Hidden Love

Just love this drama

One of the best drama by Zhao Lusi and Chen Zhenyuan,the chemistry of both actors are great and natural, .ZL acting just superb,such a versatile actress, CZ on the other hand is just improving so well, both are so fine looking..And as for the drama itself, it was refreshing, it gives me a teenage love story way back then during my teenage life..I was so touch of the storyline, no heavy scenes, purely wholesome ..Hats off to the cast and crew of Hidden love, my only wish is that in the future Zhao Lusi and Chen Zhenyuan will have another project, the have such a superb chemistry!❤️❤️❤️

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One of The Best Romance I've seen for a while

I'm a big fan of romance drama. But lately many romance dramas just become so cliché, boring, and too cringey with repititive and expected plot. And at times, I see that the chemistry between the two leads is just awkward and too fake. BUT Damnnn Hidden Love just breaks it for me. I was hesitant to watch the drama at first. Cause I've grown sick of school/campus romance drama. So it took me weeks until I decided to give the drama a try.

This drama has everything I'm trying to avoid from a drama. A secret crush thingy, a childhood love thingy, a ML with a terrible past and got prejudiced by the society, parents' disapproval of the leads' relationship, cutesy FL, high-school and campus love story, etc. But what I didn't expect is that I freaking love the drama since ep 1. The two leads' encounter was soooo cute. The love started to blossom from when the FL was so young and got called out by the school teacher. She met her brother's handsome friend and asked him to pretend to be her brother and came to her school. And ever since, the FL has a secret crush on the ML and that crush soon develop to become love.

Many people might find a huge age gap love story a bit weird. The thing that I find it funny is that the leads are actually has 5 years age gap. It's not too far in my opinion. But the actress who played the younger version of the FL was too much younger for a 5 years age gap (as the ML was already in his 'adult' look). So for me it will make sense if they simply dress the original actress much younger with different hairstyle or makeup instead of using a child actress. Cause people don't grow that much in 5 years. But it's not a big deal tho cause the child actress did a splendid job. Have so many things that I love about the drama that I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START😭

But I'll try to list them down.

1. An admirable female lead

As I said, they have a pretty huge age gap. The FL hides her love for the ML. But instead of pursuing the ML like a childish girl in many dramas, I love how she actually was determined to study hard and make herself worthy before pursuing the man she loves. She's giving me a smart, independent, and ambitious girl in love. She's also very strong (not in a physical way). The FL was very serious about the person she loves. To the point she didn't let any bad things that she heard about the ML from other people, wavered her love for the ML or made her rethinking about their relationship or suddenly breaking up with the ML. THANK GOD WE FINALLY HAVE A LOGICAL FEMALE LEAD.

And I love every single time the FL was protecting the ML or simply just comforting and trying to boast up his self-esteem. The scene where the victim's daughter threw water to the ML's face and the FL threw the water back to the girl's face, damnn she's so bad ass. And everytime the victim's daughter was trying to change the FL's mind by telling her bad things about the ML's family, and our FL always said "What his dad did, doesn't have anything to do with him" like I'M CRYING OUT OF HAPPINESS😭😭

And just everytime the FL was trying to ensure the ML that he's an amazing person and nothing in the world that can change that is so cute and heart warming. "Duan Jiaxu you're the best. You're an amazing person. Everyone loves you" I'M SOBBING😭😭 so yes, I still have plenty of good points about the FL but I'm gonna stop here or else I'm going to write a novel about her.

2. Loveable ML

I love how our ML was not a cold, arrogant, kinda mean person. Throughout the entire drama, from the beginning to the end, HE'S SO LOVABLE. He was so gentle, so caring, so warm, so loving, so loyal, so....sjskskskjs. I'm IN LOVE WITH HIM. I'm head over heels for him. You can't not love him I swear. You will find yourself fall in love with him IMMEDIATELY. I love his character so much to the point I kept thinking "I need a Duan Jiaxu in my life" while watching the entire drama. This drama has one of the best ML character I've ever seen. Chen Zheyuan really executed his character AMAZINGLY. I'm in love with both Chen and Duan😭

3. Cliché NON-CRINGEY love story that make sense

The story of hidden crush is pretty common in dramas. But HIDDEN LOVE really executed this story perfectly and even took it on another level. I love how the FL waited until she's in a legal age to pursue the ML. And I love how the drama didn't drag the story for too long. Like it doesn't took forever for the ML to realise his feeling for the FL. So we get lots of lovely and beautiful romance scenes between the two leads. I also love how there's no sudden breakup due to misunderstanding in this drama😭😭FINALLY. I love how both of them were fighting for each other to overcome each other's struggles and just be there for each other. So I really wanna hug the script writer, author, and all the production crews for this amazing story line.

