Hidden Love

you know what? i get the hype. i get why this is so popular and all. i just saw this on my news feed on facebook and i usually dont watch cdramas but this one got me hooked. the characters, and girrrrrrl the FL was so pretty. everything was wholesome and cute. their age gap wasnt that big tbh, but what weirded me out was maybe because when they showed the young FL character at the beginning and how her crush (ML) was the same actor up until they grew up and became a couple like ??? it looked like the ML during the FL college days was wayyyyy too old. if maybe they changed the ML actor when he's still in hs or college it might make a difference but idk its just my opinion. its still a good drama though. i really loved it and been rewatching it.

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Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan are perfect together. The chemistry, the acting, the visuals, all of it was amazing. The beginning with Sang Zhi as a kid and crushing on Duan Jiaxu (who wouldn't), leading to her growing up and him actually falling for the adult her (no, he is not a pervert) and as well as the family's acceptance along with her brother's acceptance despite the age gap (it's not even that big five years is nothing). I read another review saying Duan Jiaxu is a walking green flag: I wholly agree. The care he shows for her and the absolute picture of a healthy relationship is entombed within this drama. 100% recommend.

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When the girl wants a specific man and goes after him before she even knows it

I’ll admit, I initially put off watching "Hidden Love" for almost a year. I first stumbled over “The First Frost" on Netflix while it was still airing. I clicked on it on a whim, and the cinematography drew me in. After finishing up The First Frost, I found out it was a spinoff of "Hidden Love”. I decided to start “Hidden Love” right after. But I can be a bit snobby when I watch a drama with really good cinematography. I'm looking for something of the same quality if I'm in the mood, so the difference in cinematography was actually what made me bench “Hidden Love” for a while.

I moved on to something else and then when I was out of all the quality dramas to watch, I decided to go back and give “Hidden Love another try mostly because I also liked Chen Zhe Yuan’s acting in Faded Hearts I watched last month.

Zhao Lu Si needs no introduction. I've seen her in a number of other works, and she's just so versatile – equally skilled at both comedy and more emotional, dramatic scenes. And that talent really shines through in her portrayal of Sang Zhi.

Now, I will say, the beginning of the story can be quite slow because we only get to see what Sang Zhi is experiencing and it's mostly pining after Duan Jia Xu for nearly 8 episodes. We don't really get to know Duan Jia Xu better until later in the drama.

Now, I'm also going to say that creating a romance story, where one of the characters is still a minor at the beginning of it, needs to be done very carefully because it can easily become icky.

We first meet Sang Zhi as a teenage girl who’s developing a crush on her older brother's friend. She is still in middle school while her crush is in college. But the writers handled that part really well, making sure there were no inappropriate reciprocated feelings or behavior from Duan Jia Xu while she was still a minor. He treats her as a little sister.

As the story progresses, we really get to see Sang Zhi's character develop and mature, transitioning from that spoiled, indecisive teenage girl with an obsession into a strong, assertive young woman who knows exactly what she wants.

In short, Sang Zhi is so mommy-coded and wifey-material even as a minor, it’s adorable. The way she offers money and help to Duan Jia Xu, the way she sneaks it into his wallet while at the airport, the way she takes care of him at the hospital or the way she returns that glass of water at the restaurant scene—it’s just swoony. She becomes a strong and emotionally intelligent young woman who stands up for herself and for her man.

And Zhao Lu Si absolutely nails that emotional journey.

The more we learn about Duan Jia Xu’s backstory, the more depth and complexity his character takes on. This guy has been through some serious trauma, yet he still manages to put on a cheerful, responsible front, especially in front of Sang Zhi. He slips just once in her presence before his departure right after college graduation.

He is a strong, resilient kind of guy who does not want to burden others with his problems. And I think with everything that has been happening in his life, it's very admirable that he manages to remain a decent, caring, and responsible person.

Now let's talk about acting. The two leads just absolutely killed it, especially in those gut-wrenching emotional scenes. I'll admit, I even got a little teary-eyed at a couple of points – which is saying a lot, since I'm not usually one to cry during dramas.

Special mention is the airport scene in episode seven, and then another airport scene at the end of the drama when they are already grown-ups.

One thing I really appreciated about "Hidden Love" is the lack of unnecessary side characters and their storylines. So often, dramas try to cram in too much, and it ends up slowing down the pacing. But here, it's really just focused on the central romance between Sang Zhi and Duan Jia Xu, and I think that works so much better.

Yes, of course, we have supporting cast. We have the parents and the brother and then we have her college girlfriends and his college friends. But they are only in the drama to do exactly what they're supposed to be doing—support our leads in their journey. They are given just enough screen time to make us understand what's happening with them, but they are not really slowing down the pace. I think it's also one of the reasons why this show is so highly rated.

Some of the things that really stood out to me is the banter between the leads and their friend group(s). It was hilarious. Those group gathering scenes were always a delight. Some of the jokes were ridiculously on point. The acting in those scenes was just natural.

