Bright Dimples start but Crash landing 2nd half!
Just got watching Zhou Yi Ran (ML) in School drama "When I fly to you" now here he is in another lovely school drama.First 15 Ep. 9 stars!
1. It's not a drama where there's one sided love of an academically challenged FL acting 10 years younger & chasing a silent ML trying to overcome some trauma. FL lead is smart and complex. She's a little bit of everything.
2. Drama feels more realistic. FL is from a divorced family trying to deal with all the sudden changes on her own. Adjusting to a new city, new school & a new blended family forced her to be more mature.
3. ML: Zhou Yi Ran plays another quiet boy role but his character comes from a different kind of family hardship.
These 2 meet and a connection forms as they can relate to each other through thoughts and actions even before finding out about each other's situations.
4. Chemistry: FL has cute dimples & ML has cute dimples. What a GREAT pairing! Yes I am a sucker for dimples.
5. Good supporting characters. Good friends & characters is a must!
6. No unrealistic over toxic characters so far.......
7. The brother from the blended family. He will grow on you.
After ep 15 it drops to 3 stars. It feels like a complete different drama! What just happened!?!? Did they change writers?
Anticlimactic the way they met again in college and resolved the past
Lack of time on supporting character's development and relationship development.
Introduction of toxic characters that's not needed
FL takes a back seat and the focus is 70% on the ML's dream
Choices became less logical
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From promising to waste, barely romantic
Zhou Yiran and Sabrina's acting was the only thing good on this show, but from what's promising to be on par with one of best dramas in 2023 along with Hidden Love, When I Fly Towards You, Road Home, Meet Yourself, and The Love that You Gave Me. This suddenly break it's momentum from doing great to being time waster.When I heard this show was giving Forever Love vibe, I had to watched it, and considering I was definitely impressed by Zhou Yiran, with Sabrina as female lead, I was excited that I had binge watch first 9 episodes, I get so excited waiting for new episode then second half of the show happens, and it all went down the drain. I have excuse the poor editing as I was enjoying the characters, but plot turn 180 and I was suddenly questioning why I even started this.
Don't even compare this to Forever Love because that was a gem, a treasure you can find in the midst of underrated show, this was being hype so much that I cannot believe the sparked from this couple had dim so fast, this couple was only good pre-confession, they are another couple that lost it's shine after, and was barely romantic to each other.
I kept hoping it would picked up till last minute, I kept hoping and it DID NOT DELIVER.
Such a waste of potential.
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This review may contain spoilers
The trailer looked so good!! I love both leads and with their matching dimples, I was super excited. They both give off the same vibe... good looking, aloof, quiet, small chip on their shoulder, not to be messed with, but loyal and faithful to each other and their friends. I loved the first half like everyone else. Sweet, sincere, and heartwarming. I was hoping (I’m sure like others) that the second half would be different especially after reading all the reviews. I didn’t mind the change to shooting and seeing ML pursue his true passion. It was more interesting at least for me, than watching silver jewelry being made. But at some point, after episode 25 when drama should have ended and I’ve already tolerated FL’s overbearing mother, medical troupes, and a jealous/spiteful apprentice… suddenly there’s more?! New villains and more problems. The time spent with the other couples, especially the brother storyline felt like I was watching a new drama. I ended up fast forwarding through their very long parts.
If drama had kept up with the romance between the leads maybe I would have been more forgiving of the added troupes. It wasn’t that the leads didn’t have chemistry… it was that they seemed stuck in a high school relationship (minimal hugs or physical contact). The intense gazes were there and the ending monologues let us know they were in it forever, but I’m sure we were all thinking the same thing… “just hug already!!” The affection that naturally comes with being a couple was missing and so unfortunate. It turned this drama into more of a melodrama than a sweet romantic one.
Oh and the ending… Sigh. ML knows FL carries her own burdens and I’m guessing unless there’s a season 2, writers are saying they’ll figure it out since they’re destined to be together. Which I actually do believe… 30 episodes of problem after problem…breaking up was never an option. I’m sure they’ll be fine in the future!! I watched a you tube video of the director/producer person who seemed big on young people chasing their dreams. I’m guessing this maybe the reason for the “happy open ending”?!?! They’ve still got a lot of dreams to chase?! 😂
Overall, I don’t know what to rate this. I don’t regret watching because they are some of my favorite actors and they probably did what they could with the script and direction they were given. But it was a bummer given how good the chemistry was between the leads.
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Great!
From the beginning up to the end, this drama only gave me positive reactions. I love how they minimized their romantic scenes, and it made it more unique and different from others where all you can see are too much skinship or affections.This is a definition of young love yet mature enough to bring lessons to the audience. Their chemistry is also insane even by only standing next to each other or by their smiles and gazes alone.
I hope they could create another season for this or another drama with the same main leads.
Sabrina and Zhou Yiran, best of 2023!
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Good start but disappointing second half! Total waste of time!
