character interactions are its strong suit, story--not so much
First impressions: the trauma dump on the first ep is craazy. imo the synopsis is a bit misleading and maybe a bit spoilery bc the part where he goes abroad doesn't happen until like half of the show (ep 13). It starts with a "misunderstanding", which usually I would be kinda eh abt it, but since we don't really know the characters that well, I'm not particularly mad abt it.TLDR; Character interactions are better than the story tbh. You can tell this was adapted from somewhere--some parts were cut off or added on after the fact (a lot of flashback scenes). It's not that coherent imo. I love the besties-to-lovers plot though! And the second love interests aren't overly clingy or stubborn. The general messages of the story are really nice (not romance-related but still very good nonetheless). I think what I love the most about this show is the small things the couples do for each other. Acting is normal; not much in particular stands out. Music is nice to listen to, and the lyrics are beautiful. The ending left a bittersweet impression that happens when you enjoy the character interactions and don't want the show to end (I'm a sucker for the moments where all the actors get together and send off the viewers 😭). Rewatch value isn't too high imo just because the story doesn't flow completely.
Story: I love how they don't push the study abroad thing at the end. It literally is in the first ep before they even meet each other. I also love how the the ml's other love interest and the fl actually respect each other. The couples are so supportive of each other, and do sweet things when their partner isn't watching. The comedy is pretty funny, though. The second couple is also incredibly adorable. We love a functional family.. There's a lot of accountability in this story, which I really do appreciate. The proposal is quite unique, actually.
Acting/Cast: Acting didn't stand out to me too much, but it wasn't terrible either. Xu Zhi is a very forward person and a bit cheeky towards Chen Luzhou. I love the side banters they have--very funny. I also love her outfits as well as her bestie's too. Her hairstyle is also really cute and unique. The joking between the leads flows so well. They actually hug more than they kiss, which is fine by me, and tbh I might prefer that more just because it happens during sentimental moments. And everyone likes hugs, right?
Music: The singer reminds me of the one who sang the song in Meeting You, but the melody reminds me of the songs in The Glory.
Rewatch value: Although it's a short show compared to other ones I've watched, idk.. it's not incentive enough to rewatch something I already know the plot to.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The "passionately" part of the title is a bit of a misnomer
Review8.5/10 is my rating. This is a solid, typical modern Chinese romance. I would recommend it to romance fans and would be willing to watch it again if it was on. It is predictable except for the main female character. She is very strong and autonomous. He is considered so handsome he literally has his pick of women. She is also very beautiful and has many admirers. And he hasn't shown much interest in romance until he runs into this woman who seems more interested in getting closer to his mother than to him. They are both so alike and so different at the same time it is easy to see how it works. He is more of the emotional one and she is the take it or leave it more carefree seeming type.
Some reviewers have criticized that there are not very good kissing scenes. While you don't get the close up of them actually kissing and it more often cuts away or shows it from an angle where it could easily be faked, I found that they had great chemistry, and they showed enough it was obvious they were kissing. But if you want zoom in details then you might be disappointed. I don't think the actress or actor had some kind of no kiss policy as several have speculated. I just don't think they saw the need to zero in to that degree. Which was fine by me but others that like the more intimate scenes might find it lacking.
Spoilers
A criticism many have of the series is, despite the title (passionately in love) the scenes where they are physically close either cut away or fall short of any display of passion. It is hinted at. They might even talk about "the kiss" after but there are no true kiss scenes. Which makes it hard to convey the passionately part. I thought it was a good romance and there was enough for me in that regard but if you are going to title something "passionately" then it really should show some passion. So, I get why other reviewers had that perspective.
I thoroughly enjoyed how fascinated he was with her for the simple fact that she did not fall all over herself for him. He was so unused to that, the anomaly alone had him hooked. But, I did get the sense she blew hot and cold as did he at times. They had the volatile temperament that only very young lovers might have. It could be frustrating at times, as one or the other drifted for no meaningful reason, but it was more real that way.
I mean what teenage boy is not going to be interested in a girl that calls a guy out talking smack about you, challenges him to a race, and wins. Forces him to apologize for saying all kinds of mean boy things. She races a motorcycle. That has to be some teenage boy's fantasy. But, beyond that, she provided the emotional security and sense of home he so desperately needed.
