Hidden Love

a drama that must not be hidden

"Hidden Love" is a heartwarming and nostalgic drama that I rate a solid 9/10. Watching Sang Zhi’s journey of first love was both refreshing and amusing, as she perfectly embodies the delusional and bubbly nature we all experience when falling for someone for the first time. Her daydreams, over-the-top reactions, and relentless pursuit of love felt so relatable and reminded me of how funny and endearing we can be when caught up in the whirlwind of emotions.

Sang Zhi’s character is not just lighthearted fun—she brings depth and sincerity to the story, making it easy to connect with her struggles and joys. Her innocence and unwavering determination to win over her love interest created so many heart-fluttering and laugh-out-loud moments that made this drama an absolute joy to watch.

The chemistry between the leads was beautifully portrayed, with a perfect balance of sweetness and tension that kept me hooked from start to finish. The pacing of their romance felt natural and genuine, making the emotional payoff all the more satisfying. The OST and music during the drama added the perfect sweetness words can't say


"Hidden Love" is a delightful blend of humor, romance, and heartfelt moments that captures the essence of first love beautifully. If you're looking for a drama that will make you smile, laugh, and reminisce about your own experiences, this one is a must-watch."

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Amazing!

I have one word to describe this drama: AMAZING! It has set a new standard for me. Every time I start a new drama, I find myself comparing it to HL. The acting, story, and music are all incredible, and I have no criticisms. This is rare for me, as I usually have high standards and can always find at least something I don’t like.

Duan Jia Xu is my absolute favorite character. In the beginning, he portrays the “brother” role perfectly. Then, when he moves on to the boyfriend role…. Ahhhhhh. He is so hot. Without even saying anything, this guy can make you blush. Don’t get me started on his eyes. This guy is a walking green flag; no, he is a forest of green.

I really love Sang Zhi’s character. She is the epitome of a gentle, kind, and sweet person. She is loyal and strong. I have no complaints about her character. I also love her relationship with Sang Yan (her brother). I have never seen a sibling relationship portrayed so well. I love their bickering. It is so entertaining to watch and reminds me so much of my brother and me.

The chemistry between Sang Zhi and Duan Jia Xu is simply remarkable and unlike anything I’ve seen in a drama before. Every interaction they have lights up the screen, leaving me smiling and giggling at their playful banter and heartfelt moments. The depth of their connection is evident in the way he gazes at her—it’s filled with such warmth and admiration that it makes my heart flutter. If only I could experience a look like that from someone! Their chemistry truly makes the story come alive and just draws you in. ^Swoon^!

This drama is so amazing. Please watch, you will see what I mean—definitely a 10/10 from me.

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Tried Hard, But This Show Just Didn’t Click for Me

I am sorry to be harsh but I judge everything to a gold standard especially to western dramas.

Oh man, I really tried to get into this show. I gave it my best shot, but the first few episodes felt like a random assortment of nonsense. I finally just skipped to episode 7, and honestly, that felt like the real first episode—where the girl grows up and finally starts using her brain. I get that the show is supposed to be light and easy with zero substance, so I’m willing to give it a pass there.

That said, a couple of episodes were enjoyable, but I didn’t feel attached to any of the characters. It feels like one of those disposable, low-budget dramas with minimal writers, but the director worked magic to somehow keep it from falling apart. Seriously, amazing direction.

Outside of the two leads with their “decent” chemistry, every other character felt like a throwaway. Even the brother, who’s just there to provide comic relief, just popped in for random phone calls and small talk. I’m not trashing the show—there’s just nothing happening. No meaningful introductions, no plot twists, no side characters worth remembering. I haven’t even finished the series and, honestly, I don’t feel any urge to. But hey, if I ever have way too much free time, I might give it another shot.

