Hidden Love

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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Modern day Romanticized Grooming and Enablers

Zhaolusi is gorgeous and her acting is acceptable. DXJ acting is bland and boring. He hasn't improved from the Mr. Bad. I get it. He's hot, so he get the pass for his terrible acting skills.

Storyline depicted lots of disturbing lines and scenes that shouldn't be romanticized such as the underage girl and the ml. If they just cut out the whole beginning and begins where they met in college, it would have been acceptable.

It's OK to like older men when we are young and naive but to encourage someone underaged to build a relationship with an older man at that age is straight up grooming. No child should be allowed to form a relationship without the guidance of their guardians. That's just neglectful and straightup enablers on her family side. I don't care if there is a back story. It doesn't make sense for the ml to keep involving himself with a child that young with no supervision. He is not a relative nor a real brother. Should have developed a sense boundary.

Overall, story is fine. The flashbacks were quite annoying as they throwed me off track a lot. I get the hype. Young kids, nowadays, are still growing and find everything amazing. I was once a teenager too and understand the imagination to hit on a hot guy. However, there are no excuses for the adults who should known better. It's ok to like a story but know what you are promoting to younger audience.

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Hidden Love

To me, this drama is truly one of the best I’ve ever watched. From the very first episode to the last, I was completely obsessed. Zhao Lusi is my absolute favorite actress — she’s the reason I first became interested in C-dramas, and I’ve seen all of her works. Not every drama is perfect, but her acting always shines, and in this one, she was outstanding.

As Sang Zhi, Zhao Lusi was simply flawless. She portrayed every emotion with honesty — her innocence, her growth, her quiet strength. I genuinely believe no one else could have captured Sang Zhi as beautifully as she did. Watching her improve with every role makes me admire her even more.

Chen Zheyuan as Duan Jiaxu was also very good, and together with Zhao Lusi, they made a wonderful on-screen pair. Their chemistry felt natural and heartfelt, which made the story even more touching.

In my eyes, Hidden Love is a masterpiece. I sincerely hope the ratings rise even higher because this drama deserves it, and Zhao Lusi’s performance deserves endless love and appreciation.

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Like yes! The slow buildup and emotional tension completely won me over. Duan Jiaxu is honestly one of the best male leads, he is so protective, caring, and always wanting the best for her. Their chemistry was sweet without feeling forced, and the way their relationship developed felt so natural. The age gap didn't really bother me in this drama and I totally loved the dynamic between them having to hide their relationship from Sang Yan. Also, I totally cried during the airport scene when she misunderstood that he had a girlfriend — that moment broke me. Such a wholesome drama overall.

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A Love That Cannot Be Replaced❤️❤️

I don’t even know how many times I’ve rewatched Hidden Love, but every single time, it feels like I’m falling in love all over again. This drama isn’t just a story — it’s a dreamland I go back to whenever I need comfort, warmth, or hope.
Duan Jiaxu and Sang zhi will always have a special place in my heart. Their love is so tender, patient, and pure , the kind of romance that makes you really believe in destiny. I don’t see them as actors; to me, they are Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu. The way he protects her, and the way she grows into herself while still holding onto that innocent love, it just feels magical. And Sang Yan — his humor and brotherly energy bring so much life to the story. The whole cast feels like family, and I honestly can’t imagine anyone else in these roles.

The OST is amazing too. Every song fits the story so perfectly. Sometimes I just play the music and I’m right back in that world.

Hidden Love is irreplaceable for me. No matter how many new dramas I watch, nothing will ever take away what Sang Zhi, Duan Jiaxu, Sang Yan, and the rest of the cast gave me. They created a golden love story that will always stay at the top of my heart.

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Sweet, Breezy Romance with Heartfelt Chemistry (Some Hang-Ups Included)

Hidden Love is a light and heartwarming youth romance that captures the fluttery innocence of a first crush. What makes it stand out is how real and relatable the emotions feel. Sang Zhi’s journey from an innocent crush to a more mature relationship is portrayed with sincerity, and Zhao Lusi brings her usual warmth and charm to the role. Chen Zheyuan matches her well, giving the male lead a grounded and caring presence. Their chemistry is one of the biggest strengths of the drama and makes the romance feel natural and endearing.

