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20_DramaQueen_23

20_DramaQueen_23

When We Were Young chinese drama review
Completed
When We Were Young
0 people found this review helpful
by 20_DramaQueen_23
Jan 29, 2023
24 of 24 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 10.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.5
This review may contain spoilers

I actually didn't mind this series, but prefer high school aged individuals going on to adulthood and beyond so this type of "slice of life" isn't something I'd get into on a regular basis.

What is great in this drama are all the antics, the school environment and pressures that go with it, the strong bonded friendships and the stories connected to some of those individuals.

Hua Biao is a genius that lives with his grandmother and is poor yet does the best that he can to make things work and is always optimistic, thoughtful and kind. He never really tells anyone his problems or asks for anything if it can be avoided yet will listen to others woes and help if he can.

Yang Xi is not as clever and is long distance runner with "two secret admirers" including her childhood friend, Li Yu, and Hua Biao.

Li Yu is a straight A student who lives above Yang Xi - they both share the same birthdate and year. He is kind, considerate and will help his friends without them even asking plus keep it in confidence with no questions asked. He is also like another son to the Xi's.

Situ Er Tiao is from a wealthy family only is not into exams or school plus can be a bit mischief, but is loyal to his friends and will go the extra mile if he has to to help any of them.

I could relate to the hours of studying and sitting for exams and how, as friends, we rallied around one another and supported each other through thick or thin. So, I can remember being just like the students in this drama only we didn't exactly clean pools or sell dumplings nor did we really eat alot at each others homes. Also, none of the girls I knew were as whimsical or babyish as what I see in some these drama whether young or old.

We didn't cheat like how the whole class cheated in one episode which was really cool I might add, but we did sometimes have answers written on our wrists/arms or on rulers and erasers.

Brings back some fun memories!

What I don't relate to or agree with at all in WWWY is the mentioning of "forgetting teachers faces" or "teachers names" as time passes even if "teachers remember students after years." However, in that one episode, it was in reference to one teacher only.

I feel it is so untrue!

Like our parents, teachers have just as much influence and impact on our lives as we grow and develop from kindergarten through to university, so they aren't forgettable nor should they be.

I still remember my first day of primary school plus my very first teacher right through to middle school and high school.

Some of us don't forget our teachers no matter how much time goes by!

Hou Minghao did a fantastic job of his character as did the others and especially the old woman that acted as the grandmother.

I've read about the ending being "bittersweet" elsewhere, but I reckon it was quite realistic. After we graduate from high school we either go on to university, work or have a gap year so all the teens going their own ways seemed normal although it was all done in the last 15 to 20 minutes of the last episode. So, a bit rushed I suppose and not tied up in a way that would have been more acceptable for some.

This isn't something I'd re-watch over and over again, but am sure for some it will be the best drama ever!

In fact, it is a good drama only it is a bit on the young side for me.
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