When I Fly Towards You (2023)

Experiencing Youth

I have no other way to describe this drama other than the word 'youth'. I think what made me so attached to this show was that it felt like living through the bittersweet joyful days of youth, one that I never had/may never have. It's very pure, to a point that makes it healing and comforting. If you're looking for a heartwarming drama that can make you smile, I think this may be the right one for you!

The story and the characters are extremely easy to fall in love with, I was just about 5 eps in when I knew it would be hard to move on and now that I've finished it that hasn't changed. Perhaps I'm a tad bit of an emotional person, but even for a fun and happy drama, there were moments that I cried my eyes out for. It wasn't anything that was heartwrenching, but rather it was that bittersweet nostalgia of youth and purity that brought me to tears. It was those moments full of laughter when we're young, that as we grow up, we may not be able to get again.

All the main characters are kind and emotionally mature in their own ways, despite being 'young'. It made me think of the ones who grow up too fast, the little adults that mature too quickly, for better or for worse. I really don't think it gets more youth than this HAHAH.

*spoilers below*

Zhang Lu Rang is actually a really heartbreaking character, who I think is really strong. I think I would have crumbled if I had been in his shoes. He never complains or speaks up about how the favouritsm is affecting him, and it's to a point where we barely get a glimpse of the amount of pain he was in that led to him distancing from his brother. I cried at the part when his brother realised that being quiet and not smiling a lot was not because of his personality, but rather that he couldn't because of the family environment. Zai Zai helped him to brighten up a lot, and every time his dimple smile came out because of Zai Zai, I felt an unexplainable amount of joy.

Zai Zai is everyone's favourite sunshine, she brings so much joy in every moment and scene that she's in. She's fun but she's not weak. There's multiple moments where she stands up for herself and I just adore her. Jiang Jia is an energetic character who always got everyone's back and Gu Ran is a chaotic but actually really kind and wise. Guan Fang is someone who has learnt his lessons and has grown up to become a loving friend and grandson. (If I really go indepth into each character it's never gonna end) They all form healthy relationships and their friendship is to die for frfr, I fall in love with every of their little outtings and all their schenanigans.

The acting I wouldn't say is spectacular performance of the year, but it's mostly because I think we don't dive too deep into intense scenes. They all do a good job in portraying their characters and the most important part of this show: youth. I love love love love the concepts in this drama, mainly speaking of their video diaries. The angle that the show goes for is very nostalgic, as if looking back onto memories just as we would our own. Every moment feels golden and just so precious and endearing, even if it is the simplest of things. I think they did amazing with pacing, other than perhaps the last episode, the pacing is very good and it doesn't feel rushed or draggy and boring. I also love the detail where they turn 17 at ep 17 and so on. It was just so nice to see them grow up and it felt like I was growing with them. The music is also rather fitting, my favourite is 'Paige's Summer' that feels extra nostalgic. I just wish there was more episodes honestly. I'm so attached to them that I would have loved to see every small details of their lives as they grew up. For example, perhaps there could have been more on Rang Rang's healing regarding the issue with his parents.

Overall, I think it's well done in all aespects and it's definitely one of those shows that you rewatch again and again for the comfort. The characters are lovable, there isn't unnecessary drama or misunderstandings, there's healthy relationships, there's healing. there's love, and many many memories. It's definitely a drama that will forever be a comfort, will be super hard to move on T-T.

Read More

It was worth the watch (cute)

I kept looking for reviews that spelled out certain information, so this is for anyone wanting the following:
1) Episodes 1-18 take place in high school (not much in the way of "butterflies" during these episodes)
2) Episodes 18-19 are transition episodes (I'd say most of the tummy butterflies happen here)
3) Episodes 20-onward take place after high school (some butterflies, but not a ton; just kinda cute.)

All the main characters are likeable. The secondary characters are also likeable.
There is a wee bit of angst, and it is super well done. It also gave their story a lot more depth. But this is a cute love story, not a melodramatic one.

Read More

Another sweet romance start from high school. Like most high school romance, this drama not filled with many angst & love rival or love triangle. This drama tell story about love, friendship & study.

