This review may contain spoilers
Charming Yet Flawed...?
Overview:As a fan of Zhou Ye's previous works like "Scent of Time," "Back from the Brink," and "Love Me, Love My Voice," I eagerly anticipated this series. Although familiar with Lin Yi, the male lead, I hadn't watched any of his previous series. It tells a lighthearted story of two individuals transitioning from being gaming partners to real-life partners.
Plot Summary:
The story revolves around Yue Qian Ling (Dough Twist in the game), a spirited and talented gamer who catches the attention of another pro player, Gu Xun (Campus Hunk). Unbeknownst to each other, they form a close bond as game partners. Qian Ling has a crush on Gu Xun, her schoolmate, while Gu Xun is enamored with Dough Twist. This sets the stage for a comedic romance filled with misunderstandings and miscommunications.
Character Dynamics:
The series explores the dynamics between Qian Ling and Gu Xun as they navigate their feelings while unaware of each other's true identities. There's humor in the advice Gu Xun gives Qian Ling, leading to misunderstandings and rejection. The revelation of their identities adds a layer of complexity to their relationship, causing both to approach and avoid each other in turns.
Pacing and Enjoyment:
At first, the show is exciting and keeps you interested. But in the middle, it starts to drag and feel a bit boring. The dating part, which should have been more exciting, doesn't happen until episode 20 out of 24, which feels late. It would've been better if they showed it earlier. Despite this, the music is still nice and adds something cute to the series.
Acting and Performance:
While Zhou Ye and Lin Yi deliver decent performances, this series doesn't fully showcase their acting abilities. Both actors have shone in more serious and emotionally charged roles, whereas this leans towards light-heartedness. Nonetheless, the cast does well in their respective roles.
Rewatch Value:
The series holds rewatch value up until around the 15th episode but loses steam in the middle. Despite its enjoyable moments, the dragging plot during certain parts may deter viewers from revisiting the series frequently.
Final Thoughts:
It offers a blend of humor, romance, and gaming culture, making it a light-hearted watch. While it has its entertaining moments and a strong start, the pacing falters towards the middle, impacting its overall enjoyment. However, fans of Zhou Ye and Lin Yi may still find it worth a watch for its charming performances and cute storyline.
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Watch it if you are a huge fan of the cast otherwise it can be ignored
It is a cute and fluffy love story between two people who have a love for making and playing games.The show starts good but becomes draggy with the entire "hard to please" trope being pulled first by the ML and then by FL. For more than half the show this push and pull continues, making it become quite boring and even making the FL's character look childish and annoying too.
The story isn't something new or out of the box and the strong point of the show is just its lead casts. If you are a fan of LY and ZY or are looking for some cute cliche love story drama then you may go for it otherwise you can ignore it as it doesn't bring anything new from what has been shown in C dramas a hundred times.
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This review may contain spoilers
Wasted time and talent of great actors
i think i found everything messy in this drama because the storyline is itself very boring and meaningless ... i really do not understand their reasons of many actions ... Both of them are doing great at acting but they really can't save this storyline .this drama is a complete remake of love 020 ... where everything is same like FL is most beautiful in campus , she is also a gamer , both first met in game , she fell for him in real life and he fell for her in game firstly ...
do i should watch it for a FL who did such a horrible lion dance at her exam , she knew what she is doing is going to her own dignity but she keeps doing it untill she got rejected harshly in front of everyone . although her character changes but i think her past actions are more than annoying ...
ML is so arrogant , that i do not know how to continue ... she got late to submit to her work and he found out it was not her fault but still rejected her work and after than he apologies ... she worked so hard but he brushes her off with just a sorry ...
if he is so smart then i think he should be practical in life and not have an online crush whom he is so devoted on that he can even love the person he hated the most ...
FL 's friend is the worst friend who gives all the wrong advices to her and FL also follow her blindly ...
