This review may contain spoilers
Last few episodes were the best
First off, I chose not to read about the scandal/controversy surrounding HYT and this series before I started watching. It helped with my headspace going in.The first few episodes kept me invested because of one reason- Jiang Chen is not a bully, he teases XX a lot but I didn’t think he bullies her. I can’t stand the girl-worships-mean-boy trope. I like the fact that JC is actually part of the group. Rival group stories can only carry the plot so much for me.
The school years laid the foundation for the relationships. I really like JQ, the tomboy. She’s fiercely protective of XX and the group. BS is a lovely, selfless character. He would’ve been a great bf for XX but for JC- the heart wants what the heart wants.
The dynamics of JC and XX’s relationship is what kept me invested. I believed he liked her very early on but as you can see from later episodes, he wasn’t in the right headspace to start a romantic relationship with her because of his personal issues. He couldn’t resist her though, the subtle bias he has for her shows throughout the series. He really couldn’t deny his feelings anymore in their last year of high school and although he couldn’t verbalize his feelings, his actions showed a lot, especially by turning down the Beijing university entrance acceptance.
Many thought XX acted so silly but really, she was infatuated though she did push back. Her bubbly personality fits with her actions, she isn’t made for sadness.
Once they are in university, JC can’t hold back anymore, and accepts he and XX are meant to be.
To me, the episodes after their breakup are the best as JC has to come to terms with his emotions (his POV and explanation to BS were SOLID and really filled in the blanks for some) and XX shows she’s no pushover. She really made JC work for reconciliation.
I read that most viewers preferred XX with BS but not me. She couldn’t love him, her heart is already full with JC, she never fell for BS. Their issues were always with each other only, never with BS. It was never a love triangle, just unrequited love for BS.
The series was a 7.5 for me for the high school years until they went to university and then the breakup/reconciliation episodes brought it up to 8.0.
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The vast majority of the story follows the last few years of Jiang Chen (Hu Yi Tian) and Xiao Xi's (Shen Yue) high school days. Though this is set in China and I never attended school in China, I found myself reminiscing about my school days because of the show. There are wonderful display of simple, yet all consuming, life in high school; like making life long friends, excitement of sitting next to your crush, daunting task of trying to get into a good college, playing hooky and avoiding teachers, and dealing with parents who are also dealing with you (especially Xiao Xi's parents who made me laugh with how befuddled they are, not knowing how to handle the enigma that is their teenage daughter). The best part of all this of course is Xiao Xi's puppy crush on Jiang Chen. That's how I would describe her, like a little puppy following him wherever he goes. I really can't fault her for being such a little dummy because she is just so adorable. I'm a grown woman but watching their interactions had me feeling excited like a teenager for their innocent, budding romance. And Hu Yi Tian is so swoon-worthy. Both him and Shen Yue really embody these characters.
The show then transitions to college days, then adult days, as each character embarks on various new adventures. I enjoyed the whole show but it was the parts set in high school that were my favorites. Again, just such a heart-warming show; an instant pick me up. Sometimes I wish life were as simple and innocent as the days in high school. But thanks to this little gem, you get to live it again.
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A Love So Beautiful tells the story of Xiao Xi and Jiang Chen as they develop their relationship and grow together almost their whole life. The story itself has the "Itazura na Kiss" trope and although I ended up dropping that drama, somehow I managed to finish this and always craving more for each episode. The drama itself is light-hearted; the high school life pictured the innocent of youth and towards adulthood, there were more intimate relationships and serious issues. For me, I actually wanting the adult relationship to be a little longer because somehow I squeal A LOT and the story itself is more interesting I guess. Or maybe because it was more relatable. Or maybe because I like it when the situation was reversed haha.
Chen Xiaoxi is an easy-going and determined person. She may not be the brightest when it comes to academics but she surely one of those people that always lighten up the mood whenever she presents. Jiang Chen is a smart, good looking guy and mature for his age. He is the type of person that has a hard time showing his feelings. Wu Bosong is a very thoughtful person! I actually feel bad every time I saw him and rooting for Jiang Chen, because he's just that type of guy who cares a lot for the person he likes and tries to give the best that he can provide. I also love Lin Jing and Lu Yang as the side characters, especially Lin Jing. Usually, this kind of drama has the FL's friend to be equally not bright and borderline stupid, but somehow Lin Jing is a smart & strong character.
Don't even get me started with the OST! I swear it has become my most played all-time in Spotify lmao that's how much I love it. It brings back the feeling that I had when watching this drama. I think it's one of the best drama OST though, since somehow as a person who always skips intros and recaps I ended up watching the opening just to listen to the song.
