Love Formula

Fun and cute youth drama

Love Formula is a drama to watch when you just want to sit, relax and laugh. This drama is based from the web novel Master Devi Do Not Kiss Me so I knew what to expect from the beginning. If you want to enjoy this type of old fashioned story do not over think every little detail. This is not meant to be a serious type of drama. If you can’t do this, then this might not be the drama that you’re looking for. The rating for this drama isn’t very high, but do watch for yourself to decide if it’s worth your time or not.

Let’s start with the good things this drama has to offer.
* Song YiRen never disappoints with her acting skills. She played the role of Jian Dian very well! She gets a 10! I’m not familiar with the rest of the cast, but they did okay (that’s why I gave the acting and cast an 8).
* There are very cute, sweet, and funny moments between the leads.
****Spoiler ahead**** Who knew that the male lead could accidentally trip and end up doing a Spider-Man type of upside down kiss while trying to save the female lead from falling while rock climbing, lol.
* I really enjoyed that this drama is about friendship and not just romance.
* The second CP is so sweet and the third CP is really funny.
* There are a lot of misunderstandings, but they are solved very quickly and don’t drag on for a long time.
*The OST is good.

Now the things I disliked about this drama.
* We had two mean and annoying girls that liked the male lead. Was one not enough?
* The mean girls got away with everything and there were no consequences. Luckily one girl stopped making trouble while the other went on with her scheming.
* The male lead could’ve been better at communicating with female lead.

Before watching, keep in mind that there will be frustrating moments, but there will also be moments that will make you laugh. The funny and cute moments make Love Formula worth checking out.

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a really assuming male lead and a really green tea beach as a second female lead

I was super disappointed in how the story unfolded. It started out pretty cute and very similar to many school romantic dramas. They turn from enemies to lovers. They are always running into each other.

Whats cute is that they develop chemistry and love through the love of solving math problems from a book they both love.

The drama falls super flat after they discover that they are each other pen pal....

THINGS THAT ANNOYED ME
- ASSUMING MALE LEAD, ARROGANT , VERY RUDE TO THE FEMALE LEAD, IT SEEMED LIKE THE FEMALE LEAD HAD TO BE THE ONE TO SAY SORRY OR MEND THE RELATIONSHIP
- ANNOYING ASS SECOND FEMALE LEAD. SHE IS GREEN TEA TO A MAX.. SHE IS SO HORRIBLE. IM GLAD SHE DIDNT GET A ROMANTIC STORY LINE BUT FELT BAD FOR THE GUY THAT LIKED HER
-SO MUCH SABOTAGING FROM THE 2ND FEMALE , IN THE MAIN COUPLE RELATIONSHIP
-THE MALE LEAD HAVING TRAUMA , BUT EVERYTIME IT WOULD GET BROUGHT UP HE BECOMES SUPER MAD AT THE FEMALE LEAD AND DIDNT APOLOGIZE!

The leads have no chemistry whatsoever, there was only everso slightly in the beginning stage

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A rollercoaster of bad plot lines

This show has a nice and simple initial story: Quirky girl bickers with cold male until they fall in love.
The concept is simple enough, would be a good watch and used in many other shows ( When I fly towards you, Time and him are just right...). Unfortunately, the stories surrounding the main couple completely ruins this.

The good stuff:
- Secondary are quite interesting! We have a shy cosplayer + fan and an assertive woman + clumsy guy. Both couples enjoyable to watch, and they feel natural in how they progress.
- the pen pal storyline! the main leads connect through solving equations in a book. While being a tad bit cliché, it's the most refreshing part of their relationship and acts as a very good explanation of how the ML fell for the FL. The 'Hypatia' nickname was a fun idea and memorable part of this.

