Northward

Core Story | A Youth Legend from Flower Street to Beijing
In the early 2000s, in the Flower Street courtyard by the canal in Honghuai City, young friends Xia Fenghua (played by Bai Lu), Xie Wanghe (played by Ou Hao), Shao Xingchi (played by Zhai Zilu), and Zhou Haikuo (played by Gao Zhiting) bond with newcomers Ma Siyi (played by Li Wandai) and Chen Rui (played by Liu Hengfu), enjoying a carefree childhood. As the Beijing-Shanghai Expressway fully opens, traditional shipping begins to decline, and the six families face a turning point in survival, witnessing a microcosm of the changing times along the canal.

In 2014, the internet entrepreneurship wave sweeps through Beijing, prompting Xia Fenghua and others to head north in pursuit of their dreams: Xia Fenghua becomes the head of a logistics point, while Xie Wanghe rallies partners to develop a delivery business, only to encounter internal conflicts and market challenges at the peak of their careers. Years later, after the canal successfully applies for heritage status, the youths from Flower Street return to their hometown. Having experienced the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, they reassess the meaning of life by the familiar canal, embarking on a new chapter much like the revitalized waterway.

Production Highlights | A Cinematic Breakthrough of a National Cultural Project
Authoritative Endorsements: Selected for support by the Ministry of Culture's 2023 cultural industry special fund, featured as a key program by the National Radio and Television Administration, included in the core projects of the "14th Five-Year Plan" for the protection of the Grand Canal culture, and receiving major artistic creation funding from Jiangsu Province, it is hailed as the "flagship drama for the dissemination of canal culture in the new era."
Narrative Innovation: Addressing the theme from a "youth perspective + cultural inheritance," intertwining the historical changes of the canal with the growth trajectories of the post-90s generation, exploring the conflicts and reconciliations between tradition and modernity.
Scene Restoration: From the bustling atmosphere of Flower Street to the technological vibe of Beijing's startup parks, the crew filmed on location along the canal, using CGI technology to recreate the 20-year time span.

Character Depth | Ensemble Portrays a Microcosm of the Era

Bai Lu × Ou Hao: Transitioning from childhood friends to business partners, they embody Xia Fenghua's resilience and Xie Wanghe's idealism, showcasing the dual growth of female independence and male responsibility.
Veteran Actors' Contributions: Hu Jun plays a traditional boatman, while Sa Rina portrays a family elder, creating intense interactions with the younger actors that symbolize the clash of values between old and new generations.

Audience Expectations | A Dual Resonance of Culture and Passion
Following the trailer's release, the entrepreneurial spirit of "Canal Youth's Journey North" and the healing conclusion of "Returning Home to Seek Roots" have sparked lively discussions. Critics note, "In the series, the canal is not just a geographical coordinate, but a spiritual symbol connecting individual destinies with national development."

"Northward" redefines the main theme of new generation dramas with its grand narrative of "one river, a group of people, and one era." Tune in on March 3 to witness the canal youth's journey through life!