1The chemistry between the leads is really there though and the story didn't get unnecessarily draggy at different parts
Like some side characters make me angry but they don't cause 5-episode-long misunderstandings if that makes sense?
so I would highly recommend anyone who is looking to consume some high-sugar drama XD
The two side couples' stories weren't as interested in my opinion but, you know, the main couple is enough to keep you watching.
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An overrated drama that's worth a watch
I was eagerly waiting for this drama's subs ever since it came out. I saw some clips posted on Instagram which looked cute and the people couldn't stop raving about it. However I am coming out with a disappointment - maybe my expectations out of this were too high. It was also a struggle watching this drama with very subpar subtitles but I'd like to thank the subber who gave us the subs out of their goodwill.STORY + CHARACTERS:
It's a run of the mill contract marriage story. However the professor and student twist was something new and for once the girl isn't treated badly by the male lead. The leads have decent chemistry and are quite natural with each other, which is hands down the highlight of this drama. The supporting characters were all nice and cute but the spark was missing for me. I cannot pinpoint to what was missing but this drama didn't leave me satisfied by the end. The slow burn between the leads was nice but Yun Shu was a very average character. Her sister was annoying at first and I couldn't care less about her romance with the actor dude. I think I rather preferred the storyline of her best friends. Sadly I am not the biggest fan of the male character either - he was a typical tsundere but albeit a little less likable. For example- he reminded me of the male lead from Intense Love who was far more lovable and cute. Zhang Shinan's character and childhood were cliches. I did appreciate the relationship he (and Yunshu; later) shared with the grandfather.
ACTING:
The biggest issue for me with this drama was the main actress. I understand this is her debut drama and she is very, very pretty but she just fell absolutely flat for me. Miles was alright- he had some cute moments but sadly his character was very cliche. The supporting cast was also just ok- nothing that great as is the case with most C-dramas. Maybe if the casting was better this drama would have been upped in quality as the writer at least tried to make it a bit different.
REWATCH VALUE:
Won't be rewatching this. No parts were that memorable for me. The kisses were sweet and became better towards the end.
OVERALL:
Meh. Like I said - it's cute but terribly missing out on a lot. I think good thing is that there aren't overbearingly annoying second leads. They back off rather quickly. There was also nothing too sad in this drama so it retains its airy atmosphere till the end. Even the ending is full of hope and positivity with the grandfather which I liked.
I can recommend to the people who are looking for something where they wish to turn off their brains and enjoy the romance. Romance is quite alright and the male lead is getting quite popular from what I understand. I'd tell people to give it a try although I'm in the minority who didn't really enjoy this one much. Time to move to the next drama.
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Typical romcom
I started watching this looking at the positive reviews & hype. But its not that good as I expected. Male lead's acting was good. FL umm idk. Sound production was pretty good but not best. 2-3 scenes are rewatchable. Chemistry 5/10. Overall I think Male lead carried the show. The visuals of leads are good. Direction aint that bad. But the drama isnt as good as its hyped. I think there are better dramas out there. Sometimes typical dramas also become great because of lead's chemistry & good sound productions. But somehow i felt this drama lacked it.Was this review helpful to you?
It's sweet, but not too sweet
This drama has pretty good elements, from cast to story. As you can expect in the title, perfect and casual, there's a character that is taking on the role of perfect and there's another that ruins everything with their casual ways.For a contract marriage, I did not expect Si Nian to actually be this sweet throughout the drama. There are moments where you can see the way he treats Yun Shu is all for her best interest which is great and he doesn't do it in the "I'm going to bully you" way but in a caring way that lets her understand.
I honestly forget that they were in that student-teacher relationship throughout the series because it's both their first loves and it brings on that perfect first love vibe.
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Not worth the watch even if your bored...
It was cute in the begining but became hard to finish towards the end, completing 30 minutes felt like 3 days.The fl is a statistic major who at some point in the drama gains knowledge about law for her part time job, so we can infer that shes booksmart. Despite these qualifications she makes descions as if she is operating with ZERO brain cells. The writers wrote her without common sense as it it wasnt in the dictionary. Her actions are really really really cringy.
The side couples were rushed towards the end and made no sense. It was as if the writers started bsing the plot just because they had to complete it somehow. All in all, a mess.
