Back to Seventeen (2023)

The Best Time Travel Mini Mini Drama Love Story You Will Ever Watch

This is my first and possibly last review. The only reason I am writing this is to persuade more people to watch this, in spite of it's low rating of 8, it really deserves 9.5 as a minimum!

I caveat it as a mini mini drama because each episode is on average 3-6 minutes long. There's not even an opening or ending song just a couple of repeated tracks. So you are totally focussed on the drama.

I really like this premise - Zhong Xiao Xiao goes back in time and actually gets to know the guy she has a crush on. She had a longstanding crush on Xu Yang who never knew anything, and I don't think she really knew him either just thought he was cute. Left school, that was it, all left behind.

Won't spoil it except to say she gets to know him and she gets to know other people along the way.

What stands out for this series is they manage to fit in a cohesive time travel story, relationship developments, comedy golden moments and even angst all in a matter of minutes in an episode. No fillers involved, and you truthfully just want more of their story.

Fine nuanced acting is in every second (we only have minutes to play with) here for all the key actors in their stories - you will feel the sadness/elation with the characters for the 4 minutes that the drama is on. I highlight episodes 9, 20 and 24 as great examples of these.

Many seem to think this would make great movie but I beg to differ - the way this was edited and shot was just excellent, drama series style - designed to give you that lingering cliffhanger feeling and wanting more with each episode closure. IN 4 MINUTES! And they achieved it with every episode.

Please, please watch this and give these 2 lead actors and the production crew the credit they deserve. And watch it without spoilers - I mean the drama is pretty short, no need to make it shorter by spoiling it 😆 The surprises/plot twists uncovered were all pretty good/unexpected, rest assured.

GO WATCH IT!

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Masterpiece ^^ Epic

Im so satisfied with the drama im so happy 😍🥰😘☺️🤣🥹💕💓🩷💞💓💗💖💘💝
If i write a review is because the drama is worth it.

* Story
The drama is super fun, cute, entertaining, cool & awesome

* Acting
The acting was perfect
She’s perfect i love her my favorite actress Zhang Miao Yi along with Zhao Lusi sitting in n°1 posición is definitely for them two.💕
The ML was amazing actor too. The whole cast was great.

* Music
The ost was so good I added it to my playlist

* Rewatch Value
Definitely im rewatching this masterpiece from time to time is just art.

* Overall
I loved it so much 10/10 💎

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Anticipation grows more and more every episode

For starters, I’m an avid c-drama/k-drama fan for who knows how long. I’ve seen a lot may it be long running episodes up to really short ones. Short dramas could either be a miss or hit and “back to seventeen” definitely belongs to the latter.

Despite the episodes being only 4-5 mins max, it still piqued my whole interest from the synopsis to the main cast and director. I have watched Let’s meet now and WIFTY by the same director, his storyline, phasing , music choice and casting were always top notch which I’ve also enjoyed and loved here that’s why never have I thought to drop this because as what my headline says, I can’t help but wait for the 24 hours to pass, with subs or not I still watch it because to me that’s how good it is even though sometimes it’s annoyingly short and I wanted more of xx and xy’s moments.

This drama really depicted how “youth” really is. In life there would always be lingering regrets about the past, and on this short drama xiao xiao was given a chance to face her regrets/ what ifs head on back in her teenage (17) years. Doing the things xiao xiao did for xu yang, I admire her for being brave and do the things she wasn’t able to do before. Short but every episode gave me lessons, obvious ones and not.

I love the ost too (逃 by 两次元睡不醒) wish it would be released on spotify or apple music.

I’m really hoping this would get both the main leads another drama. Would definitely rewatch this because I already miss them together.

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Not an ordinary story of time travel. Short but the best

Short, but it's a fantastic story. It's one of the best short stories now.

