Run for Young (2020)

Dramas with the 'comedy' tag are often deceiving

If you understand Mandarin, this is a drama you should definitely watch.

I started watching this drama thinking it was a comedy film but every episode had its tear-jerking moments so get ready your tissues before you plunge into this drama. I tend to stray away from school dramas as the plot is usually the same for such dramas but this show really surprised me. It is a youth drama with adult problems, with the drama almost feeling too cruel for me.

In the beginning, Tu Jun and friends really didn't appeal much to me, they seemed like the mischievous kids found at every school. Yet, they really grew on me throughout the show and left a lasting impression on me. Tu Jun, the ML, goes through a lot throughout the drama and came off as a really lonely character to me despite having so many friends around him. The main couple shares a strong bond because they witnessed each other at the lowest point of their lives. Each character had its own story and I found myself empathising with all of them.

The show also uses a lot of old Chinese hit songs in its soundtrack which evoked a strong sense of nostalgia in me. It is such a pity that this drama does not have official subs because it is really worth the watch. However, I will agree the drama felt weird after episode 12, though it did not really affect my judgment on this drama much.

Read More

Lost steam near the end, but extremely strong start and great acting

This drama has a young and fun cast. I really cared about the entire cast by the end, so they did that super well.
Episode 6 was a perfect episode, hit all the right notes and was so fun and sweet to watch.
It is quite dramatic, but could handle it up until episodes 13-15. Then, it felt like it was a totally different drama. the writing felt like it was completely new characters and made no sense to me. Ending was not bad, but I think we could have done without the entire arc that happened before it.
The cast, again, is incredible and gives such a strong sense of friendship. It is worth watching for them, but seriously consider stopping after ep12 and skimming the rest.
The music and montages were always on point, and really made the feelings come through. A very strong suit of this drama.
Also, running is not as big of a plot as I expected it to be. I wish that it lasted longer and took up the screentime instead of the messy end area.

Overall, consider checking out for the great acting and feelings of youth, but be prepared for hot mess from ep13-15

Read More

That bittersweet, nostalgic sting of growing pain.

I'll be upfront: I am usually not one for high school dramas. I find it hard to relate to a period that for me personally is tied to anguish and long nights awake, and had little to do with the bright camera filters that are wont to overlay the frames of youth dramas. That said, in its mostly well-paced sixteen episodes, Run For Young (RFY) has, however, successfully kept me chasing after hills upon hills of emotions, sprinting through the highs and lows of early adulthood.

For some, RFY might thus be too theatrical in its first episodes (1-4) and / or too dramatic in its later episodes (13-16). Well, it is indeed both theatrical and dramatic. The crazy antics of the four childhood friends at the core of the story may come off as overacting at first (maybe rightfully is, in some instances) but at closer look clearly reveal a stylistic choice. And what a choice at that! If there's anything in our lives that we tend to aggrandise and dramatise in our recounts, aren't those the escapades of our youth?

That's not to say that all narrative strings pass my scrutiny. For example, I'm skeptical of how Li Anran and Ma Tian's strict and 'bourgeois' parents could ever approve a move to another high school in their last year (for no 'good reason'). Or of how their school seems incredibly relaxed about the kids' shenanigans. Or of the harebrained, 'gouxue' plot that set up the last (weakest) third of RFY, and for that reason never seemed properly cleared up either. And it is certainly debatable how much pain – in this show particularly endured by two of the lead characters – is needed in a youth drama (it verges close to gratuitous at times).

But overall, I find – and got to appreciate – that RFY takes on a sober(-ing) approach to portraying this specific period of life. Embedded in wider societal issues of class disparities & systemic poverty (5/7 of the main characters originate from 'poorer' backgrounds) and subsequent issues of prejudice or naiveté and feelings of shame and helplessness, as well as traditional gender expectations, the show traces – with a good portion of both humour and tragedy – the way early adulthood manifests itself so differently given one's circumstances. For some, it's easier to retain bits of a childlike innocence (Zhu Weijiao, Ding Rongliang), while others were pushed to grow up quickly (Tu Jun), or simply had no choice BUT be grown-up (Liu Wenqin).

(The social commentary that emerges out of such a setting, however, remains relatively light, if not even loses its soft bite towards the last episodes – when it had most potential to be revived. Simply said, it serves as a functional frame to these youths' lives as RFY, genre-affirming, still takes place in a high school setting and mostly occupies itself with high school related events.)

In a hotpot of marathons to train for, music competitions to participate, a gaokao to exasperate about, and the part-and-parcel love life woes of high school students, I am particularly fond of how characters and friendships were developed in RFY. Though not everyone got equally much focus, at least one storyline was dedicated to each of them – and revealed twists and layers to their characters: Tu Jun is not a simple trouble-making jock but actually empathetic and kind; Zhu Weijiao is not just a tomboy with anger management issues but sensitive and fiercely loyal; and Li Anran is not a mere prim and proper rich girl but also a little stubborn rebel at heart. In encounters with death, shifting family dynamics, ageing parents, misgendering issues, juvenile delinquency, uncertain futures and more, the audience gets to witness this band of friends grow up to become better, stronger, more self-assured versions of themselves.

Though the show, as previously alluded, can get heavy and gritty for a youth drama, what truly remains a beacon of light (beyond the humour) are the consistent heart-warming instances of small and large acts of kindnesses that the characters bestow upon each other. There's this quote in the show: "Fighting is wrong. But abandoning friends in times of crisis is more wrong." I think this is exactly the motto the friends live by. Whatever it takes to help each other work out confusing feelings, to support each other in times of hardship and need, or to push each to realise their dreams: they will always rally together to make it happen. What's even more incredible: the parental support for our characters. Single parents, old-age parents, 'normal parents': the diversity is wide, and the toxicity surprisingly small. Especially the parents of the four neighbouring characters have won my heart through their care (not just for their own, but all the other kids), empathy and supportive behaviour towards the children. If you're a fan of 'found families', this aspect of RFY will certainly speak to you.