4. Cute siblings relationship

You will find one of the cutest brother and sister relationship in this drama. Like all the fights and arguments that they had is VERY MAKE SENSE and relatable. Siblings do fight with each other, but at the end of the day they care and love for each other so much and hate to see each other's getting hurt.


I will end my list here as I'll seriously write a novel instead of a review if I keep going. Overall, this drama is a must watched and one of the best cdrama I've seen for a while. The story, the casts, the characters's and story's development, the makeup, the settings, the cinematography, the musics, EVERYTHING ARE JUST BEAUTIFULLY-MADE. so if you're still hesitant to watch this drama, well, DON'T BE. Cause I promise you this drama won't let you down.

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Loved it

I wish I could say this was overrated, but it's actually not. In the age of open relationships and "situationships", it was really refreshing to see such a pure love story. The opening kind of gave me a heart attack, though. The actress playing her actually looked about 10, though they said she was 14 at that time. And they should have cast a younger ML as well. The child with him was very uncomfortable to watch, considering the end. I'm happy the actual story started when she was in university; otherwise, he would really be a pedo. I like Sang Zhi's character. She knows what she wants and works towards it. When she started liking him, it was puppy love. He was kind of a hero figure to her. He was the brother she wanted. When she heard him getting a girlfriend and kind of confirmed it, I think that's when she understood how much she actually liked him. But I was really happy to see how maturely she handled the situation. She knows he is taken, so she starts focusing on herself and lets him go. I think this is the right approach. Otherwise, it would be very disrespectful to his girlfriend. Even when they meet later, she keeps her distance. But whenever he needs anyone, she is there. And though not romantic, he also liked her more than a friend's sister. But it turned into a romantic one when she took care of him in the hospital. And during the phone call, when he understood he liked her and she probably liked him back, he wasted no time. I am actually a little surprised at how easily he accepted the fact that he liked someone he had seen growing up. I thought he would be more reluctant, given his friendship with her brother. But as long as they are both consenting adults, I actually have no problem with this type of relationship. Even when she was younger, she was so attuned to him. She knew when he was sad just by looking at him. And I loved how his gifts were not flashy but personal. I liked how her family was so protective of her. Yes, parents should be concerned. Especially if he is older than her by 5 years. They communicated instead of beating around the bush. And their concern was not baseless. If they had met the stalker girl, they would have never approved. But he proved with his actions that he is serious, which every parent wants. I love how they put effort into their long-distance relationship; it's important.
Mainly, I loved how pure their love was. They trust each other wholeheartedly, as they should. I just know they will be the couple who will still be in love in their 80s. Honestly, I loved the show. Such a fresh breath of air. If you can handle the first 7 episodes, which are about her in school, the rest is worth it, trust me. Going in my comfort watch. This was a story of her coming of age and his forgiving himself for things he had no hand in. He was a closed book, she made him open up. They both helped each other grow up and become the people they are today. I will miss them.

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"Hidden Love: A Heartwarming Evolution of Innocent Crush to Everlasting Love"

Hidden Love, a masterfully executed drama, fearlessly explores the complex themes of unrequited love and age difference, delicately avoiding any potential for discomfort or unease. The series deftly captures the essence of a young girl's infatuation and takes audiences on a captivating journey as it evolves into a passionate, enduring love between the lead characters.

The chemistry between DJX and SZ is nothing short of electric, igniting the screen with their palpable connection. From DJX's charming yet teasing remark, "You are not my girlfriend yet," to the heartwarming kitchen scene, viewers will undoubtedly find themselves enamored with SZ's transformation from a timid teenager to a courageous woman who unconditionally stands up for her man and their love.

The aesthetic choices throughout the drama evoke a sense of refreshing tranquility akin to a gentle summer breeze, punctuated by moments of conflict and introspection that add depth to the narrative.

An additional source of enjoyment lies in the endearing love-hate dynamic between Sang Zhi and her brother, Sang Yan. Whether it's the exasperation Sang Yan experiences while tutoring her or their playful banter, the on-screen chemistry between the two siblings is a delight to behold. Not to be missed are the scenes where Sang Yan fearlessly confronts SZ's bullies, transforming from a comical brother figure into a fiercely protective guardian.

