Stand by Me (2023)

Stand By Me : A Poetic Journey of Self-Discovery

Im not sure where to begin as this show had profound impact on me & opened my eyes to many insights. Its undoubtedly my favorite drama of 2023 even though i have other favorites like Moving and I Am Nobody. This one however, holds a special place in my heart.

This slow burning melodrama set in 1990s China, follows the journey of Luo Qiqi alongside several significant characters who enter her life. From a very young age Luo Qiqi exudes optimism & possesses a unique ability to think outside the box, always questioning the world around her. This quality deeply resonated with me.

The portrayal of Luo Qiqi's journey along with the four other main characters is incredibly authentic, immersing the viewer in their lives. As i watched it felt as if i were right there with them, experiencing their trials and tribulations.

Luo Qiqi encounters many individuals who leave a lasting mark on her life, shaping her into the person she is today. Simultaneously these encounters influence the lives of those she meets raising intriguing questions.

Among the numerous characters, four stand out as instrumental in shaping Luo Qiqi's journey : Xiao Bo, Zhang Jun, Xiao Fe & Guan He. Their impact on her life is substantial & they in turn, undergo significant transformations whether for better or worse, leaving questions in their wake.

Luo Qiqi stands out as the most remarkable character in the entire show. Her strength, determination, intelligence & unwavering loyalty to her friends are truly inspiring. She also demonstrates remarkable empathy towards others and in the face of numerous challenges, she repeatedly overcomes her doubts and fulfills her dreams.

My next favorite character is Xiao Fe, Luo Qiqi's best friend whose imperfections make her character growth one of the most compelling aspects of the drama. Her experiences from unrequited love to personal hardships are portrayed with remarkable realism.
After her r*pe incident, Luo Qiqi comes into her life as a ray of sunshine & slowly helps her piece her life back together. Her whole arc was my favorite part of the drama from the trauma she endured to her recovery all portrayed very realistically, especially considering the 90s China setting. I loved how Luo Qiqi stood by her, supporting her until she could stand on her own feet. Kudos to both actors who portayed Xiao Fe and Luo Qiqi, who gave their all to this storyline.

Then there is Xiao Bo, who plays sibling like role in Luo Qiqi's life. Their dynamic is endearing with moments that sometimes hint at a romantic connection and at other times emphasize their deep sibling like care for one another. Xiao Bo maintains a positive outlook throughout the drama & remains one of the most hardworking characters despite challenging family circumstances. He significantly influences Luo Qiqi's dream of attending a prestigious university, although his later decision to give up on his studies is emotionally difficult to watch.

Guan He enters Luo Qiqi's life at a pivotal moment, precisely when she needs support the most. Guan He is the school's top student, faces unrelenting pressure from her parents to excel, all the while harboring envy towards Luo Qiqi, who lives life on her own terms as Luo Qiqi was living life which she always desired.
Guan He's presence becomes instrumental in Luo Qiqi's academic journey during challenging times & their friendship deepens. They become close friends studying together & sharing their lives. However, as Luo Qiqi outshines her Guan He's insecurity & jealousy surface, leading to the regrettable end of their once strong bond. This development is particularly disheartening considering Guan He's background and character, emphasizing the toll insecurity & envy can take on even the closest of friendships.

In the drama Zhang Jun emerges as its most enigmatic & morally complex character. His relationship with Luo Qiqi is a rollercoaster ride through their shared childhood marked by a mix of betrayal and undeniable attraction. They share a chemistry that is undeniably captivating but Zhang Jun's internal struggles and involvement with gang makes him quite unreliable chatacter.
Initially Zhang Jun & Luo Qiqi were inseparable childhood friends but their bond was marred by moments of betrayal, leaving a bittersweet aftertaste that lingered for years. As the story unfolds their paths cross again & magnetic attraction begins to pull them closer. While they never explicitly cross certain boundaries, its clear that their connection is charged with unspoken emotions.
Their chemistry is undeniable yet Zhang Jun's character is a mix of both red and green flags, underscoring the unhealthy nature of their relationship. Like Luo Qiqi he was once a top student but he loses his way & becomes entangled with a troublesome gang, leading to complications in his relationship with Luo Qiqi.
The most heart wrenching moment in the narrative arrives when Zhang Jun makes the painful decision to relinquish their shared dream of attending university together. He realizes that staying close to her will only hold her back & this decision again solidifies the point of him being most complex character of this drama.