I love the chemistry of the two. Reunited after Meet Me Now. I love their bond and love their height difference. The FL, as always, is cute and acts perfectly. She is made for performing. The ML, on the other hand, is also suitable. I love his voice. He is the type who can work perfectly as a cold-ma with a heart... I love seeing him in the future in the character of a sweet, cold CEO type.

As always, I love seeing the series of the FL; she is as natural as possible. She portrays a jolly girl professionally and best. Not a dull actress to see.

Short but worth it. I hope they both have a series that is longer in minutes... I love to watch them.

Most of all, I love the story. It's not the typical time travel story. It is exciting and unique.

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An Interesting Mini-Drama.

SYNOPSIS: Back to Seventeen is a chinese mini-drama released in 2023 that explores themes of youth, love, and fantasy. The story follows Zhong Xiaoxiao, a 27-year-old woman living a normal life until she attends a reunion with her former school classmates. There, she tries to give a video recorded on her camcorder to her old crush, Xu Yang. However, upon discovering that Xu Yang is dating Meng Ran, she decides to leave. Still, when she realizes her camcorder was mistakenly placed on the gift table for the former class president’s birthday, she discreetly tries to retrieve it. While attempting to do so, she finds herself in an unexpected situation with her old classmates. In that moment, she mysteriously travels back to when she was 17 years old. From there, she begins to relive her teenage years, but in an intriguing twist, time only seems to stabilize when she’s near Xu Yang. In this new scenario, she ends up helping Xu Yang, and the two gradually grow closer.

POSITIVE POINTS:

1. Time Travel Theme: I must admit, I love dramas with time-related themes. I’m completely fascinated by stories involving time travel or time loops. After all, who hasn’t wished to go back in time, even just for a moment, to make different choices or relive those moments that touched our soul? This drama touched me for exactly that reason: it doesn’t portray time travel as a grand or scientific phenomenon, but rather as something personal, sensitive, and emotionally deep. Xiao Xiao doesn’t go back in time with the goal of winning over her high school crush, in fact, she never expected or asked for it. Her time travel happens unexpectedly, and what’s most beautiful is that by returning to her teenage years, she ends up helping Xu Yang with his family issues. From that connection, they build a real friendship, which gradually blossoms into love, making the premise engaging and heartfelt.

2. Character Interaction: The development of the interaction between the main characters was well-executed and convincing. From the beginning, the relationship between Xiao Xiao and Xu Yang was marked by subtle nuances due to their personality differences. However, both the acting and the script played a fundamental role in creating a natural chemistry between the two, allowing their bond to evolve from classmates to genuine friends, and eventually to love. Moreover, the interactions with the supporting characters were also satisfying, especially considering the short runtime and limited number of episodes.

3. Episode Dynamics: Many people assume that because it’s a minidrama, it’s easy to binge simply due to the low number of episodes and their short duration. But in my opinion, what truly allows a drama to flow well is not just the format, but the dynamic pacing and the storyline itself. In the case of Back to Seventeen, the drama stands out by maintaining an engaging rhythm between episodes, paired with a captivating theme, which, in my view, makes it easy and enjoyable to follow.

THINGS I WOULD ADJUST:

1. Romance Development: Although this isn’t a negative point, I believe the romance between the main characters could have been explored further after Xiao Xiao returned to her original timeline. The final reunion between her and Xu Yang is sweet, but I felt there was a lack of deeper development in that phase of their relationship. The romantic bond was built gradually and beautifully during the time travel arc, and it would have been nice to see how that connection evolved in the present day.

2. Format Structure: If I were part of the production team, I would’ve definitely turned this minidrama into a full-length drama with about 15 to 20 episodes. And I don’t say this because I disliked the minidrama format — quite the opposite! I actually loved how well-organized everything was, especially considering each episode is about 3 minutes long. But it was precisely because I enjoyed it so much that I found myself wishing there were more episodes, haha. With more time, the story could’ve further explored certain events, deepened both the internal and external conflicts of the characters, and better developed the impact of the time travel and the return to the present. All without losing the engaging rhythm the series already delivered so well.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

Back to Seventeen positively surprised me. For a drama with such short episodes, I feel it did a great job developing its premise. The storyline is captivating, and even though it doesn’t offer any scientific explanation for the time travel (how or why it happens), it’s clear that the story aims for a more nostalgic, emotional, and sensitive approach. It’s a sweet and light minidrama, with charming performances and convincing development. My rating is 8.5/10.