The bad stuff:
- the 'villains'. We're introduced very early on to a woman whose whole job is to be annoying and destructive for no reason, only for her to disappear in the first few episodes = just a plot point to annoy both FL and spectator.
Another instance of a bad written villain is En Tong. Introduced as an old friend, she becomes an obstacle for the main couple (who could have guessed it...), but the problem is, they gave her too many plotlines to do. She was a love rival to the main couple while also crushing on another guy. The reasons behind her actions were hidden behind her fake depression but made no true sense. And when we think it's over and she's ready to start over, become a decent person, the story forces her back into a villainous role and removes everything that the show had tried to show us.
- Misunderstandings. This show should've just been called 'Misunderstandings galore'. Their entire relationship is based on them, and even when they are together, the script writer finds other ways for them to misunderstand each other.
- Useless breakup. What follows misunderstandings where the ML doesn't want to communicate? A useless breakup at the last episode. It adds no new aspect to the couple, only makes the spectator angry.
- The weird photographer? Just another character here to force plot lines between characters (famous cosplayer, fake relationship...). Which adult person in their right mind would photograph college kids' private lives for absolutely no reason?

TLDR; Good initial concept ruined by an abondance of storylines bunched together, creating an incoherent mess of misunderstanding and forced roles.

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The True Definition of Green Tea B****

I rarely write reviews but I feel like I had to for this (please be advised this comes with major spoilers for the ending! Not sure how much space I need to give in order to hide the bottom)
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I get that people enjoyed watching Ireine (宋伊人) for the first time in a while. No offense, her last couple of dramas that came out haven’t been the best (that weird one with Zhang Yun Long and the other with Guo Jun Chen come to mind). Nevertheless, willing to give this a shot (and also at a loss for upcoming/currently airing dramas).

This formula/premise started off actually pretty cute - village bumpkin coming to big city university on a scholarship, making ends meet, and starts off not on the right foot with ML. Cool, I’m all for it at this point. Even the annoying roommate is not that bad, just a little too righteous.

Then the “Shi Jie” (senior) appears and things quickly turn downhill. For most of the drama I couldn’t even remember what her name was, but I sure wasn’t forgetting all the evil tricks she had in store for FL. Listen, I get that main characters need foils/ villains; and I don’t always turn my back to them. But she was just the worst of the worst. I could not understand how you let someone time and time again hurt you/cause as many misunderstandings. The good part was the little aunt/roommate was wise to her tricks from the start, and it was satisfying when she (the senior) got caught on the phone confessing she wasn’t sick. She leaves and you think, great - finally, this exhausting storyline is over. But nope, she returns and it’s worse the second time around (and dude, there’s only 4 more episodes left at this point). This time, she tries to fool FL and takes advantage again of our poor Shi Zi and his trust in her. Although it doesn’t last as long the second time around, it’s just so stupid how she thinks ML will come running to her just because of the recording (it was obvious it was her who manipulated). And then finally, how she confessed what really happened that day of the scuba diving. Ugh!!

I think this drama unfortunately fell flat for me due to incompetent screenwriting and insane plot holes that I just could not ignore. However, I will say the acting was actually quite good for the leads. The GTB was kind of bleh, but I guess that’s what makes you hate her more (I will clarify these comments are only towards the character, not the actress!) The main song was also pretty catchy. All in all, I would not recommend this show unless you can put up with insane female intervention.

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A Drama that is a Slice of Young Adult Life; A Beautiful OST: A Joy to Watch!

"Love Formula”? This is indeed a satisfying drama and my first campus romance to watch for 2025!

– Here is one cold-hearted male lead who just dwells on numbers, forsaking his social life, but as the show progresses, he is one whom you would like to be your boyfriend. He is gentle, caring, and well-mannered. (I just can imagine the real Gou Zi Fan in real life, as he is the best male lead amongst all leads that Song Yiren has in all her campus romance dramas.)

– And here comes Jian Dan, the female lead who seems to be doing naughty, funny antics to make everybody at ease and be comfortable. She seems to know everything; an expert in Mathematics, coupled with ideas on Psychology of a person; she can even fix your car; she can cook very well, and she can swim as fast, becoming a great climber of rocks in their Rock Climbing
Club.
– And for other secondary casts, the second couple, they did their roles very well; they’re funny and relatable, too. The only thorn amongst the roses is Entong, who sometimes you want to give a good slap for doing all those schemes.

