Four Reasons Why This Multiverse Family Drama is a Must-Watch:
1. A drama version of “Everything Everywhere All at Once”, but from the daughter's perspective
Everyone thought Lin Zhaoxi (played by Zhang Zifeng) was a genius, but only she knows that she's actually from another parallel world, and that she's using her memories in another parallel universe to “cheat”.
Similar to the multiverse concept fleshed out in “Everything Everywhere All at Once”, “The Heart of Genius” depicts Lin Zhaoxi travelling into a parallel world where she finds herself a 12-year-old again. This time, she is determined to catch up to the legacy of her father Old Lin (played by Lei Jiayin) and her crush Pei Zhi (played by Zhang Xincheng) – both mathematical geniuses vastly different from her, a philosophy major. Changing major events in her life that happened when she was 12 and 18 respectively, Lin Zhaoxi is forced to face an internal struggle after her crush seemingly discovers that she is not the person she was pretending to be, but rather, that she was from another world.
2. GenZ actress Zhang Zifeng brings teenage heroine to life amid troupers Lei Jiayin and Zhang Xincheng
The female lead Zhang Zifeng brings out the ingeniousness and true bravery of Lin Zhaoxi alongside seasoned actors Lei Jiayin (The Longest Day In Chang'an, A Lifelong Journey, The Wandering Earth), and Zhang Xincheng (The Day of Becoming You, Go Ahead) who led in multiple recent Chinese blockbusters.
At just 20 years old, she is already a decorated actress who has 12 years worth of acting experience under her belt. Zhang Zifeng is the Best New Performer winner at the 2012 Hundred Flowers Awards for After Shock; and a Golden Horse Awards nominee for Last Letter, written and directed by Shunji Iwai.
3. A coming-of-age story like “The Politician” meets “Enola Holmes” meets “Bad Genius”
Not only is The Heart of Genius set against a unique backdrop involving parallel worlds, time travels and of course – a high school crush, but it also involves an interesting paradox: is it considered “cheating” if I take an exam that I already took in another universe?
Centering around the antics of teenagers in their pursuit of educational excellence, the journey of The Heart of Genius is like The Politician meets Enola Holmes. The show deserves top honours for a razor-sharp and detailed narrative that makes answering maths questions as suspenseful and exciting as Bad Genius.
4. A heartwarming tearjerker that touches on China's modern familial relations
Directed by Shen Yan (The Rise of Phoenixes, Chinese Style Divorce), the drama is executed with his trademark style that offers insights into China's modern familial relations against a colourful drama.
While Lin Zhaoxi shines with energy, her father Old Lin is a nurturing presence who ultimately encourages her to bravely lead her life in the original world. Though fate itself might not be that kind to Old Lin, we will still get to see many heart-warming moments the father and daughter pair share before Lin Zhaoxi makes her final decision.
“The Heart of Genius” premieres on iQIYI from July 22 across 191 territories.
Have a taste of “The Heart of Genius” at its latest music video trailer sung by Aska Yang.
