This review may contain spoilers
Very well acted youth romance with a loving heart
I really enjoyed this show. It was one of the better youth romance I've seen. While I believe the OTP and most of the support cast made the show, some of the story telling was a bit patchy.The show broke from the typical male god/ice king vs the bumbling, feisty FL trope. While the story started at the final year of high school and the FL was the top student there, she was not low on EQ as you'd expect. The ML was a transfer student with a murky past and bad rep after being placed at the bottom of the same class as the FL. It was definitely a love-hate relationship from the get-go. However, once the FL found out that he was actually misunderstood and a diamond in the rough, the spark of romance was well and truly ignited. That flame burnt brightly during their college years.
The OTP had great chemistry. We are not talking about hot and sexy type but more of the sweet and innocent first love variety. There was some skinship but nothing over the top. The kisses weren't exactly awkward but they weren't passionate either. I'd give them a pass mark.
The ML was superb in his role. Instead of the aloof stereotype, he was handsome but totally grounded and relatable. He smiled (and what a smile!), he laughed and he cried. He suffered and he cheered and he made you care for his character and the OTP. The FL did a good job as well. A good match with the ML and she had to pull her own weight especially in the more dramatic scenes. Most of the support cast were 3 dimensional characters that grew (and grew up) with the OTP. Their story arcs were integral to the central story and it was a refreshing change from the central casting roommates ensemble.
It was interesting to see the ice king trope actually played out in the 2OTP pairing and when you consider some shows would have gone 30-40 episodes based on that trope alone you had to wonder why we still accept that trope being the norm. Not that the 2OTP was boring, it just felt predictable and cliché. Luckily, they only had a fraction of the screen time. They also provided some counterpoint to the main pair's romantic development and added some spice to the show once the OTP's relationship became unshakable.
Speaking of relationships, I'm afraid the writing became a bit weak on that front and became a bit tropey. The whole wilful mother, unrequited love, crushes and love triangle tropes were given too much oxygen. So many setbacks and meddling came from the many actors circling the OTP like sharks. It was never life or death situation but the show could do more to balance it. Honestly, many scenes of the OTP were so sweet and loveable that they could have bottled and sell the essence but you can't shake the feeling that something bad was about to befall them (and it usually did). It was a bit tiresome by the end.
That brought us to the main antagonist and I'm afraid he was just not up to the task. He was not really evil and came across more like sleazy and annoying.
My final minor gripe was the use of the forced separation trope towards the end of the show. It was unnecessary, full stop. I understood the writer wanted to show progress and bring the show to a conclusion sometime in the future. All we got was a bit of angst, sad parting and then BAM, time skip 2 years. Fortunately, the OTP parted with an understanding that the relationship will just become a long distance one and they can chat and video call whenever. I appreciate that as most show would just make it as if the departing lead went to the moon and out of communication for the duration.
The last episode was a complete and utter fan service and I'm eternally grateful for that. It tied everything up with a pink bow and a herd of unicorns were frolicking in the meadow. Every key character had closure (except one, it was odd as his name was mentioned and a subplot started but it went nowhere) and lots of cute moments. One thing did gave me pause, the antagonist was completely rehabilitated and given a happy ending. I know it sat well with the light tone of the show but it was not really sending a good message and the one sentence explanation was barely plausible.
OST was catchy and breezy for the most parts. Rewatch value is high as long as you skip some of the tedious shenanigans. I would have given it a higher score if it was less "drama for drama sake". Can't complain about the OTP and their sweet, sweet ending. I would highly recommend this drama.
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alike to Lighter and Princess, but for me this one is better
Forever Love 2020 8,5/10 -cdramacoming of age romance drama story. Very good actors and nice chemistry among couples.
Story follows one love pair from their meeting at high school up to their marriage after college.
Whole drama starts with wedding and you get to know right away all important characters and with who they ended which is quite nice since that way you can just focus on their stories and vibe.
plot - FL is in her last high school year. She is well known teachers pet and serious student. One day she gets quest to bring back to school problem student[ML]. She uses her wit and cunning to infiltrate his life and bring him back. Sadly for her she ought to know you cant just pick up stray from streets unless you plan to take care of it.
genre - romance, school, college, work, multiple couples, youth
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This review may contain spoilers
A one time watch
Forever love looks like its gonna be alot of fluff and meaningless, but isn't.It has a particular charm to it. The acting of the actors actually surprised me, to think that they are around 20 years of age in real life, mindblown. They have huge potential and will probably become big in the future, I'm already calling it.
