The FL is boring
I dropped this drama after finishing the 18th episode. I had surprisingly no problems with the plot and thought they executed the age gap at the beginning pretty well. It didn't feel weird when the FL and the ML got together because you could tell she matured. The thing that drew me away from this drama though was the FL. She's portrayed as super innocent and her personality is just meh. I found myself really bored with her character. She always had this look on her face when he did anything that made it seem like she didn't even like him. The plot was more cozy than exciting so it was pretty much the character's job to carry the show but the FL just missed the mark for me. If the FL had more personality I could've seen myself really enjoying this drama.Was this review helpful to you?
watched it for the leads
literally forced to put 1 for rewatch value although this drama deserves a 0.this story plot is the worst. certain scenes were extremely uncomfortable and cringe to watch.
one reason was that FL keeps calling ML 老哥哥, while ML keeps calling FL 小朋友. even though 6 / 5 years age gap is not that big, but the way the drama keeps using these two terms made it felt like a 12 years age gap and it felt really uncomfortable to watch.
however that being said, i especially enjoy the ost!!
literally only watched this drama for the two leads , zhao lu si and chen zhe yuan!! it is a pity that such great cast was for such a horrible drama. i almost could not finish it and had to take a break from it.
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Zhao LS is the MFL
I started watching it because of ZLS. The story line just got too tedious after a while so i stopped.Acting was mediocre and the story line definitely not exciting. There's no twists nor suspense to keep me looking forward to the next episode. Even the "chemistry" between the leads were at best acting rather than genuine connection.
I was re-watching previous episodes because I kept losing track of the story. If there was any story. And whatever the story line was about, the details went from creepy initially to cringy. After a while I stopped because the details didn't matter.
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The Secret Crush Of A Teenage Girl
I'm usually not a fan of C-dramas, especially if it's an adaptation of Manhua but this one is really good. Some scenes in the drama may be different from the novel+manhua but it still doesn't change the storyline or the mood. The main lead actors really suit the characters. Others say the male lead actor doesn't resemble the Duan Jiaxu but I think he does. And Zhao Lusi matches Sang Zhi a lot, mostly because of her cute nature. She can definitely show how Sang Zhi acted when she was worried by Jiaxu. I have seen many people not want to watch drama simply because of the age gap but honestly, it's only 5 years. The male lead does not fall for her until she's in university. People mistook him as flirting with her when she was younger but he was teasing her as a little sister. Jiaxu's story is told after she's in university and is also the reason why she felt more sympathy for him. Overall, you guys should definitely watch the drama and Manhua!Was this review helpful to you?
DUAN JIAXU IS HOT
Chen Zhe Yuan is handsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He's charming, he's sexy af and he had peak rizz in this drama. HE IS THAT GEGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. so watch iti don' t have anything else to say but its a min of 500 characters. so here is this. Blahblahblah duan jiaxu is sexy af he is so hot my brain melted off, I had to call911 cause he was too hot. Sangzhi don’t even know how hot her mans is. Bro is so hot we need him off the planet for climate change, he’s so goddamn handsome that handsome is chen zhe yuan in the dictionary. Bro has so much rizz he charms himself when he looks in the mirror
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This review may contain spoilers
Romance drama!
*This drama is full on ROMANCE, even the comedy is lacking and I can’t compare to Korean drama because this one doesn’t even has the same atmospheric tone like Korean drama, in KDrama where’s there Romance, there’s also a top-notch extra-bonus for the audience to enjoy, this one…. I don’t see, but CDrama can really do well when it comes to historical romance.* I only watch this drama because of the casting of Zen Li and Zhao Lusi collaborate again after LOVE LIKE THE GALAXY drama (also mother-daughter character) plus Zen Li so gorgeous (too bad her appearance in the drama so little to be seen), I love her… apart from that I’m not a fan of a teenage girl and a mid-20s guy love story…
* Zhao Lu Si star power worth every shot of her acting while Chen Zhe Yuan still lacking his skill especially emotional moments.
* it’s a very intimate relationship between a 19years old girl and a 26 years old guy already sound very fishy but totally popular in today’s society (also in the drama he’s 24 when he started having feelings for FL who is 17years)
*The death of his mother was not shown (only tell)
*The ML relationship with Jiang Ying was never shown what really happened between them that made the result that she attached to him, as we can see in the flash back she hate and despise him then what’s give?
* The small envelope the FL insert inside his wallet was never mentioned nor shown again
* The plot/storyline so realistic and relatable indeed but the only thing that’s so exaggerate and very unrealistic was the fact that the FL instantly became very matured & responsible when she became 19years old with a mind of a 30 years old woman, she maybe change because of ML charismatic, kind, humble and modesty character but do you really think a spoiled girl from a rich family can easily change because of love? that’s fairy tale story but anyway it’s a C-drama so what’s not impossible.
