"South to North" is a TV series co-directed by Zheng Xiaolong and Liu Zhangmu, bringing together many outstanding actors, including Bai Jingting, Ding Yongdai, Jin Chen, etc., as well as Liu Guanlin, Liu Jun, Zuo Xiaoqing, Jiang Yan, Hu Ke, Song Jiateng, Li Naiwen and many other actors joined, and Ni Dahong and Wang Jinsong were specially invited to star.
The plot mainly revolves around the story between Ma Kui, an old criminal policeman who returned after ten years away from his hometown, and Wang Xin, a young policeman. In the beginning, there were many incomprehensions and contradictions between the master and apprentice, but as time passed, they gradually put aside their old suspicions and worked together to face the challenges of life. Through the stories of the characters on the train and the warmth and coldness between neighbors, the story shows the development and transformation of the motherland, and also promotes the spirit of the railway police.
"South to North" challenged "The World", but encountered some difficulties in the performances of Jin Chen and Jiang Yan.
This drama was originally sought after by old drama bones such as Zuo Xiaoqing and Ding Daiyong, and their joining made the audience look forward to this period drama. However, with the appearance of Jin Chen and Jiang Yan, this expectation was replaced by a very different idol atmosphere, and this conflict led to a setback in the performance of the series.
Jin Chen plays Ma Yan, Ma Kui's daughter, who resents her father's wrongful treatment for ten years. However, in the face of her father's confiding, Jin Chen seemed unable to truly express the complex emotions in the character's heart, and her performance seemed stiff and thin. This inadequacy is even more evident in the rivalry with the old actors, Jin Chen seems to be unable to compare with their performance level, making the depth of the role unable to be shown.
At the same time, Jin Chen failed to truly present the isolation and laughter that Ma Yan experienced growing up. Her acting skills appear frivolous and cannot truly express the maturity and complexity of the character. When playing against Hu Ke's mother Su Fang, Jin Chen also failed to convey his daughter's dependence and gratitude to her mother, making the relationship between the characters seem unreal.
Compared with Jin Chen, Jiang Yan's performance is slightly impressive. Although her apple muscles don't quite match the atmosphere of period dramas, her acting skills can be convincing. She successfully interpreted the role of Yao Yuling very vividly, showing the petty bourgeois side, and the interaction with other characters was more natural and smooth.
However, even if Jiang Yan's performance is acceptable, Jin Chen's shortcomings still make the whole series lose its due tension. Her expression was monotonous, and she couldn't compare with the performances of the old actors, which affected the quality of the whole play.
To sum up, although "South to North" has some advantages, Jin Chen and Jiang Yan's lack of performances make the series unable to achieve the expected results, which also makes the audience's evaluation of this drama divided.
South to north