This review may contain spoilers
Nostalgic and Slice of Life of the 90s
Never Grow Old aka Going to 18 aka Hello, Yesterday is a slice of life drama set in the 1990s, definitely gives a major nostalgic vibe for those who were born in the 90s or remember the late 90s.The story is based on 6 close-knitted high school friends and their neighborhood bond.
It's mostly about them going to school, hanging out, eating, helping the neighborhood/families, and so on. If you watched When We Were Young (2018) then this is highly recommended!
Each of the main 6 youths have different personalities and is quite fun to watch them hang out together.
Gao Zhi Yuan (Guo Jun Chen) is very mellow, yet strict one out of the bunch. He's also considered to be the smartest one, tutors his friends a lot. Although he seems indifferent on the outside, he actually cares a lot for his friends.
Tan Xin(Ren Min) is a very loud, obnoxious girl but studies hard - not your typical dumb female albeit she does have trouble studying sometimes. She's compassionate, and empathetic but also has a short temper. haha There is something off about the way the actress acted out her lines at times, because it feels like she's just "reading" her lines instead of acting, it just didn't blend in with the others at times
Zhou Li Zhi (Annie Sun) considered to be very pretty, she seems to be quite daring, although hesitate initially, but she's willing to try new things that piques her interest. Tan Xin and Li Zhi are cousins, yet surprisingly are not rivals at all.
Chen Cheng (Zhang Zhi Hao) the second smartest of the group but I think he can come off as arrogant or too much confidence initially. He's just as loud as Tan Xin sometimes. However, he's an honest guy through and through and is willing to help a friend in need, will choose his friends over a girl. haha He's seems like a family guy, he's quite affectionate towards his sister and grandma.
Guo Fu Cheng (Li Xing Chen) First of all his name reminds me of the actual celebrity every single time he pops up. LOL I digress, his character is one of my favorites because his acting is so natural yet so hilarious. He's definitely the comedic relief in this drama. It's his expression that makes it so funny and I freaken loved it. haha
Ma XIao Yi (Jiang Guan Nan) his character came in later in the drama with a lot of misunderstandings. He seems tough and was mistaken as a big bully but in reality he's a softie who just wants genuine friends. I like his duality with Guo Fu Cheng cause they were funny together.
The cinematography reminds me of When We Were Young because they would edit a scene towards the end as if to expose someone's hidden tricks. haha Every episode has some kind of meaning which is quite a nice touch.
Is there romance in this drama? Not really per say, just crushes. There's a lot of subtle eye contact or peaking at someone, you just have to be aware of the characters' body lanague/facial expressions to notice it. Were there infuriating charaters? Definitely but that's to be expected from old school Chinese families and their expectation of a "son/daughter-in-law." Love triangles? Nope.
Would I recommend? Yes, definitely if you just want to chill and not pull your hair out.
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This review may contain spoilers
Personal rating
Never Grow OldCasts: #RenMin and #GouJunchen
Genre: Youth/family urban drama
Number of episodes: 24
Broadcast platform: Youku TV
Personal rating: 10/10
Synopsis
Strength:
• I've always been a fan of urban dramas and this one has to be one of my favorite urban drama. This drama provides something that I've looking for a youth drama.The plot is so good as it addresses different societal issues such as fixed marriages, family quarrel, neighborhood gossips, youth issues, and etc. The way the whole drama describes how bond is stronger than blood, and how blood is thicker than water.
• Ren Min and Gou Junchen have that chemistry which can not be seen by physical contact nor by intimate scenes. In fact, they compliment each other really well despite the drama being wholesome. Two persons don't need to be intimate to see if they have chemistry. They just have that by existing. Char HAHA
• I've also want to point out how balance the scenes and the sequence of every scenes are. Like, it isn't too dramatic, nor too funny. It's just in moderation. But one thing is for sure, it gives you the emotions that you can only have at home. As I've said, it's one realistic drama which will make you think that these things happen in reality. Say for example, every person differ from one another just like how students differ from another student. Some are not really stupid, nor dumb, they just often had a hard time understanding context and clues. Some are also not that smart, but since they work so hard, they get a lot of grades. Each individual have their own specific coping up mechanism.
• The drama describes bond as stronger than blood. If you have watched the drama, you know what I mean.
• Life lessons:
- Education is meant for everyone. No matter what circumstances, if you want to go to school, you can. Don't listen to people saying you're too old for school, education is for everyone.
- Never marry off your daughter to someone who you barely knew. The tendency of failed marriage is high.
- Expecting doesn't hurt, assuming does.
- Bond is stronger than blood.
- Family should always be above all priority.
- Grades is not a measurement of someone's worth.
- Love can always wait.
• One thing, you will fall in love with all the casts. I love the kids and their parents. 😭 it's a family, or community goal for me.
