1
4
JulesL
This review may contain spoilers
Warning! The cringe factor is fairly high in the first few episodes. Scenes meant to create moments of sparks between the ML and FL were so contrived that they made me laugh out of embarrassment. I can only handle so many scenes of the FL accidentally falling into the ML’s arms.
Still, I found the show entertaining and, in general, well-paced. It's an interesting plotline with a ML who hates lies and a FL who lies mainly to avoid conflict and hurting others as well as herself. Adding depth to the story was the subplot behind the love-hate relationship between the ML and the second ML. Throw in a scheming, bitchy third party vying for the ML's love, plus other villains so gratingly annoying, and you have a rom-com that is delightful but with enough drama to cause your blood pressure to rise at times.
I did wish that the romance between the lead couple started earlier, but mainly because the chemistry was great! Fang Zhi You was just so charming and adorable once he acknowledged his feelings for Xu Yi Ren. He was always trying to be romantic with her, and the skinship progressed so naturally. Their kissing moments were cute, and I like that they both can be honest about their lack of experience in love. The fact that Zhi You always told the truth made whatever he said to Yi Ren so much more meaningful, and he did say the sweetest things.
I was also touched by their commitment to each other and how they were both consistent in their acknowledgment privately and publicly that they were each other's one and only love. Even when others have assumed that their relationship has failed because Yi Ren did something unforgivable in Zhi You's eyes, it was heartwarming to see Zhi You not actually giving up on her, and for Yi Ren choosing to stay as close to him as possible even if it meant being humiliated repeatedly. It was endearing to watch Zhi You struggle with his principles, while his love for Xiren remained unwavering.
I was less interested in the second couple's relationship. The chemistry was not there for me, and I have to admit that I skipped through their scenes a few times.
The character development of the two leads in the show was the biggest plus point for me. I liked how Zhi You matured into someone who is more mindful of other people's feelings particularly Yi Ren's. I appreciate how he still valued honesty and did not lower his own standards throughout the show but instead he became more aware of social graces and the "give and take" aspect that was necessary in relationships. My favourite moment was when Zhi You realized that loving someone 100% mean accepting both their strengths and weaknesses.
It was also gratifying to see Yi Ren drawing strength from Zhi You's love and became braver. The development of her self-awareness and self-confidence was satisfying to watch, especially when she finally stood up against her nasty aunt and cousin, and their emotional blackmail. Yi Ren never did stop lying completely, but she did become more honest and true to herself and Zhi You. She realized that she did not need to lie to avoid conflicts and that it was better that she faced her problems upfront.
Fang Shi Yu, the little sister, and Li Zhe, the second male lead, were absolutely awesome, and they were the perfect catalyst for the lead couple's relationship. Shi Yu was an absolute breath of fresh air, and she was the voice of strength and reason. It was cute to see her advise her brother in the matters of the heart, and so refreshing to see her stand up to adults and put them in their places. Li Zhe was so charming and disarming, and even towards the end, his longing for Yi Ren was still palpable despite him accepting that Zhi You and Yi Ren were meant for each other, and that he wanted the best for them. I suffered a little of the second lead syndrome, especially since I became invested in Li Zhe's back story with Yi Ren. Ultimately, I am glad that he still got his happy ending with his father.
It would have been nice to see the other characters develop further like the villains actually learning from their mistakes. It was a bit anticlimactic for me when there were no retribution or lessons learned for the aunt and cousin. At least the uncle showed some backbone finally towards the end. I did find the way the show wrapped up He Yu Wen, the third party's story in a rushed manner, but at least there was closure between her and Zhi Yu.
Acting-wise, I thought Xin Yun Lai's portrayal of Fang Zhi You and Liu Hai Kuan's as Li Zhe were really good. Their micro-expressions were on point, and you can see the array of emotions play across their faces nicely. Of course, it does not hurt that they are both good-looking in their own ways. I look forward to seeing these two actors play the lead roles in more dramas going forward.
While I like Yi Ren, the character, I was less impressed by Liang Jie, who played her. I really tried throughout the 31 episodes to like her, but it just did not happen. I would not say that her acting was bad. In fact, I think she did fine overall, but there was just something lacking. It could be her' resting bitch face'. She often looked like she's pouty or bratty even during scenes that did not call for it.
Like in most of my reviews, I am going to comment on the wardrobe styling. I find that in most C-Dramas, they must have a low budget for the female lead wardrobe and again it is a miss for this show. Both male leads’ clothes were fine overall even though less enviable compared to other shows. The female lead’s styling however was terrible. All the over-sized Peter Pan and shawl collars!!! It’s 2020 for heaven’s sake! Why in the world did they have to make her look granny-like and dowdy? I realized that they want to contrast Yi Ren against He Yu Wen in terms of sophistication but they really went overboard!
The OST was all right. Other than the two tracks that I thought suited the moods of the scenes well, I didn’t remember any other ones.