Also, let’s address the weird elephant in the room: the male lead falling for the girl who was basically a sister to him. Yeah, I know things like that can happen in real life, but the first few episodes really sold him as the protective, older-brother type. He was already a mature grown-up while she was still a teen, and the sudden shift into romance felt... off. Like, c’mon, how do you go from “big bro” to boyfriend that fast? But hey, maybe I’m just reading too much into it.

Now, despite all the nitpicking, I have to say the hospital episodes (somewhere around 9 or 11?) were fantastic. Those scenes felt real and had actual substance. I just wish the rest of the show had some kind of plot to match that.

In the end, it's not garbage like most shows, but it’s one of those shows I’ll probably only finish out of boredom. Not bad—just... forgettable.

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This was just an okay drama for me <3. Probably 7.5/10 for now.

I will not say it's overrated, because it's always nice to see a mellow, sweet drama with minimal conflict to be rated high. After all, the ratings are always subjective, that is the point, and I am sure that each one of us can name plenty of dramas that we consider either overrated or underrated; it all boils down to personal preference. And feel-good shows need their spot in the sun too!

"Hidden Love" is a heartwarming series and I understand how people relate to this and find solace in this simple yet touching story. Not to mention the leads are great here!

Personally, I didn't mind the slower pace or the lack of confict. I only felt that it became a bit repetitive towards the end and that the main couple at some point stopped really talking to each other. I mean, they did interact, but it felt superficial to me. It almost reminded me of "Intense Love" in that respect: pretty people being cute but somehow never talking about their likes and dislikes, hobbies, work, friends or even their future in detail....I just like my OTPs talking about stuff and going through things together, you know? :D

I am not sure if I will rewatch this in the future, but if I'll ever want a sugar sweet balm to calm my poor nerves, I know where to look :).

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Great chemistry but pretty predictable plot

Acting was good, I liked the characters and the actors played it well. The chemistry between the two leads are good too.

However when it comes to the story, its pretty predictable, its something you can see to other romance stories, and not quite refreshing. Furthermore, there are flaws in the plot, like I feel it has too much episode for a simple story, some scenes can be out in the story like its not that necessary, plus I wish they could elaborate more the ML's feelings or experience from his past, and the first few episodes are pretty good, but as the story goes on, I lost interest.

Overall, the only thing I don't like about this is how story flows like it was too stretched, but I admit that some scenes are great, and the acting are great too.

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Let's Just Say I Had a Change of Heart

As you can tell by the title, this was a drama that I initially dropped early on in my CDrama experience. This was one of the first few dramas I attempted to watch after falling in love with Falling Into You (2022). Obviously, there are some similarities with the age gap/age difference but that's about where the similarities start and stop. Anyway, I dropped this drama a LONG time ago and completely forgot about it. Fast forward to a few weeks ago where I watched the ML in another drama that I absolutely fell in love with, so I decided to come back to this drama and realized that it was the same actor. Everyone say, "Thank You, The Princess & The Werewolf!" If it weren't for that drama, I never would have circled back to watch this one. Chen Zhe Yuan is outstanding! I enjoyed him in that show and that's why I decided to go back and give this drama another chance.


I'm quite outspoken regarding my dislike and hesitance regarding age gaps. Age gaps always tend to be a miss for me. It never ticks off all of the necessary checkboxes for me to thoroughly enjoy them. In this case, I'm not going to pretend like the age gap doesn't bother me because it absolutely does. It doesn't take away from my enjoyment of the show but it's certainly not something I can relate to or understand honestly. There's a 5-6 year age difference between the lead characters? I can't imagine being 25 and dating anyone under 21. Plus, Duan Jia Xu watched Sang Zhi grow up. This isn't a matter of grooming by any means, but the age gap could turn some people off and I'll be forthcomimg about that. If you had an issue with the age gap, then you have every right to feel that way because it does come off as kind of icky in the grand scheme of things. But I digress.