This drama tell a story of a Young girl named Su Zai Zai (ZZ) that meet a boy name Zhang Lu Ràng (RR), she falls in love with this quite boy & try to get close to this boy & succeed. For the whole high school they become friend, and as soon as they graduate they become couple.

In the same time this drama of course not only tell the story about ZZ & RR, but also about their 3 other friend, Gu Ran (GR), Guan Fang (GF) & Jiang Jia (JJ). While building a friendship together, this drama also tells each of their story, so we have a little background of each character. Start from GR, that even though has rich parent but their so busy that often left GR alone & in the end make him actually a lonely guy. Then we have GF, that turn out used to a bit rascal that like to fight. And finally we have our ML (RR), that although people see him as excellent student, turn out he usually compared to his brother & that makes him a little bit not confident & inferior. But of course with heart to heart talk with RR parent & his brother, RR parent finally learn not to do that anymore. Unfortunately the deep story only about the boys. For JJ & ZZ themselves, they don't talk much. We just know these 2 girl grow up in happy home, unlike the boys.

I really like how ZZ deal with 2 b*tch that want to ruin her relationship with ZZ. 1 in the high school & 1 in the university. She doesn't deal it with being childish or sulking but with quite mature. And I also really like how they doing the everyday vlog to capture their life....

The funny thing about this drama is for me 1 thing. ZZ & RR have been study buddy since grade 1, but teacher seem have much bigger complain when they reach grade 2. So funny really how 1 year have such big impact in teacher mind. I mean, since grade 1 ZZ & RR already used to study alone just by themselves, no supervision from adult or anyone else. And when they reach grade 2, suddenly ZZ & RR study alone is a bigger problem. Hey if they want to have relationship or want to do 'funny' stuff they don't need to wait for grade 2...!

Sometimes watching this kind of Youth drama, make me really envy them & feel want to get back to my high school year to change a few things....

Overall this one of the good youth drama of this year...

Read More

Love this drama ?

i really loved it. it's my now favourite fluffy and cute drama. you guys try to watch it if you want to smile like an idiot 😂. this drama is similar to put your head on my shoulder in my opinion. No Breakup, no misunderstandings, no necessary fights. now i decided whenever i feel dull I'll watch this drama again♥️.
Jiang Jia, Zhang Lu Rang, Gu Ran, and Guan Fang's sincerity toward Su Zai Zai touched me. When I Fly Towards You was a good drama that you should not miss. It might look like an ordinary coming-of-age drama, but I feel like I was enlightened after I watch it.

Read More

A youthful a play of passion, attachment, and courage

The 24-episode novel-adapted youth drama 'When I Fly Towards You' made for a refreshing watch. As it encapsulated the nostalgic firsts we all experienced into a lighthearted coming-of-age romance, its simply constructed narrative and cheery allure gave a new birth to those juvenile emotions that are sunk down to the core of our personalities and of which have created the base of who we are today.

The predominance of viewers who are discontent with their watch seem to center their review around the plot’s fixated trope of middle school puppy love with Su Zaizai catching feelings for a senior student, Zhang Lurang. In her world, the introverted scholar evolves from being a mere crush from afar, to a math tutor and subsequently her whole teenage-hood, adulthood, and wholehearted reason for the smile she always oh-so brightly shines.

"She's a little crazy, but she likes me. Since she likes me, for the time being, I will pretend that she isn't." This excerpted phrase from 'She's a Little Crazy' is a generalized portrayal of their affection towards one another in the direct words of the main male character Zhang Lurang. Rather than his cold demeanour driving Su Zaizai away, his utter indifference drives her all the more crazy for his attention. Rising actors Yiran Zhou and Miao Yi Zhang have brought the short novel to life with a binge-worthy representation of what falling in love with someone truly looks like.

