Only for Love

Waste of Time & Potential!

I did it. I finally watched every single episode without skipping. I was miserable, but I did it because I really love Bai Lu & Dylan Wang. I wanted to give them my full attention until the very end.

This drama had so much wasted potential. I even took down some notes on my phone while I watched. How could a drama with such an amazing cast be so terrible! Okay it's time to let it all out.

Negatives:
- Unnecessarily long staring/pondering scenes. LIKE SUPER unnecessarily long.
- Yi Yang was a useless character. He added nothing to this show. Pure annoyance. This guy couldn't and wouldn't take no for a damn answer.
- Lack of communication within all of the characters. Everyone pretty much knew each other but didn't know that they all knew each other mutually. Does that make sense? Like with Guan Ji and ShanShan... why didn't ShanShan tell her best friend ShuYi that she knew who he was? And even towards the end when GJ and SS got together, she didn't even tell ShuYi until she found out for herself. I actually liked this couple in the beginning, but boy oh boy were they so damn annoying later on!
- Speaking of ShanShan - she gave the WORST relationship advice to ShuYi. And it doesn't help that ShuYi is so dumb. They're basically dumb and dumber, except dumber is giving dumb advice. HAHA.
- Nobody is straightforward with their feelings except the niece, ShiYue.
- So much hesitation with talking & texting. I can't tell you how many times they typed out a decent message but decided to delete it and not send it.
- Many many missed opportunities to clear up misunderstandings. MANY!!!!
- ShuYi's Mom meeting ShiYan was SOOOOO disappointing. We didn't get to see her true reaction to him really being ShuYi's boyfriend. That scene was so boring and the Mom just left right after? What the heck was that all about?! They could have made it so much better. I wanted to see her surprised, but instead she just looked bored and annoyed the whole entire time she was at the house.
- The wedding scene with Tang Yi and her hubby was so awkward. They didn't even kiss... they just hugged it out?! LOL.
- Ending was disappointing and felt empty.

Okay that's enough negatives, now onto the positives:

- I really enjoyed ShiYue's character. She seemed to be the only one giving decent advice, had her head screwed on, spoke her mind most of the time, straightforward about her feelings, great friend and so fun!! Loved her character.
- Great kiss scenes between ShuYi and ShiYan.
- Aesthetically pleasing actors & actresses.

Overall, this was not worth the watch. 36 episodes was way too long. This definitely could have been 20 episodes or less. What a frustrating drama with wasted potential. Disappointing!

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You can only enjoy this drama if you throw logic away. Great actors, very bad script and editing.

This drama had a promising start but wasn't able to keep up till the end due to a really terrible script that throws logic away. If you want to watch a drama just for the sweet and heart fluttering moments and just shutting off common sense, this can be an enjoyable drama as we have at least five (5) pairs:
1. ML and FL
2. 2ML and 2FL
3. 3ML and 3FL
4. 3ML Father and FL's editor-in-chief
5. ML's assistant and FL's office friend

For me who cannot fathom glaring flaws in storytelling, it's a bad watching experience. The screenwriter seems to lack ideas so a lot of plots are recycled over and over again.
Case#1: Moments between two leads keep getting interrupted by either a phone call or somebody else, then FL will run away and hide.
Case#2: When FL is saying something else in her mind but ended up saying something else in reality
Case#3: Car ride scenes

The FL's character was also written poorly where she was supposed to be a top notch magazine writer that could land big shot interviews for their magazine, thus, who should have 1) good communication skills and 2) excellent EQ but a lot of misunderstandings happen due to her lack of these two. It started with her misunderstanding about who the mistress' "uncle" was and just proceeded with her thought that it was the ML. As a writer, she should have good investigative skills and thoroughly checked the identity of said uncle. This defies the logic of her character. She also is written as someone who supposedly values honesty but her actions towards ML roots from a lie. When her lie was exposed, she didn't give the ML a proper apology. She only apologize for the sake of their collaboration with her digital magazine. Even if deep inside she wanted to say sorry, in reality she just keeps talking about work. And this was dragged for so long. There are multiple scenarios when she could have said "I'm sorry" sincerely but no, the writer dragged this out. And when the ML got really mad at her and decided to keep away from her, she made herself the victim. I can go on and on about the flaws in logic I saw in this drama as there are too many to mention. If it's only a few, I could have ignored those flaws and enjoy this. Thus, story is 3/10.

The OSTs are good but didn't leave a mark on me so 5/10.

The only salvaging point of this drama are the excellent acting of all the actors. Thus, I rated Acting/Cast category as 9/10. I could feel the sizzling chemistry between the leads. And you can see how they work so hard portraying the roles given to them. That I appreciate much knowing how hard they worked on this drama for several months.

