Our Generation

An enjoyable watch that had the potential to be more

Since I finished my three favorite dramas of 2024, Tender Light, Lovely Runner, & Will Love In Spring, I had been struggling to find a drama to really hook me in the way those three did. After watching the first episode of this drama, I felt relatively confident that this drama would end up being that for me. For a while I could see it. I loved the leads (mainly the FL, but the ML had a special place in my heart as well), and the rest of the main friend group. I found myself growing quite attached to them and their individual stories. Now you’re probably wondering, what changed? The pacing did.

I noticed around episode 13 that the writing started to lack of a better word, rush the story. Up until this point, the story felt gradual and the ending arcs felt clear. Before I continue, there is one thing I want to talk about. This drama was initially slated for 40 episodes. Take what I say next with a grain of salt, because I obviously wasn’t a part of the production crew. I believe that decision to remove those 16 episodes was made at the very least after the script was already written and after the drama was finished filming.

Around episode 15, the drama adapted the “tell don’t show approach” where a lot of important plot lines were simply just told to us. The best example being the portrayal of Jiang Qiao Xi’s life after going to Hong Kong. Before I continue, I going to state something that I imagine will be somewhat of an unpopular opinion; I was fine with the fact that Lin Tao (Cherry) chose to go after him. I think she has proven her dedication to him time and time again so I wasn’t surprised and accepted even though I wish she made him suffer a little bit. I’m just a petty person but she isn’t, so it was a decision I was okay with.

The problem though, without receiving full context of what was happening in Jiang Qiao Xi’s life, it made both their “confrontation” and eventual reunion not hit as hard as I know it would have. If we had those extra 16 episodes, with in depth perspective of both of our leads (EPESPECIALLY Jiang Qiao Xi’s since he was the one who chose to leave) of how hard the 2 year separation was for them, and also dual narration, I think it would’ve given this drama SO much more emotional depth.

I think the main thing for me that disappoints me the most about this drama is that I could see what it would’ve looked like if it was at its full potential. I know that obviously things happened behind the scenes that determined the removal of the other 16 episodes, and I don’t blame the writers for this. As I said earlier, I do truly believe that the script for the show was written before that decision was made. but as someone who truly does love the art of storytelling there’s just something about untapped in potential that just pains my spirit.

At the end of the day, I can only go off of what we were given. Overall, I did enjoy this drama. I can’t say I’d 100% recommended it, but I think it’s at least worth checking out.

Read More

Blunt storyline and misfit cast pairing for main lead

When I came across the drama, i thought it will be a good one since it encompasses the areas of friendship, growth and relationships. The first few episodes was going well but suddenly it's jst becomes too stretched and i could barely hooked on to further episodes since it becames too cliche.
I didn't like the female lead being so Air headed, letting her life revolves around a guy's decision and really got annoyed when she literally pushed herself to be in the ml situation when even he himself is navigating to move forward.
I feel like the main lead was too old for the pairing and the raw essence of childhood and teen was missing. His character overall I'll say lacked a lot of development since it was too one subject minded.
The drama itself was too long and the plot development was terrible and wasn't smthng i was literally hooked to watch.
Really disappointed

Read More

A Story of 90s born Pollyanna

Story : The script is incoherent to it's ''marketed'' theme.
Youth Growth Drama
Slice of Life
Love Story

The real youth growth drama have parallel growth script, here all are just the background characters.They will pop up when growth of FL character need them.

Slice of life : In reality, the story ended at Ep 15(99.99%). If it would happen becuz of so called Love and never ending chasing of FL, the story ended in Ep 20.Ep 21-24 will only occur in a dream, not in real life becuz the bed ridden patient can't get normal life in night, you never win lottery, mental health issues and financial problems not disappeared in just few days becuz of you fall in love with someone.

Love Story : Everyone in the drama(FL herself )said FL(Prince) is saving ML (princess) trapped in the tower. The Eugene save Rapunzel from Mother Gothel. Classic Disney's love story.

For me,it is ''I dream of Jeannie ''.
FL is supernatural being ,she can do anything with a blink of eye yet she is endlessly serving ML with neverending so called Love.

Acting and casting : Acting of all casts are decent, they do their best with the script given to them.

Music and bgm : OSTs are good individually but in most of the scenes, bgm can't bring emotion and didn't match with scenes .

