The pros are miles long but i'll sum it up without getting too wordy.. hopefully:
- a very easy watch with good flow that keeps you going from an episode to another. Even when the story are simple daily lifes of students
- nothing over dramatic or makjang
- no hateful or annoying characters
- wonderful friendships of diff types and forms
- great rapport of ML and FL. And very natural progression of frenemies to deskmates to being each other's drive and support
- realistic potrayal of school life. Including struggles of studying, of hopes and dreams and the fears that comes with it
- ML despite earlier depicted as rough ard d edges n curt in speech but never overtly so. His sensitive, cating n even protective side comes out. As the drama continues he makes you swoon with the simple actions
- FL nvr potrayed as most beautiful or most dumb. Shes the average girl with her own charm, cute and doesnt try to overthink too much. She has her own strengths and limitations and own dream too. I love she was nvr overly "desperate". She instinctively does things that touches n moves the ML.
The length of the drama was just great. Never draggy.
The acting may not be the most perfect. Zhao Yi Qin was good at potrayal of Lan Tian Ye. He had the level of charisma without coming off pompous. He was cool without being cold or stiff. Li Jia Qi, this is her second work i've seen. I thought she was adorable in Meteor Garden as Xiao Yuo. Theres some sameness in her portrayal but while she might not be as versatile, she never came off as cringy or overact. ML and FL had believable chemistry and i think their acting was greatly helped by the story and directing.
For whatever reason you are hesitating to watch, hope this review gives you the push to start this drama.
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First of all it doesn't drag. Everything is paced nicely and the episode count is perfect, especially as someone who has seen a lot of youth dramas where the themes are very similar, and it's super addictive so I binged this in like 2 days. The script is wonderfully written and the dialogues are very touching and it's enhanced by the female lead liking literature so she says interesting things and quotes songs/poems etc. Both the couples are super cute and nice, especially in their high school years and its an overall very sweet chill drama.
You'll like all of the characters. None of them are annoying. And low and behold, this really deserves a medal, there's not one bitchy antagonist in this show. Like, all of the conflicts are logical everyday things that happen as you live life, but its not boring or illogical either, which I didn't even realise till it ended, but not once did I have to eye roll.
I really gives props to the female actress because she did a really good job, but all the actors did very well.
This show really needs more attention because it was cute and nice and refreshing and made me nostalgic.
Just an extra thing:
I feel like this show really let the main girl accomplish things and do things rather then just following the main lead around (not saying she always succeeded in those things, but she never sat around and whined about having to do work or whatever which I really liked.) Also she wasn't the exaggerated "failure of a daughter" where they're dumb af and only merit is eating like a pig and blinking emptily at the ml every time he talks to her (but is still supposedly "charming"). No, she was a relatable average student with areas she excelled in and also areas where she did poorly. She did not rudely stuff her face, but was still portrayed as someone who enjoyed eating and did not have the worth ethic of someone who doesn't even exist in this world. Everything was realistic. Also she had a proper friendship with the male lead and they helped each other with their dreams, shared their troubles and had an actual relationship.
Also in school, all the girls equally participated in the competitions and sporting/cultural events instead of idolising the male characters while the female leads watched them from the stands.
I didn't mean to rant about female representation too much but you know how cdramas be XD gotta sift through all that crazy to find nice dramas like this where you don't want to throttle every female character lol
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This review may contain spoilers
This drama is set in the early 2000s where all the wonderful Taiwanese groups and artists were quite popular during this time! Jay Chou, F4♥ aka JVKV F.I.R., and S.H.E.!!Aside from my fangirling of these legendary artists, the overall drama plot was very pleasant to watch and quite refreshing. I just finished it raw about half an hour ago.
Typically the female lead will work hard to grab the attention of her first crush from the start of the drama. However, the main female lead's love shifted throughout the drama. Its not your typical love story. It goes from bickering enemies, friendship then love relationship. Towards the end, the main couple had some bumps in their relationship but of course it doesn't stop there. The side characters' love story were very interesting to watch, some were relatable as well.
There's a relationship that began from playing games together and finally falling in love in real life. Then there's the heartbreaking unrequited love from another side character.
The thing I did not like about the drama is the main female lead who plays San San. Something about her acting was very awkward and unrealistic to me. The transition between her lines seems a bit off as well. Maybe it's just me but I really did not enjoy her acting. It's awkward to the point that I don't really see the chemistry between the main leads. It just seems one-sided from Zhao Yi Qin who plays Lan TIan Yi in the drama. Which by the way, he looked very much like the early 2000s Jay Chou - I couldn't stop thinking about that! I digress however I must say Zhao Yi Qin did a wonderful job with his role.
Overall the drama had a happy ending for everyone. It was a great ending. I would recommend if you like high school, college life, and adult life drama because this drama went through all three phases. It was overall cute and adorable drama.
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This review may contain spoilers
I just finished watching another drama that I just didn't want to forget - Wait, My Youth.
