The urban coming-of-age drama Farewell Letter, directed by and starring Zhao Lusi, officially announced the start of filming in Chengdu on November 12. Zhang Jun Bo and Zhou Zhao Zhong serve as executive producers, while Zhao Tian You and Zhang Ya Min are the chief screenwriters. Adapted from the bestselling novel "Für jede Lösung ein Problem" by German author Kerstin Gier, the drama will be exclusively released on Youku.
Farewell Letter tells the story of Ge Li (Zhao Lusi), a female writer who has turned 30. After facing setbacks in matchmaking and suddenly losing her job, she must also deal with repeated advice from family members that appears well-intentioned but actually puts pressure on her. With her emotions building to a breaking point, she acts on impulse and writes farewell letters to her friends and family, openly expressing the feelings she has long kept suppressed. However, the letters stir up a tremendous commotion in her otherwise peaceful life.
A series of upheavals brings Ge Li to a sudden realization: simply venting her negative emotions and giving in to the urge to speak her mind in the heat of the moment cannot solve any problems. Only by taking responsibility and confronting reality head-on can she truly resolve conflicts. Through this experience, she also learns not to settle for less in life. To pursue the life one truly desires, one must give it everything one has.
Zhao Lusi leads the cast, with Kong Lin, Ren Bin, Li Le, Li Meng, Yue Yang, and Hu Yi Xuan making special appearances. Zhu Xiu Yuan (Zhu Meiji), Zou Yuan Qing, Yang Jun Han, Zhao Jun, and Wei Xiao also appear in the drama (listed in order of the number of strokes in their surnames).
Farewell Letter marks Zhao Lusi's directorial debut. It also reunites her with the production team behind the hit drama Hidden Love and marks her first return to filming since the huge success of Love's Ambition.
The official behind-the-scenes video documenting the production preparations shows that Zhao Lusi was involved in various aspects of the process, from on-location research and script readings to meetings on different production plans, showing her dedication and commitment to taking on the duties of a director.
Reportedly, Farewell Letter takes a concise 10-episode approach to exploring the theme of urban women's growth. The farewell letters sent by editor Ge Li at a turning point in her life serve as the central thread connecting the entire story. Old friends, family members, and colleagues gradually re-enter her life through these letters, bringing various challenges involving relationships, generational differences, and the workplace to the forefront.
The drama maintains a strong sense of momentum and pacing as it explores real-life issues, while its lighthearted comedic tone softens the heavier subject matter, allowing humor to emerge naturally from the characters' everyday lives. From shutting herself off from the world when sending the letters to picking up her pen again to make books, Ge Li completes an adult's fitting journey of bidding farewell to herself and achieving personal growth.
At the same time, the drama grounds its story in the Sichuan-Chongqing region, using settings such as noodle shops and publishing houses to establish its everyday atmosphere. The region's laid-back, inclusive spirit is no longer conveyed only through scenic outdoor locations; it becomes part of the environment that shapes the characters' personalities.
From clashing opinions between work partners to gradually developing an unspoken understanding through working and writing together, Ge Li and another female character, Shen Jing, share a bond marked by mutual admiration and support between adult women. Their time together also allows them to embark on a deeper journey of self-discovery. Through sketchbooks, letters, and manuscripts, the drama grounds its characters' emotions in small, tangible details. Within the scope of a reunion or a single page of manuscript, Farewell Letter seeks to capture the grounded, everyday texture that contemporary urban dramas increasingly strive to portray.
Farewell Letter officially announced the start of filming in Chengdu on November 12 and has entered production. It will be released exclusively on Youku. Stay tuned for more updates!
Source: Qianlong.com