Overall, it is good watch if you like this genre, casts, stunning choreography, acting chops ,fairy tales and dramatic Bollywood style 1st person shot of FL and ML.
If you expect the logical story of millennials generation with solid script,it is not for you.

Have a nice day everyone 😊
Love you 💗🤗💗

Read More

《Our Generation(樱桃琥珀, 2025)》 - We Shape Ourselves Through Each Other

A Name That Became a Scar, and Then a Smile

“Lin Yingtao(=Lin Qile) had no interest in grades or anyone else. To her, there was only Jiang Qiaoxii.
The name that Qiaoxi’s father had given him carelessly was always bitter, a reminder of disdain and resentment.
But in Yingtao’s heart, those three syllables turned into something else—
like a poem, sweet and clear, her voice carrying a smile that softened the air whenever she called him.”
(Excerpt from the Original Novel)

His name, once nothing but a wound, was transformed by her into a moment of warmth.


The Weight of Memory, the First Consolation

Burdened by the shadow of his deceased brother, Jiang Qiaoxi’s grew up as a boy always waiting for love that never came.
To him, memory had always meant pain.
But in Lin Yingtao(=Qile)’s presence—honest, open, and brimming with affection—he discovered something new:
that memory could also be joy, and that being remembered did not always mean being trapped by sorrow.


The Meaning of a Name

To Qiaoxi, “Jiang Qiaoxi” was once nothing but a symbol of neglect,
of yearning for affection he never received.

But for Yingtao (=Qile), the same name meant something entirely different:
to bring happiness,
to guard a smile,
to make someone laugh.

The moment Qile’s naming turned into a gift,
she witnessed a quiet boy’s face come alive with color.
To her, it was more than a scene—
it was the first time she understood what it meant
to bring light into someone else’s life.
She saw what it meant
to breathe warmth into another person’s existence.


Fragmented Time and Memory

Their shared childhood became unforgettable precisely because it was a time when their identities had not yet hardened.
Open hearts and malleable senses made every moment indelible.
And when distance grew between them, memory was all that remained.
Letters became the way to hold onto those memories.
Even undelivered, they deepened the bond—
a fragile thread that connected two people across absence.


Growing Pains, and the First Shattering

But reunion did not bring comfort; it began with rupture.
For Lin Qile : entering a new environment meant rejection, jealousy, and rumor—wounds inflicted by the small society of adolescence.
For Jiang Qiaoxi: seeking a wider world only brought him into harsher walls of control and expectation.

Their affinity collided with the demands of the world, and each carried scars from the impact.


A Missed Gesture, A Deeper Wound

Jiang Qiaoxi thought ignoring her would protect her.
But silence and absence only erased her efforts,
turning his protection into betrayal.
The more urgently he tried to keep her safe, the more deeply Lin Qile was hurt.
When he said, “Let’s begin again with Qile,”
to her it sounded like erasing “Yingtao,” erasing the very years they had lived together.
And so she whispered that perhaps she would rather have known nothing at all.

Yet, in his clumsy teenage way, Jiang Qiaoxi finally began to close the distance—
admitting his loneliness, showing his longing,
and little by little, the bitterness between them started to loosen.


The Collision with Parents

“I didn’t get hurt because of a friend. I protected one.
I am becoming someone better than before.”
(Excerpt from the Drama)

But Jiang Qiaoxi’s growth came at the cost of clashing with his parents.
His parents, bound by guilt over their lost first son, placed all their hopes on the second.
They called it love, but it was chains.
What they could not let go of in the past, they forced onto the present.
When Jiang Qiaoxi began to resist, they blamed Lin Qile for changing him.
What they believed to be protection was in truth control.

And his rebellion against it set the stage for a deeper generational conflict.


From Novel to Screen

Compared to the novel, the drama sometimes falters in rhythm.
But by expanding the conflict from peer rivalry to parent-child struggle,
it widens the lens—
turning a story of youth into a story of generations.

What emerges is a narrative that is not only intense, but also tender—
a story where growth is inseparable from pain,
and where memory itself becomes both the wound and the healing.

Read More

Male Lead A Reflection on Trauma and Growth

Our Generation on Netflix explores how childhood trauma shapes the male protagonist, but his overall contribution to the story often felt underwhelming compared to the female lead, who truly carried the narrative. Her journey and emotional depth gave the drama its strongest moments. That said, as the series unfolded, I grew to understand and even appreciate his story as well.

