The Best Thing

A Story That Feels Like A Warm Hug <3

This drama is the ultimate comfort drama—sweet, lighthearted, and full of warmth. If you’re looking for something simple yet deeply enjoyable, this is the perfect watch.

The love story doesn’t rely on unnecessary drama or overcomplicated conflicts. Instead, it is full of positivity, understanding, and heartfelt emotions. Some might find it too "nonsensical" because of how sweet and happy it is (there are some scenes with deep emotions that might make you cry), but that’s exactly what makes it special—you can just turn off your brain, relax, and smile through the entire series.

One of the standout aspects of this drama is the characters’ professions. Unlike the usual cold CEO and helpless female lead trope in many romance Cdramas, This drama offers something different. The male lead is a traditional Chinese medicine doctor specializing in cancer, a career path influenced by his mother’s passing from breast cancer. Meanwhile, the female lead is a hotel manager, which adds an interesting dynamic to the story. This focus on traditional Chinese medicine and breast cancer awareness adds depth to an otherwise lighthearted narrative.

The casting is nothing short of perfection. The male and female leads complement each other so well, bringing their characters to life with a natural and heartwarming chemistry (Zhang LinHe and Xu RuoHan are perfect for the characters He Suye and Shen Xifan<3). Their relationship is mature and understanding, yet playful and full of adorable moments that make you giggle. The characters being a little more childish, adds endearing quality to their personalities, making their love story even more comforting.

Visually, this drama is a treat. The cinematography is soft, warm, and beautifully composed, with an emphasis on nature, flowers, and delicate lighting. Every shot feels like a painting, enhancing the overall comforting atmosphere of the drama.

The final scene is their wedding, and it is absolutely beautiful. The environment, the decorations, and the way the ML spoke about his love for the FL, all felt so genuine, as if I were attending a real wedding rather than watching a drama. What made it even more special was the couple's dance scene after the wedding. Most dramas don’t include this aspect, even though it happens in real life. Seeing them dance together made the wedding feel so natural and realistic, rather than just another overly rushed wedding scene. It was the perfect ending to such a heartwarming story—romantic, intimate, and full of love.

"The Best Thing" may not be for everyone, especially those who prefer intense plots or high-stakes drama. However, if you love feel-good stories with great chemistry, breathtaking visuals, and a touch of uniqueness in its themes, this drama is an absolute must-watch. Whether you’re a fan of the novel or new to the story, this adaptation delivers a heartwarming and visually stunning experience that stays with you long after the final episode.

Read More

pure fluff

this was pure fluffy through and through, and I was smiling the entire time. I really loved the first half of the series, when they were getting to know each other and especially before their dating starts. I loved that our heartwarming our leads were, but they were also funny and spunky in their own ways. It made the eventual romance all the worth it.

flat points... it definitely felt dragged out by the time the leads got together and there was an unnecessary drama point that thankfully did not last long. I always enjoy stories before leads get together, so I think the second half could've been condensed better.

overall, a very lighthearted and warm watch, perfect for the spring!

Read More

Simplicity to return to

"Simplicity, patience, compassion.
These three are your greatest treasures.
Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being." ~chinese philosopher Lao Tsu

This quote encapsulates what this drama represents to me. Suye and Xifan's chemistry doesn't birth from drama, misunderstanding or high stakes. It thrives from their simple lives and simple struggles that make the story incredibly down to earth.

If you are looking for a drama that makes you giggly and make you want to fall in love, this is the drama for you.

I don't think there is a lot to say that can't be explored better by you watching this drama as well. The story is slow paced while the romance is quickly palpable. Try it for yourself, i dearly recommend it.

This drama will definitely end up on my top ten of this year already.

Read More

A blissful watch

Gotta to say that i've been losing interest in cdramas a bit lately. But this show and another ongoing one has brought me back.

Do not even remember the last cdrama i even completed, must be last year :P.

Storywise: Yes, maybe could have been better, but then sometimes when twists are overdone, one can lose interest too. Hehe. But still writing was beautiful for this show

Acting: I like both leads a lot. They managed to brought the best of each other and beautifully gave life to their characters which gave us a sizzling couple vibes.

