Notable Actors/Actresses
Tan Song Yun: Ma Xiao Xiao
Xu Wei Zhou: Ou Xiao Jian
Niu Jun Feng: Yi Dong Dong
Producer:
Chinese Title親愛的麻洋街
Network: Youku
Recap Grade: B
First Impression: 2.75/5
First Impression: 2.75/5
[Dropped]
Jump to Review
[Ep1] It’s 1984 and everyone’s excited for Xu Hai Feng shooting a 10 ring. The fun is ruined when a driver almost crashes his truck into a ton of pedestrians on Mayang street who have gathered to watch Xu Hai Feng on TV. Everyone’s okay. A wall just tumbled over, that's all. Yi Dong Dong is in the truck; he's the son of the new family moving in. He falls onto Ma Xiao Xiao. There’s a voice-over from him once he fell onto Ma Xiao Xiao: “My youth has started”. 青春 is Youth. 青 means young 春 means spring. Spring also denotes love. Yi Dong Dong didn’t just fall onto Ma Xiao Xiao, he fell in love with her. The crowd is upset at this new family but when Xu Hai Feng is announced the winner, the crowd erupts into cheers.
Back onto business. Sun Ben Yan, who seems to be the neighbour’s head chief, interrogates this new family that’s moving in for crashing into their street. They’re moving in to #31. Dad’s name is Yi Sheng Li (easy to succeed). Mom’s name is Hao Pu Shi (very simple and real). The irony. Then comes the children’s names: Yi Dong Dong, Yi Nan Nan, Yi Xi Xi. In English: East East, South South, and West West. Lol. I wonder if Mom will be pregnant in the end and give birth to a North North. After clearing the misunderstanding, Sun Ben Yan invites Yi family to his home for dinner but there’s barely any dishes. Xi Xi asks mom to bring their homemade peppers. After dinner Sun Ben Yan’s wife, Sun Li Li, is washing the dishes. The other mom (Hao Pu Shi) asks her if she wants help. Sun Li Li is like, well you’ve already ate to you content and now you want to wash dishes for me when I’ve already washed half. That’s okay. Plus I’m afraid you won’t wash it clean enough anyways. Hao Pu Shi smiles and leaves. I kind of love watching this type of fight on TV.
Sun Ben Yan and Sun Li Li’s son is Sun Zhui. He asks Yi Dong Dong if he apologized to Ma Xiao Xiao after falling onto her. Yi Dong Dong didn’t among the chaos. Sun Zhui is like you’re screwed. Ma Xiao Xiao seems be a force to reckon with despite her small stature.
Ma Xiao Xiao hesitates on entering the convenience store when she sees a motorcycle parked in front of it. She takes a deep breath and walks in with confidence. It’s Ou Xiao Jian inside. He notices her hand is injured from the car incident. In the vinegar she’s buying, he slips in ointment for her. She’s obviously mad at him for something.
Next morning, Yi Sheng Li visits Granny Zeng and gives her money to compensate for her wall when their truck crashed. The daughter comes out to refuse the money but Granny Zeng is eyeing the money with a small smile. Yi Sheng Li insists for them to accept the money. Granny Zheng makes an exchange, if he really wants to give them money, then why not fix their wall for them instead. So much street politics. The morning doesn’t end calmly. Sun Li Li and Sun Zhui have diarrhea. Li Li chases after Hao Pu Shi across the street to blame her for being evil and giving their family diarrhea with their pepper. It’s only until they bump into Sun Ben Yan who also has diarrhea but didn’t eat the peppers does Li Li realize it has nothing to do with the peppers. But still, Li Li whimpers that it has to be the peppers.
Liang Xiao Bao introduces himself to the boys (Dong Dong and Nan Nan) with suave (i.e. with sunglasses on). He’s all talk though. He seems like a nice-ish guy. He proceeds to teach them Cantonese. They’re in Guangdong. Back then unlike now where everywhere is Mandarin, Cantonese was the main language there. Dong Dong and Nan Nan suck at it. Until they repeat a swear word. Of course, lol. Liang Xiao Bao lies that it means “Nice to meet you.” More like "May you trip on the street". Dong Dong immediately uses it on Ma Xiao Xiao. She turns menacing and chases them. Liang Xiao Bao hollers for them to run. Dong Dong’s voice-over: “Being chased after by a girl sure feels good.” His literal meanings. First “falling” in love with her and now “being chased” by her, haha.
