Fall in Love

Rare gem hard to come by!

My overall impression of this drama is pretty favorable allowing for the fact that this is set in the Republican era. This is because Mystic Nine was the only series that is branded upon my memory as a well-executed Chinese Republican drama before coming across Fall in Love. I am quite impressed at the writer's foresight and astute move in creating the personalities and identities of the characters here. Although it was beyond my understanding how this type of plot based on a part of China's history could pass the strict censorship, the unfolding of the rest of the plot shed light on the answer to my question.

I would like to take my hat off to Chen Xing Xu for his terrific and unfailing acting skills. His changing facial expressions and portrayal of the character are top-notch. I was fond of the second male lead here in Crush, and I still am but when he and CXX appeared on screen together, it was apparent that CXX was more attractive with his charms and wonderful acting skills. I truly admire his flexibility and versatility in playing his characters, and I would think that there is no Chinese actor to set beside him as a villainous male lead. As shrewd male leads are on my favorite characters list, I enjoyed watching how the male lead did not play by the rules to fulfill his goals. Nevertheless, he did not go beyond the bounds of morality and was always be careful about the people around him. He did not make impetuous decisions just to aggravate the audience which is an essential element in some Chinese dramas.

As I have given enough appreciation toward the male lead's character, I will discuss the female lead and the reasons for my support for her character. I could say she is the best female lead in a modern/Republican Chinese series that I have ever watched (and probably that they have ever produced). She is not those female leads who are old enough to get married but think like a child of the Stone Age (because most children today are clever enough as adults). She could make considerations in a logical way, knew how to deal with her enemies, and make a pact with the stranger who she thought she could trust to survive the ordeals of living in a dangerous place. Most importantly, her strongest charm was being humble and communicative despite her high social status and intelligence. As far as I know, modern Chinese dramas are apt to be extreme in building the female leads' attributes. They are either super dumb or super independent to the point of being over-arrogant.

The third feature of this series that I particularly love is the mature relationship of the main couple. They were mutually helpful and supportive even during the times when they could not be together. They were able to stand to face the problems and horrors of the atrocious situations calmly and strongly. Although their first meeting was not a smooth start, they did not relent on their trust in one another once they were able to understand each other completely.

There is no character that I hated here as all of the characters carried out the objectives that came with their nature. Xu Guang Yao and Gu Yue Shuang are my second favorite characters as I love the main couple's characters equally. They did not turn bad because of their obsession with the male lead and female lead just like the secondary roles in other Chinese series. They were true to themselves and remained loyal and sincere throughout the whole plot. Although their characters were just frosting on the cake, I really enjoyed watching them.

As to the story, the beginning episodes were thrilling and addicting but began to lost momentum after those episodes. However, it was still fairly engaging in the middle, but quite boring at the latter part. The romance of the main couple was also better in the beginning part. Regarding the ost songs, they were not remarkable. Sway in the Wind by Fang Ni Liu was the single song that I liked and craved to listen to after watching the drama, and it piqued me that they did not play that song in the scenes between Xuan Lin and Wan Qing. All in all, this is a worth-watching series that I did not regret spending my spare time on.

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one of the best romance dramas

I loved this drama a lot, I always wanted to watch it because of it’s Poster, it’s looks so beautiful. I have not seen many Chinese Republican Era Drama so far, so I had no idea what to expect but I loved the overall Plot. It was interesting from the first second and really intriguing. Once you start watching it you just can’t stop. As for the cast, it was my first Drama with the lead couple. Chen Xing Xu was the perfect cast for Tan Xuan Lin. He did a really good job. Zhang Jing Yi was amazing too, Mu Wan Qing became my favourite FL in a long time. I just loved her and rooted for her from Episode 1. I have seen Evan Lin in Crush already and I loved him in this drama. I was curious how I would like it to see him as SML and surprisingly it was fine for me. His role was so supportive over the FL but it didn’t bother me. I hope to see him in many dramas in the future. This drama had also to 2 side couples, both had really interesting plotlines, but I did prefer Pei Shao Jun and Tan Sang Yu, these two were the cutest. Especially Tan Sang Yu, she was adorable. The whole cast and crew did an amazing job with this drama and I highly recommend it to anyone that loves Republican Era dramas are simple is searching for an epic love story!

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Power Couple, but not so great in later episodes

8.00

Y'all, the first episode or 2 is trash, but keep going. Everything unfolds......

Pros:
-lots of twists and turns
-love the scheming
-love the political intrigue
-love the dealing with of the 2ml
-side characters were mostly liked
-love how the main leads support each other (using power, finances, and emotionally)

Cons:
-some of the plot twists stab you
-one of the side couples are kinda annoying (skipped past them)
-the sister of the ml is troublesome
-not a huge amount of chemistry

(I will soon finish and give my final review)

Update at 3/28/2025: I finally dropped. This was on-hold for nearly half a year. At this point, I don't think I will pick this up. Zhang Jing Yi, yet again, found a powerful, admirable fl to play, and played her well. This drama was my first of hers (she is my fav actress btw). The reason I dropped this is because there was a conflict between the ml and fl that just didn't make sense, and caused the ml to make the fl lose face in front of everyone. I was so in pain that I couldn't watch. Days became weeks, and weeks became months. I feel really sad that I had to drop this, but here we are anyway. 😭

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Be still my heart!

