This review may contain spoilers
Very unpopular opinion
Looking at the ratings of this drama mine is going to be an extremely unpopular opinion, sorry.This drama felt like a big advertisement for teenagers on how their lives need to play out.
If you're a teen in high school you can have a crush, but don't go further!! focus on your studies and wait. Oh, you're 18 now? it's ok then, you can have a relationship. You finished your degree? you need to get the best job ever immediately and be super successful very young, be able to afford a house and not long after marry and start a family. It's almost fuel for depression.
The timings on when the characters were allowed or not to do something were super on the face, and they tried very hard to make the main two characters flawless in their upbringing, studies and manners.
In fact only Guan Fang has a more nunanced life, but it's put there as an example of what someone that gets into trouble needs to do, but they don't even dwell on how he did it, he just did because he looked at his grandma one day. It's very superficial.
I found the main female character quite annoying at times (some others I enjoyed her sassyness) and overall there is really no character progression for any of them, so as a result even when in the end they're in the wedding they look like 16 year olds getting married, I found it super weird. You also don't get to know them individually, not even the main characters (only Su Zai Zai and Guan Fang a bit more maybe), so you don't really know anything about them, only that they're friends and they're all ok successful people. Their specific traits are quite superficial so they're not that distinguishable ones of the others really, they work mostly as quirks since they don't impact much on how they act or what they do. Even when Jiang Jia didn't know what she wanted to study is solved quickly with very little hesitation. Zhang Lurang tells me in the end he has changed so much, but other than the fact they told the actor he could now smile more, I don't see any other change. He says he had low self-esteem, and while it's shown him not being treated very well as a teen by his mother I didn't see at any point him seeming to have low self esteem, I only saw him being serious and quiet and it's not the same.
As it happens many times I found the friends romantic relationship more interesting, that is until they decided to completely push it to the side and only resolve it quickly after the time jump. Time jumps also mean nothing here anyway, none of them change at all and whoever else they meet they only stay in their lives for like 5 seconds anyway. Very choppy.
Plot was boring at times (and I like slice of life) and most of the dialogue was very superficial, what is not necessarily terrible but then you had more poetic lines in specific crafted moments that were taking me again to the feeling of massive advert.
Many side characters appear only at weird moments and then in others when you would expect them to appear they don't.
Points go for the cute moments here and there, but overall this was a big miss for me.
I've watched chinese movies before but this was my first chinese series, and considering the high rating of this compared with my opinion of it I'm not sure I should try any other series maybe :/
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This review may contain spoilers
When cliches are done right !
yes! while watching this drama you might feel, wait I have seen this scene before and this too but that didn't change the fact just how much I am enjoying this drama.This drama emits quite similar vibes to a river runs through it , lovely us , when we were young (2018) , don't disturb my studies but but but its so much cuter ...
What I liked?
1) FEMALE LEAD ( who chases after the male lead first )
Usually, you just kind of expect an annoying girl with no damn self-respect who just knows how to act cute (in a cringy way ) but here is why SZZ breaks the mold, yes she does kinda tries too hard to act cute but she has got brains. She stands up for herself (for example changing the dialogue when she is preparing for the Cinderella play ). She knows her worth.
2) NO TOXICITY
If you think that the cold male lead is gonna treat the female lead like trash, then nope. He is just a cute but awkwardly shy guy and loves SZZ as much as she loves him
3) MULTIDIMENSIONAL CHARACTERS + Nostalgia
Everyone has a backstory that is super close to reality so kudos to that. I really liked the idea of a vintage videocam :)) and I love Grandma !!
4) SECOND LEAD COUPLE
They are so cute, as if oh you wanted a dash of unrequited love in the story, we present you the cutest 2nd leads. I think they were given as much screen space to grow as the leads. Maybe even they overshadowed the main couple sometime.
what I disliked? IDK YET maybe I will write after finishing the drama
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This review may contain spoilers
If you are looking for a beautiful stress free youth drama. Look no further
Short Synopsis:When the new transfer student Su Zai Zai falls for the cold, aloof & introverted Zhang Lu Rang, she knows her work is cut out for him and with the help of her best friend Jiang Jia she tried various cringey scenarios to win him over which usually hilariously backfires. While Zhang Lu Rang usually keeps to himself due to his inferiority complex and has created barrier around him because he is constantly being pressured and ignored by his family as he is being always compared to his genius younger brother. But soon it becomes harder for Zhang Lu Rang to resist Su Zai Su Zai's charm when she starts to feel like a sun to his cloudy days because she is always there for him and can't help but smile because of her silly tactics and her straight forward & bubbly nature. And soon Su Zai Zai along with Jiang Jia and Zhang Lu Rang's friends Gu Ran & Guang Fang helps Zhang Lu Rang to get out of his shell and they forge new friendships and lifelong memories.