“Love Formula”, embodies some important elements of being young and at school: ‘first love, first kisses, joy and vitality of a young life, the realization that love can grow gently, like helping one to develop self-confidence, the caring and support in the healing process of the past unfortunate event.

— And as one who admired Song Yiren for her capabilities in acting, I considered this drama as one of the best in her career, and that of Gou Zi Fan; who both are finding the right equation for their hearts.

-- And its main OST, "Dear Hypatia", has a catchy tone which can make one relive their student's life. I keep looping the song, listening its meaningful lyrics and a soothing melodies.

Lastly, this is one drama that is comforting to watch; when one can relax on their couch, eat their popcorn, sip their favourite drinks, and smile and laugh. As a storyline that is neither too emotionally draining nor too pleasurable, it's a slice of young adult life.

Truly indeed, “Love Formula” is the Perfect Equation of Hearts! ❤️❤️❤️

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Nice and wonderful choice for a college drama

I picked this drama mainly cause I am always interested in a college drama with romantic story and sports theme so the plot had attracted me and turned out to be so good show, not draggy and funny to watch, deserving to be more recognized!! unfortunately it is underrated on mdl but just ignore that and give it a try cause it is worthy!!! I binge watched in 3 days!!!

I am usually not watching frequently chinese dramas but this show is giving positive and great vibes that made me staying hooked with the story all the way!! the story became more intersting and better towards the end with no unnecessary long misunderstadings...

The charcater Jian Dan is so brilliant and cheerful, I liked the acting of Ireine Song so much as I feel she is usually like that in her roles, she is not complicated and easygoing girl, always hardworking and not giving up easily!! she is the best example of an assiduous female lead student that performed her role with perfection!! the progression of story with Han Yan Sheng is so greatly written from enemies to friends to lovers that was meeting with my preferences of dramas!!!

For the role of Han Yan Sheng, I feel Guo Zi Fan could be played better this character but not bad acting, he is the one only interested in mathematics until Jian Dan made it different for him when sharing the same passion for maths through Hypatia book when their romance started to bloom gradually!!!

I like in the story when a male lead went through a traumatic stage in his life and female lead is entering to be a healing part of his life and working together to make him getting over this so the drama tackled such topic and really enjoyed the plot regarding that how they became more closer to each other when they are fated to always meet in many situations...

There is always the evil figure of second female lead, Gu En Tong (is not a second female lead in cast here but she is like this one for me) who is hovering around male, wearing the mask of an innocent and supportive person to her friends while she is making traps for female to break her up with male... En Tong is the worst character ever seen here!!!

I just wished male would be more aware and vigilant from the inner true character of En Tong especially she is part of his traumatic past but he was overly trusting her until he came back to his sense after female was working in a smart way to reveal the deceiving plannings of En Tong... I liked the strong bond of leads which wasn't shaken though all the failing traps En Tong set for leads!!!

The supportive friends characters of leads are so likeable and cute!!! I like the friendship part of the story which add more happy vibes to the story!!! the splendid and captivating landscape scenes where the locations of filming the drama was so greatly choosen and one of the favorite part of the drama for me!!!

OST is so outstanding and enjoyable to listen that is coming to mind all the time!! it is a reason to raise my rating to 9 in addition to the amazing and satisfying ending also the relaxing and attractive places like shores and nature to watch where the drama is executed!!!

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Love Formula – Math, growth, and unexpected love

🔹 First day on campus, one push into the pool, and two math lovers who keep finding each other

🔹 Would I rewatch? No

📕 Overview
🔹 24 episodes, youth romance
🔹 Adapted from the novel Dear Hypatia
🔹 Song Yiren plays Jian Dan, a girl trying to keep her scholarship
🔹 Guo Zifan plays Han Yansheng, a math genius haunted by a swimming accident
🔹 It starts when Jian Dan accidentally pushes him into the pool. Because of his fear of swimming, her scholarship is at risk. She starts a rock climbing club, and their shared love of math brings them closer. He later learns she is the mysterious Hypatia, while she discovers the painful memories he has been carrying

🌸 How It Felt Watching
🔹 Light and playful, with little jokes and easy laughs
🔹 The romance grows from awkward classmates to steady partners
🔹 It felt cozy, hopeful, and sometimes bittersweet when their past hurts came up
🔹 Themes of first love, healing, and learning to trust