I absolutely loved Oliver Chen Xing Xu in GBMP and couldn't move pass that for over a year. A bit hesitated to start a new drama with him, b/c I wanted that perfect chemistry of LCY and XF's couple in my mind.

Oh boy, am I glad to have this "Fall in Love" to binge watch now! CXX still has that charismatic, intelligent, and playful yet brilliant, brave, and loyal characteristic of LCY. Love his subtle smirks, the eye messages, and hilarious Jack Sparrow hand-waves. He looks absolutely dashing in the military uniform! Can we just say CXX t kick major butts when he is doing the fighting scenes? His PERFECT acting abilities absolutely put him on my all-time top Chinese Actors list.

My first time watching Zhang Jing Yi (FL - MWQ) and I'm very impressed by her calm, collected, cunning/intelligent, and courageous character! I love, love, LOVE that she is the one who thinks on her feet and even outsmart the ML. She actually rescues the ML not once, not twice, but EVERY TIME the ML was in trouble and she totally rocked it. She totally saved the day! I love how she said is the only who live up her statement "that she will take care of HIM" :D and not the other way around.

I enjoy the new chemistry with the FL here. I couldn't stop watching, and clicking onto the next episodes --- at the same time, I don't want the drama series to end. Signs of an excellent drama that my heart needs. The script and plot are just incredibly and cleverly written. It transitions smoothly through the story. Immediately started the leads in hostile opposition of each other due to their circumstances and their polar opposite relationship turned into a cute and sweet bickering-love. Every detail ties back together nicely. The mood and the music OST set each moment perfectly. Even the pace and the flashbacks to details are perfected. The theme of "Fall In Love" goes beyond the romantic love. It touches on love for family. Love for friends/brotherhood. Love for one's country. Love for humanity during the time of war. What a wonderful drama!

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It's enjoyable but contained lots of problem

My Review will not really contain spoilers. Let's Me divided it into 3 parts so if you don't want to read the story part you can skip to see the other parts. Part I I'm going to talked about the drama then Part II what is the good things abt the drama Part III I'm going to talk abt the things that I it bad.

Part I
The story is abt the commander and a rich lady in Shanghai that the story happen in the republic of china. The FL and GL happen to meet each other on the ferry when the ML is trying to hide the corpse under his bed in his room. The he lock himself with her.... Don't want to talk lots let move on from this thing. Then there come the SML that happen to caught the the ML kidnap the FL and help rescue her and take her home. The FL is happen to be SML childhood crush. The love triangle of the FL ML and SML is nothing just don't care about that. Then the FL agree to be ML partner and work as the SML assistant. FL family have some problem because the step mother of the FL is trying to kill her so that her own child can married with the SML. The SML while trying to save the FL from those guys ho got shot and send to the hospital. After the FL known abt the person who want to kill her and also know that her step mother is the also the one that kill her brother she is taking her revenge. and the ML help her to take the revenge. Then they fall in love but then the SML father want the FL and his son to get engage. At first the SML is really happy but after knowing that the real killer of the dead of the FL is his dad he is giving up.

Part II
The good things about this drama for me:
1. The OST
2. The acting of the ML FL and SML is good
3. The good looking actors and actress

Part III
The bad things about this drama for me:
1. The production
2. the visual
3. Some editing is too much such as the car is moving but the wheel stay still
4. the dubbed
5. The plot of the story itself it weird in somehow
6. Remember this is the time of (Shanghai)republic of china ( this is the main point if you have watching lots of drama that happen during that of time then should try to forget abt all those because if u compare all those drama to this one you will drop it as soon as you start it.

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My Head's Still Spinning

A plot filled with way too much politics for my liking, I'm sorry to say. If you're interested in politics that comes with countless twists and turns with the aspect of war was captured through strategies rather than battles, so if you're more intrigued by that, this is for you.

The main leads are both amazingly smart and capable and understanding. Kudos to their acting!

But overall, it just wasn't my cup of tea as someone who was into this because of the wartime cdrama I was looking for. I couldn't keep with the politics and the different enemies, but that's my subjective opinion.

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Oh my God!!! Oh really. Finally a drama where the main characters are smart and quick-witted. Honestly, I'm sick of these hysterics of the main characters and the lack of intelligence of the main characters. This drama is simply heaven for the mind, the eye and, most importantly, the nervous system. It would seem that there are plenty of intrigues and conspiracies, but the main characters quickly figure out the plans of ill-wishers and are several steps ahead of them. Incredible, I needed this so much! I'm really proud of this drama and its creators for not making the characters stupid and irrational. On the other hand, the villains of this drama turned out to be not as smart as the main characters, which is surprising how they even reached their posts if they are easily beaten by a couple of young guys. After a couple of victories of the main characters, you understand that the villains can't handle them and it already looks chill, you trust the main characters and understand that everything will be ok with them. But I'm not against it at all. At least once, someone, finally, time after time kicked their ass. As for the drama itself: a very cool plot, dynamic and addictive. I liked the acting, in some places it was scary, but in general it was not a hindrance, as for Chinese dramas. All the characters are very interesting personalities, I think they were revealed quite well, but some are a pity. I sincerely worried about everyone. I watched without rewinding, because in some whale dramas you just want to rewind, but here you couldn't miss a single detail! Oh, how I like dramas about those times, like "Arsenal Military Academy" - beautiful outfits, locations... mmm mesmerizing. Well, now it's sad to say goodbye to this drama, although I was afraid to start watching it. However, I recommend it!!!

