Exclusive Fairytale (2023)

If you want to feel refreshed or look back on your precious memories, this one is for you

What I really love about this series is how it made me feel. It feels so refreshing, it's like the rest that you get after a stressful and tiring day. There might be some scenes or characters that I found kind of cringy but it was overall a good watch. Those "cringe" moments really take me back because it reminds me of how I was back then. The actors are really good too. Maoyi is really like a rabbit as her name in the series "Xiao Tu" suggests. Jun is a great actor too, I was really excited for this series as I get to see another side of him. This is also the first series to ever give me the second lead syndrome but I soon forgot about it because of Ling Chao's actions which are really endearing. This series screams home and comfort to me.

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Best drama ever !!

This is the second drama beside “ When I fly towards you” that hits me differently!! I love this drama so bad .
This’s one of my fav drama which made me enjoy my day life . After I watched it , I realized that typical partners that I want for my future was the way ling Chao treat Xiao Tu 🥹the chemistry between them in this drama were too adorable lah it made me shy , blushing and laugh quite a lots. Such a adorable youth drama (best memory of childhood, best friendships in High school , college and so far so good the gorgeous married life that everyone wish to have )…All the casting have done a great job , emm yeah so proud of our Miaoyi she has a lot of drama projects to do but she’s still managed to be Xiao Tu( cutie Bunny) and it has been along that jun in this acting career, but he’s still play a role as Lingchao pretty well so proud and congratulations to Jun. Last but not least, if you haven’t watched it yet !! I’m truly recommend all of u to watch this drama . This’s the best drama ever not gonna lie !!

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The only good part: the FL

I'd been waiting for this childhood-friends-to-lovers drama to come out for the longest time, but after watching it...I think the only good thing about it is the FL.

She's the very typical type of FL you see in Chinese youth dramas — not too bright but really optimistic and bubbly, but I absolutely love how Zhang Miaoyi plays her. She's endearing, chaotic, lovable, fun, but most importantly, stands up for herself when it counts. Which is why it was very disappointing that none of the other characters really matched her energy, and it was even more disappointing that the drama gave up on developing her character in exchange for tropey romantic scenes. For example: the FL is apparently good at martial arts but this is suddenly forgotten so that the ML can come and save her.

Just in general, the plot felt choppy. A lot of youth dramas have cookie cutter scenes; the better ones link them together well and make it seem like they're memorable moments in someone's life. In the more typical youth dramas, they remain recognizable tropes and it just feels like one scene after another, which is what this one felt like. In terms of the side characters, they were also very cookie cutter and I didn't really care for the friend group as a whole either. The plot and the characters all just felt like they were going through the motions.

Additionally, this is one of the dramas where the dubbing really negatively affected it. It was very obvious and made lots of dialogue seem off. For the FL, it was best when we got ZMY's original voice, but there were some lines that were dubbed and it was very jarring to see the mouth and sound suddenly not match up. For the ML, the voice didn't match the acting at all.

With that being said, the acting of the ML was...not good. He had very few expressions (and basically no microexpressions) throughout the show, and I just felt like it was very flat and bland.

And so: I don't think I really felt the romance. The hardest part about doing friends-to-lovers is transitioning from the platonic relationship to a romantic one, and that transition was very confusing and random. I wasn't sure when it happened and because of the lackluster acting and lack of well-paced plot progression, the leads felt better off staying friends.

My advice? Watch When I Fly With You instead. It's one of the few recent coming-of-age dramas that did everything right.

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A BIG NO

Just opened this account for this review, You all really have double standards, If this was a Japanese drama the rating would be a maximum of 7.8 no way this average drama get an 8.4 rating here, I'm not this type of rude person but I'm done because of the comments who misleads people, it so overscored, nothing new, nothing fresh, not even a good quote in entire drama. I watched it because of my roommate and it was a waste of my life, Chinese dramas are always overscored on this platform. If you look for a review don't waste your time and watch another drama. most overrated drama of this year.


