Introduction
Let’s be honest, the rubber ducks undeniably are the initial attraction to this Chinese movie, whether you know the leading actor/actress or not. Therefore, as I wrote in the article title, those cute rubber ducks should be in the cast list. Without their cuteness, this movie may be bland.
In fact, if you see the featured image above, you may not recognize who they are on the poster, thanks to the face alteration. However, if you are a Chinese drama/movie watcher, you will know who they are.
Movie Info
Movie title: Welcome to My Side (Native title: 欢迎来到我身边 )
Alternative title: Huan Ying Lai Dao Wo Shen Bian
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Fantasy
Released: Jul 5, 2024
Duration: 1 hr. 42 min.
Director: Song Hao Lin ( 宋灏霖 )
Screenwriters: Song Hao Lin ( 宋灏霖 )
Trailer:
Synopsis
Chen Xiao Zhou suffered an accident after breakup. Since then, he has often seen a large group of rubber ducks quacking, which has brought great obstacles to Chen Xiao Zhou’s life until a girl named Feng Jia Nan appeared. Chen Xiao Zhou was surprised to find that as long as he was with Feng Jia Nan, the ducks would not appear to make troubles, and a ridiculous romantic journey began… (Source: MyDramaList)
Characters
Main Characters
Yu Shi ( 于适 ) as Chen Xiao Zhou
After Chen Xiao Zhou broke up with his girlfriend, he felt extremely distressed. An accident caused a strange “visual” in his eyes. He often saw large groups of yellow rubber ducks “rattled” and called out, which brought huge obstacles to his life. By chance, he met the food blogger Feng Jia Nan. Chen Xiao Zhou was surprised to find that as long as he was with her, the duck would not appear to cause trouble.
Wang Ying Lu ( 王影璐 ) as Feng Jia Nan
A food blogger encounters Chen Xiao Zhou, who suffers from “phantom vision,” and embarks on a hilariously heartwarming healing journey with him. Upon rescuing Chen Xiao Zhou from the world of “little yellow ducks,” Feng Jia Nan, who initially was indifferent, gradually accepts him as he approaches her. The two slowly develop feelings for each other, starting their heartwarming healing journey.
Supporting Characters
Liu Yi Ding (Huang Yan) – Chen Xiao Zhou’s best friend
Teacher Fan (Yang Liu) – video director
Can Can (La Hong San) – video assistant
Xiao Chao (Ma Da Zhi) – video editor
Brother Hao (Zhao Tian Yang) – photographer
Review
Story and Plot
Unlike many common romantic movies, this movie begins with Chen Xiao Zhou breaking up with his girlfriend. From the post-breakup syndrome of young people, the story narrates the process of those who have experienced heartbreak learning to love again. Then, they heal themselves and fall in love again. The emotional changes of mutual healing between the couple are portrayed very well. Besides the romance, the movie also portrays the ups and downs of young people in their careers.
Romance
This is a refreshing and not overly sweet romance movie. The romance plot is well-paced and logical, without typical romantic tropes, like a love triangle, misunderstanding, or jealousy. The romance is similar to everyday life’s love and relatable to ordinary people’s experiences, with similar relationship dynamics between the male and female leads around us.
Many aspects of the movie don’t count as a romance theme. For example, it shows the audience the harsh workplace realities in a big city like Shanghai after the protagonists graduate from college with their idealistic dreams.
Comedy
Speaking of the funny moments in the whole film, there are the funny scenes with Chen Xiao Zhou and the rubber ducks, as well as his scenes with his friends.
Fantasy
The movie promotes a fantasy genre because of the yellow rubber ducks in it, which is not necessarily true. I will give you a spoiler below if you’re curious about the fantasy element in it. Otherwise, just skip the spoiler if you want to be fully entertained by those cute rubber ducks.
The fact about the rubber ducks in the movie.
Of course, they are not real. China never makes a true modern fantasy drama with a realistic background. Chen Xiao Zhou hallucinates about the rubber ducks, and why he develops the syndrome is explained in the drama.
