Second Lead Style ML with Swimming as a Backdrop
One of the things I enjoy when watching dramas is learning new things or being set in a new story world. I mean, how many more palace or office dramas can you watch?! This drama had me looking up famous swim competitions and enjoying this new world of college men's competitive swimming as a backdrop for a drama. The teamwork and camaraderie among the male swimmers (ugh, can I say how insulting it was to watch the female "swimmers" pretend to practice alongside them as fake feminist window-dressing) was the highlight of the drama for me and I don't watch dramas for bromance. I HIGHLY recommend watching it on Viki or another commenting community app because the other commenters made watching this drama so much fun that I finished it without really wanting to do so. ;pCouple Chemistry: MEH. Cute but kinda listless for the MC. The ML reminds me of a SML character that's sweet, kind, understanding, always supports the FL, yadda-yadda-yadda. (Sorry, can you tell I was bored by him?) He's a REALLY nice guy and the relationship he has with the FL is very sweet and cute. It seemed more high-school chemistry-wise to me, since they acted like teenagers goo-goo-gaga-eyed over each other but seemed stunned into just staring and smiling at each other like idiots. Even though the FL is your typical clumsy, naive, sweet, kind idiot, she has some moments of self-awareness and clarity, though they are infrequent. She has her own dreams and works to pursue them as an intern reporter--and she learns some harsh lessons along the way. I don't mind Seven Tan but she got on my nerves in this one. As for the 2nd couple, I shipped them so hard...omg, if they weren't in the show, I might've stopped watching it past ep 23. The fact that the MC didn't kiss until episode 27 or some such insane nonsense is also why I was tempted to drop it. ;p
Story/plot/characters: I enjoyed the story except for this deliberate suspense cloud of past-problems that the moniker "little one" brought up. Like you could just see it hanging over everyone's heads and the writers really thought they were clever with the flashbacks and how the other characters were connected to this backstory. The scheming side characters, the swimming friends, her boss, omg HIS MOM was, like, my favorite mom in a c-drama EVER, lol. Well, I was giving the romance a long time to build into slow-burn satisfaction but JUST when I was ready for it, the writers threw in that stupid misunderstanding trope that turned me off from the entire drama--characters, writers, directors, you name it, I just needed to take a break from the show and come back to watch it a little later. I'm not sure who designed this plot structure in many c-dramas, where they start off light, funny and romantic and veer off into melodrama territory 2/3 of the way through. It became another show for a while and it seriously began annoying me. (I wasn't the only one, it seems! Many other commenters were just as fired up.)
OST: The 2 songs I remember were overplayed but to GREAT effect in specific moments. Very inspirational. The message of the drama was very inspirational as well. :)
Yeah, no. I will not be rewatching any part of this.
(I wanted to add that the 10s are obviously from people who were emotionally touched by something in this drama that I was not touched by. I have dramas like that as well but there is NO WAY this drama is a 10 when you compare it to what else is out there.)
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The main ship was quite cute at certain points, but they never really went through any actual adversity. I didn't ship them as much as I shipped the second pairing, and that second pairing was the main thing keeping me watching.
The so-called "second male lead" for the love triangle was honestly just downright annoying, and there were a lot of sub-plots that I felt were interconnected but in a very messy way.
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This review may contain spoilers
SWIMMING THROUGH THEIR LOVEE
●A pretty cute story and a nice drama to watch when you wanna a watch a fluffy one .... Romance btw a ^Swimming athlete & a sport journalist^●There is a little profound meaning to this cdrama, as it has a sweet story around the swimming athlete - Tang Yi bai aka Dylan Ziqi.
●The couple hieght difference is so adorable.. There is also a second lead who goes around our FL and friend who actually turns out 2 b a enemy to the FL ... and a bedridden friend of ML who turns to b the main cause of ML's ban on swimming leagues.
●THIS WAS MY 1ST SPORT RELATED CDRAMA.. WAS REALLY UP 2 MY EXPECTATIONS , "× Worth a watch ×"
● Had de best cinematography on covering swimming scenes
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Oh my heart !
Right, this one one cute and fluffy drama, about love of course but also about friendship first and foremost.It is slow paced, without much skinship or kissing scenes, but the characters are subtle, well written and the love grows at a fairly realistic pace even if some of the story lines are a bit.. well... unrealistic (how the hell does one almost drowns so often lol)
Also, the ML is for once not cold or withdrawn, he is warm, smart and caring about all those around him.
One personal favorite is the ML's mother, made me laugh every time she was on screen.
I strongly recommend watching this if you're looking for a break whilst watching something intense.
A final plus side, LOTS of shirtless men ;)
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YOU NEED TO WATCH THIS!!!!!!