Beyond the undeniable youthful chemistry the main leads share, one can complain the series wasn’t developed into the remarkable production its plot summary promised to the viewers who wanted to enlighten their yearning for more modern-day Chinese dramas following the 2023 chart-topping and heart-conquering hit release ‘Hidden Love’. Although skimming the bland side of television works—'When I Fly Towards You' is nothing short of the reality of a boy-smitten adolescent. It suggests to the audience the journey of trial and error in winning over another's heart. The series' focus revolves around the progress of the main couple's blossoming love, which smoothly incorporates into a fresh imagery with its liveliness.

'When I Fly Towards You' brings a new approach to young love, using a simple plot with adorable feet-kicking clichées to prioritize the structural growth viewers get the chance to witness through the characters. Su Zaizai, Zhang Lurang, Jiang Jia, Gu Ran and Guan Fang share the depths of their high school lives—from struggles to their dearest hopes and dreams—of which, in the end, brew together to perfect the crafting of a true worthwhile friendship. The repetition of filming her beloved times with her lover Zhang Lurang suggests the capturing of Su Zaizai's most precious memories and can serve as reference points in the frequent time-lapsing story-line, furthermore introducing us to the many encounters that brought their special bond as friends to the becoming of a married couple.

"Not everything has to be weighed for its worth in the world" was a phrase shared between the two during a time of hardship. Deliverance isn't the series' forte, but feelings are, and just that solemn aspect enabled the actors to deliver their performance and transmit the desired image of profound affection into a play of passion, attachment, and courage. Although not extravagant, the priceless pieces of memories that seamlessly formed such special moments through the main lead’s romance bloomed with honesty, trust, and such a beautiful love. The admiration Su Zaizai shared for her crush grew from immediate to utterly life-shifting for the latter, his self-worth and confidence piercing through the mold Zhang Lurang framed himself in.

Read More

A very simple, sweet and pure kind of love!

Another Chinese series got me hooked on after watching the first episode. Yes, to be honest, I simply got butterflies in my stomach while watching 'When I Fly Towards You' and that's purely because of the two main leads. Let me tell you all, I was completely in love with them. Though they are both still young, they manage to convince me as an audience with their amazing act here. I honestly believe Zhang Miao Yi (Su Zai Zai) and Zhou Yi Ran (Zhang Lu Rang) will be the next queen and king of great chemistry in the future. Frankly speaking, I have never seen their previous work before, however, after watching this one I strongly recommend you all to watch it as quickly as possible.

Genuinely, I am not really into teen-romance love stories kind of thing. But, 'When I Fly Towards You' hits me differently. The simplicity and purity of the relationship between the two main leads/characters make the series outstanding as well as exceptional. Well, without further ado, I suggest you all to go watch it right away. Thumbs up!! Love it very much!!

Read More

The best c-drama youth romance I watched. FL and ML chemistry was so good.

First, how did I discover this drama. I was just scrolling on yt and stumbled one of the edits of this drama and dang it has so many views (now I understand). Because out of curiosity I watched it and never regretted. This drama may seem simple but it brings back so many emotions esp during our youth days. It was so nostalgic and the more I watch it, the more I enjoyed every characters in this drama. The romance bet FL and ML were just right and not rushed. The friendship between the 5 is so realistic. I enjoyed their trips, wished I experienced those during my time. Hehe.

I cannot further explained how good this drama. Just try to watched it and definitely you'll understand. Wish they have another drama with the same squad. Btw, FL and ML, their chemistry is so good and they're so cute together. Another drama for this too hopefully.

Read More

Standalone stories were top tier. Main Story was lucklaster

Above average modern drama series with a shorter runtime. Definitely should have improved the main story but acting by the main leads were still top tier. Standalone plot and side plots were well developed especially for the side characters like Gu Ran and Guan Fang's family backstories are really well developed. TLDR I think the overall story needs some work, especially with Zhang Lurang's relationship with his parents and brother. It was left on a cliffhanger towards the end of the series and not expanded upon nor explained. The acting was great from everyone and really immersed the characters. I think the choices for music were top tier with all of them hitting the mark and expectations. However, the rewatch value is limited due to it being a pretty cliche narrative and film in general. I think the rewatch value could be improved if the show offered more insight to the main story.

