Northward

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.

Read More

Simply a Masterpiece.

There is rarely a drama like Northward that comes out once in a while and totally steals your heart. Northward may or may not have been similar to its predecessors but it's a gem of a drama on its own. Never have I seen a drama so well-written, acted and executed so well that it sucks me in and makes me smile and cry as each moment passes by. The family of the drama is one whole consisting of so many unique people. There are moments they are good and moments where they behave terribly and yet, they remind us of how they are also human. These people define a family- being together through the good times and bad and cherishing each other no matter what. I happen to be a person glad to be living in the current generation but this drama made me wanna go back to the 90's. The romance may not be the main part in the previous two installments but this drama overall outdoes everything on every level for me (opinions may differ for all). I can only call this drama a masterpiece.

Read More

A wonderful journey

Northwards is not your typical drama. The main characters and their families have a close bond. The plot starts off with the main characters and their childhood and extends into their teen years & lastly into their adulthood. The bond between them is filled with warmth, support, and love. This drama teaches so many wonderful life lessons. The cinematography is beautiful. The story is poetically beautiful. All the actors do an outstanding job. It may seem a little slow at some point, but don't give up on this hidden gem. It is worth your time to finish this masterpiece.

Read More

Such an amazing story

The Chinese drama NorthWard Bai Lu is a gripping tale of love, revenge, and self-discovery that has captured the hearts of audiences everywhere. With its intricate plot, complex characters, and stunning visuals, this drama is a must-watch for fans of Chinese dramas.

At its core, Northward is a story about the journey of , played by Bai Lu, as she navigates the challenges of [briefly mention the plot]. With her determination and courage, she faces numerous obstacles and learns valuable lessons about love, loyalty, and the importance of standing up

Bai Lu shines as bringing depth and nuance to the character. Her portrayal of [Protagonist's Name]'s strength, vulnerability, and determination is particularly noteworthy.
The drama's plot is engaging and complex, with unexpected twists and turns that keep the viewer on the edge of their seat. The storytelling is well-paced, and the characters' motivations are expertly woven throughout the narrative.
The chemistry between Bai Lu and her co-star(s) is undeniable, making their romance(s) all the more compelling. The supporting cast is equally impressive, with memorable performances that add depth and complexity to the narrative.
- *Stunning Visuals*: The cinematography and costumes are visually pleasing, capturing the tone of the story and immersing the viewer in the world of the drama.


Northward is a gripping drama that will resonate with viewers who enjoy stories of love, revenge, and self-discovery. With its strong female lead, intricate plot, and stunning visuals, it's a must-watch for fans of Chinese dramas. Bai Lu shines as [Protagonist's Name], bringing depth and nuance to the character. If you're looking for a drama that will leave a lasting impact, Northward is an excellent choice.

Read More

Great show with some flaws

Northward tells the story of a group of neighbors who live by the canal. Previously productive due to shipping, the canal workers face the harsh reality of changing times and their way of life as the country grows and modernizes.
The main characters are a group of friends (3 boys and 2 girls) and their parents or grandparents.
The series follows the maturation and changes of all these characters, including the place where they live. I particularly like this type of series, realistic and mature slice of life. But that doesn't mean there aren't any problems that caused its rating to be reduced.
First, there is a noticeable problem with the narrative pace at several points in the series, from the excessive length of the phase when they are in high school to the endless scenes of them as adults in the workplace. It's like, okay, I get that life is hard and you have to work a lot, but I don't need to watch several episodes about billing, Excel tables and graphs about delivery apps.
The program's strong point is the effect that this type of environment has on the characters' relationships and personalities, and not watching countless discussions about something that we don't care about witnessing.
Just show us how Wang He became even more obsessed with money and everything will be fine (for us, not for him).
There comes a point in the series when the most interesting people are the supporting characters, like Xing Chi who tries to get his life together after a bad decision in the past, and Hai Kuo, who in contrast to Wang He, wants to live a quieter life and less tied to the corporate world and its endless workload. I won't even get into the "terminal illness" phase, because it's so overused that it only made me shake my head when that part started.
Another strong point is the maintenance of the core of the parents and grandfather with Alzheimer's (done with unparalleled delicacy). I wish there had been even more of them, instead of evil schemes by jealous directors in delivery companies.

Great show, great soundtrack and great representation of leaving home with the ambition to conquer the world and the consequent maturity that this brings.

Read More

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!