At its core, Our Generation is a tender coming-of-age romance with a satisfying ending. It’s well-made and worth a watch for fans of the genre, though for me it was more of a one-time viewing experience rather than something I’d revisit. Since it was available on Netflix, I gave it a chance — and while not unforgettable, it offered some worthwhile reflections on love, growth, and healing.

Read More

SO MUCH SLOW PLOT AND VERY DISAPPOINTING

i started this drama because of the main leads. the story of a kunning palace and amidst of a snowstorm of love are one of my favorite dramas and i thought i will get the same experience here but in reality this drama is not even close to these two. after 12 episode i literally gave and pushing my self because of the FL actually. the ML is a vey good actor but in this drama his acting was so so. anyhow i completed this drama with a lots of fast forward and cuts. the story is not that powerful to capture everyone's taste and the plot is so slow also the dialogue are not that good.

Read More

don't use your western lense

ZJM(FL) I don't think she does many cheesy easy urban dramas. This drama is heavy not as heavy as stand by me but a little heavier than Amidst a Snowstorm of Love and if you not ready for the emotional toll then skip it but do they have some great quotes and themes to inspire and motivate...YES.
First major theme-running away from problems will not solve anything but create more problems. ML dad and him move away from ML mom cause she needs to do work but there are hints she might have been having an emotional brekadown and didn't want the ML during that time.
Second or simultaneously theme- you can't replace one thing for another. you can't replace a child with one you lost, you next child is not the same as your first. A rabbit is not a cat.
Third theme that is more underlying-get therapy,
Fourth theme- have friends to support you during the hard times. For example, the ML mom had no friends (obsessed and crazy) but ML's dad had friends so he is way more adjusted than the wife/mother of ML. The friend group shows how having true friends help you get through the rough times. and can push your forward.
Biggest Theme- parental projection which is when a parent projects their own, often unfulfilled, needs, beliefs, or desires onto their child, essentially trying to live vicariously through them. Or A child raised with parental projection may feel pressured to conform to their parent's expectations, rather than forming their own opinions and beliefs. This movie is saying that this type of parenting is not good. We see that most of the friend groups family give them the choice to choose their own life but the ML family does not, instead it is what the ML mother wants.
Other reviews that it is toxic relationship- not really, somehow the FL feels it is her job to help all people who came from her hometown you are made to understand this very early and then in later episodes when the parents are talking. You learn about it in the stories, she is liked because she is the one always helping others. In the first or second episode when they are kids the ML grabs the FL arm and keeps her from falling and we later learn in later episodes helps her in math. I think this was to let the viewers know this is why ML and Fl were so connected. The ML helped her as well. During the show the families always talk about the FL and how she was always helping the other kids and bringing a smile to everyone. Uncle Wang who was always down because didn't have job or couldn't keep steady work. The lottery she one was not really a lot of money but it was enough to make a splurge. Once again the FL was spending it on everyone else and not her self. The ML also points this out, how she is always thinking of others. I understand the ML for "ghosting" her during his worse time and feel embarrassed. I have done the same thing, because is so hard to be vulnerable and raw in front of people who knew you when your were great but I know being vulnerable and real with your friends is the best way to heal. I think that is the last theme. Falling doesn't mean you have to stay at the bottom forever. You can get back up again especially if you have the right people in your corner.

Read More

It could've been better

I enjoyed this drama, but I did have many problems with it. The first 15 episodes are dedicated to their childhood/high school life. I enjoy high school dramas, although they've been getting repetitive for me. I think some of the messages about family were heartfelt and important. For example, when the FL was struggling to understand the toxic relationship between the ML and his mother. Yeyun's situation with her father and the sentimental words of the FL's mom helped her understand. Both of these set her up to not get swayed by the ML's mom's insolence. It's a common occurrence in dramas for ML or FL to be insecure and back off simply because of a malicious authority figure. Besides this, in those same 15 episodes, I enjoyed the FL's mindset, the way she carried herself, and her ability to stand on business (for lack of better words).

