Hidden Love (2023)

Pure, Wholesome, 10/10

I love that this drama did not have unnecessary drama and focused on the main couple. Their development was splendid and their moments are super cute. Zhe yuan and Lu si look really good together and their acting was great too The story is relatively simple though I did enjoy Jia xu's backstory and the drama of it, but it's alright this is still an extremely wholesome romance telling of two great characters.
The OSTs are also really good. Wang Su Long and Lu si's duet was so sweet and Ma Bo Qian (sang yan)'s vocals??? SO GOOD
10/10 recommend for those who just want a lil fluff in their life HAHA

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This kind of drama is like enjoying a cup of hot chocolate and some smores... MUST WATCH!!!

As the title suggests "Hidden Love," it revolves around hidden affection for someone. I appreciate the natural acting and the overall mellowness of the drama, creating a cozy atmosphere like enjoying a cup of hot chocolate and some smores.

Initially, I was hesitant about the love story, given that the female lead grew up with the male lead, starting at the age of 14. It felt a bit awkward, even though the male lead didn't romantically see her at that time. However, as the episodes progressed, I realized that the female lead also felt the same way. The one-sided love seemed hopeless and awkward, especially considering they had known each other since her adolescent years and he was in his early uni/college years

I won't give away too many spoilers, but it's worth watching as the drama unfolds and evokes genuine emotions (likeee GENUINE)

This drama struck a chord with me, particularly as someone with little to no romance in real life. It beautifully captures the essence of one-sided love, making it a must-watch for those who enjoy heartfelt stories.

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Proving Zhao Lu Si's acting genius, once again

This show has set the bar for Asian dramas for me.
Realistic, sweet, funny, heartbreaking, bittersweet and romantic.
The actors who play the FL and ML are brilliant. The connection between the two is amazing. The interactions are so natural and charming that it looks like entire scenes were ad-libbed by the actors. I wouldn't be surprised. The scenes between the FL and her brother are the same -- completely natural and adorable. The subtle physical comedy that Zhao is able to do, playing off her costars into those scenes is amazing. Just a few tiny examples: the wedding scene with her brother when they're at the table - the look they give each other while they're clapping; her expressions with the missed kiss at the skating rink. Whenever she watches the ML do something, her expressions of confusion are hilarious. I haven't mentioned the actor playing the ML yet, but he did beautifully in this drama too. The ML is roguish, loveable, heartbreaking. Will watch this again.
Special mention to the actor that plays the brother. He made his character hilarious. And the child actress: brilliant. Hope she is in a lot more shows.

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It weirdly works!

OVERALL
If you 1) are looking for a FL-likes-ML-first love story, 2) are into the older-guy, younger-girl trope, 3) like when FL is "innocent", and 4) can get over the fact that ML and FL meet when she' s a minor (and played by an actress who looks like she's 10), then this drama is right up your alley. If any of the above bother you...maybe still give it a try? It worked for me!

THE STORY
So, not going to lie, the premise of this drama is everything I hate. I'm really not into stories where the FL pathetically pines for the ML for 2/3 of the drama, I don't like FLs that are "innocent" (because 9/10 times, they're just childish and immature), and I'm not particularly into the older-guy/younger-girl trope. The only reason why I decided to give this drama a try is because of the controversy (it had pretty polarized reviews on YT). I wanted to see what everyone was talking about.

The main issue people had brought up is that FL starts out looking like a literal YOUNG child (definitely younger than the 14 she is supposed to be), while ML is the main actor (so adult actor), and it feels very wrong to see any scene between then two or imagine them getting together later on. Giving these comments, I was expecting something huge. But while it was off-putting, it wasn't that bad, imo. These scenes with the child actress are just a few flashbacks, and it's just FL liking ML (not the other way around), so...I just took at as a silly girl doing her thing.

I'm not going to say this is the drama of the year. The plot is very basic (almost a non-plot, revolving entirely around FL's unrequited feelings for ML...until they stop being unrequited), and the core of the story (a girl crushing over some guy for years) remains something I'm just not a fan of. But I was truly pleasantly surprised by some aspects of this show:

- First, FL is thankfully not the childish/immature type of "innocent" girl. I think the writers did a good job of giving her a bit of character, a bit of youthfulness, a bit of maturity. She feels very 3D and likeable.
- The writers also did pretty well in cutting out the pining, so FL doesn't look that obsessed with ML and her unrequited love is easier to swallow
- While I had trouble buying that FL started loving ML as a pre-teen (just looked liked admiration to me, like when girls become fans of idols), I liked how the drama shows ML finding out he likes FL and the extent to which she loves him. Overall, the relationship between the two is also very sweet and caring, and rooted in respect. It's a bit cringey sometimes, but on the good side of cringe.
- The secondary characters are all pretty cool additions to the show (which is rare, they're usually useless and annoying). I LOVED the relationship between FL and her brother, as well as FL and her parents. ML's friends were fun too!
- The ending scene is honestly the funniest innovation of a common cliché ever. I loved it!
- Finally, the overall vibes of the show are totally my style. No childish quirks or annoying music. Feels more mature and raw.

