This review may contain spoilers
Stories of love through time
The series was at times uncomfortable to watch because of how it depicted certain realities of the past, specifically during the 1970s in China amid its political landscape. Still, I believe every story, whether good or bad, has value. This one, though, is good. And it’s quite unforgettable.
Even if some of those historical realities were difficult, I appreciated learning how life might have looked back then (with the understanding that fictional inserts were added for storytelling purposes). The characters’ stories (yes, not just the leads!) but also Qu Hua, Fang Mu Jing, Fei Ting, and Lin Mei were mesmerizing and touching. The series beautifully blended historical elements with fiction to create compelling storytelling.
As a hopeless romantic, I was especially drawn to the leads’ love story, which was written with sincerity. Yet I equally admired how the secondary characters were given enough space for their arcs to develop. The pacing was steady and complemented the rhythm of the narrative well.
One of the highlights for me was the use of mise en scene as an active storytelling tool. For example, during the leads’ confession in front of the family, the wall and door framing added powerful visual meaning.
Another memorable moment was Xu Hong Qi’s demotion scene, where she tried to pour water into a broken cup she had fixed herself—a poignant metaphor captured visually.
The color grading gave the series an authentic “old days” feel without being overdone, and the cinematography often felt like carefully composed photographs. Altogether, the combination of tried and tested tropes, solid writing, good pacing, and technical artistry made this series stand out.
While I might have wished for different directions in some character arcs, I understand there are limits to what can be told. Overall, this isn’t just a romance or a feel-good trope—it’s a story about love, told with grace and craft, set against the backdrop of a complex historical era.
Even if some of those historical realities were difficult, I appreciated learning how life might have looked back then (with the understanding that fictional inserts were added for storytelling purposes). The characters’ stories (yes, not just the leads!) but also Qu Hua, Fang Mu Jing, Fei Ting, and Lin Mei were mesmerizing and touching. The series beautifully blended historical elements with fiction to create compelling storytelling.
As a hopeless romantic, I was especially drawn to the leads’ love story, which was written with sincerity. Yet I equally admired how the secondary characters were given enough space for their arcs to develop. The pacing was steady and complemented the rhythm of the narrative well.
One of the highlights for me was the use of mise en scene as an active storytelling tool. For example, during the leads’ confession in front of the family, the wall and door framing added powerful visual meaning.
Another memorable moment was Xu Hong Qi’s demotion scene, where she tried to pour water into a broken cup she had fixed herself—a poignant metaphor captured visually.
The color grading gave the series an authentic “old days” feel without being overdone, and the cinematography often felt like carefully composed photographs. Altogether, the combination of tried and tested tropes, solid writing, good pacing, and technical artistry made this series stand out.
While I might have wished for different directions in some character arcs, I understand there are limits to what can be told. Overall, this isn’t just a romance or a feel-good trope—it’s a story about love, told with grace and craft, set against the backdrop of a complex historical era.
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