This review may contain spoilers
A big thanks to the cast and crew of this drama .I really like this drama very much. but I am not satisfied partially because the story ended with an unhappy ending. everything is perfect in the drama only one thing is that they could have showed that hua biao came to meet yang xi when she was waiting for him at the entrance of her collage after few months and that he didn't discontinue collage because his grandmother was cured or she was staying with her relative's place in their neighbourhood village. i personally felt that the drama could have focused more on the reconcilation of hua biao and yang xi and end the show with a happy ending .other than that everything was really good.this is the first high school drama that watched so it is really special to me and i want the part 2 of this drama as soon as possible focusing more on the love life of hua biao and yang xi and ofcourse without any heart aches.this drama made me cry the most.it is really an emotional drama so i really want the drama to continue and take place in my heart once again. Was this review helpful to you?
The perfect drama on showcasing Asian Puberty
Probably one of the best coming-of-age story that was really worth the watch. First of all, the setting and timeline of the drama was well executed, bringing the daily life of youth during 1996-97. The years when people lived without the use of modern technologies and how they keep themselves entertain by interacting with the real world. The bicycle as a form of transportation to everyone including the adults was really a thing in the past that I also want to experience right now.Focusing on the life of 18 years-old students, this show let me reminisce those precious memories of my high school years, the more I watched, the more nostalgic I became. Both the struggle and fun times of every student were so realistic, in fact I do also experience those kind of stories. The beauty of youth will really be highlighted in your whole life if you share those years with your circle of friends. I am so grateful that I genuinely enjoy these years surrounded by nice, amazing, and kind people.
The variety of stories from the whole cast and their different background stories was the reason why the show is that great for me. The depth, appeal, plot, and how they overcome those painful situations is a double thumbs up. In short, every one of them is a loveable and relatable character, no one has been left behind.
Hua Biao being the not-your-typical-main-lead is really one of a kind. Growing up with a deceased parent, he manages to be a fine, kind, and intelligent young boy. At school, I love how he is so helpful to his classmates and a jolly monitor who joins the fun together with the whole class. I’ve been a class president many times and I know how serious this position is, it is a job for those who see his classmates equally. Outside school, he is still a hardworking and loving man who will do everything for his grandma. He’s life was truly a sad one, but it doesn’t let poorness ruins the quality of life. It was a heartwarming moments when his friends and neighbors help him in taking good care of his grandma and their home.
Yang Xi, the definition of a happy-go-lucky girl who shows an incredible improvement in life. Her personality liven up the mood of the show all the time. What I love about her is that she faces life with so much energy and a big smile in her face. Her family was my favorite one, a loving father who isn’t strict to his baby girl, a dedicated mother who will do everything to his children, and a funny and thoughtful inventor brother who’s no doubt that supported his sister in everything. Living with an honest family, her personality shows how awesome it is to be born and grow up being close to the family. The time when she finds out that her mother was lend off from the company, was really make me emotional. Parents really had the pride of creating an image of a strong and dependable parent to their child.
Li Yu is one of my favorite character that shows that a second male lead is possible to avoid getting a fight to the main lead just because of a roaming romance with the same girl. I don’t blame Yang Xi for not showing romantic affections towards Li Yu because you can’t really force someone to love you the way you love them romantically. It is so painful to see Li Yu loses his courage the moment Hua Biao confesses his feelings to Yang Xi, this kind of feelings continued on the sequence of next episodes. It hurts me so much that the story keeps insisting Li Yu on loving Yang Xi secretly. He is also the kind of student who wasn’t good at all subjects and had something to looking forward for improvements. The moments when he was shocked and emotional by his father and mother having another affair just shows how hard it is for a youth to fully accept the possible life of having a divorced parent. The last episode in which they finally admitted his feelings to Yang Xi and also say his goodbye was really an emotional moment for me. Living side by side the moment they were born to finally being separated for the first time is a big time crying scene for me.
Si Tu Er Tiao, the rich and supportive friend who is willing to give everything he had for his beloved friends is a treasure. I love how he didn’t question himself or his friends for expending money because he knows that he has a sincere bunch of friend who shares the fun moments in his life. It was a gloomy moment when he is the only one who isn’t qualified to even a junior college university but I’m glad that he had something to do for his future by going abroad. He was influenced by his father on being a successful and strategic entrepreneur, he is smart in the small business category. The father and son relationship isn’t that great because of how the father nature of being a womanizer affected the way his son treated him by calling his real name instead of a being called as a father. That’s also why he deeply wants attention from others, Si Tu Er Tiao really loves his friends because they are the one who make him feel at home.
