On the fence
I can be quite picky but the generosity of some of these reviews is quite something! Yes I'll admit that even I couldn't get enough of the ML buzcut, especially in the all black outfits. The drama, however, is nothing short of these seemingly adults throw a tantrum and whispering me to sleep at times.I does feature themes that do make slice of life genre deep and contemplative but childishness of it all dillutes most of the effect. Basically, you have this genuis ML with a prickly personality and seemingly non-existent social skills but ...wait! He also spurts out some words of wisdom and deep life insights and do some dumb things like land in jail quite recklessly.
Then the tantrums, first it's school and understandable, the it's competitions the work but it's adults hence ridiculous, the its other ML but with high stakes....
It's akin to the Joker's villain story being that he could never beat Batman at Mario Cart
Otherwise everything else - whatever's left - is not bad. Everyone else acting is solid. My reservations about the male lead's acting may be unjustified of the characters calls for such a depiction, but who on earth wears that face their entire life as if they were conscious they are the main lead of some Cdrama!?
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Excellent Cdrama Writing
Actually, I have watched a lot of Chinese dramas. I started with a light drama "A Love so Beautiful". I am quite a fanatic I could say. But I don't have particular favorites when it comes to actors and actresses. Once I read a good review, surely I would watch it. This one is amazing writing. Both artists played well in their roles. The actings are both standouts. With regards story, I will give it high quality with fewer flaws. After watching, I find myself shifting leads. It is quite heartbreaking that the ML who use to give outstanding performances here is facing huge controversy that gives negative feedback to this masterpiece work. I am hoping that he could work on a lot of projects that will make him shine more brightly. May he reflect and put by heart all the good qualities he played into this drama? He is an amazing actor after all. The female lead is also a great actress. This is worth watching a million times.Was this review helpful to you?
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natural and cute chemistry between the leads!
I enjoyed watching the dynamics between the leads especially during their uni era. Like hes a genius but his EQ is quite low and she is forced to involve herself with him due to some issues. I liked how they didnt make the FL character boring and gave her chances to be independent and strong. However at the start its nothing much, she was mostly following everything he was telling her to do.For the ML i wont say hes a red flag but more like his personality became like that because of all he went through. He was quite a bad leader in terms of leadership and bringing the team together. I was triggered multiple times when he used to just throw around comments like "are you sure you can do it?". Hes used to doing everything on his own so didnt treat his teammates well. Except for her he made her learn and develop (but thats cause he likes her).
The villain aka their friend, their 3rd teammate in the group. I felt so sad for him because he was such a passionate guy who just wanted to learn. But in the team continuously his efforts kept getting disregarded by Lixun. I didnt like how Zhu Yun also just stood and watched all this happening. She only tells Lixun "be nicer to Jian hong" and thats it. She does apologise to him but again disregards his feelings and follows her and lixun's plan. So Jian Hong going "evil" was just a matter of time.
The romance is really cute. I feel both of them were really natural with each other. Even after the breakup they had a regular colleague relationship until they got back together.
However I do feel this drama could have been 24 episodes. Alot of the scenes felt repeated and situations were just repeating. Other than all the angst scenes its still a cute fluff~
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Great chemistry but female lead deserves better...
I have such high hopes for this drama because of the high ratings and good feedback. It was also all over social media. So I went into this drama with high expectations, only to feel disappointed at the end.The leads have such good chemistry but the character of the male lead was so poorly written that I wonder what the female lead sees in him to the point that she's willing to destroy herself for this man. Fast forward many years later and she is still madly and deeply in love with him even though he treats her like sht. Yes, the male lead is broken but it doesn't cost much for him to treat the female lead a little better. Literally the bare minimum. So many misunderstandings in this drama that I feel could have been resolved easily with proper communication. Also, I really don't get why many people glorify the male lead haha. I wouldn't be able to handle him in reality.
Despite these points, I still managed to finish the drama. Probably because I'm curious about how the revenge plot ends. It has some good points. But for a drama that has so much hype, it was definitely a letdown for me.
