Forever and Ever

A slow-paced romance that gives us the happy ending we needed

9/25/2021

Just like many, I have been waiting for the happy ending after watching "One and Only". O&O is a beautiful, tragic romance where no one got a happy ending. I am eagerly waiting for Zhou Sheng Chen and Shi Yi's happily every after. This drama is not a romantic comedy and one should not expect cute and fluffy romance and lots of kisses. Instead, I feel that it has a very similar vibe to O&O. It's mellow and romantic in its own way. The romance is developed very slowly, even though they are engaged early on in the drama. Some might find the pace too slow because of ZZC's character and his awkward dorkiness. One need to be patient for the romance to develop and it's the central part of this whole drama. I do think that the drama could have been a little shorter.

What I like:

1. Zhou Sheng Chen/Allen Ren - One of the main reasons I enjoy this drama is because I enjoy a male lead like ZSC. I have a soft spot for a ML who is a little reserved, loyal, a little dorky, and shows his affections through quiet actions and not cheesy lines. I like how ZSC could only manage to utter a few words in the beginning of the romance. Then you slowly see that he speaks in phrases, then in complete sentences and then able to joke and tease. The way he talks shows the progression of their relationship. I am a fan of Allen Ren, but I never find him super attractive unless he's in uniform. But I find him VERY attractive in this drama. He looks good in a sweatshirt, in PJs and in suits, well, and topless. He looks especially good with his wet hair :)

2. *Spoiler* Ep 23 Bathtub scene - This is the most intimate, heartbreaking and romantic scene. It breaks my heart that ZSC was devastated from his grief. I felt Shu Yi's helplessness in not knowing how to comfort him. The washing of his hair feels so intimate and comforting. I love that ZSC asks Shu Yi to hug him and she immediately climbs inside the tub and give him a big, tender, loving hug. We don't need a passionate kiss here. All we need is that quietness and understanding of each other. This scene gives me the same vibe as my favorite nose-touching scene in One and Only.

3. Main Romance - I love how Shu Yi complements ZSC so well. They are both quiet people but Shu Yi is honest and straightforward, very similar to Shu Yi in One and Only. She's the one that always initiates and shows affection first, and that's what ZSC needs. I like how inexperienced our male lead is and the way he's always trying to ask Shu Yi to teach him. I agree with Shu Yi, he is absolutely adorable in his dorky self. The romance is mature and healthy. They trust each other and there isn't any silly misunderstanding between them. I also like their subtle color-matching outfits, esp. the yellow/tan sweater that Shu Yi wears and the yellow/tan jacket that ZSC wears (he looks so good in that outfit!).

4. Acting - Of course Bai Lu and Allen Ren are amazing and have great chemistry. I enjoy the supporting cast as well, e.g. Grandma, Uncle Lin, FL's parents and Little Ren.

4. Costumes - Everyone in this drama dresses very well. Our leads have a wonderful wardrobe of casual wear, formal wear and evening wear. It's hard to find a C-drama that I agree with the costume choices, as I've seen too many oversized clothing. Bai Lu looks absolutely beautiful in everything she wears. And of course, Allen Ren, who I gushes so much about already.

5. The Sites/Cinematography - What a beautiful traditional-style big house we have in this drama. The shots of the view of the lotus pond is especially beautiful when the red lanterns were up. I love all the rooms, all the yards and especially the library. I am also glad that we get to see sights in Shanghai and Xi'An as well.

What I don't Like:

1. Reincarnation Ban - I read that China bans dramas of reincarnation and I think it affects the story-telling of this drama. For fans of One & Only, Forever and Ever lacks the connection between the two. As much as I like the dream sequences and the voice dubbing, they are not enough to provide viewers to feel the emotional connection and the leads past lives. That's why I find it hard to believe that Shu Yi would fall in love with Zhou Shen Chen at the airport because of a name.

2. Plot holes - Did ML tell FL the real reason for his proposal, that he needs to get married to inherit everything? Did I miss that part? How can a boatman not know how to swim? Didn't the crabs stay with FL's parents house and the cute dad was fanning the crabs? How come the little girl brought the crabs back to ML?

3. Lack of kisses - I did not feel that One & Only needs any kiss scene. But, I do feel that we need at least one or two more in Forever and Ever. We only get one in the car and it was going so well until it was interrupted. There were quite a few moments when I felt that a kiss will enhance the scene, e.g. when they were both soaked in the rain and got back to the hotel before their first night together. Or when they're in the snow on top of the tower before or after they whisper the "I love you"?

