Each other's happy pill
"RangRang" I sure will miss hearing FL calling out to ML. Seriously best youth romance Ive watched in awhile.FL's love is so unreserved, unpretentious and passionately sincere. I love how ML has always felt her sincerity and his gaze never left her face. This has the best development in terms of first meet to actual start of relationship. Big green flag in how healthy their relationship is. How I wish all FL in other dramas can take a leaf out of Zaizai's book. You can be sweet and direct without being greasy or annoying. Great selfawareness and always given so much positivity to ML.
Infact I find the drama adaptation to be even better than the novel. Director has removed some of their conundrums and I believe its better without them.
Last but not least, second leads were thoroughly cute too. Their friend GuanFang and his grandma tugs at my heartstrings.
Im already rewatching just as soon as I completed this drama. Thats how lovely it is and how much its worth spending time with my fav characters.
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Best Female and Male Lead
The amount of love I have for this shows and the leads is unmatched. I have never felt this way about a show before. Su Zaizai is a kind, extroverted girl with a crush on Zhang Lurang a smart, introverted guy. But it's so much mroe than that. The writers wrote an incredible story showcasing a sweet green flag relationship in a coming of age setting. I have never seen a lead like Zaizai. She never backs down when there is an injustice and fights with her powerful words. Lurang is one of the most attentive and kind man I have ever watched on TV and his acts of service for Zaizai is unmatched. There is so much more that I want to talk about, but I don't think I can encapsulate the feeling this show gives me. Please do watch it!Was this review helpful to you?
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That famous story of Chirpy cute girl falling for cold genius boy!!!
Looking for a fluffy cringe romance??Here it is!!
Honestly I watched it because it's from the same author as Hidden Love.
It's a high-school romance where the cute and chirpy girl Su zai zai falls for genius of the school jang lu rang who is ofc cold and introvert!!
Eventually the boy falls for her but harder.
The story is cute but sometimes cringe and I feel su zai zai is little extra at times!
It's a cute story that's all. I m not understanding the buzz of 10/10. It's just a 7 for me.
I am happy with my one time watch. Not gonna watch again though!!
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This review may contain spoilers
VERY unpopular opinion here...
Don't hate on me, and please remember that reviews are just the opinions of the reviewers. This reminded me of A Love So Beautiful, which I didn't care for either. I was so looking forward to watching this, based on all the glowing reviews. Part of the problem might have been that I watched this right after Hidden Love and enjoying it so much. Maybe it just couldn't live up to my expectations. I was looking forward to this drama because it was supposedly low angst, and I was drawn to that. That being said -WHAT I LIKED:
-It was, in fact, low angst
-the storyline of the second couple. I loved how he liked her alone and was always trying to help her in whatever way he could, even though his heart was breaking because she didn't like him.
-no stupid misunderstandings
-when the typical storyline started of a female trying to get the ML showed up, I LOVED how the FL shut that down. She knew her man, had faith in him, and went straight to the woman to resolve the issue.
-a wedding. Though, for me, it didn't work here, I always appreciate a wedding after watching a couple get together.
-ML and his dimples
THE THINGS THAT DISAPPOINTED ME
-FL. Supposedly cute and bubbly, she came across as a stalker (she was sure she liked him after seeing him once, and never tired of telling him that she liked him) and immature. The actress was cute as a button, but between her voice, her mannerisms, her clothes, and her bouncing around all the time, she just reminded me of a hyperactive puppy. Plus, her way of talking was very fast and staccato, like she was blurting out phrases, one after another.
-her calling him "Rang Rang" all the time. It was cute at the beginning, but by episode three I was ready to make a drinking game out of it - hear her say Rang Rang, take a drink!
-why did the ML like her? When did he start liking her? I get that he probably appreciated her energy compared to how repressed he seemed to be, but I didn't see or feel the attraction between them.
-I admit that I wanted low angst, but I also wanted something to move the story along. There really wasn't anything going on. I felt like I was watching a documentary of the life of a teen in China. I was bored.
-the parents fawning all over him was somewhat cute, but I can't believe they would have been fine with their daughter living with a man before they got married.
In conclusion, if you are still reading this, I'd say if you want something mindless to watch that doesn't have a lot of the typical tropes, you might enjoy this. It just didn't have enough going on for me.
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An improved chinese youth romance
Although it reminds me of the usual Chinese youth dramas since it has the same plots as others, this is more like an improved version of them. The characters are more mature, and the choice of songs is definitely a chef's kiss. It has such comforting vibes that it made me cry three times, although I usually don't in this type of genre.My favorite couple is probably the second one. I like them just being supportive and constantly teasing each other. The first couple is the real definition of cuteness. They're just too sweet.
