This review may contain spoilers
A very much highs and lows based drama
Only for Love is your classic CEO drama, complete with its share of highs and lows, classic clichés, and a blend of both familiar and unique elements. Reading the novel before fueled my anticipation for the drama, intensified by the cast and behind-the-scenes photos. After seeing the length of the drama (36 episodes), I was convinced that additional content was necessary to fill the narrative, a decision that occasionally led to dragging plotlines, saturated with an excess of frustrating misunderstandings, particularly exacerbated by overused phone-call scenarios (please silence those phones).Despite these occasional pacing issues, the final six episodes managed to redeem the moments of narrative sluggishness, delivering a satisfying viewing experience.
The dynamic between the female and male leads mirrored the novel, with added nuances and deviations, particularly in the later episodes. The uncle's misunderstanding plotline added a humorous twist, contributing to the drama's distinctiveness within its genre.
While the main couple's relationship maintained its novel counterpart, the side characters underwent substantial narrative expansion, at times overwhelming the story with too many subplots. The potential of the two main side couples, Bi Ruoshan and Guan Ji, as well as Qin Shiyue and Yu You, showcased promise but suffered from occasional missteps in execution, with one couple becoming excessively irritating and the other progressively improving.
Bi Ruoshan and Guan Ji initially presented a promising dynamic, offering a compelling contrast to the main couple with their intriguing relationship. However, their appeal diminished when Bi Ruoshan's inexplicable anger towards Guan Ji became a source of exasperation, the reason I truly cannot recall. The repetitive nature of scenes where he pursued her grew wearisome, occupying more screen time than warranted until they eventually resolved their relationship issues. On the other hand, the trajectory of Qin Shiyue and Yu You's relationship began on a less impressive note but evolved positively over time. While I did experience a slight cringe at Qin Shiyue's persistence, it didn't bother me to the extent I've observed in others. Overall, they proved to be a satisfactory side couple, and I found their presence on screen neither tiresome nor overbearing.
The second male lead proved to be a debacle. His origin remains a mystery (where did he come from?), and his peculiar behavior raises questions about his presence in the narrative. The extent of his persistence and oddities prompts one to wonder why Zheng Shuyi hasn't sought a restraining order against him. Despite his unwarranted advances and persistent behavior, he oddly remains portrayed as a nice character. Paradoxically, while he doesn't obstruct the main couple directly, his professed love for Zheng Shuyi and his insistence on making her choose him appeared nonsensical.
One positive alteration from the novel was the more lighthearted portrayal of Shi Yan, rendering him a more likable character without compromising his essence.
Regarding the cast, it's undeniable that this drama boasts some prominent names, a factor that may explain the excessive importance given to side characters, even when arguably unnecessary. Specifically focusing on the male and female leads, contrary to prevailing opinions, I found the casting commendable. Bai Lu, a consistently good choice, demonstrated her prowess as an actress and delivered a compelling portrayal of Zheng Shuyi. On the other hand, Wang Hedi's selection appeared somewhat controversial. While I did enjoy his performance, I acknowledge there is room for improvement in acting. That being said, it's challenging to envision anyone else embodying Shi Yan as effectively. He undeniably suited the role well.
The soundtrack, a pleasant surprise, featured a mix of conventional cheesy tunes and standout tracks that captured attention.
In conclusion, "Only for Love" is not without its flaws, there is great room for improving writing and direction. Nevertheless, the delivered product managed to satisfy me, offering a blend of engaging elements that balanced its imperfections.
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what a long long journey…
my very first reason watching this drama is because of Wang Hedi… he is such a feast for my eyes 🤧🤧Bai Lu is pretty. I’m indeed agree with Shan Yan that she is a fairy🥰
anyway, the drama is a long journey. for the first and last episodes are interesting, but when you are in 20-ish episodes it was starting to bore me. i almost tempted to skipped this but again Wang Hedi is something to look at.
their lack of communications were making me crazy, either the lead or second lead. their problems can always be solved within minutes if only the are talking 🥲 *sigh*.
overall, it’s actually might be your favorite drama as long as you can stay for the whole episodes.
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Give it a chance!
