I'd recommend this!
I watched it for my favorite actress Zhao Lusi, but I love all the actors and actresses their acting in here. They really show development in their emotions when the story also develops further. The storyline seems realistic and not exaggerated to me, so it felt durable to watch it. It was visually pleasing as well. Everyone looks handsome and beautiful to the eye. It is a very soft vanilla romance series. I'd definitely recommend this series!If you like soft romance stories, with development starting from young to old, wholesomeness, school involved, lead with sibling, some personal hardships, then this is certainly for you.
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This review may contain spoilers
A reader's dream
I have a lot of nice things to say about this drama and one thing I will say is Zhao lusi doesn't disappoint at all. She has grown a lot as an actress. I have watched a lot of series adapted from novels and i dare say this drama was well executed.(If you love reading c novels like I do, this is like a novel updates fan's dream.) I loved how the drama followed the main storyline without destroying the whole vibe , also the actors were able to make the characters come alive.
Zhao lusi was able to potray tiny details described in the book without making it seem fake. Honestly speaking, the chemistry between the cast was what made this movie so great.
Especially the chemistry between the lead roles was sweet and I hope to see more of our Duan jiaxu in other dramas.
*SPOILERS*
Even though the drama was almost perfect and made me happy, they didn't include some important parts of the story in the drama.
For example we never got to see Sang Yan's HIDDEN GIRLFRIEND and also Jiang YI's APOLOGY to Duan jiaxu and other minor details they forgot which is understandable because it's impossible to follow a storyline to the T.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Fairytale of Love
Once upon a time, you have a young princess who met her prince. She liked the prince the moment that she saw him. That is how I felt watching this drama. A beautiful woven fairytale of love.In our lifetime we are fortunate to receive the most unexpected gift, you didn't really think it would be that extraordinary but with "Hidden Love" it is. This drama resonates with so many of us that we are transported back to our youth and relive our moments of our own first love.
As soon we Shang Zhi we know that she is a girl that is full of sweetness, naivete, and childlike qualities and there is such a depth of kindness and love that you cannot help but want to protect and embrace her. That is how Duan Jia Xu felt about Shang Zhi. Being her protector but it was really Shang Zhi who was the protector. She helped Duan Jia Xu understand that even though life had thrown him the worst struggles and disappointments, he was more than worthy of being loved.
It was so exciting to see their love blossom over so many years until you felt like family watching your own daughter in this relationship and cheering her on. We felt all of her heartaches, tears, joys and misunderstandings. You feel yourself wanting to help her fix everything and keep the beautiful world that she envisions not only for herself but Duan Jia Xu as well.
Many may go in with a jaded attitude and not feel what I or others feel about this drama and that is ok. But if you just allow yourself to think about the most important love that you had in your life--you will understand. It's just magical.
You find yourself, laughing, smiling, crying and just overjoyed with this fairytale of love. But you know there has never been a fairytale without an obstacle, and you would think it would have been Shang Zhi's parents, but it was actually Duan Jia Xu himself.
Her parents always like Duan Jia Xu but felt the problems that he had in the past with his family would be an issue with moving forward in their relationship. Duan Jia Xu was not to be deterred. After speaking with Shang Zi at the airport he understood and stated to her clearly his feelings and love for her.
Here is the following monologue from episode 24:
Shang Zhi: "Why did you drink? What's wrong? I'll get you something hot to drink."
Duan Jia Xu: "Why did you wake up?"
Shang Zhi: "Are you in a bad mood?"
Duan Jia Xu: "I think I treat you badly."
Shang Zhi: "When did you treat me badly? Is it because of what I said to you at the airport today? I told you because I just wanted you to know. Since you didn't know before, that's why I wanted to tell you. But I didn't want you to feel...You treat me very well. Whether it's the past or now, you still treat me well. It's true."
Duan Jia Xu: "Shang Zhi, I love you. I'm sorry, Zhi. I've said this too late. Over the years, I know I've made you sad. It was your unwavering dedication that made me realize that I'm not good enough. My imperceptive or indecisiveness. None of it was good. But for these shortcomings, I'll try my best to make it up to you for every day we spend together. Zhi, I won't forget the choice you made. I love you, Shang Zhi."
