This review may contain spoilers
40 Episodes + 4 Couples + Hot Mess "I Need Time" script = 2nd Dumpster Fire of 2024
I added this to my watchlist because I wanted to see HYT in a totally different character and genre. He is known for his aloofness and very little emotion. And while this character was essentially really good for him (smiling, being a goofball, showing a range of emotions) the rest was not. I hope he gets more chances like this but with much better scripts. Because 40 episodes, 4 couples, an absolute hot mess script turned this promising series into the 2nd dumpster fire I've seen in 2024.Pros: HYT's character, the 4 best friends and their relationship as they were the much needed comic relief of the entire show, LYN's OST and some of the BGMs. Those were the only pros.
Cons: Everything else! This was a remake apparently of some Korean drama but it suffered badly from a horrible script. On top of that it had 4 couples with very little chemistry, 40 episodes of rinse, repeat, please pass the cheese scenarios where I personally skipped 6 of the latter episodes because of how annoyed I was at everyone and every situation. Furthermore, when the actual actors request for script changes to their characters because of how ridiculous and unrealistic the story was, that's a huge red flag. The theme of this show was, "I need time." Time to think about how to be a miserable moron apparently. Let's talk about each couple.
The leads started off with the FL liking the SML who fell for SFL as the ML fell for her at first sight. It was a love quad. Except it never felt like the FL was capable of liking or loving anyone. Instead it was more like a hobby and having any boyfriend would have sufficed. She had little actual knowledge of what love even was until I think the second to last episode even though she and the ML did get together, they had more breakups than I was willing to count and the selfish way she told him that "I never trusted you in the first place", floored me and absolutely solidified that she didn't deserve the ML who spent all 40 episodes bending over backwards for her. Even when his ex and her kid were brought in (as total and unnecessary plot devices), it just highlighted how ridiculously insecure the FL was. I was sure that after that horrendous line, the ML wouldn't go near her but let her come crawling back to him but nope he still thought of her, sent her flowers etc. She was willing to believe total strangers about him than the words and actions he'd shown her from the get go. It was infuriating. Her episode 39 traffic light epiphany about how he loved her but she didn't realize it just seemed contrived because just an hour before she walked away from him for the 100th time unwilling to give him an answer and now like someone shot nuclear EQ into her head, she suddenly understood everything he ever did for her and regretted the way she acted and wanted to love him the same way he loved her. It was beyond unbelievable.
I had originally liked this show because it showed the lives of flawed, imperfect characters in their daily lives but once I realized that most of the women were devolving into morons or already started there and one sounded like a toddler making me ffw her as much as I could, I couldn't back it anymore. There was literally no actual plot to this series save for everyone's relationship issues and it just got boring quick. Only the brotherhood of the 4 guys made it really worth watching.
The second leads issues stemmed from the SFL lack of facial expressions, her traumatic upbringing but the worst was that she took all of her anger out on the SML who didn't do anything but wait for her and quietly supported her. Unlike ML, he wasn't going to grovel and follow her around but let her have her space. He also had an insufferable mother to deal with who never really came around as she just gave up because he still proposed to SFL and got his father and sister to help shut his mother up. It was a group win as opposed to a mother who loved her son and wished for his happiness above her own interests. SFL was also wishy-washy when it came to advice for her even worse wishy-washy best friend the FL; like figure out your own life before you give others advice.
The 3rd couple seemed like very much an afterthought especially with who they cast as TFL; the toddler voiced, spoiled though with a good heart woman-child was somehow to be believed to be a 24 year old postgraduate who was in love with TML, a lawyer with a tragic past of his own, in losing his wife unexpectedly 4 years prior. Now the toddler could act brave and sound mature in the business setting but as soon as that was done, she would whiplash back to acting and sounding like she needed her binkie. Literally ffw'd her through pretty much the entire show. She definitely had her strong moments but they were few and far in between.
Our last couple, had the least screen time together and I called them the married/divorced couple because that was their identity. And though I admired the FFL for how she officially ended their marriage admitting that a lot of it was her fault and she should have come to terms with it sooner, what brought them back together was that she got pregnant but than started blaming him again for the little things including him signing the divorce papers that she orchestrated in the first place! And he again started to apologize; like what in the what? Make it make sense, please.
