Sweet Surprise!!

This was a well done, well written, realistic, and super sweet youth, slice of life drama. The main couple had the BEST and most natural chemistry I’ve seen on screen. It is seriously out of this world!! They not only looked like they would be together in real life, but they acted like they genuinely liked each other. The ML and FL didn’t need background music or extra effects to convey a moment... they seriously just had to look at each other!! The ML has the most expressive eyes and smile (his smirk got me every time). The FL was beautiful with her long locks and she lit up whenever she saw ML. They really had amazing chemistry even when they did the most ordinary things ... they both literally and figuratively "fit into each others arms" (so much so that you wonder if they're even acting!!).

I love that the ML and FL also stayed together through thick and thin. Issues were resolved quickly but there wasn’t anything too dramatic or over the top. The acting was spot on and both leads did an amazing job conveying and bringing out a range of emotions. The beginning scenes were little spoilers of the future and for those of us that want a HE, it let me enjoy the drama more.

On a side note, I absolutely LOVED the styling in this drama! The girls looked cute in denim skirts, flannels, skinny jeans, and stylish dresses while the guys rocked the hoodies, flannels, and joggers. Finally, a Chinese drama where the style is up to date!!

This is one drama where I was sad it was going to be over before it even finished! Definitely one of my ALL time favorite dramas and one of those where I know it's going to take forever to find another drama to top this one (time for some major withdrawals!!).

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A beautiful and well written drama that captured the joys and hardship of life during that period of time. I was completed enchanted by this drama and didn’t even realize how much until I found myself rewatching episodes which I rarely do. The sincerity and heart of each character was so well written… their day to day struggles and genuine love, sacrifice, and care for one another… I was captured by the quiet essence of this drama.

ML and FL’s storyline might be one of my all time favorites. The progression of their relationship from childhood playmates to bantering teenagers to how they were always present and there for one another as adults, often knowing the other better than themselves was beautifully portrayed. The romance was subtle yet significant. Every look, every glance, every quiet unspoken moment the leads had together spoke volumes. I loved watching the two of them come together and in rewatching episodes, I could see how drama already let us know early on that no one else ever stood a chance. They were destined and always meant to be with one another.

ML is a hidden gem. He had me in his corner from the get go… the way he went against the grain and refused to put his family in a bind by going to college, but yet had me convinced he’d still make it out ahead. He was charming and charismatic, determined and persistent, and had a smile that made you want to follow his lead. The FL’s portrayal was well done too… beautiful, down to earth, and unwavering in her love and adoration for ML… yet she was thoughtful and mindful. She was naive and innocent, yet I love how drama made her smart and motivated where she found her own niche, and paved her way.

I still can’t quite explain it… I went in just watching for the ML and came out unexpectedly touched by this heart warming and beautifully done drama.

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I tried. I tried really hard!! I stayed with this drama for the leads but I finally had to admit defeat. A drama with more internal dialogue than actual communication and even then, I didn’t understand the push and pull. ML as a CEO just wasn’t convincing enough… even with his glasses. He was socially awkward, borderline Asperger, and just off. He liked FL yet refused to do the simple things for her like give her a ride. He acted like such a jerk cuz he liked her? Umm… you’re a 30 year old CEO. FL… so smart, so resourceful as a reporter… yet she didn’t find out all the facts before making decisions in her relationship. I assumed it would be second nature to think inquisitively and see all perspectives as a journalist.

And the music. The build up … that flopped more times than not with FL running away or the phone ringing. Drama has a serious case of FOMO. Voice mail is built in for a reason. You are important but it’s okay to not answer and check your voicemail once in a while!

Oh well…may their next drama be better than this one!

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Loved this initially but halfway through and was ready to drop it. A drama with a group of the pushiest people ever… which is the problem… pushy people. ML, Mother. Sister, Music friend. business partner.. everyone!!

I love ML as an actor and he’s one of my favorites. BUT in this drama, FL is like a glass figurine and ML has a savior complex. He’s a man that can’t accept no and thinks he alway knows what FL wants. Actually everyone is out to “save” FL cuz she has to make copies at her new job and teach music to children. ML uproots everyone else’s life to make FL happy … I mean these people have families and jobs. What’s worse is FL agrees to everything without a thought to their circumstances. FL is a spoiled and entitled porcelain princess who isn’t actually very sweet or nice… at least imo. sorry!!!

Drama made music out to be a ride or die thing but it wasn’t convincing … at all. I am bummed cuz I was really looking forward to this drama.

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I initially enjoyed this drama once I stopped trying to really understand the plot and let some of it go. I liked the premise and both leads. The story, at least for me moved at a good pace and I liked the leads chemistry.

