- Drama title: Wind Direction
- Also Known As: 迎风的青春, Windward , Ying Feng , Ying Feng De Qing Chun
- Director: Xing Jian Jun
- Genres: Drama, Family, Youth, Romance
- Cast: Sun Qian, Zhai Zi Lu, Liu Lin, Tian Yu
- Number of Episodes: 30
- Date of Release: September 9, 2024
- Original Network: CCTV, iQiyi
- Where to Watch: iQiyi
Hola dear readers! It’s been months since the Red Velvet mini album “Cosmic” was released. But I could not get enough of it. I have never been a Red Velvet fan. But this album won me over. I can’t stop listening to Cosmic and Sunflower. I play them over and over again, so much so that my husband and daughter protested.
Meanwhile, this is the drama review of Wind Direction drama. A family drama that made me feel like going on a roller coaster was nothing compared to this. So, without further ado, let’s get started! Happy reading!
Wind Direction Drama Synopsis
Wind Direction is a Chinese family drama, released in September 2024 with 30 episodes. In 1997, 17-year-old Cheng Miao Miao and her 16-year-old brother Cheng Ya Ya lived a happy life with their parents. The Cheng family is the third generation of Linqi Oilfield workers who lived in the company’s compound in Heping Town.
Since she was a child, Cheng Miao Miao was always followed by her best friends, Li Si and Hu Qiu Min. Li Si is a cocky but kind-hearted boy who happens to be Cheng Miao Miao’s childhood sweetheart. Meanwhile, Hu Qiu Min is a smart and brave girl who is always ready to help her friends. As a child living in a small town, Cheng Miao Miao’s dream was to see the world.
Cheng Ya Ya has followed his sister since he was little. Their relationship was full of ups and downs due to the huge difference in their school grades and their mother’s biased treatment. However, in dire situations, they would team up and protect each other.
Faced with the chaotic life of her two teenage children, Mother Cheng completely forgot that her youth was also full of drama. When summer vacation came, Cheng Miao Miao took her brother and friends on a trip to Hong Kong. It’s an adventure of a lifetime to celebrate Hong Kong’s return to the motherland. However, their adventure failed miserably and Li Si ended up in the hospital.
After the summer vacation ended, Chang Miao Miao faced a crisis in her relationship with Li Si. It happened after she decided to help a new student from an impoverished fishing village. Meanwhile, Cheng Ya Ya’s new classmate is the daughter of a fugitive criminal. When she is bullied by her classmates, Cheng Ya Ya is the only one who stands up and protects her.
In the short span of their teenage years, Cheng Miao Miao and her friends learned so many priceless life lessons. They experienced life through their friendships. And together, side by side, they grew up and faced the world.
Wind Direction Drama Review
This drama stirred my emotions. It took me four days to finish it and boy! It was intense. I thought it was going to be an ordinary coming-of-age drama. A vibrant teenage story. A mix of joy, sadness, anger, fear, and every new emotion that the Inside Out 2 movie conveys. Thus, when I started Wind Direction, I was so sure that it wouldn’t affect me as much as the drama Born to Run.
But then I wished I never watched it. The last day of my 4-day binge-watching ruined me. The ending of The Wind Direction made my eyes swell 😭.
It dawned on me why the title of this drama is Wind Direction or Windward. The story went from happiness to gloom to sadness. And the changes caught me off guard. Youth dramas often end happily. But not this one. I cried my eyes out when I saw how this story ended, I was heartbroken by the sudden twists and turns.
I’ve read on the internet that many people hated the ending. Yes, the ending was indeed unexpected. It was tragic and upsetting, but it felt so logical. Fate is something unpredictable. A tragic ending often happens in real life because life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows.
This is the first time I have written about the ending at the beginning of a review. Usually I leave it at the end. So let’s move on to other things, the story and the visuals. 😆
I’ve been in love with family themed Cdramas lately. Although I still claim to be a romance junkie, I wouldn’t miss a good family drama like this. The story of Wind Direction was soooo compelling. I had to force myself to stop binge-watching as I was trying to get a good 7 hours of sleep. But even I could not convince myself to stop in certain episode. 😂
Wind Direction was written by screenwriter siblings, Cheng Xiao Mo and Cheng Meng Yan. The duo also wrote another heartbreaking drama, Angels Fall Sometimes. Cheng Xiao Mo and Cheng Meng Yan were very good at building stories and stirring our emotions. I laughed at Cheng Miao Miao and Li Si’s creative but worrying antics.