Read More

Slice-of-life and growing-up of a group of young people along a canal

PLOT: Community life of neighbors (several families with their children) living around (and with) the canal.
Episodes 1-2: Childhood, Si-Yi's arrival and new boat
Episodes 2-20 : 2007, difficulties at the end of high school for everyone and their final year. Sale of the boat. Fenghua's modeling experience. Arrival of Si-Yi's brother, then the death of their grandmother.
Episodes 20-31: 2014 and beyond, work for everyone in Beijing in different sectors.
Episodes 31-38: Return to hometown

+++ Bai Lu (who even sports a boyish haircut and braces :) and Ou Hao, both fantastic.
+++ Superb cast (♡‿♡) that brings complex, endearing, and moving characters to life. Kudos!
+++ Realistic storyline, with excellent recreation of different eras (atmosphere, sets, props, etc.). Furthermore, the depiction of the life of working-class/poor families in Beijing is eye-opening!
+++ Flawless direction.

??? Some recurring elements in dramas never cease to amaze me:
1/ Mothers who abandon their children (Si Yi and her brother) without providing for them. And nobody seems to care??? How is the grandmother, poor, elderly, and ill, supposed to take care of the children? Aside from orphanages, there are no child welfare services?
2/ The "American-style" Chinese justice system (starting at the police station) where everything is negotiated between the parties, even the most serious offenses.

### Confucian culture where someone is sought to blame even in cases of accidents or unavoidable illness (‡▼益▼)
### I liked all the characters, except for two: Si Yi (sorry, I think her character lacks depth) and Xiao Hui (played by Chen Xin Xuan, who needs to improve her acting skills).

=> Nostalgic, moving, and realistic series. Well done !
*******************************************************
Slice-of-life et growing-up d'une bande de jeunes le long d'un canal

PLOT: Vie communautaire des voisins (plusieurs familles avec leurs enfants) vivant autour (et du) canal.
Ep 1-2 : enfance, arrivée de Si-Yi et nouveau bateau
Ep 2 - 20 : année 2007, difficultés fin. pr tt le monde et dernière année de lycée. Vente de la péniche. Expérience de modeling de Fenghua. Arrivée du frère de SiYi puis mort de la gd-mère.
Ep 20 - 31 : année 2014 et suivantes, travail pr tous à Beijing ds différents secteurs.
Ep 31 - 38 : retour hometown

+++ Bai Lu (qui va jusqu'à la coupe garçonne et l'appareil dentaire :) et Ou Hao, fantastiques tous les deux.
+++ Superbe cast (´♡‿♡`) qui donne vie à des personnages complexes, attachants, émouvants. Kudos !
+++ Storyline réaliste, avec une bonne reconstitution des différentes époques (ambiance, décors, accessoires, etc.). De plus, la description de la vie des salariés/familles pauvres à Beijing est édifiante !!
+++ Réalis° sans défaut.

??? Certains faits récurrents ne cessent de m'étonner dans les dramas :
1/ Les mères qui abandonnent leur enfant (Si Yi et son frère) sans subvenir à leurs besoins. Et cela ne scandalise personne ??? Comment la gd-mère, pauvre, âgée, malade, est-elle censée prendre les enfants en charge ? A part les orphelinats, il n'y a aucun service d'aide aux enfants ?
2/ La justice chinoise "à l'américaine" (dès le commissariat de police) où tout se négocie entre les parties, même les faits les plus graves.
### Culture confucianiste où on cherche des responsables même en cas d'accident ou de maladie inévitable (‡▼益▼)

### J'ai aimé tous les personnages, sauf 2 : Si Yi (désolée, je pense que son personnage manque de profondeur) et Xiao Hui (joué par Chen Xin Xuan qui doit améliorer ses acting skills).

=> Série nostalgique, émouvante, réaliste. Bravo !

Read More

moving northward ... (on hold ... at the moment)

I went from Moonlight Mystique to Northward because of the female lead, Bai Lu. She's a great actress and having seen the positive rating and reviews, I decided to give this drama a go.

I am putting this on hold at the moment because:
I think the plot is good and I think the acting is good... but, there are too many hardships and struggles in the drama and in real life, I am also #thestruggleisreal so I don't need #thestruggleisreel too. I am at episode 8 and I am curious to find out what happens to the different characters but I cannot suffer through the heaviness of the drama anymore at this juncture. I have nothing against the acting and plot. In fact, I like the "kampong spirit" shown by the women and the other characters living at the canal. Nonetheless, for my happiness at this juncture, let me put this on hold while I move on to another "lighter" and "happier" drama with fewer tough and heavy struggles.

Read More

Drama Terbaik BaiLu

Setelah menyelesaikan Northward, sulit untuk tidak menjadi penggemar Bai Lu karena aktingnya yang luar biasa. Cara dia menyelami peran dengan empati mendalam bukan hanya merupakan terobosan besar bagi dirinya sendiri, tetapi juga mengubah persepsi penonton tentangnya. Aku yakin, perjalanan transformasi Bai Lu bersama Xia Fenghua akan menjadi tonggak penting dalam karier aktingnya. Musim penghargaan 2025 pasti akan ada namanya! #BaiLuActing #NorthwardFinale #SpringFilmRecommendations

Dalam sebuah drama ansambel, menjadi protagonis yang tak tergantikan bukan hanya soal memiliki aura bintang atau mendapatkan lebih banyak porsi layar. Kamu harus benar-benar menonjol di tengah para karakter lain dengan kekuatan akting yang mumpuni. Yang mengejutkanku adalah, Bai Lu tidak hanya berhasil, tetapi juga mengukuhkan posisinya dengan kokoh.

