Ice rink dramas usually go one of two ways. They're either overly sugary sweet or they try so hard to be "sports-centric" that they forget to give the characters actual personalities. Then comes along a show like To Fly With You. It’s a 2021 Chinese drama that, quite frankly, shouldn't have been as addictive as it was. On paper, it’s a standard youth idol setup. You’ve got the spunky short-track speed skater, the "Prince of Figure Skating," and a lot of competitive tension. But looking back on it now, especially with how many sports dramas have flopped since, this one holds up for reasons that most people don't talk about.
The show isn't just about winning medals. It’s actually a pretty messy look at how parents project their own failures onto their kids. If you’ve ever felt like your hobbies weren’t "real" enough for your family, Shen Zheng Yi’s struggle hits way too close to home.
The Chemistry Between Song Zu Er and Wang An Yu
Honestly, the main reason To Fly With You worked is the lead pairing. Song Zu Er plays Shen Zheng Yi with this frantic, stubborn energy that feels real. She isn't a "Mary Sue" who is naturally gifted at everything; she’s actually a bit behind her peers because she started late. Then you have Shao Bei Sheng, played by Wang An Yu.
Most people recognize Wang An Yu from Twenty Your Life On or The Forbidden Flower, but his role here is special. He plays a figure skater. Now, if you know anything about the physical demands of figure skating versus short-track speed skating, you know they are worlds apart. One is about grace and explosive jumps; the other is about raw power and tactical positioning. The drama uses this contrast to build their relationship. They aren't just "in love"—they are competitive athletes who initially don't respect each other's disciplines.
The "fake dating" trope is used here, and yeah, it’s a cliché. We’ve seen it a thousand times. But the way they transition from bickering rivals to actual pillars of support is handled with more nuance than your average 40-episode C-drama. It’s the small things. The way he watches her practice late at night or how she learns to appreciate the precision of his jumps.
Why the Sports Element Actually Matters
Let’s get real for a second. A lot of "sports" dramas use the sport as a backdrop for kissing scenes. To Fly With You actually puts in the work. The production team brought in professional consultants to make the skating look authentic. While the actors obviously used doubles for the high-level stunts, the technical terminology regarding "edges," "cornering," and "overtaking" is surprisingly accurate.
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Short-track speed skating is brutal. It’s a sport where one tiny slip from an opponent can take you out of the race. The show captures that anxiety perfectly. The rivalry between Zheng Yi and Zhu Le Le isn't just about who likes which boy; it’s about the brutal hierarchy within a professional sports team. The "Jian Feng" club setting feels like a pressure cooker.
You see the toll it takes on their bodies. There are scenes where the exhaustion is visible, and it doesn't look "pretty." That’s the reality of the grind. If you’re looking for a show that respects the hustle of an athlete, this is it.
The Mother-Daughter Conflict
One of the most grounded parts of To Fly With You is Zheng Yi’s relationship with her mother. Her mom is strictly against her skating. Usually, in these dramas, the parent is just "mean" for the sake of the plot. Here, there’s a history. Her mother’s trauma regarding the sport provides a layer of emotional depth that justifies the secrecy.
It forces the viewer to ask: How much should you sacrifice for your dream when it’s actively hurting the people you love? It’s a heavy question for a youth drama, but the show handles it without being too melodramatic.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Ending
There’s a common complaint that the second half of the series drags. People say the "misunderstandings" between the leads are annoying. While I get that, I’d argue it’s actually realistic for their ages. These are college students. They are under immense pressure to perform on a national stage while navigating their first real relationships.
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They make mistakes. They get jealous. They keep secrets because they think they’re "protecting" the other person. It’s frustrating to watch, sure, but it’s human. The resolution at the final competition isn't just about a gold medal; it’s about the leads finally finding a balance between their personal ambitions and their partnership.
Technical Highlights and Production Value
The cinematography in the rink is top-tier. Filming on ice is notoriously difficult. You have to deal with reflections, temperature issues, and the speed of the subjects. The director, Sha Wei Qi (who also did Gank Your Heart), knows how to film competitive action. The use of close-ups during the races makes you feel the wind and the sharp "shick" of the blades hitting the ice.
- Color Palette: The show uses cool blues and crisp whites in the rink, contrasted with warm, golden tones for the "off-ice" romantic scenes.
- Soundtrack: The OST isn't overbearing. It kicks in during the high-stakes moments but knows when to stay quiet during the emotional beats.
- Supporting Cast: Unlike many dramas where the side characters are just filler, the teammates in To Fly With You have their own arcs. You actually care if the relay team wins.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Binge-Watch
If you’re planning to dive into To Fly With You or you’re looking for something similar, keep a few things in mind to get the most out of the experience.
First, pay attention to the training sequences. Many of the drills shown are actual exercises used by the Chinese national team. It adds a layer of appreciation when you realize how much leg strength is required just to hold a basic skating posture for three minutes.
Second, compare it to Skate Into Love. While both involve ice sports, To Fly With You is slightly more mature in its handling of the "pro" circuit. If you liked the fluff of Skate Into Love, you’ll find this one a bit more grounded in the reality of sports politics.
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Third, look at the career trajectory of the leads. Song Zu Er’s performance here solidified her as a powerhouse for "youth" roles before her hiatus. Watching her range in the more emotional episodes—specifically the ones involving her coach—shows why she was so highly regarded in the industry.
How to Approach the 40-Episode Count
Forty episodes is a lot. To avoid burnout, treat the show as two distinct parts. Episodes 1-20 are about the "climb"—Zheng Yi trying to prove she belongs on the team. Episodes 21-40 are about the "maintenance"—staying on top while dealing with the fame and the emotional baggage of her family.
Don't skip the "boring" practice scenes. They build the stakes for the finale. When you finally see that last race, the payoff only works because you saw the hundreds of laps they ran in the dark.
The drama succeeds because it understands that sports are a metaphor for growing up. You fall, you get an ice burn, you get back up, and you try not to let the fear of crashing keep you from going full speed into the next turn. It’s simple, it’s effective, and it’s why people are still recommending this show years later.
To get the most out of your C-drama journey, start looking for shows that focus on the "professionalism" of their characters rather than just their romantic entanglements. To Fly With You is a perfect blueprint for that. If you’ve finished this one, your next logical step is to look into Nothing But You (the tennis/badminton drama) or Falling Into You (the high jump drama). Both carry that same "realistic grind" energy that makes the eventual victory feel earned rather than scripted.