beef hot pot

I can see how it would look like through a different lens. Like the characters, this was also how I was raised and it's very "normal" to us so I didn't register that these mindset would be considered toxic. Thank you for enlightening me.

Like with every piece of media, the writers would have had a target demographic in mind when making this. Personally, I think that's the problem with a lot of chinese dramas. It's very very localized because the main demographic are still citizens of the province/country. I see a lot about the backward and traditional mindset of the characters here, which is why I said that I think cultural understanding was needed. I was reading reviews on dou ban as well and a good chunk related to the characters and didn't' see anything wrong with most of the "toxic" ideals the leads presented, because this is very much the sentiment and mindset of many of us locals. To us, it's what we were taught. Hence, my comment.

I do agree that it's quite a narrow approach and there are better scripts out there that stay true to their local settings (like when life gives you tangerines) while being relatable to overseas audiences as well. Maybe one day chinese entertainment will change, like k-drama.

As a chinese film producer who's also an immigrant of a big city, I found the struggles of the main leads somewhat relatable and I thought this was a decent watch. Reading the reviews here made me realise how much cultural understanding is needed for this drama. I skipped some of jingshu's part though, it was a little '???' even for me. I wouldnt watch it again but it wasn't a waste of time for me.

It is, if you're mainland Chinese and around that age.

I'm sorry but this is the harsh reality for many of us Chinese families. Love alone will not fill up your rice bowl. To get married you need a good house, a car, stable jobs and even dowry money. It's very reflective of a lot of our mindset, because we were so poor in the past we equate money with stability and success. I think this drama requires a deep understanding of culture, which is why most non mainland chinese folks would be confused and hate it.

Watched episode 19 and I sense a romance budding hehe
On the flip side, Leiming taking Li Ran and his grandmother in was pretty heartwarming.

It was pretty entertaining. I grew up on old tvb dramas so the quality didnt really bother me.
I think hollie's outfits were pretty cute and very fitting for her role.

I dont know how to feel about Anson Lo though. I know he's a trending artist in hongkong after jiang tao but his acting wasn't the best and he didn't exude CEO aura.

Watched it because it was highly raved on douyin and I've been loving it so far. The stories really do reflect the reality of many chinese kids and something most of us have experienced. The familiarity of it all makes it a really good watch, hope it doesnt get too dramatic mid way.