Fall in Love (2021)

Top tier chemistry and great plot.

This drama is an underrated gem. Not many people have watched this drama maybe because it is historical and political. I was also going to skip it, but seeing other reviews made me change my mind and I'm glad I watched this drama. The political parts were very interesting for me although I hate political dramas cause I don't understand anything. But for this drama, I was so invested.
The main leads chemistry is top tier. No one shows dominance over each other. Although at beginning the ML is somewhat shown as fierce and aggressive, he is very soft towards the FL. Also both of them are smart, tactful and understand each other so well. Although there were some tension among them in later episodes, they still were full understanding towards each other and I loved that.
All the other casts did justice to their roles brilliantly. *SPOILER* One of the couple has CLOY type of ending. I bawled my eyes over that scene cause just like CLOY they were going to have their lovestory started and I also cried out so much when the ML's bodyguard dies. That was so emotional cause I got attached to the characters so much.
The OST of this drama is also very good. It's my first time that I've loved the OST of a C-drama cause the lyrics matches the drama so well. I got emotional when the song started to play. It's one of the best OST I've heard.
One thing I loved about this drama is how it has depicted the lovestory during wartime. I started to think deeply how many lovestories were incomplete because of the war and how they could deal with loosing their partners. (Btw this drama has a happy ending, so don't worry) Specially during old times when there was no means of communicating through phones, so many conversations were incomplete between the loved ones. Thinking about this, I really felt sad and on top of that the OST is also very meaningful. So I had a heavy heart during the ending. I hope all the lovestories that remained incomplete would complete in their another life.
Lastly, I will again recommend you to not leave this gem behind cause its one of the best C-drama I've seen this year. Much love to the cast and crew of this drama.

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Great!

I came onto this series becasue of a clip of Commander Tan entering the party at the Mu Mansion. I literally said, "is he the bad guy, I have fallen already." And his character in the series didn't disappoint. I think he is the type of character all the domineering CEOs are trying to emulate but just not getting it right. His character was crafty and funny and lovable at the same time. I loved when he outsmarted everyone at every turn.
I am not a fan of female characters in CDramas at all. I don't like the baby talk or the pouting or acting like a 4 year old (hence my Little Four was my least favorite character and the only one I really couldn't tolerate at all.) But the female lead was smart, strong and honest. I thought she did great. I didn't think I would like her because I found her a little sanctimonious in the first episode but she quickly grew on me.
I liked this series all the way to the end, for the most part. I thought it got a little draggy between 24-30 episodes and they fell into the trope-y breakup because of what happened in the past that had nothing to do with the other person. So cliche but that was soon shown to be something else entirely.

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DOES NOT DISAPPOINT

This drama series had me hooked within minutes of the first episode. I was so happy that the storyline progressed at a good pace and didn't get bogged down with side stories that never resolve like many other dramas. The relationships between characters integrated well with one another and didn't seem like a detour in the storyline that went no where.

Another big plus for this series is that ALL characters had so much chemistry with one another that made me binge watch this series. I was also really glad to see that that the script didn't make the leading lady completely dependent on the leading man, but rather was equally strong, smart, and able to carry her own weight throughout the series.

A good balance between seriousness and humor.

Well casted! Well performed! Well directed!

Well done to this film crew :-) Read less

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It's commander Tan all the way!

This is the first time I am watching a drama of both of Chen Xingxu and Zhang Jingyi.
Chen Xingxu as Commander Tan excelled in his performance.He is honest, sincere,caring,living,brave,jovial and at the same time a very tricky male lead so far I saw.
Honestly to say,this is a one man show of Commander Tan.
This drama has all elements -sentiment,honesty,emotion,love and many a times was hilarious too.
The star cast was perfect and were very apt in giving expression to the situations.
It also showcases the intense military warfare in medieval times in China.
If you are looking for a perfect blend of all the emotions in the right amounts, then this one is for you.

