Editor's Note: This article is just a preview of the first episodes of recently aired series. Are they worth jumping into? Some shows may gradually gain momentum, while others may start strong but then falter. This article only reviews the first few episodes for your reference. If there are any subsequent disappointments, I'll keep you posted.
"Birth of All Things"
Start date: August 13
Broadcast platform: CCTV-8, iQiyi
At the tail end of the summer season, a drama with the potential to be a hit finally premiered. Yes, I'm talking about the period drama "Life and All Things" starring Yang Mi and Ou Hao.
The series is directed by Liu Jiacheng and written by Wang He. It is adapted from Zhao Defa's novel "Tenderness and Determination", which won the People's Literature Award. It is set against the backdrop of land changes in rural southern Shandong and tells the story of the rise and fall of two generations of the Ning, Feng and Fei families represented by Ning Xiuxiu, Feng Dajiao and Fei Zuoshi.
Before turning on "Growing All Things," I was a bit nervous. After all, Yang Mi's performance in TV dramas last year was worrying, and this rural-themed period drama was a far cry from her comfort zone of period dramas. Winning this battle and regaining lost ground was crucial for Yang Mi.
After watching the first five episodes, I couldn't help but sigh: "The Life of All Things" is so much better than "Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Moon Red Chapter"! This time, Yang Mi made the right bet.
On August 13, the first day of its broadcast, the popularity of "Giving Birth to All Things" on iQiyi exceeded 7,000. As of press time, the popularity of the drama on the site has reached 8,000.
On the day of its premiere, the real-time ratings of "Giving Birth to All Things" on Kuyun CCTV-8 exceeded 2.6803%, and the real-time ratings of Huanwang Big Data CCTV-8 exceeded 3.6652%.
The drama "Growing All Things" has enjoyed a strong opening on both TV and online thanks to its melodramatic opening. Ning Xiuxiu (Yang Mi), the daughter of the richest man in Tianniumiao Village, is kidnapped by bandits on her wedding day. Her stingy father, Ning Xuexiang (Ni Dahong), refuses to sell his land to redeem her, leading to a rift between them. Meanwhile, her childhood sweetheart, Fei Wendian (Zhang Tianyang), foolishly marries her younger sister, Susu (Xing Fei). Rescued by a farmer named Feng Dajiao (Ou Hao), Xiuxiu decides to escape her family and marry him. The first five episodes are so fast-paced that it's almost impossible to stop.
Yang Mi plays Ning Xiuxiu
Yang Mi's performance in the drama is excellent, especially in several key crying scenes, which are both realistic and delicate. I was initially confused when watching the trailer for "Xiu Xiu Gets Married" about why the bride was the only one in the show painted so white, not looking like a rural woman at all. Who knew that this was her best look at the beginning? Each subsequent scene was increasingly grimy and her scenes were more heartbreaking.
A key highlight of this drama is the women's struggle against fate. After a devastating start, Xiuxiu returns home to discover her father has refused to redeem her and her husband has remarried. Despite the double blow to her family and love, she refuses to remain complacent and chooses to flee this hellish family life. However, her reputation in the village has been shattered, and she faces an unprecedented fear of the unknown future. Yang Mi's exquisite attention to detail, from the tense gripping of her clothes to the despair of secretly wiping away tears, resonates deeply with the audience. Her courage and resilience resonate with women today, a crucial element to the drama's success. Looking forward to Xiuxiu's continued growth and transformation!
Furthermore, it's been a while since I've gotten to watch the male and female leads' xipi lines in a period drama. Ou Hao's Big Foot characterization is fantastic, and he really suits this somewhat impulsive yet delicate peasant role. And Xiu Xiu's xipi lines are so captivating, even passing ants would want to sip them. Oh my goodness, let's delve deeper into the local handsome actor genre. I think it'll work!
Ou Hao plays Feng Dajiao
Honestly, the tension between the male and female leads is crucial to a drama's success. True xipi (a romantic interest) comes from within, naturally developing based on the storyline, rather than unbridled sugar-sprinkling. "The Creation of All Things" excels in this regard, developing its emotional progression with respectful restraint, a touch of both moving and measured.
While Xiuxiu is the undeniable heart of the show, the ensemble cast of "Giving Birth to All Things" is even more impressive. Whether it's Ni Dahong as Ning Xuexiang, the "Chinese Grandet," Qin Hailu as Fei Zuo, deeply shackled by feudal ethics, or Zhang Tianyang as the "expensive snack" ex-husband, each one is vividly portrayed, drawing a deep sense of sympathy. The tit-for-tat acting battles between these veteran actors create iconic moments.
Ni Dahong's "Bad Dad's Quotes"
Qin Hailu as Fei Zuoshi
A drama's ratings and reputation aren't solely the product of one or two actors, but rather the combined efforts of an entire team, pulling together as one. I hope the subsequent plot doesn't disappoint me. Please, summer season, give me a good drama that doesn't end badly.
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