Bittersweet Love (2026)

Frustrating watch with a lot of Bitterness and only a drop of Sweetness

Subjective Gut Rating: 6.75

Wow.. this is a frustrating watch. It’s called “Bittersweet Love” but it’s full of bitterness with only a drop of sweetness. I don't even know why I did not drop this drama. It’s like I was hate-watching it. The episodes are around 30-35 minutes, so they are not too long that I can’t tolerate.

When you read the synopsis, the drama sounds quite interesting, but also feels like the plot of a vertical drama. Nonetheless, Xiao Fan is forced to marry into the rich and powerful Bei family and ends up being the secret lover of his brother-in-law. Sounds fun right? Wait till you get to know these characters.

First of all, our lead main character, Lu Xiao Fan. He’s the biggest damsel-in-distress, pushover and doormat. You see where this is going, right? He’s so frustrating to watch that I just want to slap him and wake him up. Grow a backbone already! I can’t spend 8 episodes seeing him moping around with the same sorry and weepy face. Yes, he is unloved by his family, and was forced into a very difficult situation. But still, the writing could have been better to show some progression and growth in his character. But no, he’s frustrating all the way until the end when he magically becomes the smartest guy out there.

The other male lead, Bei Lu Qing, is the rich and cool guy on the block. He’s rich, powerful and intelligent. He is always scheming and many steps ahead of everyone. He’s hot too, but he’s just as frustrating. The narrator doesn’t go into Lu Qing’s inner thoughts and there are no inner dialogs. Therefore, all we see is him trying to do little things behind-the-scenes for Xiao Fan, and never verbalizing it. It’s not like he’s so shy that he can’t speak up. He just chose not to. The drama could have spent a little more time on his struggles on dating a guy and the control his family had on him. That would have given us some plot. But it’s just a casual afterthought. This paints a bad light on him, as he just seems uncaring and emotionless.

The lead’s main relationship is based on miscommunication, or no communication, and lust. Why Lu Qing fell for a weepy boy like Xiao Fan is beyond me. Is it because he’s cute? Is it because he just wants to have an urge to protect a sad puppy? On the other hand, does Xiao Fan even like Lu Qing? Is it just a reaction to someone who threw him a bone and showered him with just a little attention? Are they just obsessed with each other but there’s no love in their relationship? I don’t mind having all these questions in the first half of the drama, but eventually, by ep 12, I should know, right? Did I miss it? When they are lusting over each other, the sexual tension was good. Their kisses aren’t bad either, but could go a little further.

Additionally, there are so many irritating, annoying and hateful characters in this drama. My friend commented “Bittersweet Love” is like a Chinese lakorn. She’s so right. This drama is full of evil family members. Xiao Fan’s family treats him like dirt and only uses him for their own benefit. Sure, most poor families in China are like that. It’s how real life forces you to make those decisions, but that doesn’t make the drama enjoyable.

I enjoy a dark and angsty drama with a toxic romance. I thought this would deliver as it has an interesting premise. But the writing is lacking. I never read the novel but I felt that the novel must have dived into many of my questions and criticisms and give a better description.

I see many highly rated reviews for “Bittersweet Love” and unfortunately, mine is not one of them. Maybe it’s just a ‘me’ problem that this drama just doesn’t do it for me. Maybe I am not analyzing this drama correctly and am being superficial. Whatever it is, this can either be a frustrating watch or a very enjoyable dark and angsty one for you.



Drama Completed: 8/16/2026 Review #713

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Oh! Thank F∧ck it's Over

Oooh Lord, I have SUFFERED. I have been tried, and I have properly gone through it with this damn show. It was 6 weeks of hell and flabberghast. And I have no one to blame but myself. Because, why didn't I drop this shit?? I don't think I've ever watched a show where, by the end, I hated everyone - both main characters included.

Complaining aside, if I were to seriously sit with the question "why didn't I drop this shit?" I'd say that it's because the characters are intriguing, especially LXF. His situation with his birth family, his in-laws, and his imbalanced r/ship (fueled by classism and a lack of communication) with his brother-in-law make a compelling plot.

I wanted to follow his story and root for him to come out on top. To finally say enough is enough and get his lick back at all the atrocious people in his life. However, by the finale, I hated him too. I genuinely disliked every character we came across. I didn't even care for the twist we got at the end. It felt kinda 'meh' and wasn't nearly as cathartic as I'd have liked.

Now, as for things that this drama has taught me;
1. The damsel in distress trope does not work for me. I knew it didn't work for women, and now I definitely know it 100% doesn't work if the damsel in question is a dude.

2. If anyone dared propose to me with anything resembling the words 'will you cook for me forever', I will immediately smack them upside the head with a cast iron pan.

3. My 2026 brain is not made for such a plot and such characters. LXF constantly reminded me of a faceless 'wife' character from 'the good ol days' where women existed for others. She, the wife, doesn't quite have agency. She lives for her birth family, then her husband and his in-laws - and is deferent to them all. Speaks only when she's spoken to. Has opinions but never shares them because the husband said no. She lives to serve her husband in their home.

And is forever a blushing virgin, no matter how many times they've done it. Sexual desire comes from her husband - she never initiates. But she's down whenever he wants it - she'll blush and say a coy 'no' (that's supposed to be sexy), through it all, though. My God, this show made me angry.

4. No one but me suffers when I insist on watching a show where I'm rolling my eyes at every character on screen.
Note to self: Drop the show and stick to reading the damn comments next time if you're that curious about the characters.

IMO, this show is not fit for a 2026 audience (me). Maybe it'd have worked in the 90s and the early 2000s (maybe), but not now. While the story has good points- love in between classes, how upbringing affects one's self-worth, and the burden of familial obligation- it all goes down the drain because the characters feel so bland. Like cardboard. I saw no growth, just suffering. And the lickback I'd powered through 11 episodes for was not only rushed through and poorly explained in the finale, but the person seeking revenge went straight back to subservience as soon as the husband showed up🤦🏾‍♀️.

I'm generally a fan of 'the heart wants what it wants' kind of love stories, but this was just stupid.

Final Thoughts:
Girl, I'm tired. I never want to hear about this drama ever again. I'm actively wiping it off my mind as I type this line.

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