Go Ahead

Great until melodrama ensues

Overall, a great drama with high production value, but after a certain point, it becomes so melodramatic that it reminds me of those old family dramas that runs episodes by the thousands.

This drama begins with an extremely unique conception - a group of young children coming from incomplete and dysfunctional families band together. They face various adversities together, and I must admit that I went through half a box of tissues watching them soldier through their hardships.

Alas, that's where all the fun and games ends. The last third of the drama ticked all the right boxes a soap opera should have. You'll find yourself rolling your eyes more often than not, and I can almost envision the familiar scene of my grandmother watching her daily dose of with a box of sour plums at her side.

I jacked up the speed to 3x just finish the rest of the show.

Overall, watch it for the eye-candy (SWL and SZ are <3), and the unique premise. Feel free to drop it after ep 30, trust me, you're not missing out on much.

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Most top rated drama of the month

It's my first time writing a review for this drama. seriously, this is one of the best drama that I've ever enjoyed a lot. All characters done an amazing job, they stick to their characters. I am pretty sure that they don't disappoint you. Although last few episode does not go to our expectations but these are the plot that is necessary. If you are interested in family drama then go for it. you will definitely like it. After watching this drama i have a feeling that how great if i also have such childhood friends so i can share all feelings!!! Everything about this drama is so natural, feel like i I'll rewatch it soon.

Firstly i am in this drama because of Tan Songyun... But after i watching this drama i like all the cast.
Tan Songyun (30 yrs), Song Weilong (21yrs), Zhang Xincheng (24 yrs) all have done a very good job, does not feel like there would be any age differences..
In chinese proverb, there is a saying that Jia You (go for it) You will love it!!!

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Heart-wrenchingly and Hilariously Beautiful

Go Ahead is without a doubt my favorite C-Drama I’ve ever watched. I’d seen quite a few before this one and I wasn’t really expecting anything amazing from it, but by the end of episode one I was already 100% percent sold on the story. And by the time I was finished with it I was left with some mad post drama depression because no other C-Dramas were matching up to this one.


There’s a ton going on in this drama, but I think this is probably the best way to sum it all up, Go Ahead is an emotionally devastating and uplifting show about the story of how three unrelated kids (Li Jianjian, Ling Xiao, and He Zi Qiu) and two single dads (Li Hai Chao and Ling Heping) become a pseudo family. The story covers a full twenty years of the characters’ lives.


Often, shows that span a long period of time loose me, it’s hard to follow characters and a story when the setting, characters and story are so frequently changing with the time, but I was fully invested in every period of their lives.


I would say the show takes place in three main sections. The first is when the children initially meet as little kids, and the current family dynamic is set up, the next takes place during high school, and the third with the characters as adults.


Go Ahead takes family dynamics and shows how they change over time, how people can grow further apart and closer together, and how said change isn’t always a bad thing. It was one of the most beautifully heart wrenching pieces of media I have ever consumed. And the OST only added to it, it made both the happy and the sad moments much more intense and there’s not a single miss of a song in the soundtrack. I never skipped the into or outro sequence, never once.


Though it isn’t the initial most important point, there is a romance plot that takes significance in the latter half of the show. Without spoilers I can say there were a few directions taken that I didn’t think I would like, but ultimately did. And I ate up the romance. As with many other drama watchers, I watch most of them primarily for romance. I did, however, find myself equally invested in all aspects of this show.


The family dynamics are incredibly complicated, both the stories with the characters’ biological families and their chosen families were expertly done. And as is a trend in the drama, all of it is absolutely heart wrenching.


It’s not just heart wrenching though, it’s also absolutely hilarious and incredibly wholesome, honestly just the whole package. Unlike many other shows I’ve seen, this one is actually able to transition between all the different tones smoothly, the tone never seems confused and the switch ups are never jarring.


