Sweet & touching coming of age romcom
This is a coming of age romance driven drama that follows the main characters through high school, college, and several years beyond. There’s a lot of interesting characters and cute side couples you’ll fall in love with.The main leads have great chemistry and their romance is what drives this drama. But there’s more to the story than their romance. It’s about fighting for what you believe in and choosing your own path in life rather than just following the path your parents or others think is best for you. It’s about discovering your own talents and then making something of them and yourself. It’s about never giving up on your friends despite their various flaws. The story has depth and meaning. And the acting is really good.
My only complaints, and there aren’t many, is the aloofness of the male lead and the lengthy split at the end. Even though he obviously cares for the female lead, he fails to communicate that to her. Most of the time she’s left feeling dejected from her unrequited love. Of course he eventually improves in this area and has great character growth. But watching her suffer through it all was difficult at times. And then to have the main leads split up for years over such a stupid little misunderstanding was frustrating and needless filler.
But despite its flaws, the ending is just so sweet and cute it more than makes up for the minor flaws. Overall this is a cute sweet drama that tackles some deep issues without getting too overly dramatic. I would definitely recommend it.
Was this review helpful to you?
A more mature high school experience!
Very nice story. I loved the progression of the characters along with the story. I also enjoyed the extra scenes at the end of each episode because it gave us additional things that were talked about that we did not see. It was refreshing to see how mature the high schoolers actually were and how little things can make relationships messy.I didn’t like the ML as he didn’t have any redeeming qualities that made me fully understand why the FL loves him so much but hey that’s life.
An easy watch with a great cast.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The drama was quite cute and I appreciated being able to watch the main characters age and grow together, especially the high school portions of the drama. There were a few parts of the plot and the writing which I found particularly week, especially about the main couple's inability to communicate properly. After dating for a while, I wasn't expecting their first big spat to end as childishly as it did, and I found the heroine pretty selfish, leading on a guy when she knew she wasn't fully over her first love, dragging on a relationship for actual years, which was so disrespectful on her part. There were a lot of moments where she was too irrational and too brash, but I respected that despite that, it seemed to somehow work with her character. Their relationship was awkward, but it really felt right, and the ending was more than satisfying, I admit I shed a tear when I saw them walk down the path as adults, holding hands, slowly becoming their teenage selves again, really the beautiful finish that the drama deserved.I think that while the main couple were amazing, the real stars came in the form of the lead roles. The second male lead was the perfect mixture of too kind and too quiet to really make the audience empathise with his position, and while I was rooting for the main couple, I always felt upset when I saw the Bu Song's (second-male-lead) reaction. His acting was so convincing and his character was perfect in balancing out their fivesome.
My personal favourites were Lu Yang and Jing Xiao. They were amazing best friends and were genuinely supportive of everyone in their little group. When they overcame their High School problems and became a strong couple i university, I was so happy, but they also made me want to hit the main couple's heads because really, couldn't they just look to their friends for example and realise that communication is integral in a relationship??
While the drama largely centered around romance, I really think that the moments that focused on friendship were the strongest written parts. All the scenes where the fivesome help each other overcome problems, or just hang out for fun is ingrained in my memory, because they really made such a lovely little family for themselves.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Cute but painful love story
I'm late watching this.First of all, I love how cute their characters are and the ost itself is good as well.
I really envy their friendship, set aside the romance, I wished I have a squad like them because it's rare to form friendship that will last until you married or find a job. The names Jiang Chen, Chen Xiaoxi, Wu Bosong, Lin Jingxiao, and Lu yang will always be remembered.
Jiangchen is a cold but smart man who is supportive and helpful to his friends. I love how he manage to be so calm and independent in life.
Xiaoxi, the cute girl who only have Jiangchen in her heart, also implied great character development. From a not-so-good-in-class girl turn out to be a successful animator who follows her dream after all the failures she received. For me, I don't blame Xiaoxi for not choosing Bosong, because as a teen, we really tend to focus on one person and even after she became an adult, I love how honest she is to her feelings.
Wu Bosong on the other hand, is the most caring and selfless character through out the show. He was rejected two times but still keep smiling Everytime he see Xiaoxi.
Lin Jingxiao is the bravest among them. She is a good influencer and explicit the true meaning of friendship.
Lu Yang is the cutest. He is the first friend of Xiaoxi among their squad and he is always been their to support his friends even though he was always playing around. I love his relationship with Jingxiao, thanks goodness they end up marrying together.
The school scenes are my favorite parts of the entire series. I remembered how loveable it is to study together with your friends and create good memories together.
Their university life, is the beginning of entering the life of an adult. Which is also good because it tackles more serious things that mostly happened to everyone.
