Zhou Ye look so good in the 80's from the stills!! made me want to check out the show!! but from the comments…
I dropped "Scent of Time" after 2 episodes, so I'm the least-likely cheerleader for the FL.
However, I'm always open to changing my opinion. I really take my hat off to Zhou Ye in this drama. Zhou Ye is a huge factor amongst the strong ensemble cast that has enabled easy digestion of 16 episodes. She is marvellous as Xia Xiaolan and in terms of communication, the leads improve each other. I am pleasantly surprised at how mature their communication is. Our heroine learns about her own shortcomings as the drama continues, and also learns to open up.
why so low rating..? watched 7 eps and i loved this drama so muchh so far , it gives me confident...!
The ratings of this drama has been deliberately targeted by accounts twice over two different times on two different days, somewhere between the time of 3 pm to 6 pm US-time (the latest group attack was on 21 Saturday more than 48 hours ago, whereby that would correlate to a time of 3 am to 6 am in China).
Each time this happens, the drama falls below 8.0. Malicious down-voting by accounts with their own agendas.
he’s a future devoted husband, i approve! like xiaolan said, his qualities as a man are rare even in modern…
Not extinct. I'm sure the external packaging is different, but got to know where to find XD
Here's a hard choice, since a woman can't marry two husbands here: Which would you prefer, Zhou Cheng or Mayor Tang? I'd throw in Xiaolan's uncle Liu Yong, but that one is married ;)
love, love granny yu! she’s wise, classy, and miles apart from that other grandma 😌
Grandma Xia's horrible words in episode 1 to Xiaolan and Liu Fen about how Liu Fen is unable to bear sons and should have died to do the Xia family a favour says a lot about what Granny Xia was brought up to believe. I wonder if they are going to attempt any redemption events for Granny Xia.
Thats how the poor coworker went out? I hope it was quick my goodness. I dont see a problem with him helping the…
Given how emotionally traumatised Zhou Cheng was by witnessing this, and how he once helped piggyback the Mayor who suffered acute gastritis, his sense of responsibility is strong. But of course, he isn't sure how much he should do. Given how emotionally-affected he was, he still chose to prioritise Xiaolan. It's good for him to talk frankly about this with Xiaolan.
I love the glow-up of the mom. I hope she does start dating the Mayor, though. They make a cute couple and she's…
Granny Yu is good for empowering Liu Fen. But Liu Fen understandably has a huge sense of inferiority given how she was treated for more than 20 years by the Xia family, plus feeling self-conscious after deciding to do one thing most married women don't do in her generation.
Mayor Tang just needs to persistently be himself. Episode 15 is awesome for that XD
The ML's co-worker's death made me nauseous. No dramatic slo-mo of the characters seeing it fall and pushing the…
It was so real that one can feel Zhou Cheng' being emotionally overwhelmed yet having to hold it all in, well-portrayed by Zhai Xiaowen. I almost couldn't believe they would show that so starkly. Kudos.
Very unrealistic. If it continues. I will drop it.
BTW, if you want kisses, please watch Pursuit of Jade.
If you want to talk about realism, a male butcher is at the bottom of the social system in ancient China. A female butcher ie daughter of a butcher is more lowly than that. Someone from a village is perceived less favourably than someone from a city. Nobles will not be listening to anybody of that class, especially if they are from a village. That is part of the ancient class system of feudal China. My personal opinion doesn't mean anything, even if I might disagree with how class worked back then.
Ignorant villagers cannot grasp military strategy and fighting styles because of education issues, but if trained by a capable warrior, someone of any gender will know how to fight. How well they can fight is based on many factors, including their martial arts teacher. That said, capably employing military strategies usually require proper teaching and experience. Men of armies are instilled to be loyal to their generals, who are supposed to understand military strategies well enough as part of achieving that rank. The strategies of the general are a primary factor affecting the lives and deaths of an army. A general is valuable and cannot be easily replaced.
My condolences to the Zhang Linghe fans rightfully upset in C-Ent that his ML doesn't resemble Xie Zheng in the novel and his ML role is affected by the editing and script to be inconsistent and watered-down while the FL has plot-armour to rival the status of gods, in terms of why his character is legendary. I believe Tian Xiwei will be fantastic in her role because she can make anything work. It's a hit on Netflix, which is great for international viewers!
Over in C-Ent, I can see why "Pursuit of Jade" got a lot of brickbats. I feel sorry for the cast and crew that worked so hard. People should give it a try while it is airing.