That secretary's social anxiety level is so high that i do not know how she even passed her school ...
only ML's bestfriend is the character that i like the most , but when he is going to start dating that secretary , i do not think he in his own senses ...
i did not even understand company ;s intention for bringing a ungraguate person for becoming a head of whole department ... i can understand he is talented but should not he should gain some experience if he is living in real life ...
Music of the drama is quite good but as i said it can't save the storyline ...
i really think one should not change their personality for anyone , because it is the thing you can't hide for long time ... i wish dramas do not continue these stuffs of split personality ...
as the romance have not started , i can't say anything about their chemistry ...
the thing i do not like the most is he is prying in her personal life by not saying that he is his online friend , she shares everything about ML knowing they do not know each other but what he is doing are completely against ethics ...
i will definitely try Angels falls sometime , because that has a more stable and realistic storyline full of emotions ..
Anyway , lets welcome this drama to my drop list ...
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A typical Chinese romance drama with nothing new.
I was expecting something new, but as expected... the same obvious content I've seen before and the actress's acting was so cringy... I tried to watch it, but I immediately dropped this after seeing the actress's crying performance.Is it because I'm older... It's really hard to watch dramas like this these days. Her acting really makes my toes curl and I find myself frowning.
It just doesn't fit the acting style I'm pursuing, so if you enjoy it, enjoy it.
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Once again the gamer is back
This drama enthralls viewers with its captivating storyline, which is further enriched by stellar performances from the talented cast. The narrative, at times, exudes the same charm found in "Love Scenery," particularly in the portrayal by Lin Yi himself. The incorporation of gaming elements adds an extra layer of excitement and intrigue to the plot, providing a fresh perspective for the audience. Moreover, the characters are meticulously developed, seamlessly fitting into the overarching storyline and complementing the leads' performances flawlessly.The visual aspect of the drama is also noteworthy, with graphics that not only enhance the viewing experience but also inject a sense of fun and accessibility. The director's finesse is evident in the smooth flow of the narrative, ensuring that the audience remains engaged from start to finish. Additionally, the music selection further elevates the emotional resonance of the story, enhancing key moments and leaving a lasting impact on the viewers.
While certain scenes may evoke memories of similar moments from other dramas, the overall experience is immensely gratifying and is sure to delight fans of the talented cast.
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This review may contain spoilers
Overly cringy, tons of cliche tropes, and illogical story
I've never expected much of this drama - and yes, my expectation is not worth it. I accidentally found this in a bunch of upcoming dramas of 2024, so I decided to give it a try. However, everything went as if the table had turned over.The drama itself is a typical office rom-com with gaming as a side theme. There's nothing memorable about it. I feel the plot is dragging. It could've been better if it had been cut down to thirty-minute long per episode, considering this is a twenty-four-episode drama. In terms of China's censorship rules, it is quite a short drama, but forty-nine-minute long per episode is absolutely outrageous for this type of drama.
Plus, the acting is cringeworthy. I didn't like how the FL pretended to be dumb and naive when she wasn't one. If I were her, I would speak according to my personal views and be a straightforward person rather than dilly dallying my time. It stretched for 6 episodes until the FL found out that this method didn't work - I kinda think that her actions were forced and unnatural. I don't want to know what solution she might come up again as I'm afraid it will make her more obsessive towards her crush (ML). Her roommate needed to clear out so that the FL could make her own decision which will benefit her more. I was impressed by Zhou Ye's acting in Back From the Brink and Word of Honor - however, this is the second modern drama of her that I drop after Love Me, Love My Voice. I don't know why, but I just can't stand her acting as a cute naive girl. She will end up becoming a delulu if she's not careful.
I understand that the ML is an indifferent and cold type of guy, but could he just reject the FL gentler and nicer? In here, he was being overly rude and kept 'bullying' the FL for no reason. In YAMG, the FL was also rejected outright by the ML, but in a more polite way, so why couldn't they do the same? This is my first drama of Lin Yi, so I have nothing more to say except his acting is so-so.
