a unique masterpiece - brace for emotional damage
Overall: a vibrant glimpse into the ups and downs of teen love. 7 episodes about 55 minutes each. Aired on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/kknyn3lik4?lang=en_us&sh_pltf=4Content Warnings: dub con kissing, non con video posting
What I Liked
- how a character's house looked like a typical house inside, and outside felt realistic
- being aware of a crush but not directly acting on it, the push and pull dynamic
- appreciated that instead of an exposition dump, the writer/s found a natural way to tell us what grade a main character was in
- the nail art was a clever way to show time passing (nail art growing out)
- the shifting viewpoints (some episodes were told from different characters' perspectives but they didn't re-hash plot that we've seen)
- good kissing
- happy that Bua decided to not change his looks for another person
- production value (cinematography, music)
Room For Improvement
- the very beginning made me think that it was filmed during lockdowns
- that bathroom shot in ep 1 was a choice
- though being on phones/social media a ton was realistic, I needed more face to face conversations in some of the episodes, it also dragged the plot at times
- did not feel as if 2 years had passed
- I wish it had been a bit more clear with two characters at the end
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This review may contain spoilers
ITS JUST A GAY BUSINESS
This is a trap - a Business Gay Performance, and im a sucker cause I fell for it.As a KPOP fan, i loved the concept. Also, as a KPOP fan, i felt disrespected.
Like some of the other Korean BLs out there, i dont know why they couldn't just add maybe 5 or 10 more minutes in each episode to make the story a little bit more cohesive and enjoyable. Its such a waste cause there are so many hints that this could be a good show.
Its the story of an idol Eden, being selected and paired with Jihoon to be in a duo, What 's unique is that they are marketing the group as a gay lover - supposed to be just a business concept, only for the pair to really fall for each other.
There are too many characters and too many subplots but everything felt rushed. They spent so much time with the antagonist, when they could have used that time to build up the chemistry between the main leads and show us when or how the two exactly fell for each other. In episode 7 and 8, i kept checking the runtime cause it feels like the show is just rushing to go to the end and yet I still havent seen what I wanted to see between the 2 leads. Unfortunately as i feared, the show ended too soon without giving any satisying ending. This is a problem with translating a 40-chapter webtoon into an eight 15-minute drama.
It is such a shame really cause the leads are very charming - and Nine kept reminding me of a young Seo Kang Joon. They were both amatuer-ish but they both did enough to be likeable. a few times I was on the verge of really caring about their characters but the show just didnt show enough to make me really reach that level.
I wont forget that cringy scene in the plane where they were both holding hands and sleeping head to head with a smile on their faces looking so uncomfortable when they both could very well be sleeping comfortably in that cushy business class seats even if they were holding hands.
From the onset it felt like a small project conjured up to promote the idol group. The "Business Gay Performance" using homosexuality as a concept was a little bit offensive if you think about it and at first i was thinking they were trying to mock and expose it, but by the end I felt even more ashamed of myself for being a fool and falling for it, even though they were clearly saying FROM THE BEGINNING that this is a Business Gay show and nothing more.
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STORY:
The story is same. THE INNOCENT DULL UNPOPULAR GIRL + THE HIGHLY DESIRABLE, INTELLIGENT AND 'most important, should be there traits' POPULAR AND CONCEITED GUY( type of guy which makes a girl squeal and fall head over heals for him) reminds you of something, eh?
The drama is full of cliches but it is still enjoyable and hilarious, the type of drama you don't need to think hard, you just watch it. actually if you think and question the stuff, you will never gonna enjoy the drama. Just sit, watch, enjoy its hilarity, cliches and bubbly and light atmosphere and relieve your stress.
Its boring sometimes though and one thing is missing here. a little bit of skinship and real kisses( c'mon who doesn't love real kisses,the barely-touching-lips IS NOT KISSING)!
ACTING; I loved the girl. She is sweet, bubbly cute with her manga like reactions and over the top imaginations. i had a problem with the main lead. HE LOOKED SO INDIFFERENT, i know you are supposed to be cold but atleast show some emotions, a little bit of jealousy(we understand you are jealous but we can't feel it). the second lead actors were better. Issei was cool and i felt so bad for daichi. He is too hot to be made the second lead. In my opinion this actor should be given the role of the main lead.
Music; nothing i can remember. Though it gave a happy vibe
Rewatch: I don't rewatch dramas unless i super like it, so no no for me.