So, watch at your own risk. I would never recommend this drama to others nor will I rewatch this in the future. 1/10

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Wasted potential

First of all, what is this show about?

It’s Zheng Shuyi, a journalist who comes to know Shi Yan, an entrepreneur, as the uncle of her ex-boyfriend’s mistress. She gets closer and closer to him and sparks form, yet she still hides the reason of their meeting. At the same time, there are the love stories of Shuyi’s best friend, Shi Yan’s assistant, Shuyi’s boss and Shi Yan’s niece.

What can be said that’s good about this drama?

- Amazing cast. This show reunited some of the most famous and most recognisable Chinese actors, with Dylan Wang (LBFAD) and Bailu (Arsenal Military Academy) at the helm, accompanied by Wei ZheMing (Unforgettable Love) Jiang Pei Yao (Go Go Squid! 1), Zeng Li (LLTG) and many more. These are indeed also great actors, with Dylan Wang having grown majorly from his questionable acting in Miss The Dragon, although nothing could beat his acting in Love Between Fairy and Devil.

- Additionally, there seems to be quite a lot of budget for this series, with nice camera work, lots of closeups and flattering light. There’s also some pretty decor, background and overall good composition.

Now this is where everything will turn as this is the end of the positive aspects of this series.

What is bad about this drama? Too many things honestly. But what are the most apparent things?

- Storyline and bad use of time:
In the first part of the drama, the romance is dragged way too much, and there is little time dedicated to the progression of the secondary couples. It’s only when we get to the middle that we see the secondary characters become important. Near the end, we are disappointed and annoyed at the amount of couples that they tried to fit in this story. Some seemed natural, while others were completely forced and added nothing to the already heavy storyline. There are at least 6 couples shown in this, with more than half having little to no real screen-time.

- Lack of continuity:
They give us situations, that have obviously been filmed out of order, but when information has already been given to us previously, they go back on it or don’t know this information exists, as if some later episodes were written and filmed before the earlier ones.

-Rushed ending:
Near the end, they struggled to tie up the loose ends created throughout the series, and most were still open. They introduced so many storylines but didn’t do anything more to meaningfully contribute to the story. We are left with so many questions.

-Useless Characters:
They added characters out of nowhere, only to be used for one or two situations and then never be seen again, like a disappearing act. They were also used to force the main leads to experience the famous clichés (Jealousy, cheating, miscommunication, Rich CEO boyfriend, fake rumours…etc). One character appears in the end of the story, we’ve never heard of her, we don’t know where she comes from or why she’s here, but she doesn’t serve any use other than making the FL jealous and looking innocent.

- Main Leads personalities.
The ML was pretty basic, cold CEO who doesn’t like to talk much, and Dylan’s acting makes it a tiny bit enjoyable. What’s bad is the FL’s personality. It makes no sense. She is shy, yet courageous at the same time. And immature all the time, despite being an accomplished journalist respected by many. She tries to fit the mould of the soft, submissive female lead but all of her attributes fail to build a harmonious personality.

-Useless problems/intrigue:
The whole problem with the relationship of the main leads is the total lack of communication. And that the problem is resolved immaturely from both sides, and then forgotten.

To conclude:
This story tries to be the perfect overbearing CEO with a cutesy FL series, partnered with every cliché known to the CDrama industry. With the amount of budget it had, it’s disappointing story wise and doesn’t give us a proper ending.

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slow start but grows on you

the start was slow and deffinetly bit more of an awkward start of the main CP romance...


like thw chemistry wasn't really there and the fact that our Male lead was mostly monosilabic didn't help. which also makes his later random cute moments very uncharacteristic. i blame this on poor characterization from thw writers.

this being said, the story does grow on you organically and you get to like the cast so much it becomes ur little new world.

i do wish the second couple(s) would've gotten more screen time but it is what it is.

a bit too much use of the "miscommunication" trop for my taste, but it got no major villain/drama and is very cozy.

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I can't stop rewatch this drama

I really like the story, actually i watch it randomly because I am bored, but it turns out fun. I never watch drama that the FL is the antagonist, at first the story made me curious but later I am being trapped with the sweet love story and there are many quotes about life that I can relate. Again watching it again and again is not boring rather it make me wanna watch it again and again. The actress and actor is amazing too, I am type of person that focus on expression and voice of the actor, for me in this drama they did really well. I feel like I am not watching the drama but I am being there with them playing the drama because I can feel all the emotion in the drama. I think they just lack in some common sense like when the intern pour water in keyboard but the monitor is the one that shutdown, about the phone and people can hear it I still can relate with it, because nowadays phone have high volume in their load speaker. For the production at first I think its weird but as time goes by, I find it interesting because I like detail so I think its not a problem. The OST is easy listening and my favorite is Emotion Remote Control by Meng Jia. That is all, Thank you Only for love :))

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A Heartfelt Masterpiece

Only For Love is an extraordinary drama that captures the essence of romance, sacrifice, and the power of human connection. From the moment the opening credits roll, viewers are swept into a beautifully crafted narrative that resonates on multiple emotional levels. This drama is not just a story; it’s an experience that lingers long after the credits have rolled.

