The story is fairly simple and somewhat typical. The female lead, Wei Wei works at the same company with her boyfriend, Hao Yi, who she has been in a relationship with for three years. Their relationship is going well and they love each other, but all of that changes when she meets Ke Huan, a guy who makes her reevaluate her relationship with her boyfriend. They meet, they fall for each other, but of course, they can’t be together. Cue the sparks, the hot scenes, and the love affair. Right?
I’m going to be honest. If that’s what you’re looking for, then this drama isn’t it. There are some *hot* scenes, but don’t expect much from them. At times, it seemed like the writers were afraid of making the leads go there. A part of me thinks they were afraid of Wei Wei being seen in a bad light, despite the fact that she crosses the line many times in the drama anyway. Because of their refusal to have Wei Wei do anything, the story stops around episode 5. And let me set this straight. I don’t think this drama necessarily needed an affair. I’ve seen many dramas handle affairs in great ways without the leads ever having sex with each other. But unfortunately, Before We Get Married isn’t one of them. For starters, BWGM’s plot is pretty weak to begin with because it only hinges on an affair alone. The characters barely have goals outside their relationships, so the show focuses on nothing else. This becomes obvious halfway through because when Wei Wei starts to go into denial, the story stops as well. And when I say it stops, I mean it feels like we hit a wall. Nothing changes; the characters talk and argue about the same thing, the conflict is the same and the dialogue is too. At one point, I thought to myself that they needed more episodes, but then I realized it wasn’t that they need more episodes, but the writers should have done a better job exploring the story with the time they had. But they don’t, and so the drama drags. This drama would have been better off with 9 to 10 episodes.
That leads me to the characters. Majority of them are very one-note and bland. And that’s including our leads too. Luckily, these characters are depicted with good actors like Jasper and Puff, who really deliver amazing chemistry with each other. They alone sell this drama, along with the character of Wei Wei’s best friend, Ke Fei. She was refreshing and when the drama started to drag, her scenes gave life to some of the boring episodes. As for Zi Yuan, Ke Huan’s fiancé, and Hao Yi, they were extremely one-dimensional characters and there wasn’t much to work with there. Zi Yuan was a pyscho, to put it plainly. And it actually annoyed me that the writers didn’t try to give her any depth whatsoever. It felt like I was watching a lakorn, but Zi Yuan lacks all the crazy fun qualities a Nang Rai has. Hao Yi is made out to be a much worse boyfriend than he actually is. And in the last episode, his character makes a complete 180 that just annoyed me. I thought this would have been more interesting if they would have made Hao Yi and Zi Yuan more complex, but they aren't.
This drama isn’t bad, it's just disappointing. The writing doesn’t push the characters anywhere and doesn’t do anything with the good cast it has. And I think what makes it worse is that the first few episodes were really good, but then suddenly it just becomes dull and very skippable. Literally, it became Wei Wei denying her feelings, Ke Huan chasing after Wei Wei, Hao Yi being oblivious, and Zi Yuan being a pyscho every episode. It was boring and frustrating.
If you're a fan of Puff and Jasper, I recommend watching it. The first 3 or 4 episodes are fun, and the drama isn't terrible. It just somehow manages to take a plot that is entertaining and halfway through making it not entertaining and very predictable.
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Weiwei was initially charming and sweet but her repeated bad choices through too many episodes, dragged out scenes of her feeling lonely and drowning in self pity were a bore and an irritation to watch, to the point i started wondering what in heaven's name Che Kehuan even saw in her besides her looks. He already had a caustic relationship with another one dimensional FL and now fell for Weiwei who remained stubbornly faithful to an unbelievably cheap, clueless and heardheaded boyfriend.
The show had some steamy scenes but eventually the tension between the leads was lost through the episodes that finally when they did get together there was no joy. They did share a good chemistry and the drama could have used it better. Unbelievably illogical plotlines like the old gf becoming a wedding planner and then the executive secretary of the chairman were absolutely ridiculous to watch and cringey.
Overall, this show was meh. It had potential, good chemistry, an interesting plotline and yet somehow didn't manage to stand out as a memorable one in the end. The ML deserved better, for the consistent friendship and care he showed, they didn't show enough reciprocation from the FL until the end.