Was Only For Love a masterpiece? Absolutely not. Was it an original story? No. But was it entertaining? Yes! This is the first chinese drama that I've completed in a while, and I'm happy that I was not intimidated by the reviews/comments. I think the key to enjoying this drama is to come into it with low expectations.There were significant pacing issues and loose ends in my opinion but Bai Lu's performance was captivating. I am no Bai Lu stan, I had only seen her in Love is Sweet (which I did not enjoy); but she really carries this drama on her back with her comedic timing, in what would otherwise be a bland show.
I think this show suffers from trying to do too much. However, if you are looking for a sweet and fluffy drama where you can turn your brain off, give Only for Love a try.
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It overstayed its welcome
There were a lot of things I liked about the show but also a lot of things I didn't which is why I rated it kind of low. I love Dylan Wang which is why I wanted to watch it, but there was just some real issues with the pacing of this show. Some moments were super enjoyable and others really dragged. I just think it overstayed its welcome.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I consider this a fantasy drama not a contemporary drama.
"Only for Love," has the talented duo of Dylan Wang as Shi Yan and Bai Lu as Zheng Shuyi. As a fan of their previous works, I eagerly anticipated their collaboration in this fantasy-like story that attempts to bridge the gap between reality and imagination. I cannot call this contemporary - hence the use of the term fantasy. If you go into this with that thought then you will ignore all the inconsistencies to how the real world works.I really like Dylan Wang and Bai Lu in their previous dramas, however "Only for Love" falls short in certain aspects. Particularly in its character development. The characters, particularly Shi Yan and Zheng Shuyi, seem poorly written, lacking the depth and complexity that would have allowed the actors to showcase their full range of talents.
One noticeable aspect is the delivery of lines, where maybe the actors could have benefited from better voice coaching? The delivery often fell short of expectations. This broke the emotional connection between the characters and the audience. This improvement would have elevated the overall viewing experience and allowed for a more immersive engagement with the storyline.
The costuming choices in the drama were not my favourite. The cheesy aesthetics, though like I said, i consider this fantasy... struggled to find a balance between sincerity and satire. Yes, I am calling out Bai Lu in those knee-high boots!!! The drama might have fared better if it fully embraced a more satirical tone, allowing the audience to appreciate the intentional exaggeration rather than perceiving it as a drawback. I am thinking about King the Land and Business Proposal... they seem to have done this balance better.
There have been criticisms regarding the alleged objectification of women in the drama. While some viewers may hold this perspective, I feel that that "Only for Love" is a work of art, not obligated to reflect societal norms or promote any specific agenda. Art has the freedom to explore various themes and perspectives, and in this case, the creators chose to weave a fantasy narrative that might not align with everyone's expectations.
Despite its shortcomings, "Only for Love" has its merits. If you are a fan of Dylan Wang and Bai Lu and enjoy their on-screen chemistry, the drama provides a visually appealing experience. The fantasy-like setting, though struggling to portray itself as real life, offers a unique escape for those who appreciate the actors' previous works.
"Only for Love" is a drama that caters to a specific audience – those who are drawn to the charm of Dylan Wang and Bai Lu and are willing to overlook certain narrative and stylistic flaws. It is as a testament to the unpredictable nature of art, where personal preferences play a significant role in determining one's enjoyment of the overall viewing experience.
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overall cute but misundertsandings are annoying
The FL annoyed me a lot with how she handled why she persued the ML. She kept listening to her bff Shanshan who at that time was in a bad situationship. She should've just listened to her own feelings and thoughts but dragged the whole thing until it was too late. Shanshan's advices sometimes really made me wanna scream but i do understand where her thought process came from.The Episodes after the break up annoyed me a little because shiyu didn't even apologize properly at first okay she tried to get in contact with him but only after she found out that the special topic about his company will be cancelled. She was only ever thinking about her career. The only thing he wanted to hear was that she loves him he gave her many possibilities to just explain herself and she never did. Only after like 4 eps she realized her mistake and apologized.
So i think the plot with all these mistundertsandings was a bit annoying sometimes.
I really loved the relationship of yu you and qin shiyue. Eventhough he was rejecting her at first she persued him very maturely. She was the youngest overall but her advices were the best and she handled her own relationship very well.
Overall i loved the acting of the cast would love to see bai lu and dylan wang act in a different series with a better plot together again. Their dynamic was very playful and cute. Also i really loved how shi yan threw the phone away in ep 34 really those phone calls ruining intimate moments really was making me go crazyyyyy.