So, you can watch it as a filler show. Or as a break after super intense stuff or drama. Cause this is perfect for easy watch. DON'T WATCH IT ID YOU ARE A FAN OR INTENSE INTERESTING INNOVATIVE DRAMA, cause this is definitely not one.
p.s THIS SO REMINDS OF ITAZURA NA KISS AND L.DK
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This review may contain spoilers
little peace of advice
if you love noisy mothers , this drama is made just for you. without her being the center of the drama, i would rate it a lot higher. this drama was carried by leads who hardly even get romantic scenes together. don't get me wrong. i love a good business centered drama but this time, it added nothing to the story. not to mention, whoever wrote the body of work must have terrible family. otherwise, i can't explain a mother who gets away with treating her daughter by playing a victim until the end of the dramaWas this review helpful to you?
Peak Comedy
this is probably the most ORIGINAL PLOT for a kdrama to exist in KDRAMALAND like come on she literally turns into a chicken nugget , I went into this with zero expectations , the cast is what drew me in to begin withand it's safe to say that I don't regret it one bit , I'd never laugh as hard I did when watching a drama , like it's the driest jokes and scenes ever but somehow it's what makes this drama so hilarious 😂😂😂
the casting is really well done and thought out, everyone did amazing and DELIVERED.....
so if you love comedies you will definitely not regret watching this drama I can guarantee it
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Yangxi, main female character, is actually quite smart when she puts her mind to it. Although she seems to not have enough confidence or believe in herself, she is still able to do it with motivation from those around her. She is typically very positive and energetic. The usual happy-go-lucky female lead. I really like her personality. She initially wanted to depend on cross country running to help with her exam points but that changed so the drama focused on her in class with her friends - studying, reading, etc. She is obsessed with wuxia romance novels and dramas its her way of de-stressing or happiness. Its also a distraction so she gets in trouble for it. Don't worry though because her tutor is quite strict yet charming.
New transfer and intelligent student, Hua Biao, is usually her tutor and very strict. Its adorable watching those two together! They have such great chemistry; I just couldn't stop smiling when they stare at each other, care about each other or have subtle movements with one another. Hua Biao tends to do things on his own or prefers to not bother anyone until his friends figure it out. However, Hua Biao is also friendly with others like Yangxi so he's quite loved by his peers. His personality is typically very nonchalant but in reality he has his troubles. I was very heartbroken for him in episode 23. I felt his pain, Hou Ming Hao (actor) did a great job portraying the character.
Liyu is Yangxi's neighbor and childhood friend, he is also smart and cares deeply for Yangxi. He tends to do things for Yangxi because he likes her, however, Yangxi is quite clueless and thinks its just part of his personality. He is able to do a lot of things on his own and he cooks very well according to Yangxi. He is usually alone, like Hua Biao who only has his grandma. Liyu only has his dad while his mother is living in another country. He is a mama's boy and wishes to see her and be with her. There was one time when he was upset with her, and that's the episode I disliked the most because he was very stubborn. Other than that, I do like his relationship with Yangxi, its very precious!
The drama focuses on other supporting characters' stories as well and it's not boring at all! I can resonate with a few of them. You may end up being heartbroken, or sad but not mad or anything. Although there are some parents I wanted to slap because they were quite selfish. At the end of the day, this drama has almost every issue families deal with in reality.
I love the editing of the drama especially when someone does something for another without their knowledge, it transitions back to show us how that person did it. The last episode was one of my favorite edits because it shows when Hua Biao took notice of Yangxi, quite earlier than we thought haha.
The ending wasn't exactly how I wanted to happen but I'm satisfied. Its not a bad ending. It was, in a way, sad but I'm happy that everyone were able to do something they dreamed of or hope to do. I wish for a season 2 of the same cast but I doubt it will happen. :( IT NEEDS A SEASON 2!!!
Overall this drama was very sweet, cute, refreshing and a must watch! It deals with typical school stress, teenage crush/romance, dementia awareness, depression, families issues such as divorced parents, expectations from parents, job lost, etc. I could re-watch it all over again! I kept re-watching the episodes as I waited for new episodes to come out each week, it is very good!
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I like drama where the story is good, the conflict not annoying, not too heavy with layers of conflict, and of course ROMANCE in it.
Romance of Hua Rong,
I like the story. Its light, entertaining as it is tag as comedy, it is very funny. Refreshing.
But also very romantic with many romantic scene.
It is addictive and makes you want to hope that the leading male and female is real couple.
Yuan Hao and Zhao Zhao Yi chemistry is the highlight of the drama.
They are both very handsome and beautiful and i also like their chemistry off screen.
So looovee this couple.
I am glad i found this drama! Will definitely rewatch again!
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what we needed.
i think this is such a solid start. following yinwar from their beginning and the ups and downs since the FIRST love mechanics, they deserved this. it’s a serious plot with some funny moments, and the script is IMMACULATE compared to other thai bls rn.this drama deserves to get recognition like other darker theme bls rn, i’m so excited for the rest of the series to air.
the difference between this show and love mechanics is exactly what yinwar needed to show their talents. everyone knows they have the chemistry, but their acting has gone unnoticed when i believe they are one of the best acting pairs in the thai lakorn world rn.