Furthermore, the confrontations between SY and DJX showcase extraordinary performances that vividly convey a range of emotions. The actors' remarkable talent enhances the storytelling, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.
Hidden Love has undoubtedly secured its place as one of the standout dramas of the year, earning a spot on many viewers' re-watch lists. It skillfully blends elements of romance and comedy, intertwined with moments of conflict resolution, resulting in a truly engaging viewing experience.

For those who have fallen under the spell of Chen Zhe Yuan's acting prowess, exploring his other works such as "Mr. Bad" and "Our Secret" is highly recommended.

Note: This review is written by me, edited by ChatGPT for readability.

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Another great acting chop from Zhao Lusi - great script and good acting from Chen Zhe Yuan as well.

Hidden Love is another good act from Zhao Lusi. Sang Zhi falls in Love with Duan Jia Xu, the boy who often comes to her house to play games in her older brother's room. He is five years older than her. Sang Zhi had a crush on Duan Jia Xu when she was young, but they lost contact for some reason. After she graduates, she joins the university in the city he is in. During their day-to-day intimate and close interaction, they slowly fall in Love.

The story is cute, and ZLS did an exceptional job playing a teenage girl with a crush and Love, Duan Jia Xu, and into adulthood. The onscreen chemistry between ZLS and Chen Zhe Yuan is undeniably fantastic. Victor Ma did a good job at playing her annoying older brother as well. I love this drama and found myself rewatching it just like WRTW.

Awesome job, ZLS, and Chen Zhe Yuan. I give it a 9.0 rating.

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Not my typa show

Please refrain from reading this comment if you have not completed the series, as it contains major spoilers.

I typically do not find myself compelled to write reviews for dramas; however, the portrayal of the main characters in "Hidden Love" has prompted me to provide a less favourable assessment. My critique pertains solely to the character of "Sang Zhi" and not to the actress "Zhao Lusi", who has exhibited exceptional talent in her other drama works. I just couldn't stand to like how Sang Zhi presented herself in Hidden Love.

Pros
Although I've given such a modest rating, I would like to acknowledge several positive aspects of the series:
1. "Hidden Love" effectively explores and promotes healthy family relationships, particularly in the depiction of Sang Zhi's close bond with her brother. His unwavering support showcases a protective and caring older sibling. For example, he backs up Sang Zhi when she is getting bullied at school, ensures she is well at university, etc.
2. The series handles the age gap between Jiaxu and Sang Zhi with sensitivity and respect, emphasizing that their romantic relationship develops only when Sang Zhi reaches adulthood. There was also a lot of disclaimer throughout the show to emphasize that they are 5 years apart and establish their relationship on a legal and ethical foundation.
3. Sang Zhi's willingness to stand up for Jiaxu - for example, when the antagonist poured water on Jiaxu, she demonstrated her commitment to protecting her man by pouring water back.
4. Sang Zhi handled herself really professionally during her internship, even though her supervisor gave her a hard time.

Cons
1. The primary concern I have with the series centres around Zhao Lusi's portrayal of Sang Zhi as a 17-year-old, which often felt incongruous with the character's age. It almost felt like she was stuck in a 10-year-old's body. For example, there was a scene where she wanted to eat a lollipop and asked her brother's friend to open the wrapper for her - this is what ticked me off. A 17-year-old should reasonably possess the skills to open a lollipop wrapper independently. How are you 17 years old but still need someone to open a lollipop wrapper for you? This inconsistency was particularly vexing, given the more mature portrayal of Sang Zhi at 14 by the younger actress. It raises questions about whether Sang Zhi's affluent upbringing resulted in excessive pampering. Perhaps she came from a rich family so she was babied throughout her life but this still makes absolutely no sense to me. At age 17, she possibly never washed the dishes or her clothes and that's ok but the inability to open a lollipop wrapper appears far-fetched. Another example is the scene where Sang Zhi's brother takes her out to hotpot while her parents are away for a wedding and she is caught playing "fort" at home...

Given that this drama had such high ratings, I really wanted to give this drama a second chance to see what the hype is about. The initial 7 episodes wherein Zhao Lusi portrays Sang Zhi as a 17-year-old were cringe-inducing and prompted me to skip ahead to episode 8, where a 2-year time skip makes her transition to adulthood.

