FreshKicks

Mind boggling ...

Beautifully stated. To linger over this drama's little flaws is like nitpicking a gift carefully picked out for you by someone special.

You should post this as a review so it doesn't get lost in the comment section. :)

I see three of my all-time favorites on that list so I can't argue with it. In fact it gives me ideas on what to watch next. :)

Thanks for sharing it!

This makes me curious to know which dramas got high ratings on douban? Every time somebody mentions the site it’s to say how badly something was rated.

Finally a series about musicians where the actors look like they're actually playing their instruments!

You're right! And it's still their show -- Tops is the name of the grocery chain and it's also the name of the character who cooks in every episode.

The only drawback has been that the episodes of 'Ingredients' could be sequenced in any random way because there's no real storyline. The episode I linked to is the first time that Win and Tops have moved past the friend zone lol.

The same two actors are in a 3-episode web series called 'He She It'. I don't dare say more since it would be a spoiler, but I recommend it. The two guys play characters who are very different from the ones they play in 'Ingredients'.

Not a perfect ending but still my favorite drama of 2020. It will be hard to beat even in 2021 lol.

Thank you to everyone for making this page so supportive and enlightening. I've learned a lot about Chinese drama and culture, and it made me so excited to come here after each episode to see what everyone thought.

So true.

I really did think that a redemption arc for her would be unworkable because her damage goes so deep, and sure enough it didn't ring true. If a series is going to go so far as to have a character try to kill herself then it should follow up with a more true-to-life depiction of the aftermath.

LMAO ... you probably won't believe this, but last night I was trying to think of something to watch and I thought, 'Oh, I need to see the second episode of LBC2!'

Then I started watching and realized I'd already watched it. xD

I think you bring up an interesting point. If '2gether' had been set in a middle school instead of a university then everything about Sarawat and Tine's relationship would have been relatable as a story about puppy love. Everyone including me would be fawning over how adorable it is.

What they've been doing, basically, is depicting a middle school crush in a college setting.

I interpreted that moment as Tine being comfortable with kissing Sarawat in public for the first time. After a year of living together in a relationship I sure hope he would have initiated a few kisses in private before then. :)

As an example of how there can be chemistry between two leads without skinship, watch this episode of 'Ingredients' .. it's short, don't worry! This is what you can get when the actors are comfortable in their roles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hBjb-k003U&t=600s

They make Sarawat and Tine look like two strangers seated next to each other on an airplane. :)

(Actually, they could cast these two in a remake of '2gether' and get it right this time lol.)

I thought the second episode of LBC2 improved on the first. Like you I'll be sticking with it.

I've been skipping the scenes with Ae. Perth's acting has become so mannered. They're also building up the mystery over why Ae and Pete broke up, so I hope the reason will be worth the suspense.

Possibly the final scene? LX has never looked happier, it's like he's a new person!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abi3h4ewDQs

Yes .. they appear to have expected to do a second season but that never happened. The last episode ends with a cliffhanger which if you ask me isn't really that suspenseful. If there'd been a second season I think the situation would have been handled quickly and decisively.

We should "go ahead ... and rewatch" :)

For some reason your reassurance reassures me the most. <3

It would indeed be rather strange for a transcendent drama like this to have the central couple break up at the very end. It would be all we remember it for.

I can't wait to experience a rewatch where I'll always know what's going to happen next and I can just enjoy the ride.

Same. And it will ruin the entire series.

I've watched a couple of dramas this year where they're uplifting and fun until the last episode and then it's like a bomb drops. If this series also ends up doing that to me it will be traumatizing.

I'd have to be reminded of any scene where JJ wasn't nice to her. She becomes awkward around her but she's never less than pleasant.

"She just needs people to see her as herself and not as her mother's daughter."

That says it all.