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If you want to watch it, do it !!!!
It was a masterpeice !!I really liked this drama and I will surely watch it again. From the music to the acting everything was a 10/10. All the characters were well played and were relevant to the story and the focus on the story of Jeong Jinman and his niece was well done and the end of each episode leaves you on your couch wanting more. The action scenes may be a little bit too violent for those who aren't at ease with this type of scene but they are very well done. This is the 1st time I watch a kdrama made by Disney + and Hulu and I think it was very well made . So, If you still haven't watched it, you should watch it and you will not regret it !
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Aside from the plot being quite well put together, the last episode was extremely good by Kdrama standards (and if you watch a lot of Kdramas you know what I mean about their endings often being a trainwreck). And this also belies the plot being well-thought out.
I also liked the actors. I didn't see great chemistry between the leads but it was enough to find them a cute couple and individually I liked their characters a lot. In particular I liked (and was surprised by) a decision made by the female lead near the end that I really didn't expect, and how that decision bolstered the theme of the entire show. The theme and "lesson" of the show regarding the nature of marriage/romantic relationships. I'm not going to say what the theme was, but suffice it to say it was strung together throughout the whole drama in a nice way and they never deviated from it, which is why the plot feels so cohesive.
All in all, this was never "must watch" for me, but on the other hand, I really appreciate that it did some things right regarding theme and plot that so many dramas fail to do.
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1Slow delicious burning love drama
"Only for Love" is a captivating Chinese drama that held my attention effortlessly. The actors were outstanding. There were some tropes/ cliches such as three couples with the typical relationships viz. one sprightly independent innocent woman, another very young pretty young girl just on the cusp of womanhood and another player / seasoned woman and their respective others who match them perfectly. Yet, originality is not necessary when a tale oft told is told with flow, grace and beauty.The main leads have this wonderful chemistry that is palpable, adding a layer of believability to the unfolding love story. They manage to hold the tension all through till the end. The push and pull between them, the situational humour and witty dialogues, (though I suspect I only caught some of the nuance in the translations) made for delightful viewing. More importantly I loved the gender dynamics between the leads. At no point was either subservient to the other, there was respect and love and friendship among them as they progressed in their relationship over time. And each would always support the other when needed. Goals!
The other two couples have less screen time but still manage to hold my attention. There was beautiful progression in the relationships. The character development in the drama is commendable, as each protagonist is carefully crafted with depth and complexity. The actors deliver stellar performances, capturing the essence of their roles with authenticity.
Even the backdrop of hi tech industry, the lead's focus on technology than production in his long term strategy and forward thinking were subtle ways to explain his superiority over fellow beings. The narrative unfolds with a delicate balance of romance, humour and cultural nuances, creating a compelling viewing experience.
The storyline, while centered around love, delves into societal and familial dynamics, offering viewers a glimpse into the complexities of modern relationships in a Chinese context. The pacing of the drama is well-executed, keeping the audience engaged throughout the episodes.
Visually, "Only for Love" is a feast for the eyes. The cinematography beautifully captures the vibrant cityscapes, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the show. The costume and set design are meticulous, transporting viewers into the world of the characters. The fashion and style of all the characters are art ! Every costume is beautiful and fits the personality.
There is heat in their kisses, their glances, body language and the love making scenes are tasteful and sweet. There is tenderness and a sweet mellowness in the build up of each relationship - and none of the scenes are ever offensive. The couples are well matched.
Some viewers may find certain plot twists predictable, and at times, the pacing may seem a bit slow. However, for me, these were not flaws - as I do not expect original storylines for every book or drama or movie.
It is good story telling that I am interested in and that was delivered in spades. And for me the pacing was just right. At 36.5 episodes (don't miss the bonus episode with their wedding), with the medium pace, and well drawn out characters, a slow burn love affair, the drama was a well designed feast for the senses. The music was good and has actually grown on me over time... that probably happens if you watch a drama a thousand times on repeat.. lol.
I noticed a few themes in people who disliked this drama ... they did not enjoy the business talk and they found the FL unbelievable. I found the strategy being the business aspect of this drama fascinating and interesting. Shi Yan came across as strong, courageous, visionary and selfless. And the FL Shu Yi made perfect sense to me. She is someone who is incredibly bright at work but has zero interpersonal skills or ability to understand men. I have seen a few people like that so to me she was believable and rather endearing. I can see why some people would be annoyed though - this kind of character is rare in real life so many might have not come across such people.
Overall, it is a must-watch for those who appreciate a thoughtful and visually appealing portrayal of love in a contemporary Chinese setting. Most importantly if you do decide to watch, I recommend you do not multi task. The pace is just right and each scene brings something important to your overall enjoyment so sit back and relax and enjoy every moment of this perfect romance.
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