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If you like cold, brilliant boy falling for earnest / kind girl, this is the drama for you
==Breakdown==Background plot - 45%
Romance - 40%
Misc comedy - 15%
Background plot - Fine
Romantic chemistry - Excellent
Misc comedy - Good
Production value - Good
If you're looking for a drama where the boy (eventually a man) is cold and brilliant and secretly smitten with the upright, good girl (eventually a woman) then this is the one for you. It's *almost* the best in genre (that I've seen so far) and the chemistry between the main couple is chemistrying 100% of the time. Both the ML and the FML were masterful in their scenes together and the romance that takes place on screen felt authentic.
The problem was the story. Or rather, the story is problematic. Usually (interestingly enough) I can easily disassociate and watch a problematic story with no issue. But I felt like the writers took extreme measures (from the middle to the end) to have the ML mistreat the FML to such an extent, I couldn't root for them to be together in the end. I actually wanted her to walk away and leave him in the dust. All I needed was one begging scene, one scene where he crawls for her, something like in 'A Love So Beautiful' when Jiang Chen begs Chen Xiao Xi to give him one more chance, and then he's openly smitten from that point forward.
Unfortunately, the writers never gave it to us, Lighter barely apologizes to Princess, and thus I ultimately felt unsatisfied.
But if you don't need a groveling scene in these kinds of scenarios, you'll likely love this drama. It might become your favorite.
For the record, 'A Love so Beautiful' remains my favorite cold guy falling for kind girl show. If you have any other recs, please let me know!!
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A fantastic drama - highly recommend
LIKED====================
ACTING
The acting is magnificent; the leads can do more with a five-second look than many actors do with 16 episodes. The supporting cast is also quite good.
CHARACTERS
Him - he's an arrogant genius, a true genius. He's not Do-san; he's not just good at programming and weak elsewhere. His genius comes through in his ability to analyze business trends, in art, in philosophy, in predicting people's behavior. He's a slightly saner, slightly nicer Hannibal Lecter. And coupled with that genius is an absolute arrogant belief in himself and his superiority over others, it's both his greatest weakness and his greatest strength. Couple all of that with an iron will and you have a truly formidable and often downright frightening hero. Numerous times I found myself shaking my head at his behavior but fully understanding it.
Her - The extent to which she falls for him is frightening. She will forgive nearly anything he does and has an unshakeable trust in both his ability and his decisions, even though he makes numerous bad decisions throughout the show. You'd expect her scary love combined with his super arrogant, ultra genius to lead to an unequal relationship and there are certainly moments of inequality but overall this is one of the more equal screen partnerships you'll ever see. The directors walked a tightrope here and, for the most part, kept upright.
CHEMISTRY
Romance - these two... I'm not a big believer in chemistry as I often disagree with folks who say characters have it or don't have it but these two? This is the definition of chemistry. This show has some of the finest hugs, kisses, and conversations you'll ever see onscreen. There are several scenes between them that I've watched over and over and over. They are sooo gooood together!
MUSIC
I rarely notice soundtracks but as you're watching the captioned lyrics crawling across your screen - they become an element of the story, reinforcing the visuals. And catchy? I literally can't get Zhou Shen's fireworks out of my head.
OTHER
Cinematography - it's outstanding. It doesn't overpower the drama but every scene perfectly sets the mood.
The Plot - I was immediately hooked and despite some issues (we'll get to those) it worked for me.
DIDN'T LIKE
===================
First - let's be clear - I loved this drama so these are quibbles for me but for some folks they might be more problematic
Lack of growth - Our lead will make some mistakes. And he has some character flaws. And that's okay! But I didn't feel that he necessarily learned from those mistakes or fixed his flaws. There wasn't a lot of observable growth.
Time Jumps - The plot hooks you right from the beginning but... but then we take a LOOONG trip down memory lane to how their relationship started. Initially, I was frustrated as I wanted to get back to the present but this part of the story is interesting so once I got hooked on THAT part of the story I was okay. But it took a few episodes.