Reason to watch this drama :
1. Short, sweet, stress free & beautiful
2. Follows the character's journey through school , college to university and their adult life which will make you nostalgic about your youth and friendships.
3. The characters are all green flags. All the characters are fleshed out and has their own individual stories and goals
4. The female characters are strong, intelligent and does not fall in the damsel in the distress trope.
5. Though the main female character pursues male character at first , she respects his boundaries and is not clingy.
6. The relationship between the main characters is very healthy, there is no misunderstanding, love triangle or angst. Whenever they encounter any problems they trust each other and get through it. Also it builds on the concept of 'She fell for him first but he fell for her harder'.
7. This drama has some really great & beautiful quotes and life lessons which will be engraved in you and you will think back to this moments.
8. The actors and actresses were perfect for their roles and had great chemistry.
9. The OST is also really beautiful, you will lose yourself listening to it and will be again reminded of the beauty of this drama
10. Happy ending.
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A PERFECT YOUTH CDRAMA
ZLR & SZZ:their first meet was only so cinematic, it was so beautifully depicted. ZZ falling in love at first is just so easily connectable to everyone who watches. ZLR being the most typical introvert, but not a cold ml, and slowly opening up to her was so excellently shown. it was the perfect representation of SHE FELL FIRST, BUT HE FELL HARDER. i also loved how the fl wasn't just chasing him, not also smart in her own strengths and helped the ml. she even helped his brother, and made her bond stronger. i really also liked how the ml always smiled at her and that way in the last ep, he gives a huge smile to her being pregnant . my pov: it felt like he wanted to bite her cheeks, lol XD. most importantly, they were not toxic at all, she told him that didn't need study in the same uni, and told him to chase his dreams while she chase her own. in conclusion, they were most cutest & perfect couple u could ever ask for.
GR & JJ:
this couple has special place in my heart. the way he fell for her, like really really hard, but still supported her, that was so heartwarming to watch. i love his efforts were made known to her, he fell first, becoz she was like star to him, too precious to approach, the way he notices every single detail of hers, he buys her a gift when that other guy didn't, he gets her pads even though it might be embarrassing for some guys, he was just too flawless, and the way she supports/encourages when she thought she had no dreams. JJ was such optimistic character, but her sadness was always noticed by GR. this couple was magnificent and splendid in their own ways.
FRIENDSHIP:
i love how all the 5 of them were always there for each other.
they helped ZZ when she was falsely accused by searching dustbins.
they helped GR, by staying by his side when he was sick and lonely.
they helped GF, by dealing with his trauma and being there when his grandma was sick.
and many more to go...
Last but not the least, you have to give his cdrama a watch.
I LOVED THIS CDRAMA. ❤️
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A high school youth that everyone wants to experience!!!
Exactly today is the ending of the drama, hence, I am going to speak up my admiration and love to this drama.The story of your first love being your first boyfriend to being your husband and the father of your child. The main couple were truly a perfect match for each other, they quite compliment each other's personality, and they were each other's happiness and light. What I really like about this drama is the way the female lead keep on documenting her life from the moment that she like the male lead until they become (old), it feels like I am watching someone's handwritten dairy. A truly dream high school life that everyone wanted to experience, a wonderful friendship, a lovely romance, and a youth that you won't forget for the rest of your life. And also, the OST were very beautiful, it really suits the mood of the drama.
Note: The novel of this drama is very recommended to the readers who wants to know more about the inside feelings of the characters.
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Pretty much pure fluff <3
I cannot stress how much I loved this more. No silly misunderstandings, communication problems, self-sacrificing behaviour in the name of honour, and no break ups. This drama was nothing but sweet, and I believe it has dethroned Falling Into your Smile as my favourite drama. (If you can't tell, I love fluffy shows) Highkey recommend for anyone who loved FIYS for the fluff and low drama. This one could actually be considered to have even less drama, so it's a fantastic choice to watch after your typical heart-wrenching xianxia (ahem, looking at you TTEOTM).Quick overview, the main couple has a more pro-active FL, though not at all annoying, and a more quiet, but absolute sweetheart of on ML. There's a lot less focus on the second couple, especially once they graduate, so that might be disappointing for some, as from what I've observed, Jiang Jia and Gu ran seem greatly popular. I also enjoyed the relationship between guan fang and his grandma.