The plot centers around two individuals from vastly different backgrounds who find themselves drawn together by fate. The story unfolds with a perfect blend of tension, humor, and heartfelt moments, making it impossible to look away. The pacing is impeccable, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the characters’ journeys. Each twist and turn feels organic, keeping you engaged and invested in their love story.

What truly sets Only For Love apart is its character development. The protagonists are richly layered, each with their own dreams, fears, and vulnerabilities. The film takes the time to explore their backgrounds, making their connection feel authentic and relatable. You can’t help but root for them as they navigate the challenges that life throws their way. The chemistry between the lead actors is palpable; their performances are so genuine that it feels like you’re witnessing a real romance unfold before your eyes.

Visually, the film is stunning. The cinematography is breathtaking, with beautifully framed shots that capture the essence of each scene. Whether it’s a sweeping landscape or an intimate moment between the characters, every frame is a work of art. The attention to detail in the production design adds depth to the world, making it feel alive and vibrant.

The soundtrack is another highlight of Only For Love. The score perfectly complements the emotional beats of the drama, enhancing the viewing experience. Each piece of music is thoughtfully chosen, evoking the right feelings at the right moments. It’s the kind of soundtrack that you’ll want to listen to long after the drama ends, as it captures the heart of the story beautifully.

One of the drama's greatest strengths is its ability to tackle complex themes such as love, loss, and redemption without feeling heavy-handed. It encourages viewers to reflect on their own relationships and the sacrifices we make for the ones we love. The messages are woven seamlessly into the narrative, providing depth and meaning without detracting from the overall enjoyment of the drama.

With its compelling story, rich character development, stunning visuals, and an unforgettable soundtrack, it sets a new standard for romantic cinema. Whether you’re a fan of the genre or just looking for a beautifully told story, Only For Love is an experience you won’t want to miss.

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The best cdrama I've watched so far

Why is it 7.9? It needed to be 8.5 at least. The drama is so interesting and the main leads' chemistry is on another level. I've watched all at of dramas with the CEO tropes, but trust me this one is different, It will hook you up from the first episode
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Don't let the haters fool you, that's the best romcom and chemistry is steamy!

"Only for Love" was basically made for me. Bai Lu and Dylan Wang — my all-time favorites — finally starring together in a romance? It was practically a public service! You better believe I was first in line to watch. I’ve seen so many of their dramas separately that having them in the same one felt long overdue. And thankfully, it delivered!!

This drama is lighthearted, funny, and packed with electric chemistry. Dylan Wang is in his element here. No one does the commanding, effortlessly cool male lead — with an air of seamless authority — quite like him. His character, Shi Yan, is the most eligible bachelor in town, a financial genius with a sharp mind and big dreams of making an impact. A prodigy with a clear vision and unwavering focus.

Dylan is as handsome as ever playing Shi Yan, stunning with striking features and an intense look that makes you feel his presence without even trying. There's a quiet power to him, a confidence that’s hard to ignore. His presence is amplified by sleek suits that make it clear he’s always in control. Shi Yan has spent years building his career with sharp precision, leaving little space for distractions — especially not romance. Practical and calculated, he handles relationships the same way he handles business: with caution and a carefully protected heart.

Bai Lu, on the other hand, is simply gorgeous as Zheng Shuyi. Her expressive eyes and natural charm make her not only beautiful but also incredibly magnetic. She’s the kind of person who draws you in without needing to say a word. Professionally, Zheng Shuyi is brilliant. Personally, she is... in a bit of a hot mess. After years of dating a man she believed was the one, she gets unceremoniously dumped. And to add insult to injury? He leaves her for a woman that both he and Shuyi mistakenly believe to be Shi Yan’s niece. Naturally, this bruises both her pride and her heart.

So when she gets the opportunity to interview Shi Yan, she sees a chance to turn the tables. A little harmless revenge? A few flirtatious games to prove she can move on just as easily? It seems like a perfect plan, until it backfires spectacularly. Because what starts as playful banter soon becomes something else entirely, and suddenly, Shi Yan isn’t just an impressive subject for an article anymore. He’s an enigma, one she can’t quite figure out, yet can’t seem to walk away from.