The tone of the series is breezy and comforting, with humor and family moments that keep it from ever becoming too heavy. The OST is also a highlight, fitting perfectly with the youthful, romantic vibe and adding to the overall atmosphere.

That said, Hidden Love is not without flaws. The age-gap setup—with Sang Zhi crushing on her brother’s older friend—will be uncomfortable for some viewers, even though the show handles it gently and makes sure the romance doesn’t begin until she’s grown. The pacing can feel slow, especially in the early episodes, and some plot transitions feel a little rushed or underexplained. Viewers who want a fast-paced or deeply complex story might find it too simple or stretched out.

Helpful Tips: If you enjoy sweet, slow-burn romances with great lead chemistry, family warmth, and a feel-good atmosphere, this is an easy recommendation. If you’re sensitive to the age-gap premise or prefer more tightly written plots, you may want to skip.

Verdict: A charming, comforting romance with strong performances and an emotional core that resonates—best enjoyed for the chemistry and cozy vibes rather than the logic of the plot.

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How was I so late to the game?! I spent the last 2–3 years buried in school, so I’ve clearly been missing out. I’m from the US and usually into spicy romances—though I do enjoy some high school young love stories—but this one completely stole my heart. It was so cute and wholesome yet gave me so many butterflies. Honestly, it exceeded all my expectations.

Duan Jiaxu, the smooth talker he is, had me swooning every time he opened his mouth. He’s selfless, charming, and every scene with him made my heart flutter. And can we talk about the best friends in college? They were such girls’ girls—supportive, fun, and genuinely heartwarming to watch. The family dynamics and sibling relationships were also such a beautiful highlight; they added so much depth and warmth to the story.

This drama is definitely going down as one of my all-time favorites. I’m officially in my Chen Zheyuan era! I first discovered him in Fated Hearts, and I just adore him in these sweet, green flag roles. It’s been a long time since a show made me grin, blush, and literally giggle out loud (yes, even in front of my real-life husband—LOL).

And while I usually prefer spicier romances that go further than most C-dramas do, if a love story can make me feel this many flutters and still leave me satisfied, then I’m more than happy.

I just finished it today!

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“Hidden Love” stands out as a timeless and heartfelt Chinese romance drama.

In my experience, many hyped dramas rely too much on attractive leads but often lack genuine emotional depth.
I usually end up watching them and feeling nothing, just pretty faces and a predictable storyline but Hidden Love completely surprised me.

I finished the entire drama in just two days without skipping a single scene which is rare for me especially for a romance drama without any major plot twists.

I genuinely loved all the characters,  there wasn’t a single annoying one.
The chemistry between the leads feels so natural and I can clearly see the love in their eyes.
Even the sibling bond between Sang Zhi and her brother feels real  just like the love-hate dynamic you’d expect from actual siblings.
Sang Zhi, played by Zhao Lusi is a bright and brave character and Zhao Lusi portrayed her so well. Victor Ma also did a fantastic job as the older brother.
Even Sang Zhi’s parents and friends are endearing and lovable.
There’s no ridiculously rich and handsome second male lead hopelessly in love with the female lead just to serve as a love rival, a tired cliché often used in romance dramas as if it’s the only way to move the story forward by making the male lead jealous or insecure.

But among all the characters, I was most fascinated by Duan Jia Xu played by Chen Zhe Yuan.
 It’s rare in romance C-dramas to find a male lead who conveys such deep emotion through his eyes. Chen Zhe Yuan’s performance was outstanding.
The way his gaze toward Sang Zhi gradually shifts from seeing her as just a friend’s younger sister to the woman he falls in love with, is subtle, genuine and perfectly executed.
I was honestly surprised to hear some people call this drama “problematic” because of the age difference  as if Duan Jia Xu is a grown man pursuing a young girl. Were they even watching?
DJX never does anything inappropriate or harmful toward Sang Zhi while she’s still young. Not once. He cares for her as a younger sister and treats her with respect.
If you think Duan Jia Xu’s character is predatory, maybe you're too naive or disconnected from reality.
The drama actually shows a healthy, respectful progression in their relationship , nothing creepy or inappropriate.
That is the reason everybody call Duan Jia Xu as one of the most green flag character in C-Drama.