It is in that regard that I need to talk about the performances of the main and supporting characters. I can't speak on how well everyone executed their Chongqing dialects, but I definitely recognise that the charm and speed at which RFY captured my heart and thoughts is owed to at least 50% to the actors and actresses of the show. This is a quality ensemble cast of (rookie) actors that all fit their character, and make having group chemistry and conveying the energy of recklessness, rebelliousness, shamelessness, sensitiveness and self-consciousness of 'youth' to the screen seem so easy. Zhang Jingyi, Zhou You and Zhou Yiran regularly stole the show, but the real heart of this ensemble was Peng Yuchang. I was initially apprehensive about how half of the emotional burden on the characters was placed on his character only – but since Peng Yuchang was the one tasked to act them out, I quickly let go of that. I'm in awe at how he both served as a glue to the cast (he seems to give lots to play off for his co-stars) while also pulling off the wide spectrum of emotions and expressions his character required.

All in all, the combination of a charismatic cast, passionate performances, and compelling narratives of friendship, family, love, grief/loss and self-fulfilment, that neither sugarcoats nor disenchants life but rather presents it as the bittersweet stings of growing pain, makes Run For Young for me a worthy watch. Topped off with a beautiful and fun dose of theatrical cinematography / directing, and a nostalgia-inducing soundtrack, RFY is a truly memorable gem of a drama.

Read More

AN UNDERRATED MASTER PIECE

I started this after some ones recommendation and trust me iam banging my head as to why I didn't watch this awesome drama earlier, these days youth dramas feel repititive to me atleast iam not really a fan but this won me over in an instant.

Why did I love Run for young?

1.The story
This was a story about youth, family, dreams, sorrows, emotions literally everything in one drama, I love how it maintained is pace at the same time blending both humour and emotions because I did cry alot while watching this but at the same time laughed alot it was consistent unpredictable for a youth drama, felt real and relatable literally a master piece

2.The cast
Male lead was my favourite character in the entire series, love how he was written a cheerful, strait forward and loving male character, he really screamed youth with his behaviour attitude, I enjoyed seeing him grow and have all these Character development not to forget he felt natural in his way of acting all his emotions felt real, whether it's crying or laughing he really ate up his role and left absolutely no crumbs
Female lead (Zhang jingyi ) this has to be my third drama of hers and trust me she suprised me every time, this has to be one of her first projects she looked younger but I must say I absolutely loved her acting.
The leads had amazing chemistry, natural realistic that kind of chemistry...hope to see them in a sequel or a new drama together

The other characters were absolutely amazing too
The ending was a happy one but left me screaming I want more please give us a sequel Ill definitely watch it

I recommend this drama if you love youth themed dramas but with a touch of reality family and whole lots of emotions...this took its place as my second favourite youth drama after Lovely us....thanks to all that were involved in making it I know I watched it late but absolutely loved every moment of it ☺️

Read More

"Run for Young": An Underrated Gem

As a newcomer to the realm of writing reviews, I couldn't have picked a more fitting gem to start with than "Run for Young." This drama, often flying under the radar, has left an indelible mark on my heart with its unique blend of humor, sadness, and nostalgia.

"Run for Young" is a tapestry of emotions, seamlessly weaving laughter and tears into its narrative. From the outset, it tugs at the strings of nostalgia, evoking memories of youthful exuberance and camaraderie. The characters, each with their quirks and flaws, feel like old friends, making us root for them in every step of their journey.

One of the most compelling aspects of "Run for Young" is the bond between the group of protagonists. Their friendship is palpable, their banter infectious, and their struggles deeply resonant. Watching them navigate through life's challenges together is both heartwarming and poignant, leaving us yearning for a connection as strong as theirs.

But it's not just the central group that steals the show. "Run for Young" also shines a light on the family-like relationships within the neighborhood. The way the characters rally around each other in times of need, offering support, love, and sometimes tough love, is a testament to the power of community.

What truly sets "Run for Young" apart is its ability to balance humor and sadness with such finesse. As someone who doesn't usually find themselves laughing at dramas unless deeply connected with the characters, "Run for Young" managed to evoke genuine laughter and tears. One moment, you'll find yourself doubled over with laughter at the characters' antics, and the next, you'll be reaching for the tissues as they confront life's harsh realities. It's a rollercoaster of emotions that keeps you glued to the screen till the very end.

In conclusion, "Run for Young" is an underrated gem of a drama that deserves far more recognition than it receives. Its ability to evoke laughter, tears, and nostalgia in equal measure is a testament to its brilliance. For anyone craving a heartfelt story with unforgettable characters and a healthy dose of feels, "Run for Young" is an absolute must-watch.

Read More

Nice drama

This is an amazing drama either you will cry because of sadness or cry of laughter……

I actually dropped this at ep 6 like maybe a year ago and tried again and here I am to put a comment on it I really found it’s a good drama. You will find boring on the first half but getting sadder and happier on the second half.

Thanks me later



This is an amazing drama either you will cry because of sadness or cry of laughter……

I actually dropped this at ep 6 like maybe a year ago and tried again and here I am to put a comment on it I really found it’s a good drama. You will find boring on the first half but getting sadder and happier on the second half.

Thanks me later

Read More