Happy Feel Good with Extra Sweetness
This is such a happy feel good drama that gave me the same vibes as Hometown Cha Cha Cha. It’s just a bit more sweet with teenage & college vibes instead of the 30yo adult plot line from Hometown.The first few episodes covers a young teenager’s first crush on an older boy. Then it depicts a young heartbreak due to a misunderstanding. And finally venturing into adulthood and falling in love. Real love. Sang Zi fell first but Duan Jia Xu fell harder. The drama moves fast and doesn’t have any unnecessary filler scenes. It also follows very closely with the popular Chinese novel with few changes. There are no side plots. Love triangles or breakups.
I’m gonna miss this drama after I stop watching it on repeat. I’m def gonna rewatch it on Netflix so it’ll get some ratings there as well. I love ZLS and CZY!!! What great chemistry and beautiful people inside and out. I hope this drama rockets CZY’s career!!!
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Must-watch summer drama with a unique storyline, oozing with sweetness and filled with emotions
If you are looking for a cute, sweet, and funny romance drama with great acting, this is a must-watch!(scroll to the bottom for the drama filming incident backstory)
Hidden Love is my favourite school & life romance drama this year, with a familiar type of storyline plus a slightly different twist from the usual. The story revolves around the main characters and how they grow individually to eventually become people suitable and good for each other.
The first thing I loved about this drama was how it did away with the usual sad-life female lead and a rich-with-everything male lead. This drama kind of flipped the roles around but both characters remained on equal grounds and treated each other with respect, with both of them equal grounds throughout.
Next, character growth was great in this drama. I absolutely appreciated how they portrayed Sang Zhi, from when she was young till she grew into a fully grown adult. If filmed badly, it could easily be sending the wrong message about childhood crushes and having underage relationships. However, the Hidden Love crew did fantastic by showing how Sang Zhi saw Jia Xu as a really nice brother and wished for him to be her brother instead, resolving any possible mislead. Same for how Jia Xu was portrayed, as they showed how he only treated her as a young kid until she was in university to prevent misleads. Props to the crew!
Lastly, the actors were amazing. Every sweet scene had me screaming, and every tearful scene made me sacrifice tissues. The actors made the scenes believable, and I could feel the happiness and sadness along with them through the screen. It was so heartening to see how all characters played their role seriously, working together to make the scenes relatable, no matter funny or emotionally heavy.
This summer, Hidden Love brought me lots of happiness and laughter in a short span of less than 3 weeks. As mentioned, there were tears involved as well, but it was all worth it. Although this might seem like a pure romance drama, I deeply appreciate the realistic parts of the drama to balance everything out. Jia Xu's character taught us how hard work can change things, even when your whole world looks like it's collapsing, and days will get better eventually. Sang Zhi showed us how we have to grow and mature as we age, to become our better selves, so that we can care for the people around us who matter.
Bonus; the OSTs were all so good, one of my favourite drama OST list by far.
Just to share, the original director of Hidden Love actually left the crew before shortly before filming started, and the drama faced problems with casting and wardrobe - they only had outfits to last for 2 days.
Lu Si (female lead), invited actors she knew (previous drama partners & friends) to take up the characters appropriately. Also, she went around looking for brands to sponsor outfits for the other characters and helped with their wardrobe styling as well. Lastly, Lu Si even personally designed Sang Zhi's character further by choosing accessories and props that fit the character well. Without all these efforts, the drama could have been unable to push through.
10/10 for the actors' efforts in scenes, 10/10 for OSTs, and 10/10 in my heart, there was nothing in the plot I wanted to deduct points for, so Hidden Love is 10/10 in all!
See you next time, peach
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I wish I can rate 11 or higher ?
If you have experienced romantic crash to older guy in your school days, you can relate to FL in this drama. The emotion and feeling of FL are so well described and performed by Lusi. And the chemistry between ML and FL were phenomenal and they made this drama much more fun and meaningful. At the same time, screenwriter, director, all of supporting performers and staff are amazing to complete this perfect love story. Especial actor who played older brother of FL, he was amazing.Without any doubt, this drama will attract many viewers around the world. It is rated as TV-G in USA Netflix, so young adults can also enjoy it.
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Cutest drama, nothing hectic, their love is magical. it's exciting
I can't describe how much I love this drama. both leads did exceptionally well 🥰🥰🥰 I am happy with this drama. I think it's safe to say " it's one of the best in 2023" Nicely directed, everything this proper...highly recommended!!!!!! #hiddenLove
for every episode, you just want more. It is definitely satisfactory but the desire just to see both of them together made every episode worth it, I am thrilled to have watch this drama on Going. I am happy to bepart of this chinese drama community. the writers are good. I am in Love!!!
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I have no clue how I am supposed to get over this !
I usually do not watch Chinese drama much. But after watching some clips here and there of the first 2 episodes, this drama had my attention. I was hooked from the very first episode of it.It is different from any typical drama in my opinion. No toxic storyline, nothing over bearing - just a simple and wholesome story full of green flags. Every relation in the drama is so pure, understanding and refreshing.
The chemistry between the two leads is amazing and truly it made my heart beat faster every single time! Even the friends of both the leads are so supporting and caring towards each other, no jealousy, no competition, no negativity, nothing toxic.
I am in love with this drama, the plotline, the characters, the music - everything ! I have already started re-watching it from the start the very next day I finished it for the first time. Every time it feels like I am watching HIDDEN LOVE for the first time. Every second of the drama is worthy of appreciation. Every little detail is commendable.
Even after finishing it, I still have butterflies in my stomach and my heart feels full.
I have no clue how I am supposed to get over such an amazing, heartwarming, swoon worthy drama.