4. Family Drama at the end - I am not sure how I feel about the family drama in the last few episodes. It feels a little out of place.

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A classy romance drama in its own right.

I watched this drama because of Bai Lu and been a fan of hers since 'Jiu Liu Overlord'.

'Forever and Ever' is a good love story within the romance genre and it is able to stand independently without the need to watch ‘One and Only’.

And that is a big call. I have not watched ‘One and Only’ and I have no plans to. It will just break my heart. Alternatively, I read the previous reviews of 'Forever and Ever', reviews of the ‘One and Only’ show, wiki it, and so forth; to understand the totality of this couple’s journey. If you are in the same boat as me, read a few reviews to understand the nuances of Zhousheng Chen and Shi Yi’s behaviours.

The biggest reason that I completed this drama is Bai Lu and Allen Ren performances. I was incredibly impressed with Allen Ren’s portrayal of Zhousheng Chen. His little mannerisms of the socially awkward professor throughout the whole drama are gold. Bai Lu on the other hand, her Shi Yi is the embodiment of that ‘calm sophisticated lady’, and my womancrush on her is getting stronger. They were the glue of this drama.

Despite the acting prowess of Lu and Ren, there are issues I do not like such as:
- the last few episodes felt a bit rushed – from going ok to ‘huh?’,
- the loose story arc of police involvement where I even forget why he was in the show,
- the way the story glossed over Zhousheng’s work for the family,
- Shi Yi’s bloody amazing stomach for putting up with his family drama.

Highly recommended for romance drama lovers, Bai Lu and Allen Ren.

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People with Beautiful Heart have Beautiful Face.

This is a sequel of One and Only,
This is a very beautiful sequel I have ever watched.
Watching this I had this Haiku in my mind by Lubna Yusuf

"ten autumn passed by
yet each time I look I know
your eyes are still mine"

This indicates that whatever happens to us I will surely be with you for rest of your life even if it means reincarnation.
ShiYi (played by Bai Lu) and Zhou Sheng Chen (played by Allen Ren) and other actors portrayed their characters very well.
ShiYi was always there for ZSC even when she was treated poorly by his family .Their love was so pure and and delightful.
Whenever I watch this drama I kinda feel like I am watching a real house where all the problems are solved it never felted that there was any exaggeration for any situation.

If you watch drama carefully there are many other details which shows that there is still true love present eg:-
1.Even when ZWX pushed SY into the water she had reasons where she wanted to save the fight between the bothers she adored.Even it was a selfish move but I could understand the motive of hers.
2.Love of the main leads ever though they were too physical (that is been complained by many of the viewers ) but didn't notice when anyone would be sad the cozy cuddles the kisses on the cheeks , hugging together in the bath tub.
For me the most heart touching was when ZSC hand wrote his marriage invitation .
3. Ren and uncle Lin was a secrete show stealer loved them how they were close to each other ahaha
Interesting facts:-
~ SY liked pomegranates in past life as well as in this life too
~ in past life SY was not able to speak her half life that why she was worshiped but a beautiful career and voice in this life
~ZSC was not able to give Sy anything in past life because of the oath given but this time he gave her everything he had.
~ZSC always obeys SY and vice vera this is the most lovely thing in this show.etc
For me OnO and FaE are true gems .
If you want to give it a try pls do it right now !! I personally loved it.

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I loved this drama

I have not watched One and Only because I am not fan of tragic outcomes even if this a continuation of this story. Maybe when my heart is strong enough I will give it a try.

*Possible spoilers*
This drama is different for me because it is not cute and fluffy which is the genre I normally enjoy watching. There are lots of tragedy that goes on in the story but it is also mixed in with giddy lovey dovey moments of the main leads. I know that many people in the comments are disliking this series because of the lack of kiss scenes due to the male lead's no kissing policy. I respect that, in fact I think it made more of an impact to me. Even without "passionate" scenes you can see how the couple develops love for each other. Towards the end you can see how Zhou Sheng Chen passionately loves Shi Yi without any kisses needed. I love seeing skinship like the next drama addict but I've watched shows with lots of it but no real chemistry or feelings from the couples. Here you can totally see their love progress and deepen through understanding and caring which is what true loving spouses need.