High school dramas are just so fun for me to watch, specifically those slice-of-life, nostalgic dramas where the story revolves around the lives of high school friends who stayed friends even when they became adults. It felt like I was also watching my own life - recalling memories of the past where life was too plain and simple, where smartphones weren't a thing and we had to make extra effort to achieve what we want, to be with who we wanted to be, and to express what we wanted to feel.
Maybe because I had a very colourful youth, high school specifically, and these types of shows remind me of that.
Wait, My Youth is a story of high school friends who have gone through a series of life events everyone would have experienced at some point in their lives. But I really liked the romance part of it (surprise, surprise LOL). I liked the love triangle among the leads, and the love story of the main leads itself. (Spoiler alert on the next paragraphs!)
Our main girl, Su Cancan (pronounced as Shan-chan if I heard it right), had a crush with this "most handsome" student in their high school, Li Jiaze. Li Jiaze was indeed very handsome, but what made him stood out was his very charming, innocent personality. Sounded very typical of a drama, but not really. Cancan had a crush on him for about seven years. She attempted to confess to him through a letter, which Jiaze was able to read but he didn't do anything for some reason.
What's most heartwarming for me to know was the fact that Jiaze also liked Cancan for a very long time, but he just kept silent, thinking Cancan liked someone else. It made me sad. Cancan dreamt of being with Jiaze, it was a dream for her to be loved back by the guy she loved for a very long time. Too bad, timing wasn't on their favour, time let them both slip away from each other, without even meeting halfway in the first place. But, was timing really at fault here? I don't think I ever had a second-lead syndrome as strong as this one!
Our main guy here really is Lan Tianye, Jiaze's best friend and Cancan's deskmate. He's your typical tsundere or "cold-blooded" bad guy who is also very handsome and talented as Jiaze. Everything looked very typical until Tianye started falling in love with Cancan. Tianye watched Cancan showing her affection towards Jiaze, all her failed attempts to win his heart, all her sweet gestures towards him. It was all a torture for Tianye but he endured it all, while keeping his cool and just letting Cancan do all her thing.
College came and they all moved to Beijing. Jiaze knew all along how Cancan felt, but didn't bother doing anything aside from being so good to her. I also liked the scene where Cancan needed to choose if she would go to Jiaze or to Tianye, that scene were Tianye invited her to watch a concert and where Jiaze invited her to watch his piano performance. Should she go to the guy she loved for a very long time who had finally started to show his love for her, or should she go to the one who had slowly entered into her heart before she knew it?
She chose the latter, and I couldn't be happier. Sometimes we wait for someone for a very long time and all we think is that we couldn't love anyone else aside from this person. I liked how Cancan said, "I have loved him for seven years... but who said I should only love this same guy for the rest of my life?" Love does fade away with time, at least the love that is not meant for us.
I mentioned I experienced a strong second-lead syndrome in this drama. I don't think I've ever had it. Before I watch a drama, I knew who the male lead would be and will root for that male lead no matter what. I found myself rooting for Jiaze at some point during the drama. I wanted him to get his sh*t together and just let Cancan know how he feels. They kept on saying in the drama that the timing between Cancan and Jiaze were just off, and so they couldn't be together. I think I disagree, I think love was just never in the works for them at all.
Meanwhile, Tianye and Cancan have always been by each other's side ever since they were in high school. It took them a while to realize that they're each other's first love. When watching dramas, sometimes I get bored when I know the leads are already together and I'll just drop the drama. This one, I liked their story even more when they got together.
I liked how Tianye was just so confident about his love for Cancan, and how he never loved anyone else despite breaking up and not seeing each other for many years. I liked how they Cancan and Tianye got past all the hurt that they felt and opened themselves to loving each other again.
This drama also reminded me of how brave we were when we were young. If you're on your late 20's like me, you probably know what I'm talking about. Confessing your love to someone, telling someone you're mad at them, or just telling whatever it is that you feel sounded so easy when we were young.
There are a lot more about this drama that I probably didn't give justice talking about it here. All the other casts were oh so good. Their strong bond as friends hit close to home. This story reminded me of my high school best friends who are still my best friends more than a decade later after our high school graduation, even if I live on a completely different continent now for many years. I don't see them as often as I want to, but it doesn't make me love them any less. I still love them so much and will love them forever.
If you're still reading this, thank you! It's probably not really a review, this drama just resonated with me so much and hit too many spots that I just really have to talk about it!
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What makes this drama good is the chemistry between the two leads. Even though the leading lady can be annoying, the two of them made a nice couple and they were adorable together. Their love story was really entertaining, although, towards the ending, it got a bit cliche. The love triangle was good at first, but I guess the main story overshadowed it. Finally, the pace was nice and the drama didn't get boring, thanks to the nice side stories.
So, eight out of ten.
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But I still stick out despite the bad acting and poor execution. The male lead's suits the bad boy yet a soft boyfriend type. He has a screen presence (though him and the female lead dont have that ump chemistry) and definitely one of the reason why I finished the drama aside from the story, yes the story. I love the premise of girl likes another guy and the guy likes the girl a little too late hence, the bestfriend has taken over - I have always been waiting for this kind of story.
