'Miracles' captures Shenzhen's spirit in 'Red Dust Odyssey'

As winter settles in across China, a heartwarming new short drama series is drawing widespread attention with its rich storytelling and emotional depth. “The Miracles,” jointly produced by China Media Group and the Shenzhen Publicity Department, is currently airing in prime time at 8 p.m. on CCTV-1, offering a window into the personal stories behind Shenzhen’s rise as a modern metropolis.

The fourth episode of the series, titled “Red Dust Odyssey,” premiered Dec. 25, immersing viewers in the atmosphere of 1997 Shenzhen — a city on the cusp of transformation, fueled by migration, ambition, and resilience.

A poster for “Red Dust Odyssey.”  

At the center of the episode is Hong Ji Food Stall, a modest open-air eatery that becomes a meeting place for workers, dreamers, and drifters from across China. Amid steam and sizzling dishes, their intertwined stories unfold — capturing the soul of Shenzhen as a city shaped by its people.

The stall’s owner, Hong Fu (played by Bai Yu), and his employee Miao Miao (played by Wang Yuwen) anchor the narrative, which also introduces a landlord couple, a Hong Kong businessman, a cab driver, and an opera performer. Hailing from places like Shaanxi, Hubei, and Hong Kong, they speak different dialects and come from different walks of life, yet find kinship in a shared place and time.

 “Red Dust Odyssey” centers on food stall owner Hong Fu (L), played by Bai Yu, and his employee Miao Miao, portrayed by Wang Yuwen.

A taste of home, miles away

In a standout moment of the episode, characters gather around a bowl of “Red Dust Odyssey” — a symbolic fusion dish that brings together Shaanxi-style minced pork, Cantonese barbecued pork, northern-style wheat noodles, and southern rice noodles.

“No matter how far from home you are,” a character says, “you can still taste it in one bite.”

This signature dish becomes a metaphor for Shenzhen itself: a place where regional flavors — and people — blend without losing their roots. In that bowl of noodles is the spirit of a city built by migrants, united by hope and shared struggle.

Immersive nostalgia, authentic details

“Red Dust Odyssey” recreates late-90s Shenzhen with striking historical accuracy. Props such as pagers, early mobile phones, Hong Kong-funded enterprises, and China’s first armored cash transport company evoke the era’s entrepreneurial energy and fast-paced change.

Pagers, a common sight in the 1990s Shenzhen, appear in a scene from “Red Dust Odyssey.”

The episode has sparked enthusiastic reactions online. One user praised its “vivid street-level realism that avoids cliché,” while another called it “a beautiful and honest take on late-night comfort, full of unspoken warmth.”

Social media user “JenYou” spotted familiar faces from the classic sitcom “The House of 72 Tenants,” noting: “It felt like seeing childhood friends again.” Another viewer wrote: “As a Shenzhen drifter, I cried. A bowl of hot food on a long night — that’s what Shenzhen means to me.”

Rooted in Shenzhen’s culture of inclusion

Beyond the nostalgia, the episode highlights the values that have come to define Shenzhen: inclusion, cooperation, and quiet resilience.

Whether it’s a landlord couple saving and spending together, or a cabbie and an opera singer finding mutual respect despite their differences, the story reflects a city that doesn’t just tolerate diversity — it thrives on it.

Li Xiaobing, assistant researcher at the Shenzhen Academy of Social Sciences, said: “The misunderstandings, perseverance, and reconciliation in this story offer a powerful look at Shenzhen’s inclusive spirit. This city grew from a reform-era frontier into a modern hub by welcoming people from all walks of life. Here, anyone can belong.”

Qin Jinping, vice chair of the Shenzhen Writers Association, echoed this sentiment: “In both the noodles and the people, you see blending without erasure. The moment trouble arises, everyone steps up to help. That’s the core of what makes Shenzhen — and this episode — so moving.”

The entrepreneurial city, with a human heart

Characters from “Red Dust Odyssey” share a meal at the Hong Ji food stall, capturing the warmth and camaraderie of the late-1990s Shenzhen.

Hong Fu, the food stall owner, is more than just a cook — he represents the thousands of entrepreneurs who came to Shenzhen chasing possibility. The city today is home to one of the highest concentrations of small businesses in China, with 151 registered business entities per 1,000 people.

But beyond the statistics, the episode reminds viewers that Shenzhen is more than a tech capital or economic powerhouse — it’s a place where ordinary people share meals, lend a hand, and build futures together.

Whether you’re starting a company or simply looking for a place to belong, Shenzhen offers room for both passion and peace. And as “Red Dust Odyssey” shows, sometimes all it takes is a late-night food stall and a bowl of noodles to feel at home.

“The Miracles” airs nightly at 8 p.m. on CCTV-1.