Hidden Love

A Pure, Wholesome Love Story with Great Rewatch Value

I would recommend this drama to everyone! Honestly, I was a bit skeptical at first, mainly because of the casting of young Sang Zhi. I felt it might have been better if they had chosen an actress who was actually 14. In fact, I think Zhao Lusi herself could have portrayed that part.

But then again, during puberty, everyone develops differently—some mature later than others. Also, nothing inappropriate happened when she was a minor; it was just an innocent, one-sided crush that eventually blossomed into a beautiful, mutual love when she became an adult.

When she was 14, they only met twice, and then they didn’t see each other for three years. They reconnected when she was 17 and interacted more often for a few months before parting ways again. So it’s not like he was watching her grow up since 14—he was barely present during those years, and even at 17, he was only around for a short time.

It’s very common for teenagers to have a crush on someone older, and in this case, the age gap was 4-5 years. Plus, it was his very first relationship as well. If the age gap had been bigger, or if the male lead had prior dating experience, it would have been harder for me to accept.

Overall, I can confidently say—I loved it!

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Fluffy, comfy and stress-free drama

This is my first time to comment and give a review here in MDL and I'm happy it's about Hidden Love. Here's my two cents.

I haven’t really been INTO Chinese dramas until Hidden Love. I watched a few of them that are really eye catching but it’s very seldom. Hidden Love opened the doors for me to notice other notable C-dramas out there.

SPOILER ALERT!!!
What I love about it?
1. The storyline. Hidden Love mastered the art of portraying the spirits of youthful love, like those heart fluttering feelings when you have a secret crush on someone are SPOT ON. It transported me back to the early days of our relationship with my then boyfriend, now husband of which I can relate to the feelings Sang Zhi felt towards Duan Jiaxu because that’s EXACTLY how I felt towards my BF. Apart from that, I love that there are no evil 2nd leads in the story that would challenge the main leads’ relationship as well as there are no overbearing, overprotective parents/family members. I love how they wrapped up the drama with the best marriage proposal ever. Who wouldn’t melt with this line, “Six words. Only one person in a lifetime.” My tears just keep rolling here together with SZ and DJX.
2. The casts. From the main leads to the supporting casts, all of them did their parts exceptionally well. Kudos to the casting team on finding these actors who brought our beloved characters to life! Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan are the perfect Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu, there could be no one other than them. They will forever be immortalized in my system.
3. The OSTs. I think one of the things that made this drama successful are the OSTs played in the series. Seldom do I find a drama where I enjoyed almost all songs included in the official soundtrack. With Hidden Love, all songs felt comfortable to listen to even if I don’t understand the lyrics, the melody are relaxing and sets you in a mood. Zhao Lusi contributed two songs in the OST which I soooo love dearly – “I Just Want To Hide You Secretly” with Silence Wang and “I Have Someone I Like”. Victor Ma who played as Sang Zhi’s brother (Sang Yan) also contributed to the OST with his song “Be Your Light”. I couldn't tell which is my favorite because all of them are just sooo good.
4. The BTS. Their behind-the-scenes interaction can easily become a drama of its own. You can see how happy the atmosphere on set was. If the chemistry of the main leads is already top-notch in the drama, then their BTS is way beyond that which made me pine for them to be a REAL-LIFE couple. They are just sooooo amazing and comfortable with each other.

Hidden Love will forever be my “go to” comfort drama, when I just want to have a relaxing, happy viewing to cap a long, stressful week. As of writing, I am re-watching this series for the third time. And it never disappoints every single time.

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a warm hug in a very cold day

A young love story put in a simple frame, but still shinning enough to win the one's heart!you may think that the only story is about Sang Zhi who falls in love with Jia Xu, her older brother's friend and he is 5 years older than her.
but after watching a few episodes,you get to know those characters more and find out how is Jia Xu suffers from the consequences of a painful past that his family had, he works hard since highschool, and even after graduation, he doesn't fall in love with anyone, he sometimes feel guilty. But still he is very gentle with everyone, and when Sang Zhi come back to enter his lonely world when she is finally 19 , she is still secretly in love with him, feel sad for him, and still hoping him to notice her as a girl friend not a little sister. But what i really love about these two that no matter what kind of relationship they have, they were there for each other, they protect each other.
And then they both take steps towards eachother to show us a wonderful love story full of trust and caring.
I enjoyed a lot of watching their love grows, and the romantic scene was so soft and heart warming.
The chemistry between Zhao Lu Si (Sang Zhi) and Chen Zhe Yuan (Duan Jia Xu) is unbelievable and gave me many butterflies 💫
Another thing i appreciate most is the brother-sister relationship in this drama is so real, while i watched how Sang Zhi always acted with her brother Sang Yan (Victor Ma), i thought " this is how i behave with my older brother. very funny scenes between them. So i loveeeed her brother, he was such a caring friend too.
And i liked that this story was focused only on the leads only.
The music is so good too, i liked the intro, and my favourite ost is " be your light" which I'm listening to it in repeat now.
So if you are home after a long tiring day, or even feeling depressed and blue, you must watch this drama to cheer you up. It's like a warm hug in a cold day.

