In 2003, after wrapping up Houjie Township, Zhou Hao found himself with a brief gap in his schedule. He needed to shoot a quick, short-term project to prove his capability to his boss and colleagues. It was during this time that he saw Secondary School, a documentary by Hong Kong director Cheung Hung, and felt inspired. Zhou Hao initially hoped to film a documentary on the National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) at Huanggang High School in Hubei Province, but they turned him down. Later, introduced by his colleague Fang Sanwen, Zhou Hao went to Wuping No. 1 High School in Fujian Province, where his proposal received full support from both the principal and the teachers.