Overall, everyone got back together, married, engaged, whatever but you didn't feel much sense of accomplishment other than when the 4 friends buried a new time capsule and continued their goofiness, was literally what I considered the ending.
Would I recommend it? No way. I have seen most of these actors in other things that had done them justice but this thing absolutely wasn't one of them. I want a similar character for HYT but with a different script that he deserves; same goes for the other actors. If you cherish your sanity, watch something else.
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should've been at least 10 eps shorter
I can't believe that it took them years to release this series, and this ended up being the final product. Nothing wrong with actors, everything wrong with the writing. Initially, I thought that Ye Han and Li Xiao Xiao are the only MCs based on promo , so imagine my disappointment when I found out about other five characters who were quite irritating for most of the series. It caused me to skip a lot at some partsWas this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Title should be Renamed Learn to Move On
My Return to Chinese drama i feel curse and i learn sometimes you should trust tik tok edit lets get started this drama is too long 40 episode for this this drama should be cut down am guessing the only reason its long is because of the multiple couple dynamic if not this is a drama with Highschool drama of people who in love but can't talk like adults for some unknown reason and forcing someone to love you is the new trend am guessingYe Han-- So oh boy this main lead to describe might be harsh because most people want to see a handsome lead which he is by how he written is like a man who now falling back in love an i quote with a girl he is smitten by only to realize that she like one of his friends i can't really say best friends because drama these days act like men dont talk about the same girls they like for some unknown reason which is something the female lead as problem apparently..... after being rejected over and over again clearly seeing that this girl has no moved and also giving stalker vibes but we know he won't be label as that because ohhh he is a green flag because he is there for every time oh okay change the visual and we can talk i digress this main lead is bad but at least good luck...... still waiting for the ex to come back in the picture if that will cause it has enough episodes
Li Xiao Xiao-- The Female lead ohhh boy when i actually thought that they were improving females lead i got smacked in the face but at least this one don't jump into a relationship soon has her crush discover she has a crush on him which he doesn't like her but oh man does this drama handles that poorly so your telling me its his fault that she has a crush on him and he doesn't know so in the episode its fault the dude busy chasing the girl he likes hence i say this female lead isn't firing at all and guessing this will be high school princess type female and i was proven right i wont be surprise if in couple episode because they might stretch it that she will go after the male lead which the tag is male lead chase first but lets be honest only few female lead actually chase and it depends on the plot notice i cant say much about the female lead because its that bad form the moment she could not give up on her crush who is in love with her so call best friend and the reason i say so call best friend is because she never told her and she was there am guessing secretly hoping that her crush give her a chance and guess what happen the so call best friend piece together the puzzle how they handle that drama i dont really care cause it should have been handle a long time ago
Xu Jia Cheng- only crime is falling in love
Tong Yi Wen - only crime is falling in love and wanted to be successful ohh did i mention in love with her best friend long time crush cough anyways...
Tbh you can watch it out but if you be honest with yourself this plot is bad with force plot ahh also do watch it with your logic turn off if you wanna enjoy it
Ohhh Boy This plot is horrible i actually thought that it would , improve but omg it got worst and worst for the main lead
at this point the only thing saving it is the supporting couple I never liked the double standard in certain drama how is it possible for you to keep saying i wanna break up with someone you said you love multiple time this drama has the wrong because it might be me thinking too much into it but it should be renamed how to chase a women and get your heart broken many time thank Heavens for the support cast relationship and dynamic tbh this is bad like even turning off your brain wouldn't work
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This wasn’t what I expected
First off I’m a huge fan of Liang Jie and Yitian Hu since Handsome siblings. Though we’re not the couple in the drama they were my favs. So I was excited and expecting this drama. The drama started off good around episode 8-25 it became boring and dragging. The ML wasn’t a simp for the FL like most people are saying. He fell in love with her day one but he should’ve understood her feelings for his best friend would take a very long time to get over. He came into her already occupied life and messed her feelings up. So he was wrong for that.Secondly, The FL was tiptoeing with the “will she, won’t she?” when it came to her growing feelings for the ML. She knew she was falling in love with him but drew out the hard to get until he gave up. She was wrong with that approach. Then we have the ML ex who he keeps thinking about throughout the whole drama and when she comes back he kids himself, into thinking “Eh, I’m over her.” But as soon as something was wrong with her or the so called kid was supposed to be his. He drops everything for her. He made the already weary FL scared and insecure which wasn’t cool. Nor was it cool for the FL to keep pushing him to her to help. The Model friend was too me no model nor friend. Her relationship with her dad, the modeling world, the other friend was as stale as them glares she gave. The kid sister was super annoying the worse but not the worse of the females. No, that’s the model friend then her. I also couldn’t stand the Older woman and her younger husband storyline. As I felt like they just was there for comedy filter. All in all, the last few episodes felt rushed. Especially the main Lead couple. Will I watch it again yes but not always. Just for the happier times when they finally got back together.
