Drama Digest
Set in the 1980s, 18-year-old Yi Dong Dong moves with his family back to Mayang street in Guangzhou. He falls in love with his neighbor Ma Xiao Xiao at first sight. When he realized that she was in love with Xiao Jian, he kept his feelings to himself. Ou Xiao Jian hangs out with other crooks, which concerns Xiao Xiao. Ma Xiao Xiao and Ou Xiao Jian split ways, eventually. Dong Dong passed the local civil service exams after Xiao Xiao became a lawyer. Meanwhile, Xiao Jian has numerous ups and downs.
The Feel-Good Part
It is a well-written and directed drama that keeps you interested till the end. They brought out various aspects of life in the 80s beautifully.
The Disappointing Factor
The plot is not a strong one. There were a few lazy and incoherent ideas as the drama progressed.
In-Depth Analysis
It is a story set in a tight-knit community in South China. In the 1980s, just when the country began to reopen its doors to the outside world. The drama powerfully shows the lives of ordinary people in a world where street thugs roamed and woven themselves into the fabric of society. Life was difficult as the country rebuilt its economy, recovered from the revolution’s damage, and went international. The narration of the story is from the point of view of Yi Dong Dong. He describes how he met Ma Xiao Xiao and Ou Xiao Jian and how they have influenced him. The show skillfully crafted the family dynamics and interpersonal interactions. These simple nuances like this make this drama so relatable and charming. This drama had a bittersweet ending which invokes varied emotions.
Star Power
The cast was able to embody their characters well. Tan Song Yun (Ma Xiao Xiao), Timmy Xu (Ou Xiao Jian), and Niu Jun Feng (Yi Dong Dong) make a good team and carry the plot well with their acting.
Overall Opinion
It is a bittersweet drama that will hold your attention and emotion.
