TV series raises awareness of pupils' need for greater parental support instead of pressure to get top grades, Xu Fan reports.

Still from the TV series A Love for Dilemma, which delves into educational conundrums Chinese parents face while raising their offspring. The series is based on the novel by Lu Qiang, aka Lu Yingong. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

It was a rite of passage for many long ago, but is still fondly remembered. The ending of primary school, the last day, the last class, farewells from teachers and classmates, and the best intentions to keep in touch are soon discarded as life's journey begins in earnest.

However, parents can often push too hard. Of course, they want the best but their demands can come at too high a price. What should be the simple pleasures of childhood can be compromised.

This is the focus of A Love for Dilemma, a 42-episode TV series produced by Linmon Pictures. It delves deep into the issue and it has struck a chord online.

Since its April 11 debut on China Central Television's CCTV-8 and Dragon Television, as well as streaming platform iQiyi, the drama, starring actresses Song Jia and Jiang Xin as two very different types of mother, has topped the ratings of all shows aired at the same time.

(PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

After the hit series A Love for Separation (2016) and A Little Reunion (2019), A Love for Dilemma marks novelist Lu Qiang's third education-themed tale to be adapted into a television drama.

A graduate of Chinese literature at the Guangzhou-based Sun Yatsen University, Lu, known by his pseudonym Lu Yingong, worked as a journalist before he was appointed as the deputy chief editor of the Hangzhou-based Qianjiang Evening News.

In 2013, after hearing a lot of stories from other journalists about anxious parents and stressed children, Lu was inspired to put pen to paper.

Now a professor at the Communication University of Zhejiang, Lu says he was inspired to write the new novel during a trip from Guangzhou, Guangdong province, to Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, in 2016.

Stumbling upon a news story about anxious parents sending children to after-school classes, squeezing play time, he posted the link on his WeChat moments and was surprised to find it quickly accumulated many comments.

(PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

"Many of my friends, even those who are living in Japan and North America, commented, as they, too, have also suffered and struggled with the stress. Most of them suggested that I use it as the subject for my new novel," recalls Lu.

With the idea haunting him, Lu was drawn to delve deeper into the subject by hearing the stories of a friend, a deputy chief at a media organization.

"She is highly educated and open-minded about education, but she was also forced to sacrifice the childhood happiness of her daughter by sending her to extracurricular classes after discovering that most other pupils in the young girl's class were already attending such programs," says Lu.

Despite the young girl being smart and diligent, she was incapable of catching up with those who had been undertaking further learning outside school hours, pulling the mother, unwillingly, into the "battle "for the limited admission quotas of her top local junior middle schools.

The woman became the archetype of Nan Li, played by actress Song Jia, the protagonist in the TV series.

(PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Despite leading a successful life, with a caring husband and a couple of children, Nan, the marketing director at a textile brand, starts to realize her "happy education" ideal is being smashed by cruel reality. Her elder daughter, a Grade 5 primary student with a talent for art, may fail to be admitted by a top junior middle school because her academic scores are not good enough.

In contrast to Nan, Tian Yulan－a department store manager played by actress Jiang－is a typical "Tiger Mom" who firmly believes scores and medals top the list of all priorities for her son.

The character's enthusiasm for academic success escalates family tension. For instance, during a family dinner with her parents and other relatives, she urges the young boy to recite as many of the infinite number of digits for pi, to "entertain" and show off. In order to push the boy to completely focus on academic studies, she forces him to quit his favorite soccer class, leading the youngster to become depressed.

"Such scenes may seem crazy and incredible, but around 90 percent of the content is based on real stories," says Lu.

(PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The writer gives an example－which he recounts with incredulity－that he heard from one of the parents he interviewed. At weekends this parent accompanies her child to the venue where extra classes are being taught and sets up a tent outside to enable the child to have a quick lunchtime nap before returning to class.

"I don't believe Chinese parents are monsters. Most of the parents are college-educated. They actually wish that their children could have a happy and easy childhood," adds the writer.

But he believes the fierce competition to earn admission to a top school has severely affected the normal educational "ecosystem", plunging countless families into anxiety and causing children who may feel they are failing to become mired in depression and low self-esteem.

However, Lu adds, few Chinese parents are brave enough to "risk "their children's future, making it difficult for most families to find a balance between being a tiger parent and giving their offspring a happy childhood.

With China's education authorities recently launching a series of policies to regulate the after-class programs and reducing the burden on students, Lu says he hopes his work will help invoke an in-depth examination of the issues in the educational system and help children to live a normal childhood as possible.

Lu Qiang, aka Lu Yingong. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Today's parents are facing more stress and a greater workload as they try to manage their families, Lu says, and he believes sometimes parents bring their anxiety home, escalating the tension.

"I once tried to listen carefully late at night to the neighbors. Sadly, it's often shouting and scolding that I hear, with most arguments concerning school homework. Most parents are calm and collected white-collar office workers during the day, but will sometimes change into different people at night," Lu says sadly.

The TV series has proved so popular that, since April 24, CCTV started airing it on its main channel, CCTV-1.

"I hope audiences will recognize that the ridiculous situation cannot be endured for a long time and that some of these education methods go against the natural rules," says Lu.

"A Love for Dilemma's story ends on a warm and comforting note. I hope it will help parents find the essence of education and take time to let their children grow up."

Contact the writer at xufan@chinadaily.com.cn