Rating it a 10 based on my impression mid series. The fact that I binged watched 23 of 36-episode series is pretty amazing by my standards as I generally fast forward the episodes of most cdramas. They tend to be overly dragged out with lots of pacing issues and fillers, not to mention silly females who need rescuing. Not this, not so far. I liked that the leads established their affections early, and clearly. Lots of communication and vulnerability shared in private moments. Both leads kept secrets from each other even though they were in love, but trusted that there were reasons to do so. Their responsibilities to country and family did not disappear overnight just because they have declared their feelings. Even though their obligations and duty are at odds, they understood each other and often in sync with their actions. Also, yay to a feminist family of women who ran businesses and owned assets. Also yay to confidently asserting one's desires without care of societal judgments, literally in cohabitation with each other and no one in the household blinked an eye! Very rare to see in a period drama.Part II of review, on completion.So, this was on track to be on my fav cDrama list but I never got the emotional payback. I really wanted the FL to show some vulnerability and trust for her partner. She remained in control and capable and unflappable. The only time where she appeared to have yielded to her feelings was when she was on the swing he built her, and she had smiled widely in delight. This huge emotional imbalance carried on to the end, and wished their relationship was more developed. I really wanted both leads to work together to showcase their bond, but the FL pretty much resolved the issues 5 steps ahead. ML had so much potential as a character but the 3rd arc of the show with his toxic family just threw the story off kilter. I guess it's meant to juxtapose his patriarchal family with her matriarchal one. Yay to strong, powerful women, but expressing emotions and leaning on your male loved ones for strength are not weaknesses. I think this show missed an opportunity there.
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*Spoilers* Wow. WOW. Bai Lu is amazing here. Her acting has matured so much, and I love that she isn't afraid to tackle serious shows and expand her versatility. I've watched quite a few of her series - all are great - but this one broke my heart. Top notch. I've only watched one other show of Ren Jialun in one other series but I loved him here in One and Only with Bai Lu. Their characters, the story, the entire main supporting cast (so well developed each one of them), the angst, slow burn, the unattainable and the depth of loyalty, love, honor. At 24 episodes, the series is the right length. In my top four cDrama (the others being Guardian, Till the End of the Moon, The Wind Blows from Longxi, Love is Sweet).
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Till the End of the Moon Episode 32
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They FINALLY talk in a calm and meaningful way, without YSW trying to be cute and loving to get yet another love thread/spike with intent to kill TTJ. TTJ understands the reason why she had to dupe him, without him reacting in jealousy and rage. Striped of all the duplicity and secrets and misunderstandings, this relationship has a much higher chance of working out than any of their previous pairings as YSW/TTJ and SJ/MY. Even though YSW/LSS tried to keep an emotional distance, this quiet conversation sitting across each other is way more honest and more real than any other talk they've ever had. AWESOME series!
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