A time-warping miniseries shot into public view on social media over the recent National Day holiday — a tale depicting modern youth contributing to the remarkable Long March of 1934-36.

The army of the Communist Party of China left its base in southeastern China to evade its foe, winding its way 12,500 kilometers to the north. The epic journey took two years but ultimately meant the army's survival and victory for the Chinese nation.

Now it has captured the hearts of the Chinese youth who wish they had been part of it. The miniseries — I Opened a Supermarket on the Long March — went viral on social media during the National Day holiday, capturing imaginations and rekindling the patriotic spirit.

The five-episode series tells the time-traveling story of Su Meimei, who finds herself magically back in the Long March era with her supermarket. She uses a game-like "system" to complete tasks and earn rewards, providing food and supplies to Red Army soldiers who are facing severe shortages.

Going back in time, combined with the historical theme of forming a nation, have resonated with a younger audience, many of whom fantasize about returning to revolutionary times to make a difference.

Zhang Yihan, a 22-year-old viewer, commented on social media: "If only the Red Army had such a supermarket back then. We all wish we could have contributed something to those who fought for the revolution."

Related topics have been trending on Chinese social media, drawing tens of millions of views, such as "If I had a ton of penicillin during World War II, how could I support the revolution?" The drama brings such fantasies to life, exploring what one might do if it were possible to return to the era of the Long March.

The drama found immediate success, reaching 10 million views within seven hours of its release. In 24 hours, the total view count had doubled to 20 million across multiple platforms.

Unlike previous Long March-themed works, which often rely on grand storytelling, I Opened a Supermarket on the Long March focuses on personal stories and relatable characters.

The series features three stories set in the magical supermarket, each inspired by real historical figures and events.

Zhang was particularly moved by the moment when the soldiers left the safety of the supermarket to march through the snow. "The detailed and realistic plot resonated deeply with me," he said.

Yi Mingrui, a university student in Beijing, was struck by one character, a cook.

Despite the cook following a strict revolutionary rule — "Do not take a single needle or piece of thread from the people" — Yi shared the cook's love of noodles and ham sausages.

"I felt a strong sense of connection," he said. "Although the drama has its flaws, its vivid expressions of patriotism are truly moving. I hope to see more works featuring such real, vibrant characters."

Developed by Beijing Shiyue Media, the series is interwoven with elements of supermarket management, and what it manages to deliver to its audience is a fresh and captivating narrative.

The series has already surpassed 100 million views and created 500 million discussion posts, news outlet ThePaper.cn reported.

The story's protagonist, Su Meimei, a modern university graduate, offers a rich tale from her unique perspective. The storyline not only highlights the courage and challenges of the soldiers but also makes history vivid and relatable through a contemporary lens.

In discussions about the target for the series, executive producer Ling Ling emphasized the desire to resonate with a diverse young audience.

Rather than creating a sense of detachment, the series — through meticulous character portrayals — breathes life into actual historical figures. Each character transcends being a mere symbol of bravery and sacrifice to become a whole, vibrant person laden with emotions and a sense of duty.

As each of the 5-episode miniseries airs, increasing numbers of viewers have engaged in robust discussions to make their points and express their emotions — many on Douyin, Chinese version of TikTok. One college student said: "I feel like crying. It would be wonderful if those Long March soldiers could witness present-day China."

Middle-aged viewers contributed their perspectives as well, emphasizing the educational value of the series. One remarked: "It should be mandatory viewing in every school for our children. I want my kids to watch it."

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