Weakness
• While the drama is so good for my personal taste, I think the only lacking is the love lines. Well, I think since the drama focuses on family, and the community they're living in, it's forgivable. I just wish they could have add a spice of love. This one literally has no "kilig" moments, mga minors lang. 😅 I think it's good though. Junchen and Ren Min looks like they're siblings tho.
Over all, the drama is so good that I had a hard time moving on from everyone in the drama including the parents. 🤧
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Even though I am a 2000s kid and not a 90s kid but still I could relate to this drama a lot ...
The time when there was no phone and all these neighbour kids and neighbours being like our own family ....
It gave a different kind of a nostalgia and made me remember how different our lives were back when we were kids and when there was no smart phones and stuff ...
This drama shows the relationship and daily life of the different families in the neighborhood during 1997...
All the actors really did a great job and casting is also really good I think ... Especially considering their characters are still minors and teenagers... They perfectly looked and acted their role....
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A Slice of Life ‘90s Cdrama
If you’re looking for romance, you’re only going to get some subtle parts. Little things like helping each other tutor, planning on going to the same university, only buying their love interest food and ignoring the others that they don’t like… because dating isn’t allowed in Chinese high schools, naturally cdramas aren’t allowed to promote them.But I will say, there are so many worthwhile bits of this show that are worth watching, albeit some of it is a little dull - but hey that’s life. Here’s some of my favourite parts (translated into English):
“Why do you want to go to a university in Beijing?”
“Because… someone likes it.”
“Is this because of me? I know you want to make it up to me, but I’m doing fine now.”
“Brother, you’re overthinking; it really wasn’t you.”
“TanXin, why are you already studying?”
“Just because we don’t have tests in the afternoon, so we shouldn’t take the college entrance exam either?”
“I need to see what he’s doing.”
“You’re not scared your father sees you?”
“It’s fine; there’s still you.”
“I never said I was going.”
*teary eyes*
“I’ll go, alright?”
*instant mood change to happy smile*
“Anyways, no matter what, it was all my fault. Can you guys forgive me?”
*looks across the table* “No, we can’t.”
“You know why?”
“Because we never blamed you in the first place.”
*smiles and nods*
“Cheers!”
“As long as XiaoJi Street is still here, and you guys are here, no matter what corner of the Earth I’m at, I’ll come back to see you.
“Remember what you say.” *pinky promise*
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Hello Yesterday!
C'est un doux parfum nostalgique qui m'a avalé lors du visionnage du drama, je ne m'attendais pas à un tel déluge de sourire, de battement de coeur, de larme. J'ai vécu ces moments. Ces fous rires. ces chamailleries. Ces regards par dessus une feuille qui ont fait battre mon coeur d'adolescente. Ces paroles qui m'ont empêchées de dormir. Ces angoisses la veille d'un contrôle. Vraiment, ce fut un retour dans le temps et ça fait un bien fou.La réalisation est d'une qualité rare pour un drama "moderne". La photographie est lumineuse et en même temps intime. Nous nous sentons chez nous. Le doublage est excellent et ne donne pas cet impression d'écho que l'on retrouve souvent chez les chinois. Le scénario bien que classique fait mouche. Une tranche de vie magnifiquement contée.
Tous les personnages ont une histoire, une sincérité dans leur parcours et qui me rappelle le,moi, le toi, le nous, toute mon adolescence. J'ai reconnu mon père. Mes amis. Celui dont mon coeur en secret aimait. La grand-mère. Tous. Il m'arrive rarement de m'attacher à tous les personnages, ici j'ai eu un coup de coeur pour tous.
On aime ce lien qui les unit, que cela soit chez les ado ou chez les adultes. La force de ces liens nous apporte plus d'une fois la larme à l'oeil et mon coeur a battu plus d'une fois.
La romance a une jolie place. Si elle n'est pas ostentatoire, elle est présente dans chaque regard et chaque action. Je dis la Romance, car elle ne concerne pas seulement les protagonistes principaux mais presque tous.
Le jeu des acteurs est excellent, et si au départ je n'étais pas convaincue par Ren Min, elle m'a par la suite bluffée par ses expressions de gamine retors. Quant à Guo Jun Chen, c'est son deuxième drama que je regarde et j'avoue que cette fois-ci, il m'a séduite par son jeu, certes classique, mais efficace! Le jeu des vétérans est parfaite! Surtout la bande des 3 papas! Chapeau, je les ai tous adoré et je les ai tous "shippé" à 100%!
Je terminerai par la bande son!!! Elle va me marquer longtemps. C'est le type de bande son qui vous ramène en arrière et vous transcende. Non seulement d'être magnifiques, les paroles vous rappellent inlassablement la beauté de cette jeunesse insouciante que nous avons tous plus ou moins vécu. Et je trouve vraiment dommage d'avoir autant de mal à me procurer l'OST....
Bref, une petite perle qui fait du bien. Une perle qui vous rappelle vos 18 ans, et qui vous le rappelle bien.
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