Overall, I must say that it was indeed a BEAUTIFUL Chinese drama and deserve the recognition it receives. I learned a lot from this.
I hope for whoever is reading this review may also found someone who will continuesly love them the way it should be. Because we are all deserve TO LOVE AND BE LOVED.
"A Love So Beautiful"
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
The characters are all extremely likeable yet all unlikeable at one point or another, which makes you root for them yet at the same time makes them feel believable. The story is a slow burn, and while it does start out cliche, it grows into more than a drama. You're left with a feeling that you're there, going through the high school years with Chen Xiao Xi, Jiang Chen, Lin Jing Xiao, Lu Yang and Wu Bo Song. The main characters are different, interesting, full bodied and well rounded, the events in each episode are enjoyable to watch, not just as something pushing us towards the end, but as enjoyable in themselves. The characters and their world grow on you, they come to life and are bursting full with energy.
While this drama is light and very family friendly, at no point did I feel my intelligence was insulted. It explores many complex feelings, different relationships and issues we may face at school, in relationships and in life. Their pain, embarrassment, shame, pride, loss, joy, free spiritedness can be seen.
I cried in several episodes and laughed out loud in almost every one. I have rewatched several episodes and scenes already.
As someone who went to high school between 2006-2009 (albeit on a completely different continent) this was so nostalgic for me.
Definitely one of the best dramas I have ever watched. This drama is a "keeper." I'll watch it again and again.
Was this review helpful to you?
I was just so addicted. Im writing this review a month after i watched it and im still addicted. This is unusual xD im supposed to move on after two weeks. So now i'm trying to move on with another drama, Bromance (T-Drama), and it's working! it's so great.
I just have one concern in this drama, they focused more on the high school life taking more than half of the drama and they rushed things in the college life and getting back together episodes but even though it's like that, it also made me value their 4 year-relationship more. AHAHA sorry fer that.
The characters are just the best! I dont really think that anyone can play these roles better than Hu Yi tian baby and boss Shen Yue ahaha. Sun ning and Wang Zi wei and Gao Zhi ting too. The best gang ever!
The music was the best too. well.. i memorized them now. That was a great achievement since it's Chinese and it's not even my second language.
Im even reading the novel now, haha. Someone translates it in english! Thank you for that. You see,.. i dont usually like the tv/movie version of novels but this time it's different. The director and writers of this drama.. thumbs up! They did a great job for me to like the drama version better haha but since the novel hasnt been translated in whole, as of this day, the latest is in chapter 15 and there are 50 chapters + 27 side stories!, well it's too early to say that i like the drama better but we'll see. One thing's for sure, this drama is the BEST!
This is the best so please don't watch. I'm selfish when it comes to great dramas. haha dont want it to be mainstream. Please don't watch. xD
Was this review helpful to you?
There are many reasons why I would recommend you this show but the biggest reason would be how beautifully friendship was portrayed throughout the drama. The amount of times I had to hold back my tears and laughter was crazy. The way friendship was portrayed in this drama really gave me a reality wake up call. I absolutely loved the main cast and the support cast. The main guy: His character was played out really good. Sometimes I just wanted to chuck a shoe at him for being such an idiot but EITHER WAY HE'S BEAUTIFUL so it didn't matter. The way he fell in love with the girl is heartwarming. Main girl: She's absolutely cute. I loved her everything about her, from her cuteness to her willingness to always try her hardest. I was envious of how the main cast progressed their love. It was honestly beautiful to see their friendship grow into love. HONESTLY THEIR LOVE WAS WORTH IT. I felt like a kid wanting to just stay in school forever after watching this drama. This drama honestly portrays how someone progresses from being a kid at high school to an adult facing reality. The girl bestfriend: OMG. There's nothing you can hate about this girl. She's what everyone wants as a bestfriend. She's beautiful, smart, funny, and most of all cares so much for her friends. I loved seeing the friends stick up to one another, regardless of them having issues with one another. I will tell you right now, if you were to watch this show what you'd love is her character. She is literally everyone's dream bestfriend. I promise. The boy bestfriend (swimmer): My heart breaks for him. 1) He's absolutely beautiful 2) WHY DID HE HAVE TO FALL IN LOVE? He's legit the guy you'd want as a bestfriend. He's someone whose willingness makes you cry inside and outside. Out of everyone, I felt a sense of happiness towards him the most. I WILL TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, he IS the best. THE FRIENDS PORTRAYED IN THIS DRAMA WAS AMAZING. I can't obviously miss out the cute little boy: HE WAS CUTE. Omg, I had to hold onto my heart everytime I watched him. His cuteness just takes my breath away all the damn time. It, too was beautiful to watch his love for the girl progress. Can I just say how strong the love triangle was between the main cast and the swimmer? Some point, ngl I hoped for the swimmer to be the main guy. Why? BECAUSE MY HEART HURTS WATCHING HIM.