I have always recommended A Love So Beautiful to people I know! This is one of the dramas that has a special place in my heart since it has everything that I want in a school drama. Such a simple story and yet powerful enough in conveying the emotions.
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In this drama, the female lead bravely embraced her feelings. Despite their great difference in character, academic performance and views in life. These didn't hinder her to pursue her first love. She didn't seem to reckon if she was worthy to be with him but pursued him nonetheless. Like any first love, hers is innocent yet very courageous. All throughout the story, the female lead seemed to be seeking for an answer if her feelings would change someday because a lifefime is definitely long.
As for the handsome male lead who — due to certain circumstances had learnt not to depend on anyone — developed a frozen heart but hopefully to be melted by the female lead (?). Whilst the second male lead would definitely make you wish you were the female lead so you could choose him. His love aimed only at one reward — seeing the girl he loves happy.
The time setting mostly took place during their highschool days wherein they grow as an individual while creating friendship with one another and finding what they want to do later on.
Overall, the story is so breathtaking that you'd be having a hard time to recover after watching the drama so you'd end up rewatching it all over again.
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But this drama is more than beyond cute?!?!!!!! Actually ive watched the first episode while the show was airing few months ago but i got super annoyed with the girl, XX. Hehe. My first impression on her was ‘SHES SO EASY OH MY GOD HOW CAN SHE BE SO HONEST TO HER CRUSH AND EVEN FOLLOWED HIM EVERYWHERE AND CLEARLY TOLD HIM THT SHE LIKES HIM??’
Yes, on the first episode she already told or showed to him that she liked him soossosoosooooo much! Then I skipped this drama (i kinda regret it but glad tht i came back to watch it!!)
Surprisingly, after u watch the second episode, you won’t feel annoyed at her anymore. She is being honest with her own feelings and i find it rly cute and i think i keep reassure myself to keep watching this drama bcs on the first episode the guy, JC shows that he actually have some interest (?) to know that girl? Hehe its rly cute :c
JC is a smart person but i think he doesn’t talk much or show his emotion to other ppl like how we do bcs he grow up on his own since he was... around.. um maybe 7/8/9 y/o? His ego level is no joke lol (i got so mad at him whenever he hurted XX but UGHH XX always forgive him ksdkakd)
XX is so clingy, but i think she can become 200% MOREEE clingy with JC sometimes i stopped the drama bcs i cant stand the sweetness i feel like i am sooo single lmao. But yeah. One thing that ive noticed that she never be that clingy to BS. Talking about BS, man. He is so boyfriend type of person who could give a girl tht she love,, literally everything.
This drama is really cute, its cute to see that a cold person (he is not that cold but hm.. can i put him as a tsundere?) can be with a clingy and cute person like her. Maybe its true that on the last episode, JC said that no one have followed him, no one could stand him whenever he said words that could hurt that person, like how XX did. XX will always find him. XX will always follow JC. She loves him that much :(
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Acting performances by the entire cast was spot on. This drama did convert me into a Shen Yue fan. I definitely understand now why she's the next big thing in China. For a cast with little to no acting experiences, Sun Ning (Lu Yang), Zhi Ting (Bo Song) and Zi Wei ( Jing Xiao) did a stellar performance. Hu Yi Tian (Jiang Chen) was pretty stiff but it works for his character.
I love that the drama is pretty funny and light (most of the time). The witty endings of each episodes were a major plus. I also thoroughly enjoyed the second couple's story-line. I could relate to their frustrations and joy and appreciated their growth more than the leads'; an unfortunate truth that leads to my next point.
I did not like the main couple at all. Jiang Chen is a character i do not understand. He adds nothing to the story but his good looks (and brains at times). He's just too cold, even to their group of friends. I struggle to like him and especially hated the way he treats Xiao Xi (both in school and adult days). Their relationship seems extremely loop-sided. Xiao Xi totally lost her backbone when it comes to Jiang Chen and he just rejects her or orders her around for his own amusement. He seems very manipulative, controlling and is only showing affection to her because there is someone else trying to woo her, which is NOT what the story set it out to be.They did however, attempt to explain his love for Xiao Xi at the very end.Maybe it was a little too late, as it did nothing for me.
The drama is draggy. 16/17 episodes of high school life and 7 episodes of adulthood. It felt a little disproportionate. I wished they showed more depth on the struggles of adulthood, how they maintain their friendship, overcome their differences, the disappointment of not getting a job, etc. I thought it was going to be similar to Reply 1997 (a wrongful thinking on my part), but this drama fails to deliver in that aspect.
The funny thing is I can see the teenage me really loving this drama. But for someone who is now leading an adult life, i wish for a more in-depth story-line as love comes in many forms and especially since it is afterall titled "A love so beautiful".
