For The Hope Of It All

RYAN CHENG as XIAO JUE

The only person I love is you.

I love the moon. Yet the moon doesn't know.

I appreciated that with the stories that involved the kids, it never discounted their thoughts or feelings. They were treated with respect. Along with the frank conversations about how parents treat their kids can affect them both short and long term. And even with the kids having focus it never truly detracted from the leads.

Nothing in the plot felt overly drawn out and the characters talked through their issues and didn't just gloss over anything. And nothing happened that didn't make sense (aside from maybe the bathtub im the living room).

But I think the thing I most appreciated is that it showed healing in many forms. And that it was mutual in all the relationships. Lin Wanxing and Wang Fa. And them both with the soccer team kids. You felt the care they had for each other.

They all helped each other heal and grow mutually and we're equally important to each other. But also really remaining respectful of boundaries. Like neither Lin Wanxing or Wang Fa pushing for the either to open up until they felt comfortable enough to. Both Fu Xinshu and Wen Chengye's family situations.

And importantly I think showing different paths of healing and coping even when it might not be the healthiest way.

At times the show felt very raw and honest about mental health with how trauma, hurt and grief (in various forms) takes time to process, deal with and eventually move on from or, at least, start moving towards acceptance. How familial relationships can be incredibly difficult and painful in multiple life stages. But also showing that there are diverse familial experiences including a positive one with Wang Fa.

It also broached the topic of how women are treated and hurt by stereotypes/prejudices in society which is something I can't remember seeing much of in any of the dramas I've watched. And they did so explicitly, I was surprised and delighted to see such strong feminist messaging. They essentially called out !nc3l behavior and all the appreciation for that. It showed justice in a situation it doesn't normally happen in.

Overall, I think Road to Success did a fantastic job of layered storytelling and it is probably one of my favorite dramas ever, but definitely of this year. It was a truly lovely slice of life with a found family. It was a show about a soccer team, but also so much more than that.

the door? rusty

bedsheets? twisted

plans? cancelled

meeting? behind the mall

happy salt air and the rust on your door month to all those who celebrate