mei
This review may contain spoilers
Experiencing Youth
I have no other way to describe this drama other than the word 'youth'. I think what made me so attached to this show was that it felt like living through the bittersweet joyful days of youth, one that I never had/may never have. It's very pure, to a point that makes it healing and comforting. If you're looking for a heartwarming drama that can make you smile, I think this may be the right one for you!
The story and the characters are extremely easy to fall in love with, I was just about 5 eps in when I knew it would be hard to move on and now that I've finished it that hasn't changed. Perhaps I'm a tad bit of an emotional person, but even for a fun and happy drama, there were moments that I cried my eyes out for. It wasn't anything that was heartwrenching, but rather it was that bittersweet nostalgia of youth and purity that brought me to tears. It was those moments full of laughter when we're young, that as we grow up, we may not be able to get again.
All the main characters are kind and emotionally mature in their own ways, despite being 'young'. It made me think of the ones who grow up too fast, the little adults that mature too quickly, for better or for worse. I really don't think it gets more youth than this HAHAH.
*spoilers below*
Zhang Lu Rang is actually a really heartbreaking character, who I think is really strong. I think I would have crumbled if I had been in his shoes. He never complains or speaks up about how the favouritsm is affecting him, and it's to a point where we barely get a glimpse of the amount of pain he was in that led to him distancing from his brother. I cried at the part when his brother realised that being quiet and not smiling a lot was not because of his personality, but rather that he couldn't because of the family environment. Zai Zai helped him to brighten up a lot, and every time his dimple smile came out because of Zai Zai, I felt an unexplainable amount of joy.
Zai Zai is everyone's favourite sunshine, she brings so much joy in every moment and scene that she's in. She's fun but she's not weak. There's multiple moments where she stands up for herself and I just adore her. Jiang Jia is an energetic character who always got everyone's back and Gu Ran is a chaotic but actually really kind and wise. Guan Fang is someone who has learnt his lessons and has grown up to become a loving friend and grandson. (If I really go indepth into each character it's never gonna end) They all form healthy relationships and their friendship is to die for frfr, I fall in love with every of their little outtings and all their schenanigans.
The acting I wouldn't say is spectacular performance of the year, but it's mostly because I think we don't dive too deep into intense scenes. They all do a good job in portraying their characters and the most important part of this show: youth. I love love love love the concepts in this drama, mainly speaking of their video diaries. The angle that the show goes for is very nostalgic, as if looking back onto memories just as we would our own. Every moment feels golden and just so precious and endearing, even if it is the simplest of things. I think they did amazing with pacing, other than perhaps the last episode, the pacing is very good and it doesn't feel rushed or draggy and boring. I also love the detail where they turn 17 at ep 17 and so on. It was just so nice to see them grow up and it felt like I was growing with them. The music is also rather fitting, my favourite is 'Paige's Summer' that feels extra nostalgic. I just wish there was more episodes honestly. I'm so attached to them that I would have loved to see every small details of their lives as they grew up. For example, perhaps there could have been more on Rang Rang's healing regarding the issue with his parents.
Overall, I think it's well done in all aespects and it's definitely one of those shows that you rewatch again and again for the comfort. The characters are lovable, there isn't unnecessary drama or misunderstandings, there's healthy relationships, there's healing. there's love, and many many memories. It's definitely a drama that will forever be a comfort, will be super hard to move on T-T.
The story and the characters are extremely easy to fall in love with, I was just about 5 eps in when I knew it would be hard to move on and now that I've finished it that hasn't changed. Perhaps I'm a tad bit of an emotional person, but even for a fun and happy drama, there were moments that I cried my eyes out for. It wasn't anything that was heartwrenching, but rather it was that bittersweet nostalgia of youth and purity that brought me to tears. It was those moments full of laughter when we're young, that as we grow up, we may not be able to get again.
All the main characters are kind and emotionally mature in their own ways, despite being 'young'. It made me think of the ones who grow up too fast, the little adults that mature too quickly, for better or for worse. I really don't think it gets more youth than this HAHAH.
*spoilers below*
Zhang Lu Rang is actually a really heartbreaking character, who I think is really strong. I think I would have crumbled if I had been in his shoes. He never complains or speaks up about how the favouritsm is affecting him, and it's to a point where we barely get a glimpse of the amount of pain he was in that led to him distancing from his brother. I cried at the part when his brother realised that being quiet and not smiling a lot was not because of his personality, but rather that he couldn't because of the family environment. Zai Zai helped him to brighten up a lot, and every time his dimple smile came out because of Zai Zai, I felt an unexplainable amount of joy.
Zai Zai is everyone's favourite sunshine, she brings so much joy in every moment and scene that she's in. She's fun but she's not weak. There's multiple moments where she stands up for herself and I just adore her. Jiang Jia is an energetic character who always got everyone's back and Gu Ran is a chaotic but actually really kind and wise. Guan Fang is someone who has learnt his lessons and has grown up to become a loving friend and grandson. (If I really go indepth into each character it's never gonna end) They all form healthy relationships and their friendship is to die for frfr, I fall in love with every of their little outtings and all their schenanigans.
The acting I wouldn't say is spectacular performance of the year, but it's mostly because I think we don't dive too deep into intense scenes. They all do a good job in portraying their characters and the most important part of this show: youth. I love love love love the concepts in this drama, mainly speaking of their video diaries. The angle that the show goes for is very nostalgic, as if looking back onto memories just as we would our own. Every moment feels golden and just so precious and endearing, even if it is the simplest of things. I think they did amazing with pacing, other than perhaps the last episode, the pacing is very good and it doesn't feel rushed or draggy and boring. I also love the detail where they turn 17 at ep 17 and so on. It was just so nice to see them grow up and it felt like I was growing with them. The music is also rather fitting, my favourite is 'Paige's Summer' that feels extra nostalgic. I just wish there was more episodes honestly. I'm so attached to them that I would have loved to see every small details of their lives as they grew up. For example, perhaps there could have been more on Rang Rang's healing regarding the issue with his parents.
Overall, I think it's well done in all aespects and it's definitely one of those shows that you rewatch again and again for the comfort. The characters are lovable, there isn't unnecessary drama or misunderstandings, there's healthy relationships, there's healing. there's love, and many many memories. It's definitely a drama that will forever be a comfort, will be super hard to move on T-T.
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