I absolutely love the places they shot, so pretty. All characters were so realistic too, nothing too overdone. No great villains either. Just a selfish ex.

Rewatch: Definitely, this will be one drama i shall always watch when i get bored of other dramas or i want something healing to watch.

Read More

['The Best Thing'] Life is made by choices

"The Best Thing" is a lovely and cute romance between two well-matched actor and actress.


[UNIT 1]

Shen Si-pan, who grew up among a harmonious family, is a cute girl. She's curious enough to analyze the prescription just because she wants to avoid bitter drugs. Even though she's such a lively person, she's kind of overshadowed. It's because of Yen, her boyfriend of 7 years. In addition to the stress at work, she was gradually losing herself after forcing herself to endure a bad relationship with him. But to put up with it, she ignores digging deeper into it and block the signal. The frustration in return manifests itself as insomnia.

He Su-ye, who met with insomnia, is originally a medical doctor of oncology. He's a person who relieves the aftereffects of tumor patients, so he's bound to be exposed to the boundary between life and death. Therefore, I think emotion control would have been essential. Because in order to keep someone alive, no matter what the outcome, he can't allow himself to be up and down. Anyway he relieves such internal tension by riding a skateboard. Like this, he's quite used to predicting needs, and as a result, the rest of the space became thin and inevitably lonely.

In such a static life, the lively and dynamic woman named Si-pan whom Su-ye meets makes waves in him.

Shen Si-pan has a clear goal and will to insist on the highest level if she goes to study abroad. However, this is not the case only with regard to Yen, probably because other people are involved in their relationship. Relationships are a whole world, so there were her parents who were checking on dates of long-term lovers. "I don't want to worry my parents. I want to solve the problem and then tell them."

To make matters worse, Yen tended to control the display in a direction familiar to him in order to maintain a sense of stability in their relationship. People feel more secure when they are with someone who is similar to them, so they want to adjust other people's behaviors, preferences, and values to what they are familiar with. Not only this, but he wants to constantly change her in front of him because of his abnormality and expectation in his heart.

In response, Shen Si-pan does not bother to reveal the things she persevered with for a smooth relationship with Yen. But as the conflict repeated often, burnout was gradually coming. She was just patient with her fight quietly and constantly, but self-consciousness prepared to hide deep inside whenever she became anxious by the reaction. Insomnia, or like hiding alone on a bench in the middle of the night.

This image of her caught He Su-ye's eye a lot. It was partly because he liked her, but on the other hand, there was also a part of his memory that was stimulated by her.

Su-ye's father said he loved his mother and eventually made her lonely. His father didn't know how to express it, and his mother still knew how to express it, and in the end, his mother died after struggling, and her son watched it from beginning to end.

"When I was depressed or frustrated, I came here alone and sat idly on a walk. It gets really quiet at night, so it's the perfect place to organize my emotions by myself. But when the sun comes up, it becomes noisy again. It's like everything went back to what it was." In fact, Su-ye grows up without much dependence on his father.

That's why Su-ye may have been even more attached to Si-pan. To calm her anxiety, he prepared a sachet of herbs, and because she hated bitter tastes, he gave her peppermint and licorice as gifts, showing his consideration without showing it. On that day, when even a formal farewell was rejected, and even the seven years of time were denied, Si-pan was saddened by her feelings, and unconsciously pursued the natural scent that Su-ye always gave her. She walked naturally in search of a familiar feeling.

The phrase “good timing” is often used, but perhaps good timing is when two people are on the same page. When they are willing to compromise for each other and grow together.

Si-pan works as a room manager at the hotel. She takes pride in her work, but sometimes it happens. There are days when she feels choked up for no reason. She does her work as usual, deals with people, but she feels alienated as if her life is not hers, just a part of the place, and the tears she has been holding back come out.

