Love at 30,000 Feet (2025)

Too much focus on unhinged antagonists.

(I rate vertical dramas on their own sliding scale. General spoilers only.) I really wanted to like this more than I did. I really liked both leads and loved them together. It was a fun twist that the ML this time around became the air traffic controller because of his secret crush on the FL, while she was a top-tier pilot (there are multiple shows with a similar set-up but with the roles the other way around).

BUT there was way too much time spent on thoroughly annoying and deranged people; three of them: the SML, SFL, and the SML's mother. The show is only 2 hours long and the first half is all about the FL learning about her boyfriend's affair and detangling herself from him. Which was fine; the FL is good and got me invested in her.

However, I was looking forward to the focus shifting off of the SML in the second half. As most of the other shows with a somewhat similar set-up put a lot of focus on developing/building the relationship between the leads, I was expecting this to happen again. But nope. The SML's side of the story (and the people related to him) continues to get as much screen time as the "ML" (in quotes because overall the SML definitely got more screen time).

The relationship between the leads suffers depth because of this. There's definitely magnetism, and it's obvious how much the ML respects and cares for the FL. But there's not enough time for the FL to fully heal from her last relationship, and not enough time with the two leads doing everyday things together. Many of their interactions happen arround the antagonists approaching/interfering with the FL.

It felt like the screenwriters thought, "You know, the audience knows the ML has loved the FL for 7-8 years and is a good guy. We all know they will end up together, so we can just take that for granted and not spend so much effort developing their love story. It's more fun to write obsessed and unhinged people anyway."

The writers also decided to overlook common sense, laws, security, hospital privacy, and airport regulations. So many things happen that just defy reality. Nothing stops the antagonists from going anywhere they want to at anytime, and that includes any area of the airport and it's offices. Restraining orders also don't exist in this world, apparently. And it's the first time I've seen an antagonist put many dozens of innocent people in peril just to take out the FL. Yeesh.

My favorite scene was around the middle of the show, early on in the lead's interactions. The SML comes to get the FL to agree to get back together when the ML is dropping her off. The ML stands away, not interfering. He only steps in to force the SML to let go of her hand/arm after the FL has told the SML to let go. Then the ML steps aside again and lets the FL continue to handle things however she wants to. This happens a couple of times in this scene, as the SML doesn't want to listen to reason, and I just really appreciated the respect for her autonomy and mental strength that this kind of back-up support shows (instead of deciding to take over and try to "fix" things for her without being asked).

So far, my favorite show with a pilot and air traffic controller (that is more realistic and focuses on building the romance) is with Wang YiRan and Hou ChengYue:
https://kisskh.at/779096-san-wan-ying-chi-de-an-lian
Personally, I recommend watching that one instead.

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A story about a female pilot: her career struggles and romantic relationships

I watched this drama on 3 June after dropping another drama of Han Jia Hui, which had too much negativity in the first 40 minutes. Love at 30,000 feet was an enjoyable watch.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - It is sad that she never sought promotion because of then boyfriend but I was delighted that she pursued her dream of becoming the first female pilot for that specific aircraft. I liked her confidence and determination. It's wonderful to see Han Jia Hui in this role.
2. ML characterisation - He's such a sweetheart. It was my first time watching Zhang Xuan. I'll definitely watch his other dramas.
3. Romance - Overall sweet and slow burn. ML knew when he could be playful with FL but without going over the boundary.
4. PSA - There was a great scene involving the police. I loved it when the officer stated "whether you've broken up or not, forcing a woman to have sex is rape." Such a powerful line.
5. Supporting characters - It's wonderful to see FL getting recognition from her colleagues especially after she was promoted to captain. I like her first officer. Oh I liked ML's family too - they were supportive of him and his relationship.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - I hated FL's ex for stopping her from promotion request and for cheating on her but then claimed that he had always loved her. Despite that, he was remorseful of his action towards the end of the drama. I was impressed by the performance from the actor playing second male lead. Back to antagonists, SFL was extremely irritating and dangerous. Wouldn't she be considered a terrorist for that action she made in the third act?
2. Fat suit - That was the most horrible fat suit I have seen on short dramas. Maybe there was a budget constraint but my gosh, his face makeup was too obvious even on 360p video quality.
3. Aviation errors - I love aviation so certain parts were too illogical. How could former staff have easy access to aircraft servicing & ATC tower?

Favourite scene
The assault and police arrival

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