So I just finished watching this 6 hours ago and yes!! I needed that time to calm myself before I write my review because I swear, my review would only contain like this- ADASF AFEARAEURAERUANQRBARH!@!#!#!@@~!! (YES! THAT'S THE FEELS!!!!!)Story 9.5- It's just so fluffy and so innocent, like yk what I mean? that even their kiss is just a peck (or not) or small movement of their lips. I like how in every scene the male main lead doesn't always win at the game (the part where he jump before anyone else) because that's the reality of life, you don't always win! Having that touch of reality is such a big thing to me because it will make me love a series more (now you can understand why I fucking love it!!!)
Acting/Cast 10- ISTG! whoever cast them really deserves a FUCKING DIAMOND!! YOU GET ME??!!!! Let's start with the support roles first. Qi Rui Feing (Huang Sheng Chi) he is now my baby, okay?!!!! I like how quirky he is, I like how he always say what's on his mind because I'm like that sometimes lol and I just like how natural he is?! I fucking adore him!! Xiang Yang Yang (Wang Zi Xuan) is so beautifuuuul! and she really has a great chemistry with Huang Sheng Chi !!! *heart eyes* (if they ever have a series besides this, please let me know!! I'm begging!!) And the MAIN LEAAADSS!! Tang Yi Bai (Dylan Xiong) and Yun Duo (Seven Tan) *heart eyes with my tears flowing* They are just....natural. I really love the character of Tang Yi Bai here, he's so gentle yet mysterious, he is so handsome!!!!!!!!!!! for real!!!!!! And of course, my baby Yun Duo, she is so squishyy!! They are just so perfect!!!
For real, I'm kinda craving more moments of Qi Rui Feng and Xiang Yang Yang. I just really want to see more of their progression as a couple huhu but overall, I'M REALLY SO SATISFIED WITH THIS DRAMA!!!
PLEASE WATCH THIS!!!
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Lin Zi and Cheng Mei acted well enough for me to hate them from the bottom of my heart. Cheng Mei didn't have too many scenes, but whenever she did, she sure left an impact.
Shout out to North Physical's captain too. His little role was enough to make me like him.
After this drama, I ended up not watching K-dramas for a month, since I binge-watched on Taiwanese dramas.
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many magical thing happen here
Waiting for that OG drama to be finished decided to watch this, another seven tan drama. This drama surpass my expectation, I really having fun watch this drama.Ok many magical thing happen here, magical & sometimes quite funny but sometimes just plainly ridiculous just for the sake of funny scene or just old trope or the most ridiculous just to make our actress & actor still good looking.. hoho... Let me explain in below.
Here the list:
* The most ridiculous magical thing that happen through out the drama is..... all of our swimmer cast hair almost always still intact & dry after just come out of the swimming pool... They come out of the swimming pool, put on their training uniform & the hair is dry.,... Especially Qi Rui Feng (RF), sometimes his hair even already gel ready. Magic right... hahaha...
* in ep 9 when Yun Duo (YD) have to sleep in boys dorm for the night, Tang Yi Bai (YB) & RF have to sleep in another room, ok that makes sense, the one that doesn't makes sense is to let 2 boys sleep in the 1 bed together, while it's the fact that they have BUNK BED & the upside of the bed is empty.... Hahaha... They do that just for the funny & old trope in the morning....
* most the friendship have trouble just for the sake of opposite sex, like YD & Cheng Mei (CM) have problem just because Lin Zi or Ou Yang Heng & YB just because Lin Sang & the problem relatively easy to solved, especially between YD & CM, if what CM do to YD happen to me I'll not gonna so easy forgive CM no matter how close I am to CM, how can I trust her ever again...
* The just wake up Lin Sang, after coma for 4 year, can just casually walk around, even until YD office, but in the next scene we see she must using wheel chair & must train her body too...
What I like:
+ I really like how instantly YD & YB fall in love in here. From the first scene they eyes already tell us love & admiration. Tan Song Yun & Xiong Zi Qi chemistry quite fit, I can imagine they as a couple.
+ I really like our second couple. RF & Xiang Yang Yang is one funny couple. They are the classic couple, tease each other but also the best supporter & protector for each other
+ the quote: many thing would become better with the time, but only regrets won't be disappear with time
+ YB mom is so funny, but unfortunately she disappear in the some last episode... :(
+ Tan Song Yun costume quite cute & pretty. I sometimes not notice the costume that our cast wear through out the drama, but here her dress quite catch my attention.
Overall I quite happy to find this drama. Sometimes old drama is better than new one. :p
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There were many times I felt like yelling out no don't and many times I felt like squealing out loud.
And the bromance!!!!!!!!!!
Every time there was a swimming competition I was on the edge of my seat biting my nails, it was so nerve wrecking!
Even the side stories would get you hooked.
And the ending! I so was not expecting that.
If you like fluffy dramas I guarantee you would like this one.
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Water, love, mystery, suspense, water, secrets, more water!
