As Beautiful as You

Why I Rated ABAY a 7/10

Okay, it's been a while since I wrote a review but here we go. I started watching this show with very high expectations. As an avid Chinese drama viewer and a fan of Xu Kai, I must say I came with pretty high expectations.

What was good?

1. Acting
The actors did an amazing job! I loved the cast, they were very true to their characters, and overall did an amazing job portraying the characters.

2. Music
The score for the show was really good as well, a sign of amazing shows. Th opening OST is on my playlist already and was mostly fitting for any situations they played it during the episodes.

Why the show was a led down?

1. My primary reason for why this show was a let down was the frustration that an amazing cast was stuck between some politics/ deliverables they had to meet beyond the screen AND it showed. I'm not sure what it was but it felt like even minor roles had to be portrayed across as major roles. This meant UNLESS you were someone who likes to be invested in every single one of their story and romance, you're not going to enjoy this. The plot was not exciting, especially during the first half of the show. This had nothing to do with their slow romance, but all those Filler scenes with mundane conversations, drinking alcohol, etc. There was numerous times when Ji Xing and Han ting will be on screen for literally 30s and they just wave to each other and there's a very obvious cut. This plot and this Novel could've been executed much much better! It's overall a 7/10 kind of show for me. I would not recommend it unless you're someone who enjoys having to watch three couples with equal interest.

-----------------------------------<>

2. Reason one led to shorter screen time for the main couple. The first twenty episodes, I swear the main leads(the couple) did not even have 5 minutes they were on-screen together as a pair. Like there was absolutely no conversation between them about getting to know each other except for the part they would talk about her startup(or more specifically when he was giving her advice on how to do business)

3. This brings me to number 3. I don't know if it gives you the ick or not, but in an era where it's all about female empowerment, I like to see that on screens. Having Han Ting being literally the same age/closer in age to Ji Xing and yet being eight galaxies away in terms of intellectual abilities was sort of a turn-off for me. They made him the knight in shining armour for the lousy business decisions that came along at times.

4. The Dialogues? Who even wrote these lines? Like the amount of very obvious propaganda between the Lines was just argh and those speeches he gave... not to mention the lines he was saying during the fights? But this wasn't a big deal. You can still watch past this.

5. One of the worst parts of the show(FOR ME PERSONALLY) was the makeup. I get the different beauty standards, but man the way they put on Edward Cullen make up on Xu Kai every time he wore a suit was not appealing at all. I've watched plenty of shows, chinese ones, and I see this often but with so many things being a let down in the drama, I would've expected for this to be a saving grace but it wasn't.


P.S. This Is just my very Own take at the show. I have watched other shows such as Meet yourself, here we meet again, Go go squid, put your head on my shoulder and so many like that and enjoyed them so so so much more than this one. I've watched a couple In a similar genre as well and none of them were this bad. This is just yet another let down, also please don;t come at me with the IMDB ratings. MDL is a more reliable site for asian shows than IMDB. there's like 70 people who've rated this on it, and It's safe to say they're all probably Xu Kai fans. MDL ratings reflect more on the quality of the show. Honestly it's not even a 8 for me, but sure.

Read More

A satisfying good old romance

Firstly, I watched because I like Xu Kai in certain drama and first time watching Sven.
The drama has a lot of good things going. Satisfying female camaraderie and I do like the 2nd FL development with both her romances. Quite realistic portrayal of life actually…. The 2nd FL’s romantic entanglements.
There are some hot scenes and the CP is surprisingly good together. I must admit until this drama , I still think Xu Kai has best chemistry with Cheng Xiao’s Falling into You. He is equally adept with this FL… who is more cute and adorable than beautiful in the traditional way. Anyway, what I love the most is how they choose to end this drama with a special 40.5 episode that shows snippets of their entire life together until the FL near end of life after living a very enriching life together.

Go watch … you won’t be disappointed if you like a good old romance.

Read More

The story is not as beautiful as the leads but ok

This is one of those dramas that offers great leads, amazing chemistry, golden light for as far as the eye can see making you feel all warm and gooey inside... All with the added bonus of a fluffy can and a fish tank that reminded me of dramas past...

It is also one of those dramas that you just you know got though censorship without a hinge, yet managed to keep it kind of subtle compared to others (focus word kind of) somewhere right in the middle of a scale from Road to Patriotic bordom (or Home) to Addicted heroin.

