The Great Rivers

Synopsis

"Like a Flowing River" is a 2018 period drama with a Douban rating of 8.8, directed by Kong Sheng and Huang Wei, starring Wang Kai, Yang Shuo, Dong Zijian, and Tong Yao. It tells the stories of three young men—Song Yunhui, Lei Dongbao, and Yang Xun—as they strive for success in the wave of reform and opening up after the resumption of the college entrance examination in 1978. Produced by Daylight Entertainment, it is a critically acclaimed masterpiece of the year. Its sequel, "Like a Flowing River 2," has a Douban rating of 9.3.

Overview

"Like a Flowing River" is a period drama that premiered in December 2018 on Dragon TV and Beijing Satellite TV. Directed by Kong Sheng and Huang Wei, and produced by Hou Hongliang, the series stars Wang Kai as Song Yunhui, Yang Shuo as Lei Dongbao, Dong Zijian as Yang Xun, and Tong Yao as Song Yunping. With 47 episodes and a Douban rating of 8.8, it is one of the best-received domestic TV dramas of 2018. Produced by Daylight Entertainment, the series continues the company's consistent high-quality production standards.

The drama is adapted from A Nai's novel "The Great River Flows East." Starting with the reinstatement of the national college entrance exam (Gaokao) in 1978, it tells the stories of three young men from different backgrounds and with distinct personalities—Song Yunhui, Lei Dongbao, and Yang Xun—as they strive and struggle amidst the sweeping tide of China's reform and opening-up. The narrative spans from 1978 to 1992, covering the most crucial historical stages of China's early reform era: the reinstatement of Gaokao, rural reforms, state-owned enterprise reforms, and the rise of the private economy. Through the changing fates of its three protagonists, the series panoramically depicts the tremendous transformation of Chinese society during this great era.

Plot

Song Yunhui (played by Wang Kai) comes from a poor family background; his father was labeled a "rightist," and the family faced discrimination in their village. However, Song Yunhui is naturally intelligent and diligent. When news of the reinstatement of Gaokao arrived in 1977, he gained admission to university with outstanding scores, becoming the first college student from his village. After graduation, Song Yunhui joined a large state-owned enterprise as a technician. Relying on his solid professional skills and hardworking attitude, he gradually grew into a technical backbone and manager within the company.

Lei Dongbao (played by Yang Shuo) is Song Yunhui's brother-in-law. A former soldier with a bold, straightforward, and daring personality, he returns to his hometown and becomes the Party branch secretary of Xiaoleijia Village. He leads the villagers in implementing the household responsibility system, opening brick kilns, and developing the collective economy, transforming a poor and backward mountain village into a well-known prosperous village. However, as his ventures expand, Lei Dongbao gradually loses his way, and his autocratic style leads to severe consequences.

Yang Xun (played by Dong Zijian) comes from a poor family with no academic qualifications or background. Yet, he is quick-witted and hardworking. Starting by selling steamed buns from a shoulder pole, he step by step grows from a small vendor into a successful private entrepreneur. Yang Xun represents the millions of ordinary people during the reform and opening-up era who changed their destinies through personal struggle.

Cast

Wang Kai's portrayal of Song Yunhui has been praised by audiences as a performance exceeding 100 points. He masterfully depicts Song Yunhui's transformation from a sensitive and insecure rural youth to a mature and steady state-owned enterprise cadre. Particularly moving for countless viewers was the scene where Song Yunhui, under the scorching sun, repeatedly recites a People's Daily editorial to fight for his Gaokao qualification.

Yang Shuo's portrayal of Lei Dongbao is equally impressive. He skillfully portrays this rural cadre who possesses both heroic qualities and fatal flaws. The contrast between Lei Dongbao's high spirits when leading villagers to prosperity and the tragedy of his later autocratic failures is striking.

Production Features

The production of "Like a Flowing River" is extremely meticulous. Staying true to its consistent craftsmanship, Daylight Entertainment accurately recreates the authentic appearance of Chinese society from 1978 to 1992—from rural adobe houses to urban state-owned factories, from people's clothing to street slogans—every detail strives for realism. The production team built numerous period sets and used a vast array of era-specific props, making viewers feel as if they have returned to that passionate, burning era.

Director Kong Sheng is one of China's finest TV drama directors, having directed classics such as "Nirvana in Fire" and "Ode to Joy." In "Like a Flowing River," he continues his documentary-style approach, using steady and restrained cinematography to tell a grand story of the era.

Cultural Impact

After its broadcast, "Like a Flowing River" received extremely high acclaim and sparked widespread social discussion. The series allowed the younger generation of viewers to deeply feel the enormous impact of reform and opening-up on Chinese society and also evoked nostalgia for that era full of hope and opportunity. The sequel, "Like a Flowing River 2," aired in 2020 with a Douban rating as high as 9.3, surpassing the first season. "Like a Flowing River 3: The Years Flow Like a Song" aired in 2024, completing the trilogy that narrates the social changes in China from 1978 to the early 2000s.

References

1. Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/26797690/
2. Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/大江大河
3. Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/大江大河_(电视剧)