Hidden Love

Her first love and last love <3

This drama is honestly one of my absolute favorites. It's just so heartwarming and has the perfect amount of angst. It does have some cliche tropes, such as brother's best friend, but it honestly just works so well here. This drama was so comforting, and the love between Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu was just so:(( This drama made me cry and laugh so much, and it will forever be one of my absolute favorites. I love Sang Zhi's friends, and how they were there for her.

They were also some of her biggest cheerleaders. I absolutely adored this drama, and I sometimes go back and rewatch my favorite episodes. I also just love how shameless Duan Jiaxu was, and also the bickering between him, Sang Zhi, and Sang Yan. Sang Zhi and Sang Yan's sibling bond is just so:(( Sang Yan can come off as kind of harsh and as if he doesn't love Sang Zhi, but that is not the case at all. He is fiercely protective of her and dotes on her in his own way. Their sibling bond just made me sob my eyes out.

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The Perfect First CDrama

My family and I take turns choosing what to watch next. This was my choice and I'm so glad it was the first cdrama they watched with me. All of us were glued to the screen, giggling and kicking our feet. We cried with the characters and loved every second of this. I'm sure this is being added to the rewatch rotation.
The story was phenomenal, the acting was superb, and I got to open up a new world for my family. I've watched cdramas on my own for a while now, but this showed them a whole new genre.
Also - my crush on Victor Ma is not going anywhere anytime soon, lol.

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Makes you want to fall in love

This was my first cdrama and I'm really glad that it was. Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan are incredible as the leads. They do a fantastic job to convey the said and unsaid feelings between the two characters, and their acting and chemistry really added to the story.

I'll summarise my thoughts in a few bullet points.

The good
- Like the title says--this drama made me want to fall in love! The pure innocence of the first love, the longing and friendship between the two leads, and then the change to MORE...oof! It was so good!
- The acting was phenomenal. Whether it was the main leads or the siblings, or even the friendships on the side....I really enjoyed every dynamic. Shout out to the main leads, of course, and Sang Yan...these three always made for entertaining scenes.
- I really appreciated how the story was written when Sang Zhi is still a minor. I thought it was respectful of her feelings while also making it very clear that Duan Jiaxu didn't see her like that.
- I really enjoyed the episodes where they were both feeling each other out. I thought their banter was always top notch, and while Sang Zhi did get shy at times, she always gave back as good as she got. Their dynamic was delightful

The iffy
- While the age gap isn't actually that bad, the narrative itself remains inconsistent in how they deal with it, and the ages for their relationship aren't super appropriate. Even the writing seems to know that it's bad....until the birthday arc, it's unclear whether Sang Zhi is 19 or 20. Even Jiaxu "rounds her up" while downplaying his own age (which could conceivably be 23 until his birthday). The actual difference between them is more like 6 years, then, as we finally find out that turns 19 a short while before he turns 25. Possible? Yes. A bit yikes? Definitely.

That was my biggest holdup with this show. I was willing to suspend my disbelief about everything else, but not this. Considering Jiaxu was working in the video game industry, it would've been so easy to have Sang Zhi intern at his company in her final year. Or for her to be in grad school and do so. I understand a driving force for this was probably that the writers didn't want the main characters to date anyone else, but that's still possible for both of them if Jiaxu is still paying his debt off, and Sang Zhi is trying to forget her first love and focus on her studies. Either way!!! Sang Zhi was legally an adult but legally wasn't good enough for me. I would've preferred to suspend my disbelief about them having been single for so long, rather than the fact that he starts liking her as soon as she's legal (a fact everyone keeps emphasising is okay).

__

If you ignore that last point, however, the show is wholesome and sweet. The two characters are otherwise evenly matched and support each other equally, which I really liked. It wasn't just the older guy looking out for Sang Zhi. The scenes where she defends him are some of my favourite.

Would definitely rewatch. In fact, I went back and did just that last night after binging the show over a couple days!

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Amazing

I really loved this show. I've actually watched 2 times in a short period of time. The first few episodes were extremely cringe worthy with Lusi trying to act like a teenager. But actually the way that she was acting seemed more like a fifth grader or something. It was just really weird, but once you get to episode 8, where she's in college, it starts getting more. Interesting and less cringy and then it becomes a beautiful love story. Her voice in this show is reallt babyish and annoying though i will say that. Ive watched her in many other shows and i dont remember her talking like that.

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May be a minority

Definitely prefers the novel and audio drama way over live action. I really like the story plot of Hidden Love. Hence, a little disappointed on the live adaptation.

Not sure why, but I feel the drama does not give off the same feelings and emotions as compared to other adaptations. May be a little too kiddish to watch. Definitely not easy on ZLS to act out different stages of life for Sang Zhi in the drama.

IMO, no hates on the actor, but I do not favor as much how Sang Yan's role is being acted out in this drama. Too much of a character change?

Regardless, if you like the plot, please read the novel / listen to audio drama.

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The Later episodes along with good PR saved this show and made it what is

Let me start by saying I don’t think it’s a bad drama. The later episodes were okay, but the first part…..like the first 12 episodes? EEEEYUCK!!!!

Everything about those first few episodes rubbed me the wrong way. I know a lot of people are going to say, “But he didn’t like her then.” “It was just a one-sided puppy crush,” blah, blah, blah. While that is technically true, the story is being told from HER point of view. I’m not in his head the way I’m in hers. I’m not insinuating anything, but it’s still something to think about.

