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| Footprints of Change Ending Explained: Love, Loss, and the House That Stood Through Time |
The iQIYI drama Footprints of Change (足迹) has officially wrapped its 30-episode run, leaving viewers with plenty to talk about.
Set against the backdrop of a century-old house in Shanghai’s French Concession, the series unfolds across three eras—the 1930s, 1950s, and 1990s—blending romance, family drama, and social change.
With Ryan Cheng and Jelly Lin’s Republican-era love story winning the most hearts, and later arcs led by Tong Yao and Liu Yijun adding weightier themes, the finale managed to be both moving and divisive.
So how exactly did it all end, and what does the conclusion really mean?
Quick Recap of Footprints of Change Final Episode
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Footprints of Change bowed out after 30 episodes, tying together its three-era structure set in Shanghai’s French Concession.
The finale, much like the series itself, mixed bittersweet romance with reflections on family, sacrifice, and the weight of history.
The closing chapter centred on the 1930s arc featuring Cheng Ao (Ryan Cheng) and Lin Si Yun (Jelly Lin), whose romance had carried much of the early momentum.
After navigating gang conflicts, collapsing family fortunes, and the war years, their love was tested once more. In the last sequence, Lin Si Yun sends off her young relative Xiao Yi, while Cheng Ao looks down from the balcony.
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Their quiet smile at each other—before leaving for business abroad post-victory—sealed a rare happy ending in a genre usually dominated by tragedy.
Meanwhile, the supporting arcs weren’t ignored. Lin Si Yun’s reckless brother met his fate in the chaos of war, but not before one final act of protecting his son.
Characters like her niece and sister-in-law found empowerment through independence, while Cheng Ao’s adoptive brother Zeng Dalun, a spoiled second-generation who betrayed his own family for profit, was ultimately killed by his father in a moment of harsh justice.
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The narrative closed not with fireworks, but with quiet dignity—fitting for a drama more about cycles of change than individual heroics.
Footprints of Change Characters Wrapped
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Cheng Ao (Ryan Cheng Lei) & Lin Si Yun (Jelly Lin Yun) – From mismatched beginnings to soulmates, they survived the turmoil and walked away with both dignity and love intact. Their ending abroad was mercifully “open but happy.”
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Zeng Dalun – The cautionary tale of arrogance and betrayal. His end at his father’s hand was brutal but inevitable.
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Lin Jing Han (Si Yun’s brother) – A selfish gambler who ruined the family legacy, yet in his final moment showed a spark of humanity by protecting his son.
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Supporting women – The niece grew up independent; the sister-in-law broke free from submissive expectations to find her worth as a nurse. They embodied the show’s recurring theme: women finding agency in restrictive times.
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Later-era leads (Tong Yao, Liu Yijun, Yi Yi, Rain Wang) – Their arcs in the 1950s and 1990s units leaned heavier, focusing on disillusionment, workplace struggles, and personal regrets. While not as romanticised, they gave the show its weight and realism.
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Footprints of Change Ending Explained: What It Really Means
At its heart, Footprints of Change isn’t just a period romance—it’s about how people, especially women, adapt and survive as history reshapes the world around them.
The House as a Metaphor – The century-old Western building links three generations. From family home to hospital to factory to apartment block, it reflects how lives transform under social, political, and economic shifts.
Love vs. Responsibility – Cheng Ao and Lin Si Yun’s union shows that even in times of chaos, love can endure when rooted in shared ideals.
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By contrast, Wen Pu (Liu Yijun) and Yi Yi’s later-era arc reveals how silence, pride, and unequal partnerships erode relationships, even when affection exists.
Cycles of Family Legacy – Each generation faces its own “unworthy heir”: Si Yun’s brother, Cheng Ao’s stepbrother, and later descendants who repeat mistakes.
The drama seems to say history repeats—but individuals can break the cycle through choice and courage.
The finale’s subdued tone—smiles instead of fireworks, quiet exits instead of grand speeches—suggests that true change is incremental. The footprints left behind are not of heroes, but of ordinary people who endure and adapt.
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TLDR + Footprints of Change Short Review
Footprints of Change is a thoughtful, multi-era drama weaving together love, family conflict, and social transformation across six decades of Shanghai’s history.
The first arc (1930s) is the most engaging, carried by Ryan Cheng and Jelly Lin’s chemistry. Later arcs with Tong Yao and Liu Yijun lean heavier, sometimes dragging, but add depth to the overall theme.
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Pros: Strong performances, layered female characters, rare “happy” ending for the 1930s lovers, meaningful historical backdrop.
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Cons: Pacing dips in later arcs, some supporting roles underused, tonal shifts may lose casual viewers.
Verdict: 4/5 stars. A slow-burn but rewarding drama that lingers long after the credits roll.
FAQs
Q: Do Cheng Ao and Lin Si Yun end up together?
Yes. Against the odds, they get a happy ending, moving abroad after the war and starting anew together.
Q: Who is the real tragic figure of the series?
Zeng Dalun, Cheng Ao’s stepbrother. His greed and arrogance destroyed his future, and he was executed by his own father.
Q: What does the house symbolise?
It’s the silent witness to changing eras, carrying the memories of each generation. It mirrors China’s transformation through the 20th century.
Q: Is there going to be a Season 2 or sequel?
Unlikely. The story is neatly tied up across its three time periods. If anything, iQIYI might explore similar anthology-style dramas in the future, but Footprints of Change feels complete as it is.