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Only For Bai Lu
The story is nothing new same cold CEO & bubbly FL. The drama became popular because of Leads. I wouldn't have watched it if it wasn't for Bai Lu. I honestly skipped a lot of scenes.Zheng Shu Yi is a beautiful financial journalist. She is talented, smart & confident. Liked how she used to flirt with Shi Yan
Shi Yan is the CEO of Yunchuang Capital. He left his family business & started his own business. He is a cold, reserved & private person. He values talent over private relationships. He being jealous every now & then was unnecessary.
Bai Lu as always did her best. In the trailer I find Dylan Wang acting bland, but after watching the drama, he did well.
I liked Qin Shi Yue. & also Tang Yi I also need a supporting boss like her.
I liked the way Zheng Shu Yi said to Shi Yun that she will pursue him. It was cute.
Business aspect of the drama was unimportant, not like Rising With the Wind. I mean why would an investment company give so much importance to a bankrupt company which isn't doing well even if they have potential.
Ost was good.
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it's good but kinda frustrating
it's type of drama you can't watch for the second times. sometimes they took so long for some choices and got me feel bored. but I love the premis and character. but yea it's mediocre drama not the best but good watchin a first part of the drama I felt it took so long, but its good in the middle. I'm more invested in the middle part. honestly, Ive been waiting too long for their dating era. it's good at first. but i don't enjoy the rest of their dating era. that was the dragging part. but it's good if you want to watch
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Absolutely recommended
Absolutely recommended. The cast are visually amazing, their chemistry as well is undeniable. I love the whole story but the progress of it is very slow but its not stressful, its a slow pacing relaxing drama. I love everything about it, congratulations to Dylan Wang and Bai Lu for their amazing acting that captivated everyone as well as the other cast who is absolutely doing their best to portray their character as well. Big thank you for all the people behind this drama who made this into reality more power to you guys, the crew, the production and the writer. I've been watching kdrama for a long time and just started watching chinese drama last year, I realized Chinese dramas are more relaxing and family oriented and I will choose this over a very stressful drama, life in reality is stressful already . I wish to visit China even once to experience the beauty the country offers as well as to experience its culture. Thank you for this amazing drama that made us experience your culture and made us realized your beauty. Cheers to more Chinese drama and I hope more project for Dylan and Bai Lu in the future,Was this review helpful to you?
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Slow But Lovely Series!
Update Below...@6 episodes in...here are the positives: I am invested in the story and I want to know where it is going. I love the cast..some of which should have a lead role themselves and in some cases do. I also adore both leads...and they are terrific together. The mild tension between them is interesting..and I am betting that will heat up as the love story is developed. I am also enjoying the side characters and backstories.
However....if you have read any of my reviews you know .....I can get pretty amped over the series I like. Lol. So why am I not over the moon with this one? I feel as if I should be...it is Dylan Wang, right? But the plot is perhaps the weak link, it is lacking something that would make it utterly captivating.
It could also be that Didi has set the bar pretty high with his convincing performances in period/costume series. The fantasy/historical character roles are in his wheelhouse..and he seems most comfortable in that setting. This is the first modern romance that I have seen him in (thanks to you who have read this review and have recommended The Rational Life) but I confess in this one...I am missing his smile and swagger. This is purposefully done at the directors request..as he is making the point that this is a very serious guy. Notice the glasses, grrr. Lol. And I can't deny that watching a stoic CEO fall to pieces over a girl is lovely .....still they have given him very little range so far. I am hopeful this will change as the story moves along. Fingers are crossed...but full disclosure here...the rating may go up or down. For now it is a recommend.
@14...This series has developed so slowly that some have given up...and I do think some of the nuance in the dialog has been lost in translation. I appreciate the hard work of subtitling ..but it is an imprecise process that requires fine tuning. There was a scene with him ordering her a cake at dinner, after her texting that had a lot of meaning..but no one knew..it was obscured by the translation. So expect that. Also, despite my earlier remarks about the plot, remember this is a veteran screenwriter who deserves props for past successes, so taking a chance that she will surprise us again. Plus even without Didi and Bai Lu...the rest of the cast are so fabulous that there are sweets to savor along the way. ❤️
@17...This ep was my favorite so far. The leads are getting closer and there are tantalizing hints of more to come. I also am enjoying the cast... I like his niece and her potential love interest. Some think her too young at 22 but nah..she is old enough. She is adorable ..but in my view so dang oblivious. She pursues him so relentlessly that I wince with each rejection....but when she finally hesitates he is so disconcerted that he goes looking for her..so go figure...lol.
