Hidden Love

Best Drama In 2023

This is the best drama series in 2023, in my opinion. The casting was superb - Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan are both excellent actors and lived up to expectations in the series. They personified their roles so that you really cannot imagine anyone else playing the characters of Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu. Their chemistry is electric. They are physically so comfortable with each other that you will probably think they are a real-life couple. Many of their fans in fact, have been clamouring for them to work together again. This is the first time Chen Zheyuan has taken on this type of role - his character is generally more mature, calm and steady than what I have seen in his previous work. It's a good transition for him as he takes on lead roles in 3 upcoming dramas, all of which are quite serious. Special mention also to Victor Ma - very natural, totally believable as Sang Zhi's older brother. My only wish is that they had kept to the novel where the lead characters' age gap is concerned. There's a 7-year age gap in the novel, but in the series, the gap is reduced to 5 years. The OST has a good mix of cutesy-sounding tunes with a couple of touching ballads as well. Definitely songs to add to your Spotify playlist. If you want to have a warm, fuzzy feeling from watching a good movie or drama, watch this. It'll have you crying and laughing along. Most of the time though, you'll probably have a goofy smile on your face - the series is just that sweet! Happy watching!

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A Captivating Drama That Envelopes Hearts and Minds

This riveting drama exudes a remarkable warmth that envelops its viewers, transcending age barriers and igniting a heartfelt connection within each individual. DJ stands as the epitome of an ideal partner, possessing qualities that every person craves in their life—a beacon of unwavering support and genuine compassion. Meanwhile, SZ embodies the essence of our long-lost inner child, evoking memories of innocent infatuations and profound love. The overall portrayal of first love in this captivating masterpiece is remarkably soothing, offering solace and tranquility seldom found in the realm of entertainment. It is a rare gem that has bestowed upon me a profound sense of serenity, eliminating any apprehension about its conclusion. A must watch.

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Worth the watch

Perfect Summer time drama! So sweet. ZLS finally found her match in an actor who can turn on the puppy charm. CZY really has the most expressive face and able to convey those tender emotions without looking effeminate. Director did perfect castin this time. All the supporting actors were great, especially the older brother as well as the rommies in college. It's such a pity that the detractors of the drama made a big stink about the age difference without watching the drama through. It's actually very well handled and even mentioned outright and it does show the FL growing more mature to meet the ML at his level. Kudos to ZLS for being able to convey both innocence and maturity all at the same time.

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surprisingly good

Having watched #HiddenLove brought back a lot of youthful memories. I remember having a huge crush on my best friend’s older brother in secret and the giggly feelings .
The story of Hidden Love is so heartwarming and lighthearted at the same time. I love the goodness shown in this drama that when you are well loved you pay it forward too. Moreover I just love the family dynamics as well as how SZ developed into a mature young lady. Both Zhao Lusi and Chen Shueyan delivered their portrayal of their respective role effectively plus Victor Ma wow what a pleasant surprise he did great too!
THE LOVE STORY! What can I say ‘chef’s kiss’ . I wish everybody can have this type of loving and healthy relationship .
I highly recommend this drama and it’s a drama for all ages👌🏻👌🏻

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Some cute moments but annoying teenager, superficial and inconsistent characters and a plain story.

Had this show started when FL was already in university it would have a bit of a higher rating on my part, I found from that point onwards it was more entertaining, not great by any means, but better. From the beginning up to that point I almost quit several times solely on the fact that the FL was EXTREMELY annoying.
I'm not familiar with the actors in this show nor I generally care who is in what. There are actors I like, but I won't watch something only based on that. I say this because I don't know if the acting of Zhao Lu Si is her or it's the director and direction that pushed her to do that (and in that case not sure why they would be happy with that result). It was extremely annoying how she was acting as a 17 year old like she was 7. She was shown as more mature at age 14 in her way of speaking and mannerisms (although physically that actress was clearly younger so it was also very jarring).
I think at this point after two cdramas watched being set in high school I should avoid cdramas set in high school. It feels at times like I'm watching a video on morality and good manners directed at high schoolers, like the civil education videos I had to watch when I was around 12-14 years old. It's also so forced how they try at some point or another say some grandiose moral quote like they're talking to me directly instead of the character.
Also, for the love of all things dear, how was she so dumb and childish when technically she had good grades in school? It makes no sense at all.
They want to show later in university that she's more of a grown up but there are so many things in her way of doing and especially her voice that she still seems so childish. On the other hand ML changes completely of character once he's starting to be interested in her, he's all of a sudden super cocky and flirty, it was very out of character. From that point onwards it's like they're trying to keep reminding me that she's a girly girl and he's a boyish boy.... MEH.
I still don't understand fully how or when Jiaxu started having feelings for her, it's kind of sudden.
I didn't care they didn't show much of the drama involving his father because I had zero interest really, it seemed kind of typical and like it was not going to add much to the story other than some cliché trauma, but I didn't understand either why introducing that daughter of the family affected, she was very annoying and contributed nothing to the story either. I'm guessing she was only there so FL could show her more "mature" side but it's very weak.