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The only reason I'm not giving this a 10 is cuz I'm stingy

First off, what I loved the absolute most, and also what stands out the most to me, is that they actually gave the 2nd ML his own character and personality. One that doesn't involve simply devoting his life to chasing FL and getting sad and jealous when he fails. GuangYao's character made this entire series just that much better for me.

The setting of the Shanghai Warlord times during the Revolution was superb, and themes of deception, lies and betrayal run through the series. The realistic touch of history and the evil side of humanity really brought life to the series, and I love how they portrayed the greyness of reality, how nothing is truly good and nothing is truly evil.

I love both the main leads to bits, both are cunning little sly foxes with genius minds. They would do anything to save each other, and I'm glad to see that even FL had her own power and charisma, something that we don't often see in Chinese dramas.

Tan XuanLin (ML) was such a cunning character, he had me fooled multiple times with his marvelous acting, and yes I'm talking about the acting skills of both the actor and the character himself. It was absolutely fantastic and on point!

I did wish that the main leads could communicate a bit more to each other regarding their plans, but there was also a very good reason they didn't. What I love about this drama, is that there were not any cliched plot points to push the main leads together, and no miscommunication as well. While they may not have told each other everything, it was not due to miscommunication, but out of necessity and protection. Besides they are smart enough to figure out the other's plan anyway ><

The side characters, although not having as much screen time, had their own precious plotlines, where we see cute and dramatic relationships developing. They have often make me cry my heart out, or laugh my head off, or squeal just cuz of how cute they are. The couples in this series just hit that sweet spot and creates endless sugary treats for me.

PS do be prepared to cry sometimes. get some tissues.

If you're still hesitating, please don't. At least give it a try, you will be captivated since the very first episode.

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Good looking men in uniform - what's not to like!?

This was a pretty good drama. The story held together enough to follow without confusion and not get boring or too draggy. Characters were introduced and I could keep track. The actors did a great job in their roles, and I really liked the sense of loyalty and camaraderie they portrayed. Loved the brotherhood between the three best friends. ML & FL had great chemistry also. Chen Xing Xu was the big appeal for me. I loved him in this role, although I would have liked him to smirk less - but he was so good to look at, it didn't matter!

Token annoying brainless female - Tan Sang Yu. When will the writers get it right not to write at least one obsessed, delusional female character into the plot? She was so irritating and bratty and served little or no purpose but to give women a bad name and be excessively annoying! How about not stalking a guy to get him to notice you, let alone like you! Ugh!

Saddest scenes were the ML losing the people he loved (especially Tan Si). The writers barely held the rest of the story lines together and tied everything up pretty nicely in the end. FL's expressions were a little wooden, but her chemistry with the ML made up for it.

Rewatch value? A definite possibility.

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So very good

Even though the romance was lacking a bit as it was not the full focus of the series, the leads chemistry did make up for it alot and the intrigue more than made up for it also. Commander Tan will always have my heart.
I was gobsmacked in such a good way with this after ep3.
I will be very honest. I thought the ML couldn’t act for shit in the first 2 episodes but I continued because there was just a vibe to the series that made me want so see more. I told myself I would stop if I didn’t like it by episode 5. Well thank God for that judgement call as I would have missed out on what is turning into one of my top 5 Cdramas of all time.
The ML has in just 2 episode turned from one of my worse leads to one of my absolute favorite leads. I am completely obsessed with him (in a non creepy way).
IMO, This is the first Cdrama lead after Jiang XiaoYu in handsome siblings, that has not been boggled down with false virtue, fake morality and being a goody two shoes. Our male lead is so cunning and strategic and do you know what the best part of it is, he completely owns it and I’m here for it. Aside from the 1st 2 episodes. He completely shines everytime he’s on screen and steals every scene he’s in. I thought the SML was better after watching the 1st 2 episodes but boy was I so wrong. (Still like the SML even tho he had no balls in regards to standing up to this dad).
Someone talked about his hand/finger gestures. They were indeed a thing of beauty.
I read a review bashing the FL, typical behavior. She was a young lady and she was perfect as far as I am concerned.
Some people will watch a series where the FL is between 17-23 and expect her to be acting like a 30 year old. Like the hateful keyboard warriors were any better behaved at that age. I can bet they are not even matured at their current age but have the guts to criticize every FL for not being perfect enough in their eyes. All FL bashers need to either take several seats at the back or GTFOH with their “misogynistic” or “fellow women hating on fellow women” foolish shit.
I have rewatched already so obviously the rewatch value is 10/10.
Overall rating is obviously 10/10 also.
I highly highly recommend

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