The Forerunner Reviews

In 1927, Mao Zedong and Yang Kaihui parted ways in Banchang, and they never saw each other again. More than half a century later, workers rebuilt Chairman Mao's old residence in Banchang.
As they opened the walls, they discovered letters filling the gaps. Chairman Mao never had the chance to see these letters before he passed away. Each letter was filled with Yang Kaihui's unexpressed longing.

A century ago, the "question" of that era revolved around the perplexing and foggy path that the vast land of the time should take. At the age of 28, the young instructor was unsure of the destination at the end of the road, but he knew that the act of moving forward itself held meaning.
As long as he embarked on the journey, fellow travelers would naturally follow. Don't say there are no companions on the journey; who in the world does not recognize you? He, the pioneer forging a new path, is now 130 years old.
Happy birthday to him!

The set and costume design are indeed impressive, and the visual language contains thoughtful metaphors. However, some of the young actors still appear a bit immature and lack a thorough understanding of that period in history.
Nevertheless, focusing on the revolutionary practices of Mao Zedong during his youth as a theme is quite innovative, and I look forward to seeing more fresh ideas in the upcoming episodes.

I watched the first episode superficially, and the casting is really impressive! The appearances of the characters are also well-done. Especially, Wang Renjun's character has a strong presence.
I particularly love his posture, which is upright and tall, and the unwavering determination in his gaze. It's truly wonderful.

The young Mao Zedong singing the folk songs of Shaoshan, his spirited appearance, can leave a profound imprint in one's heart. The water from Orange Island will eventually merge into the sea, just as the great aspirations of the leader are about to set sail.
I am eagerly waiting to witness this mighty ship conquering countless waves!

The visual quality of this drama is absolutely stunning. The scene with Chiang Kai-shek and the Zen master sitting face-to-face in a pavilion, holding chess pieces, against a gloomy sky, captures the true reflection of their inner struggles.
It portrays a sense of melancholy and longing for a fresh start in life. The cinematography is exceptional, conveying a strong visual language that leaves a lasting impression.

The path that the great leader has explored through practice is the bright road of the Communist Party. In the future, countless Chinese youth will continue to persist or sacrifice themselves to strive for the best outcome. It reminds me of a phrase, "I will keep searching, even if the endless stars make my hope faint, even if I go alone and unarmed.

Although I have seen Wang Renjun portray Mao Zedong many times before, when the young instructor appeared in this drama, the words "In youth, we were comrades, full of ideals and ambitions" from the poem "Ode to the Plum Blossom" still resonate in my mind.
Apart from the appearance, his spirit is also very vibrant. I can feel his excitement and joy in portraying the great figure, making every effort to showcase his demeanor...

On the stage, there's Anhui Huangmei opera, while below it, various figures gather together. Only Chen Duxiu enjoys the classical rhythm amidst the babbling sounds. "Never resort to empty talk or false notes" is not only a rejection of the Communist International's sellout, but also a declaration of independence and autonomy for the Chinese people.
This line and scene are worth studying carefully.

We often remember the leader's badges from history, but we forget that he was once a spirited and patriotic young person, full of vigor and determination. The path of the young chairman was even darker and more perplexing, yet he never strayed from his original aspiration.
I always wonder, what kind of belief is it that supports him so steadfastly?

The aroma of braised pork, the lingering scent of fireworks in the kitchen, and the heartwarming daily scenes of the Mao family unfold gently. Each moment takes me back to the memories of visiting Chairman Mao's former residence.
No matter how great a person is, they cannot do without the support of their family. It's so heartwarming.

The older brother waiting for his younger brother to come back, the younger brother coming home from school seeking praise—despite being a great leader, the family atmosphere of the great figure is not much different from an ordinary family.
But it's these everyday stories that warm my heart to the fullest under the warm yellow light.

The interview scene at Zixiu University truly exposes the mixed bag of individuals in society at that time. Some people were merely seeking personal stability, while others were ignorant and arrogant.
In such a social environment, it was difficult to find "genuine" comrades. It was even harder to persevere and stay true to one's beliefs.

I haven't finished watching it yet, but in the first four episodes, they have been avoiding the issue of "poverty," and I'm not quite satisfied with that... Maybe I'm just too fond of the "Awakening Era" drama, but I feel that the characters introduced so far in this one don't have as good of a portrayal...

Impressive! Even a mainstream TV drama can portray such a realistic and romantic story. The difficulties faced by our party in the early days of its establishment, as well as the process of taking root, are depicted so truthfully.
The passionate spirit of everyone working together to save the country has ignited a fire within me.