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fluffy, sweet, heartwarming, and so beautiful!!

Happy first anniversary to this super cute drama! I'm rewatching it now that it's airing on one of Indonesia's channels!

i'm convinced that having a crush on an older sibling's friend is a common experience, and i'm not alone in this. Zhizhi is a cheerful and optimistic girl who is in love with her older brother's friend. Sang Zhi's story is like.. exactly what i've always wanted. seeing her grow up in this show totally feels like i'm there with her. Jia Xu is the dream boyfriend material and Sang Yan is the best big bro ever! those three are seriously unforgettable and i really love them.

i love how the story isn't too slow or fast, it gives the characters room to develop perfectly. and i love all the OST, i've been replay so many times! All the adorable stuffs fit Sang Zhi's personality so well, her family is so warm and her brother's friend group so fun. there's some conflict, sure, but it all works out in the end in the sweetest way. it feels pretty realistic too, how the characters' feelings develop, and the acting is on point!

seriously obsessed with this drama! Sang Zhi's life seems perfect and i know i'll totally rewatch it again. it's my comfort drama!

i reallt appreciate the lighthearted plot, the well-developed characters, and the heartwarming story. i also love the OSTs and the acting of the cast. i would definitely recommend this drama to anyone looking for a sweet and heartwarming watch!

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Speechless

Production - paid a lot of attention to details and set was appropriately in synched with the scenes.
Story - Light and simple that makes viewers reminisce about their youth: first love, family and school. This series madenme feel sorry for not having an older brother to bicker with and love me the way the sibling relationship was shown here.
Directing - well directed, smooth transition of story, stayed faithful to the origonal manhua story. It is well balanced romance, family, friendship and colleague relationship. It isnt just a story about first love but also family dynamics, cultural & societal impacts, relationships, struggles, and much more that were interconnected.
Wardrobe - this isbthe area that is most times producers limit the budget. It throws viewers for a loop when wardrobe doesnt match the scenes [next day or another day scene but same outfit worn by casts]. Appropriate wardrobe shows honest goal of providing best portrayal of story that assist viewers in being able to follow the story.
Artists - the entire casts worked harmoniously together. Zhao Lusi's versatility as an actress got shown here.
I paid for Youku subscription to watch this then found out thisbjs available in Netflix which I already have.
I dont regret it because the series is worth the subscription I paid. It is very good and worth watching. I plan to watch again in Netflix.

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My experience

I was Zheyuan's fan. Last year in June I heard rumors about #ChenZheyuan & #ZhaoLusi will be starred together in a drama called Hidden Love. I was so excited because of this.
Finally when they started shooting I couldn’t wait for the drama. I wanted to know the story so I started reading the novel "Secretly Secretly But Unable To Hide It". I found the story interesting. Somehow I had the feeling #HiddenLove would be a hit drama.I like #ChenZheyuan that's why i was eagerly waiting for #HiddenLove. I earlier watched #ZhaoLusi's works so I knew that she was a wonderful actress. She would slay as #SangZhi. My fingers were crossed. Hoping best for the drama. I was waiting for #HiddenLove from last year. I kept all updates so when it was confirmed that it was coming in June. I was like finally I can see #ChenZheyuan & #ZhaoLusi together. After seeing the drama I felt it was worth waiting for a year.Nowadays when I see people’s positive reviews somehow I feel proud. From the very beginning, I knew #HiddenLove would be a hit drama & Finally It's happening. People are loving #ChenZheyuan & #ZhaoLusi chemistry.

