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| Yang Zi and Hu Ge’s Prestige C-Drama Divides Viewers Despite Strong Critical Reception (Photo: iQIYI) |
Born to Be Alive (生命树), the early 2026 prestige C-drama led by Yang Zi with special guest star Hu Ge, has officially wrapped its two-week broadcast on iQIYI & CCTV. Released on 30 January, just before Lunar New Year, the Tibetan plains-era drama closed its run with mid-level viewership figures but a strong 8.1 rating on Douban, sparking intense discussion across Chinese social media.
Marketed as a serious, high-calibre production, Born to Be Alive (生命树) was positioned as one of CCTV’s major opening dramas of the year. Directed by Li Xue and Zhao Shuo, the series focuses on grassroots guardians in the Gobi Desert, blending themes of homeland security, environmental conservation and personal sacrifice.
With a heavyweight cast and an ambitious production scale, expectations were sky-high from the start.
On Douban, the drama collected over 177,000 ratings, landing at an impressive 8.1 score.
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| Douban |
A closer look at the breakdown shows 38.3% five-star reviews and 40.7% four-star reviews, a clear sign that critical appreciation is there.
However, compared to other mainstream hits, the overall voting volume hints that while the prestige factor is strong, mass appeal may not have fully followed.
Timing may have played a part.
Releasing just before Lunar New Year is always a gamble, especially for a drama heavy on solemn themes and layered storytelling.
Viewers gearing up for holiday content often lean towards lighter, family-friendly fare. In contrast, Born to Be Alive leans into stark landscapes, moral dilemmas and emotionally weighty arcs.
That said, audience reactions have been far from uniform.
Many fans praised the drama’s cinematic quality and emotional depth. Some viewers commented that certain character choices in desperate situations left them genuinely shaken, calling it one of the most affecting scenes they’ve seen in recent years.
Others highlighted the film-level cinematography, regional dialect authenticity and occasional touches of dark humour that balanced the serious tone.
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Comparisons were even drawn to classic Chinese western-style films set in remote regions, applauding the drama for capturing the vastness and isolation of the Gobi with real texture.
Supporters also pointed out that the cast delivered committed performances. Yang Zi stepped into a more restrained, grounded role compared to her previous works, while Hu Ge’s special appearance added gravitas and emotional weight.
Veteran actors in supporting roles were widely praised for bringing authenticity and quiet intensity to their characters.
However, not all feedback was glowing.
Some netizens criticised the script, arguing that despite a strong production team, compelling subject matter and star power, the storytelling felt uneven.
A portion of viewers felt the pacing dragged in places and that dialogue exchanges sometimes lacked natural rhythm.
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There were comments suggesting that while cinematic style works well in films, a long-form television drama requires tighter structure and more dynamic narrative momentum.
Interestingly, while full-episode ratings were described as mid-tier for a big-budget project, the show has been performing surprisingly well in short clips across social media platforms.
Emotional scenes, sweeping desert shots and key confrontations have gone viral in snippet form, suggesting that the drama’s strongest moments resonate powerfully when distilled.
In short, Born to Be Alive may not have dominated viewership charts, but it has carved out a clear identity: a serious, prestige-driven C-drama that prioritises theme and atmosphere over mainstream crowd-pleasing formulas.
With an 8.1 Douban rating as its calling card, it stands as a critical success that perhaps found a more niche but deeply appreciative audience.
Now that the run has ended, the bigger question is whether future prestige dramas will rethink timing and tone, or double down on bold, weighty storytelling regardless of season.
Have you watched Born to Be Alive? Did the serious tone keep you hooked or did you find it too heavy for holiday viewing?