My experience
I was Zheyuan's fan. Last year in June I heard rumors about #ChenZheyuan & #ZhaoLusi will be starred together in a drama called Hidden Love. I was so excited because of this.
Finally when they started shooting I couldn’t wait for the drama. I wanted to know the story so I started reading the novel "Secretly Secretly But Unable To Hide It". I found the story interesting. Somehow I had the feeling #HiddenLove would be a hit drama.I like #ChenZheyuan that's why i was eagerly waiting for #HiddenLove. I earlier watched #ZhaoLusi's works so I knew that she was a wonderful actress. She would slay as #SangZhi. My fingers were crossed. Hoping best for the drama. I was waiting for #HiddenLove from last year. I kept all updates so when it was confirmed that it was coming in June. I was like finally I can see #ChenZheyuan & #ZhaoLusi together. After seeing the drama I felt it was worth waiting for a year.Nowadays when I see people’s positive reviews somehow I feel proud. From the very beginning, I knew #HiddenLove would be a hit drama & Finally It's happening. People are loving #ChenZheyuan & #ZhaoLusi chemistry.
This was my story 😉💙
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(In my best Yoda voice) “Feel the Love!”
Once in awhile a show comes along that just tells a simple story really well. No fuss, no unproductive theatrics, just the basics.This show is all about the love story between a handsome dude and a beautiful girl 5 years his junior. Their association started when the girl was in junior high and she developed a crush on him when he was introduced as his older brother’s roommate in college. The ML played the "brotherly" role for years until the FL comes of age and he started to have romantic feelings for her. That’s how the show portrayed his side of the story and we shall leave it at that.
The Show took its time to recount their early meetings and how the girl crushed hard on him and going through all the highs and lows of an unrequited love. The Show really hits its stride when they meet again by chance after the FL finished high school and went to a college in the city where the ML is working. Their chemistry is a sight to behold.
As I mentioned in other reviews, in a romance drama, you want to ship the OTP and watch them overcome adversities and fight foes arm in arm. More often than not, dramas will have them fighting each other due to some weak plot twist and go through a breakup or two just to "spice things up". I am thankful that the writer heard my prayers and there is none of that in this show.
Instead, there are lots of playful teasing and plenty of heart fluttering moments and bonus skinship. Their deep love for each other should be distilled and bottled for sale. There are challenges but they are handled with aplomb by our OTP. The writer seems to have gone out of her way to collect all manners of relationship challenges and then set about resolving them in the most positive ways. Each obstacle serves to reaffirm their love and make their relationship stronger. There is little fuss and definitely nothing can come between these two lovebirds. There are no real antagonists and a circle of good friends cheer them on. This type of honest yet heartfelt love story is rare in today’s dramaland. I, for one, give thanks.
The leads are perfect for their roles. ZLS was born to play the lead. I believe this is her first high school drama and she did it with ease. She looks cute and vulnerable in her high school scenes. She then blossomed into a beautiful and radiant young woman in her college years. This goes double after she is in a committed relationship. CZY is handsome and showed a lot more maturity in his role. He played the big brother role well but his take on a devoted boyfriend is next level. He is loving but respectful and always caring. He will make any girl swoon. Their scenes are always worth watching and their chemistry is off the chart. You can really feel their love and commitment especially in later scenes when their resolve is tested.
However, it is not a perfect show. the FL uses a breathless, higher pitched voice when she was playing her younger self and it can be unpleasant to the ears at times. Most of the support casts are from central casting. Their subplots are largely superfluous.
Hidden Love is a sweet, fluffy romance with little angst and few stress points. It is not going to win any awards but this is a show that you can rewatch with guilty pleasure. If you have Romantics Anonymous on speed dial, then you will be doing a happy dance. However, If you want to watch a show with complex plots and matching level of angst and intrigue, then you should have stopped watching 24 episodes ago.
For me, this show has a permanent spot on my rewatch list.
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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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"Moonlight stars in your eyes, never knew the shine would light up my whole life"
AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!! Trying hard to be coherent because I just finished watching THE MOST AMAZING SHOW EVERRRRRR!!!!Okay, okay. (Deep breath) So.
Acting, music, cinematography, story, pacing = 10, 10, 10, 10 ,10 ,and more 10.
Honestly, I'm in love. This show is perfection.
Story:
The FL meets the ML when she's 14 years old. He is her older brother's college roommate.
Within moments of meeting him she conns ("cutes") him into pulling a caper with her, to get her out of trouble at school. Endeared, he goes along with her scheme.
They see each other periodically as time goes on. She falls in deep crush with him. He is endeared by her, and treats her very well, like a kind and protective older brother.
When she's a freshman in college they get the chance to spend more time together.
He falls in love. She's still in love. They live happily ever after.
That's the plot summary, without too much detail or spoilers.
(I'll add a more detailed summary with spoilers at the last part of this review.)
