Editorials 
This review may contain spoilers
Best cdrama in recent times
Never have I been so enamoured by a drama like this in recent times. It’s like an addictive drug. I could not stop thinking or talking about it. I have a lot to explore so I’ll get cracking.
The core idea that is under the title is you don’t have to perfect to be worthy of love. Luke and Flora are the classic examples of two imperfect people in a relationship with major issues of miscommunication that caused their relationship to elongate and deteriorate over six years. Each conflict could have been easily solved with clarity and open communication. Their mutual attraction and Luke’s persistence brought them back together each time. The cycle was tiring for viewers after a while which I understand was the very point of the book/drama. As a viewer I could sense the instability and just wanted Flora to leave this relationship and choose herself. She obviously does albeit too late.
Luke’s character is a classic example of an emotionally unavailable man who seeks his desires with his position, looks and money. He is hardworking in his job and intelligent but he lacks empathy and emotional maturity. The drama gave a backstory that he was traumatised in childhood and now by his discouraging father who is equally lacking empathy. The book did not have this backstory so his character appeared like an overt narcissist. The drama offers a sympathetic approach. I did not like this at first however I am glad they added this. The lack of fatherly love left a deep wound that will not heal itself. I despised the way he belittled Flora and made her seem unworthy of this position in the beginning. I did not think she deserved it and it knocked her self esteem down quite a bit but she picked herself up and proved everyone wrong. She was very intelligent in her own right and not just average like others claimed. The main flaw with her personality is she appeared too meek and timid. I could sense some people pleasing behaviour. However I also saw her grow into a confident woman with leadership qualities with the six years experience at Lime. I don’t think the belittling she faced from Luke was tough love. It practically bullying but she took it in for the sake of the job. If he was not handsome he would not have gotten away with any of it. He would have been punished like Dony.
Whilst mentioning Dony, I must also mention how I am glad he got what he deserved. Unfortunately characters like him are far too realistic and their victims do not receive any justice. Flora not telling Luke showed she did not feel close enough to say it. Same in the case of her housing situation. I don’t think she was ever really in love with him. She tolerated having him due to physical attraction and admiration for his work ethic. I am sure there was some feelings present but not enough for a relationship. They never spoke about things outside work. He spoke in a demeaning manner. Her type softer guys like her ex and Sun Yuanzu who would give her equal footing and make her feel seen and heard. However the passion with Luke hit different for her and she was mesmerised.
Sun Yuanzu’s character was another realistic character. He had a bad relationship with his dad just like Luke however he became depressed as opposed to becoming emotionally unavailable. It shows the different coping mechanisms from parental trauma. His tragic ending was too painful but it’s important to include it in the drama to spread awareness of mental health. I wish he fell in love with Sun Yu instead or was able to tell Flora he loved her before she got entangled with Luke. Their relationship would not be as passionate or exciting as with Luke and Flora but there would have been a sense of calm and peace. a part of me wishes that he chose to live and eventually got together with Flora in Harbin. Luke still changed for the better however moved on eventually. That would be my ideal ending.
What makes this drama different is Luke understands his wrongdoings and changes his behaviour. Obviously in the real world red flags like him will never completely change unless they go through a lot of inner work and therapy. The drama rushed the ending and did not sufficiently explore the personality change. His character development was satisfying to see regardless. He has antisocial personality traits that will not simply go away because he fell in love. Flora accepted him back to her life too quickly. But it might have appeared that way as they reduced from 32 episodes to 24. In the book it took far longer.
I really hope young impressionable girls do not want watch this show and then dream for a Luke in their life. They’re very toxic and debilitating. His temper will not just go away. The way he threw things and broke things in anger. In real life the whole relationship with Flora was a huge HR violation and he would have been dismissed with immediate effect. Also their age gap was not the most appropriate. She was freshly out of college and he was a seasoned worker. The power dynamics were too different. He could make or break her career. She was in a tough position to not accept his advances given her career was on the line. I could sense her discomfort. He never gave her a chance to leave the relationship while still working there. She physically had to run away, change her number and not speak to her Beijing friends for a while. Yet he stalked her and put himself in her life again.
The actors in the drama did an amazing job. Especially the actor for Luke. He acted with his eyes and it fooled everyone into thinking Luke was a not a red flag. The best acting was when he was on the phone confessing to a blocked number. Everyone switched sides and blamed Flora for leaving. The actress who played Flora definitely played the timid act really well but her crying scenes were not very believable.
The OST was definitely one of the best in recent years. Every song was a banger and contributed highly to why the drama was able to convey the emotions so beautifully.
The drama was almost was like a psychological thriller dealing with a forbidden relationship yet in the end it was like a romantic comedy. It was surprisingly intimate for a cdrama but done correctly. Not vulgar in the slightest. I hear there’s a season 2 coming. I hope it’s just a special episode to show a glimpse of their married life. Overall I heartily recommend watching this cdrama. Despite my reservations about Luke’s character I do think it’s worth watching. Definitely one of my favourites in recent times.