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This review may contain spoilers
After finishing all 13 episodes in my opinion I felt like it was missing things that were left unanswered I mean I haven't read the novel at all so I don't if they were just trying to stay true to the story.I decided to watch this drama because I've recently been addicted to watching the 'infidelity' genre dramas (don't ask me why). The whole idea of you should hate that couple for what they did but at the same time you want to see their relationship develope, you also feel that "it's so bad that it's good" type of way and that's how I felt about Wei Wei and Ke Huan like I was sooo convinced that the should be together because their partners were soo shi**y and annoying and they should be together despite what everyone thinks but that was the problem they didn't do that they just decided to hold it back so that more problems could be made those problems were:
a) Ke Huan's crazy ex, yes I do understand that were together for 10 years and you wouldn't want to let that go but like every around already know that the relationship was deteriorating and I feel like Ke Huan did a HORRIBLE job of getting that in her head (well i do think that the credit card cutting scene was a massive round of applause) he needed to completely cut her off not just of his his money and because he failed to do so she easily found an excuse to come back into his life and stick around him and cause disruption like disease.
b) Wei Wei's stubbornness, the number of times I said WHAT!??? WHY???? MAKE YOUR MIND UP!!!!! literally, at times she was really annoying her stubbornness was really the reason why Haoyi/her ex-fiance became soo aggressive and mad towards the last episodes, her conflicting feelings were just dragged on for ages I mean I wouldn't blame him even though he wasn't that great of a person as well if only she was FREAKING HONEST with her feelings to him and to Ke Huan's ex their outbursts would have been handled better in my opinion but no she spent half of every episodes arguing with everyone about how wrong the whole situations.
To be honest my favourite characters Ke Fei and Ke Huan literally everyone needs a best friend like Ke Fei she was the reason why I still watched the drama after it got boring she's not afraid of what anyone has to say about her she is just an actual QUEEN as for Ke Huan I really had no problem with him despite him cheating you could see/feel that the passion and love he felt for Wei Wei like he was giving me boyfriend material !!!!!!! though at the end I really thought he was not gonna let her walk away but I also feel like he did because he knew it was what's best for her but... I feel like I need another season or a special ep because the ending just wasn't it for me.
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And those who are not are a fan of them or haven't watched them earlier, this is a great show.
Okay! This is probably one of my favorites Taiwanese shows.
Jasper and Puff's chemistry is excellent! Acting, music, and emotions are on point.
This story is about people who've been in a relationship for so long that they forget the reasons why they got together in the first place. It tells how people usually forget that it is essential to take care of oneself. Continuously trying to fulfill your partner's wishes, while ignoring your own happiness, will not make it a happy relationship no matter how hard one tries.
How relationships are affected by things like society, money, status, and comfort zones, this story portrays it beautifully.
The main lead's characters are well defined. The pace of the story is great. However, towards the end, the plot gets a bit draggy. The ending is good, though. (My RomCom lover heart want more cute scenes of Japer and Puff)
The second leads are very set in their beliefs and live like an ostrich with their head buried in the sand. The male second lead is still toleratable, but the female is a walking disaster. Her character made me feel suffocated and helpless. She is clingy & manipulating. Her role was well written for the antagonist.
As mentioned earlier, the acting is great. And I cannot get enough of Japer and Puff's scenes. The side characters are funny and have the right amount of scenes.
Now what I didn't like. The excessive use of the antagonist's drama, it gets a bit boring. And turning a good enough guy into a temperamental psycho for the sake of confirmation to the plot is not very original. Maybe they were running out of ideas to wrap the story? But, thankfully, it didn't last long and was tolerable. The last episode was more about wrapping the story than any major development.
This story is not about adultery. It is about love and relations and how complex they can be, how much courage is needed to come out of the comforts of familiarity and pain. It shows real-world relations and complications.
I am satisfied with this show. I will definitely watch again!!!
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This review may contain spoilers
Ah so I just blew through this drama even though I usually pace myself. Overall I enjoyed the ride even though it has a few weak spots What worked for me:
The chemistry between the lead pair: Oh my god, Jasper and Puff together was everything. The long intense looks the lead pair shared were just incredible. I don't find Jasper really handsome per se, but man he sure has something about him that makes you go all aflutter. And the way he looks at her! My internet sleuthing tells me they aren't together but I was convinced there was something between them, looks like it was just great acting,.
The romance: I love mature romances and this fit the bill. We actually find out just why the lead pair fall for each other. I also liked the real world look at what happens when one partner loses sight of what the other needs and becomes pushy. Also like that there is consistency in showing how FL finds her love waning when her fiance refuses to actually listen to her.