Overall, I would recommend this show for its fluffy romance, interesting plot lines, and good looking actors. I would probably re-watch the cute romantic scenes. Typically 31 episodes would be borderline too long for me. The fact that I continued watching and completed the show means that others may enjoy it as well.
Still, I found the show entertaining and, in general, well-paced. It's an interesting plotline with a ML who hates lies and a FL who lies mainly to avoid conflict and hurting others as well as herself. Adding depth to the story was the subplot behind the love-hate relationship between the ML and the second ML. Throw in a scheming, bitchy third party vying for the ML's love, plus other villains so gratingly annoying, and you have a rom-com that is delightful but with enough drama to cause your blood pressure to rise at times.
I did wish that the romance between the lead couple started earlier, but mainly because the chemistry was great! Fang Zhi You was just so charming and adorable once he acknowledged his feelings for Xu Yi Ren. He was always trying to be romantic with her, and the skinship progressed so naturally. Their kissing moments were cute, and I like that they both can be honest about their lack of experience in love. The fact that Zhi You always told the truth made whatever he said to Yi Ren so much more meaningful, and he did say the sweetest things.
I was also touched by their commitment to each other and how they were both consistent in their acknowledgment privately and publicly that they were each other's one and only love. Even when others have assumed that their relationship has failed because Yi Ren did something unforgivable in Zhi You's eyes, it was heartwarming to see Zhi You not actually giving up on her, and for Yi Ren choosing to stay as close to him as possible even if it meant being humiliated repeatedly. It was endearing to watch Zhi You struggle with his principles, while his love for Xiren remained unwavering.
I was less interested in the second couple's relationship. The chemistry was not there for me, and I have to admit that I skipped through their scenes a few times.
The character development of the two leads in the show was the biggest plus point for me. I liked how Zhi You matured into someone who is more mindful of other people's feelings particularly Yi Ren's. I appreciate how he still valued honesty and did not lower his own standards throughout the show but instead he became more aware of social graces and the "give and take" aspect that was necessary in relationships. My favourite moment was when Zhi You realized that loving someone 100% mean accepting both their strengths and weaknesses.
It was also gratifying to see Yi Ren drawing strength from Zhi You's love and became braver. The development of her self-awareness and self-confidence was satisfying to watch, especially when she finally stood up against her nasty aunt and cousin, and their emotional blackmail. Yi Ren never did stop lying completely, but she did become more honest and true to herself and Zhi You. She realized that she did not need to lie to avoid conflicts and that it was better that she faced her problems upfront.
Fang Shi Yu, the little sister, and Li Zhe, the second male lead, were absolutely awesome, and they were the perfect catalyst for the lead couple's relationship. Shi Yu was an absolute breath of fresh air, and she was the voice of strength and reason. It was cute to see her advise her brother in the matters of the heart, and so refreshing to see her stand up to adults and put them in their places. Li Zhe was so charming and disarming, and even towards the end, his longing for Yi Ren was still palpable despite him accepting that Zhi You and Yi Ren were meant for each other, and that he wanted the best for them. I suffered a little of the second lead syndrome, especially since I became invested in Li Zhe's back story with Yi Ren. Ultimately, I am glad that he still got his happy ending with his father.
It would have been nice to see the other characters develop further like the villains actually learning from their mistakes. It was a bit anticlimactic for me when there were no retribution or lessons learned for the aunt and cousin. At least the uncle showed some backbone finally towards the end. I did find the way the show wrapped up He Yu Wen, the third party's story in a rushed manner, but at least there was closure between her and Zhi Yu.
Acting-wise, I thought Xin Yun Lai's portrayal of Fang Zhi You and Liu Hai Kuan's as Li Zhe were really good. Their micro-expressions were on point, and you can see the array of emotions play across their faces nicely. Of course, it does not hurt that they are both good-looking in their own ways. I look forward to seeing these two actors play the lead roles in more dramas going forward.
While I like Yi Ren, the character, I was less impressed by Liang Jie, who played her. I really tried throughout the 31 episodes to like her, but it just did not happen. I would not say that her acting was bad. In fact, I think she did fine overall, but there was just something lacking. It could be her' resting bitch face'. She often looked like she's pouty or bratty even during scenes that did not call for it.
Like in most of my reviews, I am going to comment on the wardrobe styling. I find that in most C-Dramas, they must have a low budget for the female lead wardrobe and again it is a miss for this show. Both male leads’ clothes were fine overall even though less enviable compared to other shows. The female lead’s styling however was terrible. All the over-sized Peter Pan and shawl collars!!! It’s 2020 for heaven’s sake! Why in the world did they have to make her look granny-like and dowdy? I realized that they want to contrast Yi Ren against He Yu Wen in terms of sophistication but they really went overboard!
The OST was all right. Other than the two tracks that I thought suited the moods of the scenes well, I didn’t remember any other ones.
Overall, I would recommend this show for its fluffy romance, interesting plot lines, and good looking actors. I would probably re-watch the cute romantic scenes. Typically 31 episodes would be borderline too long for me. The fact that I continued watching and completed the show means that others may enjoy it as well.
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