The story isnt all too mindblowing but the small things about the show make it better, I love how they showed *spoiler* zhang fei cleverly as someone who is extremely low on self confidence therefore takes it out on others. It's such a realistic view of a person who is hurt and therefore finds the need to hurt others. You cant really hate her even though she has negative undertones. Very interesting take that makes the audience understand her.
The chemistry was extremely pure, maybe a little too pure, but still cute. They had alot of fluff moments.
The show is actually kinda interesting, the relationships of the different leads make it better. Xiao xi and zhang han both have very cute friend groups,they were goals.I loved the other characters like Duan ning, qiu yan and huai wu. Humor was also on point.The first few episodes were actually really really good.
Now for the things I dont like. The show is unrealistic, starting from the title lmao. The male lead takes the name of marriage and start ups like it's some game. The show is I think is filtered for like age 8 or something because there are no realistic scenes in love, almost all kiss scenes are toned down or cut (didn't quite understand why). I heard people talking about how the couple were "mature". I never thought once that they were mature, they were actually the opposite. They hid things from each other apparently not to worry the other, took things that they cant handle in thier own hands and suffered meaningless pain that would have reduced if they just shared it.
The writing is mediocre, they repeat problems in the show itself and also old drama troupes keep popping up everywhere. The dialogues are unrealistic and not that well written. Its basically recycled storylines. The love triangles, squares and hexagons were not that enjoyable either it was kinda frustrating. The second half of the show made me loose interest and frustrated.
The second lead couple kept me interested in the show for like 5 episodes and then I hated both of them, though they were kinda cute. Nothing too fresh about thier storyline either.
Overall a time pass drama, nothing too deep, a little frustrating but bearable.
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Sweet but lacking substance
I liked this well enough most of the way through. The main romance is very sweet and enjoyable to watch, if lacking any real tension. The first 20 or so episodes, where we got to watch the couple meet, fall in love, and begin a relationship cruises along nicely.The side couples were not as well executed, and in the last 8 episodes the drama stops developing the relationships to instead pivot to a plot about the characters establishing their careers, which I honestly found pretty boring. The villains get the typical unearned redemption, and the final episodes resorted to tired tropes like family disapproval, forced separation, and a time skip.
It’s a fine watch if you keep your expectations low.
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A HIGHLY RECOMMENDED CHINESE DRAMA! Worth to watch! ♡
To all who loves romance drama, I highly recommend this chinese drama titled, "FOREVER LOVE". From its story plot, characters and scenes are absolutely good.The actors and actresses who played their roles are great. I like how the male lead and female lead acted so natural. Their chemistry is so lit, like everytime they had romantic scenes, it gives me butterfly flying inside my stomach. I like also how their feelings develop to each other and how they become a couple. Their love-dovey scenes are not so cringey but will makes you keep smiling.
The actress who played Xia Lin Xi acted so naturally and very good and also she's so beautiful. Her character is what I like the most, being honest and not so competitive and very understandable when it comes to their relationship.
For the actor who played Jiang Zheng Han, wahhhhh he's so handsome. He made a great chemistry with the female lead. I like his character being a hardworking student to help his parents. Also, I like he pursue to get Xia Lin Xi to be his girlfriend.
I'm hoping for next season so bad but if don't have, I hope Wang An Yu and Julia Xiang will be starred in another drama again. FOREVER LOVE is one of my fav list chinese drama. ♡♡♡
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This review may contain spoilers
easy watch. Recommended.
The story isn't unique, but I liked the fact that the main lead didn’t break up and didn’t let other people interfere in their relationship. What I didn’t like is the FL attitude- she decides things by herself and never tells the ML what's going on and here excuse is " I don’t want him to worry or make things harder for him". I think in a relationship you should share the tough times as well and consult each other. When she decided to take her moms money and in return study abroad without letting him know until she was in the airport I was pissed off! Who does that to there partner?! I would have like them to share their thoughts and not keep things to them self. Also, I hated the mom but I even hated more the fact that the FL didn’t speak here mind clear enough and didn’t put her mom at place in some scene.Was this review helpful to you?