Yang Xiao He Mei is the definition of beauty but not so brainy. Don’t get me wrong because I do love her. She was a kind and innocent young lady who only wants the freedom from her strict parents. I guess because of the pressure coming from her mother, this became hard for her to do well in the studies. Family issues are a different kind of pain; the parent and child relationship varies depending on how the parents treat their child. Consider yourself lucky if you had a peaceful relationship with your parents or guardian cause not everyone had it. The cute side of He Mei is her one sided love with Yang Chao, which turned to be her best-friends’ brother. Sad thing is, she was once again suffered for the pain, but even myself doesn’t regret it if I fall in love with a kind person like Yang Chao.
Huang Deng Deng deserves the best in character development award. At first I thought she will be another young lady who will be bitchy and creates a troublesome attitude to the main cast but it turned out that she is a loveable and honest woman. Her patient and determine is so strong no matter how many times she was rejected by Li Yu. One thing I’m glad about her is when she doesn’t fully sacrifice the ballet just to be with Li Yu longer. Unconditional love happens even it is one a sided crush. I can’t blame her for having a long time crush to Li Yu because the guy really was something hard not to love.
Each one of them explicit a kind of story that brings inspiration and life lessons to the viewers. The above mentioned characters as well as granny, Yang Xi’s mother & father, Teacher Kong Xiao Jun, Yang Chao, Li Yu’s father & mother, the headmaster, and the rest of the cast shows greatness in their parts of the story.
Although I give this a high rating score, there are some scenes that I don’t really like namely;
• I am the type of a student who avoid getting too close to my teacher. The specific scene when the whole class headed by Hua Biao, walk outed and even shouted to Mr. Kong was an off scene for me. No matter how much angriness I had over my teacher, me and my friends will never cross the boundary and did such thing. Respect is always taught to us. I feel that Hua Biao closeness to Mr. Kong make him treated the teacher the same way he treated a classmate when he is out of control, it was a nasty attitude for me. And yet, the only one faced Mr. Kong was Li Yu and Hua Biao and Yang Xi let the two talk out about what happened. Youth really tends to do things that makes adults angry.
• The head gang situation. Why do an eighteen-year-old student had something big to deal with a gang leader, I know it happens rarely but still a big no for me. Even though it is unrealistic, I’m still glad that they handled the situation in a comedic way of approach. The moment when Mr. Kong stalked his students and help them overcome the crises by means of an intellectual battle.
• The poor security of the schools. Anytime, they can freely enter the school with less worries because they know how to hide themselves in the room lmao. (Moments when Hua Biao practices his chemistry research on his previous school and also when he stayed at their classroom in order to hide his scar from his grandma)
• The romance of Hua Biao and Yang Xi. At first I truly like their chemistry but as the time goes by, I was feeling blank about their over growing feelings. I like them individually but not as a couple. But those farewell in the ending was so sad for me too. Hua Biao sacrificing a time for his studies and letting the rest of the time with his grandma being still conscious.
• The resemblance of some scenes from the hit Korean series Reply 1988. I know it isn’t a big deal but I can’t help but to feel it.
Of course if there is a negative feedback, I do also have my favorite memories from the show, namely;
• The comedy and emotional moments. I can’t count how many times I cried when watching the show.
• OST, the masterpiece. The first time I heard the song, I already knew that it will give me the kind of feeling I keep wanting to; the soothing and heartwarming emotions after hearing it. A beautiful song perfect for the story.
• Yang Xi vs Huang Deng Deng. I laughed so hard during their campus fight, the presence of the whole students from the school was so funny. Bickering turned into violence hahaha
• Every episode is wholesome. The 24 episodes delivered some strong emotional feelings to me, a person who misses his teenage school life.
• Knows how to make the main boys so attractive, both in their physical appearance and their charming personalities. Either one of them really deserves the love from the main girl.
• The involvement of the parents and teachers to the students’ academics.
Overall, it was a flawless ending. Growing up means that you will also experience being far away from the people you had in high school. Everyone will continue living by pursuing their dreams, setting on a new environment is necessary. I feel so much joy and happiness finishing the show, it makes me remember how youthful living at 18 was. I already love the ending but if season 2 may happen, I am openly eager to wait for it and watch the new season with a happy heart.
