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Has become of my go-to shows when I need a pick-me-up
I love this show, which is a cute coming of age story (high school to college) for Xiao Miao Miao and Liang You Nian. Most of the actors were actually in their teens when filming, which is pretty rare. There were also 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples.Miao Miao's gradual transformation was so fun to watch. My last re-watch was to figure out exactly when You Nian fell for her. I was not surprised at how early it was. So, for those people who think You Nian only liked her after her transformation, they would be so wrong.
This is just one those shows where I find myself smiling when the two leads are on the screen. They're so fun to watch and Zhao Jin Mai (who played Miao Miao) is a fabulous actress. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her shows.
Also, fun to see to Lai Kuan Lin sang the "First Love" single on the OST. Highly recommended show!!
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This review may contain spoilers
One of the reason why i started watching is because when i know it is a remake of the first love(2010). I really love the movie but one of the disadvantages is that i already know what gonna happen in the drama, so there is no surprise element for me. Unlike in the movie however, the main lead in the drama didn't change/become beautiful right away but slowly. Its very realistic and we can see how she grown into a swan slowly. For the male lead, i really like how i can see he love the female lead just as just as much as her, i mean he literally get jealous when any male near her and i think that is so cute. The drama does not only focus on both lead but also there are also few cute love stories that happen surround them. However im not really satisfied with the ending.
Another thing i wanna say is that the production team seems to really love doing the slow-mo effects?.
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Not bad at all!
If youth drama is your cup of tea, you would definately like it! The dubbing was great, very good cinematography, the dialogues as well as the scenes seemed natural. More often than not my issue with C-drama in general is with the dubbing and with the pacing of the show. As already mentioned the dubbing was great, but the pacing did have minor issues, however nothing major.I personally liked the drama, the story was nothing fresh cliche as obvious was a remake, but still enjoyable to watch. A lot of people are complaining about the acting. Truthfully the acting was a bit lacking from the ML and Fl, HOWEVER, this was precisely the sort of casting required for this drama. My statment may seem conflicting, but trust me you will understand it once you see the drama for yourself.
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It's a pure and innocent story; you have a young girl that is just trying to figure out who she is. She has her family, 1 friend who is a good friend and is starting at a new school and comes across a boy that is basically boy wonder. Smart, sweet, handsome; the whole shabang; so how could she not fall in love with him? Not only do you get to see the FL grow, the ML grow and all the friends, you're invested in their growth. Invested in how the FL's fashion changes, to her looks to her personality. You watch the families have ups an downs, relationships go through fights and fluff and it just makes your heart kind of flutter at how adorable it is. How adorable it is to grow with someone and go through ups and downs and realize over time, it was fate you fell in love, found each other and it wasn't just about love, it was about life.
I adore Lai Kuanlin!!! He's cute, he's funny, just a good personality all around. New to acting so it wasn't top flight, but it was good enough, it was very fitting for him. I love the chemistry he had with Angel Zhao, great little actress; I love these young actors and actresses because they have so much potential in time and I can't wait to see what else they carry on journeys. They both were learning and growing and I loved the secondary characters, they played amazing friends, the family was pretty funny, it was all good.
The music was wonderful, I made my own playlist!
I would definitely rewatch this show. This is a show that you binge watch on a snowy day and night, you lay in bed late at night and just watch the growth, love and story on their journey and get lost in it and it's just real nice.
Overall, amazing show. I really did enjoy it; the innocence, the pure, pure sweet naive first love. It's just as good as the Thai film.
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??????