Oh, and I want to highlight how they are so good with their choice of words, especially the female lead. She really knows how to throw the right words at the right person. She's the real definition of being cute while knowing how to stand up for herself and others. This is so refreshing to see in Chinese dramas, as they usually show that cute girls can't be too strong or brave girls can't be too cute.
If you are tired of heavy dramas and want a cute and sweet one, you should check this out. The cinematography and osts are great, and the concept of filming yourself every day is very nostalgic. The friendship is also wholesome, as they also have their own stories.
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This drama does the best 'Sunshine & Grumpy' trope☁️✨
So, I just binge-watched the show and let me tell you, RangRang and Zai Zai have got to be the cutest couple ever! They're like the epitome of a perfect relationship. I absolutely adore how deeply they love each other and how they're not afraid to show it, both in words and actions. And their communication skills? On point! They never let any silly misunderstandings come between them and tear them apart🌸Oh, and can we talk about the "Sunshine & Grumpy" dynamic? It's done so well here! RangRang might be an introvert and not a big talker, but boy, does he make it clear right from the start that he's head over heels in love with Zai Zai. Actions speak louder than words, right?
If I am being too critical then the only thing that left me a bit disappointed was that they didn't show Zai Zai's pregnancy or their adorable child, 'You.' I would've loved to see more of their interactions as a family of three☁️
All in all, this show is an absolute gem. The chemistry between RangRang and Zai Zai is off the charts, and their love story is just heartwarming. I couldn't recommend it enough!
Now all I want is for Zhou Yi Ran & Zhang Miao Yi to be in a drama again❤️✨
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Sweet and innocent story about youth, love and friendship at its sweetest!
Wholesome and cute story about love friendship and youth... well paced, easy to watch, well executed without much substance nor drama yet still entertaining. As bubbly extrovert adopts/falls in love with icicalle introvert at first sight and loves him just the way he is.The dramas starts out with some second hand embarrassment that nearly got me to drop it, but luckily i made it though that because what lied ahead of those few episodes of second hand embarrassment and meeh was pure gold!
As we meet a cold, kind and reserved male lead with more green flags than a coastline a hot and wind free day. This guy shows that he cares with actions, he is supportive trusting, respectful, attentive and though there is one thing i do not get I can not recall seeing a so calm and respectful male lead in all of Dramaland.
Our female lead has her moments of second hand embarrassment and is indeed the polar opposite of our boy, showing us the true meaning of "you complete me" she loves her introverted boy for who he is, she learns to understand him and knows exactly how to react in difficult situation. She is the type to take initiative, and shows us that girls can have desires too... so hats off this girl is indeed gold too!
The second couple in this is just as fun to watch as the first one and the fifth wheel of this friendship/romance whatever is so sweet, lovable and has the best dialog in the drama with his grandma!
the grownups range from "Oh come on, take a parenting class to", I love em, I love em I love em" They do however have very little screen time =very little moments f frustration for a c-youth.
So just as much as this is a sweet romance it is a sweet wholesome story about youth and friendship, the type to make you look back to your youth, remember the good and partly make you wish you were a part of this group...
Defiantly a youth drama I would recommend to most youth rom com lovers out there, just mind the second hand embarrassment and know that it will pass.
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A Cute and Fun Series!
Coming on the heals of “Hidden Love,” I decided to do another Chinese drama (my second one). “When I Fly Towards You” is actually a very light and delightful series, although it lacks the depth and heart of the previously mentioned series. It’s a series that doesn’t really take any chances or risks. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I felt that there were missed opportunities, and thus, this series, while very good, is very “vanilla.”While the series is about a quiet, shy boy and a perky, vivacious young 16-year-old girl, the series could have almost been called, “School Friends” or something to that effect. I’d say that a good 40-45% of the series is focused on the five friends in their high school days, and the rest is on the two protagonists who should have been the focus and had more screen time.
Su Zai Zai is a very upbeat young girl, who always has a smile on her face, and certainly isn’t shy at all. If you’re looking for the doe-eyed girl who bats her eyes and waits for the boy to make his move, Zai Zai is not that girl. She is tenacious in the pursuit of her dreams and goals, and she makes no apologies for her direct and abrupt manner. Her target is the very quiet, shy boy, Zhang Lu Rang.