Also, the episodes where we watched Sang Zhi grow up dragged out for FAR too long! I think that's what made me drop this show the first time. It's one thing for there to be a trope I'm already uncertain about. It's another thing to force me to watch a show overly emphasize said trope by giving us 5 or 6 episodes of the FL being an underage minor and the ML being an adult. That part of the drama dragged out so long and it would easily take someone out of the story if they were already unsure about watching this show to begin with. We didn't need to see that much of her being a kid in relation to Duan Jia Xu. We didn't need to be constantly reminded of the age gap/age difference in that way, honestly. It went on too long!

So, moving on. I think there were some things about this show I would have changed to elevate this drama that much more. I feel like the stakes should have been higher in terms of the obstacles they faced as a couple. The stakes never felt high and there didn't appear to be any true threats to their relationship, which can make the drama feel a LOT longer than it actually is. It makes the drama feel more draggy instead of compelling. Duan Jia Xu's issues weren't serious enough to make me believe it was enough to be an issue for them. My one pet peeve is that I feel like Sang Zhi should have had more of a presence and backbone. Sometimes, it felt like she was TOO passive for someone who was actively pursuing an older guy. While she did stand up when necessary, I feel like she didn't fight enough, if that makes sense. Knowing that you were going to have to deal with a ton of naysayers being hesitant, uncertain, and wary of your relationship should have made her more assertive when it came to fighting for her relationship with Duan Jia Xu. I think in these moments her age was fairly obvious; it highlighted her immaturity. Her personality and her choices reminded me that she's a young woman. There are certain temperaments and perspectives that naturally develop with age. A wisdom, of sorts. Due to that, I did extend some level of grace to her.

Last but not least, I feel like Duan Jia Xu would have have benefited from having more of an edge to him. Don't get me wrong, I'm a STRONG proponent of nice male leads. I love them dearly! However, I feel like he should have had some flaws, some jagged edges to male him feel more realistic and three-dimensional. I feel like he was TOO perfect. I kid you not - this man was flawless in every way. He had no real flaws and it could easily bore you because the character comes off so flat because he's so dull. I didn't want him to be a red flag but I wanted him to be more human.

Also, I did see some people say they wished he was more uncertain about jumping into a relationship with Sang Zhi. While I understand the sentiment and reasoning, I feel as if that would have only worked if Sang Zhi were more determined about snagging him in the first place. I know some people hate that trope but I actually love the "female chases male lead first" trope because it's subversive and it's different. You don't see that much in CDramas, so I would have gladly been all over that. But again, that's the only way it would have worked. Otherwise, this drama would fall apart with a ML who's uncertain about acting on his feelings for the FL and a FL who is easily swayed by the opinions of her family and others; it would not have made for an interesting drama. It would have been annoying and draining.

Anyway, I think I yapped enough for one night. Was this a great show? It was okay. Would I recommend it? Initially, I would have said yes. But after some time has passed, no. Also, I realized that I didn't actually like this show. Would I rewatch it? Probably not. Don't get me wrong. I did enjoy it somewhat but I don't think I can rewatch it. I skipped through the first few episodes of this show for a reason and I doubt I would want to go through that again.

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If you like Chic Flicks

Rated= 5~ 18/50 ~ 3.6
Scene // Zombie stumbling through an abandoned House. I can at least smack it with a club.


Which I don't 😂What comes to mind is Legally Blonde. If you like films along those lines, you may like this.

I'm writing this before I can even rate this because I'm not sure what to go with.

I don't like the back and forth timeline type of plot flow because I find it jarring and for the first few eps this show did this by jumping from 14 year old FL to 17 year old FL a number of times. I prefer a more A to B approach, or give us the flashback at once. But that may just be me.

Personally didn't mind the FL's romantic feelings in her school days as it is very much a crush and the ML treats her like a little sister, and a possible substitute family environment that he lost due to a tragedy in his own life. There are no signs of romantic intentions coming from him that made me feel uncomfortable or feel like it was crossing into grooming territory. I also appreciate how, despite the trauma, the ML is not a cold and distant asshole and the writers took him the other way by remaining firmly grounded and compassionate to others. I could even look at it as over compensating slightly.

