Super Slow Pace, but a nice Vintage look and feel.
There really isn't anything that is going to take hold of your attention. You kind of go into the drama with just watching characters play out stories with a super slow pace.I thought Xiao Zhan really shined through in this drama. The story was truly about him. It portrays his life from his twenties up into his mid-forties. The first half of the drama circles around the struggles of twenty-something youths in China. It's tough and cold, but there's a community.
I am not a huge fan of Li Qin, only because I find her acting style a bit lacking. Like true to form, she under acts and her meek and good-girl vibe is hard to get into. However, you do like her character and you want to root for her.
This is not a romance or love story (it's there, just simmering in the back), but a story about a bunch of kids in their twenties doing their best to survive. It's a very slow and easy going drama. I think if the drama was edited down to 20 episodes instead of 38, then this could have been a hit for me.
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highly recommended
I was initially sceptical about the drama as it was set in the 70s which an era which is not my cup of tea. But after watching its first episode, I was hooked to the storyline and the cast. Xiao Zhan was brilliant in the drama with his acting. bravo to the other casts too. You can feel the connection among the casts. with the fast paced of the drama, it added excellence to the plot. OMG.. I love the ending song by Xiao Zhan. his voice is so soothing and the lyrics is fantastic and nostalgic. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this drama.Was this review helpful to you?
Decent drama about life, brotherhood, love, family, and principles
First half is my first impression of the drama.8 episodes in and this is my first impression. The Youth Memories is about a group of friends in 1970s Beijing navigating life. The main themes are: family. love, friendship, brotherhood, duty, familial obligation, and pursing one's dreams.
The good:
1. It feels like an ensemble cast, and not just the two main leads and a bunch of supporting throwaway characters
2. The main supporting casts have interesting storylines of their own
3. XZ's really suited for optimistic, cheerful, sometimes cocky role who puts other people's happiness over his own
The bad:
1. The music seems out of place sometimes. The character would be saying something sad, and there's cheery background music
2. Some overacting from supporting cast members even with XZ. I don't know if it's cultural or a sign of the times (setting is in 1970s)
3. Bad styling for Li Qin. The pigtail braids make her look older and less attractive
4. Few meaningful scenes between XZ and LQ. There's more interactions between the ML and FL2. I'm assuming that their relationship will develop later on
Neutral:
1. So many men want to be with He Hongling. And so many women are jealous of her.
I'm assuming that the slow burn relationship between ML and FL will develop later on so I may keep watching to see how that love story unfolds.
Edit: final review
Just finished The Youth Memories. Things that stood out to me.
1. The character of He Honglin, the writers managed to portray her as sympathetic despite her inherent selfishness. From time to time, she has moments of self awareness and humility.
2. The character of Xiao Chunsheng. He's too perfect, too idealistic, and too forgiving in this drama. His childhood friends betray him multiple times, but he continues to turn the other cheek. It became frustrating to watch him get used over and over again.
3. There's no satisfactory conclusion for the bad guys in this drama. Their final scenes consisted of them being taken in by investigators, but there's nothing about their punishment or outcome.
4. This is one of XZ's best character to date, only second to Wei Wuxian. And like Wei Wuxian, Xiao Chun Sheng stayed true to his values, his ideals, but grew as a person.
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This review may contain spoilers
Tbh, I struggled the first 20 episodes, which is a lot. Comments say "this is not a romance" but ChuSheng spends 20 episodes in love with the 2FML and even when he is facing death, he is still thinking about her. HHL was, however, a good written character. In spite of being the most selfish person ever, she was human and her hopes and fears were totally understandable, at least for me. But I started this drama expecting the CP of XZ and LQ, which is nowhere to be seen in the 1st TWENTY episodes.Which leads me to the 2nd problem this drama has... the characterization of the 2 leads: ChuSheng, a.k.a, Gary Stu and Xiaomei, a.k.a, Mary Sue. Both are attractive, kind, the most unselfish persons you will ever see; altruistics and never get angry nor resentful. Heck, there are a couple of nasty characters, either jealous of CS or just plain thugs (Heizi) and CS not only forgives them over and over again... he never gets angry . XM is understanding, supportive and mature, never ever thinking of herself. The total opposite of selfish HHL XD
Add to that that both are willing to die for their country and people, and voilá! You have 2 Chinese role models. As a whole, I see this drama as a idealistic cdrama. Even the unlikeable characters that commit crimes and perjury get their redemption arc (except for 2). TBH I don't even see HOW Heizi redeems himself... he stabs, smuggles, lies, betrays and even hires someone to ruin his wife's life (and face) and he still manages to be forgiven **side-eye**.
On the other hand, there are a couple of characters that I really liked, like Ye Fang, QiTian, Yan Qiu and Duan Lei. And the setting was very well done. While the negative points are stronger, it still has its good points.