It also establishes some friendships too, every character regardless of how “important” they were to the main story, had a story of their own. It was nice to see every character treated like an individual person. They all felt real, at least in the way they can for being in an overly dramatized story.


And I loved every single one of them. I would die for them all I swear. Except for like one villain. I would like to kill her. The dad’s though, I can’t even express how much I loved both of them, them and all three kids were a delight to watch together.


I have never watched another show that has managed to emotionally wreck in the way this one did but did not leave me feeling depressed. It left me thinking when I had finished it, and I couldn’t start another show for weeks because I was too hung up on this one.


My only gripe with the entire show is the last episode. Don’t get me wrong, it was good and did wrap most everything up neatly in a relatively satisfying way, I just wanted more. There was so much more I wanted to see from these characters, but I’ll have to suffice with what we got.


It’s a pretty long drama too, very rarely does a long drama leave me wanting more, but I would have eaten up twice the amount of content with these characters.


I don’t think this review could ever possibly express how much I loved it, but it’s all I got for now.


If you haven’t given it a shot, please do. Go Ahead is an absolute gem among C-Dramas.

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You should watch this I guarantee you'll love it

My my my my
First 10 episod got me crying like fool

Little Xiqiu was really good in acting, I couldn't help to feel so sad seeing him, he's such a kind little boy, even grew up to a much more kind teenager. Despite of everything that happened to him, he still had so much heart and kindness to give to others.
I had to say Ziqiu is my favorite character in this movie and my heart goes to him a lot.
(Personal Note : when I saw that scene when little xiqiu secretly washed the laundry at night I really couldn't help but cry, poor little boy, but he's so kind I can't with him)

Can't forget Dad Li whose kindness is really extraordinary. I mean, how come a person be this kind???? I really live for this story

Jianjian character is so nice, they're all so realistic.
LingXiao also perfectly portray that big brother that we all long for.

The only char I hate is Ling Xiao mom, I hate hate hate her.

Anyway you should watch this drama, I guarantee you'll love it

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Families often are made up of blended broken pieces.

Go Ahead is a concept drama I have not seen before in any of the 200 Asian Dramas I have viewed. The premise and format is that different. This drama carves a different lane for itself in the highway of dramas. Go Ahead is a raw account of a blended multiple family dynamic, which has at its center, the best dad figure ever in Asian Dramas. If the writer really knows this person after who the character is patterned, he or she would have been privileged to have known him.

Go Ahead is such a great drama centered around family, which honors dads. If you have that special dad in your life, hug him and do a “Daddy and Me” with this drama. So many Asian Dramas have good examples of bad examples. The dad in Go Ahead is a good example of a great example.

Written by Shui Qianmo and Wang Xiongcheng

QUOTE
Neighbor Lady to this dad: “I don’t know what good things our family did in our last lifetime (for us to) meet such a great person like you in this lifetime”.

In Go ahead, there are actually two single dads with children. One dad is a stern policeman and the other sweet dad owns a soup restaurant. Each shares the financial and parenting responsibilities of this accidentally blended family. While not giving up on finding the right woman as a wife, these two dads just worked out a workable lifestyle after loosing their mates, centered around living their best life for their children. With one child, his mother just dropped him off at the door step of the sweet dad and never came back. The sweet dad just took him in. There was less stability before the fathers joined ranks. Afterwards and for the sake of the kids, the fathers worked out a workable arrangement. What is uniquely appealing about Go Ahead is that the family dynamics consist of two sons, two fathers and a daughter. Therefore, the daughter has to learn many female things on her own, without useable help from the rest of the males in the house. This is a source of laughter moments throughout the drama. The three unrelated siblings are raised like triplets. They have a bond thicker than blood.

Cast

Families often are made up of blended broken pieces.

All three actors were raised to superstar level from Go Ahead, because of the immense popularity of this show.

Trương Tân Thành or Steven Zhan plays the athletic brother who finds his little sister annoying, but would give his last drop of blood to protect her. He was dropped off by his mother and a abandoned. The dads fully accepts him as if he is blood.