I have so many things I want to say about this show which broke my heart and mended it but it's so hard to articulate it.

*Spoiler*
The death of Zhou Wen Xing really hit me hard. I felt so bad for Mei Xing as he walked alone after her death and after the wedding of our main couple. I wish they would create a spinoff of him finding love. The actor who played Mei Xing looks like he can handle a main role.

I also wish they would have an epilogue with the couple's children but I guess that 1 full episode of happiness for the couple is already a gift from the usual last 5 minutes.

Thank you for reading.

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"Shi Yi and Zhou Sheng Chen Pure perfection"

The drama is just pure perfection. Congratulation to everyone that worked on it. I love how natural and relatable the progression of their relationship. From the way they're so awkward around each other was so oddly to gradually getting intimate and loving each other.
This drama proves that intimacy is so just about kissing but also about looking at each other, touching, bed talk, loving each other with action not just saying it. The way the director and the Bai Lu and Allen Ren portray suggestive intimacy in this drama was just out of this world.
I cried my eyes out watching one and only but I loved how they intertwin the two dramas together soo.. seemly made this drama even more faultless. Really one of the best dramas I’ve seen this year and the best cast. LOVE ACROSS 2 LIFE TIMES.

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What a Surprise!

This drama being the sequel of One and Only no-one had to convince me to watch it!

Unforgetable, Just love this drama. .I can't bring myself to rate this drama anything below 9 because that would be so unfair. The story was well crafted, we see good chemistry between the actors. I felt that Bai Lu and Ren Jia Lun did a good job of portraying their characters.
The OST was very good. The script was not perfect but it followed the novel very closely. Excellent rewatch value, It is one of those dramas that I can watch over and over. There a few third party issues and no unnecessary drama/conflict between the leads.

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Lovely Shiyi's Love Only For Zhou Sheng Chen.

Forever & Ever…..
Here the sequel of One & Only but in different genre, A Classic Modern Drama. A story about lovely Shi Yi met Zhou Sheng Chen in her next life.

▪️Main Points
~ In One & Only, Shiyi couldn’t confess his love to Zhou Sheng Chen because of an edict from a Majesty to marry Crown Prince.
~ A beautiful story revolves around classic scenes about Shiyi and Zhou Sheng Chen met again in next life. But it was completely in a different romantic drama.

▪️Short Synopsis
Shiyi was top voice actress who was humble, straightforward and lovely. After hearing a name called as ‘Zhou Sheng Chen’ she was interested to go and confirmed his name then asked for his contact information. She said that because of his name was same in the novel of ‘One & Only’ so she want to make a friend. Zhou Sheng Chen was a chemist professor who came back from overseas and planning to develop a project in his own country. He met with Shiyi in airport for the first time but was moved to give his email to her when she asked for his contact information. They became friends as they communicated each other with emails for six months and accidentally met in restaurant after Shiyi and her friend go to Xian for the first time. Before that Shiyi had sends an email telling him that she’ll go to Xian and planning to meet him. He did not read the email but their fate bought them together. Later Shiyi asked him to show the place to her and they met for third times. After meeting about fourth to fifth times, they were gradually getting more comfortable and closer.

Shiyi agreed to register for marriage with Zhou Sheng Chen. She felt that if she did not agreed to his proposal she’ll be regretted it later. She did not even told her parents yet and also her mother in law did not liked her. But with Zhou Sheng Chen there, she felt it enough and already happy with it.

▪️Characters Intro
~ Allen Ren was a sweet and handsome actor. He acts as Zhou Sheng Chen, a chemist professor who came back from overseas and plan to work and staying in the country. He was a straight and slow spoken guy who respect the oldest and others. He fallen in love with Shiyi after knowing her and plan to marry her. He was well behaved and responsible guy.
~ Bai Lu was acted as Shi Yi who recalled some histories about her past life. She was a popular voice actress and manage to buy her own house in Shanghai. She was a cute, lovely and extrovert girl. She took an initiative to make a friend with Zhou Sheng Chen and later became his fiancée. She an easygoing girl who always trust and loved Zhou Sheng Chen with her deep heart. Shiyi was timid, she afraid of dark because she always dream about war since she small. I love to see Shiyi’s styles in clothing. Even this drama revolves around classic background, Shiyi’s attires was fashionable and pretty cute with her.