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This review may contain spoilers
I actually spent quite a while deciding if I should watch this drama because based of the blurb I thought it was going to be pretty intense, bicycle thief and lap explosions and such, and I wasn't feeling like watching anything too intense so I debated for a while. In the end I did want to start something new so that's what I did and I don't regret it! What makes this drama different from the rest I've watched is because of how realistic it is. Although I'm sad that in the end the friend group separated and the 2 main characters went different ways, I must say that it was still satisfying to know that I and probably many other people can relate to the plot. Most things in real life don't happen with a very satisfying ending filled with love and warmth, and this really portrays actual life. I really hope for a season 2 and so far the director has left some hints, so I'm excited for that.
(I also finished this the day before one of the most important exams this year oops!)
Story:
The story had a really smooth flow it, and most things that happened I could relate to it which made me feel that the drama was a lot more than just a happy ending. The friend group was really sweet because they portrayed some of the most important parts of teenage years 青春 (qingchun) and the hidden secrets between each character was really interesting to see as well.
Cast:
I get so obsessed with the cast every time a finish a drama, and honestly, the Hou Minghao (main actor) portrayed Hua Biao so well that i fell in love with him too! The main female lead also did a great job in showing us the importance of friendship, trust, and believing in yourself. I personally don't think that anyone could replace to cast of the 5 person friend group because they fit in so well.
Music:
I felt that the main theme song and ending song was a big boring, and I understood that it was made to fit the theme of the late 20th century but I personally liked some hype. One of the songs sung by Hou Minghao at the end of the last episode before the ending track is my favourite song in this list. It has energy and it makes me not so emotional that the story didn't go the way I wanted.
Overall this was a great drama that really showed the most realistic parts of life and although it may not be the most satisfying, we as an audience learn a lot from and understand some of the most important things in life: family, friends, warmth, love, etc.
:)
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MASTERPIECE!
I must confess I've never written a review for a drama which already had 49 (FORTY-NINE!) reviews...it's kinda intimidating...^_^;;;Not to mention, you might ask why anybody would want to add just another review...as if there were anything new to say that hasn't been previously discussed, right?
Well, I'm sure that there's nothing new I could actually add to all that the C-dramophiles here have already written, therefore I've decided to write a review targeted at my fellow J-dramophiles, the ones who - like I used to do until last year, before "discovering" C-dramas! - only watch Japanese productions.
Folks, whatever your excuse is for never having tried watching a Chinese production until now, take that excuse, stick it into a deep drawer and forget about it! And don't do it because I'm telling you, no, do it for yourselves! Believe me, you don't want to miss out on gems like this drama! This is a complete masterpiece (yep, you got it: M-A-S-T-E-R-P-I-E-C-E!!!), splendidly written, acted (honorable mentions for Wan Peng, Neo Hou and Dai Lu Wa!), directed, filmed...everything in this production is absolutely *top-notch* (starting with the beautiful opening credits accompanied by that lovely song!) and it'd be such a pity to deprive yourself of the pleasure of watching this only 'cause it doesn't come with a Japanese flag on it, see? ^___-
So, what are you waiting for? Go watch this right now!
I'm pretty sure you'll thank me later! ^___-
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This review may contain spoilers
Throwback to the 90s, where forced happy endings didn't come to save the day
TL;DR at the end with no spoilers.Yeah, I'm a sucker for happy endings, just like you. This one's not happy, but it's arguably one of the best assets of this show. Hear me out.
I think When We Were Young has a rather weak start and markedly improves as the episodes go by. The main reason for that is the ML, of whom in all honesty I wasn't really a fan early on. He's this Gary Stu that can do anything better than anyone: the first time he enters the classroom they have him run his hand through his hair in slow-mo like the world revolves around him, he tops the school rankings for his year, is kind of a science genius, can play basketball, can kick everyone's ass in a fight, can repair his own house, and can even sing and read sheet music—though, to be fair, this last point is revealed much later on. On top of that, he enters the FL's life at full throttle without regard for personal boundaries, as if he had read the script and already knew he'd get the girl in the end. I realize this tries to appeal to a certain audience, but still.
In the same vein, for the first few episodes the show wasn't really able to get me to suspend my disbelief. For instance, in Ep. 2 the ML carries two iron pipes in his backpack; we're later told that he's building a handrail for his grandma at home, but he gratuitously brings those iron pipes to school and the teachers don't ever acknowledge that—you know, normal student behavior. Later in the episode, the FL is jealous of the ML because he was named the new class representative and sets up a fight between him and some random dudes to teach him a lesson; she's lucky that the whole thing is handwaved with comedy, because it could have gone ridiculously wrong. Again, no one ever acknowledges it. The show has some more moments where the gravity of a situation is clumsily written off via comedy, but these two stood out the most for me as my suspension of disbelief was at its lowest. All that might be perfect for a show like Nichijou, but not if you want your story to be taken seriously.