It is so weird that people complain about other dramas and yap about them being crazy and boring, but has scored 10 for this! I mean seriously? What is the deal with this drama anyway? I get that Miaomiao was a relatable high school girl but she was downright disrespectful with her "apparent" crush Younian, while dating. I mean okay you don't wanna publicize your relationship that's fine, at least give him some respect for god's sake. She has so many problems with him and their relationship that it was painful to watch. And she has equally annoying friends, like that Hexin girl. Absolutely zero self respect. And Miaomiao's sister, Yaoyao, I almost felt like going through my screen and slap her right across her face. And also, Miaomiao's extreme trust issues with Younian, for God knows why!! Girl give him some respect oh my God. Conclusively, this was so annoying and frustrating, that it was a physical pain to complete itWas this review helpful to you?
firstly, the plot was very good, though a little slow paced, but nevertheless good. it's coming-of-age nature makes it very easy and extremely light hearted to watch - a genre that is my guilty pleasure. the adorable romance in there, unbreakable friendships and loving family nature really brings out the best in the slice of life drama. the plot is not heavy yet there is always something going on that makes you want to continue watching. definitely a beautiful drama to watch if you are looking for something to binge while smiling from ear to ear and fangirling over all the characters.
THE CHARACTERS!! oh my liang you nian is literally my crush now. his soft, kind hearted, caring nature is honestly such a joy to watch (not to mention lai guan lin's EXTREMELY AESTHETICALLY PLEASING VISUALS). though guanlin's acting was subpar, i will praise him for his first drama (definitely want to see him in more - i could stare at his face all day). the character was very well written, albeit the irony of his slow realisation of his feelings made me want to scream more than once, but its definitely one that will make all viewers fawn over. the way he treats, not only miaomiao, but everyone else (including the cutest little puppy in the world) is very admirable. though i would have liked to see more expression from guanlin, as his first lead role in a drama, he did an extraordinary job.
miaomiao oh miaomiao... i side with everyone who looked down upon the way she was crafted as "ugly" (i.e. tan skin, frizzy hair, wonky teeth, glasses), her character development is one of the best yet. following her through her high school to university days was an amazing journey to see a young woman transform herself in to the best version she can be. her loyalty to her friends and the way she does not outright change herself for the person she likes is so fresh to see. jinmai, as a 17 year old, did an amazing job in my opinion. i think she fits the character very well (although i'm a bit mad at the directors for not doing her beauty justice - god she's beautiful) and i really felt like i knew jinmai because of how much she invested herself into the character (!! so excited to watch ling long starring her and linyi).
it's worth mentioning the second couple - he xin and lin kai tuo. he xin is by far my favourite character in this drama. her unwavering friendship to miaomiao is so heartwarming and the way she pursues (maybe a bit too much at times) her crush kai tuo is so refreshing. AND HER FASHION SENSE IS IMPECCABLE. period. kai tup on the other hand, i feel like he was one of my less favourite characters (im sorry wang run ze i still love you very much) purely because he does not appreciate he xin until she has stopped pursuing him (think absence makes the heart go fonder?? but on steroids). although i love these two together, i do feel their romance could have started a bit earlier on (possibly even without the love triangle?)
oh man i just realised how long this is getting but for real... this is now one of my all time favourite dramas. the ending could have been better as there was an unnecessary fight (though it did produce a good insight into younian's feelings) but all in all, this is an amazing drama that i would recommend to everyone :)
cya! off to find a new drama to **try** and fill the unfillable void in my heart.
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• Story
• Actors
• Music
• Entire drama
I have watched it like five times till now. I love the story because it is relatable. One side love, exam pressure or parents’ expectations. They have showed them well. The Character development of main lead especially female was good. From timid girl to a smart girl who is independent and knows what’s right for her. i really like her character.
Let’s talk about main lead. Damn that guy won over me. He is this boy next door guy. Nice to everyone but he can easily get jealous if anyone tries to attract his girl’s attention from him or try to talk to her. His glare (oh my my). Overall, he and his expressions got me and his smile. (oh god he is cute)
There is romance, emotional and scenes which will make one cry. But you must watch this drama. you will never regret
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
MUST WATCH
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So this was such a big, wonderful surprise!
First, the main actors are really in their teens, which is already a plus if you're tired of watching twenty something (or thirty something) people playing teenagers. This should also be a warning, if you're looking for steamy kisses, this is not a place for you. However, if what you want are sweet, romantic moments to make you squee in your seat, you're in for a full ride!