Shi Yan, for his part, refuses to admit he enjoys this newfound chaos in his meticulously structured life. He maintains his cold and distant façade, but with every interaction, it becomes increasingly clear: Zheng Shuyi is a distraction he can’t ignore. With her natural charisma and undeniable allure, she starts to chip away at his defenses, and though he tries to keep his distance, there’s no denying that she has already managed to capture his attention.

And then there’s Qing Shiyue, Shi Yan’s actual niece and quite possibly the most perceptive character in the entire show. She knows her uncle far too well and sees right through his act. So naturally, she takes it upon herself to give fate a little push, constantly orchestrating opportunities for Shi Yan and Shuyi to spend more time together. If anyone deserves credit for their romance, it’s her.

The series is filled with hilarious misunderstandings, romantic tension, and characters who are impossible not to root for. Bai Lu and Dylan Wang’s dynamic is electric, making their push-and-pull relationship consistently engaging. How not to mention those phones ringing at the most inconvenient moments? They were almost getting under my skin, but thankfully, when they finally kissed, it was so real, hot, and steamy, I nearly forgot all about the interruptions.

In the end, Only for Love is a delightful blend of wit, romance, and heart. It never takes itself too seriously, yet delivers a love story that feels both fun and meaningful. For fans of rom-coms with clever leads, sizzling chemistry, and a visually stunning cast, it’s an easy recommendation. And for those who, like me, have been waiting forever to see Bai Lu and Dylan Wang in the same drama? It was well worth the wait.

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So worth the watch!!!!!

I personally loved this drama soooo much! The chemistry was amazing and the acting was on point! Really loved the second couple with Yu Yuo and Shi Yan’s niece, they were so cute I really wanted to see more of them! The only problem I had with the show was all of their missunderstandings like please learn how to communicate with each other! I also did not really like the best friend of Shu Yi, she was really beautiful and I understand that it can be hard to trust someone but the advices she gave to Shu Yo was not it! And the way she treated her soon to be boyfriend throughout like half of the show was not something that I liked to see. Other than that I really enjoyed it and I will definitely rewatch it!

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A Must watch series for Dylan Wang & Bai Lu fans

Romantic series with Dylan Wang (very cold, rational, young investor CEO) & Bai Lu (economics journalist). These 2 attract each other, turn around and play cat and mouse until episode 20.
2 other 2dary couples: CL2 = CEO investor / video journalist (both players who do not want to give up their style life) & CL3 = college teacher/trainee.

PROS:
+ Bai Lu and Dylan Wang are a great CL, with intense interactions and chemistry. They carry the whole series on their shoulders.
+ All the cast did a good job, with complex characters, who are well developed.
+ Excellent OSTs (even Irish music :)
+ The pace is fast, dynamic, without length.
+ The framing, settings, costumes,... are well suited to the story.

CONS:
I'm not convinced by some characters:
- FL2 is totally stupid on an emotional level. She thinks she's a love expert, because she dates around, but she thinks like an imbecile. A lot of CL's problems stem from her disastrous advice... The kind of friend to avoid like the plague! In each situation, she guides the FL towards the worst possible path. Is this the deliberate will of the screenwriter/director???
- the very very immature FL3.
- the character of Cheng Kang is not even credible: he is indecisive, hesitant, without self-confidence. How could such a character create his own business?

=> A lovely romantic series with a CL that I would like to see again together on screen soon.
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Série romantique avec Dylan Wang (jeune CEO investisseur très froid) & Bai Lu (journaliste économique). Ces 2 s'attirent, se tournent autour et jouent au chat et à la souris jusqu'à l'épisode 20. 2 autres couples 2aires : CL2 = CEO investisseur / journaliste vidéo (tous les 2 players qi ne veulent pas renoncer à leur style de vie) & CL3 = prof de fac/stagiaire.
PROS:
+ Bai Lu and Dylan Wang are a great CL, with intense interactions and chemistry. They carry the whole series on their shoulders.
+ All the cast did a good job, with complex characters, well developped.
+ Excellent OSTs (even Irish music :)
+ The pace is fast, dynamic, without lenght.
+ The framed, settings, costumes,... are well suited to the story.

CONS:
Je ne suis pas convaincue par certains personnages :
- La FL2 est totalement idiote au niveau émotionnel. Elle se croit une experte en amour, parce qu'elle papillonne, mais elle raisonne comme une imbécile. Une bonne partie des problèmes du CL découle de ses conseils désastreux... Le genre d'amie à fuir comme la peste ! A chaque situation, elle guide vers la pire voie possible. Est-ce la volonté délibérée du screenwriter/réalisateur ???
- la FL3 très très immature.
- le personnage de Cheng Kang n'est pas crédible : il est indécis, hésitant, sans confiance en lui. Comment un tel personnage a-t-il pu créer son entreprise ?

=> Une jolie série romantique avec un CL que j'aimerai revoir together on screen soon.

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