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Romance in revolutionary war times, with a bunch of handsome guys

STORY
The 1925 context and the rivalries/war between armies led by the governors and that led by the revolutionaries, is interesting.
We witness the struggles/issues of influence between the different powers (Concession, armies, governors, Japanese).

CASTING
The CL is quite cute (beautiful, noble and intelligent characters).
A lot of handsome actors (marshals and officers) although they don't really have the physicality of soldiers :). Big risk of 2LS with Evan Lin :)...

But some unbearable characters:
- the completely idiotic sister (with horrifying voice), supposedly rebellious, excessively childish and annoying, who is left free to put everyone in danger in times of war ??? Seriously ??? (as soon as this character appears, my hair stands on end because it's fake, badly played, inconsistent with the context)... And what's more, this character doesn't change an inch!
- the mother-in-law with a horrible voice!!!
- his vain, evil and jealous daughter.

TECHNICS
Realization of quality despite freeze frames a little too accentuated on the romantic moments.

Some bugs and anachronisms however(don't forget it's 1925 :)
- mix of jazz and french cancan in a show ???
- electronic medical devices
- sister's mini skirt
etc
The stage manager and director didn't pay enough attention to detail!!
Most of the time, the OSTs are adapted: epic, soft or very sad. Nothing particularly memorable though.

I would recommend this drama to those who want a mix of history (very nationalistic:), romance and action.

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Visually Stunning

The one huge thing for me is that this drama is visually stunning, from the make-up, costumes, sets and cinematography. Everything else was decent even though there were a lot of draggy parts and over the top scenes- I can't fault the acting with the way the scenes were written and set up but some acting could have been done a bit better for some of the cast. I also appreciate that the history aspect was straightforward in this drama, I learned a few things about the Chinese Republican era, oh no! :) It was a happy ending so this drama still gets my rec worth a one-time watch.

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A really must see cdrama

I am usually not a person that watches war dramas. They are often way too dramatic and I cry easily so I don’t like them. But this one is one you really must see.
The lead actors did a great job. Male lead is one of the best actors I have seen in cdramas and is well matched with the female lead. The male character is immense smart and plays quite some tricks and games (even on his love interest). But this keeps the show interesting and sometimes even funny and the schemes are always for a good cause. The female character can keep up with him and always see through his schemes, what makes them a really good fit for each other.
The supporting cast is often funny and does a good job on what a supporting cast suppose to do which is support the leads.
The story isn’t told too dramatic and heavy mostly because of the male lead even though there are heavy topics but he makes it easy to watch and why I still love it.

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Not bad as i thought

it's not too bad, the acting is also quite good, and there is a feeling like revolutionary drama,,, and the duration ok about 43 -46 minutes per eps ,,, but when watching it, there is a feeling that the shooting is careless, the equipment is not adequate

I quite enjoy it the romance , but there are some scenes that I don't understand,
‎from the start xuguangyao lives in shanghai one of the reasons is as a prisoner so that his father doesn't break his promise, but in the middle of the end he was even allowed to return to yuecheng,,

and like nothing tan xuanlin wants to rule shanghai

I feel, there are certain people who actually can not die

like most Chinese war dramas, always glorify the communist party

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Rare gem hard to come by!

My overall impression of this drama is pretty favorable allowing for the fact that this is set in the Republican era. This is because Mystic Nine was the only series that is branded upon my memory as a well-executed Chinese Republican drama before coming across Fall in Love. I am quite impressed at the writer's foresight and astute move in creating the personalities and identities of the characters here. Although it was beyond my understanding how this type of plot based on a part of China's history could pass the strict censorship, the unfolding of the rest of the plot shed light on the answer to my question.

I would like to take my hat off to Chen Xing Xu for his terrific and unfailing acting skills. His changing facial expressions and portrayal of the character are top-notch. I was fond of the second male lead here in Crush, and I still am but when he and CXX appeared on screen together, it was apparent that CXX was more attractive with his charms and wonderful acting skills. I truly admire his flexibility and versatility in playing his characters, and I would think that there is no Chinese actor to set beside him as a villainous male lead. As shrewd male leads are on my favorite characters list, I enjoyed watching how the male lead did not play by the rules to fulfill his goals. Nevertheless, he did not go beyond the bounds of morality and was always be careful about the people around him. He did not make impetuous decisions just to aggravate the audience which is an essential element in some Chinese dramas.