Fortunately, it gets better. By that point I'd rolled my eyes a few times and was ready for another disappointment, but I don't regret seeing it through. As the story progresses, the relationships between the ML and his new friends settle in and develop, and his personal circumstances start to seep through and give nuance to his initial Gary Stu-like characterization: it turns out he's poor and his only relative—his grandma—is visibly declining due to Alzheimer's, and the plot doesn't give him a cheap way out. I'll admit that one of my worst fears is developing any kind of dementia one day, and that I'm biased by that, but I think the struggles he goes through help make the character believable in the end. Also, kudos to him for not turning into a jealous, passive-aggressive bundle of insecurities whenever the FL doesn't look his way, which was driving me nuts in the previous two dramas I watched.
The FL and his childhood friend, who are the other two thirds of the love triangle, also get their fair share of character growth. I don't have any significant issues with them aside from how the improvement of the FL's academic performance (a key point of her character) was shown on screen; I felt the plot couldn't decide whether she was hopeless or not and that made her eventual success seem a little bit ass-pulled. Excluding that, I liked their evolution beyond the initial archetypes of "stupid but athletic girl" and "unexpressive boy who bottles it all up".
The way the remaining two main characters (it's a group of five friends) are fleshed out is not at the same level, though. The new-rich kid uses his dad's money to help his friends and is kind of a comedic relief, but the show also wants us to take his family hardships seriously while at the same time refusing to elaborate; he feels neglected by his parents but, apart from a couple arguments with his father, a random scene where his mother briefly comes back from overseas when he gets injured at school, and another one where his mother leaves them for good, we don't get much insight on how it all came to be that way in the first place. There are also a few scenes with him and the head teacher that hint at potentially some kind of positive dynamic between them, but that path was discarded too. All in all, he feels like a Doraemon of sorts whose job is to produce unlikely plot devices to serve other characters' own development. As for the girl with overbearing parents, I really thought she would get a nice arc where she made her parents see her as an independent person, maybe by doing things her own way and succeeding, but that's far from what happens. She eventually locks herself in her room for days and then proceeds to fail the university entrance exam, after which her helicopter mother does an absolute 180° and comforts her at the gates and takes off again mere minutes later. And, just like that, her lifelong family problems are officially fixed. I mean, failing the exam due to not studying enough is a fair outcome—even if she was under unreasonable pressure—but the attitude change of her mother comes out of fucking nowhere. For the most part these two characters are fine, though, it's just that for me they lack depth for all the screen time they get.
Anyway, this is getting long, so I'll wrap up with the original point I raised: the ending. By the end, all the main characters must make difficult decisions due to either their own actions or their circumstances. It would've been tempting to force the stars to align for a cheap happy ending, but luckily it didn't go down that path. Now, it's not spectacularly sad nor ground-breaking, but it does a good job of tying together everything the show had been building up emotionally. It doesn't come up with last-minute time skips that throw away an entire season's worth of storytelling, or force incompatible people together because the script said so. Here, the main cast part ways with each other and they know it's the best (or only) option they have, and make peace with things they can't escape. Regardless of whether you like how they got to that point, at least it follows through with the consequences. This alone is more refreshing than I'd like to admit.
TL;DR:
Gary Stu ML transfers into the FL's school and makes friends with the rest of the cast while steamrolling everyone with his talents. As the story progresses, the character gets more nuanced and the show improves as a result, which is relevant if you're less than impressed at the beginning. Three of the five mains have the most focus and development, but I expected more for the other two, which is a bit of a shame. Their interactions are fun and interesting to watch, although some situations they're put in felt a bit unlikely to happen. The ending is bittersweet but coherent in that making it happy would detract from it, and I like that for a change.
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Realistic story, amazing experience!
Oh, how much I'm going to miss this drama! I watched the first ep a few months back and stopped watching it bc I found the fl annoying. Thanks to that one person on MyDramaList, I decided to rewatch it. I cried so much and loved all the characters even more! The ost, VFX, acting, story, how beautiful! It's a 10/10 from me. I'm desperate to know more about their lives after they get into college, to know if they're still close friends, and to know who ended up with whom, how grandma is doing, and all of that. If only there was a Season 2.Was this review helpful to you?
