“Life is a never ending process of choosing and making decisions. We all think these decisions will bring us the fastest shortcut to happiness but along the way, we may miss a once in a lifetime scenery. Don't walk too far and forget why you took this path in the beginning. Don't run too fast and lose yourself among the countless intersections.”

This show starts with a heavy tone - suicide within 5 mins. Why so depressing? Where is hope?

Hope, does come though. Bits and pieces. In the subtlety of life. If we slow down enough to pay attention.

First things first, I love the story arc represented by 4 friends with different circumstances, ideals and personalities. This make for a cast where there will be someone whom we will relate more towards.

Qiao Xi Chen (QXC)
Our everyday worker who slowly grinds through the corporate ladder through experience and sincere work. The corporate road which often feels like 1 step forward, 2 steps back. But it’s the grind of life. She is headstrong and competitive - but she is a main lead we all want to root for because she represents many of us in so many ways. Zhou Yutong delivers this character wonderfully and able to draws me in. What great performance.

Jia Nan 姐 (JN)
I added a 姐 - sister - out of respect. She represents our dream and goal of future self who has made it in life, and yet, whose life still deem missing by everyone and sometimes herself because she is single. I particularly love JN’s heartfelt conversation with QXC on her arranged marriage arc. How she feels her past decisions are denied when she meets with her potential candidates. How QXC is able to share her own perspective that liberates JN.

There is also the arc that draws out her decision process in buying a house. Let me tell you here: 姐 is an earned title, and definitely a sign of respect.

Xu Yan (XY)
Our stereotypical millennial who appeals our more materialistic side. The carpe diem and que sera sera group because life’s tough, so we should just enjoy the moment. She has the shorter end of the stick, but definitely a familiar character we can relate to, whether it’s our younger selves or our friends. Her relationship ordeals with her boyfriend also slowly grow on me and I learn to empathise with them.

Hu Jing Jing (HJJ)
For someone who died within a few mins of the show, HJJ is nowhere a filler nor plot device. It’s easy to dismiss her extremity as something that will not happen to us. HJJ represents our mental health, and what could happen if we neglect them, in ourselves and our friends. She didn’t set out to suicide and is trying hard too. Until she couldn’t. So it’s important to shout for help or take a proper break, because the emotional load often feels lighter when shared.

Characters aside, their dynamics with the parents, each other and their love interests are also perfectly done. Their calls with their parents are short but poignant. Their interactions with each other and friendships are what make the foreign city feels like home. Their love interests and developments are the hope that we ladies can have the love we want too.

More importantly, Remembrance of Thing Past is a character driven show about 4 friends with relatable struggles and realistic priorities on career, life and love. This show highlights the struggles and (possible) depression of expats in a competitive city. For parents lamenting that we are the strawberry generation, a quick Google Search indicates that the youngest millennials are already 27 in 2023.

If anything, I would say the more befitting term for us, especially the middle class, would be potatoes. Under the pressure of different context and circumstances, some become French fries and mash potatoes, while others are couch potatoes, pun intended.

Jokes and analogy aside, the central theme of the story resonates a lot - especially when you are an expat in a big city.

Where are you now? Where do you want to be? Why? How will you get there?

Here’s to life and a path that’s meaningful to you. 加油哦！(Jia You oo)