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| Zhao Jinmai & Zhang Linge's Our Generation Gets Roasted for Surface-Level Script and Unconvincing Romance |
The review didn’t mince words, calling the show a “wasted opportunity” and a “textbook example of how not to blend solid production with a strong emotional narrative.”
And coming from a drama fronted by two rising stars and backed by the big-name production house The Light Media, that’s a pretty tough pill to swallow.
📉 A Promising Cast, A Sinking Script
When Our Generation was first announced—with Zhang Kaizhou of The Story of Minglan at the helm—expectations were sky high. It was marketed as a fresh take on realistic youth romance, the kind that blends coming-of-age angst with heartfelt connections in a grounded, modern China.
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But according to Beijing Daily, the final product veered far from its promise. They described the script as “superficial, diary-like, and emotionally hollow,” going so far as to say it felt like it was "scribbled straight out of a teenager’s personal journal.”
The romance, which supposedly develops from childhood to adulthood, was called out as “forced” and “awkwardly paced.” Critics raised eyebrows over how young the characters were when the relationship subplot began, with some questioning the narrative logic and the tone-deaf approach to emotional maturity.
💔 Zhao Jinmai’s Talent “Squandered”?
“แล้วทำไมนายถึงเล่าเรื่องอนาคตให้ฉันฟังล่ะ ทำไมนายถึงขอให้ฉันไม่ลืมนาย แล้วนายก็จากไปโดยไม่ติดต่อฉันเลย”
— 🐻🎈ᴊᴇʟʟʏ ᴊᴇʟʟʏ 🎈🐻 (@jellyjelly1994) July 25, 2025
รอ Feedback ชีวิตเฉียวซีพร้อมอิงเถาเลย.. #OurGeneration #เมื่อหมอกจางหายคือสายรุ้ง #รักใสๆให้ใจนำทาง #Zhanglinghe #ZhaoJinmai pic.twitter.com/B7Vg0hjhKY
Perhaps the harshest jab of all? The claim that Zhao Jinmai’s acting chops were utterly wasted on a flat character with no proper arc.
Despite her emotional range and reputation as a Gen-Z talent to watch, reviewers felt the poorly written role gave her nothing to work with.
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Even the chemistry between the leads—something fans were hoping would carry the show—was described as more “siblings having a chat” than romantic sparks flying. Some netizens even joked they’d have made better co-workers in an office drama.
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🎭 Costume Chaos and Era Confusion
The critique didn’t stop at story and performance. Visual presentation was another target. Costumes were labelled “tacky” and “era-inconsistent,” with confusion over whether the show was set in the early 2000s or some vague nostalgic limbo. For a drama aiming to reflect realism, that’s a pretty major misstep.
📺 A Genre at Risk?
What’s perhaps most striking is how Our Generation is now being held up as a cautionary tale for the entire “realism romance” trend that’s been gaining traction in recent years. With ratings slipping and viewer buzz dwindling, some critics are asking the big question—is the idol-led realistic romance genre still relevant?
And if not, are producers ready to pivot, or will they keep trying to force a formula that just isn’t hitting anymore?
#OurGeneration 🍒
— 殷果 ❄️🌾 (@randmpersonjk) July 25, 2025
Douyin
No matter how hard he tried, love still escaped from his eyes#ZhaoJinmai 🌾 #赵今麦 pic.twitter.com/90fiV81aEC
🗣️ A Wake-Up Call or the End of a Trend?
While Our Generation isn’t the first drama to receive a public dressing down, getting roasted by a major publication like Beijing Daily is a big deal—and might serve as a wake-up call for producers banking on name recognition and aesthetics over tight storytelling.
Viewers seem torn.
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Some still find the show comforting or nostalgic, while others echo the media's critiques, saying it’s time to stop relying on “pretty packaging” and start investing in real emotional depth.
Whether Our Generation can bounce back from this PR blow remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear—it’s sparked an overdue conversation about what audiences really want from their drama content in 2025.