I started watching coz I really like ZhouYiRan but this drama is a total flop. It starts off really well. I liked that both lead characters were strong minded people who had their own ideas and were interesting. After high school, the entire university section crashed totally. Zero chemistry between them, they felt more like good friends and nothing else. Romance nonexistent, feelings were meh! Story became too much about his sport and also about his uncle’s shop and legacy. Please don’t waste your time watching this. Watch until episode 15-16 and then drop it.Highly disappointing!
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Healing comfort drama
2nd greenest couple to watch out for 2023, i love a strong fl not so hyper and a very mature ml,the characters are all well written the relationship and bond itself is so comforting that you can't help watching how they grow their love for each other,i will definitely rewatch this again, i thank god that mdl recommended this to me lin yu jing is the fl i am looking for in every youth drama i've watched so far. The storyline between her parents are realistic as that really happens in real life, i love how the show emphasize that yu jing and shen juan are each other's comfort whatever happens they will face it head on together. Thet have such an open minded and healthy relationship, I can't say anymore but this is really a must watch!!Was this review helpful to you?
chemistry is there, but story aint mine type
__*You Are Desire (2023)*__ - 8/10 - cdramaI really liked acting and chemistry of main actors, BUT didnt liked angsty feel and backstory of whole drama.
Alot reviews I read said second half of drama is big downgrade, but I dont think so story just becomes more unfocused and splits into lesser storylines.
Not even sure why since alot dramas got alike angsty backstory in way... you always have some unreasonable villain etc. It just often felt like main pair was closed on small ship in middle of storm?
Surelly its worth watching, but not for everybody.
__*plot*__ - FL gets tossed away by her mother to her father family. FL finds guy she is interested in neighbourhood[ML]. She becomes his desk mate in new school and gets close to him. Story goes around their relationship and FLs family problems + ML family problems.
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A HEALING AND COMFORTING DRAMA
This is a coming of age story about strangers that become deskmates then become friends and then turn to lovers, it throws like of aspects such as grief healing dysfunctional families friendship and love.
I must say this drama took me by surprise..I just decided to watch an episode and ended up getting so addicted and obsessed with it.
PLOT: The story was well written and narrated..the flow kept its pacing neutral not too fast and not too slow..it was relatable and a roller coaster of emotions...either way I applaud the consistency.
ACTING: What can I say this is my fourth drama of the male lead and I must say he caught my eye even more..being that it was emotional he really acted with all he got, his expressions were so impressive and he used his eyes most of the times to tell if he is happy or if he is sad..it felt natural and refreshing.
Female lead was amazing...all her scenes were done pretty natural you could feel the sadness and the happiness she felt based on a scene is love to see more Sabrina in the near future she is an amazing actress.
CHARACTERS: The female lead was well written..she wasn't cringy or annoying..she was just normal, she wasn't made too brave but also not too timid..she was smart and interesting and not a push over.
Male lead was meant to be a bad boy and he did act out the cold character well but I loved his character development and how he gradually became more and more free and expressive.
These two were definetly made for the roles.
CHEMISTRY: It's been a while since I got obsessed with a C drama couple but these two pulled me right in..they were so natural together and I loved that thing where they used their eyes to express what they felt about one another..it was cute..they had tension amazing chemistry despite not being given lots of kiss scenes ( which for the first time ever I didn't mind about) I just loved watching them stand next to each other or holding hands or staring at one another.
I other thing I appreciate about their relationship was how it was toxic free, they had mutual understanding they communicated the understood and supported one another...I was impressed with how their relationship was built..no unnecessary misunderstandings because our leads actually communicate and sort their issues out..I loved it.
DIALOGUE: The dialogue was screenshot worthy..it made sense and made the series even more impactful.
CINEMATOGRAPHY: It was calm nostalgic and relaxing to watch.
OSTS: They were soothing to listen too
Any ways I highly recommend this drama if you looking for something cute fluffy emotional with no toxicity no love triangles no unnecessary misunderstandings then this one is for you...my current #1 drama of the year so far❤️
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From super eager to watch to dropped :(
From EP 1-17:I'm currently still watching it, but it's a really good cdrama with the perfect amount of sweetness/romance and some serious angst. Im super hyped and excited every time a new episode comes out, looking forward to new episodes!
I have to say though, that the main couple don't start dating until chapter 14 when they enter University, so don't expect them to start dating in the first few episodes :)
Edit (after watching until EP 19)
To be honest, I was like super hyped and excited every time a new episode came out until episode 17, but after episode 18 and 19, it just stared getting boring and the focus of the drama was like shifted from Romance to the jewelry shop and the ML's career. In the first 15 episodes, there was at least moments where the ML and FL had their little romance times (which I LOVED to see), but the episodes after that were kind of boring to the point where I didn't really want to continue watching anymore, and moved on to another drama. I was honestly so heartbroken that I couldn't continue watching this drama because it just became too boring and the romance between the ML and FL just didn't look like it was evolving whatsoever (even after they started dating!).
