Go Ahead

Three school students develop a sibling-like bond. But could the pressures of adulthood deepen – or shatter – their relationships?

Go Ahead (2020) is a Chinese slice of life drama that follows three school students, Li Jianjian, Ling Xiao and He Ziqiu, whose friendship grows into something closer to siblinghood. The series traces how that bond holds up as they move from youth toward adulthood and the outside world presses harder on each of them. Each character carries a private hardship, and the friends try to steady one another through everyday school life, quiet confidences and small acts of loyalty rather than through external plot machinery. Its forty episodes form a single continuing story told with patience and attention to the ordinary textures of home and classroom. The tone is gentle and wistful, with melancholic undercurrents and moments of genuine comfort, and the emotional weight comes from watching care tested by circumstance. Performances are central to its appeal, with the young leads carrying restrained, naturalistic scenes that let silence do much of the work. The setting is contemporary urban China. Viewers who enjoy intimate coming of age dramas, character driven rhythm and emotionally honest friendship stories will find it a thoughtful, tender companion.

Audiences broadly praise the series for its tender portrayal of friendship and its handling of heavy emotional themes.

• Hope (2020)shared coming of age friendship bond, slice of life tone, and emotional depth
• Heartstopperintimate friendship at the center, tender handling of vulnerability, and patient character focus
• Please Like Meensemble of young friends navigating adult pressures with warmth and candid emotional honesty

Created by

Shui Qianmo, Wang Xiongcheng

Release Date

2020-08-10

Episode runtime

45 min

Rating

8.5 / 10 (217)

What is Go Ahead about?

Three school students form a sibling-like bond that is tested as the pressures of adulthood close in.

What is Go Ahead like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Go Ahead as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Go Ahead violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Go Ahead.

What did critics think of Go Ahead?

Audiences broadly praise the series for its tender portrayal of friendship and its handling of heavy emotional themes.

Which shows are like Go Ahead?

Shows with a similar feel include Hope (2020), Heartstopper, and Please Like Me.

How long is Go Ahead?

Go Ahead: 1 season, 40 episodes.

Is Go Ahead still running?

No, Go Ahead has ended.

Where can I watch Go Ahead?

In United States, Go Ahead streams on iQIYI, Toku Amazon Channel.