Duan Jia Xu is a man who’s had the difficult life. After his father's accident, everything started falling apart , he had no money, his mother passed away and his father was left hospitalized (Eventually passed away as well).
He had to work hard while studying at the same time just to pay the penalty for his father’s accident and cover his father's medical expenses.
Despite everything he’s endured, he never shows anger or resentment toward anyone. He carries the weight of his past silently with grace and strength.
For years, he even avoids conflict with the daughter of the man who died in the car accident caused by his father , choosing silence and distance even though she still kept bothering him.
But when she tries to harm Sang Zhi, he finally takes a stand. And the way he handles it is simply brilliant, calm, lawful, and protective, he uses the law to firmly warn her to back off and never bother Sang Zhi again because she is the woman he loves (I am like WOW). It was powerful and smart.
When Duan Jia Xu realizes his feelings for Sang Zhi  and observes that she feels the same way, he doesn’t just jump into the relationship. He respectfully asks her if it’s okay for him to pursue her.
And that airport scene!! when Sang Zhi confesses her love. He doesn’t respond with words right away but his eyes say everything, I can clearly see his shock and disbelief, realizing for the first time that Sang Zhi had loved him since she was young. Chen Zhe Yuan’s acting in that scene is so good and full with emotion.
He never felt worthy of her love. He thought he didn’t deserve her yet instead of walking away he does the opposite.
He begins planning a future for them (Sometimes I get annoyed with male leads who assume the female lead would be happier with another guy, someone she doesn’t even love  just because they themselves are poor or going through a tough time. Like, come on! She loves you! If you truly want her to be happy, then be the one who makes her happy ,  don’t just give up so easily. That’s why I’m so glad Duan Jia Xu isn’t that type of character)
. He works harder, saves money, gathers the courage to approach her parents and ask for their permission.
His only goal is to make sure Sang Zhi will live a comfortable and happy life by his side.
Duan Jia Xu is truly a green flag male lead in C-dramas. He’s almost too good to be true  but that’s what makes him so unforgettable.
I love this character so much and I’ll definitely be watching this drama again.

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Fluffy, sweet and definitely a comfort drama for those who need a break from daily life

Loved every single thing about this drama (I am originally a fan of the novel and manhua, but I love this story in every version/format). They made ML a bit softer & FL a bit more mature compared to the novel, but I didn't mind it since the core of their characters stayed the same, as well as their deep love for each other. The first 8 episodes are a bit boring to get through since it's just showing FL's innocent teen crush on ML when she was young (just wish they used an older child actress to portray 14-year-old FL), so there wasn't anything beyond a precious found family bond between them, obviously. But once she becomes an adult (mid-ep 8), the pace of the story finally picks up & takes you on a sweet but deep ride of first love between 2 people who are each other's first, last, and only everything. Some people might think that this type of love is unrealistic, but I would say that it's just rarer in real life, which makes it more precious (I have been fortunate enough to witness some genuinely pure couples like this). Sang Yan and DJX were both called the Twin Dogs of Nanwu University since they always stuck together (Ep 1). To be precise, SY's symbol is a dog (even in First Frost's novel) because of his loyalty & overprotection (SZ even compares him to the black dog when she was 17 & has his contacts saved as "silly dog"), while DJX is a fox because of his sly, intelligent, flirty/nice facade (he is smart and hides his true self behind flirty jokes), but they are both technically "dogs aka canines." These 2 dogs are SZ's loyal protectors: her bio brother & her "brother"/boyfriend/husband.