▪️OST
~ Shan Yichun - Continued
~ Yan Zhong Ren - Freeze
~ Buyi Mao - Give You Give Me
The song by Shan Yichun was very suitable with this drama. It’s has beautiful meaning and when you hear the drama playing it, you will feel it either happy nor sad.

▪️Opinions
~ You can see how much Zhou Sheng Chen’s love Shiyi from beginning to end. He care about her, never leave her behind when she’s sick and became so emotional when he knew Shiyi’s fall sick.
~ Shiyi was the one who take the initiatives either in making friend nor in getting close together. She also the one who said ‘I Love You’ first. But I think it’s so cute.
~ I think Zhou Sheng Chen also cute as same what Shiyi’s claimed. He indeed different from the other guys. He well behaved, slow spoken and very straight guy. He’s not romantic but his love was enough for Shiyi to know that he was the one to her.
~ I love all the people in this drama except Zhou Sheng Chen’s stepmom and brother, Wenchuan. His sister, Wenxing was a good and nice girl. Even she’s sick, she still care about her brother and family. Zhou Sheng Ren also was a nice brother. He care about his brother and sister in law. He likes to be with them and want to be with them always. Mei Xing also was a good friend. He care about Zhou Sheng Chen and always help him either in business or families.
~ Zhou Sheng Chen’s stepmother was evil and arrogant woman. She was not respected his son’s choices in choosing his own wife. I did not like her even what she’s said to Shiyi was indeed true.
~ Zhou Wen Chuan was a bad brother. He aware his brother trapped at the factory’s gate but he was on purpose to make him waiting for three hours. He only care about the power and money.
~ A bit weird since Shiyi can walk easily after wake up from a long bedridden. Then she also went to award ceremony like nothing happened before. She did not even met her parent who worried about her when she was bedridden.
~ Shiyi asked about getting a baby as soon as she heals. If the drama skipped the time for one year, it may be good for her to think about having a baby.
~ I'm only feeling satisfied with the drama since Zhou Sheng Chen can officially married with Shiyi and do the marriage ceremonies. They were looked good in red wedding dress and suit.

▪️Overall
For me, this drama need to skip the parts that not really important. From the 25 episode to above, I mostly skipped a few of part because it was a bit boring.

For overall, the drama indeed different from the other dramas. It's interesting and nice to watch.

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“How often can life’s pleasures be enjoyed? Shi Yi, alone, is all that I ask.”

Forever & Ever ruined romance dramas for me in general since it is so beautifully written and acted. It is just very rare to find romance dramas that do not have stupid misunderstandings, petty games of push & pull, breakups and just about love, trust, loyalty and absolute understanding between two people in love. I can never stress out how wonderful and fantastic this drama is. Zhousheng Chen & Shi Yi’s relationship is really beautiful -- I rarely use this word to describe relationship in dramas but they have ‘soulmate’ kind of relationship since they can see deep into each other's souls where no words are needed to be spoken. I never seen a drama where the leads actually smile at each other as much as they smile to each other here -- they look totally in love, smitten and extremely blessed to be at each other's company. And this drama is actually better with each rewatch since the love & romantic details in it are really amazing.

THE LEADS’ PERFORMANCES
Ren Jialun is truly fantastic as the awkwardly shy Zhousheng Chen to the point I really thought that is his real personality. His awkward body movements, the way he will lick his lips when he's nervous, to those blissful and shy smiles -- the attention to details when he is playing the character is just magnificent. And I love how Zhousheng Chen handle his toxic mother with such a grace -- never disrespecting her but also never allowed her to mistreat his wife as well.

And Bai Lu as Shi Yi in Forever & Ever is just beyond awesome. I really think they need to write more amazing FL character like her -- bold, straight forward and just full of love. The way she comfort her husband, understand him like no one does, all the sweet little gestures, or the way she laugh at him are just fantastic. She is perfect but at the same time appear very humane and approachable. Plus, she did all the first moves, how awesome is that?

BEAUTIFUL VISUAL DIRECTING, CINEMATOGRAPHY & COSTUMES
I love how the Director using frames a lot in the drama to display characters’ thoughts and distance and how when they are shot in the same frame, its to show how both is at the same state of mind. And I also notice the drama used a lot of earthly colors like yellow, white and brown for soothing and warm effects and that is why you will feel the drama is very relaxing and healing. Or using shadows when the couple had their first night together which is one of the best directing I've seen for this kind of love scenes.

