This review may contain spoilers
Realistic Slice of Life. Nothing is perfect until you accept it
This is a good series showcasing not just the transition of China into its new economy but also the lives of normal people. No one is perfect and each has his or her own flaws and strengths. Everyone has a reason for their actions but in the end what matters is one accepts him or herself and the person around them.The romance is not dramatic or flashy. Not even a single proper kiss scene but you can feel their love. The adolescent love between ML and FL is realistic. Most of us have gone through this and gave up in the end as we all grow apart. It particularly touches my heart as it’s exactly what I went through when I left for overseas studies which is my personal dream, yet I knew that the love of my life will be gone. The drama accurately portrays this and the angst that two young lovers had to face.
The rests of the older characters are so good too. They show us how a poor working community takes care of one another and there’s real happiness in it No need flashy cars or houses. Just good colleagues and neighbours..
Acting wise this is my first drama with Johnny Huang. He looks good and acts well. I look forward to more of his dramas. As for Wang Tian Chen I think he has done enough SML roles and it’s time he gets ML roles soon. If I were a toothpaste company I will hire him as my model. His smile is so bright and nice.
Overall a good watch if you like some good slice of life stories instead of heavy dialogue and makeup.
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A masterpiece
No way is the rating so low. This series is a master piece. It has such a heart. At times heartwrenching but always heartwarming. A beautiful slice of life story telling. The characterisations, story development, cinematography and OST were so good. What a brilliant cast. Absolutely loved the three main leads but also all the other cast and in particular Xia Lei’s parents and Xu Ruo Han as Chun Chun. So many standouts especially Mr Ding and Mr Yan and of course Zhao Shu Zhen as Grandma in the earlier episodes. The focus on Mr Yan’s Alzheimers was most authentic and communicated the difficulties realistically but also revealed the wonderful community love and support which was so touching and for me is a highlight of this series. Johnny Huang was so perfect in his portrayal of Xiaoman from his teenage years until adulthood as too were Wang Tian Chen and Guan Xiao Tong. That final scene on the bridge with the three main leads and the camera sweeping across is quite memorable. They are very likeable characters who lived their lives with integrity and passion. A very beautiful and moving series.Was this review helpful to you?
Better for a plain drama with simple story
I story was good. Little boring till episode 10. Later it picked up the pace and after 20th episode it went for a different direction. Acting was good and everybody has given their full strength for this drama.The only confusion which is brought in the story which separates the ML and FL and second FL is introduced, which was not required. The 1st FL goes to France, if she will return back or not is not certain.
The status of factory is not clear.
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This review may contain spoilers
Endearing slice of life
Beautiful story that showcased the life of ordinary people in the midst of economic's change in China.The sight of the bustling plant becoming less and less crowed was quite heartbreaking honestly. The whole drama is moving and very realistic, not overdramatic : just a story about people who try to live their lives in the best way possible.
The relationship between Xiaoman and Xiaodan is also realistic. The reason they grew apart is perfectly understandable and even if it's sad it can't be helped.
More than their romance, I was happy with Xiaoman's development in the later part of the story. I felt at some point he didn't have a goal for his life except catching up with Xiaodan which was very hard. However I'm happy he found a real purpose, maybe not flashy or a great ambition but a one that him truly happy.
His relationship with Chunchun is one of my fav part, it was introduced late but quite endearing to see her help him getting through his mental health issue.
The other older characters gave a heartwarming setting to the story. The way they helped each other, the way they shared the same love for the Plant, for their home : Mr. & Mrs Ding taking care of Xiaoman like their own son were my fav among them . Xiaodan's father, even if I didn't like him at first, also really shone at the end with his dedication to the plant.
The cinematography was breathtaking and OST's were perfect. The actors also did a great job (I really liked Johnny Huang performance 🥹🩷).
Overall I strongly recommend this story if you want to take a break from overdramatic story and want to watch real people.
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Drama series with great cast
Drama series, I did hope for a different ending. The cast is well known and worked well together. I did fast forward some episode as I was hoping for more of a romantic series. I have watch many series with these main leads and of cours Johnny Huang is great in any series he is part of. I found 30 episodes a bit too long.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
O roteiro é interessante e tem vários personagens gostáveis. Apesar de ser um drama de ficção, os personagens são críveis, dotados de erros e acertos, qualidades e defeitos e, como qualquer ser humano, as escolhas determinam suas trajetórias. O desenvolvimento do drama foi um pouco lento, poderia ter gasto menos tempo no período deles jovens e ter focado mais na reconstrução da fábrica. Foi emocionante, mas um pouco apressado para finalizar. Há uma escassez de romance, mas muito acertado pelo escritor(a) separar o casal de jovens, pois a personagem Xiao Dan não merecia o sentimento e árdua luta para encurtar as diferenças do personagem Xiao Man, por isso, muitíssimo acertada a decisão de aparecer alguém que pudesse ama-lo da forma que ele merecia. O personagem Xia Lei é encantador e, talvez, tenha sido o personagem mais apaixonante do drama. A atuação do elenco foi primorosa. Os atores Guo Jin Lin e Jia Bin e a atriz Zhao Shu Zhen abusaram em emocionar com suas atuações. O ator Wang Tian Chen encantou com uma atuação convincente e Johnny Huang, mais uma vez, esbanjou sua capacidade de criar personagens únicos, é impressionante a capacidade que o ator tem em criar uma forma de andar para cada personagem que interpreta.
A trilha sonora é agradabilíssima, principalmente, a canção emocionante na voz de Liu Yu Ning.
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