I watched it, then rewatch it again then rewatching it again... That's how I loved Northward. Actually during promotion I have never thought of watching it because I thought it's no my cup of tea. I just watched it because of Bai lu because she's my Bias. I love this girl Soo much. But dang after watching the free episodes I'm already hooked. So I resubscribe my membership in iqiyi just to watched the vip's. That how I become so into this drama.
The actors are all good from seniors to new one. Everyone delivered their character well... I love Bai lu and watched almost her drama so pleas give me this moment to praise her, yes.😊😊 And this Ou Hao, never thought I will like him, but omg I did. His good and manly 😁. starting to watch his other dramas already.
This is drama is about slice of life because everyone can relate in one way or another. The actors acting is not really exaggerated but superb. Main point we can get from the drama are the lessons, learnings and stories of every character that something we can relate to. It's the reality of life and it's really happening. Oh and the chemistry of the 2 main character, really love it. Mature kind of love shown through their actions and interaction together...
I'm Soo lazy to write a long review.. sorry
But for me it's worth watching for...
Spoiler: this is not an idol drama but historical and a slice of life drama.
Ohh have a tissue near you because I guarantee you gonna need that😏
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Northward drama is masterpiece / Gem
Youth can watch and understand better type life and their Perspective..... And learn how their responsibility connective between family/ career ....... Balance both understand Parents and their Society ......
Best Drama for youth , this drama educative , warm , romance essense ..
Amazing Acting Actor : Main lead female and main lead Male acting Another level.....
All other casting work as well ...
Synopsis
In the early 2000s, in a small courtyard on Huajie Street by the canal in Honghuai City, six families lived closely together. Xia Fenghua, Xie Wanghe, Shao Xingchi, and Zhou Haikuo, along with newcomer Ma Siyi and their classmate Chen Rui, formed a deep friendship and grew up together.
At the same time, as the Beijing-Shanghai Expressway was about to be fully opened, the declining shipping industry brought various challenges to their families. Amid the changes and development of the canal, the youths spent their formative years together.
By 2014, the broad streets of Beijing were bustling with traffic, and the wave of internet entrepreneurship was surging. Xia Fenghua, Xie Wanghe, Shao Xingchi, and Zhou Haikuo embarked on their journey northward.
Years later, Xia Fenghua entered the logistics industry and became the head of a courier station. Wanghe invited Xingchi and Haikuo to join him in building a thriving food delivery business. However, after tasting the sweetness of success, they also faced workplace conflicts, arguments, and even crises. The once-young boys and girls of Huajie Street stood at a new crossroads in life, facing yet another choice.
In the end, with the successful inscription of the canal as a World Heritage site, the friends who had once left home reunited on Huajie Street. After their entrepreneurial journey, they found clarity amid their confusion and rediscovered the meaning of life. Like the newly revitalized canal, they embarked on a new chapter of their journey.
I suggest plz watch this drama , you definitely learn some lesson for this drama......
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Worth watching to know more about Grand Canal culture in the 2000-2010s !
It is a coming of age, period piece, around the Grand Canal of China, and Beijing in the period 2008-2016, about family matters, close community friendship and the choices faced with changing times, changing ways of transport, of work, of cities, of health, from the 2000s to the late 2010s, recovering and valuing humble proof of ancient roots to strengthen the ties together, and realism of the sentiments. There are sweet moments, but since it is between childhood sweethearts, there is also a lot of pulling back and forth, no misunderstandings but uncertainty since the ML, and the group of 3-4 boys and 2 girls that he leads informally, need to choose their path and the way to stay together and support each other. Work comes first, and there is stiff competition in studies and on the job market, so the ML, even if he has bright ideas, cannot hope to become an industry leader in his twenties without strong backing that he lacks. So he and his friends struggle, until they find what and who they are made for.Culturally, even if it is not at all "a musical", the specificity is the music which deploys an anthology of the Chinese pop songs that were known to all, in those 15-20 years of the 21st century (Pengyou, Ting Mama de Hua, Mama Hao, Beijing Huanying Ni, Beijing Beijing, Two Bufferflies aka "亲爱的你慢慢飞 Qīn'àide nǐ mànman fēi" ...), with 6 additional new OST songs by emerging composer Zhang Yilin (who has also been music director for c-drama Six Sisters). Zhang Yilin composed music for six songs in Go North, sung by others, including the nostalgic "Yuǎnfāng" sung by relative newcomer Li Wanda/Vanda Margraf (she has an unusual background, so I added a "Profile" for her in Discussions section. The FL Xia Fenghua is in love with the songs of Chris Lee, who is still very much favored as an idol singer of original Chinese pop music, so a few of her songs are used repeatedly.
The cast is outstanding, both the 6 of the "young generation" and the parents.