Jump to Review
Mini Recaps
Back onto business. Sun Ben Yan, who seems to be the neighbour’s head chief, interrogates this new family that’s moving in for crashing into their street. They’re moving in to #31. Dad’s name is Yi Sheng Li (easy to succeed). Mom’s name is Hao Pu Shi (very simple and real). The irony. Then comes the children’s names: Yi Dong Dong, Yi Nan Nan, Yi Xi Xi. In English: East East, South South, and West West. Lol. I wonder if Mom will be pregnant in the end and give birth to a North North. After clearing the misunderstanding, Sun Ben Yan invites Yi family to his home for dinner but there’s barely any dishes. Xi Xi asks mom to bring their homemade peppers. After dinner Sun Ben Yan’s wife, Sun Li Li, is washing the dishes. The other mom (Hao Pu Shi) asks her if she wants help. Sun Li Li is like, well you’ve already ate to you content and now you want to wash dishes for me when I’ve already washed half. That’s okay. Plus I’m afraid you won’t wash it clean enough anyways. Hao Pu Shi smiles and leaves. I kind of love watching this type of fight on TV.
Sun Ben Yan and Sun Li Li’s son is Sun Zhui. He asks Yi Dong Dong if he apologized to Ma Xiao Xiao after falling onto her. Yi Dong Dong didn’t among the chaos. Sun Zhui is like you’re screwed. Ma Xiao Xiao seems be a force to reckon with despite her small stature.
Ma Xiao Xiao hesitates on entering the convenience store when she sees a motorcycle parked in front of it. She takes a deep breath and walks in with confidence. It’s Ou Xiao Jian inside. He notices her hand is injured from the car incident. In the vinegar she’s buying, he slips in ointment for her. She’s obviously mad at him for something.
Next morning, Yi Sheng Li visits Granny Zeng and gives her money to compensate for her wall when their truck crashed. The daughter comes out to refuse the money but Granny Zeng is eyeing the money with a small smile. Yi Sheng Li insists for them to accept the money. Granny Zheng makes an exchange, if he really wants to give them money, then why not fix their wall for them instead. So much street politics. The morning doesn’t end calmly. Sun Li Li and Sun Zhui have diarrhea. Li Li chases after Hao Pu Shi across the street to blame her for being evil and giving their family diarrhea with their pepper. It’s only until they bump into Sun Ben Yan who also has diarrhea but didn’t eat the peppers does Li Li realize it has nothing to do with the peppers. But still, Li Li whimpers that it has to be the peppers.
Liang Xiao Bao introduces himself to the boys (Dong Dong and Nan Nan) with suave (i.e. with sunglasses on). He’s all talk though. He seems like a nice-ish guy. He proceeds to teach them Cantonese. They’re in Guangdong. Back then unlike now where everywhere is Mandarin, Cantonese was the main language there. Dong Dong and Nan Nan suck at it. Until they repeat a swear word. Of course, lol. Liang Xiao Bao lies that it means “Nice to meet you.” More like "May you trip on the street". Dong Dong immediately uses it on Ma Xiao Xiao. She turns menacing and chases them. Liang Xiao Bao hollers for them to run. Dong Dong’s voice-over: “Being chased after by a girl sure feels good.” His literal meanings. First “falling” in love with her and now “being chased” by her, haha.
[Ep2] Ma Xiao Xiao insists on giving Ou Xiao Jian study material if he ever wants to return to school. She tells him to meet her at 9pm. He reluctantly agrees (he obviously wants to meet up with her). Zeng Hao overhears this. He has a crush on Ma Xiao Xiao so he underhandedly intervenes. He instigated a gang to beat up Ou Xiao Jian. Then he pretends to accidentally let Ma Xiao Xiao’s mother (Niu Zi Lai) know that her daughter is seeing Li Xiao Jian. Mom thinks Ou Xiao Jian is a delinquent. Wow, this guy, so despicable already.
Yi Dong Dong comes across a severely injured Li Xiao Jian and carries him to the hospital.
The next morning is the first day of school. The boys suddenly halt. It’s Yi Dong Dong stopping them to let Ma Xiao Xiao pass first. He even stops the boys every time she raises her hand up. She’s like, Hurry up or you’ll Pok Gai (the canto swear word).