Love Denial - one of my pet peeves is when a character decides that their OTP would be better off without them so they sabotage their relationship, often in a way that is nearly guaranteed to turn their partner into a soulless, sobbing husk of a human. Unfortunately, there's a lot more of that going on here than I like to see. Having said that - it worked for me as much as this trope can ever work for me - I could understand the motivation even though I didn't agree with the decision.
School Setting - I'm not generally a fan of school settings and a good chunk of this show is set in school. But without being too spoilery, the ostensible school setting is better understood and more closely akin to a work setting.
Plot Holes - there are some glaring plot issues if you stare too long or look too closely. They didn't bother me too much but the story would have been better if they'd fixed them.
SOME PEOPLE MIGHT NOT LIKE
Work Setting - this entire drama is set around a series of work challenges. I enjoyed this but I've heard that some people are not fond of this kind of drama.
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Satisfying journey of naive teenager to the working adult
their journey may seems so longUntil they met and till everybody let go of their hatred and move on
i think this drama can show their character development
The ML seems arrogant at first but as epoisode go on you may feel he changed a lot
He let go of her ego of being the best or as known mr know it all due to some circumstances
Until the end you can see her character really changed to mature adult and he really think a lot before he going to make decision due to the past mistake
The ML even though he really young but eventually he really did well in this drama
He really have nice future if continue to impove her acting
The FL character is so naive at the beginning with her pure soul and heart that make the ML changes time by time. I think when he met the ML she feel joy and upgraded when he give her difficult task
That make she think she really enjoy the courses and how challeging is it. The parent is really typical educated parent that always save their image. Feel sad till the end they seems not approve their daughter wedding. In real life when a women married they may need their parent to blessing their marriage but at least ML and FL get support from their friend.
The story also teach us about forgiveness
When we get betray, we only think on how to get revenge and that will make our heart fee burdened by that revenge
In the end ML forgive the friend betrayal and start afresh.
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Realistic and Refreshing: A Break from the Usual C-dramas
Pros:-Realism Over Cringe: Unlike many C-dramas, this series stands out for its realism, a refreshing departure from the usual cringe-worthy moments.
-Escape from Kdrama Tropes: For viewers tired of typical Kdrama romance, this series offers a welcome change, providing a unique storyline and character dynamics.
-Chemistry Between Leads: The chemistry between the main characters is exceptionally good, making it feel like you're watching a genuine couple evolve from their college days into adulthood.
-Subtle Acting and Expressions: The male lead's subtle acting, particularly through eye expressions, adds depth to the characters, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
-Natural and Smart Female Lead: The female lead's portrayal as a natural, smart, and adorable character is a highlight. The absence of exaggerated attempts at cuteness is a refreshing departure from typical character portrayals.
Cons:
-Prolonged Friend Talks: One downside of the series is its tendency to linger on friend-related conversations, which may make the pacing feel slower than necessary.
-Ideal Episode Count: The storyline could have been more effectively conveyed in a shorter format, perhaps condensed to 25 episodes. This would have maintained a tighter narrative without unnecessary stretches.
This C-drama provides a realistic and engaging storyline, a welcome escape from the clichés of both C-dramas and Kdramas. The outstanding chemistry between the leads, coupled with subtle and natural acting, makes it a must-watch for those seeking a genuinely enjoyable romantic series.
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Of piercing gazes and steadfast love.
I was hesitant to watch this drama despite the good reviews that I read as, TBH, the title was a little odd. However, now that I have watched it, the title makes perfect sense and is apt!What I enjoyed:
- ML and FL had chemistry and they carried the drama well.
- Plot was quite intriguing on the whole. I was riveted and I kept wanting to know what would happen next. Plot moved along quite fast. Some lines of the drama were "da bomb" and meaningful.
- This was my first time watching the ML and I must say that he has charisma. He had a brooding and yet, piercing gaze. I liked his role as a super confident dude simply because he knew his own capabilities and he knew that he was remarkably talented and smart. He also had the work ethics to boot.
- I liked that the two leads only had eyes and feelings for each other. They were true to each other.