I also love how this drama will be using characters' outfits to tell a story or their motivation. I like how Zhousheng Chen & Shiyi will always wear same color with different shades before their marriage while same color with same shade (coupling outfits) after their marriage. Or how the antagonists in the drama will always wear black, literally, black all the time. Or grey character like Weixing will always wear black & white.

THE ESSENCE OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP
I love that the essence of their love did not change at all despite both of them has different personalities than their previous life in One & Only. Shi Yi will fall first and Zhousheng Chen took time but when he did, she can feel it in her bones despite his love being silent.

And the most important of all, they found calm & tranquility with each other just like in One & Only -- the same calmness and safety. That is why when everything else is failing him (like his family), he always find her, since she gave him the comfort just like Shi Yi found the comfort in Zhousheng Chen in One & Only. They are still one heart and mind -- in fact stronger since now, no explanation needed as they trust each other unconditionally.

And both of them really gets each other. They really knows and understands each other in some fundamental ways. For Shi Yi for an example, all Zhousheng Chen's socially awkward and shy personality to his weird antics -- are the aspects that made her love him because they're what make him who he is. She doesn’t want to change him as she love him just as he is and vice versa. Their relationship is not just about physical beauty but they're about really seeing deeply into each other’s souls. Their attraction is based on trust and understanding. I love that their internal monologue would be like; 'I should hug her. She would also want me to hug her' which I find interesting since Zhousheng Chen completely understand what Shi Yi wants. Even when they moved to Xi'an, the house that he bought and the furnitures in it are based on Shi Yi's preference even when she is not there to tell him. They have this 'Us against the world' mentality so adversities only make them closer instead of the other way around.

THE FUNDAMENTAL OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP
"Most people see the skin and not the beauty of the bones." – and their relationship is not just bonding on the physical aspect but bonding of the soul.

Both One & Only and Forever & Ever explored both Zhousheng Chen & Shi Yi’s relationship with this fundamental core. The 'bonding of the soul' -- something that can’t be seen from the surface but both of them see each other’s' soul for who they truly are. That’s why when some people complained that they couldn't understand why someone as gorgeous as Shi Yi could be attracted to someone socially awkward and nerdy like Zhousheng Chen, it is exactly what the drama wants to achieve -- Shi Yi sees his beautiful bones instead of his skin and see the beautiful man he is from the inside and fall in love with that part of him. It was meant to be portray that way.

Lots of people just see the drama from the surface, thus passing it merely as fluff but once they actually see each scene on what the writer actually intended to tell, they are just gonna be surprise with how full of depth is their story -- whether in the past or the present.

CONNECTION BETWEEN THE PAST & PRESENT
I also love how the writer connect the past and the present -- from something simple as drying of Shi Yi’s hair to helping her changing shoes which both happened in One & Only and Forever & Ever.

To the part where Zhousheng Chen taught Shi Yi Guqin in One & Only and gifted her the Guqin factory in Forever & Ever. Or he gifted her tea all over the place in One & Only and gifted her Tea House in Forever & Ever.

Or something big like he guard the whole city for her safety in One & Only and he sent someone to protect her when she went back from Germany in Forever & Ever.

ZHOUSHENG CHEN’S SILENT LOVE
One of the greatest thing about Zhousheng Chen is his silent love. Like he will always do things silently -- never expecting anything in return but Shi Yi could always feel his love despite he never mention it -- whether in this life or their past life. For an example, a simple scene like showing him paying their dinner together with his student at Xi'an where no one know except his assistant. Looking from the surface, it seemed like a filler scene but its actually to show his selfless and sincere personality since everyone in the room thought it is his assistant who is treating everyone to dinner.

I love how the writer and director chose to portray Zhousheng Chen’s love that you can truly passed it as something insignificant because Shi Yi didn’t even know most of them. Like him calling her taxi at Xi'an -- even when he could tell her that it was him who did it, but he didn’t when she thought this nice gesture is from his assistant and not from him. Or how he helped the injured delivery guy -- he could tell her how he helped him (in the later episode) which will expose how he drove all night just to see her that day and again, he didn’t. Or the pomegranate scene that he passed as something he found on the street when in fact we as an audience knew the length that he go through for something that she said in her sleep. Or something big like how he sent someone to protect her when she went back from Germany since he feels she is in danger to asking Xiao Ren to accompany her at the Old Town – both instances, Shi Yi never knew.