When we get the FL into Uni and she's now legal (which is stated multiple times by the FL and side characters in case we were still unsure) the ML seems to have a personality transplant and devotes himself to pursuing the FL when he figures out that he is the 'crush'. You may choose to interpret previous behaviour up until this moment as, he does have feelings but is in denial or he is continuing his brotherly protector role. Either way, there's something missing in the ML transition from brother to boyfriend. I do appreciate the writers at least trying to portray an inner struggle but I feel like it could have been more developed. His feelings were pretty platonic to me and within one episode he was suddenly smug, cocky and hot on the FL's tail lights as soon as he realised that he was the one she was crying over. Something just feels off to me. I think that's where the plot has gone wrong despite the careful approach to the FL's age.

I either have to see it as A. he only became interested when he found out that she had long been interested in him, and she's an adult now so can make her own choices or B. he did have other feelings but had repressed them due to her age and once she was a legal adult, there was a greenlight.
There was a lot of focus on the FL being underage and not enough of a portrayal of how the ML was really feeling.

What would make me feel better is showing more of an inner dialogue for the ML. I need to see a genuine developing growth from the little sister figure he wants to protect to a woman he now admires and is developing romantic feelings for.
There was one scene in the car of him first questioning his feelings and that was it. They dangled the complicated human condition in front of me and then said, nah, that's too much work. Let's just skip to undying devotion now.

I think this is why there are some reviewers who are feeling uncomfortable with this show. The key component to the relationship is missing and the viewer is left with having to choose between A and B.

Which brings me to the next reason I'm dropping this show. The 'Chic Flick' feel. There is this candy coated approach to everything. The FL is clearly from a rich family so gorgeous big house, with an older brother who might as well be her dad. Parents who seem to dote on her endlessly and treat their son like her servant. The sickeningly cute dorm room of the FL uni and she's complete besties with her roomies. Oh, and the love at first sight pursuer just to make the ML jealous. Everything is very picturesque and I can't help but feel like I'm being sold something subliminally from pinterest.
I don't even need to look to the end to know that this show ends with a proposal, doesn't it?

Another thing that randomly stood out like a sore thumb to me, is that the FL loves to draw and is studying Digital media at Uni. Perhaps it's my own inner creative being annoying about this, but I feel like this arty side could have been utilised more within the plot as it's a core element of who the FL is as a person. But instead, I feel like it's reduced to an aesthetic for the show's visuals like the little title screens. That bothered me a little. At least there is some groundwork done for the ML and why he's a game developer.

Acting and music was really nothing noteworthy because my brain shut off a lot of the time or I was simply skipping scenes.
I held on through the 17 year old who acts and is treated like she's still 5 arc so I could get to the main course of the plot, the beginnings of the actual relationship. But now I feel like the writers must have felt the same way. Go through the cutesy, enjoying your crush girlhood stage, get the first heartbreak in there, reconnect, then jump straight to being pursued by said crush.

Also, the 'other girl'.....they really lost me on that one but I guess it wasn't a love triangle so there's that. Block and delete should have been on his mind somewhere and then a restraining order but he just kind of takes it and relies on his place of work to amp their security. I'm sorry but what?

*Edit* when I was re-reading for typos it occurred to me (to my horror) that this is a scenario where a love triangle would be a legit issue simply because it would give that feeling that the ML was at least trying to just live his life and not just subconsciously waiting for the FL to be of age. Even if it was just a few dates that were being regularly spoiled by stalker girl. He's in his mid 20s, incredibly good looking, steady job and drives but has never dated and rejects any attempts to get him to date. So why the sudden interest in the FL?

One of those shows that I waded through to get to the point and then it just kind of glossed over it preferring to stick to what everyone just wants to indulge in. A privileged girl being spoiled by everyone around her and her 'impossible' first love becoming a possible soulmate.

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