- I liked the whole bunch of people from Flying Heart Company. They were funny enough. I liked how they ended up supporting ML and FL.
- I liked the supportive female friends in the form of Ren Di and Fang Shu Miao. I liked that there was no b*tch in this drama and that Xu Li Na turned out to be endearing.
- I liked that the drama was pretty realistic on the whole. For instance, I liked how FL's parents were portrayed because it added realism.
- The starting track was dramatic and well-composed. I have been listening to it! The other songs as part of the OST were nice too. The songs fitted the different parts of the drama.
- I liked that the story had a happy enough ending and that everything wrapped up quite nicely.
What I didn't enjoy:
- Oh, I hated Gao Jian Hong and Fang Zhi Jing. They were total scumbags. I hated them to the core. I hated how they were so insecure and instead of using proper and ethical ways to better themselves, they chose to step on others to climb up.
- It was heartbreaking to see how ML lost his loved ones - parents and sister. I hated his brother-in-law.
Overall, this drama is pretty excellent and I highly recommend it! :o)
<3
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College sweethearts against the world
I had been a little nervous going into this as I very rarely enjoy dramas with two timelines — usually the huge trigger event just feels so unnecessary and avoidable with some communication, and the part that comes after is so chock full of angst and uneven knowledge.That wasn't the case for this drama at all; of course there were things that happened but I felt like all the development was very in line with who the characters were and I especially loved the female lead, who was perfectly written as someone who grew up pretty sheltered and protected but started to come out of her bubble and have her own opinions and dreams. Even when she was left out of plans there was this element of trust and insightfulness that she had that prevented the sort of frustrating misunderstanding I usually hate seeing.
The chemistry between the leads was top-notch and was hands down one of the best part of the show; the banter was hilarious, the tension before they got together was great, and overall they were just so natural with each other they were one of the few couples that I didn't lose interest in after they got together.
The OST fits the scenes perfectly and I think this has quickly become one of my favorite dramas of 2022.
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A marking unconditional love story - You'll either like or dislike it (I LOVED it)
Let me start by saying I'm generally picky with what I watch, and I drop dramas as soon as I feel the story hasn't much going on for itself anymore. I naturally take scores and reviews into account when I'm searching for stuff to binge, lighter and princess included. All of this to say I didn't pick this up with no expectations, I wanted it to be good, and oh my god! It was!After watching you are my glory, I was looking for another nice modern c-drama with good romance, and while a very different type of dynamics, LP didn't disappoint me on that. This drama is superb. Admittedly, it has several flaws (which some reviews already pointed out here) but I can only think of about 3 dramas with a picture perfect storyline anyway.
A few reasons why I liked this despite the bad boy/good girl trope that I often can't stand to watch :
- Li xun is cocky and rude yes, but not because he is popular, rich, spoiled or something like that. He has a heavy past which has closed him off from social relationships and his confidence comes from his exceptional skills. I'm not excusing that though! Those are FLAWS, which made me want to pull out my hair sometimes but I'd rather take that than male leads who manhandle, BULLY FL's at the beginning of some shows just because they were an "eyesore" to their distinguished sockets only to magically change because du-du-dum *LOVE*. Li xun here isn't the nicest guy, he has trouble with empathy and emotions in general, but he doesn't brag, just does things on his own and others feel bothered because of that. He won't abruptly change, yet he does show signs of wanting to improve by the end of the drama for Zhu yun. He never bullies her, they BOTH bother e/o at the beginning and if anything it feels like they're flirting and in denial the whole time.
- Zhu Yun is never helpless. It is her who comes from a rich family, who has the power. They are quarreling but it feels like she could get out of those situations at any time if she *really* wanted to (she actually did once!). Tbh their relationships of cats and dogs even start with her always coming back to interact with him despite his rudeness.
- They are complementary. The two characters have apparent flaws, especially li xun, but she brings him something just as he brings her something. They are both the person who makes the other better.
//SPOILER WARNING, this section will mainly be me discussing the main characters and the negative takes on them in detail//
Lighter and Princess is above all a captivating love story. Some said and will say that the FL runs after the ML too much and I won't argue with that. However, despite it all it is definitely one of the reasons why this drama touched me so much.