I loved that, though the appearance of Xiao Miao Mioa was not the best at the beginning of the story, there were not people, even in the school, making remarks on that, as we often see in other dramas. Liang You Nian is also everything that is right in a male lead: not only good-looking, but nice and considerate of others.
The relationship between Miao Mio and her mother and sister, and also the one she has with her best friends are part of my favorite things in this show, and you can easily relate to some of those situations the face together.
The romance is slow-paced, the main characters take a while to get together, but every moment leading to it is enjoyable, and the side stories of secondary characters are also interesting and moving.
It's definitely a feel-good drama I would not mind watching again and again.
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It is very cliche and cringe at the beginnig
Not gonna lie first 25 episodes or so was so boring. at some parts I cringed a lot and there is that fairy sprinkle sound that they add when something romantic happens. also they are slowing down the video on dramatic parts and it gets annoying sometimes. I really wanted to drop it but I prefer finishing things that I started so here I am. If you are looking for a calm school romance series to watch. You can easily watch in on youtube. But dont expect any kisses tho lol, it was the most innocent romance I watchedWas this review helpful to you?
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Is a makeover growth or conformity?
It is a sweet, easy to watch drama. I so wanted to love this show and in most part I do. When they are good, they are very good but the last 1/3 was a bit of a mixed bag. I think the general plot/pacing was fine. It was a bit on the long side with some sub plots that went nowhere in the second half. I don't mind the FL changing for the better for love as it was gradual and very positive character development. The best part is that the ML did not ask for or manipulated the FL into changing. The beauty angle is not 100% PC but then again who can claim that they didn't change a bit or even have a makeover in the name of love. I would have given it a 10 if the last 1/3 was done better. The FL growth was so nice to watch over many episodes and then just when they both confessed their loves, she went 10 steps backwards and became a total insecure, awkward GF. I think the show would have done much better if they amped up her self esteem and just show all the jealous girls what a perfect match they made and be proud of it. While the first 2/3 was well paced, feels organic and very "slice of life", the last 1/3 was trope heavy (including breakup, misunderstandings, forced separation, etc) and just feel too scripted. Thank goodness they didn't labour the angst and sadness. One final point, this is totally rated G. There is not even a real kiss for the entire length of the drama. There was one scene where they hinted that they kissed but the action was totally obscured. There were so many failed/foiled attempt it is no longer funny by the end. If you are looking for skinship then move on. Hand holding and a peck on the cheek is about as heavy as it got. Was that a clause in the contract or self censorship?Was this review helpful to you?
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Well written friendships and realistic portrayals, worth a watch!!
This was a pretty good youth drama to watch. the actors are relatively young but overall the acting was acceptable and I guess it added to realness of the youth drama.The part that I loved most about this drama was how the friendships portrayed exceeded my expectations. When Miao Miao's two friends first met I immediately thought to myself that they would both be jealous of each other but I was pleasantly surprised. also when He Xin was able to look past Kai Tuo liking MM and remain friends with her, I was really surprised by how mature the characters were. I really appreciated how the different friend groups would stand up for each other and had each other's backs.
Something else that I really liked was the slow makeover, there was no makeover scene when she immediately became pretty, but a more realistic long term change. This is something quite rare (imo) in cdramas, and her changes also went beyond physical ones to also how MM became more courageous and sure of herself.
I wasn't entirely a fan of the slow burn and how You Nian did so much for MM but didn't even know that he liked her. also I thought the part about him not telling her about not going overseas was so out of character and unnecessarily complicated things.
there are also a lot of slow motion, staring into each other's eyes moments which I skipped but other than that if you're looking for a funny, lighthearted youth drama I would recommend this!
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And what I like the most of this drama is that they show you how the reality of college students, compare to Korean dramas that I've watched so far, they rarely show about school/college life.
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