There is some deeply emotional content in this story, related to the difficult past of the ML. But it's sad, not toxic. In fact, this show has almost no toxicity (aside from a minor character with very little screen time).
It's hard to call this a "feel-good" romance, due to the emotional (gut wrenching) impact of what the ML has had to overcome. Some of those scenes flattened me. But! The romance itself is very sweet. The family and friends surrounding the ML and FL are sweet. And the ending is definitely sweet. So there's that.
The music is fantastic. Two of the songs are going into my playlist asap.
The pacing of the story was great. I didn't feel bored. The story did not drag. Everything was seamless.
(Kudos to Zhao Lu Si. I saw her in "Dating the Kitchen" where she pulled off a sneaky, sweet, and hilarious character, as well as in "Feel at ease Mr. Ling" where she's a bold, take no prisoners, strong FL. What she gives us here in "Hidden Love" is something completely different from what I'd seen before and she pulls it off to perfection. )
What I loved about the story (beware of spoilers!!!!):
* The brother/sister relationship of the FL with her older brother.
There's nothing new about the antagonism (friendly...mostly lol) between older brother/younger sister. He "bullies" and she takes full advantage, etc.
But this show pulled it off to perfection. They had me on the floor in the first 20 minutes of episode 1 with how they went at each other. Adorable and extremely funny.
The parts where the older brother sticks up for her (90% of those times are on the sly) are heartwarming.
He is very protective of her and cares for her deeply.
I just loved them.
* The non-toxicity of the side characters.
This includes the parents. They handle their concerns regarding the FL/ML romantic relationship in the best possible way. They are such supportive parents. And genuinely good people.
Also, the friends. Both the FL and the ML have a terrific groups of friends.
In particular, the FL has this one college roommate who falls in deep crush with a fellow classmate. Said classmate initially pursues our FL (she rejects him). In other dramas this would have called for the roommate to turn vicious, catty, etc. etc.
She did not. Despite knowing that her crush was crushing on her friend, she continued to be a kind, true friend to our FL and I love that for them both.
There is one toxic side character, from the ML's past. I don't excuse her at all. But an explanation for her behavior is given. The matter is resolved. And her screen time is limited. (Her impact on the ML is significant and their relationship is a very long one, but it's 98% in his past and not shown on-screen.)
*No second male lead or second female lead. The story doesn't call for it so I'm happy we didn't get any interlopers just for added drama.
* How kind the ML and FL are.
They are both genuinely nice, good people.
Their instinct is to help others.
It's just so nice to see good people on screen :))
*How unspoiled the ML and FL are.
His past is beyond heartbreaking. Given what's he's been through , and is still shouldering, it would make sense for him to be cold or uncaring. But he's not. His heart in open and unspoiled.
The FL is the baby of the family, spoiled and cherished by her parents and and older brother. Her upbringing has been comfortable, with no hardships. One might expect her to be self-centred, demanding, or weak. She is none of those things. Her heart is open and true. She is strong in her convictions, and not afraid of working hard to follow them. She is ready to give to others, and make sacrifices. She is a very kind and selfless person. Utterly unspoiled.
*The caring and devotion of the ML and FL to one another.
No matter which part of their story we see, back when she's a young teen up to when they're both adults and dating, these two will go out of their way to care for each other and make the other happy. It could cost them a little, a lot, or nothing. But their first instinct is always to care for the other. It's beautiful to see.
*How the ML treats the FL.
This here is the ultimate. The core of why I adored this show so much. Why it touched me so deeply.
So, when we meet the ML and FL she is 14 years old (a very young 14) and he is 19.
He's an only child, mature beyond his years, who is carrying a very heavy burden- both financial and emotional.
Yet he takes on the "older brother" role as if he were born to it.
He meets this young girl. With one sentence she manages to endear him. So he decides to help her get out of trouble at school, despite the time/effort it costs him or the potential blowback that might fall on him.
Every subsequent time he meets her, he goes out of his way to be nice to her. Giving her little gifts, making sure she is taken care of and comfortable, solving problems that are beyond her, sparing her embarrassment, and encouraging her. He spends thought, heart, time, and money (which he has very little of) on her. Completely selflessly. Waaaay before they ever start dating and he falls in love.
What struck me was how intuitive he was. There were time when he understood her, and took care of her, better than her actual brother did. It was incredible to see, how kind and caring he was, and how innately he understood her.
Then they started dating.
Now, at this point in time, he's out of college, is 24/25 years old, been working for 2 years. In other words, a fully grown adult.
While she is a college freshman, just getting her toes wet.
And he knows this!!!
Consistently, he behaves in ways to make sure that she gets the full experience of youthful "first love". Though he can't actually be her campus sweetheart he promises her (and follows through!) on giving her as many "first young love" moments and milestones as possible.
He is infinitely patient, never demanding, and never patronizing.
He lets her set the pace of their relationship from day one, and he respects her and her choices!