The plot is also very simple. In the first half, there are many light-hearted and funny subplots with the scenes of Chen Xiao Zhou seeing yellow rubber ducks every time he sees yellow-colored items. This vision lasts about 5 to 10 minutes, which debilitates his life. In the second half, the mystery of why Xiao Zhou develops that vision, his past love life, Feng Jia Nan’s background, as well as Xiao Zhou and Jia Nan gradually falling in love with each other, are slowly revealed. There is some foreshadowing in the first part for the second part.
There is also a social message of smoking cessation. Chen Xiao Zhou smokes because of the stressful job, which causes the breakup. I read some reviews on Douban criticizing why his girlfriend broke up with him just because of smoking. So, if you’re a smoker, you probably won’t enjoy this drama.
Finally, there is a plot twist towards the last 1/3 of the movie. I will not spoil what it is, because I think it will take away the enjoyment of watching this movie. However, I will spoil the ending of this movie.
Is the ending happy or not? Will Chen Xiao Zhou and Feng Jia Nan get together?
It’s a happy ending. They get together in the end.
Characterization and Acting
Chen Xiao Zhou and Yu Shi
In my opinion, Welcome to My Side is a character-oriented movie, and the plot centers on Chen Xiao Zhou’s character growth. Although Xiao Zhou is cheerful and positive-minded, and his encounters with the yellow ducks are hilarious, you will feel pity for him. He is like the day-to-day male character who try to survive and succeed in love, life, and career.
Yu Shi’s interpretation of Chen Xiao Zhou is very accurate. If you have watched the actor before, all his works before this movie portray his manly and serious characters. However, in Welcome to My Side, his character is playful and a little bit silly. I didn’t expect him to excel in romantic comedies as well. I think the story is carried by Chen Xiao Zhou. Being handsome is one thing, but being able to convey emotional fluctuations through subtle facial expressions is another. The final scene where Chen Xiao Zhou races on a bicycle to find Feng Jia Nan really shows Yu Shi’s acting skills, and you’ll unconsciously be moved by his performance.
Feng Jia Nan and Wang Ying Lu
If in the first half of the movie the story centers on Chen Xiao Zhou, when the plot gradually moves into the relationship and romance between him and Feng Jia Nan, we see the story from her point of view. However, the character portrayal of Feng Jia Nan, in my opinion, is a bit odd. For example, we don’t know what her background is. The fact that when Cheng Xiao Zhou first met Feng Jia Nan, she was sitting and drinking on a ledge of the university building alone and sad, Cheng Xiao Zhou and we think she was depressed. However, the movie never reveals the reason. Even when Feng Jia Nan becomes a successful food blogger, her countenance when facing her audience is not cheerful either. Feng Jia Nan should’ve learned how to act after many sessions being in front of the camera for her viewers to enjoy her blog. Moreover, she’s at risk of losing her audience after letting a stranger like Cheng Xiao Zhou taste her food in front of the camera and give a negative response. It just doesn’t make sense.
I have seen Wang Ying Lu only in I Am Nobody ( 异人之下 ) franchise, in which her character Feng Bao Bao is completely unemotional. Feng Jia Nan in this movie is also cold and reserved, especially in the beginning, meeting Cheng Xiao Zhou, she’s indifferent towards him. I think the actress did well in this movie, especially in a few emotional and crying scenes.
The supporting actors and actresses performed well. I particularly like the video blog production crew who work together with Feng Jia Nan and Cheng Xiao Zhou.
The Visuals
The special effects of the rubber ducks are the best. In fact, the production team knew about it. Many promotions used rubber duck props prior to the release of the movie, and displayed rubber duck props during the premiere in China’s movie theaters.
Original Soundtrack
The background music at the climax part during the scene when Chen Xiao Zhou riding a bicycle was inexplicably exciting yet very touching.
The movie theme song is “You are the only way” by Tang Han Xiao ( 唐汉霄 ) and Curley G (希林娜依·高)
Conclusion
This is a light-hearted romantic comedy movie with a positive message and realistic vibes. The movie starts with our laughter watching the protagonist encounter the rubber ducks, and ends with tears as we see how both protagonists have been through. It starts with a breakup of a failing romance and ends with a second chance at falling in love again. The rubber ducks are the best, and they ought to be added to the cast list.
I remember seeing the synopsis of this movie and thinking I should watch it but life got in the way. It sounds like a fun romcom and I might give it a try. Thanks for the review