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I Am Enjoying MIL
This a typical drama about love, breakups, and misunderstandings even though the love is real. The lack of communication led to unnecessary heartache and fear of being hurt caused doubt and mistrust. Even though MIL was predictable, as they/dramas all can be the same, I have thoroughly enjoyed the FL/ML interactions. The comedic interludes between the four friends kept me laughing! This drama is worth a second viewing.**After completing the series, I am not satisfied with the main lead couple's resolution of their romantic conflict. There could have been a better outcome in my opinion!**
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This review may contain spoilers
Repetitive in most parts
I wouldn't say its the great drama out there but it is actually enjoyable most the bromnce they are really fun and I respect the fact that they stuck together through thick and thin and still remained as brothers till the end. So for the comedy I would suggest watching it.Ye Han and Li Xiaoxiao had the beat chemistry for me and the intimite scenes made me blush as well. That is my perspective. I just hate the fact the Ye han's ex fiancée decided to come back after disappearing but its very typical when it comes to the predictable writing style when it comes to chinese dramas. But if you don't mind it being predictable I would suggest watching.
My other favorite couple is Xu Jialin and Xu Yan but mostly towards the end when Xu Yan realized he has feelings for Xu Jialin. But I didn't like how Xu Jialin was invasive and annoying because of her crush towards Xu Yan. But its understandable because the man is hot.
The rest of the couples where typical in terms of an overbearing wife and overbearing mom. So be mindful of that.
Overall its an okay drama for passing time. Not enjoyment.
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Few episodes were good and few were bored
Men in Love," as the name suggests, is a story about four men in their thirties who have gone through a lot since high school, but their bond has only grown stronger over the years. One man is married but faces problems in his married life. Another man's wife has passed away, and he has never moved on from it. The third man had a breakup, and the fourth is still single. This is where the story begins.The married man struggles to save his marriage from divorce. In the life of the widower, a new girl enters who has loved him for many years. She is his best friend's sister and is ten years younger than him, so he always keeps a distance from her . The man who experienced a breakup falls in love again, but misunderstandings arise when his ex returns to his life. The fourth man's love story faces many ups and downs due to his mother's refusal to accept their relationship.
The drama showcases how each man's love story survives.
I didn't like the attitude of the first man's wife; she always doubts him. However, he is somewhat responsible for her behavior because he never builds trust with her and gets easily flattered by beautiful women.
The girl who loves the widower also annoyed me. Despite his clear rejection, she continues to pursue him. She often became a spoilsport and misbehaved with any girl who came near him.
Among all four love stories, I liked the first two the most. The first man's wife's whenever doubt on him and his reactions made me laugh, and the second man's love story is cute.
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Desperate Simps with No Self Respect in Love
First and foremost this drama didn't need to have 40 eps but could have easily be done around 24 eps. The story isn't something out of the box or new but a mix of many cliche tropes put together in one. The drama has a good star cast which did good with their roles.Good:
1) The one and probably the only strong point in this drama is the brotherhood between the male leads. They all have way more chemistry together than with the female leads. Their banters and teasing with each other is quite fun to watch.
2) The acting is decent by every cast member.
Bad:
1) As I said in the headline the drama should be titled desperate simps in love. By the end of the drama you would be pretty much thinking what do these guys even see in these girls to have no self respect and keep wiggling their tails around them ....hell I wished all of them ended up single by the end and go on a trip together away from the girls.
