A drama that summons nostalgic memories of first love has landed on Netflix. It's the Chinese youth romance, 'Our Generation'. Drawn in by its fresh poster and a title that evokes pure sentiment, one begins watching to find that this series goes beyond a simple teen romance to delicately portray the pains of growing up, a twisted fate, and a heartfelt connection that spans a long time.
The drama's original title is 'Yīngtáo Hǔpò (樱桃琥珀)', based on the novel of the same name by popular Chinese author Yun Zhu (云住). 'Yīngtáo' means cherry, and 'Hǔpò' means amber. This carries a dual meaning, referencing the main character Lin Qiluo's nickname, "Cherry," and the idea that the memories of that brilliant time are eternally preserved like a fossil in amber, deepening the work's lyrical atmosphere. The English title, 'Our Generation', suggests an intent to capture the universal stories of youth from a specific era.
It's noteworthy that the series was originally planned for 40 episodes but was ultimately edited down to 24. It aired in a daily drama format in China, known for its rapid pacing. In the Chinese drama market, where series often run for 32 episodes or more, 24 episodes can feel rather short. However, this can also be a positive factor, leading viewers to expect a clean, filler-free plot and high levels of immersion.
The Korean title, '앵두빛 시절' (Age of Cherries), feels familiar to Korean viewers because the female lead, Lin Qiluo (林其乐), has the lovely nickname "Cherry" (앵두/樱桃). Lin Qiluo is played by actress Zhao Jinmai (赵今麦). She is already known to some audiences in Korea through films like One Week Friends and is a rising star recognized for her solid acting skills. In the drama, she portrays her character from middle school onwards, and despite being 22 in real life, she perfectly embodies the innocent look of a young middle school student.
Her relatively petite appearance is further emphasized by the height difference with the male lead, Jiang Jiaoxi (蒋峤西). The actor playing Jiang Jiaoxi, Zhang Linghe (张凌赫), captivates viewers with his striking physique and impressive height of 189cm (approx. 6'2"). Although Zhao Jinmai's actual height is 165cm (approx. 5'5"), which is by no means short, Zhang Linghe and the other male actors are also tall, creating a lovely size difference that maximizes their visual chemistry.
The early part of the drama depicts the fateful first meeting of the two protagonists. Lin Qiluo, nicknamed Cherry, grew up without a care in the world in a rural town where a power plant was under construction. She spends her joyful and energetic days with friends like Wei Qiao and Chen Yeyuan. Then, one day, a small ripple disturbs her peaceful life when a city boy, Jiang Jiaoxi, comes to stay in the village temporarily due to family circumstances.
Jiang Jiaoxi, a model student bearing his parents' high expectations, and Lin Qiluo, a free spirit, grew up in vastly different worlds. Jiang Jiaoxi's mother, in particular, has high hopes for her son and disapproves of Lin Qiluo and her friends. The scene where she refuses to accept food brought by Lin Qiluo, deeming it unsanitary, starkly illustrates the environmental and cultural gap between the two families.
Leaving their brief but intense encounter behind, Jiang Jiaoxi returns to the city to focus on his studies. He leaves with a promise to return, but that promise is never kept. Lin Qiluo meticulously writes letters to him, filling them with their shared memories and updates on her life, but not a single reply ever comes from Jiang Jiaoxi. As her records of one-sided longing pile up, Lin Qiluo receives a phone call one day. A girl, identifying herself as Jiang Jiaoxi's girlfriend, coldly tells her that Jiang Jiaoxi dislikes her and that she should stop sending letters.
Deeply shocked by this unbelievable reality, Lin Qiluo impulsively heads to the city to meet him in person. However, what greets her is the fact that the rumor has spread throughout his school and, worst of all, Jiang Jiaoxi's icily changed attitude. He wounds her with harsh words when she asks for an explanation, and Lin Qiluo finally turns her back on him, declaring, "Let's pretend we don't know each other from now on."
Time passes, and Lin Qiluo, thanks to her excellent grades, gets into the same prestigious high school that Jiang Jiaoxi attends. She attends using her real name, "Lin Qiluo," instead of her nickname "Cherry," so no one at school knows about her past with Jiang Jiaoxi. The two are reunited by fate. However, contrary to his past behavior, Jiang Jiaoxi now seems to constantly try to approach Lin Qiluo and be kind to her.
To be honest, the first three episodes of the drama serve as an introduction to the characters' relationships and backgrounds, so it might be difficult to feel an explosive sense of fun. However, the true charm of the series begins to shine as the story of their high school reunion unfolds, and the real reason for Jiang Jiaoxi's past coldness and the secrets he has been hiding are gradually revealed. The sight of the two characters untangling the threads of their crossed memories and misunderstandings to once again find their way to each other is sure to bring both excitement and a sense of poignancy to viewers. The entire series is already released, so if you cherish memories of a first love or enjoy heartfelt youth narratives, I highly recommend starting your binge-watch of 'Our Generation'.
댓글
댓글 쓰기