Despite looking like a bully, Ma Xiao Xiao is the class’s top student. Omg, it’s the first time Tan Song Yun played a smart student!!
Yi Dong Dong comes across a severely injured Li Xiao Jian and carries him to the hospital.
The next morning is the first day of school. The boys suddenly halt. It’s Yi Dong Dong stopping them to let Ma Xiao Xiao pass first. He even stops the boys every time she raises her hand up. She’s like, Hurry up or you’ll Pok Gai (the canto swear word).
Despite looking like a bully, Ma Xiao Xiao is the class’s top student. Omg, it’s the first time Tan Song Yun played a smart student!!
[Ep3] No one knows why Ou Xiao Jian quit school. Neither does Ma Xiao Xiao. She remembers the time when Ou Xiao Jian promises to never lie to her.
Yi Dong Dong’s family has financial problems. Not only is dad jobless right now, he was scammed of his money. Mom has promised a feast for the children after their first day of school but because of their budget, mom makes meagre dishes. The children sulk. Softening up, mom makes a feast for them.
Yi Dong Dong is suspected of injuring Ou Xiao Jian by the police.
Yi Dong Dong’s family has financial problems. Not only is dad jobless right now, he was scammed of his money. Mom has promised a feast for the children after their first day of school but because of their budget, mom makes meagre dishes. The children sulk. Softening up, mom makes a feast for them.
Yi Dong Dong is suspected of injuring Ou Xiao Jian by the police.
[Ep4] Ma Xiao Xiao learns Ou Xiao Jian is hospitalized. She brings soup to him but she doesn’t get to see him before she leaves. When Ou Xiao Jian realizes the soup is from her, he quickly grabs it back from his friend.
Ou Xiao Jian had quit school to care for his grandmother. His dream is to be a righteous police officer. His father was a police officer but he was charged with murder and committed suicide. Ou Xiao Jian is responsible for his family now. Before Ou Xiao Jian quit school, Ma Xiao Xiao gave Ou Xiao Jian her favourite book. There’s a message inside: “Ma Xiao Xiao will always believe in Ou Xiao Jian. Summer 1979.” That was four years ago before they entered high school. After receiving her book, he promises to never lie to her.
Liang Yuan Chao is accused of cheating. He leaves home. He’s Liang Xiao Bao’s father.
[Ep5] So, what’s up with Ou Xiao Jian? He’s working undercover for a police officer. Like a mole. This police officer promises him that once he completes the task, he’ll let Ou Xiao Jian into the Beijing police academy. That’s why he can’t tell Ma Xiao Xiao or anyone why he’s falling through the cracks.
Ou Xiao Jian thanks Li Dong Dong for saving him in a threatening way. Everything about Ou Xiao Jian, especially his aura reminds Li Dong Dong of someone: Ma Xiao Xiao. To him, both of them sparkle just by standing there.
Liang Yuan Chao returns home. He runs away from home once in a while and he'll always come back eventually. For the few days he's away, Liang Xiao Bao locks himself in his room.
Ou Xiao Jian thanks Li Dong Dong for saving him in a threatening way. Everything about Ou Xiao Jian, especially his aura reminds Li Dong Dong of someone: Ma Xiao Xiao. To him, both of them sparkle just by standing there.
Liang Yuan Chao returns home. He runs away from home once in a while and he'll always come back eventually. For the few days he's away, Liang Xiao Bao locks himself in his room.
[Ep6] Ma Xiao Xiao tells Ou Xiao Jian she has a chance to go to Beijing University (a prestigious one) but her family is against it. Ou Xiao Jian promises to see her there. He can’t tell her his reasons but he plans to go there too. Ma Xiao Xiao is more than determined to go Beijing now.
Ma Xiao Xiao’s mother is against her going to Beijing because it’s too far. All her hope is on this daughter. She’s furious when she finds out Ma Xiao Xiao is still going ahead with the application. She lectures her that everyone praises Ma Xiao Xiao for being pretty and smart but the one who gave her all this is her parents. Hm. Thus, Ma Xiao Xiao’s decisions should be decided by her. Hmmmmm.