1) He confesses to her, but tells her "let me pursue you", not "let me date you". This gives her the right to say when (and if) they actually become a couple.
2) Initially she is a bit overwhelmed with physical intimacy. As soon as she pulls back he makes sure to stop. She explains that she's nervous. Thereafter he tells her in advance whenever he wants to initiate any contact (even hand-holding) and gets her explicit consent before proceeding. (This stage doesn't last long; she overcomes her nerves pretty quickly, but it just goes to show (again!) how well he understands her, cares for her, and respects her.)
3) She knows how difficult his life has been and how heavy a burden he still carries. More than anything she wants to take care of him and protect him. In an effort to do so, she doesn't share with him two ongoing hardships that she is experiencing. Instead, she tells him everything is fine, in order to spare him. (And in order to prove that she is an adult, capable of handling her own problems.) When he finds out about everything he doesn't rush in to save her, despite desperately wanting to (though he does handle one of the issues that directly relate to his own past). Also, he doesn't blame her for not sharing, or coerce her (emotionally, guilt-tripping, or in any other way) into sharing more in the future. He just requests of her to lean on him more and to give him more of her trust. Very, very respectfully done.
4) He is never condescending. There are many times, in many ways, where we see that he is indeed five years older than her. There is a gap of life experience. Each and every time, he always waits on her, or takes a step back for her- coming down to her level. All the while never for a moment being condescending or superior. (I just love him!)
* The confession at the end of ep 23, and the beginning of ep 24.
They were both crying and I was crying along with them.
As soon as I finished the last episode I went back to rewatch those scenes... twice!
I'm an avid drama watcher (chinese, korean and english) but I seriously cannot recall any other show giving us a confession like this one. The emotional wallop!! I'm still in my feels hours later.
Rewatch value = 1000/10. (Seriously, I just finished 25 episodes of this and I'm ready to start again from 1 right away. I have NEVER had this happen before.)
So, yeah....I love this show.
And I hope you will too <3
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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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Innocent, Heartwarming, and Definitely A Hopeless Romantics Dream
I loved everything about this series! It's honestly such a feel good one, that'll leave you smiling and giddy with butterflies until the end.The chemistry between the leads is on fire. The story was perfect (in my opinion) as nothing was rushed and the transitions are seamless. The development of both characters individually and as one was also something I loved watching- their journey was sincerely heartwarming and heart fluttering. It's also big relief that there wasn't any real villains and angsty scenes- enjoyment was to the max! Plus, the bromance and sibling relationship in this is top notch and is honestly every little sisters dream. The circle friends of both male and female lead are also all amazing and very supportive. Honestly, this is such a sweet show that I'll probably never tire or re-watching.
Definitely a favorite of mine now!
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She's 17, and acting like a baby
Am I the only one who finds the girl's acting in the series as off??! She's 17 but acts like a 3 year old child, making it hard to buy into the on-screen relationship between the main leads. It feels like the guy is dating a kid, and her immature acting messes with the credibility of the show. She could do better by showing a more grown-up side that matches her character's age, which would have made the series more believable and enjoyable to watch!It's such a pity because the story and concept of the series is awesome, and also all cred to the rest of the actors who did an amazing job!
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What to expect from c dramas lol?
First of all I don’t watch Cdrama , cause it’s always silly kiddos , but about hidden love, everyone was taking about it , so I wanted to give it a try but what the heck?? I think the people who are planning to watch it based on it’s rating please don’t waste your time and ruin your mood , the people who are giving rating are 90% Chinese and all kids , it’s a drama for 13,14 years old kids literally, even when I was 14 I didn’t even watch this kinda silly things but its an another Chinese drama with 00 story , female leads acting is 00 ,the male leads acting was good but what’s the use?? The total drama is 00 🤦🏼♀️Was this review helpful to you?
Zhao Lusi being the FL is the only thing that has credibility in this drama
You already see a teenager in early age of 17th being so child? The directors appeal to this relationship to be weird is impressive. Disgusting to the point where only a pedophile drama can be. I'm not discrediting the actors I was sweetly impressed about the young actress, ML have their charm too, they could have gone a less problematic path but they decided to stick with the disgusting content of the novel, when you look at the whole context is just have no way may this be acceptable, come onWas this review helpful to you?
amazing show-Must watch
I dont know how many times i have watched this show , the chemistry, the acting , story, innocence of first love, music, songs everything about this show is just perfect. Must Must Must watch.Duan Jiaxu and Sang Zhi are beautiful together, the way she deals with his trauma, supports him in the difficult times and he being the greenest forest ever ...
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best asian drama ever
everything about this drama is good the acting the story the plot its very lovey dovey n light hearted it’s a ten for me only the pretty people get it, its interesting how u can see as the fl gets more mature throughout the show and how the ml shows his love for her, i do feel like they could’ve shown more moments of him getting to fall in love with her thoWas this review helpful to you?