I also like her best friend, some do not. It is true, she has hard edges and she drinks too much, and despite being the life of the party..she isn't happy. She knows about dating...but nothing about love. She hates feeling vulnerable, so she hides her real self from him, but he is figuring her out anyway. Lol. Ahh have I mentioned how fine he is yet? Wait until you see him in this one...
@28 As expected..this series has had its critics. We could summarize the complaints by a lack of progress..and too much repetition. Those things bother ppl. If a phone call interrupts a private moment once..we say "oh, my" but if it is still happening by the 26th ep..we are saying "you have got to be kidding me" right? So some complaints are valid hence my rating.
@30 Wow, their relationship has long left the rather dry and fake segments we saw early on. Currently their feelings are deep and painful but because they are..that tell us more accurately the true state of their hearts. Often when ppl find it hard to express themselves..it takes a volcanic shake up...to open up. My guess is that the anguish we have seen in 30 was a prelude to a much needed heart to heart. It is coming...I can feel it.
@33-34 Some folks say she is behaving childishly, and I agree, it looks dang childish..from the outside in....but actually it is pretty natural. Shuyi playing, her demand for attention...this is common to lovers. Because when the love is new, emotionally there is a huge swing...so the need to test each other is real. The rush of emotions..causes both lovers to act out of character. Love can turn reasonable ppl into mush!
When he feeds her...(he knows she can feed herself) but he is reassuring her that she is important enough to be babied. Her insistence on attention...is not really the issue...deep down..she is saying...do you love me...really? And when he fixes her hair...he is saying...yes....I really love you! So some very intuitive scriptwriting.
In conclusion: Slower...means gratification is delayed, but it will come. So in a minority here...but I am feeling cocky anyway. Confident that those of us who wait for the final will be satisfied. So let's wait for it and have a party ...
If you have the patience..I think you will enjoy.
@36 Final: Wow..what a wrap up! It was so good. Please be sure to watch the Bonus Episode!
Happy Watching!
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Only for… testar nossa paciência
Esse, sem dúvidas, foi um drama para testar a paciência. Ele começa divertido, e as expectativas criadas pelos vídeos/fotos que rolaram fazem você realmente esperar muito desse cdrama. Contudo, chega um momento em que a expectativa se transforma em frustração.A protagonista começa sendo bem “atirada”, confiante, determinada, mas quando passa a ser correspondida literalmente corre do protagonista. De fato, após o primeiro beijo deles, quando você pensa que vai, não vai é nada.
Se excluíssem uns 10 eps da narrativa, sinceramente, seria bem melhor, especialmente as questões empresariais.
No entanto, não posso dizer que não entrega o que prometeu (ainda que só nos últimos 6/7 episódios).
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WORST PAIR
THE MAJOR DRAWBACK IS THE CHEMISTRY PHYSICS OR GEOGRAPHY BETWEEN THE COUPLE.DYLAN WANG IS AN AWESOME ACTOR BUT HE CANNOT BE AN ARROGANT CEO - IT JUST DOESN'T SUIT. IF NOT FOR HIM I THINK THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN AN AWESOME ROMANCE BETWEEN THE CEO AND THE AMBITIOUS GIRL.
THE STORY IS OKAY BUT TOOO SLOW THAT I WANT TO QUIT WATCHING CHINESE DRAMAS AS A WHOLE BUT IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FOR ANOTHER ACTOR I THINK THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN AN SUPER HIT DRAMA.
THE SECOND COUPLE AND THIRD COUPLE WERE AND ARE AWESOME. THE ROLES COULD HAVE BEEN CHANGED WERE YU YOU COULD HAVE BEEN THE MAIL LEAD AND GUAN JI IN YU YOU'S ROLE AND DYLAN IN GUAN JI ROLE OR JUST DROP DYLAN AND BRING SOME OTHER TALENTED ACTOR. DIRECTOR AND CAST PRODUCERS DID AN UTTERLY FLOP SELECTION .
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