She once asked him how would she know he did all this if he never tell her but he said he simply did it out of love so it didn’t matter whether she know it or not -- exactly just like Zhousheng Chen from the past. This is not including the one that Shi Yi can see like the wedding cards or the wedding lanterns. I think no other drama actually show this much romantic details in their story -- I find it truly captivating.

SHI YI’S LOVE & AGENCY
Some people misunderstood Shi Yi since she seemed to agree with everything when it comes to Zhousheng Chen. Its not that she didn’t have agency but she understood him to the core. Like she didn’t have to protect herself or fight for her rights, because she know he will do it for her -- since he will never ask her to do something that she didn’t like or uncomfortable with. Like she know she didn’t have to move for him after the wedding, since he will move for her. Their relationship is actually rather fascinating in this aspect - a complete trust and understanding of each other.

He can’t come home as initially planned, she totally understands it. Need to leave early while they are in the middle of dating, she's cool with it too. Not because she's a pushover, but she knows that despite of anything, she is #1 in his heart -- a real mature understanding that reflect her state of mind.

CONCLUSION
Zhousheng Chen may not remember anything (unlike Shi Yi) but everything that he did in Forever & Ever is the things he regrets and couldn't give her in One & Only. That is why, he is my favorite romantic lead in any drama because his love is sincere, pure and did not ask anything in return -- its okay if she never knew what he did as long as she feel his love and that is all matters to him.

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Great Acting, Boring Story, Not Really a Sequel

Though anticipated, the ending of “One and Only” gives the viewers tears and broken hearts. Most have been waiting anxiously for its sequel “Forever and Ever” which is believed to have a happily-ever-after ending that is needed for closure. This drama (“Forever and Ever”) is originally a story about karma and reincarnation but as the Chinese government bans the reincarnation subject in all drama productions, this essential element becomes subdued, if not totally eliminated, rendering a great shift of the story away from its original work.

From the beginning, our main couple from “One and Only” meets and gets married, almost instantly in their modern lifetime. For three quarters of the drama, viewers are shown a chronicle of daily life of the newlyweds, with a hint of something nefarious lurking beneath what seemingly a blissful life. As much as I love watching the love development of the couple, I find the over extension of love play rather boring had it not for the exquisite ancestral home and antiques hidden in a tranquil city. The daily life of the inhabitants of such a traditional home with complicated extended family members, is a reminder of how some large Chinese families still live today - with a lot of useless protocols and mindless burdens. The plot thickens slightly from episode 23 on, but still takes a leisurely slow pace till the end.

Many characters in the drama are said to have reincarnated from its prequel “One and Only” which is supposed to have taken place some 2,000 years ago. However due to the censorship, all the character links are downplayed or totally non-existent, except for some weak inklings for the main couple Zhou Sheng Chen (Ren Jialun aka Allen Ren) and Shi Yi (Bai Lu); they retain the same names in both dramas. Had it not been the repeated mention of the Xiao Nancheng Wang (Prince Nancheng Junior) in the FL’s voiceover project, there is really nothing linking the two dramas until the last episode when Shi Yi describes her dream which is also the story of “One and Only”. Not totally brilliant, but at least it manages to tie the 2 stories at the end (well, kind of).

Zhou Sheng Chen is a prodigy and a chemistry researcher working in a university in Germany. He returns to China to try salvage his family’s declining traditional businesses that are being run to the ground by his younger brother. His mission is to promote traditional crafts and to ensure their sustainability in modern times. As the oldest son in the family, he is entrusted the family inheritance and all the baggage that comes with it, with a caveat that he has to first get married, as stipulated in his father’s will. As a hermit, Zhou Sheng Chen doesn’t date nor know any eligible girls for marriage. Comes Shi Yi. He figures he could make do with her. Little did he expect himself to fall in love with her so deeply, and for her, she has known the name Zhou Sheng Chen from her work and falls in love with him when she hears his name mentioned, which to me, is a rather weak explanation.

Zhou Sheng Chen is passive, bashful, unromantic and uneasy with public intimacy. You can say he makes a very boring boyfriend as he doesn’t really know how to reciprocate a kiss, a hug, or any romantic play. But then again, romance, like beauty, is in the minds of the beholders. Many readers are angry over the adapted character as they claim the original Zhou Sheng Chen has a much more forceful and proactive personality in the novel. Many even lash out on the actor for changing the character or for not portraying it right or even for poor acting. I have not read the book but from my understanding of the adaptation, I find Ren Jialun delivers 100% of the Zhou Sheng Chen character in the drama. He captures every nuance in his every hesitation, embarrassment, bewilderment which is so real and so authentic, and very appropriate for the adapted character traits.