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The two main character were Yang Xi aka Running Yang and Hao Biao aka Jinx Biao, to be honest I didn't really like Yang Xi's character although she was hilarious at times but she was mostly an ungrateful brat, however Biao's character was the best, he was like the perfect son, grandson and friend. He always had a smile on his face through all the hardships and always helped his friends.
I was surprised that all the actors except Hou Ming Hao had never acted in a drama before, because they were really good, well except for the actor who plays Li Yu, who had one constipated expression throughtout the whole show, i couldn't tell if he was happy or sad. For 99% of the drama he just stared at Yang Xi silently.
I gave it a Rating of 9 because i wanted a better ending. If only there was a second season.
Would definitely recommend this drama, I'm glad I watched it, it brought me back from my drama slump!
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The main thing that makes me want to rip my hair out is...THE ENDING. UGHHHH. The ending could be definitely seen as realistic and bittersweet, but to me, it just left me upset and unsatisfied. My heart hurts because of it and it will hurt forever.
Overall, the entire vibe of this drama was so wholesome and cozy; it was refreshing to watch something a little less modern and a little softer.
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A story that all of us lived once!!
NO SPOILERThis is a truth, all of us at least once lived the life portrait by YangXi. I really feel that this story is really different from any other rom-com I have watched. This one is more realistic. It's not just another fairly tale love story where you fall in love at your school days; then go to college together and you finally get married with anyone problem. And actually this is the thing I personally liked about this drama. Along with beauty of being young and cheerful, it also shows the hardships that someone among us is going though. Even though they don't show us how hard and tiring their life are. They just hide their pain in their smile may be because they don't wanna bother anyone else with the sadness they are facing.
School life is something when you fall in love with someone for the very first time. You feel that special connection with someone which feels amazing. You are afraid to confess it because you are not sure if that person loves you back or not. And somewhere you are not ready for a 'NO'. Sometimes.. you go to school just to see that one single person.
Overall review : I feel that the cast is really amazing. The characters and the people who are portraying it really matches well. YangXi's mom is just like any other mom. She works hard and really tensed about her daughter who is not so good in her studies. At the same time her dad is a keeper. You know...to maintain the balance of the family one need to be calm and cool. The scene, the school campus.. these things really added much value to the scene. The plot is written in such a way that anyone who is in high school or completed their high school can instantly related to everything that has been showcased.
**MAY CONTAIN SPOILER A LITTLE BIT**
Characters:
HUA BIAO (by NEO HOU) : He is a top notch student who always comes first in the class. Top in everything starting from studies to sports. He is someone who can help a person in any problem. A lighthearted boy who lives with his only family i.e., his grandmother. At the beginning we see a really cheerful boy, full of energy and happiness and slowly as the story goes forward we get to know the hardships that is going on behind his bright smile.
YANGXI (by WAN PENG) : A totally mediocre girls in case of studies. Leader of the class and her friend group. A outspoken girl, really expressive in everything she do. Not afraid of anyone not matter what. A marathon runner. Dear daughter of her family and also the tension of her family because of her studies. Who makes her mom worry for her all the time. But as the time passes on she learns to be responsible. Work really hard with help from her friends to make her way to her dream college after the High School Exam.
LI YI (by GALA ZHANG) : Childhood best friend of YanXi... and actually a twins to her from another mother. Born in same day, same time, same year actually same in everything 🤣. But is really intelligent in studies. Always by the side of YangXi in any given situation. Helps her in studies, basically do her homework. Mostly stays in YangXi's house as his mom stay in abroad and dad keeps on working hard to earn a comfortable living.
SI TU ER TIAO (by MARCUS LI) : A general student who is not at all interested in his studies. One of the friend from the group. Really rich as compared to the other four of them. Is always helpful especially with money as he have a lot of it. Stay with his dad who is more like a friend than a dad. Both of them gets bitten by his mom every now and then 🤣.
YANG XIAO HEMEI (by PAN MEI YE) : The only other girl from the group. She really struggles a lot with her studies. She really can't focus or even if she does...she still screw it up in the exam hall. Also she is the most beautiful member of the group and gets compliment about her looks from time to time. Actually she and YangXi was kinda same in case of studies but later on YangXi was able to improve herself and HeMein couldn't.
OST: The ost of the drama actually conveys the meaning the drama was trying to convey. Its really soothing to ears.
At last, I feel that this drama is really something anyone can enjoy as it kinda show you your life again on screen. I really really love it❤️❤️❤️.
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