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An Unforgettable Gem in My Drama Collection
So, I just finished watching "Hidden Love," and guys, it's officially skyrocketing to the top of my drama list. I'm not even a hardcore drama buff, but this one? It's a game-changer. The story had me hooked from the get-go – emotions, plot twists, character development – you name it, they nailed it.Let's talk about the chemistry between the leads – off the charts! It felt so real, you know? Like, I was invested in their journey. The actors were on point, delivering performances that gave the characters depth and nuance.
And guess what? I'm already planning a rewatch. There's so much going on in the plot, and I'm pretty sure I missed some subtle details the first time around. The thought of diving back into "Hidden Love" is just too tempting to resist.
Bottom line, if you're into dramas or even if you're not, "Hidden Love" is a must-watch. It's got that perfect blend of a gripping story and outstanding performances that'll stick with you long after the credits roll. Trust me, it's a gem in the drama world.
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An Unparalleled Masterpiece: A Must-Watch Drama with Extraordinary Performances!
OMG I am absolutely astounded by this drama; it has undoubtedly earned a spot among the best I have ever watched. The chemistry between the actors is unparalleled, and the seamless progression of the storyline is simply flawless. The performances delivered by both actors are nothing short of extraordinary, leaving me in awe. Furthermore, the drama is filled with intricate details that add a remarkable depth to every action and dialogue. Each moment resonates with me on a profound level. If you haven't had the chance to experience this drama yet, I request you to please watch it trust me you will not regret it. The portrayal of Sang Zhi and Duan Jia Xu by Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan, respectively, is an exceptional feat that breathes life into these characters. Their performances are the epitome of excellence, capturing the essence and depth of their respective roles. Furthermore, I must give a special mention to Victor Ma, no one could have played Sang Yan better than him. His portrayal brings an unparalleled charm and authenticity to the character, making it truly memorable. Collectively, these actors have done an outstanding job in giving these characters a vivid and captivating presence on screen. I am at a loss for words it is truly a magnificent piece of work. 10/10 MUST WATCH!Was this review helpful to you?
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Perfect!!!
Beautiful and all fluff.PERFECT!!!
Will take me a very long time to get over this simple yet one of a kind drama..
It's already a given that Lusi will give a remarkable performance as FL (she always does base from all her previous dramas).. But I am still pleasantly surprised on how well she performed the younger ZS.. I love the small acts/details that made her performance as a child/teenager more authentic.
I have also seen Yuan in "Our Secret" and yes I like him a lot in that drama, too.. But the way he acts, specially how his eyes acts in this drama is just beautiful and remarkable. I have only seen that performance from older veteran actors and considering his age, he's just extraordinary.
I specifically liked the different ways he looked at ZS's depending on her age..
1. The child ZS (portrayed by that pretty child actress, sorry I dont know her name): his gaze is like an older brother who's amused with his sister's antics.
2. The child/teenager ZS (portrayed by Lusi): his gaze shows warmth for someone younger than him but with a hint of curiosity.
3. The adult ZS: his gaze shows full of sexiness, naughtyness, playfulness, dominance, and romance. FINALLY!
Everything about this drama is beautiful, including the songs.
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Refreshing take on a modern romance
Such a lovely story of a young crush turning into more in adulthood. There is nothing remotely sinister in the childhood portion, as seen from the perspective of a young girl, with the object of her attention having no idea, but just being kind and helpful to her. No ulterior motives by DJX. The adulthood portion is wonderful as feelings start to develop and will ring a bell with so many people when falling in love.This is a very realistic story about romance, helped by the amazing chemistry between Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan! The smiles, sparkling eyes looking at ech other, they are so beautiful together. Lusi again does that youngster to grown up seamlessly, not just in the way she speaks but in all the physical attributes she brings to playing a youngster. Chen Zheyuan has never looked so attractive as the sly, sexy, foxy DJX, trying to woo SZ when she is grown up and he has fallen for her. Brings alot of emotion to the character as well. Her brother is amazing as well, as is all the other cast. A supportive loving couple ,it is a delight to watch and wish it had gone on longer!
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Absolute Gem in the jungle of dramas
I cannot hold back but write my first ever review….. Just watch everything about this drama is absolute gem…Huge love to writer, director and the cast …. The music us heaven …………………………..———————————————-,……………………….💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜………………….
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A Pure, True Romance in it's finest form.
Hidden Love is a Romance that actually seems to know it's a Romance. This is much rarer than you may think, and one only needs to look at it's contemporaries to understand why. Where Hidden Love excels is in it's simplicity: from the beginning of the story it's obvious that the couple will face a challenge with respect to their age gap and we also know that to some extent the ML has ghosts of the past that haunt his present. The Drama does not seek to extensively shock us in any capacity - there are twists but they are all largely foreshadowed and never feel entirely unexpected, however the predictability is also not cliche or grotesque, the hints slowly merge together to create a final, synergistic image that will surely leave even the most casual romance-enjoyers or c-drama watchers with butterflies.This Drama has murder, mystery and social commentary, but it recognises that these are simply elements of the larger, romantic storyline. It never wades too far away from the love story, nor does it have to. It's fine that the plot is focused around the relationship of the two central characters because it never feels like their actions only affect themselves; other dramas consistently fail in this regard, either dedicating too much time to the main couple and leaving the side characters to the wayside or prioritising the plot and overall story while not focusing enough on the romance. Hidden Love merges the two together. Each decision Sang Zhi makes very obviously has consequences for people other than herself, and Jiaxu's relationship with her is the same. Because we care about the supporting cast we are able to understand what implications the relationship of the main couple will have on them, and so their own stories seamlessly merge with those of the male and female lead without ever distracting from the story being a Romance. The plot and the genre work in harmony rather than against each other, and it is beautifully done.
TLDR - Poesy aside this is a wonderful drama, and if you'd like 25 episodes of heart racing romance, then look no further.
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