The drama also follows the stories of the other occupants of dorm 232 Song Qi Qi, Bai Lin and Xiao Tang as well. Each face some sort of crisis at one point in their life but the thing that makes it so great is that all the issues the girls faced were all problems that everyday college students might face. They always had each other backs. I highly recommend this drama it's a really nice discovering yourself light and warm coming of age drama but it also has some tough moments, Enjoy!
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I didn't like the first few episodes, it seemed like the directing was off. During the introductory phase of the drama, the audience has to learn who these characters are and a bit of context to the background and circumstances our characters face. Instead, it felt like a nosedive into the first episode. No joke, I thought I was playing the incorrect episode when I first started this drama. Thankfully, this wasn't an issue that was so bad I had to stop watching.
At times, the editing can get pretty choppy and weird. I remember shots jumping from one clip to another really oddly. It's not a huge problem, it just pulls you out of being into the atmosphere of the drama.
The last gripe I have are the last few episodes. It really fell from grace; they made some pretty poor choices and it made me skip around the last 3ish episodes til we got to the end. I've heard that this was cut from originally being even more episodes. I'm glad they cut it but they honestly needed to cut it some more to eliminate some of the BS that they included during the last episodes.
Even though this drama clearly has some faults, it excels wonderfully in some areas!
The characters are really, REALLY good (especially Zhao Xiao Tang, I absolutely adored her!!!). Each one of the supporting characters has a distinct personality and various problems they face, and you'll actually be invested in them! A lot of the time I don't really care about subplots, but everything happening to the side characters felt just as important as the plot with the main character. This drama also did a really good job creating a super cute friendship between the roommates.
Mu Cheng He and Xue Tong's relationship is truly SO cute! It's rare to actually find a depiction of a relationship that is so healthy in dramas. Initially, you might expect a teacher-student relationship to be toxic but I'll assure you this one wasn't. The only thing I'm upset with is how Mu Cheng He's character developed. It seemed like we were so close to seeing how he grew as a person but we ended up not getting any of it. The audience wants to see "show" not "tell", but his character development ended up being completely "tell" which was unfortunate.
I also really like the atmosphere this drama created. It really felt realistic and a slice of life. A lot of dramas nowadays are over the top and fall into situations that are completely implausible. Here, our characters face real problems that the audience really might relate to. The drama also touches on important themes like family, friendship, grief, addiction, etc.
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Well I would have given a slightly higher review if the ending was less messier. IT felt rushed? I won't actually say rushed but for me it just ended slightly abruptly. I mean it was supposed to be like that I guess from the story but still. Also at the beginning I really didn't like the second male lead he was almost not there and suddenly he formed feelings for our FL? How did that happen? And the worse part? By the last episode I was actually rooting for him, mainly cuz our ML was literally missing for 3-4 eps!!!!
Before all of that I was highly rooting for the OTP and shipping them hard. She brought a really cute side of him out.
For people who are discouraged by the reviews, don't be. This drama is actually good. The whole story has a very realistic edge to it and the FL is relate-able and the way our OTP falls in love is very natural. This is one of the only dramas I've watched where the falling in love part is very natural. You could totally imagine it happening to you too (it's just that we're not that lucky enough). Their relationship is very healthy. Their breakup is also because of natural terms which makes you wonder that it can happen to anyone. It is not cause by nonsensical matters. Except for the last few eps I totally totally loved the story. I also loved how the side characters matured on their own too. Senior Li was by far my favorite side character. He was such a cutie. There are no character you hate in this story. Just real human beings who have real flaws. Which makes it more realistic.