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5 minutes taken from each day was lovingly worth it!

Despite it only being 5 minutes per episode. The storyline and concept really won it. I do wish they had elaborated more on the the main cincept of the storyline "her 26 self going back to her to 17 self" as it was quite confusing yet so simple and straightforward for me. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it. The way they went to the direct points of the story just intrigues you and it makes me eager to watch the next episode.

I wish the episodes were a little longer since the acting of the ml and fl were so enjoyable, their chemistry and how they get into their characters are just spectacular. It makes me want to discover more of their acting projects.

Whenever I look at pictures from this drama, I don't remember when that scene happened as everything was quite quick and vague for me to remember. Also the english subtitles in the platform I watched it in were quite confusing as well, which is why i will rewatch this once more once I find a more stable platform to view it in. I just finished it and I can confirm it's rewatch valauble is quite high for me. I can definitely watch this again.

Music and OSTs were great, nothing too outstanding but it suited the drama's vibe really well.

Overall, I highly recommend this one. Good starter or just a good lighthearted watch for you. Don't think much about it but just enjoy it. Has funny elements too that the actors delivered really well so I hope these 5 minutes in 25 episodes each will make you smile all throughout.

: )

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I love this mini drama. I can tell this drama is really really short. a very mini one because one episode runs only for 6 mins maximum. I wish it was a bit longer but still I love it. I already have watched it for 3 times despite my busy university schedule. and I'm planning to watch it again just because I can't get over it. The chemistry was everything between the Female Lead and the Male Lead. The plot was so good. Just for a moment, at the beginning of the last episode, I thought everything was a dream and that's going to be a sad ending but.... it's not a sad ending drama. That drama worth watching it and deserves more love. So go watch it and you will never regret it!!!

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Zhong miaoyi has my heart ???

I am the biggest fan of anything to do with travelling back in time to high school and noticing and realising things you would have never known from the past.

The main girl is adorable and she is so funny and cute. One thing I love about her character is that she can be a total cutie and smart at the same time (something writers have a hard time putting together). She was such a breath of fresh air and I found her so comical and funny! It's so fun seeing a female lead with logic!!!!

The main guy is like any stereotypical guy in chinese high school dramas, cold and smart. However, he really isn't THAT mean and holds actual decent human manners 😱😱😱. Nah but like fr his little actions that seems really cold painted this whole plot of him being a victim of abuse and trapped in these circumstances and wanting to escape. This explains his flinching and lack of wanting to stay close + his will to study. And I was really afraid that his abuse trauma was going to be treated as something that just appears when needed to. And in the beginning it was nice seeing the build up and little details to his character. HOWEVER this was all forgotten about after he moved in with the female lead. His trauma was basically never bought up for the rest of the drama.

The second male lead ( WHyyyyyyy ThERe WaS NO NeEd) was used just to lengthen the plot, he liked her then got rejected (basic cannon plot). He really didn't add anything to the plot apart from pressure the male lead to act on his feelings quicker.

But the last couple of episodes was so beautiful to watch! When she discovered how to go back to the future and wanted to never leave the past + the side effects was so interesting to watch! That's when the drama began to pick up again!!!

Overall I did enjoy watching this drama, the cute interactions between the female lead and male lead was so fun to watch ( I was curious though if she had any proper close friends). The romance was so fluffy and refreshing I genially did enjoy it.
However I found myself skipping a lot around the end... BUT the last couple of episodes were so fun to watch.

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