An Yu Lian De Di Shi Yi Nian (2025)

Long-winded slowburn romance with no third party interference

I am a massive Guo Yu Xin fan and when I saw the poster of this drama a few days ago, I was delighted. I had never seen Huang Hao Wen dramas before even though I've saved them in playlist. Overall I liked this drama and watching it once is enough for me.

What I liked:
1. Main characters - Both ML & FL were very likeable. I found FL's monologues endearing although at times I wish she had said it out loud and had conversations with ML.
2. Styling - I really liked traditional clothes worn by both of them when they were back at FL's hometown. I also think the styling for flashbacks was done well - Huang Hao Wen did look like a high school student with that hairstyle.
3. Romance - Their romance was saccharine sweet. It's beartwarming to see ML confiding in FL about his insecurity and jealousy. There were several nice kisses though I wish we got spicier moments. If I had a guy who liked me and had agreed to marry me, I'd jump his bones the moment we got home with marriage license!
4. Acting - Both did well in their roles. I liked Huang Hao Wen's approach to his character - quiet confidence but with a dash of vulnerability.
5. Supporting characters - I really liked ML's grandma, FL's mother, sister, her college friends and ML's former schoolmates. The first time FL's mom & sis met ML and his grandma was amusing.

What I disliked:
1. Duration - 3.5 hours is too long for a slowburn romance that doesn't have third party meddling in their relationship. I played this drama at 2x speed so I could finish this drama fast.
2. Writing - I was bored by the time I reached halfway mark because there wasn't anything exciting happening to FL and ML. I also felt that both FL & ML lacked character development despite the ample screentime.

Favourite scene
When ML's grandma visited the florist to find a wife for ML

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I absolutely adored this drama. It genuinely surprised me—in the best way—because it never felt like one of those rushed short dramas. Instead, it played out like a beautifully crafted, quiet film with steady pacing, thoughtful storytelling, and two leads who understood their characters perfectly.

What makes this drama stand out is how normal and real everything feels. No over-the-top CEO clichés, no cartoonishly toxic families, no dramatic misunderstandings every five minutes. Just two intelligent, grounded adults slowly—and naturally—falling in love. The ML has a good job without being a 22-year-old billionaire, the FL is sweet, strong, and real, and the show treats her hearing aid with respect, without turning it into a plot device. It’s simply part of her, and that inclusion felt beautifully done.

The physical intimacy was handled with softness and maturity, growing out of trust rather than fanservice. In a world where people romanticize emotional detachment and mock vulnerability, their relationship felt healing. They’re each other’s firsts—not in a childish way, but in a heartfelt “your feelings matter to me” way. When the FL admitted she fell first, the ML didn’t turn it into power; he cherished it. Their bond is gentle, tender, and emotionally honest.

The performances were truly lovely. Guo Yuxin and Huang Haowen have magnetic chemistry—the kind that doesn’t need heavy tropes to sell the romance. Their confession scene moved me to tears; it felt raw, pure, and full of sincerity. Even the families were wonderful—supportive, warm, non-toxic—creating a rare safe space that made the romance shine even more.

This is such a sweet, healing gem of a drama. Simple, sincere, beautifully executed, and full of emotional warmth. I’m still thinking about it, long after finishing it.

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