My problem comes in the second half of the show. The ML proceeds to ghost his friends again and does it to the FL in the worst way possible. The FL moves on to college and cannot get over him or even leave him alone. She searches for him, finds him, and is soon pushed away by him AGAIN. Throughout this, she persists. I applaud her for seeing his actions past face value and recognizing his trauma that fuels his behavior, but she should have let him go. He was willing to hurt her, leave her in the dark, all for the excuse that he thinks he's not enough. He could have been enough. He finally got his freedom from his mother and chose to be what she thought he would be without her path. I am not ignoring the hard times that he fell on with his cousin, never. Shit happens, but he became what he said he wouldn't without math. Then he proceeded to go back to what he hated and prove to his mother that he did need it. I'm saying all of this to show that his character didn't have much growth for me. He was self-deprecating, ran away from his problems, and still, when they finally got into a relationship, he had no confidence. When she said she was finally going to leave him, she should have done it.

On the topic of flat characters, the FL. I don't think she's actually a flat character. I, in fact, enjoyed her character in the beginning, but I was the usual trope where they make the FL seem like she has nothing going for her at all. She was bad at studying, didn't know what she wanted for the future, and was overall made to seem less than the ML. I HATE that trope, but at least she didn't lack in EQ.

My last, perhaps controversial words will be: The FL should have ended up with Yu Qiao, even though Que Yeyun liked him.

Read More

what do you look for in youth drama?

when i look for a youth drama i want to see a good mix of romance and the situations arise at that young age and the consequences of your actions. where most cdrama don't touch upon the latter this was different.
i was hooked from the first episode to the last. it's not draggy it doesn't feel cringe and there are no blinding plot holes.

1. story- as an avid watcher of Youth dramas this was very refreshing for me it actually deals with the problems of youth like arrogance, innocence, high school embarrassments and first love and heartbreak but what's different in this was it showed the not so fun parts with great deal od empathy for the characters like financial struggles , regret, failure especially in academic life and losing your dreams. I genuinely felt so refreshed seeing it.

2. Romance - I'm a sucker for aa childhood sweetheart romance. and i personally like characters like the main leads especially the girl. Someone who doesn't wait for the other to take the first step she can take the initiative on her own. someone said in a review it's a wrong message to send to girls but i love to see anyone chase after the other if they're worth it for them no matter the gender.

3. Uniqueness - one thing about cdrama you see is the characters all have good life ahead no matter what situation was previously. this drama is more realistic in that sense it shows that sometimes things just doesn't work out. the universe doesn't care if you're a gifted genius or genuinely a good person sometimes bad things happen just because and you have to do your best.

this drama in my opinion gives out very good messages likr not taking opportunities lightly and not letting your insecurity and perfectionism get in the way of happiness you deserve as a human and you're not a failure just cuz you didn't accomplish your dreams . I highly recommend it.

this is my first review and it's only my opinion. sometimes different things touch you in different ways and this did it for me.

there are some cons like: i wish the turn around of the ml was done in a different way but that would have taken a few more episodes and i didn't see any actual apology from either of his parents (but thats honestly very accurate for Asian parents lol)
Honestly I'm glad i didn't check out the reviews when i started this series. it's ironic that I'm writing one after reading the negative reviews... BYE

Read More

Lazy writing. Don't waste your time!

Had big expectations from this one, who wouldn't after the Princess Royal.
I believe even youku and others expected big from this.
I was sad that cctv dropped this show, but also read that they were confused that this didn't fit into what they wanted at all. Now I understand why.
This is neither a youth show nor a romance one.

Except building up of Yingtao' character, it's like if they didn't even care about the rest characters at all.

Qiaoxi is a tortured boy who likes Yingtao. Few minutes and viewers should be OK with it.

The squad: one like Yingtao, one is infatuated with the other, the rest two have no ambitions or real meaningful sentences if not related to Yingtao.

I got that this story revolves around Yingtao, but this isn't just revolving because all other characters are so uni-dimensional, zero character growth, zero character depth. Mere objects just fit in to support Yingtao.
In fact I would say that everyone are doing only guest appearances in this show because they don't have anything else to make them endearing to a viewer.
For me it's a failed adaptation completely.

If you want to really enjoy a good youth show, with all friends having an arc, meaningful arc, then this is the wrong show totally 😂.

Don't waste your time.

Only gave a rating of 6.5 because of actors and the kids in first episode.

Adding to my review above:

any so-called chemistry between Yingtao and Qiaoxi are only because viewers like both actors and they have a off-air natural chemistry, because storywise it makes zero sense how and why these two should even be in love?! infatuation maybe, purely physical attraction- but love? sorry you lost me here! They hardly have any worthwhile scene to prove this ardent so-called love.

Read More