Not to say that this is a story wholly deprived of cliches. Of course, it does have a love triangle/square and some romantic conflicts between the main leads. Refreshingly, for a change the conflict between the leads comes from within themselves and not any external sources (which I usually hate).
What I liked was that the characters seemed realistic and relatable on a certain level. They are both very, very normal people trying to juggle their love lives and careers- like most of us do. So this drama has its relatable aspects to it like career, life, aging and love. But don't worry. It's not a boring drama and there are enough laughs and light moments to keep one entertained. :D
Anyway, it takes a long time for the characters to fall in love. So if you're like me who prefers a build-up before love, you'll definitely like this drama. It is nice to watch these two people become strangers to friends and then friends to lovers. After all, cohabitation between two people of the opposite gender has to lead somewhere, right? This IS dramaland we are talking about here. :D
The story on the whole seemed to me like a mixture of My Best Friend's Wedding and the Taiwanese drama In Time With You (I read somewhere that both shows have the same producers). At times, this story seemed to me like an alternative universe to In Time With You. There's even a reference to that drama in the first episode!
I have to say that I liked all the subplots in this drama. There are many sub-romances also which were all likable. The friends of Ji An Lei were hilarious (Tiffany!) and supportive. He Wei Ting was also a sweetheart for the majority of the show. I did have problems with the female lead's character at times but she grows later on so she kind of redeems herself. I also had doubts about the main pairing but they managed to have good chemistry throughout the show. Also, there is an age difference between them but it isn't so apparent.
I also liked the ending of the drama. Being a Taiwanese drama, it dragged more than required but it didn't get unbearable. Watch this drama if you're bored with usual cliches and are looking for a good story.
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the OTP's chemistry is totally off the charts! their acting, spot-on! i can feel their pain, their frustrations, their happiness, their emotions.
the only reason i put an 8 for rewatch value instead of a 9 or 10 is because i rarely rewatch dramas that i've seen. but i wouldn't be surprised if i catch myself taking another peek at an episode or a scene from this drama in the foreseeable future.
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What I liked:
The supporting roles were not evil or malicious or corrupt or trying to break the other pair apart. But rather I came to like the supporting actress more because she seemed so innocent and kind whereas the lead actress did sometimes become annoying with her excessive whining and we were shown a lot of her bad qualities, but this made the drama feel more real as if I was watching the lives of a group of friends and workers. The main actor was kind and caring and just amazing! You have to watch it.
Their kiss was sizzling and wasn't only once and was definitely unlike many k-dramas where there is only one kiss after 8 episodes, and the kiss feels like it is between friends.
What I didn't like:
Sometimes the supporting actress was not amazing when attempting to play sad emotions but loved watching the development of her relationship with her boyfriend, Wei Ting.
Usually I'm not a massive fan of the music in dramas but I really liked the OST but that'll obviously be different for different people.
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Acting/Cast: Sonia is one of my favourite actresses and her chemistry with Tony in this is just amazing! Acting in this was pretty perfect. One of my issues with this was the selection of the supporting casts, especially Kelly which I thought was not suitable for her character at all.
Music: I loved the music played in this drama. The songs enhanced the overall outcome of the whole drama itself. But not songs I would put on repeat to listen to in my spare time.
Rewatch Value: There are so many new dramas coming out that even if I wanted to watch this again, I wouldn't find the time. T_T
Overall: I loved this drama alot! It was a breath of fresh air and would highly recommend this especially if you watched In Time With You and enjoyed that one. These dramas were very pure and beautiful unlike most of the TW dramas produced.
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Now, I like Sonia but she was so stiff and irritating in maybe the first half. Her chemistry with Tony Yang got much better in the second half but for the most part, I personally just didn't see it. Maybe it was because the story didn't pull me in? The second couple, aka the respective ex's, was alright. I mean, nothing special about them either. The supporting cast was pretty cute- I liked An Lei's (Sonia) tight friendship with her two friends and An Lei's family was convincing in wanting to marry their daughter off.
The directing and the retrospective musing was creative but sometimes the inner monologues became too long and rather detracted from the overall plot.
Some of the music was lovely but didn't really stand out to me for the most part.
No re-watch for me although I would recommend it to those people looking for a slow romance that develops from strangers, to co-inhabitants, to friends, to finally lovers, and also to those who like dramas revolving around ex's, and getting over them, then finding new love. (6/7.25)
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Only for Tony & Sonia's fans
HATE-FRIEND-LOVER with Tony Yang & Sonia as CL, but very slow burn romance.PLOT: Meeting, then roommate and colleagues, between 2 disappointed one-side lovers, whose lovers are in a relationship. Cohabitation is difficult, but little by little they will become friends, understand each other and finaly, love each other.
PROS:
+ Excellent actors, including supporting roles.
+ Some very hot kisses :)
FLAWS:
# An outdated production, with lots of lengths. The costumes and make-up have aged poorly.
# We can understand the FL's insecurity, but 4-5 episodes of hesitation, of denial, it's TOO MUCH (Speed X 1.5 otherwise it's unbearable).
I watch it once (mostly for Tony) but I won't watch it again.
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HATE-FRIEND-LOVER avec Tony Yang & Sonia en CL, but very slow burn romance.
PLOT: Rencontre, puis colocation et collègues, entre 2 one-side lovers déçus, dont les amoureux sont en couple. La cohabitation est difficile, mais ils vont peu à peu devenir amis, se comprendre et s'aimer.
PROS:
+ D'excellents acteurs, y compris les rôles 2aires.
+ Quelques kisses très hot :)
BUT:
# Réalisation datée, avec bcp de longueurs. Les costumes, make-up, ont mal vieilli.
# On peut comprendre l'insécurité de la FL, mais 4-5 épisodes d'hésitation, de déni, c'est TROP (Speed X 1,5 sinon c'est insupportable).
Je l'ai vu une fois (essentiellement pour Tony) mais je ne le revisionnerai pas.
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