Ying tao hu po

Our Generation" is honestly one of the most beautifully written youth dramas I've seen in a long time. The storytelling is subtle, realistic, and full of emotional layers. Unlike many dramas that rely on clichés or over-the-top twists, Our Generation takes its time to build an authentic narrative that reflects real life. The pacing is deliberate, and every scene feels meaningful. Nothing feels forced-the story unfolds naturally, and that's what makes it so powerful.

The writing doesn't just focus on the highs of youth, but also the pain, confusion, and pressure that comes with growing up. It portrays the dreams and disappointments of a generation trying to find their place in the world. There are no "perfect" characters-just people learning, failing, and changing over time. That kind of depth is rare, and it makes the drama hit much harder emotionally.

Zhao Jinmai shines in this role. Her acting in Our Generation is absolutely stunning. She plays her character with so much nuance and restraint, making even the quietest scenes feel impactful. You can see how much thought she puts into every gesture, every line-nothing is exaggerated, yet the emotion still reaches you. She makes the audience feel her character's inner struggles without needing to say much.

What's even more impressive is how her performance grows with the story. As her character matures, you can see that evolution reflected in her expressions, tone, and body language. It's such a controlled and deeply emotional performance, and it proves that Zhao Jinmai isn't just a rising star-she's already a fully matured actress with incredible range.

Overall, Our Generation is more than just a drama-it's a thoughtful, heartfelt journey. The writing is intelligent and subtle, and Zhao Jinmai's performance is the emotional anchor that brings it all to life. If you're looking for a drama that feels real and leaves a lasting impact, this is the one.

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.**

First, to clarify, despite what you read here this show has 24 episodes, only 21 of which have aired on Netflix to date. So most people don't know how it ends.

At times it shows flashes of brilliance and the settings are very elaborate and mostly do a good jobs of capturing the time and place in history. Character development is particularly strong, even if some on them are very annoy, they are that way for a good reason, it turns out. Nothing is superficial.

It is probably not going to be as good as the Korean shows Crash Landing on You or Extraordinary Attorney Woo. But it is certainly not mediocre either. A lot will come down to the payoff of the final episodes. Episode 20 is particularly frustrating but it is a setup for Episode 21 which is the big payoff so far. I will update with a final review once the final 3 episodes air on Netflix.

For now, all I can say is that 24 episodes is a long arc and try to be patient with giving overall reviews on a show that hasn't played out yet.

I was so intrigued to see how this movie would end and the movie didn't bring it to any resolution. It was SO disappointing!

While I felt for the main characters, I wanted to see how the relationship would get resolved. How could it end as it did? Did the Network accidentally cut it short at the end? What a disappointment!

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.