I haven't watched "Pursuit of Jade", but I understand there's three screenwriters for the drama. If the other two screenwriters are not up to par with the primary screenwriter whose work is very good so that one will naturally be responsible for the first half of the drama script-wise and characterisation-wise in adaptation, the plot and characterisation quality for the second half of "Pursuit of Jade" is going to be very different from the first half. The quality of pacing for an entire drama requires all screenwriters to be well-aware of the source material plus each other's work, and the Director needs to be on top of that first. Otherwise editing is going to be all over the place in the second half of the drama, when the Director(s) make certain decisions post-production.
If you know nothing about military command in ancient China plus its social systems and haven't read the novel the drama is based on, I am certain you will definitely enjoy and prefer "Pursuit of Jade" over this drama.
You're welcome to learn about the social and cultural norms of the 80s, or perhaps educate me about it, since I completely disagree with your claim that Zhou Ye and Zhai Xiaowen not kissing in "Dream of Golden Years" as Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng until now is unrealistic:
I said much earlier to another viewer that I'm waiting for things to build between this couple to a certain point, for a kiss. If you drop this drama due to your ideas of realism, I can understand.
I'm glad for a variety of dramas. We all have different tastes, and we should find the ones that most appeal to us. "Dream of Golden Years" is well-executed this far, whereby I can see the Director and screenwriters really knew the material and understood each other's POVs plus the screenplay, and then reconsidered the scenes plus storylines after shooting, before editing.
Very unrealistic. If it continues. I will drop it.
What does the 90s have to do with the 80s?
Can you tell me how many kiss scenes are in the likes of "Silent Tides", "The Guardians", "River Sunset" and others? I might have missed all of them in these Republican-era dramas, despite watching every episode. "This Thriving Land" is a rural-realist drama that partially falls into the era classified as Republican. I must have missed all the kisses there too.
I'm curious. How much private physical action do you expect a pre-marital couple to engage in, in the 1980s of China? One is a FL from a rural village. The ML is from the capital, from a family of respectable standing. Kindly be aware of the huge differences between a rural village and the city. I look forward to you doing a wonderful job of educating me about chinese culture of China in the 80s and of course, justifying why it is unrealistic for ML to be flustered about a kiss on the cheek.
BTW, I find his reaction to be realistic, given his position relative to his family's standing and his character in this era.
Do note that direct confessions of "I love you" in the 1980s is completely unrealistic, because expressions of love and affection are very different as Chinese. Indirect practical actions expressing love and affection were more common, given the extent of Confucianism influence present especially in the villages. Social boundaries are very strong. People do not usually engage in public displays of affection. Physical touch between unmarried singles has limits. Unmarried singles typically don't do sleepovers or camp one night in the other's household and if they do, they will be segregated by gender and most likely with another family member of household being the same gender. Singles of good standing, be it village or city, should be aware of the appropriate limits of physical contact before marriage EVEN in private.
Since you watched the first ten episodes of this drama, did you register how strongly the alleged violations of physical boundaries between unmarried people affected Xia Xiaolan as per public perceptions within the village and also the Xia family?
I'm glad you claim the leads are your faves, because I didn't get that impression at all. Glad we cleared that up!
Very unrealistic. If it continues. I will drop it.
Why not use Google and educate your ignorance about public affection and chinese culture of the 1980s? You are welcome to drop the drama, since the lack of kisses are not working out for you.
i like that we get a glimpse of modern xiaolan at the start of each episode, followed by a meaningful episode…
Too bad the drama's cultural and artistic efforts are wasted on people who can't take one minute to use Google to understand the era this drama is set in, and insist on comment-flouncing about dropping this drama if they don't get kisses.
By all means, go ahead and drop the drama if this isn't your cup of tea. I'm glad the production team didn't make this drama based on ignorant minds not having a clue about chinese culture and public affection in the 1980s.
No wonder MDL ratings are sometimes viewed as a joke.
I'm a bit late, so I'm slowly catching up on the episodes but holy crap, the Xia family. I understand that filial…
Episode 1 was savage, in the sense that Granny Xia said such hurtful hateful words deemed normal culture of that time, from an elder in a village. it was also equally savagely cathartic, to see Xia Xiaolan stand up to her.
But good things come, and our merry gang has so much adventure and improvements to handle. Wait till you see episodes 12 to 16 XD
Very unrealistic. If it continues. I will drop it.
You and others should drop the drama now, since you're not happy with 16 episodes of realism. Since a lack of kisses makes this so hard on you, this retro drama is not the drama for you.
In the 1980s, public displays of romantic affection are foreign to Chinese culture and classified as "bourgeois affectation".
At one point, the movie boom of 1980s led to school-age couples holding hands in public. How novel! Also noted here:
In 1983, Deng Xiaoping's 严打 campaign against hooliganism resulted in the Shanghai police and moral watchdogs having couples apprehended and/or reprimanded for public displays of affection, as part of what the authorities considered as necessary measures against "Spiritual pollution" ie Western values.
