Treasure09

I do agree with your suggestions, it is a love-story indeed but, not just your usual love-story as it first appears to be! :)

I totally agree with everything that ya’ll said above. I also truly think that his concerns are valid. My main concern is that he has been driven to this corner. He or only really few in finance would be able to match QJJ income. However, matching it is not a huge barrier, like his professor said, he won’t be able to. At the heart of this, it isn’t really so much of a gender issue (it’s not non-existent, of course, as well). If it was a woman with his calibre, paid so less, it would still be problematic. I am aware, and constantly, made hyperaware of this fact in the show through his insecurities being portrayed in a way where they are drawing comparisons, with the women who are earning more, or his classmates who are living lavish lifestyles. But, that’s a myopic view of presenting things. He is man who has always loved his dream, growing up, he had role-models in his family who were in similar fields, so he knew the protracted, non-existent, work-life balance. His concerns stem from financial instability, it’s not lavish lifestyle, but basic needs like - of good education, a house and better healthcare. Now, that you guys have pointed out the figures, it’s a pity that he’s and everyone else in that field are being paid so less. That lavish lifestyle did not bother him until, he realized his mother might be sick and he won’t be able to afford better healthcare for her. Where I do agree that this show is great and does prompt conversations around gender and mid-life crises, valid financial concerns of the young, it also somehow shies away from addressing the elephant in the room – why researchers and academics are treated in such a way when they are at the fore-front of innovation and technological advancements? Research in any field is HARD, within a field like, aerospace, it’s not only hard but abstract. Also, in other parts of the world, people in aerospace not only have good reputation, but financial stability and welfare. This is the first time, in mainstream cinema that I am seeing someone in aerospace fighting financial concern. Previously, even the movies I have seen, work-life balance, gender inequality, racism were issues. However, I appreciate a new perspective and thanks to ya’ll for the facts, I now know it’s real concern for aerospace researchers in China. Otherwise, I legit thought the writer was just making it all up for the story because in my reality, people are paid really well, but the amount of work is similar, if not more than what is shown in this show.

However, keeping aside all this serious stuff, I just wanna say I love how Yang Yang is doing such a great job at portraying his character. And Dilraba is lovely as always! YAMG is not a love story as it first appears, it's the story of a man who loses himself momentarily trying to fit in a world of rules, and then somehow breaks free and finds his own.

I have till now really loved this show and after reading all the conversations below about the game controversary and the Chinese government censorship, what I keep wondering since the very beginning is the problem of an ‘Aerospace Engineer’ earning so less than he can’t afford to live comfortably. The more I watch this show, the more I feel bad for him. Is he really paid even less than a doctor in this show? If it was some other profession in the field of social work or even arts, it could have been believable. It’s true that people in Academia and Research aren’t paid as high salaries as the ones in core finance, however, STEM and, especially, aerospace, pays you well. Yes, it takes time to complete doctorate, but the pay is not so low that you can’t afford good treatment and have to worry constantly. In finance, people start earning sooner because they don’t have to keep getting degree after degree. Honestly, if cost of living is so high, then the salaries should be revised accordingly by the government. If this show is anywhere near reality of researchers in China, it is an extremely sad one. If this show ends with Yu Tu being okay with his meagre salary and sacrificing everything ‘for the country’, because he could be paid well abroad, he should not re-think changing his dream but seriously, consider re-locating. This is just really propaganda to guilt-trip the people to stay, prevent brain drain, even if they suffer, instead of taking radical steps to improve their lives! The government should not worry about the game, rather the larger message this show is giving to the young kids is to not pursue research and go in academia because you might stay poor or should be ready to sacrifice! Lol!