Bai Lu (as Xia Fenghua "Da Huazi") did a fantastic job to portray the character evolution from "ugly duckling" tomboy to woman of decisions.
Vanda Margraf (as Ma Siyi) is a relative newcomer and this is her first drama, but she certainly has potential
Ou Hao, the ML, showed with nuances the optimistic young leader who learns from disappointments
Zhai Zilu (as Shao Xingchi) stood out, playing a young man who chooses the most difficult path of struggle
Gao Zhiting (as Zhao Haikuo) was memorable for his playing the nerd who prefers hometown to anonymous position in IT business
Liu Hengfu (as Chen Rui) played a crucial role in staying true to his values
The supporting cast of the elders also had memorable characters and actors :
Hu Jun (as "Boss" Xie Tiancheng) played skillfully his role as defeated mariner, overcoming finally his difficulty to accept changing times and role in his small family
Qi Huan (as Liang Haihong) portrayed well the change in women's lives and the challenges faced with new risks and heartache
Wang Xueqi (as "grandpa" Zhou Yipu) was memorable for his position as anchor, slowly weakened by time
Sa Ri Na (as "grandma" Ma) was the link and spark to recover the hidden truths and ties that bound everyone together
Yue Yang (as Shao Bingyi) was the star-crossed writer with spiky character hiding a hidden benevolence
Li Naiwen (as Zhou Yanlin) was convincing as a chef loyal to his cooking art and his roots
Tong Lei (as Luo Zhimei) was true in her portrayal of a woman suffering from incompatible choice between family and vocation
Tu Ling (as Li Yan) was the woman who refused family feudalism, but whose moral commitment not to burden others could have wrecked her daughter Fenghua's happiness.
Sun Dachuan (as teacher Xu) emerged as an inspiring educator figure
There were villains and heroes, cowards and timid types, decisive and ruthless people, selfish and generous characters, a cross-section of ordinary people in realistic environments and changing patterns of life and society.
There is humor and sadness, hopes and disappointments, but a clear moral emerges from the sticky mud : go for it, North or to foreign land, to find your own path and still remain true to your roots and allegiances. An excellent story, beautifully filmed, and the drama is a good interpretation of the award winning serious novel.
For more information, links to songs and more, you can turn to my illustrated Companion Piece, housed in Discussions section : https://kisskh.at/discussions/740015-bei-shang/139272-companion-piece-for-northward-beishang
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This review may contain spoilers
Like many have said, it's a masterpiece
Incredible acting by the whole cast. The story was warm, heartfelt, beautifully written, and funny. I believe this is Bai Lu's best acting. Like another reviewer have said, characters in this show is multifaceted displaying the complexity of people and their thoughts and actions. I would say this one is probably the best written among the same genre. I think "The Story of Rose," is similar in feel as well as "Go ahead." Chemistry between Bai Lu and main lead is natural and magnetic; the way they look and talk to each other makes you want to swoon. Anyway, really enjoyed this piece of art.Was this review helpful to you?
Now I finished 38 episode Northward drama ...
And This drama totally talk Based of life Perspective of life... This drama tell about the young generation how survival that time when even Family conditions even Not Good....
Saw family condition then Rise yourself step by step , sometime Fail but again improve yourself then success
ACTING :-
Main lead Actress Fan hua and male lead Wanghe Does very Good job , their Acting Marvelous......
ROMANCE :-
This drama not have starting Romance scene but when Gave chance in last episodes ,,, Their Chemistry Give Very Strong CP Vibe , Finally you fall in love with this Couple ....
CONCLUSION:-
Drama deserves All Best Award , Because very few drama show Realistic kind Problem , and their solutions ,
it's drama motivate new generation to Improve them Self......
This drama deserve Above 9 + Rating According to Smart Users.....
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NORTHWARD(EDUCATED DRAMA TO WATCH)
This drama is highly recommended,watching this drama is very heartwarming.I really appreciate the cast of this drama, they did a very good work playing the role Especially my queen Lulu 💋💋💋💋 She suits with this role 💋 never disappointed with her drama and acting because I see why she will always be among the best actress in China. Omo I need more hype on her please she deserved more than this rating.💋💋💋💋💋🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️❣️❣️😍😍❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️Was this review helpful to you?
Wonderful characters, beautifully acted
I really enjoyed this drama. The acting is phenominal from the children to the senior and more experienced actors. I had not seen Ou Hao before. He has so much screen presence and energy, he stole the show for me, though as i said, the others are also incredibly good.The story line is interesting, a few parts are a bit dragging, but when it reverts to interpersonal relationship it always delivers and is heartbreaking and heartwarming.
I also loved the romance aspect. It did not distract from the slice of life part and the first romantic scene is so well written and acted. Very simple, yet so emotive. A very natural progression from friends to lovers.