Another main factor, the acting of the FL. You are gonna love her. She's one of those characters that you cannot help but actually love. There are no cliche acting in here at all. Everyone acts out their parts perfectly adn the ML's smile *swoon*
Finally don't feel discouraged by the teacher-student tag. They are not exactly teacher and student. For those who like me hate those kind of stories, he's actually someone like a teacher's assistant and PhD student in the university who's covering classes for the main lecturer. Though they do have a tiny bit of an age gap. It doesn't sound exactly scandalous as the synopsis says XD
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Give me back those 24+ hours I've spent watching this!!! >____<
The line at 5'00" into the 24th and last episode is imho *absolutely perfect* to sum up this drama:"SCRIPTWRITERS THESE DAYS AREN'T RELIABLE AT ALL"
They had a great cast (all did a great job; honorable mentions to Li Ting Ting and Deng Yu Li), some wonderful photography, a lovely OST...they could've come up with a masterpiece, seriously...but the writers screwed up the whole thing royally! >____<
I'm always a bit wary when I see a drama written by so many people, 'cause whenever that happens, inconsistency is just around the corner...but I was drawn in by Li Ting Ting (whom I had recently appreciated in "Don't Leave After School") and by the Russian element (BTW, congrats to the production for not messing up that part: only one minor Russian mistake in the 24 episodes, not bad).
Well, that should teach me to think twice the next time, or at least to check the endings before watching anything this long, URGH! >_____<...'cause upon finishing it, the only thing I can think of is: gimme back those 24+ hours of my life! T________T
Seriously, I can't believe how inconsistent and terrible the last third/fourth of this drama is...and most of all, I really, really, really can't believe how the hell they could even consider making the FL make the worst ever decision in the end: to marry an alcoholic! O___o
I just hope they won't have kids, so at least she'll be the only victim of that poor decision.../.___.\
No way I'm gonna watch the SPs...I couldn't care less, given how dissatisfied I am with the drama's ending.
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This review may contain spoilers
I watched this when it came up on my Netflix recommendations. The cast were interesting, and while it was a choppy introduction, the main friends grew on me. I liked the emphasis on the friendships, and now the characters will every different personalities interacted.
The main romance was cute, and had a fabulous genuine feel to me.
Unfortunately the ending let everything down. The last 4 episodes in particular felt disjointed, rushed and made little sense to the story of the previous episodes. I ended up skipping a lot of scenes to just get through it.
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I’m glad I stumbled upon this hidden gem. An underrated drama. Production doesn’t look expensive and the actors don’t look polished, you can actually see their pores, pimples and other imperfections. But then that’s because it tells the stories of ordinary people, this is the drama’s charm. Romance between the main couple was slow but that’s what made it exciting. Be warned of a bit of a heartbreak in the middle but everything will be ok. The side stories of supporting actors were quite interesting too. My favourite friend was the cute and funny Bai Lin. I really enjoyed this drama even when I had to watch the main couple separate for a while. This made me laugh, giggle, cry and sad, everything a good story should do. Well written, actors were amazing. A must-watch if you want a drama you can actually relate to. I’d definitely watch it again, especially the first half of the series, just to see how the main couple fell in love. Was this review helpful to you?
Too realistic to be a Drama
When I say it is too realistic to be a drama, read it as compliment. This drama is going to be an adventurous joy ride. Sometimes your patience would seem like drying out because why can't the FL and ML just get together? And then, the story picks up speed, sometimes accelerating, sometimes pulling a break and sometimes just driving in cruise mode.The drama is not the kind of romance between a girl and a boy who God sky-dropped only for her from heaven, because that does not happen in real life. FL and ML find out who their true love is through trial and error method, just like you and me and anyone else not living in dreamland would do. Nor is it the drama where FL is poor in studies while the ML has an IQ of above 140. Both of them are good in their respective fields and go through ups and downs in both personal and professional life. It was so realistic that sometimes I would just get fed up and think why can't something magical happen and let them stay together or maybe an unintentional one night stand like other dramas. But then, the realistic nature is what wins your heart.
Acting was another point winner for this drama. Not just the lead roles but also the supporting roles acted according to the nature of their character.
A great story like this needs a good director. I agree that the director went bland at points but that was only to balance the burst of flavours ahead. So don't take the word 'bland' as a thumbs down but rather a good quality that very few directors have.
How can I give rewatch value without considering whether or not I'm going to watch it again. I'm definitely going to watch this again after some time but maybe I'll skip some parts where they seem to be going slow because I already know what's ahead.
Conclusion: If you like slice of life, this one is definitely for you but if you are someone living in the strawberry cake world where everything happening is good and magical, just watch this and get to know the real world.