This is the kind of retro drama that would do very well on CCTV, because it is well-produced. The ensemble cast…
I might have a slight advantage of learning mandarin from my family since I was born. The first time I called a parent anything was my mother, in Mandarin, and my maternal grandmother sang lullabies such as 小白船 to me when I was a baby.
Chinese platforms and/or fellow mandarin-speakers are usually where it's at for me, if I want detailed discussions about original context and all else.
I have watched up until the first half of episode 16, and Xia Xiaolan is anything but a Mary Sue. A person who has been bullied and learns only to rely on themselves (especially as an orphan) usually strives to make something of themselves, pushes themself too hard, and sometimes becomes a people-pleaser because they are afraid to lose opportunities and don't want to destroy the "world" of stability they have built for themselves relative to others, such as in a workplace. Such people tend to hold everything in. They can make a great sales pitch, but they are terrible at being vulnerable with others hence their lips are voluntarily sewn shut in that aspect unless something big happens to make them loosen up.
Episodes 12 to 16 are great for organically showcasing how Xiaolan opens up and shows her appreciation for Zhou Cheng by also learning and reflecting his communication methods, because he is non-judgmental and frank and diplomatic with her. Instead of jumping to conclusions, she confides in him and shows her lack of confidence and sadness. There's a lot happening in these episodes.
I believe viewers who like "Silent Tides" or "The Guardians" will definitely warm up to "Dream of Golden Years". Those are Republican-era dramas with tight storylines and mostly-fantastic acting, with fairly complex primary concerns eg monetary systems and mercantile issues or spy espionage thrillers where romance is not a primary feature if present, but everything else is, especially interactions and relationships of various characters.
BTW, it's not the cultural norm to start spewing to a casual friend or strangers about doubts, fears and being wrong. Someone you are close to and look up to, once you have enough time to be sure you're ready to open up to, is normal.
And when Xiaolan finally kisses Zhou Cheng ie locking lips (hasn't happened yet), I want that kiss to mean something beautiful and significant. I like mature couples (Chang Chen and Ni Ni in "Love and Destiny", Zhang Yunlong and Liu Shi Shi in "Love In Pavilion", Chen Zheyuan with Li Qin in "Fated Hearts", etc), and these couples finally sharing a kiss was so wonderful. I like our Liu Fen in this drama with someone (of course, no kiss). It's a lovely surprise for me to add Zhou Ye and Zhai Xiaowen to the list :D
Occasionally I semi-explain stuff on MDL, such as the title of a drama that requires understanding mandarin and some literary references (no spoilers):
According to recent articles summarising and introducing the drama, the heroine is a 36-year-old modern executive:…
I've watched up to half of episode 16.
I won't be answering based on the novel, but on the episodes. I understand Xia Xiaolan had been weighing up whether she travelled back in time in her world, as the same Xia Xiaolan who also takes on another role related to the characters around her which fits that era. She wants to improve matters and lives of others but doesn't want to create changes that obviously screw up the future she might return to, because she isn't certain about the effects of her appearance in a time period where her advantages could cause massive changes. She is aware that changes will definitely occur because of her appearance as someone from the future in this era, and she wonders if there are any other time travellers.
Accidents that happened since episode 12 onwards have her questioning by episode 16 whether the accidents are due to her appearance in this era. She literally questions herself and her flaws, in episode 12 and 13 and especially episode 16 where she is asking herself about Chen Xiliang the clothing tycoon and his future.
Still figuring out the mystery of her appearance in this era.
This is the kind of retro drama that would do very well on CCTV, because it is well-produced. The ensemble cast each have their individual stories and character traits fleshed out through various interactions. The story progresses as per the FL's goal of wanting to make full use of a new timeline to not only create happiness for herself, but her family and valued ones. The 80s is an era of opportunities and reform, hence "Dream of Golden Years" is apt. 你好1983 ie "Hello! 1983" is how I perceive the original title.
The screenwriters and directors have been very sensitive to the emotional traumas of older female viewers who grew up in a toxic patriarchal tradition commonly found in villages of certain generations, by being realistic but also cathartic to showcase how the FL's generation can create significant change.
They have solidly captured the feel of the 80s with attention to details of that era, but also kept the story feeling fresh and modern by focusing on how characters can also view setbacks and obstacles as opportunities, otherwise it would be a bleak dated drama.
“重活一次，我不仅要自己痛快，也要让我的家人朋友过得痛快。”-> She decides that with a fresh start and opportunity, this time instead of being an orphan and loner who was often bullied and suffers despite previously being a successful modern executive with a great sales track record, she will seek her own happiness and also help her family and friends also find happiness. This is the emotional core of the drama, and the theme of her story in this drama.