Time is fair, helping both men and women to slowly reveal their bare faces. As if Su-ye, who couldn't hold on to someone, was hugging someone. As if the chrysanthemums spilled out through the burst gap of the incense pouch, the petals poured out onto Si-pan. Sleepless nights, struggling to gauge the distance while pressing the like button and choosing words on the phone. Hearts that go through time to get used to each other like that. And the language of emotions that fill the blank spaces of the screen. Home-cooked meals, alcohol, cold fronts, and even the excitement that seems to notice the dishes on the table.

The way a man and a woman with different spectrums fall for each other like this gives the comfort of a simple and comfortable relationship. Their emotions are heightened, they breathe together, talk to each other, steal each other's gaze, show their will to steal their hearts, and the story quickly becomes sweet. The soft, strong, and uncomplicated agarwood scent that resembles Su-ye attracts Si-pan, and Si-pan, who approaches like that, notices Su-ye's ring and lies.

So Su-ye tries to appeal to her carefully but definitely, but Si-pan hesitates and cannot make up her mind. She thinks a lot because she wants to make a choice that she will never regret again. Si-pan is afraid that she will not be able to meet Su-ye's expectations, and that he will be disappointed in himself and leave her. Even if she thinks in her head that he is not that kind of person, the emotions that her body summons are different in color and clash with each other. Su-ye reads this frustration and tries to open Si-pan's heart again by going back to her daily life.

In fact, Su-ye also had painful memories, so he must have thought about it. A man who received birthday congratulations through a bank SMS, family meant that to him. However, time for a father flows differently than it does for a son. A father who was not affectionate to his mother in the past is now kind to others. Even though they came first. So if Su-ye is the only one who lingers in those memories, then who will fill the past?

The moment when the unhealed wound was torn open again, a birthday present from Si-pan arrived. A small and simple but sincere favor. That much is the one who cherishes him. At that moment, Su-ye regains hope that he will be able to create his own world in the future, not a universe created by someone else. So tomorrow will be better, and he just needs to prepare well for today. Enjoying this moment to the fullest with the excitement of imagining a happy future. In reality, it was almost like the time Su-ye had spent protecting Si-pan had returned. In that way, relationships are like mirrors, and when life hits rock bottom, they come to ones side as light.


[UNIT 2]

Those simple but happy days seemed to remain the same, until Yen reappeared and invaded Si-pan’s daily life. With his appearance, the anxiety that had been vague until then materialized within Si-pan, and the feeling of being overwhelmed by the cracks constrained her actions and thoughts, making her obsessed with helplessness and emptiness. That's why the desire to go out and hide more intensely collides with Si-pan.

The more this happens, Su-ye constantly reminds her of her daily life. If she is sick, he treats her, if she doesn’t like it, he blocks her, he checks on her well-being and updates her, but he doesn’t arbitrarily step inside the line. Since how that moment passes is subjective to each person, the only thing he can do is wave a light from outside, telling her not to stop. So that she won’t be caught up in artificial scents anymore.

"Yen, it's not because of any conditions. I'm just happy and glad. Happiness is something that is given and received." It's not that Si-pan regrets everything in the past. However, if the heart has cooled down, it can't bear even a little dissatisfaction, and if it's still the same, it helps it to endure. Since love is a question of whether or not there is a will, rather than whether it is worthy, she runs outward. And time flows again.

"If you ever give me a hard time, I won't hold on to you. We share it together. We share happiness and joy together." Su-ye made a promise as he hugged the running Si-pan. Lotus seed soup. The past that has passed sometimes stings painfully. Whenever it's hard, he tries to paint it with other happiness. It means that time has passed as the number of his members and the number of photos taken together has increased.

"I didn't know until you came. I mean, it can be fun to examine." Such a son must have been worried for his father. His father feels like he’s going back to a rough road because of his antipathy against himself. However, it's up to each one to choose and how to live. So the father and son begin to recognize each other separately. Next, just focus on the present when they want to get along well.

Therefore, this drama is a healing journey. "There are two emotions in the world that can be called romantic. One is the feeling of loving each other and the other is the feeling of forgetting each other. All we have to do is try to be with the person we love most, and forget each other with the person we love less." The spectrum of the story unfolds in a way that explores extremes.