Outside of that, I hated and frankly felt completely uncomfortable with how the writing purposely created situations that allowed the two of them to constantly end up ALONE together in small, enclosed spaces. Yeah, nothing inappropriate was actually done, but some things just don’t sit right with me.

The slow-motion shots whenever she stared at him, the romantic background music, the way it was portrayed as though she’s the only one who “gets him”… If it’s supposed to be a one-sided puppy love, what was the purpose of turning these regular interactions into romantic scenes with slow-mo editing and a sentimental soundtrack?

And it went on for like 12 episodes……..basically half the whole show. One or two episodes would’ve been enough. Then they could’ve done the time skip to college, which would’ve felt much more appropriate.

There’s nothing wrong with age-gap relationships, but in this case, those first few episodes just weirded me out a bit. Even though I know the male lead wasn’t in love with her or romantically interested in her at the time, the way certain scenes were edited where she’s in her school uniform and he’s in regular clothes, clearly emphasizing their age difference, paired with her baby voice and his much more mature one just left me stunned.

Those scenes weren’t doing what they were supposed to. They were clearly meant to come across as innocent and from a place of admiration, but the editing intentionally made them feel inappropriate. I honestly would’ve preferred if they had kept a little more distance between them and not made them seem so close or familiar during that stage of the story.

Anyway, I think the directors made some very questionable choices there.

Then HE was the one who confessed, and I was just like… Okay, when did you suddenly start seeing her as a woman instead of that little girl you used to tutor?

I just wish I had never started this drama. I don’t have a problem with it as a whole, but those first few episodes left such a bad impression on me that I couldn’t stop thinking about them. Even when the story moved on and became more tolerable, I kept getting pulled back to those early scenes and feeling uncomfortable all over again.

So no, I didn’t hate the entire drama. The later episodes were okay. But because of how strongly I disliked the first part, I spent the rest of the show overthinking things and getting disgusted whenever my mind drifted back to those early episodes.

VERY WEIRD.

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A great slice of life romcom

If you like light fluffy romcoms you’ll love this drama. It’s got some gorgeous main leads too. I was a bit worried about the age difference and whether or not there was anything inappropriate between them when she was young. Fortunately there was nothing at all to worry about. The male lead never made a move or even saw the female lead as anything but a friend until she was in college. She may have been crazy in love with him since she was little but he was clueless about her feelings and just had brotherly feelings towards her.

Storyline:
The is more of a slice of life type of drama where it focuses more on their day to day lives and interactions with one another. It’s not one of those fast paced action filled thriller type of dramas. I like that it takes its time fleshing out each character so you know why they behave the way they do. It’s an excellent storyline I really enjoyed. The side characters were really interesting too, especially the female leads big brother. Their relationship was so complicated and funny too. And the male leads friends were quite entertaining and funny too.

The acting:
I really have no problem with any of the actors. They all did a great job, sometimes even bringing me to tears. The male leads life was very, very difficult. He did a phenomenal job of portraying his characters emotions. The female lead was so sweet and charming, you can’t help but cheer her on. Overall, the whole cast takes you on a great emotional journey with them.

The romance:
It seemed to take forever for the leads to get together. But once they were together they were so sweet with each other. There’s lots of kisses and cuddles in this drama. And it’s not just for a short while, they’re together and very romantic for several episodes which was very satisfying. I thought they were well matched with great chemistry.

Final thoughts:
The cons of this drama is its pace, it’s very slow and laidback which some may not like. It also takes a good while for the leads to get together which is frustrating. But the great storyline, the main leads chemistry, the phenomenal acting and the great side characters make this drama well worth watching.

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Sweet and Comforting, but a little Too Perfect

If you’re in the mood for a soft romance that feels like a warm hug, this drama totally delivers.

I absolutely loved the main couple in “Hidden Love”. Seriously, every glance and tiny gesture between them made my heart flutter. Their chemistry felt so genuine that I caught myself grinning like an idiot during their cutest moments. The drama really showed those awkward, hopeful and sometimes bittersweet feelings of first love which I found it super comforting. Honestly, it’s the perfect drama to binge when you want something cozy and heartwarming.

That said, there were definitely a few episodes where I felt things dragged, especially in the middle. I sometimes just wanted the story to pick up the pace. As much as I adored the leads, I honestly didn’t care much for the side characters or their subplots as they just didn’t grab my attention. Plus, some plot points were really predictable, so if you’re hoping for big surprises or unique twists, you won’t find them here. And honestly, the drama is so sweet and conflict-free at times that it almost feels too perfect, like does anyone’s first love really go this smoothly?

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A Sweet and Comforting Romance Full of Warmth

Hidden Love is the kind of drama that feels like curling up with a favorite book on a rainy day—gentle, warm, and quietly joyful. It beautifully portrays the journey from a youthful crush to a heartfelt relationship, capturing all the little details that make first love so unforgettable. The pacing is relaxed, allowing viewers to savor the sweetness of every glance, smile, and moment shared between the leads.

Zhao Lusi once again proves her strength in romantic roles, bringing a natural charm and vulnerability that makes her character instantly relatable. Paired with Chen Zheyuan’s calm, grounded performance, their chemistry radiates sincerity and tenderness. Supporting characters add depth without distracting from the central love story, making the drama cohesive and wholesome.

If you’re looking for a feel-good romance that emphasizes warmth over conflict, Hidden Love is a beautiful reminder of how love can grow naturally, softly, and sincerely.

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