The ongoing period C-drama Young Babylon released its first set of episodes on April 29, 2024. The drama, starring Neo Hou and Yang Cai Yu in the lead roles, is an adaptation of the novel by Lu Nei.
Young Babylon tells the story of Xiao Lou (Neo Hou), who struggles to keep up with the changes that come with a flourishing economy. He is a rebel who always questions the authorities. He vows to reform his life and make it worth living. The first episode primarily focuses on Xiao Lou and his friend joining the factory.
In 1996’s Fucheng, Xiao Lou lives with his loving parents. He is taking his college entrance exam. His mother warns him about a pervert who has been terrorizing the neighborhood, flashing passersby. Instead of going to the exam center, Xiao Lou goes to help his friend Li Guangnan (Fei Qi Ming), pursue Qin Juan, the girl he likes.
As they continue to follow the girl around, she gets scared. Some factory workers mistake them for hooligans and come to her rescue. They get into a fight. Meanwhile, Bai Lan (Yang Caiyu), the new factory doctor, passes by the scene, and Xiao Lou falls for her at first sight.
The factory workers, along with Xiao Lou and Guangnan, get taken to the police station. The chief of the security department knows Xiao Lou and his parents. He scolds him for playing around. Both parties keep blaming each other for starting the fight. Even Qin Juan refuses to help them.
Young Babylon Ep 1: Neo Hou joins the factory as a worker
Bi Zhigang from the secretary’s office arrives at the police station. He takes the factory workers’ side and calls them rule-abiding and disciplined. This leads to him getting into a heated argument with Xiao Lou. Meanwhile, Bai Lan identifies Xiao Lou as the one who initiated the first punch.
The police keep him in a cell for a few years. By the time he reaches the examination center, the gates have already been closed. Despite his pleas, the security guard doesn’t allow him inside. He finds that Guangnan also didn’t go inside. He apologizes to Xiao Lou for dragging him into the mess. They decide to skip college and join the factory.
Meanwhile, Lu Dajiang, Xiao Lou’s cousin, who is a troublemaker, visits the factory. He accuses Bai Lan of framing his brother and insists that she call the factory and vouch for his innocence. When Bai Lan refuses, he gets into a fight with the office workers. Bai Lan hits him on his head and knocks him out.
Daijang’s friends carry him out of there and take him to an arcade. Xiao Lou is also present there. Bai Lan follows them there to treat his concussion. But Daijiang refuses to take his help.
Bai Lan is Qin Juan’s roommate at the dormitory. Qin Juan finds out about Bai Lan’s dark past. Rumors start to spread that Bai Lan has stabbed someone in the past. Qin Juan also finds out about the books Bai Lan keeps with her, which are considered indecent. Qin Juan takes Xiao Lou and Guangnan to the factory to acquaint them with the workers.
Young Babylon is available to stream throughout the week on Tencent Video and We TV.
