This drama blew me away. It's like watching a good Kdrama with a bad case of Second Lead Syndrome...and then the second lead gets the girl! How awesome! The OTP had knock-your-socks-off chemistry. The acting was great, and the story was realistic yet romantic. And that last episode...writers of dramas everywhere need to take note. THIS is how a drama should end! Lots and lots of lovey-dovey epiloge-y goodness that doesn't just tie up loose ends, but gives us a good look at the OTP's happy-ever-after. I'm not kidding when I say that I've re-watched the last episodes at least a dozen times, if not more.
The soundtrack was really good as well. I've found that I like TW drama OSTs more than most Kdrama OSTs. Skip Beat remains my favorite so far, but ITWY is my second favorite. Love the opening theme song.
I will definitely re-watch this drama again.
Was this review helpful to you?
This drama provides a fresh take on a typical story of someone who is in love with his best friend. I found the story to be told in a realistic manner with its dialogue and characters, making it more relatable. At times you may find Cheng You Qing to be annoying with her strong personality or Li Da Ren to be frustrating with his inability to confess his love, but I believed everything is in line with how their characters actually are and would behave. I do have to say that if you are looking for a story where the couple gets together early on, then this may not be the drama for you. However, this drama has a good overall pace and the ending wrapped up nicely.
Having only watched Ariel Lin in ISWAK, it was definitely nice to see her in a different more mature role and she played it well. Bolin Chen was adorable as the best friend and complemented Ariel nicely. They both did an excellent job and it was enjoyable watching the two of them together.
* A random comment: Ariel’s wardrobe for this drama was amazing and she looked great in her outfits.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
First of all, the story was not fast paced as many drama watchers would expect it to be because, well, this drama is actually quite realistic in the way that it portrays the relationship of two best friends. In real life, when you are best friends with the opposite sex, it does take time to finally realize that you two should hit it off, because the risk of going from a 'friendship' to a romantic relationship is indeed quite hard and risky. The progression of You Qing and Da Ren's relationship is very realistic because i know people who are actually in this situation, so it's a lot easier to relate to and engage with the characters of the drama. Both characters also actually had a life outside of each other, with their own family and friends, which is also something rare to see in dramas. Both of them were so well written, and their beautiful flaws were what made them seem so real. Though frustrating at times because all of us are just screaming JUST GET IT ON ALREADY!!!!!
the ending is very much worth it and everyone should give it a try because this is one of the most fulfilling dramas ever.
Overall, this drama touched my heart in many ways because it talks about realistic themes about love in this modern age. It's not all about fluff and rainbows, and it requires two people that deeply care about and understand each other. It has very valuable lessons for those who are single and withering away, wondering if love will ever come to them. In Time With You is also written very well (actually one of the most well-written dramas i have watched), and crafted very well in terms of timing and the little symbols/motifs here and there you might not notice at first. Ariel Lin and Chen Bo Lin's chemistry was amazing and their acting will really touch your heart because it is so, so sincere. Better than Ariel and Joe in my opinion. This is a VERY meaningful drama and i would really recommend it. I could not stop watching this drama, i marathoned it within 2-3 days and it was amazing and worth it even if i was having finals week.
Was this review helpful to you?
I had always been Ariel Lin's fan. I love her acting in both seasons of 'It started with a kiss'. As expected, she not only did not disappoint me, but also gave me a refreshing side of her. It may be the first time she act as an office worker, and she had had portrayed her character very well! Her character is one which, if not portrayed well, will probably be seen as one who is very strong and unreasonable, but she managed to bring the cute and weak side of her character out too.
I had never watched any shows Chen Bo Lin participated in, but this show definitely left a deep impression of him. He successfully brought out the tender side of his character. It is no wonder so many viewers hope to have a 'Da Ren Ge' beside them! (including me hahas)
The story line and the script are very well written and plotted out. From BFF to BGF, the story left viewers to be always on the hold. 'omg when will they get together? When?When?' The lines are very well thought, we can tell the writer had sufficient knowledge of the troubles and worries a 30 year old woman has. I watched a video where the writer confessed she had inspiration from people around her. Thanks to her dedication, we have a good story and good script which brings out the characters and their relationships so well!
The OST is great. In fact i find the OSTs for this drama the best out of other taiwan dramas, in line with 'The Fierce Wife' The song and lyrics suit the drama so much. This is unlike many other dramas which just (almost) anyhow find songs to be their OSTs in my opinion.