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Light hearted story, cute romance
What a delightful gem this is. It is a light hearted story telling the tale of school going children growing into adulthood. Their lives are filled with challenges -- cheating, jealousy, love, misunderstandings and school girl/boy crushes. It is great to watch young people grapple with the challenges of life and love. Both male and female leads convey their personalities as bright young people full of promise and potential. The male lead is delicious eye-candy and watching him and the female lead together is so enjoyable.I particularly enjoyed the commitment they had for each other. I watched episode after episode and did not feel the need to skip anything. Well paced and fun.
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This review may contain spoilers
The only reason I finished this drama was because of Wu Bo Song.There were few things that were good: the cinematography was nice and the acting wasn't that bad considering they were relatively new actors. The side characters were the best, especially Wu Bo Song (who was my favourite character and such a sweetheart ) and Lin Jing Xiao who was such a realistic character. She was strong headed but wasn't stoic like a lot of "strong" female leads tend to be written and had emotions of love and worry and was overall a 3d character.
Bad things. Where do I start. First the plot was very basic but that is expected of a romance drama. My main issue was Jiang Chen and Chen Xiaoxi. Jiang Chen was unbelievably rude to the point where it was sad and pathetic of Chen Xiaoxi to continue to pursue him. I understand he had trouble communicating his feelings because of his father but that isn't an excuse also that didn't make much sense because Wu Bo Song also had family issues and was never unnecessarily mean to Chen Xiaoxi. Wu Bo Song was a much better love interest and would go out of his way to show his affection for Xioaxi but in ways that were meaningful (like when he made it snow because she had never seen snow or when she had stomach pains so he bought her medicine and food). When Jiang Chen tried to show her how he cared he looked stupid and it didn't make much sense, like when he gave up the opportunity to practice at that really good hospital in another city to be with Xiaoxi but then he didn't even go after her and they remained broken up. Chen Xiaoxi was also an unbelievably annoying character. Not only was she so stupid (like she lacked basic comment sense) but when she was with Jiang Chen she became like a child with her actions and her demeanour, I much preferred her with Wu Bo Song because she behaved like an actual grown up.
Overall, would not recommend this drama if you value your time.
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This review may contain spoilers
Classic teenage romance, not appalling, but also nothing exceptional.
Storyline: As expected of teenage romance, there is nothing too surprising. The storyline is predictable, the plot is non-existent, and the entire show is based upon an obsession. Although I really enjoyed the romance between supporting casts, I found the two main leads to be extremely boring. At the start, the female lead was tolerable (possibly even endearing). As the show progressed, she becomes irritating and ultimately revolting. Her character has zero development, which would not have been terrible had she started off with some personality. Unfortunately, she goes from an obsessive stalker into a horrible person who wishes the worst upon anyone that shows interest in her crush. Having 'love' as the theme of the plot, I find that the main characters have absolutely no understanding of what love is. Granted, they are teens and it is 'puppy love', it is still unrealistic and truly terrifying to think that some people consider this type of toxic/unhealthy relationship to be cute. My boyfriend and I started off the series with little expectations, and we were pleasantly surprised that the supporting casts were all adorable. We are currently staying on the series just for Lu Yang and Lin Jing Xiao.Cast: Nothing much to talk about, they were all average. I do not think any of them particularly stood out in terms of acting. Shen Yue and Hu Yi Tian pretty much typecasted for their respective roles, there is not much acting to do.
Music: Again, the theme song is fine, there are hardly any OSTs for this show.
Conclusion: Great way to relax and chill, especially if your partner is a hardcore romantic. The show has its moments, it is not a complete lost cause. I would never rewatch it though. I would also never want to pick up a book by this author, simply because I would get frustrated by the sheer stupidity of the main characters.
Note: We have not completed the series, but judging by its current state and the pace of the show, there will not be much progress. I hope it gets better, but I would not be shocked if it stays mediocre.
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MY HEART!
I found this after looking for a show with Hu Tian as a main character after finished GoGo Squid! and stumbled across this. I am happy I did! I am a sucker for a show that makes me Aww! and smile like a proud mom. I felt like I was going in circle as the plot developed though. I am not the biggest fan of guys who have a tsundere personality at the beginning though. However, I loved the friendship between all of the characters and had a fun time watching it. I like shows that go from High School to University. The charcters are more wholesome I feel like, and when I watch a show in this genre I expect to see some cute stuff. I got what I wanted.Also, prepare to be frustrated by all of the miscommunications! They make the story better in this case but also had me wanting to bash my head into a wall (not recommended FYI).
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