Every drama has a title tied to a short flashback at the beginning of the episode which conveys insight into FL's initial life before segueing nicely back into the present timeline, and this title is also the lesson of the episode that plays out. It helpfully sets tone and awareness. Multi-tasking while watching this drama isn't recommended.
A primary relationship for the FL is how she empowers her mother in this new life, and in turn transforms tradition by helping others learn how to express the mindset of a modern independent woman in the 80s. Also in such eras, multiple relationships such as friends and family are important while romance isn't the key focus, because there is a lot of issues to overcome where helping family would be the traditional key priority, as a girl hailing from a rural village and trying to succeed in a city.
The romance for the leads is a slow-burn old-school romance which is fitting here as per the 80s era, hence I didn't expect any lip smooches for at least 14 episodes. If you want hot and heavy romance within 14 episodes or romance as a primary storyline, this isn't the drama for you. Romance waits as friends first, then becoming more is sweetly old-fashioned. It is solidly focused on FL and how she makes her way through the challenges of the 80s and beyond. She's not going to talk you to death or over-explain, because she has certain concerns about herself and her presence in this new opportunity of life that become more obvious in episode 14, which she was reticent about and did not voice to anybody in the first 13 episodes.
She is diplomatic and blunt by turns, but she has an attitude that my own older relatives possess: Focus on making things happen. It would just be too depressing to focus on everything that isn't happening yet. Her ML counterpart also helps her learn to improve in aspects which she didn't realise to begin with, because nobody else voiced them out.
I believe the drama should have spent one minute revealing what it was like to live in a rural village in the 80s. No fun if your toilet is an outhouse latrine. No computers. No mobile phones. Is there a fan to help with sleep at night? What kind of bed does she have? Is electricity available all the time, or only in the day? Stuff like that. Her inner monologue provided great insight on certain issues but should have expressed more verbosity about why she was incredibly flabbergasted by everything and hence for more than one episode, she wanted to return to where she originally came from.
I enjoy the business aspects which have been simplified, to be easily digestible. I am also not a fan of the leads, and they have managed to solidly sell this drama to me in their acting plus chemistry. Oh yes, this drama isn't plagued with filters so I can enjoy the natural feel of how people look and express carefully-crafted and revealing lines while enjoying their roles, instead of being airbrushed to death. I have recommended this drama to others who didn't know what to expect but I know will enjoy a female-empowerment-of-several-generations drama with a solid plotline punctuated with some wonderful male characters as family and partners, and those viewers have reached the same view.
The screenwriters paid attention to many little details, including getting specific geography correct. On weibo and douyin, this drama is getting a lot of praise from novel readers who enjoy the changes. Also, this drama can make one hungry repeatedly. And Zhou Ye has a wonderful evolving wardrobe. Her earrings are fabulous.
Should you watch, consider trying at least six episodes :)
According to recent articles summarising and introducing the drama, the heroine is a 36-year-old modern executive:…
Since Xia Xiaolan the 36-year-old senior modern executive working in a large corporation wakes up in an 18-year-old body of someone with the same name, the village girl who hit her head is unconscious but was also most likely braindead yet alive by that point.
Otherwise the girl's mother Liu Fen wouldn't be waiting for her to wake up and had her head wound bandaged, but would have called a doctor to ascertain if she was truly dead.
Xia Xiaolan is trying to figure out if she time-travelled or not, and what exactly happened to enable her to be where she is right now. She is also aware of certain issues that come with being from a future timeframe, which she doesn't mention yet to anyone where she is right now. The key issue is not forgotten by her, which you will see across 14 episodes of the 36 episodes now out.
👍🏻well written write up. I enjoying reading your perspectives. So true that FL is really a strong and resilience…
To be able to enjoy anything after 2000 yet remember the 80s or earlier certainly makes for powerful lessons and character. I nearly cracked up at seeing pagers again. If you're curious about exact geography and which university the drama is modelling certain places upon, this comment points out which places are what.
I finished 14 episodes. My favourite earrings on Zhou Ye are the first pair she wears in episode 11. This drama keeps making me hungry!