This was my first Chinese drama ever, despite everything it has a special place in my heart, it was like my first vicious, every episode I felt it amazing.The mystery about the past of Tang Yi Bai is really good written, it makes a good plot, not forced. And once you watch an episode you want to watch more and more. Also I really loved every character and their friendship. My favorite character was Tang Yi Bai, super gentleman, sweet, so loyal and innocent, and of course Qi Rui Feng, always relax and charismatic, I liked his brother-ship with Yi Bai.
Now, the romance...
Tang Yi Bai and Yun Duo are a refreshing couple, some times it seems to be unnecessary slow their romance, however is perfect. I think it would be better to see more of Yun Duo being more romantic, because even when they were already a couple she seems cold towards Yi Bai, but it’s okay, the situation changes in the next chapters. In the other hand, I loved the obstacles settled by the siblings Lin. Of course, I hated both of their characters, but is incredible the essence it adds to the main couple
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wort it to watch !!!
I first saw Dylan's drama here and fell in love at first sight.This drama tells the story of a swimming athlete who is suspended from a race for four years because of a problem. He came back four years later and entered a race with his best friend who had waited four years to return to the highest podium together.
But the problem of getting back to the race is not easy because the problems four years ago continue to haunt him, and many people believe the rumors more than the reality, but there is only one person who believes in him, namely an intern reporter. From here, the athlete's struggle to achieve her dream begins accompanied by the reporter who gradually becomes a good luck charm, encouragement and is also the dream of the athlete who dreams of becoming the fastest swimmer in the world.
Here we learn as long as you never give up then your dreams are right in front of your eyes. As long as you are struggling with all your might, your hard work will never fall back on you. As long as you remain steadfast to the end without giving up then you are the real winner.
Here too we learn when no one believes in us there are some people who will stand firm to support and wait for us. He was the athlete trainer from the start who was like a big brother who kept fighting until the athlete was back in the race. There are friends who are like brothers who have waited faithfully for four years to fight together to the finish line and stand on the highest podium together. As long as we are surrounded by people who still believe in us, we should not give up. Sometimes something that looks like a disaster to us but is actually behind it there is a beautiful thing waiting for us. It may seem that four years of time is wasted on others but sometimes from those four years we can learn a lot and can change the path of our destiny in the future.
really like the friendship interaction which is closer than the brothers here.
Lots of funny, tense and sad scenes in this drama.
and fell in love with the athlete's mama, the athlete's best friend, and the athlete's coach. And last all the songs in this drama are very good and meaningful. Please love and watching this drama. I think its worth itu to watch,
I spent 36 episodes in less than four days because I didn't want to stop watching them every time.
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STORY
The story arc was done really really well. It was clean, pure, paced well and didn’t drag on unnecessarily. A rare find. 37 episodes will go by in a flash and you’ll be craving more. There were a lot of sweet and funny light-hearted moments that make you smile, and this was perfectly paired with some of the heavy serious stuff that happens later on. The whole plot was thought out really well – they were able to integrate the present and past (four years ago) fluidly. I really liked how Yi Bai and Yun Duo’s connection was way deeper than originally thought.
Every character had their backstory and past experiences they needed to face. In particular, we see Yi Bai’s swimming journey and the hardships he faced to get him where he was, I loved seeing his character development. His drive to achieve his dream was really moving.
Yi Bai and Yun Duo’s relationship is definitely a slow burn – from friendship to love. You see their chemistry from the moment they meet (I loved their first meeting) and it carries throughout the Drama. You might get frustrated at the slow progression of their relationship, but trust me it pays off in the end, they are the cutest couple.
The end has good finality and resolve to it – everything is cleared up. Don't you love a happy ending ^_^
ACTING/CAST
Dylan Xiong’s smile is the cutest thing ever and I loved seeing him smile. His expressions were sometimes unclear (I hear he is relatively new in the acting field), but his smile made up for it.
Tan Song Yun was gorgeous and did such a great job (loved her outfits). They were definitely one of the cutest couples ever. And even when they faced an obstacle, they were able to talk it out and stay strong.
The second couple - Qi Rui Feng and Yang Yang provided the much need comedic relief and I loved watching them interact with each other.
Overall, the cast and acting was spot on. Couldn’t have found a better cast. I found myself loving the male tension in the air when the different swimming groups faced each other off. They found such a good looking bunch of guys – good job casting team haha.
MUSIC
I'm listing to the soundtrack as I'm writing this, so yes the soundtrack was amazing and fitted the scenes so well. In particular, the swimming competitions had such great inspirational and uplifting music and made the scenes suspenseful and made me even a bit teary.
REWATCH VALUE
I’m not into rewatching Dramas, but this one I would definitely rewatch again. If you're looking for a bit of inspiration and motivation to achieve your dreams or goals, this would be your go-to. If you're looking for a cute couple, who face things together head on, this would be your go-to.
Seriously, hope you give this Drama a go, even just watching the first episode. Keen to hear your thoughts! xx
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