There are some cute moments, but overall I was not so sure of why they liked each other, I'm not even sure why she liked him in the beginning to be honest, just because he was handsome and nice to her? not sure, I'm not shown at any point in the first or second half that they share anything when it comes to personality or likes or hobbies, they barely share even that many special moments. It's also very weird because he goes from calling her "sister" to 5 minutes later being interested in her, I couldn't shake that feeling of uneasiness, and it brings me to the fact that the sister thing was way overdone. It would have been so much better had he just been the brother's friend and kept that relationship of friend than making it so far as to his feeling of her as a sister, I felt that put a big barrier on there that I couldn't see a way of it being broken and so I was not surprised when it was just done suddenly and didn't work for me at all. It's also quite annoying when she's already in uni and she keeps saying he's old and they keep mentioning the 5 year gap, what is not a big one by any means.

As it happens in the other cdrama I watched recently (When I Fly Towards You), everything is shown in perfect stages, high school is the time for little crushes but ultimately focusing solely in studies, university ok for relationships, and as soon as you finish uni then get a great job straight away and save to quickly buy a house and start a family. It's very unrealistic, and after this being the second one with the same idea I'm starting to think that they're trying to precisely sell me an idea here more than a story. It was equally unrealistic his career, how he's able to achieve all that at his age, no problems in anything, same with her really, nothing of much importance. It's also the fact they feel the need to include in the story the whole process instead of only one part of it, it gives it even more that feeling of someone showing "how it's done" to me so I take it as an example.
Characters are also generally always kept superficially and secondary ones are pretty non existant.
I found the brother quite annoying at times as well, why was he ten times more patriarchal than the father? I know maybe he just has the older brother complex but seems so weird when it doesn't seem they have that dynamic in the family. Her parents were all right but I didn't really understand why they let the son be that way with her or take more charge of her than them, it was weird some times.

The ending is... well... the cherry on top I suppose. It was quite shocking she would be proposed on the same day of her graduation, like chill man!! Another cdrama that pushes the marry young idea, but I mean, considering they got everything else at unrealistic young ages no wonder by 22-23 they're bored of their lives and they need to marry or something 😂 (I know he's older but still applies, it's not like he had to do it like he has an expiration date and as far as we know he was not being pushed to do it by anyone either).

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A MUST WATCH IT!

This has turned to be one of my favorite drama! The characters are amazing and adorable, starting from Sang Zhi, Duan Jiaxu, Sang Yan, her close friends and his close coworker, even her parents! It’s my first time seeing the leads, both being so independent and mature in the relationship and their own. I cried really hard seeing Duan Jiaxu cry and seeing what he said. It touched me. The way he cherishes and takes care of Sang Zhi is so heartwarming, he has always attentive to her whether it being his little sister or his girlfriend. The age gap was little bit weird, but the relationship was built with a healthy connection between the two, both are loved and supported. She studied hard to go to Yihe to meet him and he left Yihe early to work hard back at Nanwu, just for her to come back to a stable environment and home. Every character and storyline was so amazing. The OSTs are amazing, i’m listening to them as i try to get over them. The outfits were so PRETTY, i fell for Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu so FAST! Praises to everyone that worked hard for Hidden Love. Please give this drama a try, it’s a heartfelt and exciting drama!

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is it love ?

sometimes people's wild imagination can be creepy and when you read their comments or watch their reviews, it effect your experience as a viewer too. this is my review , hope it help you and clear your head so you enjoy watching such a beautiful wholesome story.

1- ( FL persona )
not every teenager act the same as you. FL is an introverted teenager but she is smart and doesn't hesitate when she wants to make a decision. i completely feel her cause i have similar behavior pattern but you may not. the way you talk and act at 14 is different than at 20, and you can act differently in front of your friends ,family or your crush (which is well portrayed in this drama).

2- ( chemistry and shipping )
if you don't feel any chemistry between leads by ep 8, well you are not supposed to. story is about a teenager who had a crush on an adult and after she go uni and met the guy again ,the guy fall for her. some of us are fan of actors and we were here before the drama air so it's obvious that we are shipping them more than you cause we saw the bts of this drama month ago.

