Love as Life (2025)

Refreshing tale of revenge & childhood connection with lotsa sexual tension

I was ecstatic on Thursday when I found out that Zhao Ting Yi has 2 dramas released on Friday 25 July. I liked him so much in Nanny, Don't Flee that I created his MDL profile which got approved today. I had some expectations on this drama since I also enjoyed Song Yu Jia's acting. My expectations were met and I am writing this review at 1 am immediately after completing the drama.

What I liked:
1. ML characterisation - He was mysterious, brooding boss in the opening scene. However that was just a façade he put on to catch a suspected baddie. Fu Li Shan was Mr Nice Guy! He was genuine about his feelings for FL - he was happy to be used.
2. Romance - Now the video that I watched was 2 hours 34 minutes 32 seconds. The moment at 1 hour 39 minute mark seemed off so I am not sure if there was a heavy makeout session. Putting that aside, there were several good kisses - I didn't feel they were steamy because of FL. I'd say ML was openly affectionate with FL and I liked it a lot. There was good balance of push and pull dynamics.
3. FL characterisation - Wow, the last 30 minutes I was swearing heavily at FL. What a twist!
4. Acting - Great acting by Song Yu Jia & Zhao Ting Yi. I liked their emotional scenes because they looked realistic. The supporting cast gave a wonderful performance too.
5. Styling - Impeccable styling for FL & ML. I was giddy when they wore white twice. FL's styling seemed very Song Yu Jia (I have seen her in that style) and gosh Zhao Ting Yi looked damn handsome.
6. Framing - Now I noticed there were 3 frames that transitioned from horizontal / landscape to vertical / portrait. The first and the third frames seemed to play around being on the opposite sides. I wasn't sure about the second transition frame. Nevertheless the drama was beautifully shot.
7. Supporting characters - ML's assistant Feng was the bomb. The actor who played him was handsome.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's ex didn't feel like an ex. I didn't understand why he was gung ho about catching ML because the victim was FL not him. So annoying! Brother Zheng was a typical villain that I knew where he was heading.
2. FL's actions - I was irritated by FL's closeness towards her ex.

Favourite scene
The opening scene

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Aged Like Fine Wine

Started like a cringe Wattpad story and ended up as one of the most compatible couples I’ve seen.
Excuse me, but why did you guys choose the ML to be so ridiculously handsome that I think it opened my eyes to entirely new dimensions? He’s pushy, cold, heartless looking and then he smiles like a puppy with those eyes?? It’s literally the beginning of a crush, I fear.
And those spicy moments with the FL taking the lead? Fire. Absolute fire. She really said “your move” and made it count.
But other than her being slightly smarter than average, I can’t say much. Still, their dynamic? Addictive. I didn’t expect to care, but here I am hooked.

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