How much has a film or movie changed you? Has something ever made you second-guess what you thought you knew about your beliefs and identity?
In seventh grade, a friend of mine introduced Go Ahead (以家人之名) to me at the beginning of the school year. Even though my parents were immigrants from China, I seldom watched Chinese TV shows. I was really curious to see how Chinese dramas were different from American ones, but I often didn’t know where and what to watch. When my friend recommended this drama, I knew that I had to watch it. I watched all 40 episodes in three days, laughing and crying along the way. I have rewatched the drama several times since then, and it has fundamentally changed who I am.
Plot
In the drama, children from three different families, for various reasons, come together to form a big family of five (two fathers, elder brother Ling Xiao, second brother He Ziqiu, and younger sister Li Jianjian). These three siblings are not biologically related and are all missing their mothers, but they help each other as they grow up and develop a bond that goes beyond blood. After graduating from high school, the two brothers returned to their original families due to changes in their families of origin. Nine years later, the three are finally reunited in their new home. The nine years of separation brought obstacles in their relationships, but could not break off the deep bond they had cultivated while growing up. Together, they work in unison to overcome their various hardships and become a better family again.
Go Ahead portrays three different characters in different ways. Li Jianjian is a happy-go-lucky girl who makes the whole show lighthearted and enjoyable, but also makes the sad moments in the show even more heartbreaking. As a child, Li Jianjian was the glue that held the entire family together. When the three siblings meet again after 9-year-separation and their relationship grows apart, she is also the bond that once again reunites them.
Ling Xiao's story also shows the emotional ties of family. The accidental death of Ling Xiao's biological sister leads to the deterioration of Ling Xiao's biological mother's mental state. While quarreling with Ling Xiao's father every day, she blames Ling Xiao from time to time for the death of his sister, causing Ling Xiao great physical and mental harm. Li Jianjian's appearance gives him a refuge from the frequent quarrels of his parents in his childhood. Because Li Jianjian was afraid of going to the dentist as a child, Ling Xiao chooses to become a dentist to repay Li Jianjian for the care and attention she has always given him. Li Jianjian truly changes his life and becomes someone he can rely on in his life. Although it is well known that family bonds based on blood ties are the strongest, the bond that Ling Xiao established with Li Jianjian in his childhood life was far stronger than that of his family of origin.
Unlike Ling Xiao, He Ziqiu's mother had to abandon him when he was young due to a work accident. After working as a farmer in the countryside, he was adopted by Li Haichao, the father of Li Jianjian. Gratefully, He Ziqiu took great care of Li Jianjian and helped with housework day in and day out. In order to protect Li Haichao and Li Jianjian, he decides to recognize his biological father and use his father's money to study abroad to ease Li Haichao's financial burden after graduating from high school. In this unrelated family, Li Haichao takes in He Ziqiu and raises him as his own son in order to give him the opportunity to study, despite the fact that Li Haichao is not related to He Ziqiu by blood. He was also very grateful to Li Jianjian because she and his father had allowed him to get an education and had treated him genuinely well. Because of Li Jianjian's sweet tooth, he chooses to study baking abroad and opens a bakery when he returns home. All of this shows his dedication to his new home.
Aftereffects
After watching Go Ahead from the beginning to the end, I was immensely impacted by the emotional rollercoaster through the depiction of the growth of three siblings: a rough childhood, the burden of kinship, and the importance of those around them. In my opinion, Ling Xiao plays a significant role in the dynamics of the group. He is a caring young man, often serving as a protective older brother figure to Li Jianjian and He Ziqiu. Ling Xiao's complex background, dealing with his own family issues, adds depth to his character. His relationship with Li Jianjian evolves throughout the series, as they navigate their feelings for each other amid personal struggles and external pressures. Ling Xiao's growth and the way he supports his friends highlight themes of love, loyalty, and the importance of facing one's past. His character is instrumental in emphasizing the show's core message about the power of chosen family and resilience in overcoming hardships. The central character Li Jianjian is strong-willed, compassionate, and fiercely loyal. She often takes on a caretaker role within their family. Throughout the series, she grapples with her emotions, particularly in her evolving relationship with Ling Xiao, and navigates the challenges of growing up, including love, ambition, and self-discovery. Her journey reflects themes of resilience and the importance of forging meaningful connections, as she learns to balance her responsibilities to her friends with her own desires and aspirations. Li Jianjian’s character embodies the heart of the story, showcasing the power of friendship and the impact of a supportive community. The quieter member of the trio, He Ziqiu is thoughtful and introspective. His growth is marked by learning to assert himself and confront his insecurities, ultimately highlighting the importance of friendship and support in overcoming life's difficulties. Ziqiu's journey underscores themes of self-acceptance and the transformative power of the chosen family. The drama blends heartfelt moments with lighthearted humor, making it a touching exploration of youth and the bonds that define us.
The idea surrounding the importance of bonds created through friendship and kin throughout this film has led me to change my personal philosophies. As a first-generation American, I am also sometimes conflicted on issues related to love, career, and identity. Even though my situation is very different from the characters in the drama, I am impressed with the characteristics of the trio: caring, responsible and resilience. The plot has also allowed me to reflect upon my family. We often overlook the importance of family in our daily lives when we are too busy with school or work, but it is important that we spend more time with them in the present so that we don’t regret it in the future.
Go Ahead has also let me explore another part of my heritage. I have often felt out of touch with the Chinese part of my culture, although I attend Chinese school every week. The introduction of Go Ahead and other c-dramas allow me to learn more about Chinese society and find an experience to further my knowledge learned at Chinese school, including the Mandarin language. I am able to apply some Chinese culture I learned from Chinese school to help me better understand Chinese media, and use the lessons I learned from Chinese media to improve my daily life. Go Ahead is not only an expertly-written film, it is also a key to learning more about my culture through Chinese media.
Just this year, I took the AP Chinese Exam. Although a lot of historical philosophies were learnt during the exam preparation, watching c-dramas such as Go Ahead allowed me to see the present impact of these historical events in China, such as the importance of family in Chinese media. I have fallen in love with many more c-dramas and Chinese variety shows that I watch weekly with my family, allowing me to bond with loved ones over these shows. Go Ahead has truly changed my life for the better, and I am forever thankful for being fortunate enough to have this c-drama recommended to me.