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This drama started stupid
Then nice, then okay, then stupid again
I even dropped the first episode and jumped to next one
And I catched all what I missed and understood it
The FL character was so annoying, shallow and stupid with her stupid (MMM) as an answer
and -0 chemistry with the ML
The plot wasn't strong
The story wasn't solid
And towards the end this drama literally became meaningless
Characters came and went in the story suddenly without any introduction
Probably just to fill the story
The events were missing depth
It's like you are watching someone's daily routine,
That's it
The romance wasn't cute or fluffy or in it's place in my opinion
It's rare to find a real good Chinese Drama to watch and enjoy it
Towards the end I was literally pushing myself to complete it
Although the ML'S character was nice and cute
But it wasn't cute enough to make me love this show
And almost most of the actors their acting was really fake and annoying especially the FL
DISLIKE with sorrow
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This review may contain spoilers
Had to Fast forward to finish it, the ML is the only saving grace
Zhang Si Nian (ML): The actor that portrays this character does very well with roles that feature him as a genius. But he was much better in Unforgettable Love (2021). The ML in the show was pretty nice but a bit slow on the uptake. Once he figured out that he was in love in the FL, he didn't play any games and tried his best to win her over.Yun Shu (FL):
The Bad:
Childish character with annoying voice. I had to clench my teeth to keep going, because i just needed to know the entire story. I don't mind it when a character is a little bubbly, it makes things interesting, but Yun Shu was kind of unbearable. The ML looked better with Yun Shu's sister when they were all together in a frame.
The Good:
She was a nice person overall and also didn't play any games. She even reminded me of Shim Chung / Seo Hwa from The Legend of the Blue Sea even before she actually put on a mermaid costume.
It was an okay drama. Not worth a rewatch though.
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This review may contain spoilers
typical contract relationship story but with 0 chemistry
PLOT :the plot is pretty typical contract relationship with less drama than usual dramas like this. but the less drama doesn't mean that it's good imo it was quite boring & most of the time nothing interesting was happening. now usually in dramas like these we expect great chemistry between the characters so the boringness/lack of plot won't be that big of a problem (example put your head on my shoulder) but in here literally no one had any chemistry whatsoever. the main couple looked awkward as hell all the time even after they were apparently in love. the FL's best friends relationship was a mess too they were WAY too toxic and had no chemistry & FL's sister & ML's friend's relationship was the most forced relationship ever. and that old grandpa was one annoying ass dude idc he WAS annoying and the FL's cousin deserved jail. the only good thing was that they actually talked about their problems with each other unlike most drama's couples who keeps hiding their problems from their bf/gf.
ACTING/CAST :
FL : she just CAN'T act. her acting was really bad and one of the main reasons why there was 0 chemistry between the main couple. and her character was way too naive and that really annoyed me.
ML : his acting was not bad & his character was the typical cold career focused male lead but only difference was he was really calm & collected and never got mad at the FL which i liked
the rest of the characters are pretty annoying & their acting was bad to mediocre except for the lawyer ig but he was quite annoying at first too
MUSIC : there wasn't any song in this drama that caught my attention / fit my music taste.
REWATCH VALUE : would never in my sane mind rewatch this lmao
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This review may contain spoilers
Not all “idol romcoms” are equal: Or “The kind are rewarded”
This was a show which had it all, good writing, direction, fantastic performance and visuals. Was it full of cliches and tropes, and seemed cut from the mold of other dramas with similar tropes? Both yes and no. While I have not watched others to be able to make any substantial comparison, just on its own merit this was a drama which can stand tall amongst others of its ilk.After a few rewatches, it became clear to me that more care, consideration and thought than what was common (for an idol romcom/pure romance) were given to the script/screenplay, and the whole production as a whole. There was a coherent theme/message, and recurring motifs, simplistic as they were. The small details mattered in this show.
It was also a showcase in how to go about achieving a wholesome, healthy, mature and loving relationship (for the leads). Communication, communication and communication. They took the time to talk with and reassure each other, tried to understand the other’s perspective, apologise when in the wrong etc. They did it often and habitually. It was especially stark when put against that of the other secondary couples.
There was not much unnecessary conflict, and any devices - i.e, misunderstandings or “love rivals” - for the development of the leads’ relationship were never utilised beyond their usefulness to the story. The respective dynamics were also a vehicle of growth for the leads. It was all very utilitarian. It could either be a plus or negative. In any case, I appreciated the straightforwardness. It resulted in a breezy, romantic and heartwarming drama experience.
