The TV drama The First Half of My Life has recently resurfaced in popularity on social media platforms, driven by fan-generated memes and discussions. Concurrently, numerous netizens reported that tea chain AUNTEA JENNY had launched drinks with names like "A Swaying Magnolia in the Wind" and "Bucketing Downpour Americano," along with pun-based offerings such as "Zhen Pearl Milk Tea" and "Explosive Lemon Tea." These items closely mirror key plot points and dialogue from the series, sparking speculation among fans about a potential collaboration between the brand and the show, with queries like, "Is AUNTEA JENNY really partnering with The First Half of My Life?"
To verify the alleged partnership, reporters contacted AUNTEA JENNY's online customer service. A staff member stated that specific promotional activities would be based on official account announcements, adding that a dedicated team would follow up for verification. Subsequently, reporters reached out to AUNTEA JENNY's customer service hotline, posing as a consumer, where a representative said no such collaboration was currently on record, advising customers to monitor the brand's official channels for updates.
This has led to accusations that AUNTEA JENNY is leveraging the show's popularity for free publicity, with related hashtags trending on social media. A spokesperson for the production team of The First Half of My Life told reporters that the move appears to be a marketing tactic by the business, emphasizing that no official partnership exists.