I have no clue how I am supposed to get over this !
I usually do not watch Chinese drama much. But after watching some clips here and there of the first 2 episodes, this drama had my attention. I was hooked from the very first episode of it.It is different from any typical drama in my opinion. No toxic storyline, nothing over bearing - just a simple and wholesome story full of green flags. Every relation in the drama is so pure, understanding and refreshing.
The chemistry between the two leads is amazing and truly it made my heart beat faster every single time! Even the friends of both the leads are so supporting and caring towards each other, no jealousy, no competition, no negativity, nothing toxic.
I am in love with this drama, the plotline, the characters, the music - everything ! I have already started re-watching it from the start the very next day I finished it for the first time. Every time it feels like I am watching HIDDEN LOVE for the first time. Every second of the drama is worthy of appreciation. Every little detail is commendable.
Even after finishing it, I still have butterflies in my stomach and my heart feels full.
I have no clue how I am supposed to get over such an amazing, heartwarming, swoon worthy drama.
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An Unforgettable Gem in My Drama Collection
So, I just finished watching "Hidden Love," and guys, it's officially skyrocketing to the top of my drama list. I'm not even a hardcore drama buff, but this one? It's a game-changer. The story had me hooked from the get-go – emotions, plot twists, character development – you name it, they nailed it.Let's talk about the chemistry between the leads – off the charts! It felt so real, you know? Like, I was invested in their journey. The actors were on point, delivering performances that gave the characters depth and nuance.
And guess what? I'm already planning a rewatch. There's so much going on in the plot, and I'm pretty sure I missed some subtle details the first time around. The thought of diving back into "Hidden Love" is just too tempting to resist.
Bottom line, if you're into dramas or even if you're not, "Hidden Love" is a must-watch. It's got that perfect blend of a gripping story and outstanding performances that'll stick with you long after the credits roll. Trust me, it's a gem in the drama world.
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An Unparalleled Masterpiece: A Must-Watch Drama with Extraordinary Performances!
OMG I am absolutely astounded by this drama; it has undoubtedly earned a spot among the best I have ever watched. The chemistry between the actors is unparalleled, and the seamless progression of the storyline is simply flawless. The performances delivered by both actors are nothing short of extraordinary, leaving me in awe. Furthermore, the drama is filled with intricate details that add a remarkable depth to every action and dialogue. Each moment resonates with me on a profound level. If you haven't had the chance to experience this drama yet, I request you to please watch it trust me you will not regret it. The portrayal of Sang Zhi and Duan Jia Xu by Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan, respectively, is an exceptional feat that breathes life into these characters. Their performances are the epitome of excellence, capturing the essence and depth of their respective roles. Furthermore, I must give a special mention to Victor Ma, no one could have played Sang Yan better than him. His portrayal brings an unparalleled charm and authenticity to the character, making it truly memorable. Collectively, these actors have done an outstanding job in giving these characters a vivid and captivating presence on screen. I am at a loss for words it is truly a magnificent piece of work. 10/10 MUST WATCH!Was this review helpful to you?
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Perfect!!!
Beautiful and all fluff.PERFECT!!!
Will take me a very long time to get over this simple yet one of a kind drama..
It's already a given that Lusi will give a remarkable performance as FL (she always does base from all her previous dramas).. But I am still pleasantly surprised on how well she performed the younger ZS.. I love the small acts/details that made her performance as a child/teenager more authentic.
I have also seen Yuan in "Our Secret" and yes I like him a lot in that drama, too.. But the way he acts, specially how his eyes acts in this drama is just beautiful and remarkable. I have only seen that performance from older veteran actors and considering his age, he's just extraordinary.
I specifically liked the different ways he looked at ZS's depending on her age..
1. The child ZS (portrayed by that pretty child actress, sorry I dont know her name): his gaze is like an older brother who's amused with his sister's antics.
2. The child/teenager ZS (portrayed by Lusi): his gaze shows warmth for someone younger than him but with a hint of curiosity.
3. The adult ZS: his gaze shows full of sexiness, naughtyness, playfulness, dominance, and romance. FINALLY!
Everything about this drama is beautiful, including the songs.
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This review may contain spoilers
Sang Zhi's diary: A story of life, love and friendship
Love the flow of the story. Worth to watch every episode. Even though I finished watching it, I rewatched it again and again for consecutive days now. And the OST, gaaaad!! It is well-made for the whole series.The casts portrayed their characters well. They can delivered their emotions without overacting the situation. Especially, when Sang Zhi personally went to Yihe to confirm if Jiaxu has a girlfriend and she hides her tears as much as possible in front of Jiaxu, I felt her brokenness on that part. And to Jiaxu, I felt his sincerity and respect towards Sang Zhi that even though he already knew that Sang Zhi likes him, he still pursue her.
