Chuuya

There’s a considerable amount of dramas full of overly wrought love stories in which the conflict seems contrived merely to create drama, comedy or both.

In One and Only the love is so simple yet intricate, that it feels totally believable.

This is one my favourite dramas of all time. The quality of the acting leaves me breathless.

The attraction between Shiyi and Shengchen is obvious, but genuine, and is filled with the kind of "touches" that make it feel real.

Because all of us intuitively know what they are going through as they strip away layer after layer. Who of us hasn't feared exposure of the person we feel the world shouldn't see? As such, we are drawn into their secret as we see them shouting their feelings without a sound. Because one can find someone to share that silence with, and it is that that makes being vulnerable worth it.

There is a scene I can’t seem to forget where Shengchen and Shiyi were simply looking at each other eyes, and yet, the magnificent depth and variety of what "those eyes" express is overwhelmingly powerful.

Not every unforgettable love story needs to have a happy ending. The ending while tragic is perfectly fitting;

From the beginning, it was a forbidden love, and a silent one, as historically speaking, women didn’t have a lot of rights in Ancient China and were expected to marry whomever the family selected.

On the other hand, even if you were the most loyal General of the Emperor, he could still execute you for any reason at all. It was portrayed as realistically as possible, and beautifully done. It is also a visually beautiful drama.

The haunting OST sets a marvellous tone for the drama, and I found myself listening the main song over and over, each time tracking the path of each voice, an all-embracing delight. It weaves itself into your consciousness through flawless vocals and longing lyrics.

A must-watch.