Bai Lu is natural and beautiful. Her portrayal of Shi Yi is commendable. As for her chemistry with Ren Jialun here, I find it not as great as in the prequel “One and Only” despite there is hardly any intimacy in the earlier drama as compared to the more kissing and touching scenes in this one. Understandably, as “Forever and Ever” was made before “One and Only”, this may explain the slight missing spark.

My Verdict

Not having read the novel, my expectation is quite different from what is delivered here. Perhaps I had expected a more arduous journey for our characters to find each other, and to overcome multiple challenges and tests - the usual drama stuff which may be less realistic. Here, the story is very realistically portraying life of very traditional big and complicated Chinese families with undesirable feelings and occasionally unfortunate events taken place.

The two dramas, “Forever and Ever” and “One and Only”, don't really connect to each other except for the repeated references to the historical one by Shi Yi in her work and finally in her dream. Initially there seems to have no plot and no story, merely a chronicle of the daily life of a couple. The overall plot is rather subtle and only in the last 8 episodes, it becomes more apparent, making the story realistically ordinary.

I love how artistic and poetic the whole drama is, from the poems to the antiques, to the traditional crafts passed down for generations, encapsulating the overall Chinese culture and treasure we want to preserve.

A drama well made and deserved to be loved.

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How mundane can a relationship be? ZSC and SY of the modern times will show you.

I like how Forever and Ever is the polar opposite of the tragedy of One and Only.

SY and ZSC has the most healthiest relationship in dramaland that I have seen. Their relationship is neatly wrapped in a bubble wrap that no one can ruin.

The trust she has for ZSC is absolute that no matter how crazy his family is it could not break them apart. I also like how SY parents and family supported her despite the rudeness of ZSC family. This really depicts the statement that marriage is not just about the couple but their families as well.

To describe ZSC family as dysfunctional is too light. Theirs is an extended family x 100 and everyone relying on the eldest son of the family its just baffling. I understand why ZSC fought tooth and nail to have SY and protect their relationship. He maybe inexperienced in romance and dating but I think he did his best to be with SY. Compared to SY loving family the Zhous would be a weird one.

The stepmom and 2nd uncle are living their lives in guilt and I thought at first they were in cahoots with WC but I was so wrong. Even though the stepmom does not like ZSC she protected his rights she does not care of in the eyes of others she's evil except her mom maybe. The stepmom explains to her mom but not to nayone else. When WX died I could feel their anguish as parents and even tried to prtect WC. I appreciated ZSC resolve in pursuing the matter since WC killed his sister to avoid his embezzlement and crimes. ZSCs having Ren inherit was the best decision and I think ZSC and MX has that planned all along. He is really not fit to lead that pack.

I felt bad for the reincarnation of the Crown Prince, in this lifetime MX deserved to be happy with WX but WC was too greedy and he did not care for the life of his sister. WC deserved to die and XM was right in leaving him. I won't babble about the other folks from OAO who reincarnated with them. It lacked depth in this lifetime. Except for Ren. I just love Ren. He did his best for his cousin and his wife.

Despite being shorter One and Only is more beautiful in it's storytelling and Forever and Ever being the total opposite. They deserve happiness after all that crap.

The dream sequence of their past life was done beautifully it seemed like a seamless transirion from their past life.

The actors be it the leads and support did a good job. But the OAO actors were excellent. I can't compare much except for the leads they executed the roles well for me despite the lack of skinship the eyes and body language showed a beautiful rapport.

The ost is good.
I would definitely re-watch this one.

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Intense but expected more

The chemistry between ML and FL is the main reason I decided to finish this drama except that I was little bored with dry conversation, according to story line and script what I felt is they could have done it more interesting rather than circling in the same tree. If you are looking for just a pure love story this is the one but other than the love and chemistry between ML there is nothing interesting. Instead of taking time for dry talk between ML and FL they could have given proper ending to each highlighted characters.
I won’t regret for watching this drama because of their heart touching love story, after watching this drama I am really become a fan of both ML and FL, both acting skills are very good but only disappointing is the director didn’t utilized their effort fully in a proper fashion.

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