People move steadily so that they don't stop somewhere in the middle. Laugh, cry, get angry, make up, fall in love, hate, forgive, and heartbreak. In the drama, Shen Si-pan and He Su-ye, who built a wall out of their own needs, recognized themselves, opened their hearts, loved, and made gentle reconciliation with themselves. Through those times when they gained the courage to be with others, they were able to learn about love and growth.

Since then, the drama no longer deals with each problem in a way that delves into it. Instead, the drama tries to show warm sincerity. For example, it focuses on the cute couple getting closer and becoming more precious to each other. They were a couple who understood each other and laughed at the little things that only they could laugh at. Their relationship was natural, comfortable, and full of energy, making even the simplest moments feel special. When they looked at each other without saying anything, the couple seemed to communicate only with subtle changes in facial expressions. They were a dopamine-boosting couple.

"To me, you are the most beautiful scenery in the world (= loving you is the best thing I have ever done)." Romance, like everything else, is a dream. So love stories also walk along the path like a dream. In dramas, you will see characters who have tried hard for love lose it, and you will also learn that love sometimes chooses people. That is the way the world works. No outcome is completely guaranteed, and life does not promise that you owe anything and that you will get what you want or be happy. Even in the midst of that burden, time goes by.

All love, emotions, and friendships have various aspects, so sometimes they have their own reasons to be hurt. However, life is too short to dive deep into, so it would be better to focus on the present as much as possible. It is also tight to love each other and find peace and happiness together. Dreams and love are not given by themselves and may not be permanent. But it's okay. It's enough to know your worth, to resist meaningless anxiety to the fullest, to know how to be happy with the precious things. Joy and happiness hurt just as much as sadness and pain. But while loss continues, neither love nor growth can stop.

"I've come this far, just chasing happiness." Despite its subtlety, the work "The Best Thing" is strong in proportion to its clear orientation. At the end, the pieces of emotion take their place, leaving an intimate aftertaste like a warm scent. Don't we need something light that makes us all laugh sometimes? Then you'll like this warmth.

Read More

Everyone on the feeds keep buzzing about this, and this also has Zhang Ling He. So let me just check this out…

Story about Shen Xi Fan (XF) & He Su Ye (SY). XF is a manager in a 5-star hotel. Our story started with XF suffering from insomnia and migraines due to her problem with her boyfriend, Yan Heng (YH). Her parents suggest XF to see a Chinese medicine doctor & consult about her insomnia. So, obeying her parents, XF goes to see a Chinese medicine doctor and meets the gentle and handsome Chinese medicine doctor SY. Although reluctant to take the bitter medicine, XF’s parents make sure she takes the medicine.

Charmed & falls in love at the first sight with XF, SY tries to pursue her. But he finds out that XF has a boyfriend & he’s the root problem of XF’s insomnia. So, as a good doctor & friend, SY often tries to cheer XF & give her suggestions regarding her problem with her BF. And slowly but sure, their relationship grows into something more.

XF on the other hand, although also been charmed by SY, but at first she still has a BF. So XF tries to match SY to her best friend, Xu Xiang Ya (XY). But soon, XF's problem with YH grows even larger & one day YH just asks for a break up through text & that’s almost devastating XF. But thanks to SY’s companion, XF finally cheered up.

So, now SY & XF have mutual feelings for each other & both are single. Does that mean they will be in a relationship? No, not really. Cause the problem now, XF has plans to go abroad to study for her master's degree. And since XF had a bad experience with YH regarding a long distance relationship, XF doesn’t want to start a new relationship before she goes. And not only that, suddenly YH also started coming back to XF life, demanding for them to reconcile. So, how will SY & XF take control of their relationship…?

That's pretty much the story without giving any more spoilers. Now what I like and don't.