The core idea that is under the title is you don’t have to perfect to be worthy of love. Luke and Flora are the classic examples of two imperfect people in a relationship with major issues of miscommunication that caused their relationship to elongate and deteriorate over six years. Each conflict could have been easily solved with clarity and open communication. Their mutual attraction and Luke’s persistence brought them back together each time. The cycle was tiring for viewers after a while which I understand was the very point of the book/drama. As a viewer I could sense the instability and just wanted Flora to leave this relationship and choose herself. She obviously does albeit too late.
Luke’s character is a classic example of an emotionally unavailable man who seeks his desires with his position, looks and money. He is hardworking in his job and intelligent but he lacks empathy and emotional maturity. The drama gave a backstory that he was traumatised in childhood and now by his discouraging father who is equally lacking empathy. The book did not have this backstory so his character appeared like an overt narcissist. The drama offers a sympathetic approach. I did not like this at first however I am glad they added this. The lack of fatherly love left a deep wound that will not heal itself. I despised the way he belittled Flora and made her seem unworthy of this position in the beginning. I did not think she deserved it and it knocked her self esteem down quite a bit but she picked herself up and proved everyone wrong. She was very intelligent in her own right and not just average like others claimed. The main flaw with her personality is she appeared too meek and timid. I could sense some people pleasing behaviour. However I also saw her grow into a confident woman with leadership qualities with the six years experience at Lime. I don’t think the belittling she faced from Luke was tough love. It practically bullying but she took it in for the sake of the job. If he was not handsome he would not have gotten away with any of it. He would have been punished like Dony.
Whilst mentioning Dony, I must also mention how I am glad he got what he deserved. Unfortunately characters like him are far too realistic and their victims do not receive any justice. Flora not telling Luke showed she did not feel close enough to say it. Same in the case of her housing situation. I don’t think she was ever really in love with him. She tolerated having him due to physical attraction and admiration for his work ethic. I am sure there was some feelings present but not enough for a relationship. They never spoke about things outside work. He spoke in a demeaning manner. Her type softer guys like her ex and Sun Yuanzu who would give her equal footing and make her feel seen and heard. However the passion with Luke hit different for her and she was mesmerised.
Sun Yuanzu’s character was another realistic character. He had a bad relationship with his dad just like Luke however he became depressed as opposed to becoming emotionally unavailable. It shows the different coping mechanisms from parental trauma. His tragic ending was too painful but it’s important to include it in the drama to spread awareness of mental health. I wish he fell in love with Sun Yu instead or was able to tell Flora he loved her before she got entangled with Luke. Their relationship would not be as passionate or exciting as with Luke and Flora but there would have been a sense of calm and peace. a part of me wishes that he chose to live and eventually got together with Flora in Harbin. Luke still changed for the better however moved on eventually. That would be my ideal ending.
What makes this drama different is Luke understands his wrongdoings and changes his behaviour. Obviously in the real world red flags like him will never completely change unless they go through a lot of inner work and therapy. The drama rushed the ending and did not sufficiently explore the personality change. His character development was satisfying to see regardless. He has antisocial personality traits that will not simply go away because he fell in love. Flora accepted him back to her life too quickly. But it might have appeared that way as they reduced from 32 episodes to 24. In the book it took far longer.
I really hope young impressionable girls do not want watch this show and then dream for a Luke in their life. They’re very toxic and debilitating. His temper will not just go away. The way he threw things and broke things in anger. In real life the whole relationship with Flora was a huge HR violation and he would have been dismissed with immediate effect. Also their age gap was not the most appropriate. She was freshly out of college and he was a seasoned worker. The power dynamics were too different. He could make or break her career. She was in a tough position to not accept his advances given her career was on the line. I could sense her discomfort. He never gave her a chance to leave the relationship while still working there. She physically had to run away, change her number and not speak to her Beijing friends for a while. Yet he stalked her and put himself in her life again.
The actors in the drama did an amazing job. Especially the actor for Luke. He acted with his eyes and it fooled everyone into thinking Luke was a not a red flag. The best acting was when he was on the phone confessing to a blocked number. Everyone switched sides and blamed Flora for leaving. The actress who played Flora definitely played the timid act really well but her crying scenes were not very believable.
The OST was definitely one of the best in recent years. Every song was a banger and contributed highly to why the drama was able to convey the emotions so beautifully.
The drama was almost was like a psychological thriller dealing with a forbidden relationship yet in the end it was like a romantic comedy. It was surprisingly intimate for a cdrama but done correctly. Not vulgar in the slightest. I hear there’s a season 2 coming. I hope it’s just a special episode to show a glimpse of their married life. Overall I heartily recommend watching this cdrama. Despite my reservations about Luke’s character I do think it’s worth watching. Definitely one of my favourites in recent times.
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