The friendships and side characters to their jobs without becoming to annoying, some twists or moments of affection are hinted just a little bit to much by bad directing. But other than that the sides even have some really good moments.

However I could not have cared less about the business slightly preachy (hens the I am sure it passed censorship well). It just prolonged the episode count and had me lower the score as some of those parts where so boring i almost fell a sleep. Luckily interactions between the leads where never far off.

So a decent watch that made me want to press that next episode button from start to finish, but also had me wanting to skip some scenes.

P.s. I am reallt bias about the two leads, but then again how can you not be with those smiles, abs and delivery of lines.

Read More

A review from someone that hasn’t read the novel

To be honest I have a lot of feelings about this one. It’s been a minute since I wrote a review but I thought it’ll be good to document my thoughts on this drama.

I genuinely found this drama enjoyable.
I loved the business jumbo, as a matter of fact I learned a couple of things from the business narrative.
I liked the work relationship between the leads. I could see myself in the FL place work wise, so seeing her growth was satisfying.
I loved the chemistry between the leads. Even when she was in a relationship, he stayed, he waited and didn’t make her uncomfortable. One thing I genuinely loved was his honesty throughout. He didn’t pamper her and make the truth palatable. He’s like it’s a tough world out there and you need to grow some balls. So it was really satisfying when gradually we could see her conforming to his image and becoming like him.

Another thing that gave me satisfaction was the fact that he stayed true to himself, didn’t lose himself over love. To be honest the break up was needed for there to be growth and there was good character development between the leads.

The side characters were also enjoyable.

Just that I felt the whole thing could have been shorter. A couple of things were just fillers and could have been avoided.
That’s why the rewatch value is low. Although I enjoyed the watch, don’t think I’ll want to go through that length again

Read More

The Han Ting Massacre: A Betrayal of the Book

For those who have read the book and are considering watching the drama, please, for the love of all that is holy, don’t. For those who haven’t, the drama might be palatable, but anyone who tries to both watch and read will likely suffer a heart attack from sheer anger.The actors are fine, but the script is a catastrophic failure. This drama is a textbook example of how not to adapt a novel. This review isn't about the explicit parts—I wasn't expecting any of that anyway. My issue lies in how the writers have butchered Han Ting's character, making the drama a bland shadow of the books storyline.

In the book, Ji Xing is a formidable and dreamy character, often unreasonable but in a relatable way. Her interactions with Shao Yichen or Han Ting are complex and layered, reflecting real-life arguments and emotions. Han Ting, on the other hand, is sharp and uncompromising, always putting his ambitions and goals above personal feelings. This stark pragmatism defines his character. For instance, when Ji Xing asks if he would ever prioritize her over his work, Han Ting bluntly replies, "In my life, love is not everything. I won't be able to give you the kind of love that sacrifices everything for you. "The drama, however, portrays Han Ting as a softened, lovesick version of his book counterpart. They sanded down his edges, making him more palatable but significantly less interesting.In fact theres a point she asks what he would do if she refused to let him invest and he replies he would destroy her company saying that he will leave no room for any competitors however how small. Thats the Han ting i epected the one i got let me not say more

The book's Han Ting is never heartbroken in a conventional sense when he learns that Ji Xing is engaged. Instead, he views it as a matter of bad timing. The drama, on the other hand, infuses him with a shy, almost bashful demeanor around Ji Xing, which is completely out of character. The real Han Ting would have gone after what he wanted with unwavering determination.
In the book, after their one-night stand, Ji Xing starts avoiding Han Ting, leading to a mini-fight where Han Ting bluntly tells her that she likes him and knows he likes her, which is why she's behaving like a spoiled child. This sharp exchange highlights their dynamic. In the drama, such scenes are diluted. Even when Han Ting reports to his grandfather in the novel, he is unyielding. When his grandfather mentions that shareholders are against him, Han Ting coldly replies that he will just clear out all the shareholders. Such ruthlessness is completely lost in the drama.