What else can you say after that? Oh, I do.... they lived happily ever after! The End!
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All time favorite Drama
Firstly, I watched this drama, because of ZLS, however, the Male Lead CZY acting is superb. Both acting is very alive, can see their emotion in their eyes.Storey is perfect, the acting is perfect, and the music is also very much entertaining.
I can't find any defect in the drama.
I am really sad, Finally, it is over. I hope I can watch it a little longer.
This drama gives me a lot of emotion and comfort. Not only DJX and SZ characters are perfect, but San Yan's support and the chemistry between Little Sis and bro code are also lovely.
I really forward to seeing San Yan's story, (Hopefully, Victor Ma will come back as San Yan).
PS. Even San Yan is perfect.
Totally Love it.
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One of the best drama I've ever watched
Of course I don't watch every dramas that are airing(I don't have enough time and probably this is my last drama this year ), but this one is really great, I just can relate having first crush .... getting butterflies and many things with sang zhi ,I started watching it after a long exhausting week......it's really refreshing and energetic you'll smile without noticing through the entire series..... I've never finished any cdrama (except "who rules the world") specially xinxia or modern cdramas always get boring after 11-12th episodes
As a hardcore kdrama fan I don't like most of the silly cdramas, I got into it cause of lusi and for a dopamine boost and it's worth watching ..............I'm surprised how I didn't skip a single second!!!!!!
Chen zheyuan and Zhao lusis chemistry is now my favourite....... can't get enough of the series......it will make you curl like worm ........soo much cute and a mature relationship at the same time.......
For the haters who are saying that the ml is pervert then let me tell you, we're seeing this story from sang zhi's perspective so it's normal to fantasize the normal things when your crush do this.....
Don't listen to the haters just go for this masterpiece
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Cool water on a hot day
Let me just start by saying that this drama is not for everyone. This is a typical coming-of-age drama and if that's not your thing, you may find the plot not to your liking.I think the crew did a great job in delivering this drama. It's very lighthearted, very warm, and most of all, very relatable. This is the appeal of coming-of-age and this drama exploited it beautifully to deliver a very charming series that I quickly fell in love with. Walking with Sang Zhi in her simple little world was such a pleasant and heartwarming experience.
The only reason I didn't give this a ten is because the plot felt just a little bit weak, but it was barely noticeable so this does deserve a 10.
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"Cant tell you, so that you wont think im weird" Thats why its HIDDEN LOVE.
This must be the best cdrama of 2023 yet for me. I always love ZLS and she deliver it and left no crumbs on the other hand, CZY is a great actor, he's too sexy and foxy as DJX. I cant tell everything because I want you to watch the series right now!! For someone like a cdrama and a drama critic like me, this is really really good. Trust me! Some of you may not like their first meeting but its getting really interesting. Their relationship is the best of all the best. So realistic. Hope you find DJX in your life and a SZ in your lifetime. ❤️Was this review helpful to you?
Perfect cast
They put together the two strongest actors and it ended up giving sizzling chemistry.Lusi is beautiful and super talented and she is wonderfully different as per the age change of Zhi. But that was no surprise since she never disappoints.
CZY deserves so much appreciation for this role because his face is super expressive. His eyes holds so much power, they communicate thousand emotions. Also these two look like a heavenly dream together.
Special shout out to Victor for being great Sang Yan because he made everything more fun.
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A love story, told with simplicity and feelings.
What a lovely story, totally relatable and delivered with heart felt dialogues. The cast is great and so pleasing to the eye, especially the male lead, his glances speak volume. The background music, songs are just right. It is not a drama only for the fandom, but a genuine piece of work suitable for many. It took me back to my school age, there are similarities in events and feelings. The awkwardness, silent hopes and wishes, school work, study, fights and yet protection between siblings. Then comes the growing up, the process and responsibilities, I am half way through the drama and wish it would never end.Was this review helpful to you?