I like how for each episode a message about 30 year old women is highlighted. Super cool! I look foward to every message for each episode!
Another highlight of this show is its marketing. Among so many taiwan and korean dramas, i feel that this show has the best marketing strategy! The facebook page for this drama is frequently updated, merchandise such as T-shirts, the script, water bottles are released for dedicated fans. Most important of all, its trailers are awesome. They never reveal too much of the story, but manage to tempt me to watch. I like the concept of the 'lion head' (those who watch will know what i mean). So cute with a meaning behind this concept! I even bought the limited edition script from Taiwan!
However, there are pitfalls. No drama is perfect. Maggie and one other supporting guy (forget his name) can do better. Well this show is the first show they participated in, so i can't blame them. Sunny could have done a better job too. But other experienced actors like the 2 mothers and the father, and even you qing's family had done a fantastic job, which off right the 3's understandard acting.
In all, this drama can be so successful because of the dedication the team (both backstage and actors) put in! Too good for a drama to miss! Plus, if you are a Singaporean, don't forget to catch the cameo of Jessica Liu and one other actor (forget his name, but he is famous). Also, >30% of the scenes are filmed in Singapore, featuring the airport, HDB flats, Little India, MBS, Singapore Flyer, the Merlion and many more singapore landmarks! It is so heart whelming to watch when our tiny red dot is featured in such an awesome production! >
Was this review helpful to you?
Before I dive into the concept of ITWY and all..... The Osts are one of the best I've heard in TW-Dramas.... I haven't watched a handful of TW-Dramas though.....
The drama started out well...... the plot goes thus: How two ''good friends'' realised their true feelings for each other..... and a lot of drama including exes, family issues, classmates, friends, work and all happened in between.
The actors did a good job at portraying their characters.... which made the drama really likeable.
The drama started out well as I've early said, but it started going in circles, which prompted me to place it on hold for a while.... but I picked it back up and it was really worth the watch.... you see how their relationship as ''good friends/buddies'' evolve, how blind the female lead was and how everybody - friends and family knew they were perfect for each other, while they still looked at themselves as good friends.... There is also the Sailor Moon concept, which I sorta liked... I guess, I will have to check out Sailor moon soon.
Ending- It was tooo (very)cute.... I was really happy I didn't miss out on such a drama....
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Every time I discover a drama that I love 10 of 10, I stupidly think that this is the best drama ever and there are barely better dramas exist now. Same for In time with you. I've got to know about this drama just few days ago. And it was my another great discover! My new best of the best. And my first taiwanese drama/movie ever, btw.Why I love this work so much?
* The opposite sexes best friendship with strong chemistry, lucky to be fully themselves in front of each other.
* And the teasing of may be love between those two.. Awww this is breathtaking!!! I wanted to have this experience myself...
* Almost every dialog and monolog is created of deep thoughts. My first drama with so many of smart contents making viewers think and may be reflect on their own emotions, being and life. The main characters ( Li Da Ren and Cheng You Qing) are smart and have a rich emotional (mental) life.
* That's why it's so interesting and catchy to watch every episode. I alway wanted to listen what they say and read the subtitles if I don't understand some words in mandarin, so that I'd never skip the meaning.
* Very realistic.
* The main (Li Da Ren and Cheng You Qing) and some other characters look naturally and the actor's acting is amazing.
* Cheng You Qing is a smart woman. The main - heroine - is - a smart - strong - and - lovable at the same time - woman. It's rare, it's it? Though she is often arrogant.
* Li Da Ren. Though the actor's look actually is kinda brutal and cool,.. but this is just a look: lol Li Da Ren is so easy, natural, warm, smart, loving, sexy, caring and his facial and body expressions are so livable. He never treat Cheng You Qing and others bad or contemptuously. He is NOT a pokerface jerk kind. And I loved it soo much. And he is handsome as hell. Yes, I fell for Li Da Ren TT TT
* The problem of reaching your 30 years old and the way to accept it is shown here too, so realistic, sometimes encouraging, sometimes frustrating, but people can refer it to themselves easily.
* Characters are normal people with a realistic normal job. Not an elite, not high level society (i'm tired of this in korean drama). The characters really live in the Earth, not in the heaven.
* The OST is good. Though I didn't really like it from the beginning, but getting attached to this drama, I've got attracted by the OST, and listening to it now often.
* The last episode. Just watch it and you will understand :) I re-watched it already several times.
