Frontline heroes fight poverty

TV show searches far-flung mountains and valleys for stories of inspiring people who help others, Cheng Yuezhu reports.

An ordinary person, with an extraordinary tale. A TV show that courageously puts the central character of each episode behind the scenes with their stories played out by actors. Therein lies the recipe for its success. The much-anticipated meeting of actors and the true-life characters at the denouement creates a full circle for the show and provides engaging entertainment. The show is in fact an odyssey. Like a Greek fable it is a journey that details the triumph of the human spirit.

In its first episode, produced by Hunan Satellite TV and which premiered on Aug 30, the program Youth on Record sees actress Lou Yixiao and actor Gu Zhixin set out on an adventure in search of a mysterious person named Jiang Xiaojun. They are also seeking stories and anecdotes about him with the task of reenacting his deeds on stage.

The journey begins at Goulanyao village in Jiangyong county, Hunan province, where clusters of redbrick houses are enveloped by the mountains and veiled in mist.