CapitalW

Yep. Pete with no shirt = tasty snack.

I feel the same. There’s only so much of her “cute antics” I can take.

Thank goodness. She’s so annoying.

Such a great review. I feel the same as you, that what we do get after all the censorship is is still sweet and beautiful. This drama made me smile so much, and as you say, the second couple is wonderful as well. Both Da Yu and Zhi Shui are lonely, vulnerable and guarded, but eventually you come to see that these boys will be together for a long time.

I truly respect the producers, directors, and actors who persevere to bring out such a series in China. No, we don't get to see any kissing and sex, but these things are certainly alluded to. As an example, my favorite "wink at the audience" is when Xia Yao and Yuan Zong tumble onto the couch together, with Xia Yao on top. He stares into Yuan Zong's eyes and as he seductively loosens his necktie he tells him he's not going to move. The scene then cuts to the bedroom with Xia Yao sitting up on the bed, playing a game on his iPad. His hair is mussed in a way that someone as vain as him would never allow, but we soon see that Yuan Zong is seated nearby. Immediately we know just how Xia Yao's hair got so messy and why he's in no hurry to put it back into place.

In some ways, these moments that substitute for more overtly staged acts require more care and creativity to pull off. In this regard Advance Bravely consistently delivers the goods with tenderness and humor.

thank you for the link and for your absolute love for this series .. your posts make me smile.

The second segment of Episode 9 made me sour on Type as well. And it irked me that they end that segment with Tharn getting kneed in the groin by his "boyfriend" and then as the next segment starts the two are back to normal as if it never happened.

The whole "jealousy" thing is being overworked. We get it already! And it puts both guys in a bad light.

Fortunately, I think for the rest of the season we'll be facing far more consequential issues.

Since we're hearing only the punchline of the joke and not the setup, I don't think we're meant to get the joke at all. Rather, I think the dialog was intended to show how comfortable the two boys have become around each other.

LOL seriously. I guess in Korean drama they know who to call when they need an evil principal haha.

I'm three episodes in and enjoying the series a lot, but the FL ... wow, such a loudmouth who over-acts from start to finish. Nobody else in the cast is yelling their lines like she does and it makes her stand out in the worst way. Plus she's clearly too old for the role.

I don't suppose there's any hope of her toning it down as the episodes progress? It says a lot for how good the series is that I'm willing to keep watching despite her.

Wonderful analysis!

Same leads as "My Youth" ... it's all about the chemistry!

I think he did well in the emotional moments toward the end. His character is reserved to start with -- always in control, striving to be perfect. It makes it even more impactful when we suddenly see emotion breaking through.

I had the same disappointment in the "keep it secret" part (it also drove me up the wall in "Gangnam Beauty") but I thought Miao Miao was redeemed when she explained that a part of her just couldn't believe that he liked her too, or that their relationship would last. She was so fearful that he would realize he'd made a mistake and change his mind, and didn't want to be humiliated in front of everyone else if that were to happen.

As for He Xin and Kaituo, I know I'm in the minority when I say that I thought their eventual pairing seemed forced. Between Kaituo and Miao Miao there was a real spark but I didn't feel there was much chemistry between him and He Xin.

Why did she never stop calling him "Senior" lol

Except for Miao Miao's sister. It seems the production didn't even try to make her seem older over time. When a kid is that age the difference in appearance from year to year can be significant.

It would have been nice to have a time-skip at the very end where we get to see her as an adult .. or maybe in a Season 2.

And the female lead that starts out clutzy and dorky and plain and is transformed by the end into a beautiful, self-assured woman of the world.

Three episodes in — I’m liking it so far but if the FL’s character were any more ‘plucky’ they’d have to send her to the chicken farm.

It’s ok to love both couples and both series ... I do! ^__^

You’re right! Those two roles were perfectly cast. There is real fire between them.

Thank you! So much about that scene felt strange to me. Perth’s acting was a bit “hammy” and there were these pauses where it was like someone in the group was trying to remember his lines.