Zhang Lu Rang is a boy who barely cracks a smile. He quietly goes about his days, even when girls are lining up to have a chance with the handsome and brilliant Lu Rang. However, he gives none of them even a glance…that is, until he runs into Zai Zai at a small corner store. Her first reaction is to call him “an idiot” for walking to the store without an umbrella. She quickly regrets her reaction, and as soon as she sees him again at their military training, she’s quickly in hot pursuit. She teases him, playfully needles him, and showers him with cute remarks. Anything to bring this quiet boy out of his shell. At first, he tries to shrug her off, but Zai Zai’s charm and quick wit soon begin to melt the “ice king.”
We soon discover the reason behind Lu Rang’s shyness, which we realize is a result of very low self-esteem. His parents are both tiger parents, some of the most monstrous forms of child abusers there are. Only westerners with their indifference toward their children would give tiger parents a run. I know first-hand because I am an ESL teacher and have seen some of the most horrifying things from tiger parents and how they abuse their own children. Lu Rang is constantly berated by his parents, especially his mother who believes that he is a failure, despite his exemplary grades. His younger brother is the golden child of the family, who outshines even Lu Rang academically. There are no warm words of encouragement or comfort from Lu Rang’s cold mother during their exchanges, and it’s quite clear that Lu Rang’s brother is the favorite.
Zai Zai uses her charm and love for Lu Rang to let him know that he’s none of the things that his parents believe him to be. She becomes a ray of hope for him, as he very slowly begins to grow in confidence. Zai Zai simply won’t give up on him, nor will she allow him to sulk alone. Bubbly and perky, Zai Zai always finds a way to get the smallest crack of a smile out of Lu Rang.
The series ran into a crossroads. Focus on Zai Zai and Lu Rang or focus on the group of friends. Rather than picking one road, it tried to do both. The focus of the series should have been on Zai Zai and Lu Rang. I wanted more scenes with them. I wanted to find out how Lu Rang is able to resolve his problems with his parents—if at all. Instead, his parents all but disappear from the series from about the 12th episode. This is an area that could have, and should have been, explored in more depth as well as come up with more ways of showing the transformation of friendship between Zai Zai and Lu Rang into romance. Unfortunately, when you try to give the same attention to two stories, you end up coming up short in both. The old Native American saying of, “If you chase two rabbits, you’ll lose them both.”
“Hidden Love” dared to delve deeply into the characters of its two protagonists, and the payoff was well worth it. We felt close to these characters, caring about how they were going to overcome their obstacles. In this series, there really isn’t ever any real conflict or problems that Zai Zai and Lu Rang must deal with. For Zai Zai, it’s dealing with her boss acting like a pimp with her. For Lu Rang, it’s talking things out and resolving things with his brother.
It's the charm and performance of the cast that really makes the series work, despite not having the courage to delve more deeply below the surface. There are many funny and cute moments that still make this series more than watchable, but I just couldn’t help feeling that it was also a missed opportunity.
We still get those really awkward and silly intimate moments where college-aged kids act like 13-year-olds whenever a kiss, a hug, or even holding hands might occur. They make too big of a deal out it, which also flies in the face of logic and reality, even in China. They react as though they are about to commit a crime.
Zhang Miao Yi (Zai Zai) is a cute performer. With those eyes and dazzling smile, we can see why so many are captivated by the amount of charm that she brings to the table. She’s a bit inconsistent with her romantic scenes, however, especially her kissing scenes. Many of them felt wooden and forced. If you’re an actress who doesn’t like doing these kinds of roles, then you simply shouldn’t do them. There were times when she was very believable with Zhou Yi Ran (Lu Rang) and others when she almost looked out-of-place.
Zhou Yi Ran was good too, but he needed to find a way to make Lu Rang likable and charming, despite his shyness and low self-esteem. Too often, he came across as stiff. It’s a tough task to balance these traits, and yet, that is another reason why the series should have allowed him to do more had they put him front and center rather than being a peripheral character too often.
Because of the imbalance between the two plots, the series also suffers from pacing issues. We’d get an episode to update us on Zai Zai and Lu Rang, and then we’d get one that scarcely showed them at all, which leads us to a warp-speed ending in the last two episodes where we constantly jump years ahead within the space of a few minutes. It felt as if the director said, “Okay, we’ve got to hurry and wrap this up!” It didn’t have the natural feeling of an organic ending like “Hidden Love” had.
If you’re looking for something very light and fun without much else, then you’re likely to enjoy this series!
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Who said found footage doesn’t work?