Long story short:
This drama is a MUST WATCH.
Music. Acting. Storyline. Visuals. Everything. is 10/10.
Will I watch this again? Absolutely. I'm definitely going to come back and watch this after my exams finish. Honestly, for those who have already left school, this is THE DRAMA. It will seriously let you reminisce, allow you to feel melancholic etc! It will most definitely make you want to go back to school and cherish all those moments, good or bad. I'm saying from from a high school student, this drama is beautiful. In every way possible.
I am very new to Chinese dramas (as I usually watch Korean mostly) but this is far by the best I've watched. This drama I believe is an actual depiction of what it feels like to grow up and mature. I will say it right now, for sure you won't regret watching this drama. If you hate it, or don't like it: that's okay, I'll take the blame but I WILL SAY IT AGAIN THIS DRAMA IS A MUST WATCH.
For all the directors and producers, thank you for producing an amazing drama.
And of course, I can't understand Chinese so thank you for all the subbers who have worked extremely hard to allow international viewers like me to enjoy something so beautiful.
WATCH THIS SHOW. You won't regret it. :)
I hope for those who have watched this show, can write reviews so others can watch it!
Was this review helpful to you?
I'm a fan of timeless stories like these, especially Itazura na Kiss, which, I think, inspired this drama series. But more than anything, this drama was even better than the original ISWAK story! You cannot state that A Love So Beautiful was an adaptation of the original manga, because it's not. However, the plot is very similar. Stories about high school sweethearts always warms my heart and makes me melt. In my opinion, the early 2000s setting, the characters and most importantly the lead couple - they were more likable than the original cast of any ISWAK adaptation. The thing that makes this drama so enjoyable to watch is the relationship between the main couple - Jiang Chen and Xiao Xi. They show signs of love and interest from the very beginning of the drama. Yes, the story and characters might seem childish and too good to be true at times, however, it's a feel-good type of story that doesn't need to be realistic or mature for you to love it. There are numerous scenes that make you press the stop button and replay the scene over and over again. You've got to give it to the brilliant acting as well, I might even start watching more Chinese dramas after seeing so many pretty and talented actors.
It's still very difficult for me to get over this drama. The episodes are too exciting and some scenes always make me want to squeal, so I'll definitely be rewatching this very soon! If you're still hesitant, whether to watch it or not, just do it! Your heart will flutter - that's guaranteed!
P.S. And gotta mention that last episode. The directors gave us complete fan service. Thank you it was just what we all needed!
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
SURE, I RECOMMAND IT
I watched it many times and I can still watch it again!! It's a good drama to recommend for beginners, I loved the cast, the plot, the story even the ending which it's hard to find a good one!It may be a typical love story between the popular genius guy and a normal cheerful not good at studying girl, however, I still love it! You can notice how it went smoothly from not caring, to worry, then getting interested to finally falling in love...
It's an innocent love story that began in high school (I guess) when Chen Xiaoxi (the girl) confessed to Jiang Chen (the guy): "I love you", he casually replied "I don't love you", her reaction made me think how interested this character is " I will figure it ou" I was like, what will figure out?
If I was her it will be awkward for me to meet him every day after the confession... (especially that the guy is her neighbor )
I like dramas with innocent love and this one is my cup of tea...
(it's my first time to write a review so hope it made me want to watch the drama)
Was this review helpful to you?
Yikes, A Biased Review :
I honestly wouldn’t be able to tell you how this journey began. I know I was watching Meteor Garden at the time, so perhaps, being introduced to Shen Yue was the culprit and I can’t complain considering she’s become one of my favorite actresses, but I won’t bore you with my three page essay devoted to my love for her.I’ve probably watched this drama about three times now because watching it once wasn’t enough to suffice the void it left in me after I finished. The story these characters told was just so, well, beautiful. The title says it all and you can’t deny that. I’ve never seen so much chemistry shared between more than one character in a drama. The love and the friendships created in this story is rare and undeniable and we have the actors to thank for that. I’ve seen hours of behind the scene footage and they got on so well. They made it easy to fall in love with these characters and to keep my interest peaked.
I wouldn’t say the plot is entirely perfect because it’s not. No drama is without its flaws, but I can’t complain too much. *whispers* you deserved better Wu Bo Song. ?
Overall, if the story and chemistry doesn’t tug at your heart within the first three episodes then maybe this drama isn’t for you, but if it does then I highly recommend adding this to your watch list. I’m biased because it’s now my favorite and I’m making it a ritual to rewatch once a year. Obsessed? Probably. Definitely.
Was this review helpful to you?
