This review may contain spoilers
A contemporary love story with bonus fashion
I always wonder why some dramas have extremely low ratings. I have found out that it is best to watch most of the drama yourself and then rate independently of low reviews. This drama is another example of a diamond in the rough. From the beginning to end it started with strong characters and a substantial storyline that took the viewer beyond China to France and back. In addition, the story is a treatise on Chinese clothing styles and heritage. So many times I went to Google to research different terms used and regional cultures based on the introduction of different sewing styles and fabric choices that were indigenous to China. The fashion designs were over the top beautiful and the runway presentations made you feel like you were personally at Fashion Week.The second unique quality of this drama was the romance. This drama bordered on "Restricted" viewer use for a Chinese format. This is the first drama I have watched that the man was truly a sexy back type of man - (both lustful and romantic) as compared to the endless "cold - unemotional men portrayed so often in romance dramas. This drama continues to mature and mature and evolve into an addiction daily since the episodes were translated 7 days per week until the conclusion. That was a major treat.
The third quality was the background music. It never overwhelmed me and was always appropriate and never distracting.
Costume design A++++++ The fashion designs were excellent but the person or group of people that designed the attire for the actors throughout were very talented and added a higher quality to the drama. Award winning choices.
Kudos to the actors - all of them. They all hit home runs in their roles and this drama is highly recommended.
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Love the story, even its kinda mainstream.
I've already watched lots of dramas with the similar vibe. About love story between boss and employee, about company that working in fashion design. And I think this drama is the best. Why?1st the FL not that desperate, she has her own competence. She know what she wants, and try her best to achieved it. About her love to ML, of course at the beginning I'm sure she should be reluctant, not because she feel insecure, but she know that falling in love with the ML will bring some difficulties, most of all because the difference of their family.
2nd, the ML very sure and sincere about his feeling towards the FL, even there are some doubt in the beginning (because age gap, and trauma from the past) He wants to help her achieved her dreams and gives her space to grow.
3rd, the love scenes between two leads really cute, little bit of jealousy, and lots of love.
4th, the ML and FL clothes are awesome, and make audience believe that they really works in fashion line. The dress they showed in fashion show look very very beautiful.
Okay, now about the second ML, he's a little bit creepy but if we know his background, I'm sure its understandable. About second FL, wooowww she's really blind because of love. Thank God the 3rd FL (2nd ML little sister), is kind. I hope the writer will make her happy and healthy in the end.
So, overall I think this drama is lovable =)
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This review may contain spoilers
It was a full package drama if you know what I mean.It started off really well and I found myself being hooked in the first minute. Zhang Han has honestly become one of my favourites because of his role in this drama. The two main leads got together really fast without any delay and throughout the whole drama there was no breakup. Every relationship has some misunderstandings and fights but they got over theirs maturely. There were tooo many sweet moments that I could die for. He was so good to her!!!!
I do think that there were sometimes where the female lead was a little childish and I agree with the fact that her acting could have been a little better in the sense that she could have matured a little more. The focus in this drama was about fashion but I feel as if the ending was a little rushed. I mean Mo Fei's show could have been showed properly at the end since she did so much to study and they should have shown her career life more. Anyhow, no one could have suited her role more than Xu Lu Lu.
Moving on to all the other characters. I really liked Fang Xiao Yu at the beginning but he got annoying in the middle when he went to Paris for her. He clearly knew she liked him but he always tried to create trouble for her. However, after his sister's incident, I started liking him again.
Mo Fan was a good brother and Lu Zhu was so sweet as well. Fortunately, she wasn't a evil sister-in-law and was on the FL side from the start.
I have to mention the ML dad was so funny. Not like other dramas where the dad is always against poor girls and such. In that aspect the mom was annoying enough.
I really really liked this drama and I can say it is one of my favourites. I wish they could come in another drama together.
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Natural and Realistic Romance
This is a very slow burn romance that is natural in the sense that it grows at a really nice and realistic pace. It's not love at first sight, hate-to-love or obsession, it's just pure and quite boring romance. It is also realistic in the sense that the drama focuses on the work life and romantic life of all the characters and it has a good balance of this. If you want a slow but real romance, then I'd recommend this.I loved the leads in this drama. This is the first drama I've seen where both leads are level headed, reasonable and actually stay together throughout the drama. Any issues they have in their relationship is resolved within an episode. There is no dragged out drama that break them up and get them together again. Despite all the drama in this show and how many people are trying to get in the way of their relationship, nothing stops the leads from doing what they want and being with whomever they want. They also had really good chemistry together, it seemed so natural and not at all forced. The FL and the SML have a very different relationship, the way they portray their characters, their relationship is meant to be forced and it's seen through their chemistry.