Overall it's a shame this drama hasn't received much promotion, seeing as the actors aren't big stars compared to Zhao LuSi in Hidden Love which is also on Youku rn. Hopefully this show will get more attention, and I'm looking forward to seeing more from Zhou Yi Ran!
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Super cute and a mood lifter!
This drama is one of the best youth dramas I've watched. This youth drama focuses primarily on high school and then transitions to life beyond (college, jobs, etc.) towards the end. This drama is one of those cuter dramas that makes you feel good and isn't too serious.One thing unique about this drama is the incorporation of diaries made by the FL in the opening sequence which is used as footage throughout the drama. Each episode also ends with a small quote before the ending OST sequence. I thought this made each episode more special and it was a cute feature.
The story is pretty normal, nothing out of the ordinary but I still very much enjoyed it, nevertheless. It however is still quite addicting, making you want to continue on to the next episode and see what happens (which I loved). The ML is an introvert and quite shy while the FL is a bubbly, talkative extrovert. I loved that they contrast each other in personality but were still very similar deep inside. My favorite part of the story was the friendships between the main characters, the main couple's relationship, and the realistic depiction of studying and grades.
The acting and casting were superb. Each actor/actress fit each role perfectly and acted amazingly. The chemistry between the characters was something I adored, especially between the FL and ML. I was rooting for them all the way. They made me giggle and laugh so many times (they are just so cute together). The cast really made me feel like I was watching the story of real people.
The music used in the drama were all songs that were already out before the drama, meaning they aren't original soundtracks but I still adored all the songs. The songs were perfectly chosen for this drama and I'm super glad to have discovered some new songs.
I would definitely go back from the start and rewatch the whole thing. This is definitely something that would lift your mood if you aren't in a good mood. Overall, this drama would definitely be one of the highlights of this summer for me and is the all-around perfect school and youth drama.
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Lasting Memories
A way to describe the drama is imagining yourself on a cruise. You get to relax but also spend your time on fun activities the cruise has on board so that even if you're at sea, you won't be bored.The story is like a cruise. It's an enjoyable drama to watch when you need a refresher and a destresser. It's not boring, there are elements added to the show that add excitement and butterflies, especially the interaction between the leads, you will be sitting there like me giggling and blushing.
A lot of you may think that school dramas are boring, like who would want to see students interact in school? However, this drama turns their daily interactions into youthful memories that transport the viewers into their life. I personally would love to experience their life, their friendship, and their connection with one another.
The group of 5 make up one another, each has their own stories, personalities, and interests. The drama doesn't just revolve around the main leads, the supporting characters add much more depth to the story. Even with the annoying characters, they aren't there for too long, 1-2 episodes max. Problems and misunderstandings are easily solved. Everything is healthy.
The casting is perfect. They're the perfect age to be acting in a school drama. I've seen Zhou Yiran (Zhang Lu Rang) in A Little Mood for Love, which he did a splendid job in. I'm looking forward to Zhang Miaoyi (Su Zaizai)'s drama with Jun (Exclusive Fairytale) and Guardians of the Dafeng. She has a lot of potential. I also noticed Bian Tianyang (Gu Ran) in Run for Time Season 3, so that's pretty cool too! I hope all the actors get to shine in their next drama.
Watching one 30-minute episode in the morning truly brightens my day. I don't think I'll be able to move on ;-;
I loved the inclusion of the female lead's camera. She's like me, I love recording and taking photos of moments with my friends. It truly creates a lasting memory that can be later looked back upon.
