Divine Aria

The pacing stays consistent throughout the drama. After EP1, it should be pretty obvious what the pacing is like. Whether that's perfect or too slow, I guess, will depend on if you're enjoying the drama and the CP or not. I personally didn't find it slow because I loved the chemistry between the leads as well as the relationship between the various characters, and enjoyed savoring every moment.

If I'm not mistaken, at EP16, they'd only been together for a short period of time...maybe a few months? And not everyone is completely comfortable with PDA or intimate acts either, not even after being together for a while. One reason is culture. Like, two people holding hands is about as far as people in my culture can go, in public, without getting criticized by parents/elders who are more conservative. Even snuggling in public would be a bit too much. It's also a personality thing. Heck, I don't even feel all that comfortable getting undressed in front of my sisters and my mom, for example, although I've known them all my life. I don't understand how people can't see that people's experiences and reactions to intimacy can be different. Being an introvert, I personally can relate to Yin Guo. It would probably take me a long time to be comfortable with intimacy too.

I tried watching it and dropped it, actually. Not really a fan of the ML actor in terms of looks(looks like a little boy to me) or acting(kind of bland), and female lead's mumbling, fake baby voice and her trying too hard to be cute drove me nuts. Chemistry was only so-so for me, and not really worth enduring the other stuff for. Sorry :(

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, because, to me, the ML is way more gorgeous. He's more masculine-looking with more striking features(chiseled cheekbones, intense eyes, cleft on his chin, etc). In fact, I think his eyes, alone, are more gorgeous than all the others put together. And you claiming that there's no chemistry between them...guess I dunno what to say. For me, they ooze chemistry just sharing space alone in a room together. It's some of the most intense chemistry I've seen.

I'm still waiting to watch Dwelling by the West Lake, and I feel like I've been waiting forever. I really do hope we'll be able to watch it somewhere. Wu Lei isn't just your typical idol actor, and it's his films that really show off how versatile of an actor he is.

That's how I feel too whenever I watch prodigies in their respective fields. It's unbelievable to a normal human being like me how much they win at what they do.

lol...I can understand. There is definitely always that chance that things can go very wrong when you're forced to rely on a stranger in an unfamiliar place and under difficult circumstances(a blizzard). I like that this drama didn't just try to completely romanticize that moment by brushing off the danger aspect. It portrayed it in a pretty believable way where Yin Guo is suspicious and questions Lin Yiyang's motives. But as you learn more and more about LYY's character and backstory, it becomes a little more clear that him treating her to food/drink and wanting to help her and her cousin in that bad situation are actually a pretty natural part of his behaviors.

It's not because you've been watching too many scary shows. Their first meeting is meant to be suspicious...that's why he specifically asks if he looks suspicious, shows 3 different IDs, and why Yin Guo is wary. Anyway, luckily he's a good guy so, obviously, nothing scary happens. He just drops her and her cousin off at their hotel like he said he would. A little part of the relationship buildup is her having to trust in him even though they're complete strangers who didn't meet under the best situation.

Ah. I see. Well, we'll just have to see what kind of role he's choosing to take on next if you don't desire to see his older projects. He's finishing up filming a drama...but that drama is being kept in the dark and there's hardly any info on it at this point. Aside from that, he has two films, but neither are out yet: "Dwelling by the West Lake" and "Decent Things". Not entirely sure what kind of personalities he has in those two projects either, though "Dwelling by the West Lake" seems quite emotional.

Watch some of his older works where he's playing more relaxed, expressive, funny, extroverted, youthful roles then. Actually, he was more like that in his drama "Nothing But You," which aired last year. Also, a few other older dramas to try are:

Crossfire
Tomb of the Sea/Sand Sea
Fights Break Sphere
Our Times(2021)

And, if you haven't yet, then watch his film "Upcoming Summer". All these dramas/films have him in lighter, more vibrant, expressive roles...so he is quite versatile and does play an entire range of characters. Actually, growing up, he often played goofy, sassy, mischievous, expressive roles; people couldn't imagine him in cold, mature roles and questioned whether he could play those types of characters when he had his very first more mature/serious/introverted/cold role as Ashile Sun in "The Long Ballad".

