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BingerWatcher

In my own world

BingerWatcher

In my own world
The Oath of Love chinese drama review
Completed
The Oath of Love
34 people found this review helpful
by BingerWatcher
Mar 31, 2022
32 of 32 episodes seen
Completed 4
Overall 9.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 9.0

A touching, beautiful tale about love, family and perseverance

I don't know how to describe this drama. It made me laugh, cry then laugh again like a rollercoaster of emotions. The 2 agonising years of waiting were totally worth it!

What stood out the most for me was the rocky yet heart-warming relationship Lin Zhi Xiao has with her father, who's a strict school dean. Due to her austere upbringing, Lin Zhi Xiao has grown up to detest her father for treating her like one of his "students" and would only call him "Mr. Lin". It's not until they're confronted with a grave illness did the family learns to come together and brace through the hardships. This makes me reflect on the relationship I have with my own parents and try to look at things from their perspectives. It may not have the most perfect script but the message really resonates with me. I was fully anticipating for a full on rom-com but this unexpected discovery is what makes this drama really special.

Talking about romance, I can't get enough of the main couple! How come EVERY SCENE is so iconic? Whenever Lin Zhi Xiao and Dr. Gu are together, I know I'm going to have a good time laughing at their adorkable banters or squeal at how romantic they are. That's not to say it was completely smooth sailing. They have their differences, major ones at that. Lin Zhi Xiao is a young, bubbly university student that's yet to step out of her parents' protective bubble. Gu Wei is a lot older, more mature, socially reserved and a neat freak due to his occupational hazard as a surgeon. But as we delve deeper, they both have their shortcomings and flaws. And it's actually their differences that help them gain a new perspective and overcome each of their own adversities. I truly love how well Lin Zhi Xiao and Gu Wei fit together not only in the good times, but also when they help each other grow and conquer the bad times. Also, I've never thought that product placements like Pepsi can be this romantic. I mean, it's literally their love symbol and I'm not complaining. And that anti-hair loss shampoo is just pure comedic gold.

Admittedly, the side couples feel a bit weak for me. I feel like they deserve to have a more cohesive arch of their own. But since the main couple is so strong, it kind of shifts the focus of the plot away from the 2nd and 3rd couple. I guess you can't have everything perfect sometimes.

In terms of the cast, we have stellar performances here. The chemistry between Xiao Zhan and Yang Zi is undeniably strong. Xiao Zhan is so versatile, he's the serious Dr. Gu in one moment and the sweet, and sometimes mischievous, Gu Wei in the next. Yang Zi is cute and funny at first, but she can also be very emotional and poignant, especially when she's connecting with Lin Zhi Xiao's parents. I love how the main couple is so down to earth. It may be a star-struck couple, but it also feels like a cozy and "simple" romance most of the time. And the Sweet Little Theatre snippets at the end are so adorable. It's like the 2 of them are just having a sweet and intimate moment, while I'm being the envious third wheel. I'm particularly fond of the actors playing Lin Zhi Xiao's parents. Their acting feels so real and moving. I cried watching them worry and care for Lin Zhi Xiao as well as each other. All in all, it was a truly perfect cast.

We got not only 1, but 3 OSTs sung by the main couple! I think they complement the story and characters beautifully.

The Oath of Love (余生, 请多指教) - Xiao Zhan & Yang Zi
The Greatest Fortune (最幸运的幸运) - Xiao Zhan
Somebody Liking Someone (一个人喜欢一个人) - Yang Zi

Also just to clarify, both the TV and original versions have the same content. The TV version has shorter but more episodes (32) to accommodate TV broadcasting schedule. While the Original version has 29 longer episodes (generally 45+ mins).

FAVOURITE QUOTES:

"There's a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in."

"Dr. Gu is not a perfect person. He is weak sometimes. He runs away. And sometimes, he's very proud. He keeps everything to himself and doesn't say it. He hurts himself as well as others. But as a doctor, he's the best in my heart. Not because of his superb medical skills, but his wholehearted dedication to his patients, even at the cost of his interests." Lin Zhi Xiao

"If all encounters are reunions after a long separation, I believe in the first 30 years of my life, we've already met each other at some point, but we just didn't know each other name. Otherwise, why would I fall in love with you so naturally and quickly?" Gu Wei

"I hope when we get old, you can tell me that marrying me was the best decision you ever made. If we're too old to remember anything, I hope that loving you is the last thing I'll forget." Gu Wei

"I used to think that the world is big and I'm walking slowly, so I never meet the right person for me. I feel so luck to have met you." Lin Zhi Xiao

"Our Zhi Xiao is young, and not mature enough. But in some ways, she's even more mature than me [her father]. Things happened to us during this year, her mother and I were panicked, but she was not defeated by these things. She has become the backbone, the pillar of our family. She has many shortcomings, but one merit. She is strong and resilient." Lin Zhi Xiao's father

"Zhi Xiao. Listen, now there are people paying too much attention to appearance. What appearance is about? Looks don't matter. Sweet words are even less important. Do you know what's important? The heart. Turns out I made the right choice. Your father has never done anything bad to me in decades. What can I not be satisfied with? I think my life is worth living. It was my luck to meet Mr. Lin." Lin Zhi Xiao's mother
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