Halfway through is when it became hard for me to root for the FL She clearly hurt ML and devastated him with her words and actions. She had her reasons but drama didn’t spend time showing us if she was really that sad over Ml. IMO, she didn’t seem sad. When FL was trying to win him back… she lacked a complete sense of sincerity. Chasing after him with her big eyes, giant cheesy smile, prancing around him, and using the cutesy voice when this guy is still in pain was so superficial. I wish there was a heart to heart… a genuine apology for lying and deceiving him. Something…. cuz I really wanted to like her.

The OST and sound effects didn’t help either … while funny in the beginning it minimized ML’s emotions and made FL seem flighty and ingenious. I didn’t care if they got together and that was a big bummer for a romantic drama.

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This was a sweet and fun drama to watch. It isn’t anything really different from your typical rom com, but I love the ML and FL and was excited to see them together. ML is charming and charismatic and one of my favorites. He's got the best micro expressions and is that good looking guy you might actually meet in real life. FL is adorable with her dimples and girl next door vibe. I love couples that stick together through thick and thin and this drama definitely delivers that.

The main issue I had with this drama was the SML. Only in Chinese drama land is it okay to try and steal someone else’s girlfriend without getting a big fat lip!! I keep wondering if it’s a cultural thing but it makes no sense that everyone is fair game until their officially married. Drama tries to make us feel sorry for SML (cue the sad music) but how do you feel bad for someone that is a home-wrecker (and he’s not even the “childhood friend”)?!

Overall though the sweetness and chemistry between the leads kept me watching. It was an easy and fun watch especially if you want a break from a lot of angst or drama.

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I love my slice of life dramas and was super excited to watch this one. Overall, it was sincere, heartfelt, and a wonderful portrayal of family and friends living in a small but tight knit community. I loved the friendship between the 5 youth and the stories of their parents added depth and heart wrenching moments to the drama.

ML didn’t disappoint and I was impressed by his range of emotions. He was still charismatic and charming and I loved his little smirk. FL grew on me as she got older…. her initial over the top acting cute and bratty (Chinese peeps really like that!!) didn’t fit her persona. I think you really have to be a certain actress to be able to pull that off and still be likeable.

I loved ML and FL’s chemistry and sweet moments together and wish there was more. At times, I felt like their story didn’t quite have that flow because there were SO many stories going on. Aside from the 5 friends and their respective parents, drama also focused on the lives of co-workers, roommates, and master teachers. It spent a lot of time diving into certain storylines but then there would be years in between that barely got touched upon. I appreciate drama for at least giving us the last 2 episodes!!

As in almost all C-dramas, I didn’t know what was going on with the English dubbing. This one in particular with the robotic voice over… oh my goodness. FL would have been better off speaking English herself!

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This drama should be renamed and called the Villain's Kitchen!! I started counting the number of villains and after I hit the 5th or 6th one, I stopped and started FF through their parts. The best part of the drama for me besides the food was the main leads. I really loved their chemistry and didn't see the age gap between them. One look at the ML and I absolutely see why the FL would be attracted to him... he was handsome, temperamental, and moody, but she held her own and wasn't afraid of him. FL was his breath of fresh air and with her incredible taste buds and her stint as his 3 day foodie tour guide, drama made her more his equal because she was knowledgeable and he needed her (as opposed to a ML who is always saving the FL). I thought their scenes together were genuine and sincere and I loved their late night talks.

I usually don't mind if voices are dubbed but what they did to Elise was really bad. I would be pretty upset if I were the actress. Her role wasn't great to begin with but whatever effort she put in, pretty much went out the door because you only noticed how bad the dubbing made her look. I still can't figure out what language she was actually speaking.. .English or Mandarin or another dialect?

This is a good filler drama (with the help of the FF) for when the villains got to be too much. I definitely stayed for the leads and would have watched a few more episodes of just them! The "8" rating is pretty much for them!

The ending... Lol!! No need to say more...

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I finished this drama and my first thought was ....Wow, that was good! A well written and well thought out time travel drama which covered a lot of loop holes....something I think is so hard to do with these types of drama. The alternative universe running parallel with actual time was a brilliant script. It was easier to make sense of what was happening and gave drama a chance to flesh out the side characters too. I thought ML and FL's connection and chemistry was beautiful. They did an amazing job conveying a range of emotions and you absolutely felt their joy, pain, sorrow, resignation, devastation, and hope. The twists and turns were well done, particularly FL's realization of what brought her back to real time. The last scene in the alternative universe... OMG ...my heart.

The ending... after what they endured, I'll absolutely take this one!! I'm convinced that whether ML just happened to spot her or the alternative universe crossed with real time... FL's eyes only ever lit up like that for him.

