This review may contain spoilers
Definitely an overrated show
This was definitely... an experience. I started this drama with lots of expectation because throughout the episodes' release I came across good reviews and some praise about it, but it did disappointed me, unfortunately. For this review, I want to break the show into two moments: pre and post-time skip.
I already want to state that the drama is very well produced and has a beautiful visual aspect to it. The soundtrack also rocks. The main problem is that the pre-time skip is really silly and childish. Like, they really tried to sell the mature aspect of the show, but it feels like you're watching a high school drama instead.
Starting with the FL, whose only personality trait is being cute. Really, I've seen other dramas with Esther Yu and I usually like her bubbly characters, but I missed something more in this one. In the first few episodes, they tried to give her some traits (like the subtle knowldge in mechanics and the black belt in taekwondo), but those just dissapear into thin air and she just keeps being treated like a child by everyone around her. Mind you, she's already 20 years old at this point.
Now about the ML. I thought he was very cool at the beginning. He's hot, caring, book smart AND street smart and he only has eyes for the FL (since he was a child). However, at some point after they start dating, he begins to act like he carries the world on his shoulders. He doesn't tell her ANYTHING about his struggles, in a way that, everything she comes to know about his whereabouts, she knows through a third party.
The accident arc was insufferable to watch and his actions were ridiculous. He ghosted her for 6 YEARS, claiming that he didn't want to be a burden to her, since he was crippled and vulnerable. So he made all of their friends and family lie to her, saying that they had no idea where he was, so that she would stop contacting him. I hate when characters act like they know what’s better for their partners and don’t allow them to make their own choices (and that’s the case here).
The action scenes are good and the racing theme was also cool, but that's it. After some time it becomes quite repetitive.
Now about the post time-skip: 6 years. REALLY? But, I guess we should be thankful for that, since the drama becomes better afterwards IF you ignore the ML’s actions. The FL spends about 2 or 3 episodes trying to get closer to him after their separation, while he pushes her away. Despite all that, I really enjoyed the ending, and what they did to the characters, especially the secondary ones, who were really cool since the beginning. The FL also changes a bit and becomes slightly more interesting and mature.
Overall, the romance carries the whole drama. The leads are very passionate about each other and they have great romantic scenes. Their kisses feel real and you can feel how much they yearn for each other. I liked that they were equally thirsty, which is very unusual for a Chinese drama. After the time-skip, FL was not shy at all. When they get back together, she literally gets on top of him and starts kissing him all over. I think that’s very realistic. It is very annoying when they portray girls who are always scared and hesitant about intimacy, to the point where it feels unrequited. That is why I get it why some people loved the show and ignored the other aspects.
However, everything else feels average and overrated. They could've cut at least 5 episodes without any problem. I confess that I was hesitant about watching this drama at first because I'm not into the adoptive siblings trope, but you easily get over it after a couple episodes. Especially because they don't have sibling energy after they become adults. I mean, he has always liked her, and on episode 2 my girl was already SCANNING him head to toe.
If you don't care about the plot and only want to watch some romance, you might enjoy this one. But if you are kind of picky (like me), you will feel bothered by the aspects I mentioned.
I already want to state that the drama is very well produced and has a beautiful visual aspect to it. The soundtrack also rocks. The main problem is that the pre-time skip is really silly and childish. Like, they really tried to sell the mature aspect of the show, but it feels like you're watching a high school drama instead.
Starting with the FL, whose only personality trait is being cute. Really, I've seen other dramas with Esther Yu and I usually like her bubbly characters, but I missed something more in this one. In the first few episodes, they tried to give her some traits (like the subtle knowldge in mechanics and the black belt in taekwondo), but those just dissapear into thin air and she just keeps being treated like a child by everyone around her. Mind you, she's already 20 years old at this point.
Now about the ML. I thought he was very cool at the beginning. He's hot, caring, book smart AND street smart and he only has eyes for the FL (since he was a child). However, at some point after they start dating, he begins to act like he carries the world on his shoulders. He doesn't tell her ANYTHING about his struggles, in a way that, everything she comes to know about his whereabouts, she knows through a third party.
The accident arc was insufferable to watch and his actions were ridiculous. He ghosted her for 6 YEARS, claiming that he didn't want to be a burden to her, since he was crippled and vulnerable. So he made all of their friends and family lie to her, saying that they had no idea where he was, so that she would stop contacting him. I hate when characters act like they know what’s better for their partners and don’t allow them to make their own choices (and that’s the case here).
The action scenes are good and the racing theme was also cool, but that's it. After some time it becomes quite repetitive.
Now about the post time-skip: 6 years. REALLY? But, I guess we should be thankful for that, since the drama becomes better afterwards IF you ignore the ML’s actions. The FL spends about 2 or 3 episodes trying to get closer to him after their separation, while he pushes her away. Despite all that, I really enjoyed the ending, and what they did to the characters, especially the secondary ones, who were really cool since the beginning. The FL also changes a bit and becomes slightly more interesting and mature.
Overall, the romance carries the whole drama. The leads are very passionate about each other and they have great romantic scenes. Their kisses feel real and you can feel how much they yearn for each other. I liked that they were equally thirsty, which is very unusual for a Chinese drama. After the time-skip, FL was not shy at all. When they get back together, she literally gets on top of him and starts kissing him all over. I think that’s very realistic. It is very annoying when they portray girls who are always scared and hesitant about intimacy, to the point where it feels unrequited. That is why I get it why some people loved the show and ignored the other aspects.
However, everything else feels average and overrated. They could've cut at least 5 episodes without any problem. I confess that I was hesitant about watching this drama at first because I'm not into the adoptive siblings trope, but you easily get over it after a couple episodes. Especially because they don't have sibling energy after they become adults. I mean, he has always liked her, and on episode 2 my girl was already SCANNING him head to toe.
If you don't care about the plot and only want to watch some romance, you might enjoy this one. But if you are kind of picky (like me), you will feel bothered by the aspects I mentioned.
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