The Hope Reviews

The drama has a great visual quality, with well-executed camera work, visuals, and filters. It gives a movie-like experience. The choice of student actors is actually quite good, in my humble opinion. Such dramas should be portrayed by actors who have graduated from high school.
Only then can they truly capture the essence of nostalgia when looking back on those youthful emotions after experiencing the ups and downs of life.

At first, when I watched a few episodes, it felt silly and unrealistic, especially since it's a school-themed drama that seemed a bit too far-fetched. However, as I finished watching Episode 8, gradually, I started to feel that sometimes giving hope to dreams is important.
So what if it's fanciful? Can't ordinary people have lofty dreams? Even if you work hard and don't succeed, it doesn't necessarily mean it's not a form of redemption.
At the very least, you can believe in Zhang Ruoyun, who always gives his best and has no regrets.

I watched it for Zhang Ruo Yun, I don't really know the other actors, and the plot seems to be motivational. However, it's indeed quite idealized. The filming location is right in Changsha, the city of Changjun, which gives it a down-to-earth feel and a taste of experiencing everyday life.
The consistent breakfast scenes are so enticing, making me crave for Laidabudong's breakfast dishes like the coffee, soy milk, and youtiao. I even want to get a Laidabudong mug to drink coffee now ☕️. He enjoys breakfast so deliciously every day!

I thought it would be like "Long Yarin," with one teacher shouldering the responsibility of teaching them all. But it turns out they have a different teacher for each subject, and the students aren't academically weak either.
They were carefully selected. It's quite unrealistic! In China, it's impossible for a school to willingly assemble a class just for the purpose of preparing them to pass the entrance exams for Tsinghua University and Peking University within a year.
So, why make a drama about it?

The plot's direction is always unpredictable! I thought a drama based on the college entrance examination theme would have some familiar tropes, but this drama seems to break away from that.
Just when I thought Class 11 would successfully form and start their comeback, Yu Yang appeared. And when Yu Yang's mom found Lei Ming and wanted Yu Yang to join Class 11, I thought he would immediately agree, but instead, he provoked Yu Yang to express his true thoughts.
I love this kind of plot twist!

I'll give two stars to Zhang Ge. It's already the year 3202, and he's still the amazing teacher who takes underachieving students to compete for admission to Qingbei University. Is Qingbei a free market where anyone can get in as long as they've reformed?
And the speech on the playground was also quite shocking. A prestigious lecturer shouting at students. Leaving aside how exaggerated that segment was, what values are they trying to convey by immediately labeling students?

I didn't expect our Lei Ming to be a rebellious teenager as well. In his childhood, he obediently followed his father's every arrangement, even eating steamed buns while shedding tears.
But as he grew up, he insisted on riding a motorcycle despite being told not to. He even rides it to work. I find Teacher Lei, with his mixture of eccentricity and childishness, incredibly captivating.
Haha.

I want to share a point that touched me deeply, which may not be noticed by everyone but means a lot to me. It's the post-meal activities where each person engages in their own thing. Some may chat with old friends, while others may be "busy" in the classroom doing various things.
It awakens beautiful memories of the past for me. These small details truly struck a chord with me.

From the beginning, I felt that Lei Ming had a story behind him. Otherwise, why would he have such young age and yet white hair? Feeding stray cats, the conflict with his father, and his relationship with the skewer stall owner—were all these laying the foundation for Lei Ming's storyline?
I'm becoming more and more curious about the story of our "down-and-out" teacher.

Currently, it's definitely a 5-star drama. I absolutely love watching youth campus dramas. The casting is superb, and each character's portrayal matches their appearance perfectly! The storyline is also very localized, and the backgrounds of each student are truly captivating.
The cinematography is also exceptional! Looking forward to the future developments of the plot.

After watching three episodes, the conversation between Lei Ming and Xiao Rui starts to unveil Lei Ming's storyline. Who would have thought that the person who now pretends to lose the game in order to get Xiao Rui's signature was once so confident and spirited?
It's quite poignant. Hopefully, while Lei Ming heals his students, he can also find healing from them.

At first, I thought it would be another miserable TV drama, considering the unfortunate family backgrounds behind each student to some extent. But as I continued watching, it actually felt quite light-hearted. The interactions between the teachers and the students were joyful, making it a relaxing school drama.
I quite liked it.

This drama is very realistic. Sometimes it doesn't feel like watching a show, but rather like seeing another version of myself in a different time and space. In order to have common topics with my classmates, I would cater to their preferences.
Some of the plot points feel so real that I can relate them to my own life.