[Ep7] Ma Xiao Xiao decides to be rebellious. She drinks alcohol, a whole pot of it. She doesn't show up at school and the homeroom teacher makes a home visit. Everyone, literally everyone, scrambles to help her dodge the crisis of being discovered.
[Ep9] It’s Ma Xiao Xiao’s birthday. Yi Dong Dong gives her a horse stuff animal. Meanwhile she’s waiting for Ou Xiao Jian’s present all day. He’s late because he was in a gang fight. It’s also because of this fight he manages to help the police capture the criminal. But no one knows and Ma Xiao Xiao misunderstands him too.
Yi Xi Xi is accused of stealing money by Mom. She runs away from home and accidentally upsets this gang. Ma Xiao Xiao whispers to Sun Zhui the plan. Immediately, Sun Zhui distracts them because she runs the fastest. Now the entire gang is running after Sun Zhui. Did Ma Xiao Xiao just use him? And why’s he so obedient? Lol. While everyone is helping Yi Xi Xi, Zeng Hao hides in the shadow to watch the show. This guy needs to scat off my screen.
Yi Xi Xi is accused of stealing money by Mom. She runs away from home and accidentally upsets this gang. Ma Xiao Xiao whispers to Sun Zhui the plan. Immediately, Sun Zhui distracts them because she runs the fastest. Now the entire gang is running after Sun Zhui. Did Ma Xiao Xiao just use him? And why’s he so obedient? Lol. While everyone is helping Yi Xi Xi, Zeng Hao hides in the shadow to watch the show. This guy needs to scat off my screen.
[Ep10] It’s Ou Xiao Jian who solves the gang fight and saves his friends. He lectures Yi Xi Xi harshly for putting herself and everyone in danger.
Ma Da Da runs away from home. She's stressed because she's nowhere near as smart as Ma Xiao Xiao but mom keeps forcing her to study. The Ma Sisters' name are kind of unique. In Chinese, Xiao sound like 'Small' and Da sounds like 'Big' but Ma Xiao Xiao is the older sister and Ma Da Da is the younger sister.
[Ep12]
[Ep13]
[Ep14]
[Ep15]
[Ep16]
[Ep17]
[Ep18]
[Ep19]
[Ep20]
[Ep21]
[Ep22]
[Ep23]
[Ep24]
[Ep25]
[Ep26]
[Ep27]
[Ep28]
[Ep29]
[Ep30]
[Ep31]
[Ep32]
[Ep33]
[Ep34]
[Ep35]
[Ep36]
[Ep37]
Remarks
[First Impression (Ep1-6)] Set in the 1980s, Dear Mayang Street follows the story of five children and their family’s life in this humble village. I say five but there’s actually five more of them including siblings and friends. Ma Xiao Xiao is our leading lady. She beautiful and smart. She’s also got a tough personality. None of the boys dare to mess with her. Ou Xiao Jian is the bad boy on the street. To everyone, he’s falling though the cracks but to Ma Xiao Xiao, he’s different. He tells her he has his reasons and asks her to wait. Yi Dong Dong is the new kid on the street. His father moved in to this city to look for a new job. Sun Zhui is the goody two shoes with an extremely nosy mother. Liang Xiao Bao is the tough guy on the outside but a softie on the inside. He has a dysfunctional family. His father will run away from home once in a while. And that's the five main characters of this story with Ma Xiao Xiao, Ou Xiao Jian, and Yi Dong Dong being the three main ones.
There's a ton of names to get used to but they're actually really simple if you have basic understanding of Chinese. If not, good luck. Although first episode was overwhelming with the names, I found it quite enjoyable. It brought me into the mood to watch something nostalgic despite not growing up there. With thirty more episodes to go, I think this will take a slower pace. There's emphasis on the family unit and how the neighbours interact with each other. It's going to take a long time to talk about each character and each family.
[Actors/Actresses] I like Tan Song Yun. She impresses with every project. Her Ma Xiao Xiao is different from all her other roles. Here, she's smart, beautiful, calm and tough. I don't think she's ever been given such a perfect character to act. Although I'm used to her being cute, I never knew she could be this edgy too. I am loving Tan Song Yun more and more.
[Dropped (Ep11)] Tang Song Yun is about the one and only thing I like in this drama but that alone is not enough for me to plow through this drama when nothing else interests me. I'd love to know if this gets interesting.
No comments:
Post a Comment