2. Shan Zhi's character demonstrates growth in maturity by the age of 19, making her interactions with the main lead during their early stages of romantic development more enjoyable. However, the relationship takes a downturn once they officially start dating (in ep 17/18). There were several cringeworthy moments I just couldn't stand, such as the moment at the roller skating rink when Sang Zhi felt compelled to notify Jiaxu of her intention to kiss him, which disrupted the flow of the scene. This action appears overly contrived and unrealistic, as spontaneous gestures of affection are typically more natural in romantic relationships. It's also a little bizarre for someone to say "I'm going to kiss you today" - it should usually happen naturally, at the right moment, right? I get that she wanted to respect Jiaxu by giving him a heads up but he already showed affection in the previous episodes that it is safe to assume Shan Zhi can do the same without asking Jiaxu for consent. There were also a lot of weird moments where she was getting flustered for no apparent reason. I mean, c'mon, your mans chilling in full long-sleeve pyjamas at home (and also considering y'all been dating for at least 3 months now)? It's not like he's lounging around shirtless in his boxers on the couch. It just doesn't add up to me.

3. The whole lack of communication in this show is really something else. I mean, in any decent relationship or interaction, good communication is the key to building those deep, meaningful connections, right? But seriously, there were so many times in the series where it felt like Shan Zhi couldn't get her thoughts across to Jiaxu. Let's talk about that KTV scene, for instance, when they randomly bump into each other after two years. There's this whole mix-up with her friend's sweater and some cigarettes falling out, and she tries to explain it to Jiaxu, but he's just not buying it. I mean, come on, at that moment, it felt like she could've laid it out better, like, "Hey, I accidentally grabbed my friend's sweater, and it's an exact copy of the one from KTV, so that's why this whole thing went down." You know, just to clear the air and avoid any misunderstandings. Another example is when they are in Jiaxu's car and Jiaxu asks Shan Zhi if she has any feelings for him and she literally did since the beginning of her childhood, but she replies with "no" because she was shy. I mean, she could've said something flirty like "don't worry about it" with a smirk (?) again, just my opinion. And then, when they were dating, it felt like they never had any real, deep conversations.

While Hidden Love strives to depict an innocent love story, it ultimately falls short due to numerous unrealistic and cringe-inducing moments found during the start of their relationship. As they progress further in their relationship (a year in), that's when I start seeing more improvements and fewer cringe-inducing moments - which is why I think the drama deserves +1 point higher than mid @ 5/10.

I know a lot of ppl gave a much higher rating for this drama so please don't be offended. This is just my opinion.

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Heartwarming Love Drama

Hidden Love is a captivating drama that takes viewers on a journey through the stages of love, showcasing the growth and evolution of its characters. From the charming performances to the heartwarming storyline, this drama is bound to leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling.

One of the standout elements of Hidden Love is the exceptional talent of the child actress portraying the female lead. Despite a slight age gap, her portrayal of the character's childhood phase was endearing and believable, capturing the innocence and charm of young love. While some viewers may have preferred a slightly older actress for the adult role, it did not detract from the overall enjoyment of the drama.

The bickering relationship between the brother and sister in the teenage part of the drama was a delightful addition. It added a layer of fun and humor, making those scenes enjoyable and entertaining to watch. The interactions between the siblings were refreshing and added a lighthearted touch to the story.

As the drama progresses into the university phase, viewers are treated to a mesmerizing display of ageless romance. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, and the slow-paced development of their relationship keeps audiences engaged and invested. The steamy kisses and romantic gestures from the male lead were unexpected but greatly appreciated, adding a touch of passion and intensity to the story.

One aspect that stands out in Hidden Love is the female lead's perceptiveness regarding the male lead's hard work to provide for their future. Her appreciation of his efforts highlights a mature and understanding relationship, further deepening the connection between the characters. The drama's emphasis on love, understanding, and family bonding creates a relatable and heartwarming experience for viewers.

Moreover, the male lead's determination to become worthy of the female lead for marriage adds a realistic and relatable aspect to the story. It showcases the growth and development of the characters, highlighting their dedication and commitment to one another.

In conclusion, Hidden Love is a remarkable drama that successfully captures the different stages of love, from innocent childhood to passionate romance. With its charming performances, delightful humor, and realistic portrayals, this drama is a must-watch for those seeking a heartwarming and engaging storyline. Each character contributes to the overall beauty of the narrative, leaving viewers captivated until the very end.

