Dear Mayang Street (2020)
A poignant tale set in 1980s China, weaving love, sacrifice, and resilience. Explore community bonds and personal struggles in this captivating drama.
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Info
| Original Title | 亲爱的麻洋街 |
|---|---|
| Formats | Streaming |
| Seasons | 1 |
| Episodes | 37 |
| Duration | 45 mins |
| Status | Ended |
| Year | 2020 |
| First Air Date | October 21, 2020 |
| Last Air Date | March 10, 2021 |
| Broadcast Day | monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday |
| Network | Youku |
Trailer
Synopsis
Set during a time of reform in the 1980s, this is a story about youth and love that revolves around 6 families living on Mayang street in Guangzhou. Ou Xiao Jian is a bad boy who dates Ma Xiao Xiao, a school girl in the neighborhood. Yi Dong Dong has had a crush on Ma Xiao Xiao from the moment they met. The 18-year-old Yi Dong Dong moves with his family back to their hometown and falls in love at first sight for his neighbor Ma Xiao Xiao. When he realizes that she is attracted to his friend Xiao Jian, he kept his feelings to himself and protect her from a distance. Xiao Xiao is constantly worried for Ou Xiaojian who spends his time fooling around with other delinquents. Utterly exhausted due to the problems between them, Ma Xiaoxiao and Ou Xiaojian part ways. Later, Xiaoxiao becomes a lawyer and Dongdong passes the local civil service exams. Meanwhile, Xiaojian undergoes many ups and downs.
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Editor's Review
A Tale of Community, Love, and Sacrifice
Dear Mayang Street, set in the 1980s during China’s period of reform, weaves a captivating narrative around ordinary people living in the tightly-knit community of Mayang Street. As the country reopens its doors to the outside world, the drama unfolds against a backdrop of economic reconstruction, post-revolution healing, and global emergence.
The story is narrated from the perspective of Yi Dongdong (Niu Junfeng), one of the central characters. He recounts his encounters with Ma Xiaoxiao (Tan Songyun, also known as Seven Tan) and Ou Xiaojian (Xu Weizhou, aka Timmy Xu), both of whom profoundly impact his life. While secretly nursing unrequited love for Ma Xiaoxiao, Yi Dongdong finds solace in their enduring friendship.
Ou Xiaojian and Ma Xiaoxiao, childhood friends, epitomize the spirit of Mayang Street—a place where everyone knows and supports each other. Their academic excellence sets them apart, but their lives take divergent paths. Ou Xiaojian, driven by tragedy, drops out of school and becomes a police academy recruit. His mission: infiltrate a criminal organization with a seemingly clean façade but deeply entrenched in illicit activities—money laundering, black markets, smuggling, human trafficking, and fraud.
As Ou Xiaojian navigates this treacherous world, he walks a tightrope between loyalty to his community and duty to the police. His dual life involves gang fights, bloodshed, and deception. The drama masterfully portrays his inner conflict—the struggle to protect loved ones while maintaining his cover. Xu Weizhou’s portrayal of Ou Xiaojian is multi-dimensional, capturing vulnerability, toughness, and sacrifice.
Ma Xiaoxiao, on the other hand, remains steadfast in her love for Ou Xiaojian. Their soulmate connection transcends time and adversity. The drama beautifully juxtaposes their unwavering bond against the backdrop of a society in flux. As the story unfolds, viewers witness the resilience of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances.
Dear Mayang Street excels in its depiction of community dynamics, the ebb and flow of relationships, and the sacrifices made for a greater cause. The acting, particularly Xu Weizhou’s portrayal of Ou Xiaojian, is commendable. His transformation from a carefree youth to an undercover agent is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.
The drama’s pacing keeps viewers engaged, and the 37-episode journey allows for character development and emotional investment. While the plot isn’t groundbreaking, it’s the characters’ authenticity and relatability that resonate. The 80s nostalgia, coupled with the struggles of everyday life, adds depth to the narrative.
In summary, Dear Mayang Street is a poignant exploration of love, sacrifice, and resilience. It leaves a bittersweet ache in the heart, a testament to the power of storytelling. If you’re drawn to character-driven dramas set against historical backdrops, this one is worth your time.