This review may contain spoilers
A Too-Good-to-Be-True Story
I wasn’t planning to write a review for this drama, but since I have a bit of free time, here it is.
I’ve said this before, but a revolution setting in the 70s and 80s of China is my favorite genre. It’s not that I enjoy watching people struggle with poverty, but I love how these dramas portray development and history in the making. That’s also the reason why I keep watching this kind of drama no matter how bad the plot is (not that this drama is bad… okay, enough rambling).
This drama is a mix of time travel and the creation of a female hero. It’s heavily female-centric, with a green-flag male lead acting as support. It’s also a family drama, showing growth, development, and liberation.
Xia Xiaolan, who is in her 30s in the present, time-travels back to 1983 as a teenager. Of course, she has a “cheat code” to live her new life. She starts everything earlier, becomes a pioneer in many things, and lives her life to the fullest. In her previous life (the present I mean), Xiaolan was bullied both in school and at work, so she changes everything in the second chance she gets. I love everything she does the second time around. She rescues her mom from abuse, goes back to school to pursue her dream major, builds a circle of trustworthy friends and colleagues, finds love, and creates her own support system.
You can learn a lot of life lessons from this drama: giving people second chances, keeping supportive people around you, doing business, turning your “cheat code” into something real, finding warmth in people who aren’t blood-related, and even achieving work-life balance lol.
It may seem too good to be true, but that’s what makes the drama interesting. The plot is so perfect that it actually makes you anxious as it goes on. Every time Xiaolan gets a standing ovation, I get scared of what’s coming next. I didn’t read the novel, so I stayed in suspense until the end, and I survived, phew!
What I want to appreciate more is the writing and production. They had to work around censorship, and with time travel plots, you usually have to settle for a short reunion in the present, with nothing more than smiles. I think we’re lucky they at least showed the scene where Zhou Cheng calls her name. But still, no hug, no kiss, no glimpse of their life after the reunion [EHEM], lol. I only looked up the original novel ending after finishing the drama. Of course, it’s more detailed and clear, but that’s the Chinese drama industry for you. You miss out on some things due to government restrictions, but it also leaves room for your imagination.
As for the actors, Zhou Ye delivers as usual. I love how she portrays teenage Xiaolan in 1983: young, yet strong. You can really tell she put a lot of effort into showing Xiaolan’s growth into adulthood. And Zhai Xiaowen! Please do more dramas. I know you’re a singer too, but I want to see you act more, lol. Special shoutout to Lawrence Wong! His character is hilarious, and his acting is so good.
Overall, it’s a good drama. I’m glad actresses still have space to lead strong female-centric stories despite the challenges. It may not be perfect (there are still some flat/slower parts) but if you like the actors, you should definitely give it a try. It’s inspiring!
I’ve said this before, but a revolution setting in the 70s and 80s of China is my favorite genre. It’s not that I enjoy watching people struggle with poverty, but I love how these dramas portray development and history in the making. That’s also the reason why I keep watching this kind of drama no matter how bad the plot is (not that this drama is bad… okay, enough rambling).
This drama is a mix of time travel and the creation of a female hero. It’s heavily female-centric, with a green-flag male lead acting as support. It’s also a family drama, showing growth, development, and liberation.
Xia Xiaolan, who is in her 30s in the present, time-travels back to 1983 as a teenager. Of course, she has a “cheat code” to live her new life. She starts everything earlier, becomes a pioneer in many things, and lives her life to the fullest. In her previous life (the present I mean), Xiaolan was bullied both in school and at work, so she changes everything in the second chance she gets. I love everything she does the second time around. She rescues her mom from abuse, goes back to school to pursue her dream major, builds a circle of trustworthy friends and colleagues, finds love, and creates her own support system.
You can learn a lot of life lessons from this drama: giving people second chances, keeping supportive people around you, doing business, turning your “cheat code” into something real, finding warmth in people who aren’t blood-related, and even achieving work-life balance lol.
It may seem too good to be true, but that’s what makes the drama interesting. The plot is so perfect that it actually makes you anxious as it goes on. Every time Xiaolan gets a standing ovation, I get scared of what’s coming next. I didn’t read the novel, so I stayed in suspense until the end, and I survived, phew!
What I want to appreciate more is the writing and production. They had to work around censorship, and with time travel plots, you usually have to settle for a short reunion in the present, with nothing more than smiles. I think we’re lucky they at least showed the scene where Zhou Cheng calls her name. But still, no hug, no kiss, no glimpse of their life after the reunion [EHEM], lol. I only looked up the original novel ending after finishing the drama. Of course, it’s more detailed and clear, but that’s the Chinese drama industry for you. You miss out on some things due to government restrictions, but it also leaves room for your imagination.
As for the actors, Zhou Ye delivers as usual. I love how she portrays teenage Xiaolan in 1983: young, yet strong. You can really tell she put a lot of effort into showing Xiaolan’s growth into adulthood. And Zhai Xiaowen! Please do more dramas. I know you’re a singer too, but I want to see you act more, lol. Special shoutout to Lawrence Wong! His character is hilarious, and his acting is so good.
Overall, it’s a good drama. I’m glad actresses still have space to lead strong female-centric stories despite the challenges. It may not be perfect (there are still some flat/slower parts) but if you like the actors, you should definitely give it a try. It’s inspiring!
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