I find the male lead's acting to be headache-inducing. I noticed some comments defending him by saying that it's because his character is introverted. However, I don't think that's a valid excuse. This isn't even his debut drama, yet he has the same expression throughout the entire show, which dampens the excitement and enjoyment for me.A big no, the female lead really carried the drama.

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A Mediocre Production "Exclusive Fairytale" (2023)

While the premise is undeniably captivating, the overall execution leaves much to be desired, resulting in a somewhat lackluster viewing experience.

One of the highlights of Exclusive Fairytale is its visually stunning production design. The vibrant and imaginative settings transport viewers to a mesmerizing world where anything is possible. The special effects bring the magical creatures to life, contributing to the overall charm of the series.

However, the weaknesses in Exclusive Fairytale become evident in its writing and character development. The dialogue often feels clichéd and lacks the depth needed to fully engage the audience. The characters, while likable, are thinly developed, making it challenging to form a strong emotional connection with them. The pacing is inconsistent, with certain scenes dragging on while others feel rushed, disrupting the flow of the narrative.

The acting performances, though earnest, are hampered by the limitations of the script. The cast members do their best with the material provided, but the overall lack of nuance in character dynamics detracts from the potential impact of key moments in the story.

Despite its shortcomings, Exclusive Fairytale manages to capture the essence of a classic fairytale, complete with themes of love, courage, and the triumph of good over evil. It caters to fans of the fantasy genre who are willing to overlook its flaws in favor of a charming, escapist experience.

In conclusion, Exclusive Fairytale is an enjoyable watch for those seeking a lighthearted escape into a magical realm. While its low-quality aspects may deter some viewers, the series still manages to deliver a sense of wonder and magic, making it a suitable choice for fans of the genre who are willing to forgive its narrative shortcomings.

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cute and funny!

Finally, I've finished watching it!

If you're in the mood for something light and funny, this is a great pick. The series offers a refreshing break from heavy drama and stressful plots, presenting a cute story of childhood friends discovering their love for each other.

Miaoyi and Jun's performances were on point! Tutu's character, portrayed with humor, cheerfulness, and optimism, was an absolute joy. Chao's caring nature, behind his serious personality, provided a perfect contrast. The two protagonists' chemistry made their evolving relationship truly interesting.

The skinship and kiss scenes had my best friend and me rolling on the floor with excitement. As a Miaoyi fan, it was fantastic to see her shine as the female lead alongside Jun, whom I've come across in some of SVT MVs.

Though the plot was enjoyable, there were a few minor hiccups:

Firstly, the voiceover for Jun sometimes felt disconnected from his actions. This mismatch affected the character's overall vibe, making him appear a tad odd. Better synchronization would have made a difference.

Secondly, the makeup in certain scenes appeared off, particularly around the actors' necks. A small detail, but it is so obvious.

Now, onto more major observations:

The series could have benefited from deeper character arcs. While the story was good and the plot interesting, the characters needed more three-dimensional personalities. True attachment to the characters occurs, not just when they relate to them, but when the audience feels like they are living through them. Miaoyi and Jun's acting was commendable, but the narrative didn't give their characters enough room to grow and reveal their true selves—their passions, dreams, fears, and hopes.

Regrettably, the series didn't delve deeply into the friendship aspect. The camaraderie among the friends was enjoyable to watch, but it was challenging to form a strong attachment to them without delving further into their personalities. We felt like distant observers, watching their interactions from afar.

Moreover, the school setting wasn't well-explored, and time seemed to fly by without clear indications of the passing years. The focus predominantly lay on the evolving romantic relationship between the two leads, leaving the school background somewhat neglected.

As for the second couple, their initial cute story took a disappointing turn due to communication issues. They should have spent more time communicating their feelings rather than making decisions without hearing the other side.

There were also many guys who fell in love with Tutu. I know that Tutu's character is cute and lovable, but the story didn't need a lot of guys falling for her just to trigger Ling Chao's emotions. They didn't need those additional characters to show that Chao loves her. If they didn't know what to do with some episodes, they should have at least focused on their college studies or internship and how they supported each other.

