I don't know how many times I've watched the closet scene in ep 30 :p he's such a tease! And the whole setup is hilarious. Some things don't change, whether they're 18 or 28!
Besides the weird jump between 27 & 28 (so much angst only for them to treat it like nothing happened and Qian Wei, on the brink of giving up on her belief that Lu Xin loves her, just...went and started her pursuit again?), I'm very happy with the episodes this week. I did wish that we had that dramatic sequence in the novel of intense kiss in public - classic airport chase + her declaration of love + him rushing back from his trip to "confirm" (ehem). When you love someone for so long, I would expect a bit more...I don't know, excitement or some sort of adjustment in dynamics, from boss-assistant to gf-bf? In any case, so excited that our couple is finally together in real life!!
Episode 27… did she not hear everything he said? I thought he was pretty clear..but her response to him was…
I think what he said was just his imagination, it didn't happen. But even then it was so weird for them to go back to normal as if nothing happened. Maybe lots of cut materials in between lol
We are coming to my absolute favourite part of the drama, which is when Qian Wei returns to the "present" timeline.…
Agree! And the drama already removed the 2 things I disliked the most about this part of the novel. One is how he makes her work overtime all the time just to keep her from dating - doesn't look like it was like that in the drama. Two is how he keeps her from big cases because he gets "distracted" with her around, even though he does ask other lawyers to give her their big cases. I like the subplot of the Morris case and how the thread runs from the past to the present. It also proved that he doesn't block her from big cases that he's on!
So since I'm in serious withdrawal with this drama, I'm gonna write about all the things I love about it:- The…
The plot: honestly speaking, most cdramas are 30 episodes too long. This drama is 33 eps, and at first I didn't get why we needed it. Turns out, we're getting a 2-in-1 deal! The first half is a youth time travel drama, and the second half is a workplace romcom!
I love how the youth portion portrays perfectly the themes of dreams, being young and fearless - and a bit foolish? - and second chances. Second chance stories are most poignant - regardless of whether the characters can "change the past" or turn things around ot not - when you see characters learn new lessons and embrace their current life, finding the things they treasure about it. You can view Qian Wei's real life as sad and "inferior" (Chong Wen's words, ep 23), or you can view it with her renewed eyes - she had a life, love, friends, a career she loves. All she needs is to pick herself up and try again!
The writing of the romance is also pitch perfect. Most of the time once the couple gets together, I get bored and stop watching lol the tension is no longer there! But here, the tension is in the fact that their life, career and romance are so interweaved, challenges they face in one aspect (e.g. Qian Wei's father passing, her internal struggle about "time traveling") affects the other. There's also the tension of, will she stay in this universe, or will she go? And the expected "forced separation" trope that happens midway through turns out to be not so forced, and is really touching. Their insecurities (him thinking she cares about everything but him, her thinking he only loves her "this time" because she has turned things around) are exposed - even with the supernatural element of time traveling, it still feels like a relatable and realistic relationship conflict. I was sad for them, but I wasn't mad - I'm fully on the journey that they're on and firmly believe they will be back together, in all and any universe!
In one of the trailers, Qian Wei said: "If this ring is really magical, take me back to the universe where Lu Xun loves Qian Wei." I can't wait for her to realize that she's already in that universe!
So since I'm in serious withdrawal with this drama, I'm gonna write about all the things I love about it: - The chemistry: it's always such a treat as a drama viewer when you could tell the actors clearly like each other [as people] in real life and are having a blast at their job. Tao & Zu Er make me 100% invested and believe in their enemy-turn-friends-turn-lovers dynamic.
- The acting: it's so rare to find a young actress who can do cute, funny, and serious as Zu Er. I saw her briefly in another drama a few years ago, and you could see either she improved leaps and bounds, or she just really clicked with this director. I have not seen Tao in any drama, and have heard mixed opinions even for this one, but I thought he really brought to life his character. When he's the "cold" boss, he's not stiff (as is the case with most "overbearing CEOs"); when he's playful, he's adorable; and when he's hurting, you'll hurt with him.
- The writing: mydramalist didn't list the writer, but I need to know! The drama has significantly improved both the plot and the writing compared to the novel, injecting depth in not just the 2 leads, but everyone around them, including the usually-flat Second Leads. Li Chong Wen is both your perennial clingy SML, AND a complex young man with difficult internal moral battles. Mo ZiXin - a HUGE improvement from the novel - starts out with the SFL setup to a T, and turns out to be a wonderful, thoughtful, and nerdy (!) girl who's a dear friend to our FL, love triangle be damned. I also love little details like how Qian Wei did not wait for any man to save her, but using her wits and "future" knowledge, got herself out of difficult situations.