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A wholesome drama to make your heart flutter

Cute, this cdrama is utterly adorable and there's no other way to describe it. Normally I don't gravitate towards contemporary cdramas, I'm a historical/Xinxia girl, but I will watch almost anything with Zhao Lusi in it so I decided to give this one a go. And I'm really glad I did, I loved it so much.
Story:
So this drama follows Sang Zhi starting from middle school and going into college, all revolving around her relationship with her older brothers best friend Duan Jiaxu. Personally, my least favourite part was when she was a minor. I wish it'd started with her in college and shown brief flashbacks to them meeting when she was a kid because though the age gap isn't massive and the relationship only begins when she is an adult, it's kind of weird to start a romance show with the fl being a middle schooler and the ml being in college. This is the only thing I don't particularly like about the show, idk I just don't really care for the teenager crushing on the adult trope. I love their romance and I ship them so much but I just wish they'd changed that. So that's why it gets a 9.5 instead of a 10. But besides that, I absolutely adore this show. Sang Zhi is such a fun, sweet protagonist and I love her relationship with her brother. Also as a Love like the Galaxy watcher, seeing the mom again but as a good parent this time was so lovely. As for the romance, it is so sweet and healthy. Coming off a drama where the Ml repeatedly betrayed and hurt the fl, I was in need of a Ml like Jiaxu. He is responsible, he is respectful, he is protective, he is the perfect boyfriend. His only problem is he needs to have some self respect, why he wasn't filing a restraining order against Jiang Ying was baffling. After I paid that debt and told her to leave me alone but she didn't, I would have made sure she couldn't be closer than fifty feet to me or my loved ones for the rest of my life.
I know they'll be making a drama about Sang Yan and unfortunately it seems they won't be casting Victor Ma so I don't know if I'll be watching or not because this version of Sang Yan is the best one so I can't imagine another person playing him. Speaking of actors, they all did phenomenally. As I said before, I will watch almost anything with Zhao Lusi in it so I'm very aware of how incredible of an actress she is. This drama was no different, she did amazingly. Chen Zhen Yuan also did a very good job, this was my first drama of his and I was very impressed. As for the side characters, I wish we'd seen more of Wang Wang, especially about her relationship with the athlete. After the confession, what happened? Are they dating? Did he say no?
Overall I really enjoyed this drama and I think it's really good for any beginners or people who love romance dramas. I'm really happy I watched it and I hope you will watch it too

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Not fluffy as it's seems *hidden gem*

I start this show just for fun it was like I'll watch ep or two but it's really really good
The one thing that kept bothering me that the young actress was toooo young to convince me that she is in love..
The FL luci wad really good at acting she made me cry laugh feel frustrated all those emotions at same time
The ML was good at acting and as you keep watching his portray as cool not cold person will make sense his background and struggles

The older brother was so funny caring annoying typical brother_sis relationship

The reason I gave the story low rate that I kept worrying about the young child.and the story itself isn't a new one


But it was the most realistic

*Spoiler*
The scene at airport was really heartbreaking anyone who had been in one side love will have felt her pain

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I don't even like cdramas SO WHY WAS THIS SO DAMN GOOD

listen I would be the most happiest woman on earth if someone like duan jiaxu was mine. THE DUDE IS SO FRICKIN FICTIONAL CAUSE NO MAN LIKE HIM EXISTS. I absolutely love how when he realized he liked her he didn't go into no stupid stage of denial like "oh she is my best friends sister I shouldn't have any feelings for her" blah blah! THE MAN FELL AND THEN KEPT FALLING HARDER. i bloody love green flag men.
And regarding the female lead? I found her absolutely adorable when she was drunk and crying over her crush. like pls stop making me wanna squeeze your face through the phone.
what do I do now this show is over?

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my fav novel became my fav drama ♡

Words are not enough to express how much I love this drama.
I am very excited every time I get new news about the making of this drama until it is broadcast and until it ends.

Before the filming process for this drama, I had finished reading the original novel, so I know how the author carefully arranges an innocent puppy love story to turn it into an adult love story.

I am very satisfied with the drama's cast, all of them are very suitable, especially Zhao Lusi as Sang Zi, Chen Zheyuan as Duan Jiaxu, and Victor Ma as Sangyan.

I'm glad that this drama is following the original novel, with a perfect story, a very beautiful ost, and a cast that fits the characters. I would say Hidden Love is one of my favorite dramas of all time!♡

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