Drama ansambel berbeda dengan drama yang menampilkan tokoh utama sebagai pusat perhatian. Dalam drama semacam ini, protagonis bukan hanya individu tertentu, melainkan representasi dari waktu atau semangat yang berkelanjutan. Xia Fenghua menjadi wadah bagi “semangat Huajie” (semangat Kanal Besar), dan perjalanan hidupnya sendiri terukir dalam alur waktu. Secara alami, dia menjadi perwakilan dari Northward sebagai “tokoh utama”. Karena itu, Xia Fenghua harus memikul dua tanggung jawab naratif:
1. Menjaga agar “semangat Huajie” tetap bersinar di era baru dan terus berlanjut.
2. Melalui pasang surut hidupnya, menunjukkan ketahanan manusia dan membebaskan diri dari batasan waktu.

Bagi seorang aktris muda, kedua tugas ini jelas tidak mudah. Ini membutuhkan empati mendalam terhadap karakter, pemahaman tinggi terhadap cerita, serta kemampuan akting yang mampu menghidupkan semuanya secara sempurna.

Pada titik inilah kualitas pertumbuhan Bai Lu sebagai aktris mulai terlihat. Kemampuannya untuk berkembang seiring dengan karakternya, ekspresi emosionalnya yang mendalam, serta kontrol detail yang presisi dalam aktingnya menjadikannya tak tergantikan.

Penampilan yang halus dengan empati mendalam
Dari masa remajanya yang lincah, kedewasaan yang penuh kesabaran, hingga kebangkitannya setelah melewati berbagai cobaan, Bai Lu melangkah bersama Xia Fenghua dengan mantap. Dalam setiap tatapan, setiap ekspresi, tidak ada akting berlebihan atau efek dramatis berlebihan. Melalui detail-detail kecil, Bai Lu menunjukkan perjalanan pertumbuhan Xia Fenghua. Bukankah ini juga merupakan perjalanan pertumbuhan seorang Bai Lu sebagai aktris? Sinergi antara aktris dan karakter seperti ini sangat langka dan berharga. Jadi, ketika Xia Fenghua berteriak kepada dirinya yang lebih muda, “Huazi, pelan-pelan!”, kita bisa dengan jelas merasakan aliran kehidupannya. Dia adalah Xia Fenghua, anak dari Kanal Besar, dan pada saat yang sama, dia juga mewakili kita semua.

Akting mendalam dengan kontrol detail yang presisi
Bai Lu menghadirkan begitu banyak momen ikonik dalam Northward, tetapi semuanya bermuara pada detail.
Ketika sudut bibirnya sedikit terangkat, seakan Xia Fenghua menyimpan cahaya matahari di mulutnya.
Ketika matanya berkedip ragu, kita bisa merasakan penderitaan yang dia alami.
Ketika air matanya hampir jatuh, rasanya kita ingin masuk ke dalam layar untuk menghapusnya.
Kemampuan untuk menarik penonton ke dalam emosi karakter hanya bisa dicapai dengan detail yang tepat dan akting yang imersif. Dalam Northward, Bai Lu melakukan ini sepanjang waktu. Maka, keberhasilan Xia Fenghua sebagai karakter yang menyentuh hati adalah sesuatu yang sangat masuk akal.

Xia Fenghua telah “bermekaran”, dan Bai Lu juga tidak akan lama lagi! Sampai jumpa di musim penghargaan, Bai Lu dan Xia Fenghua!

Read More

At the heart of Flower Street: People

Growing up alongside the Flower Street kids and witnessing life’s hardships through their parents’ eyes, while the children remained so unaware of how difficult life could be, was such a beautiful and moving journey.

Every single character is so vivid; they act and feel so real it’s almost unsettling. The entire cast did a wonderful job.

Northward brings to the screen the happiness, sorrow, struggles, and love of ordinary people. We are not perfect, and neither are any of the characters here.

The canal is an essential part of their childhood and teenage years, while Beijing’s chaos and skyscrapers become the backdrop of their adult days.

Northward isn’t always pleasant to watch, especially when it comes to our main lead, Xie Wanghe. Seeing him pursue his dreams while slowly losing his humanity is infuriating at times, but still painfully real.

Amid our desire to succeed at all costs, we inevitably lose a part of ourselves along the way.

An excellent drama, worthy of so many more words — and still, none would ever be enough.

Read More