I was disappointed he did not ever reconcile with his biological father. His dad was wrong to turn his mother away, but he had spent a lifetime making up for it and regretting. He was very humble, took all the blame, and apologetic. He didn't know what had happened to his son and he was in an accident after all. I have seen characters forgive a parent for much more egregious behavior. So, that was a little disappointing that storyline did not play out to a more satisfactory conclusion.
Scroll down for a unique synopsis
Synopsis
This is a 2025 Chinese Romance drama with 24, 45-minute episodes
Chen Lu Zhou (Anyu Wang) was adopted by a wealthy family and feels like he can never say no. He strives to be the perfect son and never disappoint his adopted parents, particularly his mother. There has not been many occasions when he has wanted anything from himself. Exceptionally handsome, girls have always chased him but he has never found anyone that had attributes that held his interest. That is until he met Xu Zhi (Liu Haocun) who is beautiful, smart and does not seem particularly interested in him. Xu Zhi meets Lu Zhou knowing he is soon to go abroad so does not take the relationship seriously. But as the two continue to interact and Lu Zhou realizes that not only is the girl smart, she is one of the top scorers. Her beauty and brains are very attractive to him but it is also her uniqueness. Not only is she unlike any other girl he has known, she races motorcycles. The two must navigate their promising futures, elders expectations, and their own hesitancy on a winding path of love.
#BePassionatelyInLove #LiuHaocun #AnyuWang
Was this review helpful to you?
Fall Into Our Passion is a heartfelt gem ?—a beautiful C-drama full of pure emotion and charm.
(Be Passionately in Love) is an absolute delight 🌸—a beautiful C-drama that sweeps you up in pure, heartfelt emotion.Let’s start with the cast: impeccable. Every single actor nailed their role, but it’s the leads who steal the show. FL is nothing short of a queen 👑—graceful, strong, and captivating. She radiates warmth and depth, making every scene she’s in utterly mesmerizing. ML? Handsome, charming, and oh-so-talented—seriously, he’s acting “chef’s kiss” 👨🍳😘. Their chemistry is sweet without being over-the-top, and the subtlety of their romance makes it all the more genuine.
Yes, some viewers fussed over the blurred kiss scenes, but honestly—who cares? The romance is already beautifully conveyed through stolen glances, tender moments, and emotional depth. Sometimes a little modesty adds layers of meaning. It’s not about fireworks—it’s about the quiet, soul-stirring love that feels so real you can almost touch it ✨.
All supporting characters bring energy and sincerity, rounding out a story that’s engaging from start to finish. The drama strikes a perfect balance: heartfelt, emotive, and refreshingly modest in a world that often goes too far.
In short: Be Passionately in Love is a stunning jewel of a C-drama—beautifully acted, beautifully written, and beautifully felt. If you want a romance that’s pure, sweet, and emotionally honest, this is your gem 💎❤️.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A bit disappointment the way there's no actual kissing scene
I love the story and how they act the drama to the end , it's just that it's feel a bit off as there's no actual intimate contact the leads at all. There is but not to the point of passionate love at all, I love the FL act but I think she doesn't show enough emotion for her role and wang anyu acting is really good it may not be the best but alteast on top. He was really good expressing his emotions that the one who is watching him got really affected, the way he smiles, and cry. But overall it was good I enjoyed the way wang anyu leads the drama ☺️Was this review helpful to you?
Romance drama? That's a ques mark
Ok so let me get the fact straight here with no lemgthy reviews just a quick peek a poo.The storyline is good with great potential like amy other chinese romance drama. So, you are gusessing why the rating is low. Then probable coz of cast. The FL is robot given his character the expression is null. Though they have good face cards that's the only bonus they got viewers but coz of FL mute expressions.
Romance scenes: yes they have romance scenelike holding hands, hugs, quality time the most teenagers desire. 0 kissing scene coz teh actress didn't want to have 1.
Waste of the potential of a good writing
Was this review helpful to you?
The good things is this is one of drama that I like almost all of the OST. Wang Anyu eyes is speaking to me. Liu Haochun potray Xu Zhi character so good. To people that said FL is rude than I can guess what drama you usually watch. Xu Zhi is not your usually FL in romance Cdrama. Xu zhi is not love brainsick FL. She is focus to her goal. Her career, but she is not denying her feeling too. To her, relationship is progressing development together. I do feel sad too though in the basketball scene when CLZ get angry because TX come to see FL. But its ok, its not because she is cheating or purposely hurting CLZ. She doesn't realize how insecure actually CLZ despite how relaxed he is look. It's the flaw of the character and it's make her human. Character need flaw to make it feel real
Was this review helpful to you?
