Nepeta 22

It's not nice to watch but unfortunately, there are still a lot of parents that think this way. I know people living under these sorts of circumstances. Couple that with the single child policy years back, a fair portion of parents dote on their one and only and very often, they can end up too over-bearing and protective. I suspect the arc is to showcase how the parents come to accept change. If not, then I would be very very surprised. I don't think it's put in there to normalise it. Her behaviour and her enabler (husband) is quite extreme.

Also, seeing DY's parents, it's also to show how different they are in their family dynamics. But, both parents are not perfect but it may let us know why she is so independent in spirit and want to live outside of the conventional whilst JC is trying to break out in his middle-class way by doing charity and helping older people. He would be the model son with spoilt nerdy tendencies.

Stalking is wrong and the drama has highlighted he made mistakes, but those around are not thinking it is too extreme because in reality (sadly), sometimes this is mixed in with passion. That's the excuse. It is a crime. But this change in attitude will take some time for others to adjust to. As seen in some fandoms, stalking & invading personal space is normal!

Because partly when these dramas are on CCTV it is a much broader audience and they probably want to take the opportunity to highlight a growing problem of a generation divide. Parents are concerned that their offsprings are not getting married and end up meddling, shaming and controlling them. Some will bring with them their exacting standards.

This is something you already see in the fandom culture there. Seemingly younger females also try to control, gatekeep their faves stating who should work or associate near their fave. When I say that I mean by social status whether that is in the profession or general. It is more relatable in China than perhaps international audiences. So inserting this ironically is to make it grab more audience.

Homophobia is rife in all countries around the world. I guess, on the face of it, in China, the angle of not really showing BL full on is more problem with the wild fandom. There is a concern that if this is not checked, the demand for more BL can crowd out other dramas and dilute the creativity in the industry.

To put it bluntly, BL sells and sometimes, writers are lazy and the short cut is to just put in BL content and there will be eager crowds ready to watch regardless of good script/story telling. Without the censorship, the landscape will be filled with smuttier versions that is no more than porn.

Fame from BL is not so much an issue, but in some circles, it's seen as a quick route to fame and not necessarily about acting ability.

I'm sure Xiao Zhan chooses what he wants nowadays. But he will be surrounded by advisors at this stage in his career. They will be carefully curating his move into more serious and substantial roles that are more old fashion heroes and characters that are in essence wholesome.

He has more responsibilities than your average idol actor. Every move, choice and soundbite is over analysed and scrutinised because is now a role model.

OK, that's interesting. It makes sense if it was not an original Iqiyi release. In that case it would be WeTv. It's still so vague with these types of multiple platform releases. It would be helpful if MDL had that info, then have that put into the top bar.

I'm in the UK. Maybe it's not in all countries?

Strange, it is on Iqiyi for me.

Congratulations to the director Li Xue, winning best director & Yang Zi best female lead in the 2026 Magnolia Awards! Well deserved in a year of very stiff completion 🎉

Congratulations to Lou Pan for winning best art direction at 2026 Magnolia Awards.🎉

A shame that Jessie Li was not short listed for support actress. Never mind.

Interesting comment. I recommend you try one of her earliest works, Last Goodbye Mama where she played second female lead. She stood out immediately even though she had small screen time. I didn't watch Fireworks of the My Heart so can't comment.

But this story is not about some smart confident FL though? It's quite clearly a drama showcasing someone that has the ability but never the confidence nor courage to fight back. The work dynamics are difficult. That woman is effectively her client. I'm sure she is growing in confidence and together with the ML's carefree attitude and confidence you will see the change.

This drama is about class system and how background shapes early developments. ML has flaws, he's not self sufficient in the home whereas FL is self sufficient at home and thrifty, but in the workplace she's less confident. These dynamics are also played out with ML's gamer friend and FL's receptionist friend. The snobbishness of where you are from, your job is measured by the more traditionalists.

These parents exist alright! Main leads are the centre stage. These friends inter-link with them so it makes it more believable they'd end up all eating together. Any drama with TJC & WCR is worth watching. They both have natural comedic timing so this pairing really is match made in heaven!

I disagree with a lot of the comments regarding editing of AI character. It's so bad it's actually good.

I think the truth is, this drama is not sexy and dramatic enough. There's a move towards missed opportunities, first love re-kindling naval gazing scenes. Not comedy with leads that both had relationships living together and interacting together and debating chores and money matters.

It is yucky for sure but unfortunately they do have these characters in these types of dramas to serve growth & demonstrate how to eventually love more intelligently. I think this is better than seeing dramas that actually ok it and paint the ML as a saint that is consumed with obsessive love like in recent drama The Lead. Both mother and son will change, but yes no one should normalise harassment or stalking.

These characters exist in theses types of dramas because the target audience are more impressionable. They are sometimes quite extreme and perhaps even unrealistic, but they serve to show growth and teach others how to love and pursue love more intelligently. The over bearing but caring parents that are narrow minded due to their upbringing also needs analysis and I'm sure in time they will start to open their minds due their realisation they are pushing their one and only away.

It is also worth noting that many only have one child so they put all their resources into the next generation's life. If you've watched a drama two/three decades before like the Chinese drama The Lead, the children are treated like weeds, often neglected and forgotten. Then, that was labelled tough love.

There are many actors that are great actors but have not been in lead roles. In the acting roles it's really more about luck & connections.

Yes, she doesn't seem to be seen much. Although I happen to be watching a drama Love has Fireworks that was filmed back in 2023 and she has a role there, but not as exciting and kick-ass as this character.

I have not watched anymore episodes because there are too many dramas out right now, and I will go back to this one soon. I was watching on Iqiyi.

Kisskh would be unreliable on these dramas. It's not a popular drama. But I am sure they will add more in time, but you'll have to have patience.

She really is the star of the show. The central core that pulls all the characters together. Now I can see why they casted her here.

Most of the comments here will naturally center around the 2 male leads but I will tell you from just a drama watcher's point of view. It's quite a female led drama. JPY's character is often the crux of the story and she figures in it a lot. Her scenes & ZXC takes up a large core of the drama up until now.

She pulls the plot and storyline together. She has a kick ass inscrutable demeanor that is part of the mystery. The 2 male characters are more like her little disciples with their own personalities, hopes and fears. ZXC's character is the black sheep and the story is of his growth through guilt and mistakes. This is the general backdrop to the mystery/cases. Very gory and plenty of fight scenes if you are into that.

As for the shippers. Well, two young good looking guys working together with no visible female suitors, they will run wild with their imagination. If you're into that then director has put in a lot of fan service there. Longing gazes, softly lit scenes of one caring for the other punctuated by boyish larking about. This is probably the selling point for those that need this type of love. You will note that after big fight scenes with flips and all, both male characters' hair especially DYX's coiffed hair remains just so 😉