This will be a spoiler-free review of Sammy’s Children’s Day, but here’s something you should know before watching: its nine-episode run ends without definitive closure, almost as if you’ve been dropped into the middle of an ongoing story, and is designed with a second season in mind.
Based on the Chinese novel ‘Chusan’s Liuyi Children’s Day’ by She Xie Dian Dian, the story is set in a fictional city plagued by gang wars and stars He Changxi as model student He Chu San, whose ambition to finish university and land a good job to escape a life surrounded by crime is complicated when Xia Liu Yi (He Yanzhao), the deputy to a powerful triad boss, tries to recruit him as his lackey.
The primary conflict in Sammy’s Children’s Day revolves around the violent gang wars and power struggles between rival triads. Xia Liu Yi’s sister, Xia Xiaoman (Liu Chu’an), is married to his boss, Qing Long (Huang Shi Chao). As Qing Long increasingly favors Liu Yi, a jealous subordinate with ambitions of becoming the next boss begins plotting against him. Amid the gang politics and brutal street skirmishes, the studious He Chu San gradually falls for the handsome Liu Yi, while the latter initially sees the young student as nothing more than an intelligent asset to have on his side.
A parallel subplot follows rising police officer Xie Jia Hua (Matthew Han) as he cracks down on the city’s triads while dealing with Guang Ming (Zhang Ming Bo), a suspicious investigator from the Independent Commission Against Corruption. After a tragic turn of events elevates Xia Liu Yi to an even more powerful position within the criminal underworld, he naturally becomes one of Jia Hua’s biggest targets. Although some cops seem to be on the other side. Unfortunately, Sammy’s Children’s Day barely explores the corruption-within-the-police angle, despite it having the potential to a lot more tension to the story.
Then again, Sammy’s Children’s Day isn’t trying to be the queer Godfather for drama fans, even though Liu Yi keeps watching the 1972 classic through the show. Instead, the series goes for a lighter, often comedic tone, especially when it comes to the romance between its leads. Their relationship unfolds as a slow burn, peppered with plenty of humorous moments. At one point, for instance, He Chu San even pretends to have a mental health condition when he fears his feelings for Liu Yi are about to be exposed.
One of the most emotionally significant subplots in Sammy’s Children’s Day explores the traumatic childhood shared by Liu Yi and his sister Xiaoman, who suffered years of severe abuse at the hands of their father. Xiaoman is left deeply scarred, becoming melancholic, emotionally unstable, and seemingly burdened by an unspecified illness. Actor Liu Chu’an however doesn’t fully capture the vulnerability and emotional fragility the role requires, which weakens the sibling storyline that plays a pivotal role in the overall narrative.
He Changxi and He Yanzhao have palpable onscreen chemistry, and their contrasting visual profiles looks great together. Even so, I wish the romance had been given a stronger slow-burn foundation. Until almost the very end of ‘Sammy’s Children’s Day’, Liu Yi shows little indication that he’s romantically attracted to the student and treats him like a young brother. Curiosity, confusion, or even subtle hints of growing affection would have helped. Instead, his emotional arc jumps rather abruptly from “I want you as my underling” to “I’d die for you,” making the transition feel abrupt and contrived.
Given its late-1980s/early-1990s setting, one of Sammy’s Children’s Day’s greatest strengths is its delightfully chaotic, Hong Kong-inspired aesthetic. The series often feels like a gritty noir crime film from that era, perfectly complementing its pulpy storytelling, not Pulp Fiction the movie, but the crime-fiction genre itself. It’s refreshing to see homes, back alleys, and streets that actually look lived in rather than being drenched in pristine pastel colours and glossy, picture-perfect interiors. While this isn’t a big budget production, the creative team clearly punches above its weight to give the series a cinematic tone.
The gang warfare is frequently brutal, and He Yanzhao handles the blood-soaked action scenes with the confidence of a rising romantic-action star. One standout sequence sees Liu Yi fighting his way through an entire gang of rivals while attempting to carry a wounded companion to safety. It’s undeniably exaggerated, but also exactly the kind of larger-than-life set piece that action fans will enjoy.
So yes, Sammy’s Children’s Day has its flaws, but it’s still an entertaining blend of gangster drama and romance. Just be warned: it doesn’t so much end as it slams on the brakes. If you’re the kind of viewer who prefers limited series and needs proper closure, you’ll probably be annoyed by the climax. At the time of writing, there’s no official confirmation of a Season 2, but if you’re an eternal optimist and the story elements sound like something you’d enjoy, go ahead and watch it.
Side note: Sammy’s Children’s Day is actually a clever play on the protagonists’ names. Liu Yi literally means “June 1,” which is Children’s Day in China, while He Chu San’s English name is Sam. So the title is essentially a wordplay on “Sam’s Liu Yi,” tying both protagonists together in a single phrase.
Watch ‘Sammy’s Children’s Day’ on Viki, Viu or GagaOOLala.
Find the writer on Twitter | Instagram
Read Next: ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Review: The Big Crowd-Pleaser of 2026 (Audio Below)
