Across the Ice to Embrace You (2025)

⋘ ────── {⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ✨ My Reason for Hitting 'Play' on This One ✨ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡} ────── ⋙

💫 1) For Cheng Cheng
Honestly, I started this drama for Cheng Cheng. In his early projects, I didn’t appreciate his acting I didn’t consider him a good actor and often skipped his work.
But look at me now I open every one of his projects the moment they drop. Why? Because I’ve grown to truly admire his performance, screen presence, and undeniable handsomeness.
That said, I only continue watching if the project itself is actually worth it. He’s evolving day by day, truly shining not like those actors whose acting graph remains flat between their first and last dramas. Cheng Cheng is growing, and it's visible. So yes, here I am fully tuned in.

🌀 2) The Wrong Synopsis (But Right Drama?)
I actually got pulled into this drama by mistake. The synopsis I read made me believe this was a completely different, beautiful story. Turns out someone had added the wrong synopsis from another drama that coincidentally had the same lead pairing.
But no regrets! Because even though the story was different, this drama turned out to be pretty good on its own.


⋘ ────── {⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ 🗝️ Plot Summary: A Love That Unlocks Life ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡} ────── ⋙

The male lead (ML) is cursed he cannot live beyond the age of 30. If he wants a longer life, he must find a very special lock called the “Love Lock.” Once it’s locked, his life will be extended.
He bought worlds all rare, unique, and expensive locks... but none of them work.
Then one day, by chance, ML meets the female lead (FL). He soon discovers the shocking truth: she is the Love Lock.
But here’s the twist the lock can only be sealed if FL truly falls in love with ML of her own free will. And that love could cost her life.
ML begins using every possible trick and trap to make her fall in love with him.
But what he didn’t expect… was falling in love with her.
Now, he's no longer trying to win her over for survival he's doing everything he can to protect her. He doesn’t want to lose her, no matter the cost.

⋘ ────── {⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ What I Loved About This Drama ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡} ────── ⋙

A Heartfelt Journey of Love, Charm & Genuine Emotions

I really enjoyed this drama from start to finish. The Male Lead (ML) is genuinely good throughout, unlike other versions where they think of killing the Female Lead (FL) to get what they want and don’t care initially. The ML is charming in every outfit he wears. The chemistry between ML and FL is delightful, with many memorable moments.

The FL is portrayed as a timid, innocent, simple, and underconfident girl. Her casting was perfect, and the chemistry between the ML and FL felt natural and genuine. Their shared moments are beautifully directed, and the emotional connection is visible in their eyes whenever they look at each other.

Some of my favorite characters include:

ML's mother – Her actions are justified. She’s not cruel, just a mother willing to do anything for her child. The direction beautifully portrays by expressions .
ML’s assistant – A supportive and lovable presence.
FL’s sister – That was such a beautiful, meaningful, brave, and satisfying moment. When FL’s sister confronted and threatened the ML, it showed that at least the sister isn’t selfish I really liked her character.

💫 Favorite Scenes:

1. The Drunken Confession & First Kiss
When FL gets drunk and tells the ML, "You're good-looking, but I can't like you. You're expensive. Can you give me a discount? I only have 99 yuan."
From the restaurant to the bed this entire sequence was beautifully shot. The lighting, screenplay, and setup complemented the emotions perfectly. And of course, their first kiss felt magical.

2. The Dance Scene
Simple yet intimate, it captured their growing affection in the most graceful way.

3. When ML Stopped FL From Being Intimate
The fear in ML’s eyes, his vulnerability it was such a meaningful and satisfying moment. It showed strength, not weakness, and was beautifully done.

💗 The kisses in this drama are passionate and filled with emotion. The transition from hospital to home, and eventually to intimacy, is portrayed delicately and aesthetically.

One great improvement in this version is the "proper explanation of ML's curse", which other versions often neglect. Also, no one dies in this one which makes it even better.

The line "I don’t hate you, but I don’t love you anymore" said by the FL was powerful and refreshing. It added emotional depth .

I love how ML’s yearning for FL is shown in his eyes.

⋘ ────── {⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ✘ What I Disliked ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡} ────── ⋙

1. FL’s toxic family – Their behavior is frustrating and unjust.
2. Unnecessary academic rivalry, jealousy, and bullying – Targeting the FL repeatedly felt unreasonable and annoying.
3. Villains coming back again and again – Their repeated returns and constant drama were unnecessary. I don’t understand why writers don’t just end their roles once and for all.

⋘ ────── {⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ 🌸 Overall Impression ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡} ────── ⋙

It’s a truly beautiful drama that’s worth your time. The couple and their chemistry are the soul of the show, and the characters surrounding them ML’s mom, the assistant, and FL’s sister make the story even richer.

I absolutely loved it.💕

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Sweet with a dash of spice fantasy drama. Good chemistry!

I was preparing for a reddit post on Cheng Cheng so chose this drama as part of my assignment. FL is unfamiliar to me. Overall I liked this drama.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - I liked her humbleness and gentleness. She was pushed to a corner by ML because of her sister's situation but I didn't perceive her as doormat.
2. Romance - Good despite the slow build up. Sweet and spicy and I could sense desire coming from both parties. I wish there were more bonding scenes before the revelation so I could feel his pain more.
3. Fantasy - I enjoyed the fantasy element of this story. Star-crossed lovers who later reincarnated in this couple. I also liked the love lock concept.
4. Supporting characters - FL's sister was awesome. Despite her frailty, she was protective and I loved the warning she gave to ML. I also liked ML's assistant.
5. Acting - I really liked Huang Li Ting and Cheng Cheng's acting. She was good at evoking emotions of her characters while Cheng Cheng's acting really shined when his ML started longing for FL's affections. There was great chemistry between Huang Li Ting and Cheng Cheng which made me believe that their characters deserved a happy ending.
6. Third act - I must say that this was one of the few dramas with third act I enjoyed. It had a plot twist that made the drama unpredictable.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - ML's uncle and aunt were horrible people. I also disliked ML's mother for her selfishness even though I understood her intentions.

Favourite scene
When FL & ML consummated their marriage

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