✨ Cast & Acting
🔹 Song Yiren as Jian Dan, lively and stubborn, always finding a way to keep going
🔹 Guo Zifan expertly portrays Han Yansheng, a character burdened by trauma.
🔹 Friends and club members filled the story with small sparks of humor and warmth

🎶 OST
🔹 Dear Hypatia (亲爱的希帕蒂娅) by Liu Yixian
🔹 Every Time You Come Closer (当你每一次向我靠近) by Li Zhifan
🔹 Trifles of Youth (年少小事) by Dai Han Anni
🔹 Trifles of Youth, Deep Version (年少小事 深情版) by Tian Xinyao

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🎞️ Production Style
🔹 Campus and club sets felt real, like places students would actually use
🔹 Costumes stayed simple and matched college life

☕ Tea Notes
🔹 What I liked most is how their little acts of care built up into something stronger
🔹 Would I rewatch? No
☕ SpillTheDramaTea’s Rating: 8/10, a nice brew, I enjoyed it

✏️ As SpillTheDramaTea, this one felt like two classmates slowly realizing love had been sitting between their math notes all along

✨ Which moment made you believe they were all in?

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Good start but fails the psychiatric test...

This drama has some sweet moments and lovely friendships it starts off really interesting with love to hate with a twist math/secret pen pal twist.

Our male lead is a cold guy who really never ever lets anybody finish their sentences a tendansy that only gets wors towards the later episodes. Our poor female lead is a supernatural super hero or has like 5 clones. I love her but there is no way on earth a human can do all that and still survive.

The evil second female lead is as portrayed as the most conniving woman ever to walk the earth, For a drama that seems to want to talk about mental illness they seem to completely lack any basic understanding of human psychiatry and psychology. I may not be an expert, really I am not but the way they try to portray PTSD and depression just feel off and there is no way the evil female second female lead has the right chemical balance in her mind.

Other than that there is a cool aunt, a highly predictable best friend or two and some other lovable characters and is a pretty easy binge. However all this good is just not really enough for me to recommend it even if it started off as an 8,5 the later episodes just fall flat and are meeh. The kisses feel generic (though they try), and there is just one to many questionable approaches to mental health to make me wanna recommend it.

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2019 or 2020 CDrama

if you're feeling nostalgic for the slice-of-life Chinese dramas from around 2019-2020, this show will feel like a comforting return to that style. Despite some issues, the charming characters made it engaging enough for me to watch to the very end.
What I Liked (Pros):

The Female Antagonist: The "villain" of the series was a highlight. The character was well-written and superbly acted, making her the most compelling and memorable character for me.

Standout Side Character: "Monkey" was an amazing side character. He had so much presence and charm that he often stole the show, feeling more like a main character.

A Capable Female Lead: While her character had development issues, I appreciated that the female lead wasn't portrayed as a weak or helpless victim. Her happiness and naivete were part of the story, but she was never powerless.

What Could Be Improved (Cons):

Choppy Editing: The biggest drawback was the editing. Several storylines felt like they were cut short, leaving confusing gaps in the narrative. Key plot points, like the grandmother's illness or the roommate's surgery, were introduced but never concluded.

Underdeveloped Female Lead: We are given almost no backstory for the main character. She arrives on screen as a perpetually happy person, but we never learn why she is that way. Without that context, it was difficult to connect with her on a deeper level,

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Love Formula is a good drama,complete package,

What I can say about this drama is that the story is good and their love story is cute, they are enemies at first because they always don't understand each other and then the guy doesn't listen to their explanations, he is angry but has compassion, his showing compassion is not vulgar, the story is smooth, both are smart in math and capable, and the love story is enemy to lovers, and the best thing is Jian Dan's love is strong and doesn't give up easily even when it hurts, just like the title of the book Hypatia a mathematician martyr. I miss that love story, I like it very much. Song YiRen doesn't disappoint me in all her dramas, her acting is always on point, whatever role she is given, she plays it well, we the viewers are carried away by every story she plays.

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