Xiao Cheng Jiu Shi (2025)

Family is core theme of this FL-married-to-single-dad drama

I was preparing a reddit post on Han Jia Hui dramas so I watched this drama as part of my assignment. I liked Li Quan Cheng and had seen their douyin video - it was adorable. I enjoyed this drama.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - She was feisty but kind & reasonable. I liked how she punished her stepson who had bad attitude.
2. ML characterisation - Kind-hearted but firm decision maker. I liked his protective nature.
3. Romance - Sweet and they seemed like a couple who understood each other without talking too much. No steamy kisses but many quick kisses & pecks. Their love language is act of service.
4. Family - Core theme of this drama. From FL treating her stepson like her own child to FL mending relationship with her adopted sis.
5. Growth - There was two supporting characters that threw me off when she first appeared on screen. However there was character growth and by third act, I realised that I liked them.
6. Compassionate - This value was demonstrated in several scenes by FL & ML. I appreciated those scenes.
7. Acting - I enjoyed their performances, as individual characters and as a couple. There was good chemistry between them.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - ML's parents too controlling & foolish. Not respecting ML's wishes & decision. FL's adopted mother & brother were horrible.
2. Son's action - There was a point where ML's son called FL by full name. I thought it was rude of him. He should call FL aunty if mother / mama was too much for him.

Favourite scene
FL taught ML's son a lesson because he got bad attitude

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