This was my story 😉💙

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Truly a rare find ! Don't ever miss watching it

I stumbled upon this rare gem of a drama by accident and started watching it. As the show moved on I found it so intesresting and facinating. It was written so thoughtfully and one could not have asked for a better writing.

Both Zhao Lu Si and Chen Zhe Yuan had lived the part actually. It is my first time watching them and their expessions were so good. It felt like I was watching something so precious. I started missing the show so much after it ended. The brother character (Sang Yan) by Victor Ma was also exceptional.

Once you are done with the show the hangover from it is so heavy that surely we will want to rewatch it many times. True drama lovers will never want to miss this gem of a show. The OSTs were so good. They suited the drama very well and captured the feel of the show aptly.
So glad I watched this show and watching it for the first time is an experience which will never come back. Amazing story and acting! Wish the dream team will do more shows together.

This is the one show where I could give full ratings without even thinking. It was that good.

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Read if you want to know what MAGIC awaits you

I loved this drama that I had to drop all my thoughts about it out into the world T-T My love for this cannot be HIDDEN >-<

I don’t think I have any dramas rated as a 10, but this was such a gem after a long time that I had to bump it from 9.5 into 10!

Everything was perfect for a nice rom-com. They didn’t spend too much time on the innocent youth part so they got to develop the sizzling chemistry. NGL FL’s voice was super annoying as a teenager. She tried to make herself seem young, but I can’t imagine a teenager acting that meek and naive. Luckily we got our normal Lusi by ep 13. No conflict lasted long. They respected each other’s wishes and worked to make each other their priority. The way he asked her permission to “woo” her was absolutely adorable! He also clearly started the relationship by explaining his life and the problems he is facing. They communicated as a couple. The way she empathized before knowing his backstory and even more so after he told her.

Her bro is such a real bro that the writer had to have modeled him after someone. He was always bullying but with all the love in the world and is her most fiercest protector.

The way the parents were protective of her is completely understandable and weary of her being with ML. They showed she grew up like a princess in their eyes.

There were no backstabbing friends (at least after middle school) unlike other cdramas. Even that friend that liked the guy that liked FL. They were all so supportive and loving.

The acting was spot on by every single actor! The way Lusi cries is so real. She had me in tears with her. ML’s cries were like all the IRL dudes I know. Trying to keep it in and wiping tears in secret and when it’s really emotional, letting out in the most heartbreaking whimpers.

None of the bad clichés. It was refreshing to not have the last minute break ups, the stupid accidents and crazy second leads.

They were truly adorable together. Relationship goals. No joke. They were cute and hot…sometimes all at the same time…when together. The marriage proposal was so cute too. I totally fell for it and thought her friend was going to get engaged.

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Definitely worth all the hype

To begin with, this is my very first review. I hardly ever review anything at all, but this time I just can't hold my emotions. Secondly, melodrama is not my genre of choice. I normally find melodramas rather boring to watch, but this is absolutely NOT the case.

This title is just amazing. Literally everything about 'Hidden Love' makes it an outstanding viewer experience:
- the story is sweet, relatable, at times funny, at times sad, always profound and thought provoking;
- the music is lovely and in tune with the overall aesthetics of the series;
- no stupid cringy moments or vulgar jokes that can make some viewers uncomfortable;
- events unfold at a very comfortable pace - the story keeps moving and you don't feel bored a second, but at the same time you do not feel pushed by the creators as in some action-packed dramas.

But most importantly the cast - I loved them all! With me, I often find that one of the main leads doesn't match the other in terms of visuals or acting skills, but in this drama both the ML and the FL were incredibly fine in all respects, and the chemistry between them was nearly palpable. Support role actors were also great. So there is literally nothing about this drama that I would change, it is too good. The only drawback, I guess, is that after watching it I got a drama hangover I won't be able to overcome soon :-) Very much looking forward to the news projects of CZY and ZLS!

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The kind that will make you have butterflies

If you're wondering and going through the review to see if you should watch this series or not, then without a second thought, dive into it. You'll fall in love with the characters, Sang Zhi as a whole will be someone you'll relate to because like her we have all had crushes in our school life , whom we kept to ourselves , we admired , respected them from a distance knowing that they can never be ours 😭😭 🥺

Duan Zixu is one of the greeenest flag someone can ever be 🥺💜
So trust me , you won't regret it 💜 I didn't, and I have waited for it to finish to bingewatch at once 🥺💜

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