Being able to see our great figure in the drama, always maintaining the freshness and agility of his thoughts, engaging in new ideological practices and embracing new things, and having the courage to do what most people dare not do, I feel that it represents a profound understanding of the great figure in a different way.

Through the perspective of the young Mao Zedong, we get a glimpse of the true state of China in the 1920s. It allows us to deeply feel why those revolutionaries, who were tirelessly awakening their fellow countrymen, were so passionate.
The land at that time had been plagued by corruption for far too long, and our compatriots were living a life worse than that of dogs. A strong sense of national responsibility naturally emerged.

The survival environment for corporate slaves a hundred years ago was even worse than it is now... Living in bug-infested shacks, eating moldy rice, it tormented people's bodies and minds to the extreme. The workers, living in constant uncertainty, didn't even have the courage to resist anymore.
Those warlords were truly a bunch of ruthless demons who devoured people without leaving a trace.

I was deeply moved by the scene at Anyuan Coal Mine. If the dark and sunless mine buried the hopes and lives of countless innocent workers, then the emergence of the young Mao Zedong with his ideology was the light that illuminated the workers.
It was at that moment when he could already perceive the importance of immersing himself in the masses, as evidenced by his dialogue with Huang Pang.

The plot is tight, and the portrayal of the young instructors and other prominent figures from that era is vivid. The acting is superb. At times, the lighting and composition give the visuals a painterly quality, creating a magical experience.

For the first time in this drama, my tears were dedicated to that nameless woman who was labeled as an "evil spirit." I can no longer bear to hear the cries of the children, and the plight of the miners is too painful to watch.
All I can say is, let's pay tribute to the revolutionary predecessors who spoke up for the workers! Without them, we wouldn't have the better world we have today!

Ning Li is truly remarkable. He portrayed Chen Duxiu so perfectly. In one moment, he resolutely rejects the proposal from Maring to place the Chinese Communist Party under the control of the Communist International.
In the next moment, upon receiving a letter from Yan Nian expressing belief in communism, he can't help but shed tears. His emotional portrayal is incredibly well-executed.

Watched it with my family. At first, I was casually watching while playing with my phone, but as the drama progressed, I became completely engrossed in it. I even started looking up information and discussing it with my dad.
The plot is very faithful to history, and you can tell it's a well-made drama that respects historical accuracy.

In China, it's incredibly challenging to engage in artistic creation, even for a party history drama like this. If they could gather the same group of actors from "The Awakening Age," this series would become an unparalleled party history TV drama and one of the finest works of film and television art.

When Xia Minghan expressed his concerns about the future of the country and his anger towards the current situation, my inner self resonated with him. The voice and sincerity of the youth can transcend the limitations of time and forever exist in our hearts.

I really love the harmonious scenes of Mao Zedong's family. It's a rare sight in other dramas. At that time, everything was just beginning, without so much separation and farewell. What we had was an overwhelming ideal for the future of our country.

The harrowing scenes in An Yuan Mine, resembling a hellish landscape, are something I can't bear to watch a second time. What was going through the mind of that great figure at that time? I believe it must have been a deeper conviction taking root.
He wanted to lead his people to rise up and become masters of their own destiny!

For the first time, I saw such a young image of Chairman Mao on the screen. His decisiveness and considerations in establishing the self-study school still demonstrate an unparalleled level of ideological depth and political consciousness.
This drama is not about how Mao Zedong became a great figure, but about how a great figure explored a way out in a society filled with unimaginable hardships.

Chen Duxiu's metaphor of using "learning to act" to describe the future of the Chinese Communist Party following the Communist International is simply brilliant. The awakened generation chose communism in order to make the country independent and stand on its own, rather than becoming slaves bound by selling themselves through agreements.

Chairman Mao and Jiang Xian Yun's conversation about their mentor deeply resonated with me, allowing me to profoundly experience the 5,000 years of splendid Chinese culture.
The ability to pass down this culture relies on the bond between teachers and students, akin to brothers and father-son relationships. It is through the transmission of knowledge, leading by example, and embracing innovation that we witness the accumulation and progress of each generation.

Seeing Mao Zedong brings about an inexplicable sense of familiarity. His story has been heard from childhood to adulthood, and this time it not only showcases his magnificent achievements but also embodies the spirit of being a pioneer in the pursuit of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the continuous exploration of paths to save the country.

I saw a less portrayed side of the teacher, like an ordinary elder brother figure, commanding respect in front of younger siblings. He appears to be a gentle and reliable head of the family.
I feel like we will witness a great figure that the younger generation can better understand.

I casually watched it with my family, but unexpectedly got hooked. The privileged elites in An Yuan live in such luxury, while the workers struggle to make ends meet. Thankfully, in this seemingly endless darkness, there comes someone with hope.