ML feels inferior & has lots of self-doubt, so he never pursues bonding with anyone outside of his friends in any other way (even if his boss tried to set him up on blind dates, he remained distantly polite/formal). He preferred to be a workaholic & studious person since no one could accept his dad's crime/family tragedy/debts, thus he also never felt brave enough to even be with anyone in any way until FL's encouraging & unyielding love warmed his self-doubt. That's why it could only ever be Sang Zhi for Duan Jiaxu, no matter what. Friendship gave him support, but only Sang Zhi's pure love could fully open up a pure-hearted person like Duan Jiaxu and unleash his true, romantically clingy, shameless self, who no longer feels scared to be who he is with her by his side. He is a bit more emotionally reclusive/moodier in the novel (but I kinda love how mean he is to his stalker and anyone who tries to come between Sang Zhi & him if you read the extra chapters, you already know what I am talking about) but in both versions, his love is so apparently clear-- he always feels like he wanted to marry her since the moment they got together because he already knew Sang Zhi is the one he wanted to spend every life event with forever. The drama version showed a more emotional Duan Jiaxu who always cried openly with Sang Zhi, but both versions had clear communication once they were adults, so I think their relationship is healthy & cute since they both strive to talk through potential misunderstandings almost immediately. As someone who hates love rivals/love triangles along with long, unnecessary misunderstandings, this drama checked all the right boxes for me-- each other's first/only everything without others interfering & healthy fast communication to leave plenty of room for sugary fluff. Even after watching it 5 times, I never get sick of it & find myself coming back to this drama every couple of months, so it has solidified its place as one of my top comfort dramas.

Additionally, I want to sincerely thank Zhao Lusi, who took the lead in making this drama happen even after the original director gave up on it for styling the characters herself (huge upgrade from what it was), inviting her real friends as cast, singing the OSTs & for being the perfect Sang Zhi. Chen Zheyuan also did a great job as Duan Jiaxu & I don't think anyone else could have done better in that role (the man's eyes can ACT). The entire cast was amazing (Sang Yan aka Victor Ma in Hidden Love will always have my heart).

For the things people have issues with:
FL may have fallen first a bit too early, but ML definitely fell when it was the right time for both of them, which made their age gap appropriately portrayed. FL's crush on him was innocent and relatable to everyone who had a crush in their teens. Some people have a hard time with how he knew her when she was young, but they only occasionally saw each other and were separated for many years till she became an adult, so I don't really see an issue since he saw her as his "found-family," like he saw Sang Yan (FL's big bro/ML's best friend). As a found-family member, I didn't find it odd that he had her picture from his graduation next to his mom's & college friends' pictures. Also, some people may find ML's flirty lines a bit too much but my impression from reading the novel 4 times is that he does so only jokingly (which is why he flirts with his male friends too) and another reason is so that he is not be seen by others as a bad person like his dad if he portrays himself as a kind/helpful/nice to everyone persona even though he does still keep a emotional polite distance from everyone (since he feel inferior due to his family's debt/dad's crime which people fault him for just because he is the son). It's like he purposely plays "nice guy" as an emotional shield so that people don't see him as a bad guy like his dad, but by not showing his true feelings (Ch 50: the scene in the novel when his teacher criticizes his bad character when he fights with Jiang Ying after she pushes him down the stairs in school & then he thinks to himself that he should always be smiling/good to everyone/non-threatening to not be compared to his father), he keeps people at a distance. It's only in those moments when he shows his coldness/unhappiness that he is his true self. He was always looking for a life-long partner (his dating intentions are always only with marriage in mind due to his strong sense of responsibility. He even always hints at marriage to SZ - Ex. "This might be the only relationship you will ever have." + Ch 81, he even signs property over to SZ), so until he was able to meet someone who could accept his true self, he wouldn't be with anyone/willing to be alone his whole life (which is why when SZ comforted DJX after Jiang Ying splashed him with water, he fell for SZ or at least realized his feelings). I believe that it wasn't until the hospital scenes that he even saw her as an adult who was capable of taking the lead & caring for him which eventually grew his feelings till the realization after the water splash scene.

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