2) Each and every female lead is full of flaws which they don't even deal with till the end, some are insecure while some are childish, some are too controlling while some treat their boyfriend like doormat.
3) After every few eps you will see one of the female leads give up on their partner for childish reasons and dumb misunderstandings and the male being desperate to get back with them. The communication between them sucks and doesn't improve till the end.
4) The story becomes draggy which could have been avoided had they reduced the number of episodes.
The only reason I gave the drama a 6/10 is due to the good brotherhood they have shown in it cuz there isn't much else to see in this one. Only watch it if you are a fan of the cast otherwise it can be ignored
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The actors are good but their characters...
The plot seems good at first but is terrible.We have 4 boring and irritating couples:
The first couple: It's been 14 eps where the prota does everything for her and the only answer she gives repeatedly is "I need time". Rancid ??
The second couple is cliche and annoying. The woman spends the entire drama running away from the boy and being rude while the asshole is chasing the whole drama. Boring, boring and boring.
The third couple had me rolling my eyes the entire time. We have an asshole married man who doesn't respect his wife, he wants to act like he's single to the point where they FORCE him to use glue so he doesn't take off his ring ? And the muggle woman keeps accepting this ridiculous joke while using the card of not increasing the rent from the studio to force the husband's friends to force the guy to stay in line. Seriously, what a lack of self-love from this woman.
The fourth couple is even more unbearable. We have a lawyer who seemed to be the only normal one in this group of friends, who seemed like a good person, friendly, understanding, decent but what a mistake. The guy is a real jerk to the girl who runs after him, being rude to the girl who, despite being annoying running after him, is a girl with a pure heart. The peak so far has been "Have you ever stopped to think that it's not that I don't like using my cell phone, I don't like you?" it was so unnecessary. At that moment she should have left and forgotten about this scumbag. But no, according to the spoiler she will need to decide to leave so the guy can touch himself, hug her and she can forgive how rude he was all this time so easy ?
Like what the hell???
I started this drama just for Hu Yi Tian and I only keep watching because of him but I honestly don't know how long I can last. I'm out of patience already at episode 14, how am I going to deal with 40 fucking episodes? ?
I didn't expect much from the other characters, the biggest disappointment was the protagonist. Someone needs to slap you in the face and say "Wake up, stupid girl".
Only Ye Han is saved here.
PS: The only thing that makes me curious is what the return of Ye Han's ex-fiancee will be like, which motivated her to leave without explaining it to him.
Anyway, 10 for Ye Han, for the rest I prefer not to comment
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Main CP is horrible both with on-screen chemistry and acting. 4th CP had better plots
Men in Love is a romantic comedy about four men who have befriended each other since college and supported each other through the ups and downs of life, especially when it comes to love relationships with women.My Reviews:
1. The production quality could be better. The screen on my ultra 4K HD TV is too blue.
2. The script is non-original, nothing extraordinary. It is predictable and boring.
3. There were some funny scenes when the 4 men were doing childish behaviors and their interpretation of Love.
4. I like the 4th CP the best because they are funny and are the most solid out of the four CPs.
5. The story of the 3rd CP is more believable and convincing.
6. I am disappointed at the 1st and 2nd CPs, where the on-screen chemistry for these CPs could have been better, and the same goes for their acting ability.
7. I like Liang Jie and her acting skills, but her character was annoying in this drama. Her on-screen chemistry with Hu Yi Tian was awkward and unpleasant to watch.
8. It is also a predictable ending. It does not need to be 40 episodes. I could be better in 24-30 episodes.
I give it a 6.0 rating.
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Wished it was better
I thought it was ok. I am a fan of Hu Yi Tian, he's a great actor. FML could have expressed more in her acting, seems to me she always seemed to have an angry or rude expression in her scenes. Overall, I feel the whole cast was good. Wished episodes was shorter, just felt dragged out. Rewatch value, maybe after a few month's have gone by, I'll try to give it another chance.Was this review helpful to you?
no, just no.
The main couple's chemistry is horrible. this story could be told in 24 episodes. The actors are great but the characters....
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