Best Cdrama ever
This is the first time I am writing review for any drama. This drama holds a very special place in my heart, even though it doesn't have any of the usual tropes that I normally like. The actors did a great job and the whole drama is the biggest green flag. Loved every single second of it.Zhao Lusi portrayed her role so cutely. I loved Sang Zhi's family especially her relationship with her brother is so funny, adorable and downright real. Her mom was so pretty and totally matched the mother-daughter duo. She had great friends/roomates in university. Chen Zhe Yuan as Duan Jia Xu stole my heart. Despite the hardships he faced, he grew up to be the most loveable, considerate and kind gentleman. Men like him don't exist in real life. He's the best thing about the show and the biggest green flag male lead ever. I fell in love with him right along with Sang Zhi through every little acts of his kindness.
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A cute love story that we all dream of
This was one of the most perfect c-dramas I have ever watched. Watching this felt like a smooth glide on the ice rink with a lot giggles, laughs and cries. It is just a really enjoyable drama and fully fulfilled my desire for a cute love story.The story is wonderful. The conflicts were resolved well and everything felt pretty logical and not out of the blue. I was really curious on how the main couple's relationship would develop and it was done really well. I liked how even with the age lead of the main couple, they showed a great deal of balance in their relationship, which is something I was a bit worried about before starting the show.
All of the actors did a fantastic job, especially the main leads. I feel like Zhao Lusi really encapsulated Sang Zhi both when she was in high school and in college. I honestly don't think I could have thought of anyone who would have done a better job than her. Chen Zheyuan was also amazing. My favorite part of his acting was definitely his eyes. His eyes are really expressive and he did so well expressing all sorts of emotions.
The music used in the drama fit very well. They are have a sort of fresh and youthful vibe to them, which is exactly what this drama's overall vibe is.
I would definitely rewatch this drama anytime I'm craving a cute love story!
Overall, this drama is just really enjoyable and very fun!
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Great watch. A drama that'll make your heart flutter.
First things first, If you are someone who enjoys romcom, then this is THE drama for you.A little Background here:
Starting off 2023 with dramas like The Glory, The good Bad Mother (and having watched Youth of May, recently), I was just browsing MDL for a good Romcom, and I stumbled upon this drama & fell head over heels in love with it. If you read the drama synopsis on MDL, it doesn't sound very appealing, as the theme feels somewhat cliché, something very commonly seen in Cdramas, but what really caught my attention was the rating ... ahem... it was 9.1 (while it was AIRING. Yes, you read it right).
....and that's how this drama entered the 'currently watching' tab in my watchlist.
Coming to my thoughts about the drama:
Acting: I've never seen any dramas of these actors, but after watching it, my final thoughts are that they've done a freaking good job. CZY, Luci, Victor, they were just fantastic . I was touched by seeing the acting of CZY and Luci in the segment where she flew down to Yihe , to tell Jia Xu about her crushing over him since high school ; it was an emotional scene beautifully executed by them. It made me go' aww....' . Another scene when Jia Xu's dad passed away & the cemetery scene, they did such a good job (my eyes welled up every time Jia Xu cried , amazing performance by CZY).
Plot: Like I mentioned earlier, the theme isn't something out of the blue, but the way the story was tied up, just brilliant. Its a novel adaptation (which I haven't read YET), so cant compare the two, but looking at he end result, feels like they did a pretty good job. I absolutely loved the character development of Sang Zi, Jia Xu and Sang Yan. It was amazing witnessing their character growth and the process of maturing to adults, capable of taking important life decisions & also, I really enjoyed Sang Yan and Sang Zi's shenanigans throughout the drama.
I think this line is very apt for describing the drama: (Sang Zi's lines from the last episode)
"It is the story of 22 year old Jia Xu to 22 year old Sang Zi"
So, the bottom line is: If you love Rom-coms, and are looking for some heart fluttering moments & a drama that gives you butterflies 🦋 and a good chunk of laughter, this is IT.
& even if that doesn't convince you, how about CZY & his chiseled jawline ?
A solid 10 /10.
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