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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