What I like:
+ Mature relationship. All the couples here are really mature adults who’s not make small problems into ridiculous fights.
+ How they promote Chinese medicine & its benefits against western medicine.
+ SY’s relationship with his dad. Usually in the drama, you either had a good or bad relationship with the parents. But here, SY’s relationship with his dad feel falls in the middle. He had a grudge against his dad & I don’t think he quite forgave him, but on the other hand he’s not really angry with his dad. So, although SY doesn’t really have the best relationship with his dad, he still can be civil with him.

What I don’t like:
- Annoying BGM. Sometimes they overuse BGM. It feels like all the romance feelings must be highlighted with BGM.

Overall this is a really good drama in my book.

Read More

A simple yet comforting spring romance

The best way that I would describe this series is that it's a perfect slice-of-life drama with a heavy romance sub plot.

I didn't expect this drama to be so well made and well received. But after watching it, I understood why people love this. The biggest strength of this drama lies in it's predictability. The casual viewer can just relax and chill for an hour knowing that nothing angsty is going to happen.

Some of the pros of this drama are:
1. Gorgeous Cinematography- The drama overall had such a beautiful setting from the herb gardens to the flowers in each shot. Everything was shot like a commercial and the coloring was just gorgeous. They even used some angles and compositions that are rarely used in romance.
2. The mature acting- Cdramas are notorious for dramatic characters but I could rarely find a scene that was exaggerated in this series. The characters acted like their age and even the humor wasn't overdone. This ended up making the characters more likeable and relatable.
3. The cozy romance- The romance between the main characters was the star of the show. Though the chemistry wasn't sparking or passionate all the time, seeing the main couple felt comforting because of their stability and maturity. They were just big green flags so they felt reliable.
4. Realistic storyline- The big plot points in the story were realistic and relatable. From the heroine's fears because of her former abusive relationship to the question of chasing your dreams while sacrificing love, it was something that everyone could/has gone through. I liked that they didn't rush through it either.

So here are some cons that I noticed:
1. The slow pacing- I'm a binge watcher and I must say that I lost my patience after the mid way point. I can see this working for people who watch everyday but this wasn't exciting enough for me to binge it in one sitting. I got bored after 20 episodes and kept fast forwarding.
2. Numerous mentions of TCM- I get that TCM is a big concept in the story but after numerous mentions and all the characters adapting TCM in their life, it made me wonder if the whole point of this drama was to boost China's TCM market. Because at the end, all the characters' life now include TCM in a big way in their life.

Overall, I know this drama is meant to be comforting and healing in a cozy mundane way and this hit the mark if you want that. It's a well made drama but this just wasn't the best I've seen. 7.5/10.

Read More

Wow, The Best Thing is literally The Best Thing

I enjoyed a drama like this after so long. It was a perfect drama with mature leads, no unnecessary drama or complications, a pure romance with greenest leads, and so much more.

I actually have been waiting for this drama for about a year and it exceeded my expectations. Such type of drama are rare where you feel everything is just perfect and don't want it to end. I am so so satisfied with this.
The best part here is that i didn't lose interest at any point, each episode was perfect and was always anticipating for the next.
The ML is such a green flag that is not possible for him to exist in real life and thats what dramas do, they make a man that don't even exist and they raise the standard for men.
As for FL she was also so good but so realistic. She had dreams, she was good to everyone and most importantly she treated her bf well. Sometimes in some drama you might think that fl don't love ml enough but this drama gave justice to this and i was so happy that they treat eachother so well.

That it, i want to forget this drama and re-watch it😅

Read More

personal take only!!

OKAY FIRST OFF! ZHANG LINGHE IN MODERN DRAMAS WAS CHEFS KISSSS!! he was just perfect. he healed me in ways i didn’t even know i needed. he’s the kind of guy every eldest daughter would dream of!! patient, understanding, reliable, and someone who makes you feel completely safe and cared for. the drama was so calming, like the kind of show you’d watch on a rainy day with a hot cup of chocolate.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8, “love never fails.” this sums up the drama so well !! it shows how love endures through all the challenges ❤️‍🩹

also, since i studied Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) during my second year in pharmacy school, it was so fun hearing all the TCM references. it made the show feel even more relatable and unique.

Read More