So Young

So Young follows Zheng Wei, a freshman who arrives on campus hopeful about new chapters, friendships, and the possibility of first love. She quickly discovers that university life is a crowded mix of dorm rooms, late night chats, and twists that aren’t covered in the brochures. The people she meets bring warmth and complications, from supportive roommates to unpredictable admirers, and the rhythms of class, work, and study test her resolve. As relationships form and shift, Wei balances ambition with feeling, navigating a landscape where loyalties bend and choices carry surprising consequences. The film reframes a first year as a turning point rather than a simple stepping stone, inviting viewers to think about growing up. It captures a quiet awakening.

Directed by Zhao Wei, So Young pairs a coming of age sensibility with a polished urban style. Screenwriters Qiang Li and Yiwu Xin shape the story for the screen, marking Zhao Wei's move into directing. Its production values feel refined.

The film achieved strong commercial performance, grossing roughly 116 million dollars worldwide, underscoring the appeal of a campus romance told with a modern sensibility. Box office numbers showed broad appeal and solid marketing, plus steady word of mouth across audiences.

So Young stands out for Zhao Wei stepping behind the camera and for bringing Yang Zishan to the lead as Zheng Wei, alongside Bao Bei Er, Maggie Jiang and Han Geng. The film helped push campus romance into mainstream discourse about youth in China. Its themes linger after the credits.

Critics highlighted the film's intimate character focus and its clear-eyed look at growing pains in a city where opportunities collide with expectations. The story centers on friendship and first love while quietly querying the price of early success and the meaning of belonging. It invites audiences to consider growing up.