Update: The drama has now risen to an 8.0 rating on Douban — see congratulatory visual below
Now, if you don’t watch as many Chinese dramas as I do, or you aren’t familiar with the Chinese ratings website Douban, you may not be impressed that it has just been announced Chinese historical war-themed drama The Long Way Back is now listed on Douban with a 7.9 rating.
The announcement was made via Tencent Video on their Weibo account, with the congratulatory comment:
#The Long Way Back Douban Score 7.9#
Tempered by the harsh landscapes, faith ignited in the flames of war! Every step taken by the anti-Japanese united forces through the snow ultimately reflects their unwavering aspirations across time!
The Long Way Back has achieved the highest Douban rating for domestic war dramas since 2021.
Thank you for every acknowledgment as we carry forward the spirit of the anti-Japanese united forces. The prosperous era is as our forebears wished!
Watch all episodes on Tencent Video/WeTV as a subscriber.
And yes, you read that correctly. The Long Way Back has earned the highest Douban rating for a domestic war drama since 2021!
Congratulations, eh?
Why is The Long Way Back‘s 7.9 on Douban excellent?
For we westerners, a rating of 7.9 for any TV show may not seem that high in a world where an 8.5 or higher usually denotes a series worth watching.
In China, though, where a Douban score is one of the most important indicators as to whether a drama is worth watching or not, a Douban score of 7.9 is considered very good for many genres of C-drama.
For a domestic Chinese war drama, however, that kind of initial scoring is looked at as being exceptionally high.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of why:
1. Douban’s Rating Scale is Stringent
Unlike some review sites where a 7/10 might be average, Douban users are known for being critical and discerning, particularly with domestic films and TV shows.
The general perception of scores on Douban then is as follows:
9.0 and above: Masterpiece, classic drama territory (e.g., The Long Night, The Bad Kids)
8.0 – 8.9: Excellent, highly recommended, and a mark of great quality.
7.0 – 7.9: Very good to good. This is a solid and respectable score. It means the show is well-made, has been well-received by its audience, and is considered above average.
6.0 – 6.9: Passable or average. Flawed but might have some redeeming qualities.
Below 6.0: Generally considered poor or bad and, in some cases, pretty much unwatchable. (I am talking about you, The Princess’s Gambit)
Therefore, a 7.9 for The Long Way Back is sitting at the very top of the “very good” tier, knocking on the door of “excellent.” I predict, as more ratings come in, it will likely move up even higher.
2. Genre Considerations: War Dramas
This is crucial. War dramas, and specifically historical/patriotic dramas, are often held to a different standard.
Scrutiny for Clichés: One of the reasons for this is because the genre can sometimes be prone to propaganda tropes, overly heroic stereotypes, and predictable storytelling, which critical viewers on Douban often penalize.
High Bar for Authenticity: As war dramas often feature themes of national pride, Chinese audiences expect a high production quality, accurate historical details, realistic costumes and sets, and nuanced acting in order to feel immersed. Should a war drama omit any of these things, its Douban rating is likely to suffer.
In the case of The Long Way Back, however, it hit every single thing on the list in such a superior way, it’s no wonder its rating started off high and, in future, could move even higher.
Emotional Resonance vs. Critique: While these types of shows usually aim to inspire patriotism and emotional connection, Douban reviewers will also critique their technical and narrative merits.
A high score in this genre then often indicates that the show successfully navigated these potential pitfalls.
In other words, The Long Way Back wasn’t just seen as patriotic content; it was recognized as a well-crafted piece of television that also respected the audience’s intelligence. Even while it was attempting to both educate and entertain them.
3. The Key Evidence: “Highest Score Since 2021”
The promotional text itself provides the strongest proof: The Long Way Back‘s Douban score is hailed as the “highest Douban score for a domestic war drama since 2021.”
This directly tells you that within this very competitive category, a 7.9 is outstanding as The Long Way Back has managed to beat out all other similar shows released in that period.
This context is everything as, if the average rating for comparable war dramas is around 6.5 (and it is), then a 7.9 is a significant achievement.
Yep, The Long Way Back earning a 7.9 on Douban as its first rating is excellent news.
Although, not particularly surprising if you have watched the Chinese war drama on WeTV as it truly is an exceptional piece of work.
The Long Way Back stars Hu Jun, Li Nai Wen, Chen Jing Ke, Mabel Yuan, Ren Bin, and Song Jia Teng. It is directed by Zang Xi Chuan (Supersensory Maze), and Zhao Yang (Our Dazzling Days), and written by Gao Man Tang (Born to Be Alive).
Update: October 3rd, 2026 – As I predicted, the war-themed C-drama has since increased its Douban rating, moving from a 7.9 to a slightly higher 8.0, with it now sitting nicely in the “Excellent, highly recommended, and a mark of great quality” category.
Congratulations to everyone involved, eh?
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