Wynndzofchange

It’s good to be thankful for what we have 🫶🏻

Below are just a few of the differences. While we struggled with free love, the Vietnam war, women’s lib, flower power and hallucinogenic substances through sit-ins, Hollywood actors denouncing the US and various other social issues, you are correct. The difference was night and day with democracy and communism being polar opposites.

China’s non-elites suffered from the following:

Challenges in 1970s China
Cultural Revolution Aftermath
The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) caused significant social upheaval.
It aimed to eliminate perceived bourgeois elements and reinforce communist ideology.
Many intellectuals, professionals, and perceived enemies of the state faced persecution, leading to widespread fear and instability.
Economic Hardships
The Great Leap Forward (1958-1962) had already devastated the economy, resulting in millions of deaths from famine.
By the 1970s, the economy was still recovering, with inefficiencies and shortages prevalent.
Agricultural policies were often ineffective, leading to food scarcity.
Political Turmoil
Mao Zedong's leadership was marked by power struggles within the Communist Party.
The Gang of Four, including Mao's wife, Jiang Qing, played a significant role in political repression.
The death of Mao in 1976 created a power vacuum, leading to further instability and conflict among party leaders.
International Isolation
China was largely isolated from the international community during this period.
Diplomatic relations with the West were minimal until the late 1970s, limiting economic opportunities and foreign investment.
Social Strain
The societal fabric was torn due to the radical policies and campaigns.
Many families were separated, and traditional values were undermined, leading to a loss of cultural identity.
These factors combined to create a challenging environment in China during the 1970s, affecting all aspects of life.b

In case anyone wants to read the novel, here is the link for the English version:

https://www.readthedrama.com/novels/love-story-in-the-1970s

The one-child policy in China was implemented in 1980 to control population growth, leading to many families having only one child. Accidental pregnancies were often managed through various means, including forced abortions and sterilizations, as the government enforced compliance with the policy through strict measures.

China's one-child policy was lifted in 2015 and replaced with a two-child policy. This change allowed all couples to have two children, marking the end of the strict one-child restrictions that had been in place. With the economy and other issues in China presently, the government is trying to encourage people to have children, but people in childbearing ages are hesitant to do so because it is increasingly difficult to keep jobs and provide for families. Marriages aren’t happening as often either.

China has implemented several measures to encourage families to have more children, including allowing couples to have up to three children and offering financial incentives such as subsidies for raising children. These efforts aim to address the declining birth rate and support the country's aging population.

Now, financial market downturn and rising property prices have negatively impacted childbirth rates in China. Economic pressures, including high housing costs, have contributed to a decline in birth rates as many young people feel uncertain about their financial futures and the feasibility of raising children. Many are unemployed, living on the streets and rummaging for food because things are so bad. 😢

I was a teenager during the time this drama takes place, and while cultures are different, tge struggle of each generation is hard to imagine by their children and their children’s children. My parents had homes with heaters and running water, while my grandparents had to heat with a wood burning stove, and pull water from the well. TV in my childhood and teenage years was limited to 3 channels, came on at 6am and was off the air by midnight. My grandmother did not have an indoor polite until 1976. Telephones were around, but several homes used the same line. If they wanted to make a call they had to make sure the line was free and the operator had to connect the call and hope no one was on the line they were trying to call. Much has changed in technology and the sciences, but we have lost a lot in the way of relationships with other people and our family. There are blessings and disappointments in every generation. You a right about being fortunate that we struggle less over necessities, but our struggles are different and often just as difficult if not more so now.

I miss the simpler times on occasion, but am also very thankful that we have access to things they never did.

you’re very welcome!

Wow. What a powerful drama.

it’s not in the US version. It is on YouTube though. The icon next to IQiyi is the channel. As of 02/18/26 there are 37 episodes up. Just be aware that you need to verify the caption stays on and in English for each one. Also, some parts of the dialog move very fast or are very slow…and often part of it just does not get translated at all. It’s very good - heavy vibe at the beginning, and really makes you feel the struggles the characters were facing. I hope you enjoy it. BTW Yang Zi rocks this role!

I didn’t think so. I tried it once several years ago and the screen was bombarded with pop-ups. I never used it again.

having not seen any episodes, this a spoiler. but thank you for changing it.

could you please put a spoiler on this? Some of us haven’t seen all of it yet 😢

so I tried the link and it came back saying the page isn’t available 😢

Thank you! I don’t like those sites at all exactly for the reasons you’ve mentioned. plus there is always the risk of being hacked or getting a virus.

The channel I tried watching only had the first 3 episodes with captions in English but they were also missing big sections of dialogue missing.

So I will check out the link you supplied. Thanks again!

thank you!

Where can I watch with English subs? I am in US and it isn’t on Iqiyi. The other channel doesn’t have all episodes translated, and those that are have huge gaps in the dialogue. 😢

It was beautiful in every aspect. I wish there were more episodes as watching this gave me a peaceful feeling and was very comforting. It stirred up compassion for a people whose entire way of life has been swallowed up by ‘progress’ and the difficulties they faced just trying to survive and hold on to their world. It’s 10/10 for me also.

With the chaos happening in China right now, it might take a little time, but I believe everything will come to light. There will be a reckoning for those involved and those who helped to hide it.

New information about a destroyed memorial wall for YML, the horrible treatment and dissolution of his fan club and more. Despicable villains.
#justiceforyumenglong

https://youtu.be/egus4rRD2KU?si=8YHypH-IOtRsuanC

It is nice. Tgere are quite a few dramas that people have ignored because it didn’t provide what they thought the story was about, and miss out on some very deep and thought provoking content. Thank you again for your review!

Thank you. I am only on ep 11 and agree completely.

Both of the leads stories are tragically sad in that the society around them seems to favor the privileged rich and the bully rather than protecting those who are either misjudged or belittled by prejudice and cultural acceptance of forced drinking an
d shady loan sharks that are nothing but brutal gangsters who have no qualms in hurting people for their own pleasure.

I haven’t seen the drama version, but maybe I will once I am done with this. I don’t compare remakes to the original, because like you, I believe every script writer has their way to help connect you with the story.