If I were to recomend other Chinese romance dramas that do live up to the expectations and reviews everyone gives, it would definitely be these:
- When I Fly towards you (same ML as this drama)
- Lighter & Princess
- Exclusive Fairytale
- Our Secret
- Hidden Love
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Great actors but the storyline is not well written
this drama is such a waste of potential. they casted a lot of great actors (both in terms of visual and acting) but the plot is not well written.10 episodes were good and looks promising but I started to got bored on ep 16, I still force myself to continuing this drama just to watch Zhou Yiran. but the storyline is very slow and I barely feel the chemistry between ML and FL.
from the start until ep 22, the plot was still circling around Shen Juan's uncle and their jewelry store. 30 episodes only for that thing were too long and boring, imo it could have been shortened to 20ish episodes.
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Best example of "How to ruin a drama"
I had better expectations. Everyone had, I guess. I first saw Yi Ran in Falling into your smile, and after watching him as Zhang Lu Rang in WIFTY, i wanted to try this one out .Initial couple of episodes were so freaking good , thati thought to myself " wow! Thismight surpass WIFTY".
But alas! Ever since they got together, the way the script writer butchered the story and a perfectly good chemistry between the leads leaves me with just one word: Terrible
I felt that the drama had its plotlines spanning 30 eps, spread haywire. Its like they reach to conclusion on one issue, and then they begin with next one. I think, this approach to the story didn't work out very well.
For example, initial couple of episodes, they were exclusively fixed on silvershop and ML's uncle, then their relationship and after they got together, they set in another direction with Shen Juan's shooting career (which was pretty much everything in the second half of the drama). The FL' s mom getting crazy & then sick .... ughhh
Next, after he did achieve something professionally, they introduced the jealous outburst of Xi (his uncle's apprentice). Near the end they diverted the story again towards wan Yi Yang 's career.
And in the end Lin Yu Jing got some job away from him, for which they didn't show them communicating, or talking it out. And what a horrible way toend the drama? What ? They graduated.. the end ?seriously. What about herjob , what did she decide on.
This felt like watching Avengers Infinity war. The story just ended midway.
On the contrary, if you compare this with HL, they had the basic framework planned very well, and as the story progressed, they wove a beautiful story by the end.
Same goes with WIFTY. Where nothing came out of the blue, every transition was gradual, and hence worked out very well.
Every story has its highlights, & this one had some too. I gave this an initial rating of 9 based on 1st half of the show, and due to the above stated reasons, brought it down to 7.5
I loved the strong and independent female lead, who's qualities are much more than just being cute and following around ML, like a puppy. The ML on the other hand hashis qualities as well. He's got cute smile (and oh! those dimples), he has his flaws and is ready to accept and work on them (the wasy he talked to FL's mom when she was sick, Shen Juan won my heart). He was cool, he worked hard, he fought & won his battles. Shen Juan is a strong character . It was a pleasure watching the 1st half drama. It would've been better had they ended it at 20 episodes max. Because the last 10 eps are useless.
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If you have read the novel…
Manage your expectations.I have seen the unsubbed eps and I wanted to wait til Viki finished subbing all episodes. I kept reading about the ending and i couldn’t help but watch with the awful subs. If they wanted an open ending like that, they could at least have LYJ and SJ communicate with eo about her working far away and not leave it unsaid. Open ending does not mean unfinished, it felt that way. Like they didn’t know how to end it. I have read the novel in anticipation of this drama and that had my expectations really high. I’m not even talking about the intimacy between main couple as I was okay with that seeing they were very emotionally intimate and could show their love even without a lot of kissing scenes. I know a lot are saying the plot was all over the place because they went from silver shop to shooting to silver shop problems etc, but the shooting part was really part of the novel although they could have cut down screen time for this. Considering there were a lot of problems in the drama that they were able to solve well, you would think they would know how to show a better ending.
There were parts of the novel that they could have used in that would set this drama apart, like:
- sj’s uncle attempting suicide and not a car accident as in the drama
- lyj being super badass with the bullies and was able to play basketball with the men
- sj being jealous with lyj’s male bestfriends and asking he songnan how does one not fall in love with good looking friends
- during senior hs when they were apart, LYJ realizing something was wrong with her and she needed professional help (i was really looking forward to this part and how sj knew about her needing psych help)
- the conflict of lyj not knowing Sj was super rich (how she knew about it from her gege and the way she was trying to make sj confess about it was funny in the novel)
- lyj and nxh confrontation that had lujing hurt but made sj realize how much lyj loves him.
- them piercing each other’s ear on lyj’s birthday
Things i appreciate in the drama:
- the cast, their acting. ZYR’s nuanced acting. Sabrina’s talent.
- supportive friends and how they showed it
- step sibling relationship and how they communicate
- main couple non toxic relationship and communication, except the ending.
- SJ conversation with lyj’s mom, i really appreciate the dialogue in this scene, and zhou yiran’s delivery of his lines made it feel real.
- soothing music
Overall, i’m still glad i watched the drama. It could have been better.
Woah this review was long.
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