Ying tao hu po

The series shines through its layered characters. The audience watches them mature and make decisions that feel authentic, painful, and at times inspiring. A poignant and nostalgic journey through the trials of youth in a changing nation. The cast did a wonderful job delivering the characters. Both actresses potraying young YingTao and adult Yingtao did especially good job carrying one of the standout characters in Our Generation, and arguably one of its most emotionally complex. She's not the central protagonist, but her presence adds significant emotional depth and a sharp contrast to the other characters, especially in how she navigates societal expectations, personal ambition, and emotional resilience. They did great job at it. All in all this series is a must watch for lovers of emotional, character-driven dramas.

As someone born in the 1990s, *Cherry Amber* is more than just a drama - it's a personal love letter to a generation. I've been waiting for a story that genuinely reflects my youth, and this one finally delivers. It doesn't rely on idol fantasy or manufactured angst. Instead, it gives us something real: the tangled, beautiful, chaotic experience of growing up.

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### 🎞 **A Nostalgic Visual Masterpiece**

Shot in **Ultra HD**, this show is visually stunning. The attention to detail in recreating the late '90s and early 2000s is astonishing - from the cassette tapes to the walkmans, chunky desktops, the home decor, school uniforms, the slang, even the tones of light filtering into the classroom. It doesn't just *show* the past - it **feels** like it. If you lived through that time, it'll make you nostalgic. If you didn't, it'll make you wish you had.

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### 🖋 **Zeng Lu's Script - Honest, Balanced, Emotionally Rich**

Screenwriter **Zeng Lu**, who also wrote *The Story of Minglan*, proves her mastery once again. This time, she steps away from period dramas and brings her skill into a coming-of-age setting. Her writing is **subtle, layered, and deeply empathetic**. She balances youthful humor with poignant truths, crafting a narrative that flows seamlessly from laughter to tears.

The show captures **group friendships**, **girl best-friend dynamics**, **high school gossip**, and **unspoken crushes** with a realism that hits home. It's not just about love - it's about **growing pains**, **social pressure**, and **self-worth**.

What I particularly appreciated is the contrast between family environments. **Zhao Jinmai's character grows up in a supportive, emotionally healthy household** - her parents are the epitome of what good parenting should look like: encouraging, attentive, and open-minded.

In contrast, **Zhang Linghe's character bears the weight of overbearing, high-pressure parents** - a portrayal that rings especially true for many in Asia, where academic excellence often overshadows emotional well-being. His arc gives voice to those quietly suffering under the pressure to "succeed."

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### 🎬 **Zhang Kaizhou's Direction - Poetic and Precise**

Director **Zhang Kaizhou** (*Like a Flowing River*, *The Story of Minglan*) proves again that he's one of the best when it comes to emotional storytelling. Every frame is composed with intention. He captures small moments - a look across a classroom, a silent dinner table, a late-night walk - with such tenderness that they linger long after the episode ends.

The pacing is steady and thoughtful, never rushed. He gives space for emotions to breathe, for characters to sit with their choices, for the audience to reflect.

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### 🎭 **Outstanding Performances**

**Zhao Jinmai** delivers a career-defining performance. She brings warmth, wit, and maturity to her role. Her portrayal of a young woman navigating friendship, love, and dreams - all while grounded in a healthy home - feels refreshingly different and authentic.

**Zhang Linghe** also gives a standout performance, portraying a character burdened with expectations but slowly learning to find his own voice. His emotional restraint, especially in scenes with his parents, adds depth and complexity to his arc.

The chemistry between the leads is **gentle and unforced**. It's not dramatic or overdone - it's **organic**, like watching two people naturally fall into something deeper than they expected.

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### 🎵 **The Soundtrack & Structure**

The **OST** is understated but powerful - acoustic, piano-driven, and perfectly timed. The music enhances without overwhelming, echoing the emotional beat of every arc.

The drama also stands out in its structure. While it spans adolescence into adulthood, it never loses focus. The final arc - when the characters are grown - reminds us that **coming of age isn't defined by romance**, but by **maturity, forgiveness, and self-discovery**. It's a quiet, wise finale that lingers.

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### 💬 **Final Thoughts**

*Cherry Amber* isn't just a drama - it's a time capsule. It captures the soul of a generation: the yearning to be understood, the confusion of growing up, the beauty of platonic love, the weight of parental expectation, and the courage it takes to become your own person.

It's especially meaningful in a region where success is often valued above well-being. This drama gently challenges that mindset - through **a story that's heartfelt, well-crafted, and emotionally true**.

If you're from the '90s, it'll feel like coming home. If you're younger, it'll show you where we came from. Either way, **it deserves your time**.

**⭐ 10/10 - A rare gem.**

Absolutely adored this show! The slow-burn romance was beautifully done, allowing the feelings between the characters to grow naturally; from genuine friendship into heartfelt romance. The visuals were stunning, and the nostalgic, youthful atmosphere really resonated with me, bringing back so many memories. I do wish the story had explored the male lead's relationship with his parents in more depth, and given more focus to the secondary characters. I also would have loved to see more resolution and repair in the male lead's friendships within the group too. Still, the character development was deeply satisfying, and the overall experience was a joy to watch. Bonus points for the ending (Ep 24) which was very satisfying!

NOTE: These are just my opinions! You don't have to like/agree with anything I said, because I'm just one person.

The romanticization of the self-sacrificial heroine is a big no no for me.

The story was bad. The actors seemed to have zero chemistry and it should have been 10 episodes on the very max.

I really loved the drama, especially because of Zhang Ling He and Zhao Jinmai - their chemistry as a couple was top-notch, and their acting performances were excellent. I also really enjoyed seeing them together in Princess Royal.

Our Generation had impressive visuals, good direction, and well-executed acting. However, there were a few shortcomings. The editing and pacing felt rushed at the end, and parts of the storyline seemed cut or left incomplete. Some important scenes appeared to be missing, while certain supporting characters received too much focus compared to the main plot. I think this has become a recurring issue with many recent Chinese dramas - they tend to cut too much content, especially toward the end. The pacing suddenly speeds up, and instead of fully developing the main storyline or giving viewers the closure they're hoping for, everything feels rushed. It often seems like they're just trying to quickly wrap things up, which leaves a lot of important moments either missing or underdeveloped.

That said, overall it was still an enjoyable drama - mainly thanks to the strong performances and amazing chemistry between the lead actors. They truly carried the story and made it worth watching.