The BFF character: Han Kefei was a riot and the actor did a great job (for most parts). I would kill to have a friend like her
The ending: A kind of open ending nonetheless i thought it fit the story line. What i felt lacking was that the FL's 'confession' did not match what we are led to believe regarding the depth of her feelings
What did not work for me
The office plot: As someone who's worked in corporates (although in a different country), the office plot in the middle of the series was just pure cringe. No CEO is going to working that directly on a project all the time! Ugh, took me out of the drama
Uneven build up: The first few episodes were superb but then it got repetitive; everything that had to said was already said, and the lead pairs were just repeating themselves.
Treatment of the ex-girlfriend: This might not be a popular view but the way the way the ML's ex was portrayed was a little unfair. Sure, she went a little unhinged but after 10 years of her caring for him, he just shakes her off? Why not give her the house he bought?
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This review may contain spoilers
This drama started out as a steamy, temperature rising story of a good girl tempted by the wild side in the form of the gorgeous, sexy Jasper Liu. Waiting for a new episode each week to be English subbed was interminable. Then the writers slammed on the brakes and morphed the story into an office drama dousing everyone in an ice cold shower. Maybe they got cold feet about besmirching the FL and ML and making them look like cheaters.
By the time the abbreviated who gives a fork third act came around I’d already queued up An Affair with Lee Mi Sook and Lee Jung Jae to show those young whipper snappers what it could have been.
Even though I found the whiplash inducing change of tone frustrating in this drama I still dutifully waited and watched every week. My disappointment is over what could have been and wasting Jasper Lui on what ended up being a boring office drama for the most part.
The leads did a good job. I even enjoyed the best friend’s over the top acting and story.
The music was ok, but not memorable.
Rewatch value-I’ll probably go back and watch parts of it sometime in the future.
I would definitely not discourage anyone from watching this, just don’t have any expectations of where the story is going based on the first few episodes and intro. Enjoy it for the flawed story it is.
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Went downhill
7,5/10Judging only the first half of the drama my rating would be higher, sadly it really went downhill...
The chemistry of main leads was really good, I loved male lead in this.
However everything went south after firsts episodes. It seemed like director forgot what the plot of this drama was supposed to be. What started as mature drama ended truly all over the place. Scenes between the characters felt recycled over and over again, killing any suspense.
Honestly, I finished it only because of main lead.
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So I knew what I was getting into when i was watching this. And the most important thing i knew was not to take this show serious, the first couple of episodes we have the whole chaining thing, the female lead made no sense, it was a just a dumb stupid stuff but I didn't mind it. The show is very interesting, however I have come to a point where I'm taking the show seriously. I cant even ship the two leads.
ACTING/CAST The female lead is still stuck on her old love, SO HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO SHIP THE TWO????HUH? TELL ME? Otherwise the male lead deserves better. I dont get what he sees in her?Why would you want to get with a person who still has faith in her relationship?? If I was him, sweetie, I wouldmove on. love her best friend. She is the best. really. The EX- I dont even want to talk about her. Just thinking about her characteR irks me. Btwy her acting is not soo good. The girl dont know how to cry THE GUY WITH THE PLAN????? I CAN NOT STAND HIM? I JUST WANTED TO KICK HIM OFF THE SHOW. SO ANNOYINGGGGG
MUSIC
I couldnt stand the music in the first few episodes but I started loving it and would you sing along. However I cant stand the music at the begginning, I always forward the beginning of the epsiodes
OVERALL
This show gives you a wishy washy feeling. It was good, interesting, made you watch more, but completely started to be frustrating which I didnt want it to be. Im not even done cause I lowkey feel like I wasted my time watching this.
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As I'm writing this, I'm currently at episode 8, waiting for episode 9 to air.
I know I should've waited until all the episode were aired but I couldn't wait to write a review anymore. Before I'm going to explain to you why I'm giving this drama such an high rating, I just want to say that this is my first Taiwanese drama that I have ever watched and I'm glad I did! I really don't know how to put this drama in to words. I don't want to exaggerate it by saying to much but I also don't want to left any important information out. Let's just get right into it.
Story
It's an 13 eps drama and every episode has a duration of about 1h 13 min. When I read the summary I thought the whole storyline is predictable but don't let that fool you because even I was sitting on the edge of my seat to see what would happen next. It's 13 eps so there are no fillers because every single detail has to fall into the right places. Those 1h 13 min goes by way faster than expected hahaha. The character developments is clear and you can understand their decisions and thoughts. To keep it short, I completely understand that it's not everyone's cup of tea. It's an mature story (compared to other dramas) but it's funny, cute and definitely entertaining at the same time. It's an realistic story, this means that the ending is still unpredictable and it could be the other way around. As I'm writing this, I don't know the ending yet but everything happens for a reason and you and I have to patiently wait and see what would occur.