I tend to watch coming-of-age dramas in bursts then I'd swear I'll never watch another one! I must be in my manic phase when I watched 3 such dramas recently . . . in a row.Let’s focus on this show for now. Our leads are 16 years old high school students when we meet them. Typically, such shows would cover the period leading up to the all prevailing college entrance exams and some would go beyond that. This show walks the same well-trodden path. What sets this apart is a well written script that contains all the usual tropes, but it uses them rather than being subsumed by them.
On top of that, the leads played their roles well and they infused a certain warmth and je ne sais quoi to their story. The FL is in her elements. Her spunky personality and infectious smile make her so lovable. She takes no prisoners when it comes to dealing with love rivals, but she'd let her suitors down gently.
The pacing of the show is nice and steady. This is helped by a shortish 24 episodes run. There is little need for mindless filler subplots. However, I would venture to say that they probably spend too much time in their early years. Two third of the show is taken up with the first 2 years of their senior high school. The critical Gao Kao year is greatly compressed. Ditto their college years. The first year did get some attention but then it largely skips ahead to their college graduation. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed with this because their school related plots are quite constrained as some topics are simply too taboo for the censors. They can finally explore their relationship to the full after they left school.
Acting overall is solid from the ensemble cast. The 2CP is well matched but they are a bit awkward around each other until they finally confessed their feelings and change status from friends to lovers. Overall, the show is very cute and sweet. The FL's parents are gems. The ML's more problematic but they do change for the better later on.
As I mentioned before, most of the plots are well written with one exception. When the FL worked as an intern, she was taken to a banquet for a big client. The setup is the classic honey trap with the pretty young thing sitting next to the middle-aged client. Of course, he starts to get handsy. This is nothing new to c-dramas and many nasty subplots start from there. Luckily, she managed to excuse herself but her manager later sent her a text saying that she is in the wrong and should self-reflect on her mistake.
Ok, I’m not a prude but in a show full of positive messages about youths and new horizons, this stood out like a sore thumb. How can a young intern be at fault when she is a victim of harassment? Should she have seduced the client instead?! This just served to propagate the horrid cliché. I understand that it allows the ML to play hero and comes to her rescue but the payoff is not worth it, IMHO.
Nevertheless, I still consider this to be a superior show. The positives far outweigh the negatives. I can recommend this show wholeheartedly. OST is nice and catchy. Rewatch will not be a chore.
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Simple, sweet and pure kind of love.
I genuinely enjoyed this drama. Best youth drama so far! It has the right amount of sweetness and fluffiness.This drama brought me back to my high school days where everything was simple and less complicated.
The simplicity and purity of the relationship between the two main leads/characters make the series outstanding.
That scene where they countdown to doomsday was so hilarious yet so precious. Their frienship really bloomed beyond time and season.
I hope these young actors can fly high as their dreams in the drama. Jiayo! Job well done!
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Major BUTTERFLIES. Honest and cute school drama
Absolutely recommend for those who are just getting into cdramas or like lighthearted and sweet dramas! This is for sure a low drama type of show that can drag on a bit at the beginning, but the character development of all five friends is incredible, and they truly bring out the best in each other. I would compare this to Falling Into Your Smile, Love020, and Put Your Head On My Shoulder in its pure romance first love type of vibes. I also loved the main characters’ acting, especially Su Zai Zai (it was easy to see why Zhang Lu Rang liked her). Their chemistry was spot on and gave me so many butterflies. Lastly, this is definitely a she fell first but he fell harder show. Probably my favorite show since 2021!Was this review helpful to you?
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An incredibly beautiful drama that everybody should watch at least once
First of all, I hardly right reviews so I think that in itself is a testament to how much love I hold for this drama.Would I fly to you may intially seem like a typical chinese youth idol drama, loaded with cliches but by the end of the first couple of episodes, you realise that this drama is something that is really special and unique.
Cattree as the director is incredibly skilled at illustrating the beautiful parts of youth; by his choice of the camera angles and shots, the wonderful OST, to the overall aesthetic, it is clear so much effort and precision was afforded to making this drama one that would be remembered by so many people.
I loved how consistent the storylines were, and coupled with the scenes of the digital cameras, viewers will feel a sense of nostalgia that brings a warmness to the heart.
Every character was fleshed out and had distinct personalities; They had their complexities and shortcomings yet they were so incredibly hearywarming that you cant help but love them all like you would love a dear friend.
ZaiZai and RangRang's chemistry was so beautiful to see and their story was developed so well; i truly felt like by the end of episode 24, i was saying bye to my children who has grown up.
I think what i loved most though, was the friendship; it felt so authentic and natural which i think i so hard to see in cdramas.
im so thankful for the existence of this drama. I truly feel like ive been healed and that my heart has been warmed.
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