Also, you can see the transition of Sang Zhi from being a simple school girl to college girl with lots of maturity in mind. Like, the confrontation of her and to the lady who constantly harassed Jiaxu for the death of her father. Sang Zhi handled that confrontation so well that she managed to stay calm the whole confrontation part even if the lady bombarding her with a number of negative comments about Jiaxu.
Overall, the series is worth of your time to watch. The series is not just about a secret love but it tackles also the supportiveness of the parents, friends. You can grasp a number of lessons towards the story.
Congratulations to the production, staff and crew, and to the casts for a wonderful project! Job well done!
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Refreshing take on a modern romance
Such a lovely story of a young crush turning into more in adulthood. There is nothing remotely sinister in the childhood portion, as seen from the perspective of a young girl, with the object of her attention having no idea, but just being kind and helpful to her. No ulterior motives by DJX. The adulthood portion is wonderful as feelings start to develop and will ring a bell with so many people when falling in love.This is a very realistic story about romance, helped by the amazing chemistry between Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan! The smiles, sparkling eyes looking at ech other, they are so beautiful together. Lusi again does that youngster to grown up seamlessly, not just in the way she speaks but in all the physical attributes she brings to playing a youngster. Chen Zheyuan has never looked so attractive as the sly, sexy, foxy DJX, trying to woo SZ when she is grown up and he has fallen for her. Brings alot of emotion to the character as well. Her brother is amazing as well, as is all the other cast. A supportive loving couple ,it is a delight to watch and wish it had gone on longer!
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Absolute Gem in the jungle of dramas
I cannot hold back but write my first ever review….. Just watch everything about this drama is absolute gem…Huge love to writer, director and the cast …. The music us heaven …………………………..———————————————-,……………………….💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜………………….
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A Pure, True Romance in it's finest form.
Hidden Love is a Romance that actually seems to know it's a Romance. This is much rarer than you may think, and one only needs to look at it's contemporaries to understand why. Where Hidden Love excels is in it's simplicity: from the beginning of the story it's obvious that the couple will face a challenge with respect to their age gap and we also know that to some extent the ML has ghosts of the past that haunt his present. The Drama does not seek to extensively shock us in any capacity - there are twists but they are all largely foreshadowed and never feel entirely unexpected, however the predictability is also not cliche or grotesque, the hints slowly merge together to create a final, synergistic image that will surely leave even the most casual romance-enjoyers or c-drama watchers with butterflies.This Drama has murder, mystery and social commentary, but it recognises that these are simply elements of the larger, romantic storyline. It never wades too far away from the love story, nor does it have to. It's fine that the plot is focused around the relationship of the two central characters because it never feels like their actions only affect themselves; other dramas consistently fail in this regard, either dedicating too much time to the main couple and leaving the side characters to the wayside or prioritising the plot and overall story while not focusing enough on the romance. Hidden Love merges the two together. Each decision Sang Zhi makes very obviously has consequences for people other than herself, and Jiaxu's relationship with her is the same. Because we care about the supporting cast we are able to understand what implications the relationship of the main couple will have on them, and so their own stories seamlessly merge with those of the male and female lead without ever distracting from the story being a Romance. The plot and the genre work in harmony rather than against each other, and it is beautifully done.
TLDR - Poesy aside this is a wonderful drama, and if you'd like 25 episodes of heart racing romance, then look no further.
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Highly addictive
This is indeed a story about hidden love as it offers several spaces where the love seems to be hidden. How well it is hidden is however kind of questionable and made me wonder how oblivious the people in this story are.The story itself offers very little new, girl meets her older brothers roommate, gets a crush on him and tries to hide it. things happen, people grow up... Girl is smart, mature, straight forward with pretty much everything (except for the hidden love thing). There are a few episodes in the middle where she goes immature and takes a turn out of character but other than that I she is definitely one of the most fun to watch female leads in all of C-dramaland.
Boy has had a life full of difficulties but somehow becomes superman, good at school, good athlete, great work ethics.. and even though girls keep whispering "what a handsome guy he is" he is not really the type to flirt around as he only cares about his work and found family... The guy is extremely kind... and playful oh so playful. He even seems to have basic communication skills that go beyond wrist grabs.He is said to have a good moral compass (he says that over and over until the audience is sure to believe it. He is overly protective of his best friends little sister and though he is the sweetest guy ever he does have a bunch of flags here and there, and while some would think it is because of the age gap, I say the age gap is not the issue bere. the guy is pretty jealous, and seems to forget to lack the ability to include others in his process of making decisions.
