No frills, no fuss, only pure and sincere love!!!!
If you’re like me and need a drama to wind down on after a long day at work, this is the one. It’s exciting enough to keep you engaged, yet not too emotionally draining for you to not get out of bed the next morning.There are so many sweet scenes in this one, but just as many serious and important ones without which Sang Zhi and Jiaxu’s love would not be as strong. Sang Zhi shares joint MVP with Jiaxu for me in this one because they’re BOTH green flags. The greenest of green. This is what a healthy relationship with great communication, understanding, and trust looks like. The two have amazing chemistry!
Zhao Lusi never disappoints I fear. I’ve only seen Our Secrets from Chen Zheyuan and he is no slouch either. Together, they created something wonderful, safe, beautiful, and warm for all of us to enjoy on our saddest and happiest days.
The music is honestly pretty great too!
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This review may contain spoilers
Realistic & Relatable
This drama brings you back to the time when you think your crush can do no wrong, read meaning into everything he does, and find ways to just to get a glimpse of him. To those who have experienced this, the drama rekindles those feelings and you begin to realize you are smiling the whole time while watching. Although some people wrote it off as concerning because of the age gap (5 years), the FL had a crush when she was 17 and the ML reciprocated that love when she was 19, then they became a couple. The main premise missed by those who have not watched the drama is how a relationship helps us grow and become a better version of ourselves. The issues tackled in the drama were handled well, in a realistic manner and again, relatable. The acting was subtle and effective. Amazing performance from both leads, actually from the entire cast. They were able to evoke the actual feeling for any particular situation. If you love romcoms and the feeling of being in love, this drama is for you.Was this review helpful to you?
I LOVE
When I first started watching this show, I didn't really expect much, but let me tell u I got MAJOR butterflies from it. Most people are pretty annoyed of the FL (Sang Zhi) when she was younger in the beginning, before the time skip to the main story. Which makes sense, bcs she is basically supposed to be a bit spoiled and immature kid, kind of how Jiaxu first saw her as nothing more than something like a little sister. You just have to keep on going for a few episodes if this annoyed you, trust me it's worth it. Once you get to the main story you will be jumping and squealing, at least I did, I know some people look for different things. I really loved seeing Sang Zhi grow and become more mature, as well as seeing Jiaxu's feelings start to change when he realizes Sang Zhi is no longer the little sister he remembered. AHHH it's so cute. I do feel like the plot wasn't as strong, since there really wasn't much other than the romance between the leads. I wish the delved into their dreams or goals more, since it didn't really seem like Sang Zhi had much. She said she did, but that was more of a result of her wanting to be around Jiaxu. I wanted to understand her more as Sang Zhi, not just a girl who liked Jiaxu since she was 14. I know she liked to draw, but I don't fully understand her dreams. I guess Jiaxu kind of did, but not so much Sang Zhi. Another thing I do wish, but it's not too important. I wish there was saucy scenes, but its rated G so we can't have, but that's okay. Nothing too saucy, but kind of like that scene from business proposal hehe jkjk. It is their first relationship so both of them aren't as experienced, so its cute. I guess it is more of a cute innocent feel-good TV show, definitely good to watch when you're feeling down. It is my favorite drama I've seen in a long time since it was totally swoon worthy.Was this review helpful to you?
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Best coming of age drama
Loved the storyline, loved the honesty, love the believability. Sometimes dramas can have elements where it's so unbelievable, it's cringy. I like this one because every scenario is done well. There's no over the top situation. It's very relatable.I like how you see growth in Sang Zhi, especially in her relationship with her parents. There comes a time when every parents needs to realize their daughter has grown into a woman, and that was done well in this drama.
Loved the actors and actresses, not just the mains, but the whole cast. Casting was done well.
The music, I can listen to on repeat FOREVER. I don't think I've liked a soundtrack so much since A Walk To Remember.
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Storytelling and simplicity of love story
This is the best asian drama I ever watched...... everything is just so good.... performance of the both the leads is just the best out of any romance drama I ever watched.....they just make this simple story to once in a lifetime experience... and the way director captures every scene and the fact that she knows what audiences want out of every scenes ......visuals is something which kept you thinking (whether I should watch their faces or acting).... that's just what I can sayThis is once in a lifetime experience so everyone should watch this
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Sad to see this end!
As with most high-rated dramas, this one has its share of mixed reviews. Those that love it, LOVED it; while those that didn’t, didn’t. For me, this series was a true breath of fresh air for C-dramas. Relationships built on patient respect, communication, and unconditional love rather than bickering, backstabbing, or guilt-tripping manipulation. In that sense, this drama was indeed different. Instead of being an intense roller coaster of emotions, it was more like a cross-country road trip of a story: a gentle, meandering trek filled with breathtaking sights all along the way.I’m so grateful to Zhao Lusi, Chen Zheyuan, Ma Boqian, Zeng Li, and the whole cast and crew for taking us on this beautiful heart journey. It was magnificent, with so many memorable moments; and you will be so missed. Putting you on repeat until next time….