I think it's enjoyable to watch. Although it's unrealistic for them to all get into Tsinghua University within a year, I appreciate the emphasis on hard work and a positive mindset. I hope the final outcome is that they don't make it to Tsinghua University, but still manage to transform their lives positively.

I can really understand why Yu Yang suddenly left the cafeteria. Being a child with low self-esteem, being the center of attention in such a crowded place must have felt very uncomfortable.
Overprotecting someone might not always be a good thing. These small details and settings make the whole drama feel very authentic.

Being able to sense the excellence in the production through the meticulous details is truly remarkable. Whether it's the vivid portrayal of each character in the script or the expressive cinematography (some of the smooth transitions could be used as textbook examples), it's definitely worth watching.

The focus is on school and family, and the storyline flows smoothly with strict logic. The brilliant cinematography by Ding Heixuan leaves nothing to be desired. Not to mention the core theme, this is definitely not a simple youth drama.
It's rare to see such profound intentions in domestic productions.

In those neglected corners where no one pays attention, mental health issues are gradually eroding the well-being of every young person. The portrayal of Sang Xia, the mental health counselor, aims to raise awareness of the importance of psychological well-being.
Mental illnesses are real illnesses too!

I didn't expect the first class of Class 11 to be a smartphone detox. At first, I thought it was not very significant, but in reality, Lei Ming wanted them to detox not just from their phones, but also from the curiosity about the unknown in this fast-paced era.
Instantly, it felt so necessary.

Lei Ming and Sang Xia have different philosophies but share the same goal. Although Sang Xia occasionally challenges Lei Ming and speaks on behalf of the audience, the feeling of trust between them really struck me.
A little bickering between this pair of frenemies is not excessive at all.

There are many new actors in the cast, and they all performed very well, especially Yu Yang. It's particularly heart-wrenching, and you can see glimpses of real-life people in the portrayal of different characters.
Overall, it exceeded my expectations and was worth investing time in.

The blended family truly understands Cheng Yu Shan's pain. Unable to fully integrate or separate, it feels like they're a burden to this family. Why should they be treated unfairly like this?
For a child like that, the words from Teacher Sang were heart-wrenching to watch.

Seeing Cheng Yu Shan sitting alone at home with tears streaming down her face, I suddenly understood the true meaning of this drama. It's not about telling you to definitely get into a good school, but rather to never give up moving forward, to never give up on yourself.

The director's visual storytelling is truly impressive. The scenes of Li Ran attending his father's funeral when he was a child, as well as the shots of his stepfather secretly monitoring his stepdaughter and watching the playback at night, are incredibly well-executed.
They gave me goosebumps.

There are many heartwarming moments in the plot that touched me. For example, the scene where Li Ran chases after the car to bring his grandmother back home, revealing his deep concern.
He takes up part-time jobs and even considers dropping out of school to ease his grandmother's financial burden. Cheng Yu Shan silently endures and sacrifices for her mother, and her act of giving gifts is truly relatable.
The attention to detail in depicting these moments is truly meticulous.

After watching three episodes, I'm quite satisfied. The first episode introduces the establishment of the experimental class, while the second and third episodes delve into the problems and difficulties faced by the students.
The actors' performances are impressive, and the storytelling is vivid and detailed. It's a drama with a conscience!

The storytelling format of the drama is quite innovative. In the first episode, the conflicts and contradictions between the characters are introduced through a news report, leading to the event of Class Eleven.
The beginning of the second episode features a unique funeral scene, where the relatives outside the house are laughing and feasting in contrast to the wailing in front of the coffin. The juxtaposition of black and white visuals with a bright red toy robot creates a surreal feeling.
The subplot of the demolition is also very emotionally engaging.

The plot is too awkward. Three stars for Xiao Xiao Yu Shan (so heartbreaking????) and the crackling chemistry between them (although their acting skills are a bit lacking, they're enjoyable to watch, and the drama's promotion really got me hooked from that angle).
I have to say, please don't add any more rap, it's really hard to listen to. Lao Tie, you're not suited to be a rapper, maybe focus on studying instead.

This kind of realistic drama has the power to touch people's hearts. It doesn't just revolve around the superficial topic of college entrance exams but delves into the family issues behind the "problem" students. This adds depth to the series and makes it even more impactful.

The plot is predictable at first glance, just something to pass the time. Zhang Ruo Yun has reached a point where I can't tell if his acting is good or bad. After all, I had high expectations for "Joy of Life," but it feels like he plays similar roles.
Also, I really don't like Xu Ruo Han's appearance.