These two grow in a beautiful way and make tasteful, playful fireworks... With great dialog. lots of cheese.. and I mean a lot of cheese... so much cheese it may make you cringe.
When it comes to the side characters:
The girls brother is 80% sweet and the audience voice 20% annoying, but I am now intrigues by this guy and would love to see more of him.
The friends and found family in this are lovely (except for one but she is there to forward the plot) and the supporting characters do their job well. the fat friend is unnecessarily portrayed as a guy who eats like pig... and yes that bothers me quite a bit. Some twists are a bit meeh, others good the flow of the story is decent and highly addictive so even with all these flaws I could not give it less than a 9.
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LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
HL has become my favourite top 1 drama where I smiled like a fool, laughed till my stomach hurts, and even cried. There weren’t a dull moment and I wouldn’t change anything as the storyline, cast members and OST are perfect the way I like them to be. The dynamics between all of the casts was also something worth mentioning. The chemistry between ZLS and CZY was amazing! Both of them were able to portray their roles very well.TBH It’s been a while where I find myself obsessed over a drama (in a good way)! I would repeat the trailers, finding more BTS videos, and rewatching some of the scenes while waiting for a new episode to be released. I usually don’t rewatch most of the dramas but this I’ll definitely rewatch it soon!
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1The ultimate sweet romance.
You think you saw unproblematic, cute, heartwarming and wholesome dramas? Let me tell you, none comes even close to Hidden Love. It’s an ultimate sweet romance.Easily the best aspect of the show was how natural and real everything felt, and I’m not talking about just the romance. The relationship between the siblings? Exactly how it usually looks like in real life. The friendships? Hilarious and relatable - both for guys and the girls. How people act when they are drunk, sick, sad, happy, shy, excited - both the way it was written and then performed was just… natural, and that’s the best compliment a drama can get.
Still, the highlight, the core, the true beauty of Hidden Love was the blooming romance between Sang Zhi and Duan Jia Xiu. What started as a teen crush, turned into one of the most healthy and balanced relationships I have seen in any drama ever. Getting into the show I was afraid how they would handle the age gap. 5 years is not much, but it is not little considering the age Sang Zhi was. The writer did not disappoint.
What I loved the most about the relationship was the fact I could see true partnership between the leads. It was not an older guy just taking care of a younger girl sacrificing everything for her happiness. They also did not make Sang Zhi this unrealistically mature, 20 acting 30. They became each other's emotional support, they handled issues in a mature way while still believably presenting characters in their early and mid twenties. They also delivered some good kissing scenes, no fishes to be found on set ;)
And you know what’s great? The leads were amazing as a couple, but they were also great as their own individuals! While there were moments I found Sang Zhi’s behavior too sweet for my taste, it’s simply impossible not to love her. She was emotionally strong, empathic, driven and supportive. Then we have Duan Jia Xu - honestly too good to be real, and that makes me feel depressed. Good natured, patient, protective. But I also appreciated his own arc and the depiction of the loneliness he was facing.
What’s more to love? The sibling dynamics between Sang Zhi and Sang Yan. I’ve got both comedic and touching scenes. Yes, they might have fought a lot, but they also cared for each other deeply. And honestly? The bickering scenes between them were some of my favorite moments in the drama.
One thing that caught my attention production wise were the outfits picked for the characters. Not only did I love the slight couple matches Sang Zhi and Duan Jia Xu were wearing (even before they became a couple, their colors always matched), I also literally wanted to steal the whole wardrobe from Sang Zhi.
The acting from the whole case was so good it got me jealous watching. Jelly for the romance, the friendship, the family dynamics. It all seemed so real and so wholesome. I knew Chen Zhe Yuan is a good actor after watching Our Secret, but he was so much better in Hidden Love (even though I did not think it’s possible). Zhao Lu Si's little mannerism added to the realism of the character she was portraying and I could not stop smiling while watching her performance.
Anything I did not enjoy? Not that into the “debtor” story, or rather the closure it got. With how serious it was introduced, I expected something more to happen for it to end. I was also completely not interested in a love story of one of Sang Zhi’s roommates.
Overall, for modern romance fans, this is a golden standard. I’m extremely pleased I’m ending 2023 with this drama. Nothing better than entering the new year with a new found crippling loneliness after seeing the most perfect couple in dramas history.
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