The plot is a very, very ILLOGICAL one and I can't stand it anymore. Let me list it out. Firstly, the FL had a crush on the ML and the ML had a crush on his gaming partner, which was the FL. It is impossible to create this kind of relationship in the real life - there's nothing such as fate or coincidence - in fact, you may get the wrong person at the online platform. Secondly, the ML and his sidekick immediately became the manager of 9th business unit without further ado. In real life, at least we have to pass the internship and begin from 0% until we rise to the top position. How they were supposed to become lead managers when they hadn't even graduated from the university? Even if you have family connection inside the company, there's only 25%-50% you can reach the top. If HC Game were a start-up company, it would be more logical - but, in here, the company is already a prosperous and well-known one.
Edit: Someone pointed out that the plot isn't entirely illogical and I may have missed several key points of the story. So, the ML and his friend actually made a deal with the board directors - in 3 years' time, they will make an extraordinary machine which can enhance/boost the gameplay. It's no wonder why the directors appointed them as lead managers. I've never heard anything called triple-A game before - however, I'm pretty sure that it must be a complicated game and hard-developed. This idea seems to be the most sensible one, I think.
The gaming graphics are sucking too - even FreeFire has better graphics than this. Why should they make the setting in rainbow-ish color? I feel as if my screen is oily or something - and it's not a wonderful experience.
The OSTs and sound effects are perfect and I will play the OSTs when I have the chance to. Kudos to the singer for such wonderful OSTs.
So, if you want to watch this drama, you will have to think twice before giving it a try. Afterall, this drama kills the logic and tons of unnecessary things will happen in the future, who knows? This drama also happens to chip-chop from other gaming-themed dramas - for instance, Falling Into Your Smile, The King's Avatar, You Are My Glory, Love 020, and etc. I won't rewatch in the future. Guess I will have to wait for another dramas releasing this year. Good luck and have a good watch.
P.S.
This is just my POV. So, don't get disheartened by my review and I'm not having any hate towards the actors/actresses. Perhaps, it's not my cup of tea. I apologize if my review is offensive in some ways. Don't say I don't remind you, though. I have a lesson learned from this drama - NEVER believe in online romance as it tends to leave us heartbroken. Who knows if the person behind the screen is a love scammer?
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For Zhou Ye and Lin Yi Fans
I really enjoyed this drama, but that’s probably because I wasn’t drawn into it by the hype and pre-released trailers, which I think over-inflated viewers expectations.If you like Zhou Ye and Lin Yi, I’d recommend it. Don’t watch it if you want to see a lot of kissing and expect the couple to start a serious relationship from the get-go.
Here are the reasons why I liked it:
- Zhou Ye + Lin Yi (good chemistry in their “love/hate” moments, good acting in general)
- Xiao Ma Hua and Xiao Cao online relationship (+ online buddies)
- Qian Ling is strong, independent female lead who makes decisions for herself
- Gu Xun can appreciate and treat Qian Ling as a qualified, competent colleague
- The hugs Qian Ling gave Gu Xun felt more meaningful and heartfelt than kisses I’ve seen in other romantic dramas
Some weak points:
- story was a little too simple, but the novel they had to work with wasn’t that “meaty” to begin with
- it seemed out of character for Qian Ling to pretend to be overly delicate and helpless (it would be more believable if she was awkward in general because being around Gu Xun made her too nervous to be herself; that said, I personally found those scenes hilarious)
- the ending could have been better (everyone coming together to save the company was a little cheesy and they could have spent a bit more time with just Qian Ling and Gu Xun alone together)
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Better Than Expected
This is my first drama with the two actors Male-Lin Yi and Female-Zhou Ye. I read many of the other reviews & would had normally past on this drama, but something kept edging me on to at least check it out. I agreed with another viewer I was hooked deep from the 7th episode. Their chemistry is second to none & both their good looks didn't hurt which was another hook for me.This drama was more than just about romance. It introduced us to the World of Gaming Industry with scenes that included China's Loyal Young Citizens and that the Gaming Industry Have Just As Many Dedicated & Committed Men and Women Like Other Top Professionals like Accountants, Architects, Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers & Many More that would sacrifice sleep to pursue their dreams. This drama was an eye opener for me about this industry.