I was proud of Cheng Ya Ya’s kindness and touched by Qiang Xiao Wa’s determination to change his fate. I was frustrated to see Hu Qiu Min stressed at home, and I was also distressed when Yuan Shan Qing and her baby sister were threatened by their own father.
The main focus of Wind Direction is the friendship between 6 teenagers; Cheng Miao Miao, Li Si, Hu Qiu Min, Cheng Ya Ya, Yuan Shan Qing and Qiang Xiao Wa. Parents and other family members were also present. The parents, too, were divided into two groups: wives and husbands. It was heartwarming when the parents were good friends, just like their children. 🥰
The Cheng, Li and Yang families represent the common family situations. However, none of them was perfect. Each family has its own problems and its own ways of solving them. Although the Cheng family seemed to be the most harmonious family, they also had their hard times because of Jia Dai Yu’s bias toward her son.
Li Si came from a busy family. He may be the wealthiest among his peers, but he is also the loneliest. Hu Qiu Min took her mother’s surname. Her relationship with her stepfather was strained, but she taught herself to be a sensible child. Each character has their own unique but familiar personality. You could guess the parents’ personality from their children. And vice versa.
In this drama, there were also stories about uncommon family situations, represented by the families of Yuan Shan Qing and Qiang Xiao Wa. Yuan Shan Qing’s father is an escaped convict. He is a scammer who takes money from countless families. People hated him. And since his whereabouts were unknown, Yuan Yong’s victims took out their frustrations on Yuang Shan Qing and her little sister Zi.
Meanwhile, Qiang Xiao Wa was abandoned by his parents when he was a baby. Grandpa Qiang found him and raised him. They lived in a poverty-stricken fishing village outside the Linqi Oilfield. They had no home and lived in a battered boat.
Wind Directions showed us two sides of the world. The family who lived in the oilfield compound lived a wealthy life. They have good jobs and good salaries. They also have shops, restaurants, hospitals, and good schools. Contrary to Qiang Xiao Wa’s surroundings.
The people in the fishing village work very hard for little money. When the wind was too strong or the storm was brewing, the fishermen couldn’t sail, so they couldn’t earn any money.
With a completely different financial situation from his classmates and limited Mandarin, Qiang Xiao Wa felt insecure and ostracized. It was Cheng Miao Miao who helped him to become fluent in Mandarin, and she helped him to be accepted by her friends.
Cheng Miao Miao also gave him Cheng Ya Ya’s old uniform because Qiang Xiao Wa could not afford to buy his own. Cheng Miao Miao’s sympathy for Qiang Xiao Wa’s situation made her realize that she had privileges and opportunities that others wanted but couldn’t get, no matter how hard they tried.
Grandpa Qiang hoped that his grandson, Qiang Xiao Wa, would have a better life than they had. When Qiang Xiao Wa went to school, he always watched him go with hopeful eyes. The sight pained me. In the real world, there were many parents who wanted to send their children to the best school for a better future, but could not afford it.
There were also parents who were able to provide a good life for their children, but the children didn’t appreciate the parents’ hard work. There were also good children who were born to parents who didn’t care about their children’s well-being or even abused them. How I wish there were no parents like Yuan Yong in this world, and that all children could live a good life full of love.
Sun Qian, Zhai Zi Lu, Liu Lin and Tian Yu are the main cast of this drama. But in my opinion, the star of this drama is Liu Lin, who played Cheng Miao Miao’s mother. Liu Lin’s role as the sassy and fierce but soft-hearted Jia Dai Yu seemed to be tailor-made for her. I couldn’t imagine any other actress playing this role.
As a veteran actress, Liu Lin has a very long and impressive filmography. Her career can be traced back to 1988. I watched her dramas several times, but my favorite ones were She and Her Perfect Husband and Will Love in Spring.
Liu Lin’s stage presence and acting were top-notch. In this drama, she shared scenes with many veteran actors such as Tian Yu, Zeng Li, Li Nai Wen, and Liu Guan Lin. But my eyes were drawn to her. All the time.