Passionately in Love Limited... :(
Cute introduction to our cast.Interesting plot so far...into episode 4.
All finished. Overall, I watched it. Probbably will not rewatch.
I enjoyed Wang AnYu charater developments. It really brought out the challenges he faced and a lost child trying to understand what to do between parental respect and self respect.
As for Lui HoaCun i still feel her charater was strategacally portrayed to be a withdrawn reserved female to reflect the challenges of her charater, However, the character arc remained hit and miss. Just when i felt her charater was maturing she would revert to the early charaterization. *Not so great for story arc and CP chemsitry credibility.
Others mentioned the lack of credible chemistry or lack of kisses for the CP. Apparently there was new C-drama reguations for "underage charaters" but even the intimate emotional connections seemed to be carried by the ML. Less portrayal of mutual love or trust between the CP's.
Yes, there is a happy ending in the very last episode. but ends up rushing to explain how they fullfill staying together and move into next stage of their life.
Was this review helpful to you?
A Wonderful Blend of Old and New Generation Concept.
I believe this makes the story more interesting: the CP explicitly reduces the romance aspect to help young viewers understand that, even when dating and filled with passion, the best way to approach a relationship is to keep it simple and a bit grounded. While the novel may contain steamy scenes, the focus of the series is on personal growth. The steamy elements are toned down to make the story more suitable for today's youth, allowing teenagers to learn valuable lessons in a time when many topics are more open and less taboo. Personally, I would prefer to share stories like this with my younger siblings.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Passionately in love what now? Not at all
I dropped this after multiple kiss scenes that were zero kissing.Please China stop casting girls who refuse to kiss in your romance dramas. Like minimal kissing is ok when the story is written well, but cutting away when a kiss is about to start and giving us the sky or a tree and then expecting us to feel and chemistry or sizzle, um no, it died a sudden death.
The story isn’t even strong. It’s been a struggle to even watch up to this point, I don’t want to even waste my time any more because thats what this feels like. I total waste of time. Even the ML can’t salvage this one. Disaster drama.
Dropped.
Was this review helpful to you?
Only Wang An Yu acts like he is passionately in love
PLOT +/- "Forever Love": Two high school students fall in love during the break before university, but they break up because the ML leaves to continue his studies abroad.They meet again later, enrolled in the same university.
The only good points of this series:
+++ ( ღ’ᴗ’ღ ) Wang An Yu ( ღ’ᴗ’ღ ) is a phenomenal actor who carries the entire show on his shoulders.
+++ Good OSTs
+++ Very good veteran actors.
BUT
### Liu Hao Cun as FL. She's a good actress, pretty, but (I know it's in character, but) inexpressive!! Also, she shouldn't accept a romance drama because even when faced with a handsome, sexy, and in love Wang An Yu, she doesn't convey any real emotion! How could the director hire her for a series called "Be Passionately in Love" ("no kissing scenes contract" even for a romantic series)??? (ꐦ ಠ皿ಠ ) )
### The FL character is very poorly written, selfish, rude, and annoying. The All Green Flag ML deserves better [every one wonders what he sees in her].
### Why in C-dramas, 90% of best friends are stupid, clumsy, and blunderers? This recurring character is annoying.
### Overall, the storyline isn't coherent. Neither is the character development. In short, this story is very poorly written.
=> Only watch if you're a fan of Wang An Yu, otherwise you won't be able to stand it :)
**************************************************************************
Only Wang An Yu here, acts as he is passionately in love
PLOT +/- "Forever love" : 2 lycéens tombent amoureux pdt les vacances avt l'université, mais ils se séparent car le ML part poursuivre ses études à l'étranger.
Ils se retrouvent cpdt + tard, inscrits ds la mm université.
Seuls bons points de cette série :
+++ ( ღ’ᴗ’ღ ) Wang An Yu ( ღ’ᴗ’ღ ) acteur phénoménal qui porte tout le show sur ses épaules.
+++ Bons OSTs
+++ De très bons acteurs vétérans.
