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| Yang Zi and Hu Ge’s Born to Be Alive Scores Big on Ratings but Sparks Heated Debate (Photo: iQIYI) |
The new period drama Born to Be Alive (生命树) didn’t ease its way onto screens — it charged straight in. Premiering on 30 January, the Yang Zi and Hu Ge-led series quickly turned into one of the most discussed Chinese dramas of the season, pulling in strong ratings from day one and setting social platforms buzzing with praise, criticism, and plenty of debate.
On the numbers side, Born to Be Alive made an immediate impact. The drama topped Maoyan’s popularity rankings on its premiere day and held onto the No.1 spot the following day. On national television, CCTV-8 reported a real-time peak rating of 2.3859% for episode one, marking the channel’s highest record so far this year.
While episode two dipped to an average of 1.77%, later episodes rebounded sharply, with overall market share rising to 8.3% and day-to-day growth jumping by 137%. By episode five, the series had already set a new internal viewership record for the channel.
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Set against the vast and unforgiving highlands of Qinghai, the drama follows Duojie, played by Hu Ge, the deputy county chief of Maji County.
Determined to protect the plateau’s fragile ecosystem, Duojie forms a patrol team to combat illegal hunting in the region. Yang Zi stars as Bai Ju, a newly graduated police officer who hopes to join the patrol unit but is initially turned away, leaving her frustrated and eager to prove herself.
Bai Ju’s personal storyline adds extra emotional weight. She comes from a complex family background, with an older sister and a younger brother, Bai Ji, whose past mistakes place him in serious danger.
Bai Ju’s efforts to protect her family while standing firm in her duties give the character a strong emotional arc that runs alongside the drama’s broader themes of responsibility, courage, and moral choice.
The production itself has also become a major talking point. Filming took place across Qinghai’s high-altitude regions, including Golmud and Delingha, at elevations exceeding 4,000 metres.
Yang Zi reportedly spent around 188 days on location, enduring extreme conditions and noticeable physical changes for the role. With an estimated cost of 8 million yuan per episode, the full 40-episode project reached a total budget of around 32 million yuan, making it one of the more ambitious productions of the season.
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Audience reactions, however, have been far from uniform. Many viewers praised the drama’s cinematic visuals and realistic atmosphere, especially its sweeping shots of the plateau and the quiet tension woven into everyday moments.
Hu Ge’s restrained performance was widely appreciated, while Yang Zi received recognition for scenes requiring subtle emotional shifts — from controlled fear to shock and quiet determination.
One moment in which Bai Ju witnesses her brother’s actions drew particular attention for its expressive yet grounded acting, with viewers calling it one of the drama’s standout scenes.
At the same time, criticism surfaced quickly. Some viewers felt the pacing was uneven and the narrative structure too loose in its early episodes. Others questioned certain styling choices, arguing that visible makeup details felt out of place given the harsh environment portrayed.
On review platforms such as Douban, the drama saw a sudden influx of one-star ratings within a short period, triggering discussions about whether the series was being judged fairly or caught in a wave of reactionary scoring.
Interestingly, a significant number of netizens came forward to defend Yang Zi’s performance.
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Many expressed confusion over the volume of negative reviews, arguing that her portrayal of Bai Ju showed solid emotional control and maturity, especially when compared with other performances airing in the same period.
Supporters highlighted her ability to balance calm resolve with visible fear in high-pressure scenes, saying the role demonstrated growth rather than stiffness.
Hu Ge and Mei Ting were also frequently mentioned in positive discussions. Mei Ting’s intense rescue scene, featuring a powerful on-horse sequence, became one of the most shared clips online, with viewers praising her commanding screen presence and emotional force.
Despite the divided opinions, Born to Be Alive has undeniably secured its place as one of the most talked-about dramas of the early season. Strong ratings, bold production choices, and performances that spark debate have kept it firmly in the public eye. Viewers remain split — and that tension may be exactly what keeps audiences tuning in.
Have you started watching Born to Be Alive yet? Are you on the side of its supporters, or do you agree with the criticism?