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40 episode dramas usually scare me because they are so long! Surprisingly, this drama flew by and I was invested the whole time. This was an easy watch and I really liked the ML and FL. I've watched other dramas with the ML but this one seemed to be written just for him. The ML was convincing as both a charming bandit and as a handsome scholar who adored the FL and was never too far behind her. The FL was adorable, kind, and innocent, but she wasn't clueless and didn't let people step all over her. The ML and FL connected from the very first episode and they stayed together through thick and then. Issues that came up were resolved within 1 or 2 episodes and you saw the leads band together to stay together. There were a lot of sweet moments (I loved the way they looked at each other) and even though the plot did kind of go astray and there were the "wth" episodes, for me personally, the leads' chemistry made up for it!

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This was a sweet romcom that started off well with an interesting and creative concept. The ML and FL had such natural and sweet chemistry, it was fun to watch their scenes together. I found out half way through the drama that they may be dating in real life which added to their chemistry and made me see them in a different light. Super cute and sweet.

This drama did some things different in having a very understanding and forgiving ML, which made me accept the FL’s unrelenting pursuit of the ML, since they were mutually devoted. But I think the drama lost me when it spent 3-4 episodes resolving an issue that just got dragged out. Although the ending is a happy one and the special episodes helped a bit (although not much for me), I would have rather seen more of the leads where they weren’t bickering or in some type of conflict. On a side note, the lawyer friend was hilarious and the hidden gem in this drama!

I think this is the type of drama where if you like the leads, you’ll be good to go. But if you’re not a big fan of either... especially the FL (we’re always so tough on them)... then maybe not.

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It says a lot when I actually think a drama is too short!! Most times I can’t help but hit the fast forward button... but this drama went by way too quickly! I had no expectations going into it but I was pleasantly surprised by how sweet and funny it was. The FL was cute and adorable and the ML was absolutely perfect in his role as a handsome cat prince. He did such a good job that if you told me he was really cat, I might just believe you!! The leads had such natural chemistry, both romantically (even when they were just looking at each other) and as comedic partners (hilarious and ridiculously funny). I would have loved if this were a 24 episode drama just to see them together.

This drama wasn’t perfect.... there were plot holes here and there, but the leads and the supporting actors won me over and I was more than happy to ignore the loopholes. Lately, I haven’t watched many dramas I really loved, but I did love this one because it was just the sweet pick me up I needed.

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Wow!!!

This is my first Taiwanese drama but I heard so many great things about it, I thought I'd give it a try. I'm so glad I did because WOW!! This drama managed to intrinsically weave together a complex storyline in the most beautiful and meticulous way. It was absolutely amazing in its execution, depth, creativity, and attention to detail.... leaving me guessing throughout each episode. It was one of the rare dramas where you actually have NO idea where the plot is going and you don’t want to miss a single moment in case you skip something important. For a time travel drama, this was such a masterpiece and so tightly written that loopholes were few and far between (an amazing feit considering how complex this drama was).

The leads in this drama.... my goodness.... even in my novice eyes, they were a 10. How they managed to play vastly different characters so convincingly and completely was amazing. Their relationship was beautiful and the leads delivery were rich, full of depth, heartwarming, and heartbreaking. It was a love that transcended time and they completely drew me into their world(s). I applaud how the drama tackled issues of mental health and depression. It was a very real portrayal of how dark depression can be and you don’t just simply wake up the next day and feel better. It’s a dark place to climb out of and many grow tired and weary... as do those around them, when you just want someone to “be happy”.

I thought the drama wrapped up its story line well and I was even convinced it was the best choice they had... then again the tragedies during the drama made me feel like ANY other outcome was better than what they had gone through!! I’m sure like many others, we wanted more from the ending ... BUT the bonus scene was icing on the cake. I’m thankful they filmed it and gave those of us that needed more closure, a chance to take a sigh of relief knowing our beloved leads were where they were suppose to be.

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This drama was very sincere and heartfelt. It’s not a light and fluffy drama like I initially thought, but it wasn’t filled with angst and melodrama. Although it covered deeper issues of depression, suicide, and bullying, it also shined light on hope and the joy of friendship. The FL and ML were very well cast and I thought they portrayed their characters in a believable and sincere way. Romance was definitely not the focus and for once I was actually relieved because the ML was still mentally a 28 year old man. There were little cute moments but nothing that overstepped that line. I’m glad the writers left the romance for when FL and ML were both the same age!!

I’m not typically a big fan of time travel dramas because there are usually too many loopholes. This drama though gave just enough attention to the time travel theme and covered enough details that I can see friends getting together for coffee and giving their take on what happens when and with who and so forth (I think FL went back after ML was already there!!). There isn’t an obvious answer and I can see it being a fun and debatable conversation to have.

I do wonder though at the end, since both ML and FL are alive... who died in their place. Since the event still occurs but the person is different... is it okay to save one life for another? Does the cycle never end?

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