Bottom line: I didn't expect to enjoy this drama and I did, so if you're like me, just give it a try!

THE ACTING
Good, all around. I love Zhao Lusi. Nothing else to say haha ML was also pretty impressive, and it was my first time seeing him. The child actress was great too (but she did look WAY too young for the part). On the chemistry department...it was okay. Could have been better, imo, if the writing focused a bit less on FL's age and her being young.

THE MUSIC
Alright, I guess, though nothing I'd listen to on my own!

REWATCH VALUE
Oh, it's high. I've already rewatched it once (with some skipping, I won't lie, but still)!

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Feels like youth all over again

Hidden Love was my first ever introduction to C-drama's and I like that I was able to pick a good one it really made me have the feels, love shivers, and nostalgia of youth if you are into rom-com or romance in general this show is one of the best one I would even say for beginners for drama's in general though the episode count may look scary at first it worth the time these are those drama that make you want to watch what would happen next and make you sit back down when you want to stop that feeling of anticipation of what's going to happen wtih the characters make you want to continue and not stop I cried a few times and maybe so many others but its a drama worth picking up and finishing and something to watch when you are bored and need a bit of energy.

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You'll need a lot of tissues ??

Such an amazing drama, really recommend you watch it.Zhao lusi and Chen zheyuan have such good chemistry in the bts. such an emotional drama too. lovely, overall tbh. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️?❤️?❤️??❤️?❤️?❤️???❤️?❤️?❤️??❤️?❤️?❤️?❤️❤️?❤️?❤️?❤️❤️❤️❤️?❤️?❤️?❤️?❤️????????????????????❤️?❤️?❤️?❤️?❤️?❤️?❤️❤️?❤️??❤️??❤️?❤️?❤️?❤️?❤️?❤️?❤️?❤️?❤️?❤️?❤️????????????????❤️??❤️?❤️??If your still reading this then love you so much!!!!!!!!!!

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“the distance between us was only five years, but you’re worth the time”

This film is such a youthful and light watch! I absolutely adore the aesthetic and the casting was truly incredible. I held off this film, but I’m glad I finished it as it made me feel butterflies and nostalgia for a happy ending. I like that the ml waited for her and though he might’ve not knew it at the time, he always WANTED to be there for her and see her grow through the years of adolescence. No matter what role, he wanted to be there in her life. He also said that he wanted to be her boyfriend, not he wanted her to be his girlfriend and I start to crumble whenever the ml says that (its the little things that count ?).

Overall would recommend for if you want a feel-good cdrama. Though there were many obstacles, they always found their way back to each other, so if you want a happy ending and “always meant to be” genre, it’s perfect for you!

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this show is an absolute watch and rewatch

this show is one of my absolute favourite cdramas of all time no matter how many times I watch it I fall in love with it all over again. the concept of the whole show was that friendship and family
scenes were well portrayed and the roles were played by amazing actors, especially by my top faves zhou Lusi and Chen Zheyuan, my endgame throughout the show.
if you are looking for a sweet heartfelt show I highly recommend this. and if you are trying to get into cdramas this is also a recommended watch. (I was skeptical about the age gap but it did not disappoint).

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Overall a very cute romance drama about a girl falling in love with her brother's friend.

Although I really loved the show and their romance there are still some flaws. I feel like the beginning, where she was still in school was a bit long. Also there were some cringe moments, like when FL heard that ML has a girlfriend and flew all the way to his hometown at a ver young teenage age. A bit unrealistic.

Their romance really had me giggling all the time but after they got together I feel like it became a little dragged. There was very little story progress after that.

It could definitely be some episodes shorter but still very cute

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Job done !

It was the first time I watched a Cdrama so no other Cdrama to compare to… And I have to say that enjoyed it most of the time.

On one (negative) hand, it was for me a typical Romance drama with classic storyline, no surprise, no plot twist (« they lived happily ever after »).
And sometimes too slow and boring (I admit I sometimes used fast forward button).

One the other (positive) hand, you get what you expect from a Romance drama : a love story without (a lot of) troubles (there is the ML’s father story but it isn’t much compares to real life), a happy ending (again « they lived happily ever after »).
A sweet, adorable and heartwarming drama with a beautiful chemistry between lead characters, cute and tender moments of romance and a funny relationship between siblings.

About acting, I didn’t know Zhao Lu Si (FL) before and I liked her acting (made me want to see more cdramas she stars in).
I also liked Chen Zhe Yuan (ML) and Victor Ma (FL’s brother) acting, they were great too.

I really appreciated the directing that allow actors to portray characters in a very natural way !!

I liked the OST and it was a good surprise to find out that Zhao Lu Si is also a great singer. I’ve added 2 or 3 songs to my Drama playlist.

Finally, yes I understand some people could find this drama too cheesy, unrealistic and a bit boring. But from my point of view, it met expectations of « sweet & adorable » Romance drama (if I’d wanted to see real slice of life drama, I’d have prefer My mister, Lost, My liberation notes or similar dramas…)

To summary, if you need heartwarming feelings and butterflies in your life, this drama is made for you.

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