The drama started off strong, but unfortunately, it quickly lost its way.
I had high hopes for this drama, but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my expectations. CZY's appearance in this drama was noticeably different from his previous roles. He truly stood out here – his charisma and handsome looks were undeniable. He shines even more in modern settings, like in this drama and Hidden Love. CZY in a military uniform with that haircut was striking. Thankfully, there was no dramatic, weird makeup like in some of his other dramas. His piercing eyes and irresistible smile captivated me, and his voice, so soothing and compelling, added so much depth. He definitely brought Azan to life in a way that felt authentic and emotional, especially in his teary scenes. It was clear that CZY put his all into this role, and I have to give him credit for a phenomenal, TOP-NOTCH performance.As much as I LOVE Chen Zhe Yuan, I found myself unable to continue watching past episode 20. The first few episodes really pulled me in, and I was hopeful for how the story would unfold. However, after the candy bomb, the plot became increasingly chaotic and harder to follow, especially after the characters returned to the city. The pacing slowed down, and I found myself missing them when they were in the East Country, but unfortunately, it didn’t maintain that same level of engagement. Jiang Lin’s death came too early and disrupted the flow of the story. While trauma is an important theme, his death seemed to unravel the characters, causing them to retreat into their own emotional worlds rather than pushing the plot forward.
Liang Jie is a talented actress – I’ve enjoyed her in Eternal Love, but I struggled to connect with her portrayal of Song Ran. Song Ran often came across as more obsessive than anything, and her personality seemed more passive than I expected. As a reporter, I anticipated more strength and agency from her, especially during critical moments like the candy bomb and when she was captured (based on the short clip). I understand her love for Azan, but her behavior often felt overwhelming and took away from the story's depth. She literally spent the entire drama chasing after Azan, more than anything else. I wish she had dialed back her obsession a bit and focused more on her role as a reporter. It would have been more compelling if she had shown more resourcefulness, instead of waiting for Azan to rescue her. While I don’t expect her to handle everything on her own, it would have been nice to see her keep fighting until help arrived, rather than sitting there unsure of what to do.
Though I’m not entirely sure of the specifics, as I only saw brief clips, the moments when Azan was captured and tortured felt repetitive. They seemed primarily focused on deepening his emotional pain without advancing the overall story. His struggles with guilt and trauma were valid, but the execution felt a bit forced. The way these events unfolded didn’t seem fully justified within the narrative, especially considering he had just begun to overcome his initial trauma. I mean, he had just finally gotten past it – ok, yall!!! SMH. The loss of Ben also felt pointless, as his death didn’t serve a meaningful purpose in the story, especially since he was one of the heroes. How does one jump into a hot pit without backup??? Additionally, while the book Azan wrote about their memories was heartbreaking, it added an extra emotional layer that wasn’t needed, given how heavy the drama already was.
On a positive note, there were moments that truly stood out. For instance, when Shen Bei referred Azan as her boyfriend and Song Ran teared up, or when Azan found SR after the mishap on the way to Happo (though I may not recall the name exactly), those moments were emotionally impactful. The airport reunion was especially memorable—Azan was just so FINEEE! Of course, Azan’s charm, calm demeanor, and piercing eyes really shone through in those emotional scenes. When they finally reunited after the breakup, Azan remained as lovable as ever. Still, I wished both characters had shown more emotional resilience and mental strength.
While I’m glad the ending didn’t follow the novel’s direction, I found the final tone of the drama to be too heavy and emotionally draining. Azan's suffering, especially after being tortured, was heartbreaking. He seemed to change so drastically from the strong, capable man we saw at the start to someone entirely different, which left me feeling disoriented. The drama’s tone became overwhelming, and I think a more resolved or uplifting ending could have kept viewers more engaged. Instead, it felt like an emotional rollercoaster that ultimately fizzled out, with the characters marrying, eloping, and disappearing into thin air under the Olive Tree. I don’t really care if they lived for years before disappearing because the ending felt rushed. As a result, the drama left me feeling more exhausted than fulfilled. Will I continue watching it? Probably not.
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