8-8.5/10 for me
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Well written and developed
When I saw this drama as a recommendation on YouTube I was actually pretty hesitant to watch it but after awhile I decided to give it a go and I'm glad I did.This drama had a well written plot that focused on youth and them growing as people from when they were 15 to being 21. It was heartwarming to see tianye love grow and how much he actually loved her. I loved how at the beginning when they first introduced taoying I thought she was going to be the cliche evil cousin but to my surprise she and cancan along with meili became really close. Also the friendship between aze and tianye was also good. Their friendship lasted from their youth to their adulthood, they should be called the f5 or more like f6 with the addition of xinyi.
Overall this drama taught me a lot of things like if you like a person you shouldn't hesitate to confess your feelings because you never know when that person might move on and you might lose your one and only chance forever. I also liked the fact that I learned that true love no matter the distance or the time that passes will never fade away. If you truly love someone no matter the circumstances you will always return to that person. The story of tianye and cancan was like watching a flower bloom but not wither away.
This drama is a must watch!!!
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Comfort watch that put a smile on my face (esp. first 1/3)
Completed - 8/16/2022China is excellent in churning out teen dramas. There are so many out there that it's really hard to be a standout. The reason I want to watch this is because I was looking for something light and easy. "Wait, My Youth" fits the bill perfectly.
Even with these cute teen dramas, most of them can't get away from serious topics such as bullying, tragic pasts, overbearing parents, etc. Well, you don't find any of that in this drama. "Wait, My Youth" focuses on the simple life of 5 high school friends through their high school, college and young professional life. Ep 1-9 cover the high school days, and these episodes put a big smile on my face. They are so cute and adorable. Li Jia Qi is probably the most high-school looking actress that I've seen in one of these teen dramas (even more so than Seven Tan in "With You" or "Go Ahead").
College days are also an easy breeze in the 2/3 of the drama. Nothing too dramatic and quite predictable. The fluffiest and sweetest romance happen during the college days, as you know they are not allowed to date in high school. High school is saved for bickering and picking on each other. Do not be afraid of the Love triangle tag. It's the mellowest and nicest love triangle you can find. There isn't anything annoying or evil either.
The 'sad' part of the drama happens towards about the last 4-5 episodes of the drama. Even though they are 'sad', you can totally see it coming and it's a very predictable situation. The fluffiness is reduced and real life challenges happen through these few episodes. I do think the quality of writing and editing drop off, compared to high school days.
Acting overall is just so-so. Li Jian Qi as the female lead is probably the best of the bunch. Zhao Yi Qin as our male lead is really good-looking, but his acting is somewhat bland. He actually has acted in quite a few dramas before "Wait, My Youth", more than Li Jian Qi. But his acting is not as good. If I didn't enjoy the cuteness of this drama so much, I might have complained about everyone's acting a lot more. So be warned!
Another very personal complaint I have about this drama is our female lead's hairstyles/wigs. I know many high school girls have the mushroom/bow cut, but hers is the worst I've seen. Unfortunately, the stying doesn't improve throughout the drama. Her super short college hair is the most tolerable. Who gives her such a weird long hair wig when she's a professional??? I feel bad for Li Jian Qi. She has the worst hair and costumes in this drama, and she's the female lead that carries the show.
If you are looking for a simple, cute and light watch, this is it for you. Just don't expect plot twists or amazing acting.
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A cute coming-of-age drama with added nostalgia of the early 2000's!
This drama is such a cute coming-of-age storyspanning from the main characters' high school days in the early 2000's
to their professional careers in 2011.
Main characters are chasing after their dreams as well as after their loved ones
And while there is this VERY MINI sad part in the middle, most of it is cute and happy (for those of you wanting a light-hearted watch)
Beware of second male lead syndrome though, some people caught it real bad (I was team First Male Lead :P)
For those of us that grew up in the 2000's-2011, this will be a nostalgic tour through:
- phones
- QQ messenger
- famous Chinese bands/singers, as well as song lyrics
- the development of music from cassette tapes to CDs to streaming platforms
I wish there was a bit more of the pop references, though XD
It's quite a good watch if you're in for some fluff and want a trip down memory lane.
Don't expect overt-sweet romance; this is a youth drama :P
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Cute but has its flaws
Overall, this was really cute and I liked the development of frenemies-to-lovers, of two people coming together because of the people they associate themselves with and not completely just due to random misunderstandings. The flow of going from high school to college to work-life was smooth as well, and I liked the feeling of slice-of-life.At the same time, I felt like this is one of those dramas that needed to be longer; because it had to cover such a long period of characters' lives in a short time, I felt like they tried to hit that nostalgia factor and evoke the sentimentality of growing up, but there wasn't nearly enough time for me to feel that the characters were that close.
The love triangle wasn't dragged out and progressed in one direction, which was nice, but there are aspects of the romance plot that I felt could have been developed and explained better. During these periods I actually preferred the second ship's story. I definitely did not like all the side characters equally.
Something about the FL's acting or character just kind of bothered me; it's like she's always cooing to a baby or pouting, even after she grew up I felt like her personality didn't develop as much as I wanted it to.
Still, this was overall a fun watch — one that doesn't require you to think that much but still gets you to smile.
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