Promotional material for See You Again Photo: Courtesy of iQIYI

A six-episode streaming drama has become a hit on Chinese streaming giant iQIYI since its debut on Tuesday due to its attention-grabbing plot and convincing acting. It has not only received rave reviews on Chinese media review site Douban, but also inspired thousands of hot discussions on China's Twitter-like Sina Weibo because of its rarely-seen topic about a special group of people - ex-convicts. 

See You Again, the miniseries starring veteran actors Li Guangjie, Jiang Xin and Hu Jun, tells a story about ex-convict Hu Guanglai, who regains hope for the future and his dreams of becoming a musician due to the help and influence of community police officer Quan Dangyuan. After Quan's sudden death, Hu carries on Quan's work by offering a helping hand and advice to former prisoners like himself. 

As part of the streaming giant's renowned Light On Theater Initiative, See You Again has been praised as one of the best series that tells a small but touching story about a group of people that are often ignored.  

According to the director Huang Wei, the core idea that the series seeks to deliver is "rebirth."  

"All in all, it's about giving these people special attention and helping them regain dreams that were gone," said Huang, who said he was inspired by the true stories of several ex-convicts. He noted that these people had served their time and although they received help from society after their release, many rarely are able to "open their hearts and review the past." 

"Like Hu, who served over 20 years in prison, many have no way to get mental health aid. However, people like community policeman Quan are helping them and guiding them to regain hope and their dreams."

Many viewers said they were touched by how Quan passed his warmth down to others.  

"Quan's story is being retold by others, but he, like a light tower, passed his hopes and warmth down to people like Hu," said Huang. 

"Hu felt this warmth, which helped to melt a heart that had frozen because he was frightened to see the outside world he had been isolated from for more than 20 years. After being moved and healed, he started to give this warmth to people like him."

The series also examines the hard work of community policemen, who devote time and energy to befriending ex-convicts, winning their trust and helping them rejoin the outside world.