Goodness...if you're describing Wu Lei's eyes as just blank stares then I don't know what to say. Completely the opposite for me. He could be staring at a rock with those passionate eyes and soft expressions, and I would be feeling butterflies. Plus, to me, he's so strikingly handsome and attractive...but I can acknowledge that beauty is in the eye of the beholder so I can forgive you on that one, haha.

well, you did a great job calling yourself out.

I wouldn't say that this show is "without any real tense moments". Every moment between the two leads can be quite intense, even when they're just sharing space. The thing is though, you have to be invested in the leads to enjoy the drama. And if you're not into them or their relationship, then you prob won't enjoy it. That's because there aren't secondary couples or other chaotic subplots not related to the leads going on in the background. If you don't enjoy the two lead characters, there won't be too much else to enjoy.

Well, dang, if you're that annoyed by lil' bro(who is a bit naive at times, but totally sweet, kind, and positive), how are you managing dramas in general? There are so many more annoying characters in other dramas. None of the characters in this one are toxic or bad. They're the complete opposite, in fact. As far as I can see, he was just excited to be in a new place, to sight-see, and bond with new people. He also saw LYY as their savior and really just wanted to pay him back for his help. And he didn't actually harm anyone with his actions. No biggie.

They're supposed to be awkward with each other. The female lead character even says that thought out loud a few times. If you don't like it, then you don't like it. For me, it creates so much butterflies and makes me want to feel all the initial feelings of falling in love with someone, which def includes a lot of awkwardness and really self-conscious moments.

lol...wait...someone who hasn't seen the drama yet but rating it 1/10 is whining about how people are rating it a perfect 10 without having watched it? Is this for real?

We all have different opinions about different shows. Just gotta say that I disagree with you on this one though. Their chemistry is some of the most natural I've ever seen. It's just there, and it's so intense even when they're just sharing space. Which leads have better chemistry to you? I'm curious.

It's explained in the drama. Do you want spoilers? If not, just watch and you'll understand.

I didn't enjoy Hidden Love or understand the hype on that one either, actually. Lusi's fake baby voice sometimes bother the heck out of me, and Hidden Love didn't help at all in that department.

Love your review. You pretty much hit the nail on the head as to why I personally really adore "Amidst a Snowstorm of Love". I just absolutely appreciate all the little details in this drama, and it feels so much more personal and intimate than the majority of others that I've watched. Of course, I also agree that if one isn't invested in the two leads or their relationship then the series would be pointless. As you've said though, Wu Lei and Jinmai really nailed their roles with their looks and acting abilities. Fantastic execution by the two of them. If the casting had been different, especially for the two leads, there's a possibility the series might not have been anywhere this interesting.

To those complaining that the characters/CP aren't/isn't more chatty, I really don't understand. I don't find it to be an issue at all in this particular drama because these characters do not need to be more chatty. What for? It's NOT necessary. We can understand their feelings/emotions perfectly just by their expressions, mannerisms, and actions alone. Even in the quiet moments where the two are simply sharing space, it feels emotional and intense, and not at all flat. Obviously, these types of characters and relationships require expressive and/or talented actors, and the casting, once again, was just perfect. And people complaining that there's too much pointless eating? I don't find the eating parts pointless, and it doesn't bother me, because it all ties into who the male lead character is. It really helps us better connect with and understand his character as his story is being revealed. And as little as he speaks, I still find moments during these meals to be quite touching and rather profound because of the things that LYY says about his past or his experiences. I enjoy it all. Sadly, I think some just do not know how to appreciate the beautiful subtleties this drama offers.

BTW, thanks a ton for all the info on billiards. Extremely helpful. I've never played before but, thanks to this drama, I'm thinking I want to start learning how to play.