The ongoing historical thriller C-drama Shooting Stars released its first set of episodes on April 15, 2024. The drama features popular actors Li Xian and Ren Min in the lead roles. It tells the story of Hua Zhen (Li Xian), who dreams of joining the navy and becoming a captain. But everything changes after he takes a sudden trip to the city of Shanghai and meets communist party members Chen Hao (Zhou You) and Luo Min Min (Ren Min). Their influence guides him toward a new way of life.
The episode focuses on Hua Zhen (Li Xian) visiting his family in his hometown. The year is 1936. Hua Zhen comes home to the quiet town of Nanjing, which is away from the turmoil and wars that China has been suffering from. Hua Zhen mentions that he failed to become an officer like his father expected. Instead, he joined the army and is currently preparing to board a ship and study abroad. Hua Zhen mentions that the once familiar place seems strange to him now.
Hua Zhen greets his family members one by one. While his mother and brother are welcoming toward him, his father is reserved. He strictly cares about his image and reputation. This is implied by the fact that the first thing that he asks his son, whom he is seeing after a long time, is if he has greeted the guests.
Shooting Stars ep 1: Li Xian visits his hometown
It is evident that Hua Zhen and his father do not get along. He asks his brother to deliver the birthday present he has bought for his father. He prefers to stay away from politics. His brother advises him not to make any rash judgments as he is the son of the deputy minister.
Meanwhile, resistance is taking place in China. Mr. Deng is chased while carrying a controversial book called “When the Human Stars Shine.” He sneaks inside the party at Hua Zhen’s family home to hide from the Shanghai Garrison Command.
Hua Zhen and Mr. Deng know each other from when they stayed on the same ship. Hua Zhen, who is very fond of Mr. Deng, can not stop thanking him for taking care of him. Mr. Deng gives him the book and urges him to deliver it to a friend in Shanghai. Meanwhile, Wei Daiqing of the garrison command arrives and takes Mr. Deng away.
In episode one of Shooting Stars, Mr. Deng is questioned by the authorities, who command him to reveal the names of his associates. But he refuses. Meanwhile, Hua Zhen travels to Shanghai and arrives at the address given by Mr. Deng.
He finds a distressed child in the hallway and police officers raiding the place. He finds out that the child’s entire family has been killed, and the police are looking for her. The child managed to survive, as she was not present at the scene at the time of the incident. At first, he decides to leave the matter to be but soon comes back to rescue the child. He successfully gets her out of the hotel. Hua Zhen decides to inform Mr. Deng but is unable to reach him.
Shooting Stars is available for streaming on Mango TV.