The young actors also give good performances. There were times when Sun Qian and Zhai Zi Lu stole my heart. Cheng Miao Miao and Li Si were a perfect pair of best friends/childhood sweethearts. Their feelings for each other were genuine, sincere, and strong.
And whatever idea they came up with, they always had each other’s back. For example, when Cheng Miao Miao wanted to go to Hong Kong, Li Si supported her by providing the money. He secretly sold Li Da Hai’s liquor, cigarettes, and even the tires of his new car. 🤣
I only watched a few dramas in which Sun Qian played the lead role. For example, in the drama Island, Sun Qian played the carefree Na Na alongside Ma Si Chun’s character, Li Yi Jin. And her mystery drama, 19th Floor.
Sun Qian did a good job playing a lively person. But she had to work harder on the crying scenes. Zhai Zi Lu also appeared in many dramas such as The King’s Avatar, The Oath of Love, Lost Track of Time and Special Lady, but I did not have much impression on him.
I envy the relationship between the Cheng siblings. Although they fought a lot, they were as close as twins. Many times, you could see that Cheng Ya Ya acted like the older sibling. Li Qing played the role of the smart and kind Cheng Ya Ya very well. I loved it when he flashed his sweet smile at the camera.
The background story of Wind Direction took place in 1997. But at the beginning of each episode, we could see a glimpse of the past. And at the end, we see the present. It wasn’t so hard to tell the difference because the director, Xing Jian Jun, made the color tones for each era different from each other.
I like the visuals of this drama. The sets were carefully arranged, and the camera angles were excellent. My favorite part is the makeup departement. I love how they make everything look natural for the children’s characters. There wasn’t a trace of heavy makeup or thick lipstick on them.
Their hair was styled as realistically as possible. You could see it in Sun Qian’s hair. An active teenager in the 90s rarely thought about how to keep her hair sleek and neat. Cheng Miao Miao’s hair often looked messy and frizzy. And I like it.
Wind Direction taught me that to become a parent is easy. But being a decent parent is difficult. Studying hard is great, but don’t forget to make friends. Being smart is also good, but being a compassionate person is better. Cherish those who are by your side now, so that you will not regret it when they are gone.
Wind Direction Drama Characters
The Children
Cheng Miao Miao
Cheng Miao Miao (played by Sun Qian) is a stubborn and creative girl. Her thoughts are often out of the box. She didn’t like to study and could be considered a lazy student. However, she dreamed of seeing the world. Cheng Miao Miao loves to play and eat. She hated that her mother always praised her brother, Cheng Ya Ya, because he was smarter and his grades were much better than hers.
Although Cheng Miao Miao is a reckless girl, she is righteous and brave. She loves to help many people. Qiang Xiao Wa is a good example of this. Cheng Miao Miao worked hard for him because she truly regarded Qiang Xiao Wa as her friend despite their differences in life.
Cheng Miao Miao didn’t seem to have any romantic feelings for Li Si. The way she treated him was more like a brotherly relationship. However, Li Si is the closest person to her. They have spent many years together and could be considered childhood sweethearts.
Li Si
Li Si (played by Zhai Zi Lu) was born into a rich family. But he was lonely at home because his parents were too busy working. Li Si spent his time playing video games or watching television. His father wanted him to work in the oil field because Li Da Hai knew that Li Si might never go to college because of his lazy attitude and bad grades.
Since he was 3 years old, Li Si had his heart set on Cheng Miao Miao. He always stayed close to her and was ready to help her when she was in trouble. Likewise, Cheng Miao Miao was also ready to help Li Si when it was his turn to be in trouble. The people around them knew that Li Si wanted to marry Cheng Miao Miao when he grew up.
Li Si might not be the smartest. Sometimes he was cocky and arrogant. At critical times, he often speaks recklessly. However, Li Si is a sensitive and soft-hearted person. He is kind and helpful. He would do anything to help people in need. And he was brave enough to go so far as to defy his fierce father.
Cheng Ya Ya
If Cheng Miao Miao inherited Jia Dai Yu’s courage and fierceness, Cheng Ya Ya (played by Li Qing) inherited Cheng Peng Fei’s intelligence. He is calm and reserved with a great sense of justice. Cheng Ya Ya is the brightest star in the family. No wonder Jia Dai Yu loves him dearly and is often partial to him. Jia Dai Yu knew that her daughter’s future might not be as bright as her son’s.