I also wanted to share my thoughts on the age gap. To me, the age gap between the leads, especially when Sang Zhi went to college, didn't seem all that drastic. I understand that in the context of them being at different places in their lives when the story started, it really does matter. But I was almost wondering why the parents were exaggerating about the fact that he was older once she started college and became of legal age. But again, that's just me. Others may have different ideas so it's whatever works for you.

I want to talk about the chemistry because it's obvious that the chemistry is there. Both Chen Zhe Yuan and Zhao Lu Si are very talented and capable of giving us exactly what the characters are feeling.

Overall, "Hidden Love" is the kind of slow-burning romance that I can really get behind. It's got depth, it's got heart, it’s got a green flag male lead and it's got a female lead, who knows exactly what—or who—she wants and isn't afraid to go after it—or him. If you're in the mood for a sweet, uncomplicated love story without all the typical drama clichés, this one is definitely worth checking out. It's one of the better ones. I've seen in a long time and I really can't find a single flaw in it.

It'll give you butterflies without doubt.

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The only drama I keep rewatching. The pure romance story in every moment.

I finished Hidden Love ages ago but never got around to writing a review, mostly out of laziness.
Over the weekend, I rewatched it again and once more I found myself completely falling in love with the drama. Honestly, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched it.
The storyline may be simple without big twists or dramatic peaks but every moment is beautifully shot.
Just watching the sweet and ordinary love between sang zhi and duan jiaxu perfectly fulfills my romantic imagination of what it feels like to fall in love.
So far, this is the only drama I can confidently rate a solid 10. Nothing else has surpassed it for me.
I truly hope another drama will come along that makes my heart flutter in every moment even in something as simple as the way the leads look at each other just like in Hidden Love.

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A must watch

My favourite cdrama of all time!!! Where to begin! The story is a ten out of ten! I was completely wrecked after finishing the drama , couldn’t move on for days. It’s such a beautiful story !

It’ll make you believe in love, and the healing power of love. I love how steadfast Sang Zhi was in her love for Dian Jiaxu, but also how he reciprocated her love and always did his best to show up for her and take care of her. It’s beautiful to see how even in a world where he didn’t have much going on, he was able to find somebody to love him as he was and remind him that he has value.

Another added bonus is the relationship between the Sang siblings. Most iconic siblings of all time ! I loved their bickering and also genuine love for each other. It was so funny to watch !!!!!

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love it..

there are very few dramas that has everything at par, hidden love is one such drama, the story, the cast, the music everything is so good. the chemistry between the lead obviously is top notch and definitely the talk of the town, but the bond shown between the siblings is so beautifully explored. one such drama, where you don't complaint about anything rather just go with the flow, you laugh with duan xiazu, you cry when he is hurt, you are smiling when sang zhi heals his pain, his traumas, you root for them till the end.. I can keep talking about them, I can watch hidden love 1000 times over thats how much I love this show.

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10000/10

Such a gem of a drama.. the way I immediately rewatched the drama after completing it.. my god, it was a drlight to watch this drama… also the way I didn’t want the drama to end like I was on ep 12 and was already whining that not much is left, why couldn’t it be long like costume dramas … so damn good
Everyone played their character so well, I’m amazed..
Talking abt the leads, their visuals? So easy on the eyes, such a good looking couple and one of the most beautiful chemistry hands down
ML was the epitome of green flag, despite the trauma, he was so damn kind and sweet even before he was in love.. but holy hell ML after being in love was something else, so damn loving… oh to be loved like that, sang zhi is so damn lucky …. Talking abt FL, she was damn spot on in her love… I love love love how being the younger one, she was more fierce than ML esp when it came to protecting him… like u can’t mess with her man, nope ….i love such female leads who puts equal effort and is equally protective of her love … I still can’t get over them, my new comfort drama, gonna rewatch it again and again

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Hidden Love made me believed in love all over again

Stumbled upon Hidden Love by accident when I was just scrolling through netflix looking for one good series to watch, and somehow I ended up here and that moment marked my very first step into c-dramas. I didn’t even bother to search for the cast beforehand, so I went in with zero expectations, just a mindset of “let’s see where this takes me.”

However, suddenly, I was so absorbed that I don’t even know how to go back to k-dramas again, lol. Now I’m fully seated for more c-drama.

Hidden Love is the perfect example of how the delivery of a drama that feels so balanced. The conflicts, the sweet little moments, the struggle of each character, the joyous moments, the way each character quietly grows to be a better person for each other, it all unfolds at just the right pace. And the chemistry? Not only between the leads, but also between the SangSang siblings. That, for me, was the true cherry on top <3

I know the age gap might feel uncomfortable for some, but to me, that’s what makes Hidden Love so unique. The slow (literally slow) burn of their romance is what makes it tender and beautifully real. and the second half of the drama always made me giggles yet craving for having my very own Duan Jiaxu in my life lol

If your heart is longing for something light yet warm, this is one of those stories that might stay with you. definitely a must-watch🤍

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