Remembrance of Things Past (2021)

Best modern cdrama to date

Simply a beautiful drama. It probably isn't the best beginner drama to watch, as much of the content requires having a decent understanding of Chinese culture/slang to truly enjoy at its full value. However, besides that, it's a perfect show from start to finish. Easily my favorite of 2021. PLEASE DON'T MISS THIS.

Plot:
The 1st episode was jaw-dropping. Stunningly real and heart-wrenching. The characters struggle so realistically as ordinary people in the huge, overwhelming city of Beijing. Seriously, the first 2 episodes are guaranteed to capture your attention. The small details in each human interaction feel so genuine and natural, not at all like the popular idol cdramas. As the episodes progress, they do so logically without losing any sort of tension or excitement. Although it's a slice of life drama, the characters' backstories, problems, relationships, and small victories leave you wanting more and more. Every characters' own plotline and development tie together so well. ALSO, EPISODE 10 and 11 are INCREDIBLE. Don't worry! The ending is absolutely amazing, though I do think the 1st episode is hard to beat.
Characters:
The "main" character is Qiao Xichen. played outstandingly by Zhou Yutong. She is driven, intelligent, and hardworking, but faces the everyday problems of a white-collar worker in Beijing. What makes her so compelling, though? She makes any of the audience watching her want her to succeed. We want her to win because she's so caring, capable, and good-natured. She's incredibly tough, but she has breakdowns like anyone else. And wow, I was blown away by her crying scenes. I could keep rambling but I'll stop here.
Next is Xu Yan, a girl who's a bit vain and superficial, but in reality just wants to spend her days being loved by her doting boyfriend. She spends a lot of money, and it can be really irresponsible at times. The actress who plays her, Sun Qian, does a great job of presenting this bubbly character, and she goes through some deeply compelling character development. She's not a crazy hard worker like Qiao Xichen, but she has her own earnest motivations.
Being the human sunshine of the group, Hu Jing Jing is the one everyone spills their troubles to. She's the one that holds the group together. Underneath all of that selflessness, though, is someone broken and struggling. I won't say too much, because she's a huge spoiler-y part of the story, but her character is very complex and overall just heart-breaking.
Hu Nan Jia is the big sister of the group, being Jing Jing's older cousin. She's basically the richest of the girls, directing her own company and finding success in her Beijing career. Of course, there is more. She's lonely and has a loss of purpose in her personal life. She goes through a journey of self-discovery beyond the workplace. Her actress, Ren Suxi, is absolutely amazing at portraying her character so natural and believable.
Relationships:
It might surprise you, but the romance in this drama is IMPECCABLE. They are the most realistic yet heart-warming portrayals of romance I have ever seen in a cdrama. My absolute favorite couple is Qiao Xichen and Jian Yifan. Their chemistry is so fresh to watch, and my god is it amazing to see some logic in a relationship. They're both smart and sensible; it's a DELIGHT. The confession scenes were so freaking cute (that hospital car scene omg), and their dialogue just bounces off each other so well. Healthy and HIGH CP relationship from start to end. Next, Xu Yan and her boyfriend, Shen Zichang, are a bit of a different story. They've been dating for years, yet they're still a bit immature and act like those cutsey stereotypical couples. However, it's still fun to watch, and when they're together, it's honestly so dang sweet (episode 12 tho, I CRY). As for Nan Jia, she meets a much younger guy, Ou Yang, and while I thought it was awkward at first, it got REAL sweet towards the end. I support the ship<3.
Music:
Amazing. Moving. Haunting at times, but it truly enhances the feels and acting in the show. It WILL make you cry, and I'm not exaggerating at all.
Rewatch:
I'm not one to rewatch shows, but for this one, I will a dozen more times.
Overall:
This show can be uplifting, powerful, yet brutal all at the same time. It's also surprisingly hilarious, and you will grow to love each character so much. There are so many portrayals of people you won't see in other dramas, because most of them are just regular humans, not like the artificial shells I so often see. Even the minor characters are integral, flawed, and understandable people. This drama will teach you that making a living can be really, really hard. However, you'll still be able to experience the simple sweetness of life, like in the random kind acts of others (the nameless, caring grandma makes me tear up). The show's Chinese title references how people might say, "I'm doing fine" when their parents/friends ask them how they are, even though, in reality, they're not fine at all. Some people fake that they're ok just to put others at ease, but the story tells you that it's ok to embrace difficulty. This drama truly digs deep into this concept. It says that life may not feel fine right now, it might even feel impossible, but one day, when you realize how much the world has to offer, this ordinary, troublesome life will feel more than fine.

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Masterpiece

To call this show a masterpiece is an understatement. Everything about it is top notch. The acting, the story and the execution. Just wow. Every scene has a significance like the small details, everything adds together.

Zhou yu tong, I don't know where to start with her. Her acting is mindblowing, I could feel every emotion of hers. The chem between her character and Jian yi fan is so cute, it the little things that matter.

I like the "mystery" element in here. Eveyone else did a expectiaonal job. Love the relationship between the girls. The emotions were raw.

Strongly recommended drama!!

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