Best drama series of 2026--so far
I’m not quick to give 10 stars to just any drama. But LOVE STORY IN THE 1970S earned each and every one of them. This beautifully rendered production reminded me, once again, of what’s special about Chinese drama at its best. A well-directed, well-acted series such as this one can be heartfelt, and unpretentious in a way that Hollywood concoctions seldom are.
I so appreciate the performance of the two leads, but especially Arthur Chen. What a treat to see him play a real, multi-layered human being, using the total arsenal of his craft. And even nicer to see him give up filters and other visual enhancements to fully inhabit the role of Muyang Fang, muting the audience projections that are usually his burden to bear.
Simplicity is the secret that makes this drama a winner. No silly tantrums. No jealousy or manufactured mis-communication. Just real people trying to solve real problems in an authentically rendered historical context.
Nor is the FL drop-dead gorgeous. Instead she’s emotionally alive, radiant, and devoid of superficial flash. The actress who plays the repressed, robotic Mujing Fang is also noteworthy, communicating a world of feeling with the tiniest gesture or change of expression. And I especially enjoyed watching the hilariously clueless Ye Feng.
There’s injustice in this drama, but it’s everyday injustice that most of us have to face from time to time. Not a single narcissistic psychopath to be found.
This is the best drama of 2026–so far.
I so appreciate the performance of the two leads, but especially Arthur Chen. What a treat to see him play a real, multi-layered human being, using the total arsenal of his craft. And even nicer to see him give up filters and other visual enhancements to fully inhabit the role of Muyang Fang, muting the audience projections that are usually his burden to bear.
Simplicity is the secret that makes this drama a winner. No silly tantrums. No jealousy or manufactured mis-communication. Just real people trying to solve real problems in an authentically rendered historical context.
Nor is the FL drop-dead gorgeous. Instead she’s emotionally alive, radiant, and devoid of superficial flash. The actress who plays the repressed, robotic Mujing Fang is also noteworthy, communicating a world of feeling with the tiniest gesture or change of expression. And I especially enjoyed watching the hilariously clueless Ye Feng.
There’s injustice in this drama, but it’s everyday injustice that most of us have to face from time to time. Not a single narcissistic psychopath to be found.
This is the best drama of 2026–so far.
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