Han Ting's characterization isn't the only casualty. Shao Yichen's portrayal is also disappointing. In the book, Ji Xing and Shao Yichen share a strong and loving relationship, marked by numerous arguments yet a palpable love. Their bond reflects the intricacies of daily life and love. Even though it's clear that Yichen won't be Ji Xing's final partner, there's a persistent hope that they might resolve their issues. A poignant moment in the book is when Ji Xing dares Yichen to leave during an argument. He does, but soon returns, confessing, "Ji Xing, you don't know how much I love you." Their love, though fraught with problems, is deeply emotional. Ji Xing's heartbreak when he leaves is profound, and she holds out hope that he'll return as he always did. She even dresses up specifically for him on her birthday, only to be disappointed to discover he has moved on. Her breakdown at this revelation, and Han Ting's comforting presence, is a touching scene ( to which they ommited and added that after that she had a one nights stand with Han TIng).However, the drama adaptation significantly diminishes the chemistry between Ji Xing and Yichen, seemingly to highlight the main love storyline between Ji Xing and Han Ting, which develops later. This was a mistake, in my opinion. Modern dramas have successfully depicted main leads' evolving love stories without undermining previous relationships. The scriptwriter unnecessarily tarnished Shao Yichen's character (including the needless subplot of him marrying Ji Xing's friend, who was merely a college classmate in the book). This seems to have been done due to the usual trope that whoever doesn't end up with the female lead must be portrayed as wrong or flawed.

The writers undermined not only the characters but also many nerve-racking moments in the book that would have made for a captivating show. They simplified such a fantastic story instead of portraying its complexity and depth. Han Ting's character was watered down to make him more palatable, causing drama watchers to miss some of his best moments from the books. Similarly, the dynamic between Yichen and Ji Xing was diminished, losing the poignant "I know it's hopeless, but I still wish" sentiment.

While Ji Xing's character seems elevated, the true tragedy lies in the wasted potential of Tan Songyan's acting range. Imagine the breathtaking performance she could have delivered, portraying Ji Xing in her full, complex glory—childish yet mature, reasonable to the point of almost unreasonable, emotional yet composed. The beauty of Ji Xing's internal struggles, dealing with a man like Han Ting despite her simplicity, her struggle, and joys in being with him, were missed. Her triumphs and the delicate balance of her contradictions could have created a character so compelling that audiences would be left craving more. This rich tapestry of Ji Xing's character was an exquisite opportunity lost, leaving us with a portrayal that barely scratches the surface of what could have been an unforgettable performance.

Read More

The most beautiful moments in life only come after hardships

I can't believe a drama I have waited so long for has actually aired. Luckily this one isn't disappointing at all! In fact I am enjoying it at lot. Let me explain:

I love both of the main leads and have watched them in several of their own projects before. I have yet to finish a modern drama with Xu Kai in it, but this one is a good one to add to his filmography. For Tan Song Yun this is also another drama she should be proud of. It's not excellent or anything, it is just a solid and well done job for everyone involved.

This drama succeeds in telling a story of a young woman trying to achieve her dreams. To me, I like how that is the main focus rather than the romance. Xu Kai isn't in it as much as I like because of this, but in the end I am fine with it because the story that is being told doesn't fit for him to be in every single scene.

Tan Song Yun is a beautiful woman who has RANGE. She has played a similar story in Master of My Own, but she is a splendid actress to show a different side with her character here as Ji Xing. Ji Xing is also a great example of a strong female lead. She doesn't have the plot change unrealistically for her to succeed, and is shown to have strength through her perseverance instead. I have watched a bit of other dramas with female leads in positions that she has, but everything is handed to them perfectly. They are almost too bratty in a way, and it makes them unlikeable because everything they worked for is handed to them. Ji Xing really has to work for it, and even if some of the scenarios she gets past easily, it is just a series of misfortunes for this woman. What is done so right is that the ML, Han Ting, is not her knight in shining armor.

What could be a diluted romance between the two instead has a very interesting dynamic. Han Ting is neither someone who is overbearing and overprotective when he shouldn't be, and he instead is Ji Xing's senior that gives her advice. It is tough love, and he isn't handing things to her just because he has a crush on her. Despite his interest in her, he helps her in the long run by teaching her lessons of the field they both work in. Han Ting is a privileged man and he knows it, but he is humble enough to invest in a small company, and has emphasized it isn't just because of his crush. The way that the business is run in this drama is the most realistic I've seen in a C-drama, as compared to other dramas that just run too smoothly. Like they don't have financial issues, they don't worry about hiring, things just don't go wrong. Again, it's not the most realistic ever, but the drama knows how to make Ji Xing's business a new company rather than a flip of a switch well run company.

Xu Kai leads well here. I really like the parts where he is able to lean into his puppy love attitude, and want to see more. Unfortunately his character here isn't the most charismatic for him. His best role by far is Wonderland of Love, but if I sit back and stop comparing to that he does a well job. This drama stays pretty safe and isn't offensive, but it is better than the average office romance story.

