Every excellent youth drama is like a small sun, capable of bringing more sunshine and dreams to the world. "The Hope," directed by Ding Hei and starring Zhang Ruo Yun, Huang Yao, Wang Qiang, and Xu Ruo Han, is exactly that. It became an instant hit when it premiered, telling the story of Class 11 and their shared experiences as young individuals. Faced with overwhelming pressure, they strive to seize their first opportunity to prove themselves while still in their youth.

On December 14th, Zhang Ruo Yun mentioned this during an event, saying, "At first, I thought the producer had no shame, casting someone my age to play a student in a campus drama. But later, I realized it was my own lack of shame." "If I were of the appropriate age, I would actually want to play every character, but I'm sorry, Lei Ming is the only one suitable for me now."

His words are spot-on. Zhang Ruo Yun has consistently showcased his acting skills and has been careful in selecting his roles. From "Joy of Life" to "Sword Snow Stride," "Police Honor" to "Medical Examiner Dr. Qin," he has nearly achieved the feat of making each project a success. Half of his success is due to his acting ability, while the other half is because he values his reputation. He doesn't choose unsuitable roles, rely on superficial charm, or take shortcuts. He consistently delivers solid performances, which the audience appreciates.

Zhang Ruo Yun, not playing a student, portrays the charismatic teacher Lei Ming, which is fortunate for "The Hope" and a delight for the viewers. However, when people see the five saplings Lei Ming selects for Class 11 in the drama, they deeply sigh with disbelief. The actor Wang Qiang, who plays the character Li Ran with the most screen time, is already 27 years old. At Zhang Ruo Yun's age, he played Chief of Staff Zhang Xianzong in "The Untamed" and will soon portray Chief Medical Examiner Qin Ming. Having Wang Qiang play a high school student in his teens might not be an issue in terms of acting skills, but he genuinely looks significantly older, and it would be effortless for him to portray a young teacher with a different appearance.

In the scene where he repairs a mobile phone in the drama, he looks suitable for the role. His appearance indeed suggests he could own a shop. However, when he tries to appear cool in school, it's quite displeasing. At the beginning of the series, when he pretends to go on a blind date, the other person doesn't suspect his age at all. Zhang Chen, who plays Yu Yang, is quite young—born in 1999, making him 24 years old. However, he is already a "veteran" actor and has appeared in "A Love for Separation," "Romantic Warrior," and "Please Take My Brother Away." He debuted in 2010.

Yu Yang also has the most challenging student role in the drama. His mother's strict and excessive educational approach leaves him battered and bruised, providing ample room for performance. Zhang Chen portrays the character exceptionally well, displaying the stark contrast between his tall appearance and his inner turmoil, reminiscent of a frightened mouse crossing the street. Hopefully, Lei Ming and Teacher Sang Xia can rescue him soon.

Everything has its limits, and "The Hope" emphasizes equal education for all, which is undoubtedly correct. However, if the age difference is too significant, adapting the teaching method to each individual's needs would be the right approach.