A most compelling story on coming-of-age and overcoming-almost-insurmountable struggles...

This is just the third time that I got to fully finish a full-length Chinese TV Drama where I eagerly looked forward to watching the next episodes not only because of the generally well-written plot and storylines, but also because of the excellent acting and portrayal of characters by the main leads.

Xu Tan, angst and expectations-driven, initially evokes a cerebrally calculating but physically weak youth with a generous-to-a fault wholesome, almost naive, personality in the beginning, but then evolves into this emotionally strong, mentally focused, and physically tough athlete who emerges as a champion in his own right. Bai Jing Ting exceptionally and convincingly plays Xu Tan whose remarkable physical transformation and emotional maturity over the years was matched in real life by Bai Jing Ting's physique-change and character portrayal. Xu Tan withstands and emerges triumphant over multiple adversities that life hurls at him: struggles and challenges in his family life, love-life, career, and more importantly, in his relationship with his main rival/friend, Yu Ke Nan. (Bai Jing Ting, also excellently portrays the lead, Xing Ke Lei in "You Are My Hero")

Yu Ke Nan, sternly brought up by his Pingpong-crazed father through rigid training and selfless discipline is a naturally-gifted pingpong athlete whose initial persona is that of a self-assured, arrogant and selfish individual single-mindedly devoted to winning at any cost. Eventually, his personal friendship and professional relationship with the amiable and selfless Xu Tan transforms him. In a sense, while coming from the opposite ends of the personality spectrum that makes them clash often, the differences between the two, their almost parallel career tracks, and their apparent love and respect for each other are what will eventually forge their deep and lifelong friendship. Timmy Xu Wei Zhou perfectly captures the wide-range of emotions that run through the tough but broken and temperamental yet sensitive Yu Ke Nan. Of note, especially, is his charged performance in Episode 43 where he visits and reconciles with his estranged father. (Timmy Xu Wei Zhou was likewise outstanding when he portrayed the challenging role of the pensive and emotionally-conflicted Bai LuoYin in "Addicted").

Over-all, the plot is great, with the scriptwriters carefully establishing the pains, struggles, growth, and maturity of our main protagonists as they journey through their lives. The writer(s) carefully interwove the positive influence of the main supporting characters, especially the masterful approach with which they molded the sagacious, staunch & steady father-figure types of the personal coaches, Lei Cheng (Liu Zhi Bing) and Teng Biao (Wang Jian Xin), respectively for Xu Tan and Yu Ke Nan. Another notable figure is that of delightful romantic, Liu Shi (aptly played by Wan Guo Peng) , best friend / teammate / roommate of both Xu Tan and Yu Ke Nan. Of last important note is the antagonist character of Coach Zheng Hao (Gao Dong Ping) that superbly stitched and strikingly prototyped the seemingly hopeless and endless struggles of both Xu Tan and Yu Ke Nan. On the other hand, the storyline could have been tightened a little by doing away with some unnecessary sub-plots like the post-pingpong career and mischief of Jia Yu, or in tempering some of the overly-written romantic twists.

While primarily a sports drama, the storyline touches deeply to the core of human desires---sentimental reminders about our own hopes and dreams, of our failures and triumphs, of our loves--lost and found, of our disappointments and betrayals, but more importantly of our constant and unquenchable quest for meaning and self-actualization. The more than few superbly written phrases and one-liners about living a more meaningful life makes this series worthy of multiple re-runs.

For even non-sports enthusiasts, the brilliant demonstration of the beautiful game of Pingpong inspires awe, and the most exciting exchange of volleys in many tournament scenes warrant deep admiration for these exceptional table tennis athletes at the peak of their game. An added bonus are the enlightening technical narratives of the game, or mini-glossaries that follow at the end of every episode.

Cinematography is tastefully and greatly done especially showcasing the economic, scientific, and cultural achievements of Modern China as gleaned from depictions of ordinary Chinese life and of China's magnificent cities. Finally, the whole story fully succeeds in the triumphal portrayal of the Chinese Sports programs---the science & rigor involved, and the human & material resources allotted to their perfection, as exemplified by Pingpong, its national sport---particularly timely for the 70th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

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Initially Really Promising...BUT...

Initially really Promising...but then the plot lines and character building started to deteriorate......still hoping for more promise (after watching 24 Episodes!)


I really, really like the initial plot-line of this series and especially wait to see in each episode the carefully-assisted growth of the main female protagonist , Liu Wen Jing (Crystal Zang) from a rural-girl into a fine woman of character and sophistication. In addition, we wait with eager anticipation the potential romance of our female lead with our male lead, Professor' Xing Tian Ming (Xu Kai Cheng), as we witness as well his gradual transformation & slow-burn softening-of-edges from an arrogant intellectual into our female lead's prince charming.

However, by the time I reached Ep20, the repetitious "stupidity," blunders, and inability of the main characters, particularly Liu Wen Jing, to learn from the past, speak firmly for the truth, but instead just silently endure become ABSOLUTELY EXASPERATING and, frankly, just TERRIBLY ABSURD. Their hoped-for growth, better strength of character, and wiser decision-making give way to seemingly endless and repetitive mistakes and the same weaknesses (i.e. Wen Jing not really able to say "No" to abuse from family, even the most irritating people, and her tendency to sulk rather than speak the truth and her mind---(and yes, even the preposterous idea of work in Africa--really???). I was finding myself fast-forwarding through scenes by Ep21.

By Ep24, halfway through the series, I decided to just stop watching...and allow some time, still hopeful that the next Episodes (or till the end) would be better, which is really sad as I very much like the characters of Wen Jing and Tian Ming, played magnificently and convincingly in-character by Crystal Zang and Xu Kai Cheng.

Plot: A Beautiful and good-hearted rural lass with just a Junior High School education attempts to go to the Big City (Shanghai) to seek for a better life...and in many twists and turns of fate, befriends a wholesome group of friends who help her go through the difficulty of navigating through fast-paced, sometimes treacherous life in the city...misunderstandings and conflict, unavoidable romantic relationships (secret or otherwise) blossom and wither within this close-knit clique, but their friendship remain strong through any trial and adversity...

(TO BE CONTINUED)

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ONE OF THE BEST TV DRAMAS: (LONGER REVIEW TO FOLLOW)

This is one of the BEST EMOTIONALLY-MOVING of all TV-Dramas (Chinese, Korean, Thai, Taiwanese) that I've seen so far--- superb cast who delivered their characters seamlessly; well-written, tight, and believable storylines per episode; great character development; and wonderful sets.

Each one of the forty episodes were worth watching, not just for the entertainment value, but for the many life-lessons that one can pick up.

THE STORY:
This drama revolves around an odd-mix of non-blood-related children who grew up practically under the same roof. It traces their initial meeting, their relationships and the circumstances that brought them together, and the childhood that was both a source of their pain and happiness. It follows them through their youth and into their young adulthood, and explores how their differing personalities develop and cope with the complexities of adult life, and eventually seeing them triumph over the adversities that life throws at them. (MORE TO FOLLOW)

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