Despite these characters drifting away from Luo Qiqi, which almost leading to her giving up on her lifelong dream of attending a top university, they also serve as her catalyst for self realization and personal growth.

This beautiful show feels like a work of poetic art delivering a profound exploration of self discovery and development.

I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone, although its essential to note that its a slow burn melodrama, so if this genre isn't your cup of tea, you may want to consider other options.

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The road to the Top of the mountain is a very lonely journey

First of all, “Stand by Me” is not a typical, cute and fluffy high school romance drama. It gives off a vibe similar to that of “The Bond”. The drama talks of life as a high schooler back in the 90s and how they endure hardships and challenges. All the main characters come from broken families and most have lower socio-economic status. There are definitely some fun and lighter moments, but for the most part, this is not a very happy drama. But it’s a great drama nonetheless, if you know what you are getting yourself into.

There are many references to classic Chinese wuxia novels, Hong Kong dramas, movies, music and stars. If you are unfamiliar, you don’t miss much of the important plot. But if you are familiar (which I am), it feels very nostalgic in a good way. It’s similar to watching the very popular K-drama Reply 1988.

“Stand By Me” focuses on the journey of female lead Luo Qi Qi. We follow her from when she was an adorable and super smart young girl, living with her grandfather in the village. As she moved to the city to live with her parents, she was forced to grow up and it’s heartbreaking to see the outgoing and innocent young girl disappear. The drama spends the rest of the time telling the story of Qi Qi’s learning and discovering herself, identifying her goals and her dedication to achieving her dreams. Along the way, she met friends who supported her and encouraged her. But the road to the top of the mountain is a very lonely journey. Is she able to achieve her dreams with her friends?

A few quick bullet points on what I like:
1. Zhang Xi Wei who played the young Luo Qi Qi is fantastic.
2. I love the scenes of young Qi Qi and her grandfather. I wish I could see more flashbacks of them together.
3. Top notch acting by Zhao Jin Mai. She carries the show on her shoulder and runs with it.
4. The rest of the cast is just as good. I initially thought Wu Jia Kai (who played Zhang Jun) might be the weaker of the cast. But he grew on me and I think his acting improved throughout the drama.
5. I don’t question Bai Yu Fan’s acting, but I do question him playing a high schooler. He looks a little too older to be an 18 year old.
6. Love that the actors use their own voice. Big plus with live recording. This really adds to my viewing pleasure as there are many emotional scenes.
7. It’s nice to see a drama where the main characters are not geniuses or Mary Sues. They are all flawed and interesting.
8. It’s nice to see teachers who are decent and act like teachers.
9. It’s also nice to see parents who are real and not overly-bearing (just a little) or overly protective. They are not perfect, but the female lead’s mother actually communicates and wants to have honest conversations, after fiery emotions died down.
10. This drama is so real.

A few quick bullet points on what I have mixed feelings of:
1. This drama is so real. At times it was very difficult to watch, especially to binge. I do not recommend binge-watching this straight.
2. 30 episodes focusing primarily in high school is a little much. I lost focus and felt the pace slow down in the middle.
3. If Luo Qi Qi and Zhang Jun actually communicate honestly and openly, they would not have that many arguments. They make up and break up quite a bit (as friends).
4. I do hate Qi Qi a little bit sometimes for her stubborn and prideful personality. It’s OK to back down once a while and be considerate of others’ feelings. She’s an interesting character. I love her and I hate her.
5. The drama can seem a little preachy.
6. Romance is light, even for a high school drama. So, don't go in looking for romance.


Overall, this is a great drama. I can see why it has a high Douban rating (currently at 8.3,) as the local Chinese audience can definitely relate to what the characters are going through. But I am not sure the international audience will feel the same way, esp. if they are looking for typical teen high school C-dramas. I recommend this drama to all for its excellent acting and realistic portrayal of life in the 90s as a Chinese high schooler. I definitely do not recommend binge-watching this in 3 days. I tried and was watching this along with “My Dearest” (K-drama), and the cruelty of reality and life's challenges really got to me and I was very stressed out.



Completed: 11/20/2023 - Review #378

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