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THE best coming of age drama ever, my favorite cdrama of 2025 so far! 1000000/10!!!
Starts with a group of kids living by a canal, follows their stories into adulthood, overcoming challenges, deal with love and life. This left a deep impression on my heart, something i can never forget.i dont like the slice of life or coming of age genre a whole lot, but this? changed my mind , surprised me and blew me AWAYY
What I Loved:
* Chemistry between leads
-bro?!? anyone saying wange and fenghua had no chemistry is either lying or blind. I used to think childhood friends to lovers was a boring trope, this? PERFECTIONNNN. the scene in episode 36 still makes me sob, oh how i wish that was me.
* Emotional moments
-this drama made me laugh and smile more then it made me cry, the emotional moments are so well done the cinematography just added to it and every moment was raw, realistic and so real.
* Character growth
-portrayed the change of youthful energy to adulthood so well, i felt like i was growing up and finding myself with them.
* Dialogue and writing
-extraordinaryyyy!, no awkward moment or dialogue everything felt natural and beautiful.
* Unique premise and worldbuilding
-i got attached to the leads so quick!!! cried with em, laughed with em, felt for them, amazing world building not ONE boring episode
.
Characters & Acting:
i loved how this story wasn't just surrounding one character, every. single. character, even their parents!, had a chance to shine and display their good and bad sides.
the acting from everyone was phenomenal,
i've only seen bailu here and chen ruis mom before, both blew me away again, i didnt know i could see bai lu like this she proved she is so deserving of her fame shes talented af.
and ohu hao? man ate and left zero crumbs, HIS EYES SPARKLEE, he speaks with them!! how is that possible?!?
and everyone else? again, jaw-dropping performance.
weak(?) points: (not really)
i have NOTHING bad to say about this drama in terms of anything but if i HAD to well,
-the episodes got very depressing at a certain point, but still with it they kept the warm atmosphere and feel in every episode like its insane to me.
Final Thoughts:
Best if you are in the mood to really invest your time into some GOOD QUALITY drama.
really made me rethink and ponder on a lot of things, i could relate to the MCS, too want to help my family when they are having a hard time, but im just a kid. It gave me some hope for my future but also taught me nothing in life is going to be easy but as long as i know my worth ill make it out.
i would recommend this to everyone, dont overthink anything WATCH THIS RIGHT TF NOWWWWW
i am so going to rewatch this a million times now, its just the best ever!
10000000000/10
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This review may contain spoilers
underrated masterpiece
i am amazed by the beauty of this show. the way it was filmed, the beauty of the places shown, the beautiful dishes made, the songs, the families, the cries, the laughs.... I LOVE ALL OF ITeverything about this show was so realistically done.
the characters were just perfect, i couldn't help but love and understand every single one of them, i cried with them, i laughed with them, i loved with them.
now that i'm done watching this show i can't help but feel sad because this show just did such an amazing job potraying these characters' entire lives, that i too have now become a lifetime resident of hua street.
one of the BEST modern cdramas.
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♥️
amazing drama , beautiful story , beautiful visuals , all actors delivered excellent acting bailu really acted amazing all her emotional scenes are very lively , Totally extraordinary drama , ost is really nice totally recommending to everyone to watch it , beautiful family storyWas this review helpful to you?
Love interest
As much as I've rooted for Fenghua's love story to be realized, now that I'm at episode 25 I'm feeling like no no she and Wanghe shouldn't be together. Honestly I don't know why. I just don't want them to pierce the paper window yet. Later in the episode, Wanghe back in his apartment is telling Xingchi that he wants to have enough money to be able to pamper Fenghua and raise her like a woman, through that I'm getting it that he likes and just want to have enough to do anything for her. But at the same time, I feel like if Siyi comes back the still and calm heart will raise storm. His guilt and subtle love for Siyi is still there.Was this review helpful to you?
Unmissable!!!
This drama is one of the most beautiful productions of the moment. I'm in ecstasy!Unfortunately, I’m not an iQIYI subscriber yet, so I have to wait for the episodes to be released for free on YouTube.
But the production is so brilliant that I’m really tempted to subscribe.
Bai Lu is simply exceptional. I love her historical performances, but I’m absolutely surprised by her acting in this contemporary drama. Stunning.
The fact that the story takes place in the early 2000s has been nostalgic and deeply rewarding—it’s fascinating to follow this generation at the dawn of a new era. The challenges are immense, but their hearts are full of nobility.
Everything is touching and perfect. Just as it’s a delight to watch the lives of the residents near the Canal unfold, it’s also a pleasure to witness the transformation and growth of these six inseparable friends.
I can say with absolute certainty—each character in *Northward* has their own unique charm.
If you're looking for a story that will stir your emotions from the very first episode, don’t miss this.
It’s unmissable!
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