Hidden Love

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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Makes you want to fall in love

This was my first cdrama and I'm really glad that it was. Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan are incredible as the leads. They do a fantastic job to convey the said and unsaid feelings between the two characters, and their acting and chemistry really added to the story.

I'll summarise my thoughts in a few bullet points.

The good
- Like the title says--this drama made me want to fall in love! The pure innocence of the first love, the longing and friendship between the two leads, and then the change to MORE...oof! It was so good!
- The acting was phenomenal. Whether it was the main leads or the siblings, or even the friendships on the side....I really enjoyed every dynamic. Shout out to the main leads, of course, and Sang Yan...these three always made for entertaining scenes.
- I really appreciated how the story was written when Sang Zhi is still a minor. I thought it was respectful of her feelings while also making it very clear that Duan Jiaxu didn't see her like that.
- I really enjoyed the episodes where they were both feeling each other out. I thought their banter was always top notch, and while Sang Zhi did get shy at times, she always gave back as good as she got. Their dynamic was delightful

The iffy
- While the age gap isn't actually that bad, the narrative itself remains inconsistent in how they deal with it, and the ages for their relationship aren't super appropriate. Even the writing seems to know that it's bad....until the birthday arc, it's unclear whether Sang Zhi is 19 or 20. Even Jiaxu "rounds her up" while downplaying his own age (which could conceivably be 23 until his birthday). The actual difference between them is more like 6 years, then, as we finally find out that turns 19 a short while before he turns 25. Possible? Yes. A bit yikes? Definitely.

That was my biggest holdup with this show. I was willing to suspend my disbelief about everything else, but not this. Considering Jiaxu was working in the video game industry, it would've been so easy to have Sang Zhi intern at his company in her final year. Or for her to be in grad school and do so. I understand a driving force for this was probably that the writers didn't want the main characters to date anyone else, but that's still possible for both of them if Jiaxu is still paying his debt off, and Sang Zhi is trying to forget her first love and focus on her studies. Either way!!! Sang Zhi was legally an adult but legally wasn't good enough for me. I would've preferred to suspend my disbelief about them having been single for so long, rather than the fact that he starts liking her as soon as she's legal (a fact everyone keeps emphasising is okay).

__

If you ignore that last point, however, the show is wholesome and sweet. The two characters are otherwise evenly matched and support each other equally, which I really liked. It wasn't just the older guy looking out for Sang Zhi. The scenes where she defends him are some of my favourite.

Would definitely rewatch. In fact, I went back and did just that last night after binging the show over a couple days!

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Amazing

I really loved this show. I've actually watched 2 times in a short period of time. The first few episodes were extremely cringe worthy with Lusi trying to act like a teenager. But actually the way that she was acting seemed more like a fifth grader or something. It was just really weird, but once you get to episode 8, where she's in college, it starts getting more. Interesting and less cringy and then it becomes a beautiful love story. Her voice in this show is reallt babyish and annoying though i will say that. Ive watched her in many other shows and i dont remember her talking like that.

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