May be that not all the +++. But I want to mention flaws as well:
:( When an actor acts bad hes/her character becomes cutesy. Yes, there are still many of artificial and cutesy actings. And unfortunately beside of 3-4 actors who acted really good, the most of actors did it awkwardly.
:( A bit of SPOILER. Omg that Cheng You Qing's parents are so awkward, but the creators or this drama put some romance and -deep- thoughts even in their life. Really it looks silly when somebody so lazy, dull and ugly is viewed as a smart and lovable. Because if they were smart and lovable, they would never become so dull, lazy and ugly. This family is annoying but depicted so great: so naturally and cosy that I even might sometimes forget that i watch a fiction drama, not a documental one.
:( Annoyed with the story line of Cheng You Qing and her ex bf Ding Li Wei. It's boring, slow, just mess for this drama. Wang Sunny's acting is terrible. (But somehow he is so sexy).
Well, I keep re-watching this drama, picking a random episode. Whoever have created this piece I'm really respecting their work.
Was this review helpful to you?
The characters in the story can somehow resembles to most of us viewers. Our female lead represents successful woman of today. Our heroine is a woman who is rational, witty, successful and with self-confidence yet also have shortcomings especially when it comes to love. I like how Cheng You Qing was shown as strong woman who always rescue a friend in need yet maintain her rationale and clear judgment on situations, unlike other heroine who always shout, do whatever they want to do and irrational. While our male lead is a man that everyone wishes to wed. I like how LI Da Ren is characterize as a simple man who strive hard to his work, making viewers believe that perfect man doesnt have to be chaebol's heir or a rich man. I like how both of our leads are smart, values family and friends, and not perfect yet deserves admiration.
I really like the chemistry between Ariel Lin and Che Bo Lin. And I think they really fit and give justice to the characters.
I really love the signs of ageing in the beginning of each episodes and the charms of mature woman at the end. I can say that this drama is really "Intelligent". Intelligent in a way that it teaches a lot to viewers. Each conversation is very honest, straight and a lot to learn from it. Even the drama theater of Uncle Bai is aritstically done and lot to reflect with. I personally like the editing of the scenes especially their phone conversation, as if their talking face to face to each other. I really find many quotable quotes from the entire drama.
Many people find this drama as simple and boring. And honestly I also find it boring sometimes. I feel it will be better if it is less than or just 10 episodes. But I really like how the whole direction lead us to the predictable ending.Rather than roller coaster emotions, this drama gave viewers a comfortable feeling as if we are part of our leads' everyday life and love story.
This drama is not the best from all I'd watch but something really worth watching and I can proudly say a Really Good One. I think it will berank two from my Taiwanese drama I'd watch.
Was this review helpful to you?
First, the story is not especialy outstanding but so near to the reality. There are not many incredible situation that makes your hair rise, it is easy to reflect ourself in the story.
Moreover, the actores are really excellent. Ariel Lin is such a versatile actress, after loving her in "It Started with a kiss", she was able to pull off a totaly different personality in "In time with you". Her character was really interesting, never boring, never too cheesy. She was perfect, she is just like a normal lady. And the other actors also played well. I can say that this Taïwanese drama is quite different in the way it was filmed, there is quality! There are no boring part, it was perfect.
I think we really start to understand every characters, there are no bad or good. It is just like real life and that the reason why I think this drama is a master piece. How to present a drama like it is real without making it boring? By using a story and characters that are totaly interesting, exploring the feelings,...
Even I was quite surprise at the end for some reason, at this moment I understood how much I was into the story. How much empathy I had.
This drama is a must watch because it is not comparable.
Was this review helpful to you?
The drama is slow paced, but highly recommended. You will learn what is valuable in life and how friendship and love are essential in successful relationship.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
I really enjoyed this drama. The acting was very good from everyone, but Ariel Lin's was outstanding. She really made me want to go look for everything else she has acted in. She made me LIVE her character. could have sworn it was real.
Actually, one of the best things about this drama is how rounded and developed all the characters are. The relationships and interactions among friends and family were very real and healthy -for the most part-.
One of the main complaints I've read of this drama is how the relationship between the Main OTP took so long to develop, but I found that the other side stories and lessons were strong enough to support the drama outside of the romance.
I recommend this drama if you liked 9 ends 2 outs or I Need Romance 2012. It is mellow, funny, sweet and well acted.
Was this review helpful to you?