As I have given enough appreciation toward the male lead's character, I will discuss the female lead and the reasons for my support for her character. I could say she is the best female lead in a modern/Republican Chinese series that I have ever watched (and probably that they have ever produced). She is not those female leads who are old enough to get married but think like a child of the Stone Age (because most children today are clever enough as adults). She could make considerations in a logical way, knew how to deal with her enemies, and make a pact with the stranger who she thought she could trust to survive the ordeals of living in a dangerous place. Most importantly, her strongest charm was being humble and communicative despite her high social status and intelligence. As far as I know, modern Chinese dramas are apt to be extreme in building the female leads' attributes. They are either super dumb or super independent to the point of being over-arrogant.

The third feature of this series that I particularly love is the mature relationship of the main couple. They were mutually helpful and supportive even during the times when they could not be together. They were able to stand to face the problems and horrors of the atrocious situations calmly and strongly. Although their first meeting was not a smooth start, they did not relent on their trust in one another once they were able to understand each other completely.

There is no character that I hated here as all of the characters carried out the objectives that came with their nature. Xu Guang Yao and Gu Yue Shuang are my second favorite characters as I love the main couple's characters equally. They did not turn bad because of their obsession with the male lead and female lead just like the secondary roles in other Chinese series. They were true to themselves and remained loyal and sincere throughout the whole plot. Although their characters were just frosting on the cake, I really enjoyed watching them.

As to the story, the beginning episodes were thrilling and addicting but began to lost momentum after those episodes. However, it was still fairly engaging in the middle, but quite boring at the latter part. The romance of the main couple was also better in the beginning part. Regarding the ost songs, they were not remarkable. Sway in the Wind by Fang Ni Liu was the single song that I liked and craved to listen to after watching the drama, and it piqued me that they did not play that song in the scenes between Xuan Lin and Wan Qing. All in all, this is a worth-watching series that I did not regret spending my spare time on.

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one of the best romance dramas

I loved this drama a lot, I always wanted to watch it because of it’s Poster, it’s looks so beautiful. I have not seen many Chinese Republican Era Drama so far, so I had no idea what to expect but I loved the overall Plot. It was interesting from the first second and really intriguing. Once you start watching it you just can’t stop. As for the cast, it was my first Drama with the lead couple. Chen Xing Xu was the perfect cast for Tan Xuan Lin. He did a really good job. Zhang Jing Yi was amazing too, Mu Wan Qing became my favourite FL in a long time. I just loved her and rooted for her from Episode 1. I have seen Evan Lin in Crush already and I loved him in this drama. I was curious how I would like it to see him as SML and surprisingly it was fine for me. His role was so supportive over the FL but it didn’t bother me. I hope to see him in many dramas in the future. This drama had also to 2 side couples, both had really interesting plotlines, but I did prefer Pei Shao Jun and Tan Sang Yu, these two were the cutest. Especially Tan Sang Yu, she was adorable. The whole cast and crew did an amazing job with this drama and I highly recommend it to anyone that loves Republican Era dramas are simple is searching for an epic love story!

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Avrei voluto una puntata in più

Finale un pochino affrettato. ultima puntata avrebbe avuto bisogno un seguito. o qualcosina in più comunque. sono rimasta un pochino con quella sensazione di...incompletezza...5 minuti risicati di Finale non mi sono bastati. però rispetto alle altre serie questa ha una storia molto ben sviluppata. il protagonista maschile fantastico. mi è venuta voglia di vedere altro. e delle donne finalmente ben scritte e non le solite ragazzine scemotte. Una serie dove muoiono anche i protagonisti... certo un pochino di propaganda per la rivoluzione comunista però abbiamo tutti una storia e la Cina ha la sua 🤷‍♀️

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