You know that feeling when a show just gets it right? Not the over-the-top, dramatic, soap opera "right," but the quiet, nostalgic, heart-aching kind of right. That is exactly what happens with the When I Fly Towards You episodes. Honestly, if you grew up watching A Love So Beautiful or It Started With a Kiss, this 2023 C-drama is basically the refined, less-toxic version we all deserved. It’s a 24-episode masterclass in how to tell a high school story without making every viewer cringe at the dialogue.
Su Zaizai is the soul of the show. She’s loud, she’s cheerful, and she’s unapologetically confident. Then you have Zhang Lurang. He’s the quiet, brooding type—but not in a "I'm mean to you because I like you" way. He’s just a kid dealing with a lot of academic pressure and a family that compares him to his genius brother. The magic isn’t just in their romance; it’s in how the episodes track their growth from 2012 all the way through their adult lives.
What actually happens in the When I Fly Towards You episodes?
The series kicks off with a rainy day meeting. Typical, right? But Su Zaizai’s reaction to Zhang Lurang isn’t some deep, poetic realization. She just thinks he’s incredibly handsome. The early When I Fly Towards You episodes focus heavily on the "chase." Zaizai is relentless. She joins his study groups, sits near him, and basically forces her way into his orbit.
It’s refreshing.
Usually, in these dramas, the girl is shy and pining from afar. Not here. Su Zaizai is a firecracker. By the time we hit the middle of the season, the focus shifts from just "crushing" to actual character development. Zhang Lurang starts to peel back his layers. You see the hurt caused by his mother’s favoritism toward his younger brother, Luli. It’s heavy stuff for a "fluffy" drama.
One of the best things about the pacing is how it handles the "Five-Person Group." You’ve got Gu Ran, Jiang Jia, and Guan Fang rounding out the squad. Their friendship feels lived-in. When Guan Fang deals with his grandmother's aging or Gu Ran hides his feelings for Jiang Jia behind jokes, it feels like real life. The show doesn't rush the timeline. We spend a good chunk of time in 2012 before moving into their university years and eventually their professional lives.
Breaking down the transition from school to adulthood
Most people who search for When I Fly Towards You episodes are looking for that specific moment when the dynamic changes. It happens around episode 16 and 17. This is the transition to university.
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The stakes change.
In high school, it was about test scores and stolen glances in the hallway. In the later episodes, it’s about long-distance challenges and career paths. The show avoids the "break up for no reason" trope that plagues 90% of Chinese youth dramas. Instead, Zhang Lurang and Su Zaizai actually communicate. If there’s a misunderstanding, they talk about it within ten minutes of screen time. It’s almost revolutionary for the genre.
The finale—episode 24—is a total tear-jerker but in a happy way. It wraps up with a wedding and a look back at their 10-year journey. It’s the kind of closure that feels earned because you’ve watched them study for the Gaokao, survive different cities, and eventually build a home together.
Why this show ranks so high for C-drama fans
If you look at platforms like MyDramaList, this show sits at an incredibly high rating (usually around a 9.0 or 9.1). Why? Because it respects the audience. It doesn’t use cheap plot devices.
Take the "Second Lead Syndrome" for example. Most shows would force a love triangle to create tension. When I Fly Towards You doesn't bother. There are people who like the protagonists, sure, but the main couple is so locked in that the external "threats" never feel real. The real antagonist is just life—growing up, moving away, and finding your own identity outside of your parents' expectations.
The director, Mao Deshu, has a very specific visual style. Every frame looks like a memory. The colors are warm, the lighting is soft, and there’s a lot of handheld camera work that makes it feel like a documentary of someone’s youth. This aesthetic is a huge reason why clips from the When I Fly Towards You episodes go viral on TikTok and Instagram Reels. It’s "aesthetic" in the truest sense of the word.
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The real-world impact of the Zhang Lurang character
There’s a nuance to Zhang Lurang that often gets missed. He isn't just "the smart guy." He’s someone who lacks self-esteem despite his achievements. Throughout the episodes, you see him slowly stop measuring his worth by his grades.
Su Zaizai’s "sunshine" personality acts as a catalyst for this. She tells him he’s great exactly as he is. It sounds cheesy, but for a kid who has been told he’s the "lesser" brother his whole life, it’s transformative. Experts in adolescent psychology often point out that this kind of positive reinforcement is exactly what high-pressure students need. The show accidentally—or maybe intentionally—highlights the toxic nature of the competitive education system in East Asia.
Technical details you might have missed
The drama is based on the novel She's a Little Crazy by Zhu Yi. Interestingly, Zhu Yi also wrote Hidden Love, which was another massive hit in 2023 starring Zhao Lusi. You can see the similarities in the way the romance is handled—it’s very "slow burn" and incredibly sweet.
- Total Episodes: 24
- Original Network: Youku
- Airing Period: June 2023
- Filming Location: Qingdao, China (which explains the beautiful coastal scenery)
The soundtrack also plays a massive role. Songs like "I Want to See You" or the upbeat opening theme become synonymous with the characters. When the music swells during a pivotal scene in episode 14 (the beach trip), it’s hard not to feel something.
Common misconceptions about the plot
People often think this is just a copy of A Love So Beautiful. It’s not. In ALSB, the male lead is often cold and borderline mean to the girl for a long time. Zhang Lurang is never mean. He’s just shy and a bit socially awkward. He respects Su Zaizai from the jump.
Another misconception is that the show is only for teenagers. Actually, a huge portion of the fanbase is in their late 20s and 30s. It’s "healing" content. It’s for people who want to look back at their own school days and remember the friendships more than the exams.
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How to get the most out of your rewatch
If you’re planning to dive back into the When I Fly Towards You episodes, pay attention to the props. The show is set in 2012, so the phones, the snacks, and the clothes are all period-accurate for that time in China. It’s a nostalgic trip for anyone who lived through the early 2010s.
Also, watch the growth of the side couple, Gu Ran and Jiang Jia. Their "enemies-to-lovers" vibe provides the perfect comedic relief when the main story gets too sentimental. Gu Ran’s growth from a shallow jokester to a dedicated doctor is one of the most underrated arcs in the entire series.
Moving forward with the "Flying" experience
If you’ve finished the series and you're feeling that post-drama void, here is what you should actually do. Don’t just look for "similar shows" because most won't hit the same way.
First, go find the "Special Episodes" or behind-the-scenes clips on Youku’s YouTube channel. The chemistry between the lead actors, Zhou Yiran and Zhang Miaoyi, is just as chaotic and fun in real life as it is on screen.
Second, look into the director’s other works. Mao Deshu has a knack for capturing youth in a way that feels raw.
Finally, if you’re a fan of the writing style, check out the original novel. There are fan translations available that give a bit more internal monologue from Zhang Lurang, which helps explain his silence in the early episodes.
The beauty of this show is its simplicity. It’s just a story about two people who make each other better. No amnesia, no long-lost siblings, and no unnecessary breakups. Just 24 episodes of pure, unadulterated sunshine. It’s the TV equivalent of a warm hug on a cold day.
Practical Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out the Hidden Love series if you want more stories by the same author, Zhu Yi.
- Follow the lead actors on Weibo or Instagram to see their latest projects; Zhou Yiran in particular has been taking on more serious, moody roles lately.
- Look for the "Director’s Cut" clips often shared in fan forums like Reddit’s r/CDrama to see deleted scenes that add more context to the university years.