*The supporting characters (ML/FL friends) was only there as an extended part or to helped moved the plot forward in the drama apart from that it seems no one cares what’s going on in their decision moment & their development in life, they are like NPC (just like the ML gaming job LOL).
In conclusion, this drama worth watching it, it shows that Love can happen to anyone doesn't matter how old are you and it can make a person so crazy especially in decision making and confidence.
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A Love That Cannot Be Replaced❤️❤️
I don’t even know how many times I’ve rewatched Hidden Love, but every single time, it feels like I’m falling in love all over again. This drama isn’t just a story — it’s a dreamland I go back to whenever I need comfort, warmth, or hope.Duan Jiaxu and Sang zhi will always have a special place in my heart. Their love is so tender, patient, and pure , the kind of romance that makes you really believe in destiny. I don’t see them as actors; to me, they are Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu. The way he protects her, and the way she grows into herself while still holding onto that innocent love, it just feels magical. And Sang Yan — his humor and brotherly energy bring so much life to the story. The whole cast feels like family, and I honestly can’t imagine anyone else in these roles.
The OST is amazing too. Every song fits the story so perfectly. Sometimes I just play the music and I’m right back in that world.
Hidden Love is irreplaceable for me. No matter how many new dramas I watch, nothing will ever take away what Sang Zhi, Duan Jiaxu, Sang Yan, and the rest of the cast gave me. They created a golden love story that will always stay at the top of my heart.
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On Perpetual Replay
One of my all-time favorites—I’ve rewatched it four times. For K-dramas, it’s Hospital Playlist that sits on my eternal watchlist— for C-dramas, this one takes that spot.Absolutely loved Zhao Lusi—she was brilliant. Really enjoyed Victor Ma’s characterization of Sang Yan, and I loved the brother-sister dynamic with Sang Zhi. I also loved how they humanized Jiaxu, making him paradoxical and real rather than perfect: innocent-looking but sly, naughty with just the right amount of kink— even lying to his best friend for his own gain. The plot is refreshingly realistic, far from typical tropes.
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best drama of 2023
I loved this drama I rewatch so many times on Netflix
Dream is to see them together again in a drama
On 12 episodes. Don't find it entertaining so stopped. I like Xu Kai and Esther and Wan Peng but it is boring
Xu Kai is very funny and Esther also very good to watch but it could be that I haven't watched the other dramas in the series struggling understanding the plot. I have not played the games so could be a reason. I am watching Part 4 which have also stopped watching but liked that drama more ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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The only thing that really bothered me was the beginning, where they cast a younger version of the female lead but not of the male lead. The age difference between them was 5 years, but it felt more like at least 10.
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Chen Zheyuan and Zhao Lusi literally ATE their roles <3
Broooo this show has had me kicking my feet the whole time 😭 like why was it actually SO CUTE?? Duan Jiaxu was out here being the most perfect man alive, literal green flag behaviour every episode. And Sang Zhi?? My girl carried the entire soft-girl aesthetic, she was adorable without being annoying. The plot is kinda simple but in the best way it’s literally just pure vibes, sweet moments, and that slow burn that makes you wanna scream at your screen. And the chemistry?? HELLOOOOO. Every time they looked at each other I swear the air changed. Not even gonna lie, some scenes were so fluffy I had to pause just to process. And the OST?? hits actually too hard. Overall i would say that its a 10/10 comfort show. Makes you believe men like that exist (they don’t, but we can dream). Chen Zheyuan and Zhao Lusi did amazing at their characters <3 Like actually, they understood the assignment SO WELL. Chen Zheyuan was the perfect mix of soft, warm, protective boyfriend energy every look he gave?? instant heart attack. And Zhao Lusi brought that cute-but-strong energy that made Sang Zhi feel real, not cringey. Their chemistry was insane, like you could FEEL it through the screen. They made every tiny moment even just standing next to each other feel like a whole scene. Honestly, without them the show wouldn’t hit the same. They carried in the most respectful way possible <3Was this review helpful to you?
interesting plot, sweet chemistry, but inconsistent
I understand the hype around this drama just from watching the first few episodes. It definitely has a unique essence in its plot of including age gap in the story. I initially found the series cute, although, for me, it didn't maintain its consistency. Some parts felt a bit boring and slow. There were also scenes that were overly sweet, to the point where they felt forced. That said, I have to commend the production for casting Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan as Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu because their chemistry is excellent. Overall, Hidden Love is a great drama.Was this review helpful to you?