While riding on the common tropes and cliches distinctive of its genre, it also tried to subvert some of them. It was a show “aware” of itself. It poked fun at the aggressive-CEO-tropes, and made fun of itself as a “mindless idol drama”. There was sarcastic and dry humour. There was also lovely usage of old movies to make its point across.
Having watched the ending and then returning to the first episode again, I was really struck by how coherent, cohesive and consistent the whole storyline was. The writing was truly solid.
Performance wise, suffice to say that WZM portrayed Prof Zhang impeccably, playing a staid, aloof and wooden character with much warmth, sensitivity and nuance. It’s impossible not to fall in love with Prof. Zhang. XRH was the perfect foil for him, playing Yun Shu naturally in all her adorable, sweet, effervescent and optimistic glory, subsequently blooming into a stronger and more mature character as the show progressed.
The secondary characters gave memorable performances too, and I especially loved ZLR’s portrayal of GZY. It was an organic and dynamic performance, giving the character a realism which I found particularly compelling.
In defense of the “Mary-Sue” female lead:
Was she absentminded, naive, too trusting and not particularly smart nor streetwise. Yes. Was she stupid. No.
Her being kind, generous and trusting might be looked upon by some as idiocy, but the show itself - via the character of the grandfather - clearly told us, it’s both her strength and weakness.
The show was not shy in letting us know that her helpfulness to others have garnered her opportunities which she would not have had just based on her academic or work skills.
Of course, as a viewer, what one thinks of the old-fashioned message itself is up to themselves, but the show was at least unapologetic in promoting the adage: “Nice girls finish first”, or that “compassion will be rewarded in kind.”
Conclusion:
For being a purely romance driven drama in its particular sub-genre, this was an example of fine writing, production and performance, as cliched and trope-y as it was. I feel fortunate in my encounter with this gem of a romcom. It’s undoubtedly a favourite now.
(All my thanks to the production/writing team, cast and crew).
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Your usual sweet romance drama with smart cute male lead and normal clumsy female lead
I was not expecting myself to finish this whole series... But i like this female lead and ended up binge watching all 24 episodes in a few days. This feels similar to the Korean drama "This is my first life" and even the FLs looked similar as well.Story for the main leads were at least wholesome, everyone got their happy ending, but I feel that they can at least elaborate more on each character's development. Some supporting characters are cut off suddenly at some point (of course I will not miss them but I am equally invested in their life lol). No third parties or rivals... It really is just your typical romance drama.
If you are bored and are into romance genre, do give this a try.
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I'm a changed woman
Why did I just find this now? I'm so skeptical about Chinese dramas. It's a rare occasion for me to actually enjoy and finish them. (Note : I dislike childhood/school/teen tropes). I can't believe I completed this series in one night. Thanks to random YT moments I found this heart-warming, heart-fluttering yada yada series. I love Because This Is My First Life hence, this is an easier version and definitely a call for a binge.The plot was average with cliché tropes but it is nicely done like, I'm so satisfied with the scenes and its development. Well-blended and logic with no dramatic or weird moments; just I found everything (including the awkwardness between the characters) was so cuteeeee. It is totally fun, and Zhang had so many random hilarious moments. Their chemistry are amazing and their relationship was purely delicate.
I like Yun Shu tho she had dumb moments but the actress was naturally adorable! Zhang was always persistent with his effort to love his wife; I'm so touched *here's your best husband trophy, Mr Zhang*. Plus, the fact they communicated very well to avoid continuous misunderstanding put me in a comfort.
Overall, I totally recommend this as your top binge. A light, fluttering, almost perfect fun show.
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Kinda sweet but not that great
Tsundere ML? Now that's my jam! A dash of cluelessness in the FL? Sure thing, no worries. But boy, this FL was like the cluelessness Olympics. I mean, give me a break. Her character grated on my nerves like sandpaper.I gotta hand it to the drama, though. It kept things breezy, none of that heavy-duty misunderstanding nonsense or overly complicated love triangles. That's the saving grace that earned it this rating. I went all in, even toughing it out till the grand finale, hoping against hope that I'd start rooting for this couple. But nah, that spark just didn't catch fire.
And let's not even talk about the side couple. If anything, they were like an extra scoop of "meh" on top of an already lukewarm sundae.
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