What the screenwriter did in terms of changes for Zhai Xiaowen's character is very detailed in several incidents, and garnered praise from a novel-reader: https://m.weibo.cn/status/5277938889261907
I also answered Frost_edelweiss just below my answer here to you, and you might like what else I found in my reply to them :D
yes, those earrings, the designs, ... I miss them. Our times have become so trashy. Nice reading your appreciation…
Episodes 13 and 14 had me cracking up and amused at so much nostalgia, especially when Granny Yu gives a talk to Bai Zhenzhu and Kang Wei. Some of my older relatives are very much like Granny Yu in this aspect, spending minimal time on complaining but mostly about how to carry oneself and what to improve on and how to carry out solutions. Back then, life was about very different necessary priorities. How to buy a house. How to help pay for the university education of your younger brothers and sisters (my mother is the oldest of six children). Even now, my mother's clothes made by a seamstress more than forty years ago are what she mainly wears for work, ever since she entered the workforce. Her qipaos were also tailored, and she still wears those for occasions and dinners.
I once had to explain to my mother that holes in jeans are consciously fashionable and not because the person wearing them had an accident or is poor, when that first became a trend for others.
The preview of episode 15 made me squee for Mayor Tang and Liu Fen, and preview of episode 16 had me slightly apprehensive for our ML and FL.
Zhou Ye's earrings are awesome. I liked the first pair and fourth pair in episode 11 (Kept staring at them). Every episode she has awesome earrings, since episode 10.
This is a fun, educational and inspiring drama! Dialogues are very carefully crafted without being overly wordy or pointless (be it humorous or serious), to showcase traits of a character, how their mind works, and how a subplot advances because of trying to make full use of booming opportunities in a place such as Sheng Cheng. In episode 11, watching Xia Xiaolan talk to a certain character about his clothing business is very engaging in multiple aspects.
"Dream of Golden Years" not airing on CCTV is a shame. The music is very spot-on, including for the OST. Episode 12 playing this classic Paula Tsui song from 6:55 onwards is perfect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d1eV1CzXyQ
I like to discuss this drama with Megumi because there are many details familiar to us, but most likely not so for many other viewers on this page. Episode 1 where Granny Xia makes certain horrible comments is incredibly awful but was still the norm then ie
一个呢只会搞对象 一个呢是生不出儿子! 她要是早点死了-
It's very cathartic to see Xia Xiaolan defying and changing certain traditions and mindsets, by focusing on making changes around her and also improving those she loves. I believe you'll appreciate this weibo comment and this douyin video below:
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However, I'm always open to changing my opinion. I really take my hat off to Zhou Ye in this drama. Zhou Ye is a huge factor amongst the strong ensemble cast that has enabled easy digestion of 16 episodes. She is marvellous as Xia Xiaolan and in terms of communication, the leads improve each other. I am pleasantly surprised at how mature their communication is. Our heroine learns about her own shortcomings as the drama continues, and also learns to open up.
Here are two of my summative comments:
https://mydramalist.com/776939-again-my-life#comment-25505756
https://mydramalist.com/776939-again-my-life#comment-25510262
Try 6 to 8 episodes :)
Luckily for me, episodes 17 and 18 are now available on IQiyi, along with a preview of episode 19. Enjoy your week ahead!
Each time this happens, the drama falls below 8.0. Malicious down-voting by accounts with their own agendas.
Here's a hard choice, since a woman can't marry two husbands here: Which would you prefer, Zhou Cheng or Mayor Tang? I'd throw in Xiaolan's uncle Liu Yong, but that one is married ;)
Mayor Tang just needs to persistently be himself. Episode 15 is awesome for that XD
If you want to talk about realism, a male butcher is at the bottom of the social system in ancient China. A female butcher ie daughter of a butcher is more lowly than that. Someone from a village is perceived less favourably than someone from a city. Nobles will not be listening to anybody of that class, especially if they are from a village. That is part of the ancient class system of feudal China. My personal opinion doesn't mean anything, even if I might disagree with how class worked back then.
Ignorant villagers cannot grasp military strategy and fighting styles because of education issues, but if trained by a capable warrior, someone of any gender will know how to fight. How well they can fight is based on many factors, including their martial arts teacher. That said, capably employing military strategies usually require proper teaching and experience. Men of armies are instilled to be loyal to their generals, who are supposed to understand military strategies well enough as part of achieving that rank. The strategies of the general are a primary factor affecting the lives and deaths of an army. A general is valuable and cannot be easily replaced.
My condolences to the Zhang Linghe fans rightfully upset in C-Ent that his ML doesn't resemble Xie Zheng in the novel and his ML role is affected by the editing and script to be inconsistent and watered-down while the FL has plot-armour to rival the status of gods, in terms of why his character is legendary. I believe Tian Xiwei will be fantastic in her role because she can make anything work. It's a hit on Netflix, which is great for international viewers!
Over in C-Ent, I can see why "Pursuit of Jade" got a lot of brickbats. I feel sorry for the cast and crew that worked so hard. People should give it a try while it is airing.