3- ( age gap )
ML is 5 years older than FL . ML fell in love when the FL was an adult . it shows in story when he fell in love and why. he was not her neighbor and he was not grew up with her . ML was her brothers friend who lived and worked in dorm and THEN in another city , he did not know that FL loved her. you see clearly the way He act when She is minor, when She is an adult and in uni, when He start to falling for her and when He wanna pursue her. it's all clear in the drama . it doesn't seem creepy to me at all. ( and tbh 5 years is nothing )

4 - this is a very simple story. doesn't have messy or dumb plot to it . everything go smoothly and if there is a problem ,they handle it quick. so if you love messy drama, this drama ain't for you. this drama has simple plot and logic to it .
so for me it is love and it's a very sincere and healthy couple .

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No break up and no miscommunication

Chinese drama are setting my standard high this year this one and when i fly towards you are my on top 10 list of this year..
l love the story and everything Zhi's love was so pure so was Jianxu's.

I have cried on that scene when she told him she liked his since her high school 😭 .

Also the scene when his father died 😢 💔 😔
I cried like a child 😭 when he said " am really getting old"? " why my parent's aren't here anymore"?.

I also loved all those scenes when she reminded him that he is a great person and deserves to be loved .

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Healing all the way

How I love not so short dramas. 25 episodes are just perfect even though with good dramas such as "Hidden Love" I could definitely use more.
I just finished the series and it's one of the few that has made me want to rewatch a few scenes right away; they were that good to my opinion.
I'm glad I decided to check this drama out; it was so healing to me. The whole show is a green flag: both characters are amazing and so healthy. I love their maturity, I love the way they love and care about each other. I love how considerate they are, how they put each other first and so much trust in their relationship. I love it how he cared for her from a young age and literally treated her so well. Their small talks/gestures, deep conversations were so nice and something I wanted to hear. You don't see this nowadays... not that often at least. I miss this kind of energy in the world.

The acting was so so good even though I have to be honest: the kissing scenes might've been a bit cringe for me but they rarely go harder than this in many dramas. I think Lusi literally slayed, both of them did. Victor too. They never felt forced, I like that feeling. Chen Zhe Yuan has a way with his eyes that I search for in every actor. It was this scene in episode 24 when he tells her he loves her that I felt him the most. It was so beautiful and memorable.

I don't wanna forget about the amazing work the writers and the director have done with this drama. Thank you all guys.
Such a great drama. I bet your hard work paid off nicely by outrating all the dramas out there in such short time.

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My heart....

I don't know if any show has affected me the way Hidden Love has. I watch with a smile on my face and I even cry through the sweetest scenes. First of all, the age gap is not an issue at all. He is only 5 years older and there is nothing inappropriate in any of the 25 episodes. Please do not be put off by any of the negative comments because you will miss out on a beautiful experience. I rewatched all the episodes while I waited for more episodes to be released. Now that I have watched all 25 episodes, I am so sad because I will miss Jia Xu and Sang Zhi! I also loved Sang Zhi's brother Sang Yan. I read that there will be a sequel with Sang Yan's story called First Frost. I am hoping to see the same actors play Sang Jhi and Jiaxu in First Frost.

Sang Zhi grew up in a loving family. Her parents are kind and generous. Her brother loves her and is protective of her even as he bickers with her. It is still so touching to see how much the brother and sister love each other. I enjoyed watching the beautiful dynamics of Sang Jhi's family. If you enjoy watching sibling relationships, it is another plus for Hidden Love.

Duan Jia Xu had a sad family life, and he worked hard to pay off his father's debts. What made his relationship with Sang Jhi so beautiful is that even though he didn't have money to spare, he always took care of Sang Zhi and refused to take money from her or allow her to pay for anything when he was around. And even more beautiful was the way Sang Zhi cared for Jia Xu by protecting and taking care of him. He never had anyone to rely on and instead took on the burden of taking care of his mother and father. It was so beautiful to see the emotions as he felt Sang Zhi's love for him.

Both Zhao Lu Si and Chen Zhe Yuan are the magic key to Hidden Love. Zhe Yuan expressive eyes...sigh. Just watching him play Jiaxu is enough to convince me that a 17-year-old girl would have a crush and fall in love with him. Lu Si was perfect for Sang Zhi. You just need to watch to see. The BTS clips provide information on the scenes and be sure to watch the extra scenes at the end of each episode. The strawberry scene at the end of episode 13 was one I had to rewatch immediately. I absolutely love this show!!! There is nothing quite like it.

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