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So impressed from drama
dramaAt first I though this is usual ubarn drama with heavy plot,but after star watching I understand it is not,this story is so so beautiful ,My mind goes very relax when I watching this,friendship,love all are very geart warming,and all actors are very good ,they change there are looks perfectly for characters,sometime I annoying waching c dramas because actors and acresses act this kind of characters with heavy idol makup but this cast is not there are features perfectly matching for character ,I higly recommend this drama specially you are a one who want courage for chasing your dream you should watch this drama ,this drama give lot of courage to me chasing my dreams,and I also learn lot of valuble things about culture and history there are very interestingWas this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
An inspiring story about friendship and family struggles
The story line is good , The acting skill of the male lead actor Xiao Zhan is so real , a very handsome young man who is ambitious and responsible of his words and deed , the rest of the cast are also good , the story line is realistic and every episode is not boring . I love this drama.Just a passersby , I am not used to watch a Chinese period drama , i tried some but after 2-3 episodes i always drop them , maybe because i'm not a chinese , i'm picky with regards to artist appearance , chinese actors and actresses are not as good looking , bad teeth and crooked legs , but xiao zhan is an exemption , he is very handsome and charming , perfect in face and body and very charming .
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It’s a good show
The characters are well portrayed. I’m especially captivated by the male lead Xiao Chunsheng played by actor Xiao Zhan and female lead Tong Xiaomei played by actor Li Qin.XiaoZhan does a great job emoting Chunsheng in different scenes. He’s especially talented with expressing emotions through his eyes and body language.
Xiao Chunsheng is a very loyal friend. He’s a fun loving kid but he has serious side to him. I especially love his serious side 🤭
Xiaomei is loveable. She’s also a straight forward person and isn’t afraid of confronting sensitive situations head on.
I’m excited to see the growth of their relationship. They two characters are good for each other.
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Amazing actors, amazing story
It is a very nice story that can atract all generations, actors are amazing , xiao zhan is such an expressive actor , talented and devoted to his work and li qin is so delicate and sensible , managing to transmit her feelings to the audience but all actors are very good, they have their story and you can feel their struggle , even the bad guys have their reasons in the surrounding climateThey are so young and yet have to face so many problems
I have seen only 6 episodes until now but the story is so promising that i am looking forward every day for a new episode
I liked it very much
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This review may contain spoilers
Good. Almost great.
Nice watch. The drama started really well but after a while it became a little to preachy. Most characters didn't grow and were one dimensional. This skewed the show to become a little unrealistic and the I could no longer suspend reality and fall into the story. Main error being the classic black and white characters trope. The good people were too good, the bad people to bad and the dumb people too dumb.This could have been better as 24 episodes a it would have condensed the points the writers were trying to make without the drama becoming annoying as variation of the same issues repeat over and over again. A lot of Cdramas still struggle a lot with this. After lead gets used and backstabbed 2/3 times we get the point you are trying to make. No need to repeat it 10 times. This repetition slows down the pace of the story. Some storyline seemed forced and didn't add to the narrative like the virus thing.
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...
It's a thrilling drama. In the beginning, the protagonist made a mistake with his friend, he knew about his friend's feelings and still approached the young woman. The drama shows the mistakes of several characters, and it is sad to see some become bad people over time and others suffer from the consequences of their choices and mistakes and have an unhappy marriage. I wish they had focused a little more on the protagonist's romance with the doctor, there were many episodes of him liking the other character. It would be interesting to watch them in another drama. It's an incredible drama.Was this review helpful to you?
A captivating emotional masterpiece
The youth memories is a subtle yet powerful, educative drama that takes us back to our memories in youth.The story starts off quite slow and also proceeds at a slow pace in the first episodes, but takes a turn after many unprecedented incidents take place in the lives of the group of young people, who grew up in the same compound.
The drama teaches us never to lose hope, rise again with a new confidence,even if one falls to the lowest point and through the character of Xiao Chunsheng, the protagonist.
Also, the drama is laced purely around emotions, which maybe betrayal, love, brotherhood, siblings bond, friendship, marriage and most importantly, trust, the base of all.
It portrays how younger generation in their youth, chalk out many plans for their future, and move forward with many aspirations, but life may not be the same as we plan, rather we need to plan and prepare ourselves according to the situations we encounter.
And there are many such great inspiring points in this drama which make it worth watching, like, life offers us many options, and everything is purely based on the choices we make.
I liked how all the above points and lessons of life are told through each and every character in this drama.
All the actors are outstanding n their performances. They have really brought the characters to life.
My favourite character is Tong Xiaomei and I am glad Xiao Chunsheng met her in his life. She is a very matured, reserved, supportive and encouraging wife and Li Qin was very good in her role.
Xiao Zhan, as I always say, is an outstanding actor. From being herioc as the young Chunsheng to a phase filled with only despair and depression to a successful businessman with facing many betrayals and hurdles and being a loving husband and father, he balances every expression and acting is 💯 Ithink this is the best work of him till date.
All the other actors are fabulous in their acting.
The dialogues are very good and sometimes touching too.
Though I dont like to watch republican period dramas, somehow this drama doesnt give you a feel as such but instead you find yourself drawn 7 engaged in the story.
The costumes and sets were good. I also would like to thank the director for this beautiful and hearttouching drama.
A worth watching drama with a realistic approach and an inspiring theme!!! 💯
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