MAIS
### Liu Hao Cun en FL. C'est une bonne actrice, jolie, mais (je sais que c'est dans le personnage, mais) inexpressive !! De plus, elle ne devrait pas accepter de romance drama car mm face à un Wang An Yu handsome, sexy, amoureux, elle ne transmet aucune réelle émotion ! Comment le réalisateur a-t-il pu l'engager pour une série intitulée "Be passionately in love " ("no kiss contract" even for a romantic series) ??? (ꐦ ಠ皿ಠ ) )
### Le personnage de la FL est très mal écrit, égoïste, rude, agaçant. Le All Green Flag de ML mérite mieux [on se demande ce qu'il lui trouve].
### Pourquoi dans les C Dramas, 90% des best friends sont stupides, maladroits, gaffeurs ? Ce personnage récurrent est agaçant.
### D'une manière générale, la storyline n'est pas cohérente. L'évolution des personnages non plus. Bref, cette story est très mal écrite.
=> A ne regarder que si vous êtes fan de Wang An Yu, sinon vous ne pourrez pas le supporter :)
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Wanted to Like the Drama More
I originally picked out this drama for Wang Anyu as I really liked him in Romance in the Alley. However, after a few episodes, I ended up dropping it. I picked it up again when I decided I wanted to try to continue practicing my Chinese and thought that this would be an easy watch to keep in the background and just get used to listening to them speak.This drama was very surface-level, and despite certain tensions / issues that the characters had to deal with, all the problems seemed to be resolved fairly quickly and easily (or perhaps just left unresolved and not dealt with properly). The middle episodes didn't seem to provide much in terms of development, and I really struggled to get through them. I don't really think things started getting all that interesting again until the last three episodes and then it just kind of came to an end.
I've read many reviews about issues with the fact that Liu Haocun doesn't really do kissing scenes. I don't personally find fault with that as not every drama needs that but this drama did end up coming off as more of a slice of life, coming of age drama than a romance drama with a name that seems to highlight the passion between the two leads. It did leave the drama feeling much more cutesy than passionate, which is fine if that was the intention of the drama. However, for much of the drama, it didn't even feel like FL even liked ML.
Again, I have no background on what this drama was adapted on but just based purely on entertainment value, I was left wishing for more.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Enviable Relationships, Good Chemistry
Summary >>This drama takes some time with its scrupulous, mindful characters. You will have to be patient with these often-times customary and habitual activities. However, the execution definitely stands apart from many other dramas. This drama screams about beauty in simplicity. All kinds of relationships, be it young lovers or familial consideration are very well presented in this work.
CHARACTERS >>
Xu Zhi: She is the charming, single, desirable, but disengaged girl. Our FL surely likes to compete doesn't matter if you're her boyfriend. However, she remains indifferent and is unable to read the emotions of people around her. Sometimes she is so objective and straightforward with her words that you are better off with a bitter medicine. Things start to change when she realizes she has feelings for the talented, responsible and mature Chen Lu Zhou
Chen Lu Zhou: The humble and unbeknownst topper from the No.1 high school in town. He tries to continue his life on the pre-decided path laid by his parents, only to encounter a smart and beautiful Xu Zhi. His relationship with his family may appear tumultous on the surface but is actually caring and well-wishing. His relationship with his mother doesn't appear to be good but both care about each other deeply.
Zhu Yang Qi: He is the friend naturally suited to partner with someone like CLZ. He doesn't hide any emotions... not for long at least. He is trying to heat up what would be the perfect pork and sauce that would refuse to be mixed. He along with his new bestie, makes things lively and excitable.
Cai Ying Ying: If you found her more attractive than Xu Zhi you won't be the only one in the room. Cai Ying Ying is the cute, encouraging best friend everyone would love to have, boys and girls alike.
The two dad-daughter pairs show contrasting but caring and meaningful relationships. The two doctor dads are very proud of their daughters. The healthy yet unrestrictive approach of Dr. Xu's parenting towards Xu Zhi is really satisfying to watch. The scenes where all four of these are present are very cheerful.
The anticipation of the two leads towards one another is quite natural to understand the other without even talking since both of them are very smart people. While, on the other hand, Zhu Yang Qi and Cai Ying Ying don't quite understand when they start liking each other when most of their actions are to bring their best friends together. Both of them are easy-going, fun-loving and good-natured individuals that are ignorant of each other's feelings.
Was this review helpful to you?