Cute feel good cdrama
Perfect in almost evey way except the FL is a little young in my opinion but she is a great actress. Thats just a nitpick though since this was near perfection for what its supposed to be, just a cute feel good cdramaMy only complaint is are the scenes that show their wedding day at the very beginning but thats just a nitpick.
I have to say that the writing on this thing was spectacular and i have to commend the writers for writings such complete characters who never felt out of place.
The chemistry between the leads is astounding and they just feel like natural best friends in my opinion, which is why it feels right for this drama to have a healthy mains tag for it.
If youre coming from one of those CEO dramas where the FL ends up with the Toxic but somehow loveable ML and youve grown tired of that, then you've come to the right place. This has ruined so many cdramas for me because it has shown me that a badass ML that is respectful towards all women can actually exist, now i absolutely cannot stomach watching toxic/clingy/borderline abusive male leads
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ONE OF MY FAVORITE YOUTH MODERN DRAMA
this is a good youth modern drama in my opinion. the character development of the casts is quite good ... what interests me the most is the relationship between the two main leads which is very good ... i really admire their love which is so mature, natural, strong and sincere .. their struggles in joy and sorrow, their struggles were from zero until they finally succeeded in the programming business. the struggle between the two main leads is so strong and the teamwork and their friends are really very good..this is one youth drama that I really like ...all the casts also brought their respective character acting very well...I just finished it... finally I give 9/10 for this drama...
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A very good drama brought down by immature characters and scenes
Good1. Actors and the chemistry between ML and FL
2. The way they meet and bond in high school and the separation
3. Smart FL (although sometimes too soft but i can live with that)
Bad
They go to college and thats when the drama which could have been great starts wavering. Immature characters and scenes that doesnt make sense at all. Computer science competitions are no where like the way they show.( i was a computer science student and been in the industry for a decade. ) . SML is outright stupid but thats ok. ML is a good character overall but when they do fight its very immature. And some side characters annoy the heck . Be it FLs best friend who being best friends with FL cannot realise she loves ML and instead keep spouting rubbish about SML or be it ML friends who post in ML profile without ML permission to help him. And so many so many side characters who are into ML or hate FL ughh. And random scenes like some college students attacking ML bcs of a wrong accusaton doesnt make sense at all.
Also FL is shown to be hard working but there is not that much professional interest shown for her ( i am comparing this vs lighter and princess FL where FL really starts loving programming)
And also FL hiding things from ML becomes repetitive after a while. it is just way too annoying if characters dont develop and learn.
Even after all of this its a fun to watch . Just because of ML / FL chemistry and some good scenes on growth of ML and FL..
PS : i am not sure if its good to compare but i would still say this is a little immature (not great but okayish) version of lighter and princess. Bcs there characters showed growth be it communication or regrets or letting go of past. Here we dont see anything . Characters makes mistakes again and again and again!
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Very cute love story
Many school based love story has made but this story had something which made it different from them . This story not only revolve around lead characters but also their friend's story . Basically in this drama 2 to 3 stories which parallel run with the main story . Story about students and their relationship with their parents and it also showed what parents hope towards their children , how poor students and their parents are struggling to have a good life , and healthy competition between students . It also had love story .I like the story . Go for it .
I like other supporting characters' story too .
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This review may contain spoilers
Well-Deserved High Rating
At first I thought, oh well, just another youth drama but still put this drama on my list to check out Wang An Yu as I liked his performance in Dreaming Back to Qing Dynasty. Xiang Han Zhi was a pleasant surprise, my first time watching and her acting was spot on despite being only 18 years old in real life! The story was well-written and the pacing was just right for the number of episodes. The first couple of episodes seemed ordinary but as the episodes progressed I came to appreciate the simple and heartfelt nature of the characters. The overall feel of this drama was innocent and pleasant. The difficulties faced by the characters seem relatable and the antagonists were not so evil. There were some scenes which evoked happy tears from me which only a few dramas were able to do. Production quality was excellent including music. Most importantly the ending was sweet and satisfying. I say this drama should not be missed.Was this review helpful to you?
The drama is slow but quite entertaining. Sometimes I get bored watching but overall I enjoy it. The support casts are also have good role in this drama. Their friendship is so good and the characters are funny. Also I love Lin Xi's father, he's so funny and supportive.
Simple and cliché, but it's perfect when you want to enjoy light-hearted drama with light conflict.
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