Tan Songyun plays the rough and touch tomboy with big brothers. Her performance is one of the best in long time. Her comedic timing is excellent, as she portrays a youthful girl in several stages of life and maturity and she nails this roles. One brother is athletic and clueless and the other brother is sensitive and very perceptive. The girl was raised like a tomboy and is the youngest. She wants to marry her older brother.

Chinese heartthrob Song Weilong plays the genius but sensitive brother, willing to put aside embarrassment in order to learn what his baby sister needs. She is the only female in this family dynamic and he has no real clue what little girls need when mothers are absent, but he tries his best.

Each single dad developed his role and contribution in this symbiotic family arrangement. Each dad’s gifts help this blended family correctly congeal together.
Zhang Xilin and Tu Song Yan

Zhang Xilin plays the dad who really does not understand women. He has figured out that women are the opposite of men, but not much more. He willingly acquiesces, knowing his limitations. This dad acts as a wage earner and contributes cash not nurturing.

Tu Song Yan plays the dad who takes on the role of the nurturer. He holds this family together. He is in touch with his feminine side without being feminine at all. It is just that his skill sets are the most needed for this blended family to flourish.
If you were waiting for a good reason to subscribe to VIKI, well here it is, Go Ahead.

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Truly Heartwarming!

This is such a heartwarming story. I love the dynamic amongst the 3 main leads and the 2 fathers. They all portrayed their roles so well including the young actors who played the children version of the 3 leads.Tan Song Yun's acting as Li Jian Jian was brilliant; she truly depicted a character who is full of life and optimism and I couldn't help but laugh at her antics. The father, Li Hai Chao, is the parent every child aspires to have and every parent aspires to be. He has such an open and generous heart and the actor Tu Song Yan portrayal of a man who truly loves his children was so on-point. The love story between Li Jian Jian and Ling Xiao could be better developed but nevertheless it was enough to overcome my initial resistance to the idea that they are 'siblings' (they are not!).
It is a story where you wish you were part of their family and you wish that you could continue to see their story develop further but alas, all dramas must come to an end!

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Beautiful Drama ... I Cried A Lot

Honestly, I was very late to watch this drama. This drama consistently sits at the top of the MDL rating. For some reason, I only got interested in watching it this year, and it turned out to be very satisfying.

A very thick family drama, indeed. This drama shows that the key to happiness in a family lies in the role of the "wife" and "mother" figures. How these figures affect their husbands and their children.

If you are looking for a romantic drama, maybe watching this is not the right choice. But if you want to be more grateful for your life, I suggest you watch it immediately.

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a cdrama you CANNOT miss out on

i first watched this c-drama 2 years ago, the story didn't really resonate with me, but I found the acting and the chemistry of the two leads to be amazing. the story was also very real in it's own sense - none of that cringe I get while watching other cdramas.
but after having just rewatched this drama, and at the exact age and stage of life as the characters at that, I'm overcome with emotions. not only did the story actually resonate with me this time, but I could feel the emotions of the characters for real this time. i was laughing, crying and eventually balling my eyes out at all the same time. this is a truly spectacular, coming-of-age drama that you HAVE to watch. at LEAST once.
this will forever be one of my faves - even considering rewatching it one more time tbh!

ALSO - this cdrama got adapted into a kdrama!! so make sure to follow along with that too. i watched the first two eps and it seems rlly good.

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THIS IS LITERALLY THE BEST C-DRAMA I HAVE WATCHED

I can't explain with words how much I adored this show. It has been my comfort show over the last months. I would watch one episode a day, whenever I had free time at home. It has given me so much joy and happiness that I can't put into words. When I first saw that it has 40 episodes, it really repulsed me. But, as I was hooked since the second episode, I never wanted it to end. I swear if it had 40 more episodes I would watch them with no complaints.