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A MUST WATCH YOUTH CHINESE DRAMA
To begin with, I rarely indulge in watching youth cdramas due to my exceptionally high standards for this genre. Many Chinese dramas have failed to meet my expectations, causing me to drop them. Normally, I despise cringey and embarrassing female leads, but I must make an exception for Su Zaizai. Zhang Miaoyi portrayed her character remarkably well. This drama stands out as a heartwarming and lighthearted representation of youth. The depiction of friendship is truly exceptional, with minimal misunderstandings. It is a drama that will make you both laugh and occasionally shed a tear. The dialogue and quotes are skillfully crafted, and the cinematography is simply breathtaking. Director Cattree deserves praise for their outstanding work in bringing this series to life. The friendship portrayed here is undoubtedly one of the best in the realm of cdramas, as the characters mutually heal and support each other. All in all, this drama is an excellent production. I highly recommend giving it a try, as you won't be disappointed.Was this review helpful to you?
The Pinnacle of Youth Dramas
Oh my god. I really don't know what I'm going to do with my life now that this show is over.At first glance this might seem like every other Chinese youth drama — sunshine FL/quiet ML, some grade-obsessed parents, sports day, a playful second couple — but so many things actually made this drama shine above all others.
The first thing is just how the plot really feels like a coming-of-age drama, without being overdramatic or sugary. I know it might be fun and inspiring when we watch a youth drama and a friend group is depressed when they find out someone's transferring schools, only to band together to stop it. But in real life, there are a lot of things outside our control and the only thing you can do is let it happen, know you can get through it, remember everyone still cares for each other at the end of the day — no matter the circumstances. That's what this drama did: physical obstacles were rarely overblown into emotional obstacles. It might sound bittersweet, but the fact that the plot flowed this way made it ten times more relatable to real life.
It really also meant that each character was given their time in the spotlight. Every person dealt with something themselves and everyone else was there to support them. Each person in the friend group had a distinct personality and subplot and it never felt choppy or random. It felt simply like learning more about your friends over time. WIFTY struck a perfect balance between giving its characters freedom and still making them feel inseparable that I don't think I've seen done so well in any other show.
I need more drama writers to take notes from Su Zai Zai, who seems like a typical bubbly FL on the surface but was actually really straightforward, stood up for herself, was smart in her own right, and had her own goals and was realistic in chasing them. She's absolute proof that giving an FL a crush doesn't mean it has to become her entire personality.
Zhang Lu Rang was a fantastic ML too. Once again, he might seem like the typical quiet and smart ML, but he was never mean or rude or overly perfect, and he had his flaws too that SZZ perfectly balanced out. This drama perfectly encapsulated why they belonged together. This was one of the rare dramas where the couples didn't get boring for me after they got together.
In fact, the chemistry is absolutely amazing between both couples, who also had their distinct dynamic and plot development.
Between the friendship warming up your heart and the romance giving me butterflies, there are absolutely no moments in this drama that I would skip. The OST fits perfectly and the cinematography is beautiful. The only bad thing I can say about this drama is that it ends.
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A Perfect Youth Drama
I could not believe my eyes as I saw all the perfect score of 10 for this drama. Fixed with intense curiosity, I jumped right in and went full steam ahead and I am not disappointed. A truly well written and directed youth drama which guarantees a complete feel good experience which I am certain is taking a lot of drama watchers by surprise.I liked that the characters in this drama depicted growing up challenges in a most positive way. Through love of friends, family, persons you love and who loves you back, every big aspiration can be successful with little steps. The love story of Zhang Lu Rang and Su Zai Zai shows exactly just that. Their love is strong and they did things right, from the way they loved each other, putting studies first, choosing the right time to confess, eventually moving in together and so much more. I was also so touched by Lu Rang's younger brother Lu Li's admiration for his older brother, Guan Fang's commitment and love for his grandmother and the friendship between the five best friends, cannot get any better in my books.
Congratulations to the writer, director, cast and crew of this spectacular drama in 2023. A truly big hit and I look forward to more of actors Zhou Yi Ran, Shang Miao Yi, Bian Tian Yang, Jiang Zhi Nan and Guo Zhe. Young and really talented.
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Highly recommended series for you to watch.
I usually don't like slow-burn romance but this is the only exception because they didn't make it seem slow, it's just at the right pace, not too slow nor fast. Personally, I wouldn't say I like love triangle so if u don't like lv triangle too this is one of the best series for you to watch. There are no unnecessary dramas here and it's very wholesome to watch, I actually caught myself smiling, grinning, and kicking airs since they are so cute lol. Their friendship is also very cute, funny, and very positive. Ost is also good, I love their opening song too. Acting is also good. Not cringy. Of all C-dramas I watched, this is one of my best C-drama series so far.Was this review helpful to you?
