A new romantic drama set in China in the 1970s

The Chinese drama 'Love Story in the 1970s' is attracting attention for its unique historical setting and delicate romance. This work, based on Meng Zhong De Yi's novel of the same name, stars Arthur Chen and Sun Qian and tells the story of ordinary youth living in China in the 1970s.

In the play, Fang Muyang (played by Arthur Chen) and Fei Ni (played by Sun Chen) go from classmates to friends in school, and later become a couple through a marriage of convenience, but gradually develop into true love.

A depiction of society that calmly depicts the times

The biggest feature of this drama is that it shows daily life in China during the Mao Zedong era without bias. Instead of grandiose political messages, it illuminates the society of the time through the everyday difficulties of ordinary people.

The core conflict that the heroine Faney experiences arises from her brother's marriage problems. Because the family lives in a single room, her older brother cannot get married until Penny goes to college and leaves home. However, in China in the 1970s, college admission was not determined solely by ability. Recommendation from a factory manager or party official was essential, and despite Feini's sincerity, he failed to receive a recommendation for four consecutive years.

Through this, the drama shows the universal truth that any ideology is ultimately run by people, and that those in power can hide behind collectivist rhetoric and make personal and biased decisions.

Slow-burn romance that blooms naturally

If I were to describe ‘pragmatist’s love’ in one word, it would be ‘slow-burn romance’. From the first episode, the relationship between the two main characters slowly develops. Fang Muyang has liked Fei Ni since middle school, but they lost contact after moving. When he returns years later, he falls into a coma after an accident, and reunites with Faney, who was taking care of him, to get a college recommendation.

The highlight of this drama is the process of Fang Muyang waking up after losing her memory and falling in love with Pei Ni again. Through this, he comes to believe that the essence does not change even if there are no memories.

The two get married to receive a housing assignment, but share separate rooms. The deepening dependence on each other is delicately depicted without any grand confessions or bold skinship. The scenes in which Pang Muyang repairs a television all night long to help Feini get a job, and Feini confronts those who criticize him, represent the emotional changes of the two people.

Discovery of universal emotions in period dramas

Despite the unfamiliar setting of 1970s China, the emotions the drama deals with are universal. Stories that transcend time and space, such as sacrifice for family, desire for a dream, and transformation into unconditional love, elicit sympathy from viewers.

In particular, the two main characters who support each other and do not give up on their dreams even in difficult circumstances resonate with modern viewers.