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MAIN ROMANCE
Xue Tong and Cheng He have such a wholesome relationship. Both are very respectful towards each other, and they have the most adorable interactions. Of course, their relationship isn't perfect--Cheng He, in particular, has a lot of shit he has to deal with on his own. (He wasn't given much of a chance to grow, but overall I think I still respect his character a lot. This is so hard to explain without giving out spoilers, so just watch!! the!! drama!!)
SIDE CHARACTERS
The side characters helped the main characters grow, and even had their own interesting stories. Xue Tong's roommates all had very different personalities, and it was glorious seeing their friendship deepen as the show went on. They also had their own growing to do, which was just lovely. Mu Cheng also had his long-time friend to give him advice and talk some sense into him when he needed it.
FAMILY & FRIENDSHIP
Somewhere Only We Know is so honest. The family misunderstandings, the fights between friends, the not-letting-yourself-be-the-martyr--I lived for it all. This is probably why I loved this drama so much despite all the imperfections.
CAST
The actors did a phenomenal job here. They all had such great chemistry, and I think even the annoying ones served their purposes well, and added so much more value to the already brilliant story. Other than Juck Zhang and Li Ting Ting doing a great job portraying the leads, I especially loved Sun Jia Ling, who played Zhao Xiao Tang.
ENDING
The ending was definitely rushed with this one, but there is a conclusive ending for those who are curious. I haven't seen the specials yet, but I've heard that they bridge the gaping hole between the last couple of scenes.
SHOULD YOU WATCH THIS?
HECK YEAH. Your average Chinese drama can't get any realer than this. Stop whatever you're doing and go watch Somewhere Only We Know right now!
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Seriously why
I recently started venturing into the C drama after watching K dramas. I know that the C dramas are longer and have a more simpler flair of life kind of team. After watching Because this is my 1st life and other similar ones. And also know that there are good ones like Love 020 Lucky's 1st love, and well intended love part 1.But this one was really Bull shit. It took forever too start the story and it took forever to end like that. If she was going to end up with that Mu chenge why bring a Liu in between after she dropped him already. There was no reason also shown why they ended up together. It went on and on unnecessarily from episode 16 to 23 actually even till the last 1 min of the episode 24 and wham they are sitting having lunch and she is married to Mu chenge.
I would have preferred her with the Liu guy and Mu chenge stepping out or she should not have accepted Liu in the 1st place and remained friends. If she really had to go back then a proper reason should be there. He was a good guy unlike the self centred Mu chenge.
What was the point of episodes 17 to 24 . My sincere suggestion avoid this one. Am not so brutal in my reviews but this one spoiled my mood.
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It's a good drama.
I really enjoyed watching this drama...At least the first 14 episodes. The main couple has a very natural and cute chemistry. Their love story was beautiful, realistic, and relatable. As someone who works in the research field, I could relate to Mu Chenghe's character. The depiction of Science Ph.D. life was on point, too realistic.Girl squad, their friendship was really great. Side love stories were also good.
The last few episodes felt rushed and the script was all over the place but still, overall I liked it.
This drama is clearly not perfect but it felt very realistic and relatable.
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This hits different
This is not quite like some other dramas I’ve seen. While I personally didn’t care at all or got annoyed by the side stories (specially Qiqi’s) the overall story is very intriguing because in a way it just feels too real. As in a legit slice of life with both its up and downs. You can see different people with different personalities that go through different struggles and make their own share of bad decisions and I can appreciate that. I also wanted to point out that the acting of the main couple is just phenomenal.Was this review helpful to you?
Great cinematography!
I came here to review how this drama was made. The story was mediocre at best. The characters were welll fleshed out and relatable.. but I have to commend the way they shot this drama. Unlike most of cdramas I have seen, the actors here have little or no make up, there were no filters used, you can see all the imperfections ond pores in all their faces, including the glamorous zhao tang. So we see all the characters as real people, not glossed out at all. And there was always a dark element in all the angsty scenes. I can only describe it as gritty! Too bad the script was all over the place. But I still enjoyed watching it as a whole. I watched a trailer of the new drama the second male lead was starring in and I was taken aback on how handsome he actually was portrayed in that new drama. But I prefer him here. Reachable, relatable, realistic. Covered in construction dirt and sweaty armpits!I would still recommend this drama to everyone, if only to make you realize real life is not raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. It is more acne on faces and alcoholism!
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