YES when they meet again, it is Zhuyun who still pursues him despite what the break-up did to her, and I can totally see how it may not please some who waited for the opposite to happen, but instead of being angry at that, I was agreably surprised.
She does not pursue Li xun because she has no respect for herself like many people say or because she is incompetent without him, she wants to help him professionally because she values his skills a lot and she herself is every bit qualified to do so. She acknowledges his pioneering dream, relates to it and want to be a part of it. She also feels the most alive and in control of her life thanks to him (his presence gives her strength to follow what she wants, as opposed to her parents who dug a path for her). As much as I love my girl bosses with their own dreams and objectives, I feel it's a bit unfair to label her as dependent just because she wants a man to be part of her projects. Li xun himself doesn't force her to do anything, if she wanted to quit working with him he'd 100% support it as he believes she can change the world (YES HE SAID THAT). Also, Zhuyun only mentions mending their relationship post-time skip when she confirms that he still thinks of her, never before that. She knows what she wants, they've already wasted a lot of time so she doesn't hesitate. She knows Li xun more than anyone, as well as his wounded past, so she sees through his indifference and hurtful words.
NOW don't misunderstand me! I was mad pissed at what he did, and I'd have slapped him across the face more than once. But everyone has different ways of internalizing things, and while I did think she should've been angrier and he more apologetic after he trampled on her feelings in the office (that scene UGH), I think it's one of the rare cases where I was convinced by the sheer determination of a character despite the criticism I might have had. I'm not ignoring the depression she went through at all but she succeeded in bouncing back, and is very resolute in pursuing what she wants. It's her choice at the end of the day so my thoughts became more of a "damn girl, you sure like your man I hope you tamed him by the time you have children" and that's all lol. He clearly starts to open up again, and you feel like she can do it! Both characters stay faithful to their personality whether it be the good or bad points and it diverges from the standard relationship development of clear cut redemption ; it was fresh in an unexpected way.
//End of the section//
The ending could've been longer (I wanted more) and the revenge aspect could indeed have been better. But hey, I came for the romance and I was completely touched by the unconditional love she has for him and vice-versa. I'm not the type of person who looks for 100% mellow, healthy and perfect relationships at all costs in tv shows (those don't pique my interest in the long-term fiction-wise actually) so I quickly accepted the lows of their relationship, which despite everything was so beautiful to me.
If you have experienced temporarily unbalanced (not related to love because he loves her just as much, it's more of a communication problem) relationships irl and can't separate it from fiction, maybe you won't like this. It's what most negative opinions of this drama are about tbh. And that's totally valid, but I don't agree at all with people who claim only teenagers will like this or that all mature people will find it tasteless. I, in fact, experienced rocky relationships but as I said, this drama is not about my life, so I had no problem enjoying the story. It all depends on what type of dynamics you like to watch.
Their chemistry was natural and pleasant to see, both actors convey their attraction through their eyes and they're pretty what can I say? (eye-candy + eye contact is THE combo). They managed not to make me cringe (quite the contrary) at interactions that would have made me roll my eyes (like that leaning in thing Li xun was obssessed with?? if not for his beguiling side-profile and charming eyes that would've been a no no) in other dramas and for that I congratulate them. I like relationships which start with bickering so I feel like I'm in the minority that didn't feel bored at all in the first episodes + it was very nice to see them gradually act like a couple before they even made things official.
Also the kisses and intimacy are GREAT yall! Thank the lord.
As for the osts, they are perfect for the drama and quite a few are in my playlist (I'm looking at you hugs in the snow). The cinematography was really good as well!
A con : the quality of the translation wasn't that good, it's a shame because knowing mandarin will make you appreciate this more.
All in all, a memorable drama with more to offer than the cute and simple high-school/uni romance, which made me pick up editing again after years of inactivity. I say if you like the enemies to lovers genre, flirting hidden by bickering, a relationship that develops seamlessly, and characters that are everything for each others, give this drama a chance !
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