Of course, there were a few small bits which I didn't find enjoyable. I preferred the episodes when they were in high school and loved their bond there. When the brothers moved abroad, it was very sad to see them apart - I really wanted these episodes to end as soon as possible. Later, when they reconciled, it became the amazing show it was.

Here are some small commentaries of mine about the characters and events in general (spoiler alert!!)
-I really wanted Ziqiu and Mingyue to be the endgame. I wish she never had a crush on Ling Xiao. The friends falling in love with the same guy plot doesn't really interest me.
-I found Zhuang Bei really annoying with the way he treated both Mingyue and Tang Can. I'm happy Tang Can didn't be with him at the end.
-Ling Xiao's mother is awful
-I don't know why we were forced to feel sympathy towards Mingyue's mother in the end. She put Mingyue through hell and we are forced to accept and forgive her??? To be honest, I wanted a different ending for them. I think Mingyue should have put a distance between herself and her mother to be able to find herself. I don't think such people change abruptly, especially after they're old. Her mom had narcissistic tendencies.
-Lastly, despite loving the chemistry, I didn't like the "step-sibling love" idea much. They were just neighbours, obviously. But as the name of the show suggests, they were like a family. And I can't imagine being with a family member whom I have seen as my brother for years. Little Jianjian had a crush on Ling Xiao, sure. But it still gave me a little ick, especially at first. Also, when Ziqiu tried to fight with Ling Xiao over Jianjian I cringed so hard like... these parts were definitely hard to watch. I am sure Ziqiu never liked Jianjian like that. He mistook his love and care for Jianjian as romantic love. He just wanted to protect her like a brother. Zhuang Bei put it in his head.

Regardless, I can ignore all the small points because overall, this show made me so happy. The relations and acting were so natural. The events were enjoyable to follow. The characters were all well-written and relatable. It was not filled with filler scenes or events or dialogues. So, I give this a 10.

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A Must Watch 2020 Slice-of-Life Drama with Good Storyline and Cast!

I usually don't write a review for a drama, but I can't refrain myself from writing this time. This is literally a legit slice of life drama, with many relatable scenes and emotions. I'm not a fan of slice-of-life genre but I gave this drama score 10/10 because I really like how they deliver the emotions and I think this drama has the most similarity to the real life situations.

STORY :
The storyline is very unique and doesn't get depicted in many other slice of life dramas, It can be a little bit mental-tiring (especially at LX and his mom relationship), at the same time how they portrayed the 'heartwarming' in the Li and Ling's family can definitely make up for that. The story contains a lot of relatable life-lesson so prepare few sheets of tissue! It's kinda heavy but it's enjoyable. Honestly I almost drop this drama, but after watching few more episodes, you might already find yourself addicted to the story.

CAST :
10/10. The casts is very terrific in doing their job!
The one who portrayed Li Haichao, he really nailed it!! I don't know how many times I cried because of him. His delivery is rather smooth and his voice matched the theme of heartwarming of this drama.
Steven Zhang gave us few nice crying scenes, also the one who played Chen Ting is also very good at her character, I don't know how much I told myself that this is just a drama because of her :v
Everyone is perfect in their own characters, I don't know who else that can play each characters this good if not them.
At first, I didn't know the real life age of the cast, but later I found out that turns out Seven Tan is the oldest of the three siblings! Chemistry is great between each casts, so without doubt, 10/10.

MUSIC :
The OSTs are put in the right timing in each scenes. Those songs are easy-listening and can make us calm our heart, also can make you emotional. There's also few songs that sung in English. I personally listen the OST in daily basis as I can't move on from this drama easily.

REWATCH VALUE :
OF COURSE!! I think I will rewatch this drama few times after the drama ended. I just can't get enough!!

OVERALL :
A great drama with a great cast and story. Every aspects in this drama are balanced, very enjoyable drama. Not for you who want to watch a happy family slice-of-life, but overall it's the greatest slice-of-life drama that I've ever seen in my life! 10/10

I'm in 38th Episode when I'm writing this review, but I think I'll miss the fathers and the three siblings so much!!
Can't wait for the ending!