I actually really liked the FL (Mo Fei) in this drama. She was talented, independent, level headed and always pursued her dream. She didn't need a man to help her, if anything they got in the way. People liked her for her talent and personality and despite the fact that she was not of the same economic status as the ML, you can tell that she had a very bright future ahead of her as a designer and that she will make it big in the industry. She never got into any drama, and if anyone made it difficult for her or tried to jeopardise her, she would put them in their place through words alone. It doesn't matter who they are, she will put them in their place. And I love that despite how trusting and friendly she is, she will never let anyone walk over her or get away with it.
I loved a lot of the friends that the FL made on her way to rise in her career especially her first roommate in France, Duoduo. Duoduo was probably my second favourite character after the FL. She was such a sweet friend and amazing girlfriend in my opinion, but she used violence unlike the FL, and I felt like her unreasonable was sometimes more reasonable than the FL's reasonableness. Duoduo didn't let things slide and only forgave a person if they put in effort. But the FL was so easily willing to forgive an old friend for backstabbing her even though the friend didn't ask for nor want forgiveness. If that was Duoduo in that situation, she'd slap the girl, call her for her shit in front of a crowd and then walk off never looking back.
Another one of my favourite characters was the SML's sister. She was really sweet, nice and reasonable despite her dire situation.
The FL's brother was also one of my favourites. The FL and her brother had such good chemistry, they just exuded sibling energy throughout.
The most unreasonable character in this drama was definitely the SFL. She is a character that went against everything the FL represented despite being in the same field of work. She is an independent woman but became what she is in order to get a man who clearly said he has no interest in her and she was completely fine with the idea of marrying a man that can't love her. She doesn't suck up to the man either, she sucks up to the mother which is even worse because she believes that she can force him into marriage by simply getting the approval of his mother. I hate people like her in dramas who sacrifice everything for a man they're not in a romantic relationship with, and then blame the man for not loving them. The FL, despite being with the ML never sacrifices her dream to be with the ML. They did long distance and it worked. If anything, this drama teaches you to put your dream before any person.
One more thing I have to mention are the outfits. The outfits alone will make you believe that this is a fashion romance. I mean the outfits of all the characters in every episode were just gorgeous not to mention the wedding outfits. I loved the wedding outfits so much, it suited the characters so well.
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Nothing special here...
I really don't get it, with what mindset it was written. Damn, we live in 2021 and this drama is using concepts of a decade ago. I'm still shocked how did I bring myself to watch 45 episodes without dropping coz it wasn't definitely worth it. The story and its execution were poorly done. In the end, we get nothing more than a typical Cinderella story.CEO ML, naive/innocent FL, bitchy SFL, irritating SML plus unsupportive parents, silly misunderstandings and unnecessary jealousy, plotting against FL, childhood connection, betrayals well WOW I mean how can we have all cliches together in one drama. Okay yeah, I liked FLs character a bit she's talented, hardworking, kind, and lovely still there's something missing. To be honest not a big fan of MLs character here... and not big fan of some of his actions also. Well as I said SML was kinda irritating so there's no chance of getting SLS. None of the characters here realistic. So in the end I found nothing special or admirable here. Though there are some sweet and cute moments still not worthy of 45 episodes
Well if you like the Cinderella trope... a big fan of leads here that you can ignore all these messy things you can watch it still there's a big NO from me.
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This review may contain spoilers
THIS REVIEW CONTAIN SPOILERS. SEASON 2
I liked this drama not only because it is Zhang's but also o have been waiting for it .I liked all the episodes as they have been printed in my mind.
In episode 18 and 35-6 they had conflict .
FL is quite cute and she accepted the apology of Zhang very quickly.
This is the best point in this drama that FL quickly accepted the apology of ML.
Zhang was also too seriois about Mo Fei for Second ML .
Second thing about this drama that i liked it because there is lots of love between ML&FL which is very low in every drama.
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enjoyable
This was really a good series, at first i was extremely skeptical in continuing to watch it, but i am glad I did.The story was good and as usual the ML with his ceo domineering persona, the FL lead was well played and the two of them together played very well, they had go chemistry and interactions. I was especially glad that we didnt have a whole nasty mother in law situation, the father in law was very funny and so down earth, the second Ml was also interesting and the FL lead tried but at least we didnt have any daggers coming out either. All in all this series was well played and nice welcoming back of the ML.
The only part that sort of bothered me was the French dubbing but you kinda used to it after a couple of episodes.
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Storyline and Chemistry between the leads
Sunshine of my life, the story is nothing new, but the direction and execution of it makes it very engaging and not boring. The characters and their development throughout the drama did not feel draggy which I personally expected. The interactions between the leads felt very mature and satisfying. The storyline though was very expected, it did not lack in any aspect, or the chemistry between the leads made up for it.I do think it had kind of a rushed ending, maybe I am just wishing there were more episodes, but it was wrapped up satisfyingly.