When the direction is done well with the lighting and cinematography it really does well. It doesn't happen a lot, so in the end this drama isn't spectacular. The romance definitely is a slow-burn.

I recommend to fans of either and think it's a good office romance that feels fresh. A mentor-student relationship between two individuals that were once peers. Han Ting knows that Ji Xing is a smart woman and has a lot of potential, so he isn't easy on her. Its focus is the female lead who has to work hard for what she has and gets the bad parts of life handed to her 9 times out of ten. The supporting stories are also interesting, with the best friend of the FL being the best one there. It is nice to have a story besides the main one be interesting in a modern drama. He Rui Xian is perfect for the best friend role and she is just as strong as a woman as Ji Xing, but is instead more direct and forward and leans into her femininity more.

The themes of womanhood are done well also. Representing how just being a woman makes them to be seen as objects is disturbing, but it is unfortunately very real. I think it's important to see both Li Li and Ji Xing know their worth and leave their jobs, and I think Li Li is a great asset to Ji Xing's team.

The negatives are the ex boyfriend whose round rimmed glasses really didn't suit him, and the 'friend' who likes him. I don't like how she is portrayed as a friend when she has liked Ji Xing's 4-year partner in life? That is not good for the womanhood, but besides her Ji Xing surrounds herself by the right people. The antagonists are good without being too evil also, as this time it is another woman trying to bring Ji Xing down, her former boss.

So this is a good drama with good styling and clean camera work that doesn't have flashy editing. Recommend but not too highly.

Read More

VERY GOOD FOR A MODERN DRAMA, ROMANCE

I recommend watching if you like cute, modern, working hard fl and kinda slow burn but the romance you get later will not disappoint.

I love how good morals were shown through out the show I love how the fl is not a weak person but a smart woman with her principles, they way they fell in love was adorable I loved how cute they were truly a very good drama I couldn't help but scream at some of thier scenes like they are adorable, but I have one complain
Ep 1-30 was good wasn't draggy
30-37 definitely draggy Idk but they broke up and then this happened that happened for me personally it was already too much to the story
37-41 amazing again

The last episode made me cry I can not, when he passed away of old age he gave her his forgive me card 😭😭😭 like I will think about this scene for a week now like I can't they are so cute ajuavwbjajyafa

Read More

Great but there isn't exactly a story, but best music in any Chinese drama ever.

The show works when only considering the romantic plot between the two male leads. Apart from that there isn't anything as in the plot line so I mostly found myself skipping everything except the romantic portions between the two leads. The Second leads had a love triangle but the rest of the characters were just place holders. However the OST(music not sure if original) especially the main song for the main leads (not title song) is probably the best in any Chinese drama ever. Will have teh song on repeat but not this drama ever.

Ps: Extra Episode is a Traumatic a very unnecessary considering the original plot cause I can't stop my friends and myself from crying. (If you watch alone you will cry too)

Read More

One of the best modern c dramas of 2024

I have finished watching ABAY and I loved this drama. Both lead actors in this drama had chemistry and it is one of the strongest acting performances by XuKai in a modern drama to date. I mean what is there not to like about HanTing and XuKai fits this role perfectly. The storyline for me was realistic than some of the other modern c dramas. The entire drama kept me watching every episode and I loved how the story kept building from the beginning. I haven’t read the novel so I can’t comment about how close it is to the book. This drama is one to watch on your 2024 list. XuKai was born to play HanTing or any type of CEO role IMO. Really enjoyed this drama.

Read More

Utterly Disappointed

I'm a big xu Kai fan and loved him in "she and her perfect husband" and "falling into your smile" so I decided to give this drama a try. The story seemed decent enough (very common, nothing new) and starting few episodes were well executed however as it progresses both xu Kai and tan song Yun acts bad and feel so disconnected from the character they are playing.

I'm dropping at 32 episode and there are sad scenes where the actor needs strong facial expressions to show overflowing emotions and xu Kai is doing literally opposite, same facial expressions throughout the whole drama, he doesn't even have tears in his eyes (even when he is alone and deeply sad). On the other hand tan song Yun is overreacting so much that her expressions seems fake (especially when she laughs).

The story is a mess too, started good but too many characters and little to no character development makes it hard to watch.

Sorry xu Kai 😭 even though I'm your big fan, i still can't finish it 😭.

Read More