I was very satisfied when the romantic relationship of the two lead roles were finally mutual & then known to all.
A viewer commented wishing there should had been some dating scenes from the 19th - 24th episodes. I, for one, was happy their relationship was already established and maturing. It was good to see the focus from the 19th - 24th was on the Quest for Gaming Superiority and the Strategies/Steps it took as well as uncovering the weasel who was trying to sabotage their project.
It's has a Good Ending & Worth Watching. Yes, there were some cheesy scenes, but it added humor to this drama. I have added this to my re-watch list.
I am now a fan of Male Actor Lin Yi and have added some of his other works to my list (Memory of Encaustic Tile, Put Your Head On My Shoulder, Love Scenery & Some of His Newer Projects. ) I have also added Female Actor Zhou Ye drama in Love Me, Love My Voice.
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NICE e sport game oriented drama has amazing romance and HUMOROUS with great cast✨✨
this drama was nothing like I excepted it exceeded my expectations, usually watch a e sports game oriented drama might quite boring but this drama was really humourous and exciting✨❤️, I really really loved this I can't express how much I love it, it had everything possible excitement, romance, comedy. let me tell you the scenes were so funny that I couldn't stop laughing, this can rewatched many times and still find it funny, in this the main leads were just perfect, ML acted so good that you could his emotions in his eyes, this raised my standards even more. FL had really acting skills, she made the scene as if it was happening right in front of my eyes, the OST was too good.this drama is really inspirational, it teaches to never give up and even though you have thousand foes they won't bend your will. this drama
potrays family relations importance and team work importance really well, there was no scene I didn't squeal and I punch 👊🏼
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Dont watch if u hate suspense
This drama literally took another year of my life .. how can even now writers think that we like so much of communication gap in name of suspense..(some people might like suspense)male lead and female lead were the only reason i watched in 2x .. the ost is just soso .. another thing is the 2nd lead love story was non existing but somehow existing.. howw??Ps- just my personal view on this drama .. no offense to anyone
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Good because of story but no spark between the lead character.
First 8 episode are good but today it keep me waiting to another episode to watch the continuity of the story . I really like the concept of the story it has great potential but I cannot feel the emotion regarding the story line. This drama is making the things more tangle than another story and not getting on the track it make me curious and make me to move on to another drama I am losing the interest on this story. Also because from now on the drama going to air single episode until the 9 march that is the one of the reason. I really like the work of zhou ye in 'back from the brink' with beautiful leads and wonderful chemistry between this historical drama is fabulous work that made me fall for costume drama with beautiful story and visual CP . That I cannot move on.Was this review helpful to you?
Trite storyline; much too long for a simple, not that interesting plot.
This drama goes on the pile of "been there, done that" of cdramas. It is unfortunate that this pile has turned into a mountain. This is yet another romantic idol cdrama with two pretty faces acting in a show that keeps spinning in circles so I don't know if I'm nauseous from the non-stop back and forth of " maybe he likes me; oh wait, maybe he doesn't; yes, he does; no he doesn't" or that I'm being forced to consume all the overflowing cheesy cdrama tropes.If there was an interesting storyline in addition to the romance storyline, this might be tolerable, but the gaming/work angle is just as overused and trite as the romance angle. The introduction of a historical angle in episode 19 is just too little way too late as I've lost all vested interest in the drama. My sunk cost fallacy will make me finish the last 5 episodes but I think I'll just watch it on fast forward.
Strike two for Zhou Ye: first in "Love Me, Love My Voice" and now this "Everyone Loves Me." Both dramas were flat and boring and did not utilize her acting skills at all (which were impressive in "Scent of Time"). Lin Yi has yet to impress me in any of his shows but watching him now in "Angels Fall Sometimes," and despite only being a few episodes into the show, it's already tracking better than this one.
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