's youtube channel 弗朗克 S2 E14 方兴为 S2 E17, 18 Palang JakkrawansilpPalang's weibo 帕朗 S2 E19 Eduardo de Carvalho Rodrigues FilhoSeason 2 Episode 20 栎树 S2 E20 Josh GordonJosh's university profile 戈登 S2 E21, 29, 30, 32, 35S3 E21, 22 David 伟鸥 1992Alec's huajiao account S2 E22 YasinYasin's weibo 亚星 S2 E23 MauriMauri's youku page 风明睿 S2 E24 Elliot O'Donnell董锦程:What A Mr. Dong 董锦程 1993 - 1994Season 2 Episode 25 S2 E25 Riccardo Moratto (Skanda)Riccardo's facebook post 韦佳德 Riccardo's weibo S2 E26 MachiMachi's weibo 马喜 S2 E27 Romuald BronchartArticle on Romuald 彭望龙 Romuald's weibo S2 E28 Gaudi 高迪 S2 E32 Nakamura Onishi 中村大西 S2 E36 Pascal BonnisseauPascal's LinkedIn 宋博宁 Pascal's weibo S2 E36, 37, 41 - 46S3 E9 - 11, 37 - 40 Quentin AlbertQuentin Albert, a young man from Montpellier who has become China's most popular web influencer 信誓蛋蛋 (钢蛋) S2 E38, 39 Romeo DelebecqueXinshidandan - Le duo français qui fait rire la Chine 信誓蛋蛋 (铁蛋) S2 E38, 39 徐才文 S2 E39 ConstantinConstantin's weibo 康廷 S2 E40 Tsukagoshi Hirotaka 冢越博隆 S2 E42, 43S3 E13, 14 晓冬 S2 E43 Andrey 安德烈 S2 E44 黎昕 S2 E45, 46 RashedRashed's weibo 瑞江明 S2 E45 Sander KoleSander's bike company website 柯桑德 S2 E46 Kamol Munisov 康晓鑫 S3 E23 Mark 马克 S3 E26 Rodley 罗德利 S3 E27 David 江南 S3 E28, 34 范桂忠 S3 E28 兴川瑞 S3 E29, 30 马爱文 S3 E30 坂尚 S3 E31 Brian O'SheaQ&A video 波波 April 10 S3 E34 Uyan Tien 田舞阳 S3 E35, 36 Patrick Köllmer 吴雨翔 S3 E37, 38 Dylan Jaye 钟逸伦 S3 E39 Laurence Heyes 何安杰 S3 E46 葛金鹰 S3 E49 Raz Galor 高佑思 S3 E50, 51S5 E8 Michael 卡子彤 S3 E53 Lila KidsonArticle 星悦 S3 E54 莫哈 S3 E56 Phichet Ang 洪健城 S3 E57 王力宏 S3 E59 Vinicius Batista de Oliveira 欧力 September 17, 1991 (age 27) S4 E5 发币 S4 E6 Oscar Sun 孙坚 S4 E7 文楷 S4 E8 龙儿 S4 E9 梁悦信 S4 E10 Stephen Turban 唐文理 S5 E3 白石 S5 E4 Elie Kipanga 苏阳 S5 E5 Philip 菲利普 S5 E7 Yamashita Tomohiro 山下智博 S5 E11 刘正曦 S6 E5 广坦 1983 (age 37) S6 E7 Erica 林绘梨华 S6 E7 Gianni GirolamiGianni linkedin 杰宁 1988 S6 E8 Joey Chua 蔡卓宜 S6 E9 Yan Rujing 颜如晶 S6 E10
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References
External links