Overall, it's a good watch, especially if you're seeking something lighthearted and funny. Despite a few areas that could have been enhanced, there are plenty of humorous and romantic moments to savor.

Here's hoping we'll get to witness Miaoyi and Jun's exceptional chemistry in another drama soon!

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Exclusive Fairytale is a Chinese drama that tells the story of Ling Chao and Xiao Tu, two childhood sweethearts who grow up together and fall in love. The drama is set in a high school and follows the characters as they navigate their relationships, their dreams, and their futures.

The drama is an okay watch. It's a typical youth school-to-adult drama, with all the usual tropes and clichés. However, there are some things that I did enjoy about the drama.

First, I thought the acting was pretty good. Jun did a great job as Ling Chao, and I also enjoyed Zhang Miaoyi's performance as Xiao Tu. The supporting cast was also solid, and I thought they all did a good job of bringing their characters to life.

Second, I liked the story. It was sometimes a bit predictable, but I still found it enjoyable.

Third, I thought it was hilarious. The drama has a lot of funny moments, and I found myself laughing out loud several times.

Fourth, I liked how they added Jun's real-life idol character and dance moves from his songs. It was a fun way to incorporate his personality into the drama, and it made the drama more interesting for fans of Jun.

However, there were also some things that I didn't like about the drama.

First, the dubbing was pretty bad. The voice actor for Jun didn't really sound like him, and the lip-sync was often off. This was a bit distracting, and it sometimes took me out of the drama.

Second, the drama was a bit slow-paced at times. There were a few episodes where I felt like nothing really happened. This made the drama a bit boring at times.

Overall, I thought Exclusive Fairytale was an okay watch. It's not the best drama I've ever seen, but it's not the worst either. If you're a Jun or Zhang Miaoyi fan, you might enjoy the drama. However, if you're not a fan of the genre, then you might want to skip it.

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A dessert, a sweet cake served on a sunny day in a café where the walls are in shades of cool blue partnered with the light warm of the sun — this, this is what Exclusive Fairytale is to me.

This drama is literally a whole cake where the slices are the different genres, aspects, and happenings that life entails. Thus, the core of all slices is that it has a different taste of sweetness in my mouth, in my soul, as it covers a variety of themes; family, love, friendship, career, and childhood to adulthood struggles & wins.

The scenes will make you feel happy, sad, angry, and other emotions out there. It really engraved something in the heart where understanding the characters and story brought too many lessons and reminders about life in general. Moreover, the scenes where various emotions can be instilled in you still give you the sweet dessert flavor of life — a dessert for us viewers/watchers.

As for the acting, I so so love their acting. For all actresses and actors, it is a job well done for delivering your characters in much awe. I can really distinguish how junior high school, senior high school, college, and working personalities differ. There is really a shift in it, telling you how development played a role like what life gave us. And I thanked so much the actors and actresses for giving their all. It is so highly appreciated and well-seen! Also, big applause to Wen Junhui because I can’t really see the Wen Junhui I love on Seventeen — it is really Ling Chao, purely Ling Chao. THE ACTING IS SO SUPERB!

A dessert, a sweet cake served on a sunny day in a café where the walls are in shades of cool blue partnered with the light warm of the sun, a sweet dessert for life — this is what Exclusive Fairytale is.

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Great light youth drama with good friendships, slow burn, and childhood bestfriends to lovers trope.

This is my first c-drama, and there's no lie that I'm watching it to support Junhui's comeback as an actor cause I'm a carat, also I haven't read the novel. But as I progress on watching the episodes, I fell more in love with the rest of the characters and got more and more invested in not only our main couple, but also other characters story and development. The casts have great chemistry with each other and their acting flows naturally that I even momentarily forgot how Junhui usually acts😆

It has a great portion ratio of friendship and romance, so it's all balanced. It has several cringy common romcom scenes but I promise they're not out of place, in fact I kinda like that they're there and highlight the cheesy childhood best friends to lovers trope best. It shows friendships that lasts, how they're loyal to each other, how they resolve fight and misunderstanding, how they learn from each other and I like how half of them became couples but it actually didn't interfere negatively with the friendship. There are many great character developments, and regrettably to me, some unresolved plots.