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This review may contain spoilers
A reader's dream
I have a lot of nice things to say about this drama and one thing I will say is Zhao lusi doesn't disappoint at all. She has grown a lot as an actress. I have watched a lot of series adapted from novels and i dare say this drama was well executed.(If you love reading c novels like I do, this is like a novel updates fan's dream.) I loved how the drama followed the main storyline without destroying the whole vibe , also the actors were able to make the characters come alive.
Zhao lusi was able to potray tiny details described in the book without making it seem fake. Honestly speaking, the chemistry between the cast was what made this movie so great.
Especially the chemistry between the lead roles was sweet and I hope to see more of our Duan jiaxu in other dramas.
*SPOILERS*
Even though the drama was almost perfect and made me happy, they didn't include some important parts of the story in the drama.
For example we never got to see Sang Yan's HIDDEN GIRLFRIEND and also Jiang YI's APOLOGY to Duan jiaxu and other minor details they forgot which is understandable because it's impossible to follow a storyline to the T.
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A truly amazing Cdrama the best so far this year and I dare say maybe the best Asian drama as well
If you're looking forward to re-experience the innocent crush and first love that ends up to a happy ending with two beautiful eye-candy amazing actors with super heart fluttering chemistry then this is the one you're looking for!! The transition from the young FL to the adult version was very smooth the crush on the older ML made sense the cute interactions between both and the supporting characters is amazing. The story in itself is veryyy beautiful the character were all well written, it is a very bright light drama however it has some sad parts that were quickly solved to keep things simple. The siblings relationship was also so cute and real. I couldn't find anything to nitpick on to be very honest. The casting was on point. Lusi is an amazing actress she was able to portray the innocence, rebellious phase of teens and shyness of having your first crush. Then the maturity, growing up and fighting for her independence and being a strong support to her ML. Chen zheyuan was also exceptional I didn't watch much of his works but he is very good he delivered the emotions on point his eyes were everything! The smiles, the eyes, the look. He did amazing. Both of them had an amazing chemistry on screen and off screen. There wasn't one moment that made you feel cringy or disturbed. It was a beautiful transition from a pure one sided love to a mature relationship between two adults. Everyone who watches the drama won't be able to forget it. It is very worth the watch!!!Was this review helpful to you?
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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Incredible
its my first time I’m reviewing about a drama in drama . Thank you for this awesome drama.I’m just obsessed with this drama just luv it.One of the best C-Drama in 2023, No words to describe.The whole story is mesmerising. The chemistry between Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan is incredibly beautiful . wish they will get best couple award of this year.Perfect family especially the bonding with her brother so lovely and cute .OST are too soothing to ears especially “Forever star ". I do watch K- Dramas and C- drama a lot most of them are related to love triangle but this is entirely different seems like a normal budget drama and worth the hype with relevant characters .Happy that it got released in Netflix. Im keep on watching all the episodes again and again.Wish for season 2.Was this review helpful to you?
I fell in love with their story
Where to even start? I absolutely loved this drama! The plot might seem very basic, but it hits some of my favorite tropes – secret crush, age gap, brother’s best friend… My expectations were quite high, and I am incredibly happy that the drama really delivered!Duan Jia Xu & Sang Zhi: the two are so adorable together! Sang Zhi is so sweet and caring. She has had a crush on her brother’s best friend for years and she has at some point lost hope that it will ever be possible for them to be together. But when her hope started to dwindle, Duan Jia Xu started to fall for her. He went through a lot in his life, but Sang Zhi seems to be the ray of sunshine that brightens his days. I was a bit worried about the age gap as the two first met when Sang Zhi is very young, but I really like how they handle that and avoided making it creepy. I think the two are a great fit for each other. The two actors did amazingly in their roles, their height difference was cute. Even the actress who played young Sang Zhi killed her role!
Sang Yan is probably my favorite character. From calling his sister a little demon to always complaining about her and teasing her, there is also not a single thing he would not do to make her happy and to make sure she is safe. I loved the way the two kept bickering, no matter their age, and yet they missed each other when separated. He is also a great friend to Duan Jia Xu, I really had a lot of fun watching the two interact, especially once Duan Jia Xu and Sang Zhi start to date.
I really liked other side characters as well. Sang Zhi’s parents were really supportive of both of their children and always tried to make sure the two were happy, even when the two were driving them up the walks. Sang Zhi’s roommates were a lot of fun too. I enjoyed the fact the four of them were so different from one another, yet they really developed a close relationship with one another. And while I didn’t like Jian Ying as a character (which was also the point), the actress who played her did an amazing job in the role.
The story progressed nicely from episode to episode. It wasn’t rushed, they took their time with it, but it also didn’t drag on. The story takes places over several years, so giving it time to develop at a slower pace made it easier to follow and to truly understand how their feelings started to grow and change.
The cinematography was beautiful as well. The locations, the soundtrack, the styling of the characters… everything was on point. I honestly don’t think I have any complaints about it.
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