Cheng Ya Ya is very educated and perceptive. And just like his sister, Cheng Ya Ya is courageous, kind, and soft-hearted. However, these good qualities don’t prevent him from being mischievous, especially when it comes to his sister, Cheng Miao Miao.
Hu Qiu Min
Hu Qiu Min (played by Li Yu Tong) is also the star of the group. She is smart, stubborn and brave. Hu Qiu Min was born into a mixed family. She lived with her mother, stepfather and stepbrother. However, she was not happy. Her mother and stepfather always quarrelled when they were at home.
Hu Qiu Min’s only escape was her friends, music, and studying. Unlike Cheng Miao Miao, who was a bit dreamy, Hu Qiu Min was more rational and realistic. She was also a sensitive child who cared for her mother and stepbrother.
Qiang Xiao Wa
Qiang Xiao Wa (played by Liu Xiao Bei) met Cheng Miao Miao and the gang when their adventure to Hong Kong failed. He helped them by giving Li Si, who was injured, a ride on his cart. When he entered Linqi No. 2 Middle School, Qiang Xiao Wa became Li Si’s desk mate.
Qiang Xiao Wa is a quiet, calm, and loyal. He is a hard worker, very smart, and passionate about learning. Qiang Xiao Wa realized that only education could change his destiny.
Yuan Shan Qing
Yuan Shan Qing’s life is bitter and she lives in constant fear. Her father is an abuser. A cruel person who beats his wife and children. Yuan Shan Qing (played by Qi Yu Chen) was the one who took care of Yuan Zhan Zi since she was born. Yuan Shan Zi’s mother abandoned her, and their father did not care about them.
At that time, Yuan Shan Qing was only a 14-year-old girl. Before she met Cheng Ya Ya, Yuan Shan Qing was a timid person who lacked self-confidence. It was Cheng Ya Ya and his unwavering support that helped her. Gradually, she opened her heart and became a happy teenager. However, this didn’t erase her kind and soft-hearted nature.
The Parents
Cheng Peng Fei and Jia Dai Yu
Righteousness, kindness, and soft hearts seemed to run in the DNA of the Cheng family. Cheng Peng Fei (played by Tian Yu) is a rational, calm, and wise person. He rarely got into fights with the fierce Jia Dai Yu because he knew exactly how to win her heart. Jia Dai Yu (played by Liu Lin) was brave, impulsive, and often spoke mean words, but her heart was soft. She is a kind person. When it comes to her family, Jia Dai Yu would turn into a tigress to protect her babies.
Li Da Hai and Niu Ling Ling
Li Da Hai and Niu Ling Ling (played by Jia Bing and Zeng Li) were good at their jobs. Li Da Hai held an important position at work, and Niu Ling Ling owned a large restaurant. The couple was never short of money, but had little time to spend at home with their son.
Niu Ling Ling always acted as an intermediary between father and son. She loved Li Si very much and always spoilt him. Niu Ling Ling is a superstitious person. She made Li Si wear talismans and always prayed to the Deity for his safety. The relationship between Li Da Hai and Niu Ling Ling is always harmonious because the couple always loves each other.
Yang Song Bai and Hu Yue
Yang Song Bai and Hu Yue’s marriage was their second marriage. They were both divorced from their partners. Yang Song Bai (played by Huang Man) had a son named Yang Tao who was in college. While Hu Yue (played by Li Nai Wen) brought her daughter Hu Qiu Min into the marriage.
The relationship between the couple was tense. Yang Song Bai and Hu Yue still had their emotional baggage from their previous marriage. The pain was still there, unresolved. It created another problem between the couple. They tried hard to hide it from their children, but it was in vain.
The Conclusion
There were many life lessons to be learned from this drama. I never felt that my 4 days of watching Wind Direction was a waste of time, on the contrary, I felt that this drama was worth re-watching. Wind Direction is a good drama for those who want a heartwarming and tear-jerking story AND don’t mind having a sad ending.
So, have you decided to watch this Wind Direction drama, dear readers? And if you have, don’t forget to leave your opinion about Wind Direction in the comment box below. We would love to hear from you. Thanks for stopping by. I’ll see you in another drama review post. Goodbye!