Overall, this is a really good light drama to watch for comfort, as it doesn't really have heavy plot but has great moral value and is enjoyable to accompany your meals. I'm actually hoping for a sequel or spin offs to resolve other subplots that hasn't been resolved or progress more, like Xu Linglong, Yin Zihan, Siwen-Juanjuan, and Wenyu-Xinlan's stories because they actually felt more than just supports to me so I hope there will be more production with these characters and casts💖

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Speechless

AJSHAKSHAKAJ I'm speechless....the amount of butterflies I got sjdjsj best best best best it is just so lovely how the story develops and it's so cute and bubbly definitely a re-watch worthy cdrama like come on its so nice I would obv re-watch it whenever I can it's so cuteeeee. Let me just say the ML are so good at acting, both of them got the essence of their characters just right just in the correct way. The storyline is so cute. The writers did an amazing job and the direction and editting was spot on. Everything is just perfect. Exactly what you would want to watch if you are into the cute bubbly romcom type of school dramas

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A love story about childhood sweethearts that's 100% comedy with no sad moments

The drama tells the love story of two childhood sweethearts and their lives from school to adulthood. The story starts slowly in terms of romance. The main leads act as siblings and around episode 12 (which is halfway through the drama) we start to see them liking each other. The best episodes for me were 12-20 as this is where the male lead chases the female lead and their early stages of dating during their university years. The ending episodes of the drama are filled with lots of kiss scenes and romance and the ending is wrapped up well.

Female lead is bubbly, independent, not a boy crazy girl who likes to dress more sporty. Her attitude is more boyish but still cute. She knows how to speak up. Male lead is a reserved, introverted, top of the class guy who secretly has a crush on the female lead. She is his one and only love. Together they go through the stages from sibling vibes, to best friends, to lovers. The best thing about them is that their attitude of teasing and protecting each other stays the same throughout the whole drama and the romance is just an added sweet bonus for them. None of the other characters really stand out to me however that's not an issue in which most of the screen time is given to the main leads.

POSITIVE:
- Lots of sweet and sexy kiss scenes especially towards the end of the drama.
- Lots and lots of hilarious moments. Comedy is sometimes exaggerated but the way it is done is 10/10 for me. You will smile, you will laugh, your mood will be uplifted for sure.
- No stupid break-up. When the leads get together they stay together till the end.
- No in-law problems. The parents of the leads are best friends and are in fact rooting for their children to get together.
- FL actress has perfect comedy timing and is truly the star of the drama for me.
- Main leads as characters felt well developed and real.
- The love story felt organic and developed well.
- Very light-hearted, funny and easy to watch drama.
- Cute chemistry between the leads.

NEGATIVE:
In general there are three points that bugged me. ML acting was the most prominent issue. The other two points are just small things that over all didn't stop me from enjoying this drama:
- ML acting was underwhelming which affected my enjoyment of the romance. The actor is great at flirty and more playful scenes but needs more practice when he is trying to act introverted and reserved. Especially in some scenes I could clearly tell he was reading from a script. I think he would play better as an extrovert character in general.
- Not a huge thing but this part of FL character bugged me as it made zero sense. FL knows taekwondo, she always jumps in front to protect everyone, she even throws ML into the water. And yet, when she was harassed by a guy, she couldn't do anything and had to be saved by the ML (in a very cliche way). I know the idea was to show a cute scene of a guy who is " knight in shining armour" coming to save the "princess" but it's extremely inconsistent writing with her character who is a strong and independent girl.
- Second couple were cute at the start but later were quite boring. They didn't really add anything to the story for me.

OVERALL:
If you want to watch an easy-going, super funny drama with no sad moments or a cute drama about childhood sweethearts, this will be perfect for you.

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