Review Phố Ma Dương Thân Yêu, Dear Mayang Street (2020)
Phố Ma Dương Thân Yêu is a collaborative project between Youku, Mango TV, and Thập Gian Truyền Môi, and has garnered immense attention from audiences since its first announcement in 2019. Finally, after much anticipation, viewers will be able to enjoy Dear Mayang Street on October 22nd. Let's take a look at what makes this series so intriguing even before its release.
Diverse stories of youth
Dear Mayang Street explores various stories that take place in Mayang Street, where six families have lived for over 30 years. These families include the households of Ma Huaihui (played by Damu Yuen), Ou Xiaojian (played by Huayi Zhou), Di Dongdong (played by Niu Tuanfeng), Tang Hao, Luong Xiao Bao, and Sun Chuan. These six individuals have grown up together, experiencing memorable and intense moments of youth, and have now become outstanding individuals with their own dreams and aspirations.
However, the transformation of Ou Xiaojian surprises everyone, especially Ma Huaihui, her childhood friend and love interest. As a legendary character in Mayang Street, Ou Xiaojian goes from being a police academy student to a delinquent. This creates a significant conflict in the relationship between Ma Huaihui and Ou Xiaojian. What led Ou Xiaojian to change so drastically? This question will be answered when Dear Mayang Street airs.
Nostalgic setting
The series is set in Guangzhou during China's reform and opening-up period in the 1980s, specifically in 1984. Dear Mayang Street authentically recreates the difficult yet joyful times of that era. Scenes of people gathering in a courtyard to watch a black and white TV, siblings competing to wear the same pair of pants, or Ou Xiaojian using a flashlight to call Ma Huaihui out to play, along with old buses and black and white photographs, all evoke a strong sense of nostalgia. The costumes of the characters are also meticulously designed to recreate the most authentic portrayal of the reform era in China. Additionally, the natural and gentle color grading adds to the nostalgic atmosphere of Dear Mayang Street.
A bittersweet love triangle
Ma Huaihui and Ou Xiaojian were childhood sweethearts. As they grow up, their youthful love becomes incredibly sweet. Their hand-holding and kissing scenes are heartwarming and romantic, leaving the audience yearning for more. In the recently released second trailer, the passionate rain kiss between Damu Yuen and Huayi Zhou quickly became a sensation on social media. The chemistry between Damu Yuen and Huayi Zhou is undeniably captivating.
However, their happiness is short-lived, and they face challenges when Ou Xiaojian undergoes a transformation. Ma Huaihui tries to move forward, but Ou Xiaojian distances himself. Their relationship becomes strained, causing both of them to experience emotional turmoil and heartbreak.
Dear Mayang Street is also the first series in which Damu Yuen portrays a character involved in a complicated love triangle. Her previous works, such as My Little Princess, Summer of the Fox Fairy, and Our Glamorous Time, all featured relationships with "good boys," in stark contrast to the character of Ou Xiaojian played by Huayi Zhou. Fans are eagerly anticipating how Damu Yuen's character will win over the rebellious Ou Xiaojian.
In moments of difficulty, Di Dongdong becomes the person who supports Ma Huaihui. Despite being a latecomer to Mayang Street, Di Dongdong quickly becomes close to the children in the neighborhood. He falls in love with his neighbor, Ma Huaihui, at first sight. However, he realizes that Ma Huaihui's feelings are not for him, so he can only protect her from a distance. It turns out that protection is also a way of expressing love.
Dear Mayang Street promises to be a captivating series with its diverse stories of youth, nostalgic setting, and bittersweet love triangle. Viewers can look forward to being transported back to the reform era in China and experiencing the emotional journey of the characters.