Why didn't Gao Mantang's "South to North" work?
Recently, the audience has some doubts and puzzles about Gao Mantang's latest masterpiece "South to North". As a drama set on the Northeast Railway, it seems to have lost some of its touching power in modern society.
I was also one of them, because I was deeply attracted to Yao Er played by Jiang Yan, I became a member of the show and followed every episode of the show. However, when I saw the finale, I felt a hint of discomfort.
The emotional pattern in the play made me feel a little depressed. Why do girls who love beauty and life have to follow the path of honest people? Why does rejecting the other party mean that an unlucky ending must be arranged for the beauty?
In this regard, I guess it may be because of the creative ideas of screenwriter Gao Mantang. Gao Mantang was once known as one of China's best playwrights at writing rural dramas. His works are based on the traditional culture of filial piety, emphasizing the relationship between giving grace and repaying gratitude, and the emotional patterns almost all revolve around this core.
In his works, whether it is the love between men and women or the friendship between men, there is no escape from the category of giving grace and repaying gratitude. This relational model may make sense in rural life, but it is somewhat out of place in the context of modern industrial society.
Modern society focuses on technology, business, and the rule of law, rather than the traditional culture of filial piety. People in the city are more accustomed to the logic of male talent and female appearance, money transactions, etc. These are not quite in line with the model of grace and reciprocation that Gao Mantang is good at.
The background of the Northeast Railway, where "South to North" is located, shows more of an industrial civilization, which is significantly different from the rural background of Gao Mantang's past works. The pursuit of technology and commerce in industrial society seems to be incompatible with Gao Mantang's creative style.
On the contrary, some successful dramas such as "The Years of Burning Passion" and "Parental Love" better show the clash and integration of different civilizations, making it easier for audiences to resonate.
Contemporary society has shifted away from emphasizing past grievances and grudges to paying more attention to contracts and the rule of law. The once bloody martial arts** and gangster movies have also declined, and people are more inclined to use the law to resolve conflicts rather than relying on personal grievances.
Looking back at history, it is not difficult to find that people's aesthetics and values are constantly changing. The emphasis on grievances in the past is no longer appropriate, which also makes Gao Mantang's "South to North" seem a little out of place in modern society.
Perhaps, we should give more understanding and respect to screenwriters. Each era has its own values, and every creator has its own style. We look forward to their ability to create more wonderful works in their familiar fields.
However, we can't deny that viewers' feedback on the series is crucial. Perhaps, the unsatisfactory performance of "South to North" can also serve as a place for reflection by Gao Mantang and other screenwriters, helping them better understand the needs of contemporary audiences and create works that are more in line with the trend of the times.
In the future, we look forward to seeing more excellent dramas that can accurately grasp the pulse of the times and lead the trend, so that the audience can get more thinking and inspiration from it while being the best.
Finally, I would like to ask readers, what do you think of Gao Mantang's creation? What is your attitude towards the aesthetics and values of modern dramas? We look forward to sharing your thoughts and opinions with you in the comments section.