For the people who still have to watch, don't let those negative comments stop you from watching because it's really worth the try. It's not to late to hop on this roller coaster with me and thousand others who are still watching!
Acting/Cast
Everyone portrays they're characters so well. From the colleague at their job to the waiter at a restaurant, everything felt so natural. You could really feel their pain and anger but also their joy and happiness. The chemistry between the handsome Jasper Liu and the gorgeous Puff Kuo is so amazing. I'm glad the director chose them to portray Zhou Wei Wei and Chu Ke Huan in this drama. You could really feel the connection between each other and the way they would handle things will give you a bright smile. When you unconsciously hate an character in a drama, you can already tell that the acting is perfect. And believe me on this, you definitely will hate and be annoyed by some people hahaha.
Music
The music fits very well on every scene. I unfortunately can't understand Taiwanese myself, but that definitely won't be a problem. I have searched for the lyrics and it actually really suits the storyline. You won't even notice the music because it's so natural how they have put the scene with an specific OST.
Rewatch Value
Even though I'm still at episode 8, I will definitely watch this again after finishing. It's 13 eps so I can guarantee you that there are no fillers or any unnecessary parts. I really wanted it to be more episodes but we just have to wait and see how this drama will end. 10/10 as I have given.
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This review may contain spoilers
Mediocre story with quite suffocating and hypocritical characters
I'm giving 6 stars only for the outstanding acting, especially of the FL and Han Kefei but the rest was so burdening, toxic and suffocating, it was sometimes hard for me to keep watching it from episode 5 till the end. I had the feeling that there is no sane person in this whole drama. First, Gao Zi Yuan just had no limits. I understand that her character was probably supposed to be like that but after 3-4 hysterical episodes she was too much to watch and listen. Just get tf out of here, woman! Second, the story was repetitive. The drama was too obvious and too monotonous. The same things kept happening, the same problems occurring. For a person who kissed another dude several times Weiwei was quite hypocritical to be mad at her boyfriend for putting his hand around his boss's shoulders and play the victim. Exactly why are u mad at him when you are the one at fault? Portraying cheating as something natural and normal when you're "feeling lonely" was a total no-no for me. First, this shows the lack of love and respect in the first place. No one cheats out of loneliness if they love their partner. She looked intrigued enough even before the problems between her and her boyfriend began so, hey guurl, I see what you're doing. The story, on the other hand, covers a lot of important problems and aspects of human relationships which are really important and they should have been focused way more on that. Although the main line was shown through Weiwei's relationship and Gao Zi Yuan's character there was a huge lack for me in the story and that was the fact that till the very last moment Weiwei did not apologise sincerely to Hao Yi for cheating multiple times and for lying to him while he was working. Throwing randomly the "sorry" word does no good, not even in real life. I believe that when you cover such important matters in relationships taking responsibility for your actions and apologising to the people you've hurt the most is crucial. She did not do that while she actually kept playing the victim and despite her brilliant acting, her character was the least appealing to me. I couldn't even sympathize with her. I'm sorry I couldn't see more of Han Kefei, they should have focused a bit more on her side of the story but I'm glad that Chu Kehuan's character was well developed and explained.The OST was quite good. I'm glad this was 13 episodes. I don't think I would have been able to keep watching more of it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Roller coaster ride but the story made sense to me. There were moments it felt unrealistic to have two alphas practically destroying their careers for a woman, that's why I rated the plot as 8, but I'm willing to make concessions bec this is a drama. I get it, some exaggerations may be called for to get emotions across.But overall, I like how the characters stayed consistent to their "character" despite going thru several subplots of office conflicts.
*spoilers ahead*
WeiWei was someone who takes time before making decisions, but once she does she sticks to it. No going back. And she stayed that way til the very end
Haoyi was always a selfish person, even during their most loving moments. He only ever saw his dreams, his plans. And even during the breakup, he only saw his pain. To some viewers I guess it looked his a convenient excuse for the plot development, but I disagree bec I know there really are people who are like this.
And Kehuan, persistent and goal oriented in life, I understand how it would nsturally translate to his love life. It was more unnatural to me actually that he stuck to a dead relationship for a long time. I would have thought with his personality he would be one to move on swiftly and "cut losses".
I also like how WeiWei gave herself - and Kehuan too - time to heal and move on and grow before getting in a new relationship, despite acknowledging their mutual attraction.
****end of spoilers****
Loved this drama and am planning to rewatch soon. There are many lessons here, especially for those in long term relationships to not take your partner for granted and to listen closely to whatever they tell you. Maybe they are already telling you they are unhappy but you just don't hear it.
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