I've noticed that even if I'm not a screenwriter, it's all in vain. From the second episode, I already knew that Li Ran, doing business, would definitely end up going to school and getting scammed.
Regardless of any show, just by making a slight association, I can predict the plot. But no matter what, I still love the energy Zhang Ruo Yun brings to his acting. Perhaps this is the unique feeling of being a Beijing native.

Yun Di really knows how to choose scripts, although the editing style is a bit scattered. It's clear that they want to bring in some unique style. Although I personally like it, it can indeed hinder the coherence of the plot and the viewing experience.
My mom, in particular, found it noisy and the music too intrusive. The actors are all pretty good. However, after the fourth episode, the pace starts to slow down, and it feels like they're just talking without taking any actual action to progress.
I hope it gets better in the later episodes.

Not exaggerating, by the time I reached this point, this drama had already become a divine existence in my heart. It is a work that combines aesthetics and narrative ability.
The director's skillful use of visual language highlights various contemporary social issues, family conflicts, and students' mental health with pinpoint accuracy.
I must say that the entire production team put in a lot of effort.

You can find a reflection of yourself in each student. Jiang Qing Lang's parents who only focus on grades, Xiao Xiao with a people-pleasing personality, Yu Yang who is filled with self-doubt and confusion, and the person who feels detached from reality.
If someone says they haven't seen these types before, then I must say, these are all the types I've encountered in middle school and high school. Just because they haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

It's ironic to see parents and students glued to their phones, fighting for renowned teachers' courses at the dinner table. This drama is really realistic, and there are scenes where parents compare their children's academic achievements, which left me with a lingering feeling even after the episode ended.
It struck a deep chord with me.

Tailoring education to individual needs and addressing the problem at hand, Lei Ming's approach of implementing smartphone detox and observing the students in Class 11 is both interesting and meaningful.
Each experiment is a preparation for a better transformation. I'm really looking forward to the changes in Class 11.

When I saw Yu Yang saying that if she didn't reply to her mom's message, her mom would think she was dead, I thought it was a bit far-fetched. But when Yu Yang's mom rushed to the teacher, I was absolutely stunned.
I love these unexpected plot twists. I have no idea how many more surprises this drama has in store!

I was actually quite amazed when I watched the scene where Lei Ming took Class Eleven to the monitoring room to observe the performance of other classes. How did he come up with such an interesting and effective method? Allowing them to visually see the gap is crucial for them to better adjust their own pace of progress.

So detailed! When Yu Yang tears up while reciting words, the repeated "humiliation," "humiliation," combined with his mother's controlling and shameful "love," it's his expression of low self-esteem and sensitivity, a subdued outcry and scream.

Those who are inherently struggling and have no interest in studying are not suitable for the path of college entrance exams. The independent recruitment system is more suitable for them. The real focus should be on those who have good potential but struggle academically due to external factors and learning environments.
That's the true purpose of having this experimental class. Otherwise, do you think everyone can get into Tsinghua University and Peking University? Teachers are not gods and cannot provide them with the answers to the college entrance exams.

I knew Lei Ming had a story, but I didn't expect his storyline to be tinged with sadness. From a young age, he was strictly demanded by his father, making sure he brushed his teeth and ate his meals diligently.
Seeing him like that, it's hard not to feel sorry for him. As he grew up, he became the admired "teacher from other people's families." This drama truly succeeds in giving every character depth and richness.

Japanese dramas are magical. They excel at portraying ensemble stories with teachers as the main characters, particularly focusing on unit stories within the overarching theme of teachers helping students. These stories can be inspiring or healing without feeling cheesy.
However, when it comes to adaptations, it's a different story. I'm referring specifically to "Minglong Youth"...

Not exaggerating, this drama is suitable as educational material for all students, teachers, and parents across the country to watch. The college entrance examination (gaokao) is not just about studying or solving problems; it encompasses students' emotions, family environment, and acts of self-discipline.
Every episode carries educational significance.

Sometimes, what you think is protection can actually harm someone, just like Yu Yang's experience. Due to his mother's excessive attention, he became the subject of gossip at school. One great aspect of this drama is that it is not a one-way output but a two-way interaction that presents facts and triggers reflection.

I can't believe that Lei Ming, such a great teacher, went through such strict upbringing in his childhood. Is the conflict with his father the main reason behind him establishing the experimental teaching class?
The plot is truly captivating, and I'm looking forward to more stories about Teacher Lei in the future.