Story - 7.5/10
First I'd like to address the overall story. I don't think the issue or problem is resolved towards the end. The show places huge emphasis on Zhang Lurang and his backstory, making it seem as if the parents don't really care about him nor give him attention while placing all of their faith in his younger brother. The film then dedicates an episode to creating empathy for his brother, which does resolve the issue temporarily. However what makes the overall story feel out of place is the inevitability for the story to explain Zhang Lurang's relationship with his parents. This was not done at all. I think that is the main reason why it takes away from the overall story. They had a nice buildup with mystery, they had a very nice empathetic climax, but they lacked any true resolution. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the side stories. First on Guan Fang's background being a fighter when he was younger to being more mature. I loved the development with his grandmother and it shook my heart when she almost died towards the end of the story. I think this should of been the prototype for the main story. Then there is the story with Gu Ran, which wasn't as good as Guan Fang's story but still explained his backstory. At first, he seemed much more annoying, but this story helped me understand his character and to start empathizing with him, especially when he started to chase after Jiang Jia. I think in general that Zhang Lurang's backstory could have been implicated to be more of a side story, but the show makes it out to be the main story which I think they should have done less of.

Acting - 9/10
There's not much to say here. Everyone did their jobs really well. I think that maybe Zhou Yiran's acting could be fleshed out a little more in order to create a difference between Zhang Lurang's character in the beginning of the film compared to him at the end. If there was a better differentiation between that, it could have helped Zhou Yiran's depiction of Zhang Lurang. Other than that I felt as if all the actors held their own. I have to give praise to all of the side and minor characters, especially the grandma. I think the actor for the grandma really depicted the grandmother's love for Guan Fang and it was brilliant acting. I also thought that the actor for Guan Fang did a really good job despite his age gap.

Music - 9.5/10
Many people think the music for this show isn't that good, but I thought the music stood its ground and, if anything, actually helped the show in the long run. I thought some of the songs that were played in emotional scenes such as April Encounter were really well fit for the show. I also thought that the opening and ending of the show were well depicting the era. I love how the show tries and differentiates between the different eras, by mentioning music from each era. This was a new thing that hadn't happened before and I was actually surprised to see that happen for the very first time in a Chinese drama. I thought it was also really unique for modern dramas altogether since I had never seen them try out different music themes for different eras of time. They used a wide variety of soundtrack music that also contributed greatly to the emotional scenes.

Rewatch Value - 8/10
To preface this rewatch value section, I want to say that it it is not the end all be all if you watch this drama again. I think this drama is quite enjoyable if your watching for the very first time. It has many lovey dovey scenes that are great to see in action to start with. However, I don't recommend watching this drama more than once. After my second playthrough, many of the plot holes start to appear as with Zhang Lurang's family. Also you realize that some of the character's aren't fully developed. It comes to me that many of the characters don't actually develop during the show, but instead develop before the show such as many of the side characters. I think the love is also not well developed in detail and comes towards the beginning. If anyone has seen the anime Horimiya, its very similar to that. I feel as if the characters somewhat fall in love towards the very beginning and the rest of the 15+ episodes are just filler for the love aspect. In all honesty, its quite enjoyable if your watching once, however, once you go above the number one, you start to notice cracks in the show's operations which may worsen the watching experience.

Read More

Finally, a FL we can stan for eternity!

Su Zaizai is remarkable character and human being. She was bubbly, positive, supportive, loyal and frankly sunshine personified. More importantly, she was not a trope. Just because she was bubbly, she was not dumb. There were things she was not great at and things she excelled at. It was like a breath of fresh air that they didn't turn her into a stereotypical brainless girl who followed the straight A student around. I'm SO TIRED of that trope. And she was dynamic! She was no one's doormat... The male lead was not a tsundere either. He was humble, caring, honest and brave. The only reason I give this drama 9.5 is because I cannot agree with how lightly they dealt with his parents' gaslighting. They were never held accountable for what they did to him and his mental health or how they destroyed the brothers' relationship. Chinese and Asian dramas in general are tackling many issues, but they still put toxic family affairs under the mat, trying to make us forget and forgive as the ending curtains come down.

Read More