I just finished it yesterday and I am going to rewatch it tomorrow.
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Cute couple, but unoriginal and uninspiring.
This is one of those typical cliché fashion designer dramas and it's full of tropes that are not even the entertaining kind. It's like a copy and paste with such unoriginal writing. The only difference is that, unlike the usual talented and naive female lead, the female lead here is strong and confident. She is also not your typical poor or orphan lead. She does not let people walk all over her. Other than than that, it's got your typical jealous characters trying to sabotage things for the main lead. A good portion of this drama takes place in France. Some of the scenic stuff was nice, but I'm not sure why so many episodes were spent on this abroad portion. Also, there's a second lead who's super annoying and clingy. In fact, 90% of the characters are annoying, spoiled, and unprofessional. It was all just bad writing.The main thing this drama has going for it is Zhang Han. I'm not even a fan, but you can't deny his popularity pulled in an audience. He is also one of the better actors in this drama. The male lead is very possessive and a touchy feely kind of guy in this drama. He gives the female lead lots of hugs and is constantly touching her, but the way he does it so casually looks so natural. When he touches her, there is none of that slow motion nonsense or dramatic romantic music playing in the background. It's this factor that makes the couple seem more realistic and like they have natural chemistry. There's also some really cute cheesy stuff toward the end of the drama.
Overall, I would not recommend unless you are a fan of Zhang Han...Even then, I'd only recommend watching the first episode and then the last 5 episodes for the cute romance stuff. Let the flashbacks explain the rest of the story. The fashion storyline was absolute crap. All you need to know is that the main character is good at needlework and wants to showcase traditional Chinese embroidery in her work.
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Balance between work and love
I'm a big Hans Zhang fan, and i was so curious about this series. I loved it throughout the airing, watching from both Kukan on YT and from Viki ( and waiting for Italian subs too). The cast is stunning, lead by Hans Zhang always charming. I loved how The Little Prince is the metaphore for this wonderful love story, in a realistic way. Fashion, embroidery, tradition, work vs love, finding our own's way in life, perseverance, sometimes being greedy and envious. I loved how everything was presented in a very realistic way. Their wardrobe is beautiful, but i admit. Hans Zhang would be perfect in every outfit. His assistant was so cute. I still dislike second male lead's family, but their development is good, i quite like in particolar the second male lead, he matured a lot. Lulu Xu was perfect, a balance between female attitude and cuteness.I got some Meteor Shower vibes ( another Hans Zhang's movies I recommend)
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This review may contain spoilers
Typical fluffy trope
This show is pretty much boss and me 2014 reincarnated. Han Zhang plays CEO very well and he did not disappoint in this one. He is one of my favourite actors because he always manages to create chemistry with the FL. I also liked the FL and loved her tenacity and passion. The romance scenes were amazing and one thing that I like is that you don’t get those dead fish kisses, its passion.If he missed her you felt it. Kudos for his acting. This is good show to watch if you are looking for fluffy romance and no complicated twists and plots. It’s not a new story but it was somewhat enjoyable if you ignored the below.1- France and stalkers storyline- this was absurd and probably used as filler to make 45 episodes.
2-Too long it did not need 45 episodes to tell this story
3- The strange storyline about ML’s almost wedding. Like how is this something to fall out over?
4-typical supporting FL who appear to have this thing about one sided love. It’s as if in China its a ‘I WiLL make you love and even if you don’t i will spend forever with to keep trying’. I hate this because a lot of C dramas use this .
5 unrealistic messy
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Chinese culture propaganda with a dash of romance
A very long lesson/propaganda series about Chinese culture and chinese textile with a dash of most women are evil, men are good no matter what evil deeds they do they are to be forgiven and some romance on the side.Some friendships where sweet and the second couple was adorable.... The ML was a chauvinist who lacked communication skills and would rather communicate by kiss then by words. But gets a big plus for not forcing himself on the female lead even once! He did however never really stand up for any one... though he was offered plenty of occasions to do so. The female lead was actually pretty smart and could stand up for herself but still self sacrificing and never put her foot down.
Some parts where sweet, and it did not quite follow the regular cliches but was dragged out and mostly boring yet easy to binge at the same time...
It was okay but I honestly do not know why I watched it all the way thru, when I have a PTW with lots of dramas I want to watch maybe I just needed something that wouldn't strain my brain to much and well this definitely did not. It did make me want to punch some people so i guess it did effekt my emotions in some ways but just not enough to make me really care.
So all in all if you are very interested in design, textiles and Chinese culture this is a great drama for you to watch if not then there are better rom coms out there but it is okay.
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