I haven't watched "Pursuit of Jade", but I understand there's three screenwriters for the drama. If the other two screenwriters are not up to par with the primary screenwriter whose work is very good so that one will naturally be responsible for the first half of the drama script-wise and characterisation-wise in adaptation, the plot and characterisation quality for the second half of "Pursuit of Jade" is going to be very different from the first half. The quality of pacing for an entire drama requires all screenwriters to be well-aware of the source material plus each other's work, and the Director needs to be on top of that first. Otherwise editing is going to be all over the place in the second half of the drama, when the Director(s) make certain decisions post-production.
If you know nothing about military command in ancient China plus its social systems and haven't read the novel the drama is based on, I am certain you will definitely enjoy and prefer "Pursuit of Jade" over this drama.
You're welcome to learn about the social and cultural norms of the 80s, or perhaps educate me about it, since I completely disagree with your claim that Zhou Ye and Zhai Xiaowen not kissing in "Dream of Golden Years" as Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng until now is unrealistic:
https://mydramalist.com/776939-again-my-life#comment-25517634
I said much earlier to another viewer that I'm waiting for things to build between this couple to a certain point, for a kiss. If you drop this drama due to your ideas of realism, I can understand.
https://mydramalist.com/776939-again-my-life#comment-25517634
And for anybody that wants to complain about realism, I've also illustrated an example of what realism should look like: https://mydramalist.com/776939-again-my-life#comment-25518078
I'm glad for a variety of dramas. We all have different tastes, and we should find the ones that most appeal to us. "Dream of Golden Years" is well-executed this far, whereby I can see the Director and screenwriters really knew the material and understood each other's POVs plus the screenplay, and then reconsidered the scenes plus storylines after shooting, before editing.
Can you tell me how many kiss scenes are in the likes of "Silent Tides", "The Guardians", "River Sunset" and others? I might have missed all of them in these Republican-era dramas, despite watching every episode. "This Thriving Land" is a rural-realist drama that partially falls into the era classified as Republican. I must have missed all the kisses there too.
I'm curious. How much private physical action do you expect a pre-marital couple to engage in, in the 1980s of China? One is a FL from a rural village. The ML is from the capital, from a family of respectable standing. Kindly be aware of the huge differences between a rural village and the city. I look forward to you doing a wonderful job of educating me about chinese culture of China in the 80s and of course, justifying why it is unrealistic for ML to be flustered about a kiss on the cheek.
BTW, I find his reaction to be realistic, given his position relative to his family's standing and his character in this era.
Since your cultural knowledge might need some help, here's a clue: https://www.theworldofchinese.com/2022/07/30-years-of-kissing-in-chinese-cinema-and-society/
Do note that direct confessions of "I love you" in the 1980s is completely unrealistic, because expressions of love and affection are very different as Chinese. Indirect practical actions expressing love and affection were more common, given the extent of Confucianism influence present especially in the villages. Social boundaries are very strong. People do not usually engage in public displays of affection. Physical touch between unmarried singles has limits. Unmarried singles typically don't do sleepovers or camp one night in the other's household and if they do, they will be segregated by gender and most likely with another family member of household being the same gender. Singles of good standing, be it village or city, should be aware of the appropriate limits of physical contact before marriage EVEN in private.
Since you watched the first ten episodes of this drama, did you register how strongly the alleged violations of physical boundaries between unmarried people affected Xia Xiaolan as per public perceptions within the village and also the Xia family?
I'm glad you claim the leads are your faves, because I didn't get that impression at all. Glad we cleared that up!
By all means, go ahead and drop the drama if this isn't your cup of tea. I'm glad the production team didn't make this drama based on ignorant minds not having a clue about chinese culture and public affection in the 1980s.
No wonder MDL ratings are sometimes viewed as a joke.
But good things come, and our merry gang has so much adventure and improvements to handle. Wait till you see episodes 12 to 16 XD
In the 1980s, public displays of romantic affection are foreign to Chinese culture and classified as "bourgeois affectation".
At one point, the movie boom of 1980s led to school-age couples holding hands in public. How novel! Also noted here:
https://thwaites.com.au/rlc/chap5.htm#:~:text=The%20romantic%20movie%20boom%20of%201980%20sent,school-age%20couples%20could%20be%20spied%20holding%20hands.
In 1983, Deng Xiaoping's 严打 campaign against hooliganism resulted in the Shanghai police and moral watchdogs having couples apprehended and/or reprimanded for public displays of affection, as part of what the authorities considered as necessary measures against "Spiritual pollution" ie Western values.
That is the era this drama is set in.
Chinese platforms and/or fellow mandarin-speakers are usually where it's at for me, if I want detailed discussions about original context and all else.
