[1][2] It recounts his journey from a young, impoverished village boy destined to labor in the fields of China to a world-famous professional dancer.

Li Cunxin is born into a poor family commune in a small rural village in Shandong Province, where he is destined to work in the fields as a labourer.

At first overlooked but selected after a suggestion by his teacher during a school visit, Li seems bewildered by the gruff preliminary inspection screening at the provincial capital city of Qingdao.

Selected to travel to Beijing to audition for a place in Madame Mao's Dance Academy, he is admitted to its ballet school after passing a series of physical tests.

Their farewell performance, Romeo and Juliet, is broadcast live throughout China to five hundred million viewers.