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A Lovable Slice of Life Drama (but kinda slow)

8.25
Finished 29/40 episodes
(I tried to get a perfect 30/40, btu I couldn't get myself to watch one more episode. I feel like I should give this an 8.5, but 8.25 is more suitable I believe)

Note: I watched this drama with my parents in the room, so any flaws that this drama had was emphasized as my parents are quite critical of what I watch.

Disclaimer: The below opinions are mine and mine alone. If you don't agree then that is just fine. If you really loved this drama, I am happy for you. I'm genuinely glad that this drama was enjoyable and even lovable for you.

I feel really sad to drop this, but this drama has met its limit for me. I have come to a point where it's only bearable to watch at a fricken 2x speed. And if I'm watching a drama at such a speed, I feel like there is no need to force myself if I have ~~VERY~~ little motivation to watch. I mean, I am curious how it ends, but not curious enough to watch it all through. I think I'll just watch some Youtube shorts and read some episode guides, and I'll be satisfied.

However, for a dropped drama, this was pretty good. I definitely can believe that some people would love this drama.

Story:
-so many very well developed characters. This aspect was the highlight of the whole show. And that was wonderful because it wasn’t just the main leads who had complex inner makings, but also all the supporting leads. They had also made understandable decisions.

-I like how they showed dysfunctional mothers. In the media, we always hear about horrible fathers and angelic mothers. That’s the combination that everyone is obsessed with. As someone who’s biological mom wasn’t the most mentally stable in the least, I grew up where if I told people my relationship with her, they would think I’m either (or even all) lying, hallucinating, or going crazy. “No, ALL mothers care about their children and do what's best for them!” And it was so dehumanizing, because my mother wasn't all that great. But watching this drama, I really felt seen and acknowledged. (However, unlike Ling Xiao aka ML, I did not feel any sort to filial piety towards her but maybe that’s Chinese culture 🤷🏽‍♀️)

-liked how much they showed Li Hai Chao (the dad) cook. Made me hungry 🤣
-liked the fl's job
-ml and 2ml's jobs made me roll my eyes
-there are some really good, heart felt, meaningful dialogues in here
-we got to see the characters grow up

-What made me drop this was the speed at which everything was happening. I used to think I was the kind of person who liked "Slice of Life" dramas. Now I'm starting to doubt myself. This is genuinely a good story but its taking up too much of my time... And some of the flaws (in the romance) I just couldn't overlook.
If I had nothing better to do, I would finish this drama. But since I do, I've dropped.

Romance:
-the romance makes one realize that, yes, this was made in 2020. It hasn't aged well.
-it was really toxic; they were romanticizing emotional blackmail
-the above really pissed me off and made me want to roll my eyes. Yes, he is pitiful, but that doesn't mean you owe him to be his girlfriend

Acting/Cast:
-Zhang Xin Cheng has blown me away. He might not be good at romance and might not have the most pretty face, but he sure can act. This dude is amazing
-Tan Song Yun also did very well, but Imo, I felt like she made the role fit her instead of her fit the role. I also don't really like her style of acting. Like, yes, act like a child while you're a teenager, but once your 26-27 or whatever, please act like an adult 🤷🏽‍♀️
-Song Wei Long was the weak link of the three. His acting was mediocre compared to the others. He brought some of the chemistry to the romance but it gave more predatory vibes than love vibes
-the chemistry between TSY and SWL was not great, but the kisses were good. Mostly because TSY brought no heat at all
-I also enjoyed watching Tu Song Yan

Music:
-I probably won't listen to the music in my own time
-but, it really suited the drama and the moments that it turned on
-this drama also managed to not overplay the ost, which is hard to achieve nowadays

Rewatch:
-no
-I wasn't even able to completely watch it in the first place 😅😅😅

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