I have watched up until the first half of episode 16, and Xia Xiaolan is anything but a Mary Sue. A person who has been bullied and learns only to rely on themselves (especially as an orphan) usually strives to make something of themselves, pushes themself too hard, and sometimes becomes a people-pleaser because they are afraid to lose opportunities and don't want to destroy the "world" of stability they have built for themselves relative to others, such as in a workplace. Such people tend to hold everything in. They can make a great sales pitch, but they are terrible at being vulnerable with others hence their lips are voluntarily sewn shut in that aspect unless something big happens to make them loosen up.
Episodes 12 to 16 are great for organically showcasing how Xiaolan opens up and shows her appreciation for Zhou Cheng by also learning and reflecting his communication methods, because he is non-judgmental and frank and diplomatic with her. Instead of jumping to conclusions, she confides in him and shows her lack of confidence and sadness. There's a lot happening in these episodes.
I believe viewers who like "Silent Tides" or "The Guardians" will definitely warm up to "Dream of Golden Years". Those are Republican-era dramas with tight storylines and mostly-fantastic acting, with fairly complex primary concerns eg monetary systems and mercantile issues or spy espionage thrillers where romance is not a primary feature if present, but everything else is, especially interactions and relationships of various characters.
BTW, it's not the cultural norm to start spewing to a casual friend or strangers about doubts, fears and being wrong. Someone you are close to and look up to, once you have enough time to be sure you're ready to open up to, is normal.
And when Xiaolan finally kisses Zhou Cheng ie locking lips (hasn't happened yet), I want that kiss to mean something beautiful and significant. I like mature couples (Chang Chen and Ni Ni in "Love and Destiny", Zhang Yunlong and Liu Shi Shi in "Love In Pavilion", Chen Zheyuan with Li Qin in "Fated Hearts", etc), and these couples finally sharing a kiss was so wonderful. I like our Liu Fen in this drama with someone (of course, no kiss). It's a lovely surprise for me to add Zhou Ye and Zhai Xiaowen to the list :D
What the screenwriter did in terms of changes for Zhai Xiaowen's character is very detailed in several incidents: https://m.weibo.cn/status/5277938889261907
Praise for the screenwriter, production team and cast from a novel-reader: https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7618085007923711387
Occasionally I semi-explain stuff on MDL, such as the title of a drama that requires understanding mandarin and some literary references (no spoilers):
https://mydramalist.com/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-25416512
I won't be answering based on the novel, but on the episodes. I understand Xia Xiaolan had been weighing up whether she travelled back in time in her world, as the same Xia Xiaolan who also takes on another role related to the characters around her which fits that era. She wants to improve matters and lives of others but doesn't want to create changes that obviously screw up the future she might return to, because she isn't certain about the effects of her appearance in a time period where her advantages could cause massive changes. She is aware that changes will definitely occur because of her appearance as someone from the future in this era, and she wonders if there are any other time travellers.
Accidents that happened since episode 12 onwards have her questioning by episode 16 whether the accidents are due to her appearance in this era. She literally questions herself and her flaws, in episode 12 and 13 and especially episode 16 where she is asking herself about Chen Xiliang the clothing tycoon and his future.
Still figuring out the mystery of her appearance in this era.
The screenwriters and directors have been very sensitive to the emotional traumas of older female viewers who grew up in a toxic patriarchal tradition commonly found in villages of certain generations, by being realistic but also cathartic to showcase how the FL's generation can create significant change.
They have solidly captured the feel of the 80s with attention to details of that era, but also kept the story feeling fresh and modern by focusing on how characters can also view setbacks and obstacles as opportunities, otherwise it would be a bleak dated drama.
“重活一次，我不仅要自己痛快，也要让我的家人朋友过得痛快。”-> She decides that with a fresh start and opportunity, this time instead of being an orphan and loner who was often bullied and suffers despite previously being a successful modern executive with a great sales track record, she will seek her own happiness and also help her family and friends also find happiness. This is the emotional core of the drama, and the theme of her story in this drama.
Every drama has a title tied to a short flashback at the beginning of the episode which conveys insight into FL's initial life before segueing nicely back into the present timeline, and this title is also the lesson of the episode that plays out. It helpfully sets tone and awareness. Multi-tasking while watching this drama isn't recommended.
A primary relationship for the FL is how she empowers her mother in this new life, and in turn transforms tradition by helping others learn how to express the mindset of a modern independent woman in the 80s. Also in such eras, multiple relationships such as friends and family are important while romance isn't the key focus, because there is a lot of issues to overcome where helping family would be the traditional key priority, as a girl hailing from a rural village and trying to succeed in a city.