- The plot - [this is where spoiler starts so I will put it in the next comment!]
Had a really good cry today for 23-24 :( their conflict is so realistic. I usually hate the forced separation trope midway through dramas but this makes sense. Can't wait for her to chase him!
I love how the drama turned a very straightforward romance novel into a very meaningful youth & adult drama about…
The additional details about how Qian Wei was initially able to turn things around, but then her brother still had to give up competitive swimming, her dad still passed away, makes her feel defeated and want to succumb to the notion of fate/inevitability. But in the preview for EP 25 we saw that she's taking the bar exam - now in her real life - and lovely contrasting montage of her school-era self. She finally lived up to what her younger self promised and it's lovely to see!
I love how the drama turned a very straightforward romance novel into a very meaningful youth & adult drama about chasing your dreams, second chances (in love and life/career), and family. See reply for more details, I'll put it in spoilers.
This is a fluff drama but the body count is too high! Mom died for plot purpose but what about Dad? What is his death even for? And Song Jin! Adorable baby! Why did he have to dieeeee
Besides the weird jump between 27 & 28 (so much angst only for them to treat it like nothing happened and Qian Wei, on the brink of giving up on her belief that Lu Xin loves her, just...went and started her pursuit again?), I'm very happy with the episodes this week. I did wish that we had that dramatic sequence in the novel of intense kiss in public - classic airport chase + her declaration of love + him rushing back from his trip to "confirm" (ehem). When you love someone for so long, I would expect a bit more...I don't know, excitement or some sort of adjustment in dynamics, from boss-assistant to gf-bf? In any case, so excited that our couple is finally together in real life!!
I love how the youth portion portrays perfectly the themes of dreams, being young and fearless - and a bit foolish? - and second chances. Second chance stories are most poignant - regardless of whether the characters can "change the past" or turn things around ot not - when you see characters learn new lessons and embrace their current life, finding the things they treasure about it. You can view Qian Wei's real life as sad and "inferior" (Chong Wen's words, ep 23), or you can view it with her renewed eyes - she had a life, love, friends, a career she loves. All she needs is to pick herself up and try again!
The writing of the romance is also pitch perfect. Most of the time once the couple gets together, I get bored and stop watching lol the tension is no longer there! But here, the tension is in the fact that their life, career and romance are so interweaved, challenges they face in one aspect (e.g. Qian Wei's father passing, her internal struggle about "time traveling") affects the other. There's also the tension of, will she stay in this universe, or will she go? And the expected "forced separation" trope that happens midway through turns out to be not so forced, and is really touching. Their insecurities (him thinking she cares about everything but him, her thinking he only loves her "this time" because she has turned things around) are exposed - even with the supernatural element of time traveling, it still feels like a relatable and realistic relationship conflict. I was sad for them, but I wasn't mad - I'm fully on the journey that they're on and firmly believe they will be back together, in all and any universe!
In one of the trailers, Qian Wei said: "If this ring is really magical, take me back to the universe where Lu Xun loves Qian Wei." I can't wait for her to realize that she's already in that universe!
- The chemistry: it's always such a treat as a drama viewer when you could tell the actors clearly like each other [as people] in real life and are having a blast at their job. Tao & Zu Er make me 100% invested and believe in their enemy-turn-friends-turn-lovers dynamic.
- The acting: it's so rare to find a young actress who can do cute, funny, and serious as Zu Er. I saw her briefly in another drama a few years ago, and you could see either she improved leaps and bounds, or she just really clicked with this director. I have not seen Tao in any drama, and have heard mixed opinions even for this one, but I thought he really brought to life his character. When he's the "cold" boss, he's not stiff (as is the case with most "overbearing CEOs"); when he's playful, he's adorable; and when he's hurting, you'll hurt with him.
- The writing: mydramalist didn't list the writer, but I need to know! The drama has significantly improved both the plot and the writing compared to the novel, injecting depth in not just the 2 leads, but everyone around them, including the usually-flat Second Leads. Li Chong Wen is both your perennial clingy SML, AND a complex young man with difficult internal moral battles. Mo ZiXin - a HUGE improvement from the novel - starts out with the SFL setup to a T, and turns out to be a wonderful, thoughtful, and nerdy (!) girl who's a dear friend to our FL, love triangle be damned. I also love little details like how Qian Wei did not wait for any man to save her, but using her wits and "future" knowledge, got herself out of difficult situations.
- The plot - [this is where spoiler starts so I will put it in the next comment!]