The romance for the leads is a slow-burn old-school romance which is fitting here as per the 80s era, hence I didn't expect any lip smooches for at least 14 episodes. If you want hot and heavy romance within 14 episodes or romance as a primary storyline, this isn't the drama for you. Romance waits as friends first, then becoming more is sweetly old-fashioned. It is solidly focused on FL and how she makes her way through the challenges of the 80s and beyond. She's not going to talk you to death or over-explain, because she has certain concerns about herself and her presence in this new opportunity of life that become more obvious in episode 14, which she was reticent about and did not voice to anybody in the first 13 episodes.
She is diplomatic and blunt by turns, but she has an attitude that my own older relatives possess: Focus on making things happen. It would just be too depressing to focus on everything that isn't happening yet. Her ML counterpart also helps her learn to improve in aspects which she didn't realise to begin with, because nobody else voiced them out.
I believe the drama should have spent one minute revealing what it was like to live in a rural village in the 80s. No fun if your toilet is an outhouse latrine. No computers. No mobile phones. Is there a fan to help with sleep at night? What kind of bed does she have? Is electricity available all the time, or only in the day? Stuff like that. Her inner monologue provided great insight on certain issues but should have expressed more verbosity about why she was incredibly flabbergasted by everything and hence for more than one episode, she wanted to return to where she originally came from.
I enjoy the business aspects which have been simplified, to be easily digestible. I am also not a fan of the leads, and they have managed to solidly sell this drama to me in their acting plus chemistry. Oh yes, this drama isn't plagued with filters so I can enjoy the natural feel of how people look and express carefully-crafted and revealing lines while enjoying their roles, instead of being airbrushed to death. I have recommended this drama to others who didn't know what to expect but I know will enjoy a female-empowerment-of-several-generations drama with a solid plotline punctuated with some wonderful male characters as family and partners, and those viewers have reached the same view.
This is a summative comment I made previously: https://mydramalist.com/776939-again-my-life#comment-25479600
The screenwriters paid attention to many little details, including getting specific geography correct. On weibo and douyin, this drama is getting a lot of praise from novel readers who enjoy the changes. Also, this drama can make one hungry repeatedly. And Zhou Ye has a wonderful evolving wardrobe. Her earrings are fabulous.
Should you watch, consider trying at least six episodes :)
Otherwise the girl's mother Liu Fen wouldn't be waiting for her to wake up and had her head wound bandaged, but would have called a doctor to ascertain if she was truly dead.
Xia Xiaolan is trying to figure out if she time-travelled or not, and what exactly happened to enable her to be where she is right now. She is also aware of certain issues that come with being from a future timeframe, which she doesn't mention yet to anyone where she is right now. The key issue is not forgotten by her, which you will see across 14 episodes of the 36 episodes now out.
https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5278522847270803
I finished 14 episodes. My favourite earrings on Zhou Ye are the first pair she wears in episode 11. This drama keeps making me hungry!
What the screenwriter did in terms of changes for Zhai Xiaowen's character is very detailed in several incidents, and garnered praise from a novel-reader: https://m.weibo.cn/status/5277938889261907
I also answered Frost_edelweiss just below my answer here to you, and you might like what else I found in my reply to them :D
I once had to explain to my mother that holes in jeans are consciously fashionable and not because the person wearing them had an accident or is poor, when that first became a trend for others.
The preview of episode 15 made me squee for Mayor Tang and Liu Fen, and preview of episode 16 had me slightly apprehensive for our ML and FL.
Zhou Ye's earrings are awesome. I liked the first pair and fourth pair in episode 11 (Kept staring at them). Every episode she has awesome earrings, since episode 10.
This is a fun, educational and inspiring drama! Dialogues are very carefully crafted without being overly wordy or pointless (be it humorous or serious), to showcase traits of a character, how their mind works, and how a subplot advances because of trying to make full use of booming opportunities in a place such as Sheng Cheng. In episode 11, watching Xia Xiaolan talk to a certain character about his clothing business is very engaging in multiple aspects.
"Dream of Golden Years" not airing on CCTV is a shame. The music is very spot-on, including for the OST. Episode 12 playing this classic Paula Tsui song from 6:55 onwards is perfect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d1eV1CzXyQ
I like to discuss this drama with Megumi because there are many details familiar to us, but most likely not so for many other viewers on this page. Episode 1 where Granny Xia makes certain horrible comments is incredibly awful but was still the norm then ie
一个呢只会搞对象
一个呢是生不出儿子!
她要是早点死了-
It's very cathartic to see Xia Xiaolan defying and changing certain traditions and mindsets, by focusing on making changes around her and also improving those she loves. I believe you'll appreciate this weibo comment and this douyin video below:
https://m.weibo.cn/status/5278956237619315
Praise for the screenwriter, production team and cast from a novel-reader: https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7618085007923711387