This review may contain spoilers
The Sun and Moon shines together!
This drama felt like watching the sun glow hot in the afternoon, then watching it set as a gust of cold air takes over. Eventually, the clouds disperse, the moon rises with stars shining brightly, and we end off with a quiet sunrise.
------Overall impression------
This drama left me feeling all the shades of love. First love, longing love, true love, fated love, last love, passionate love, friendship love, etc.
From the beginning, the tone of the story felt different from all of the C-dramas I have watched. Immediately, from the colour grading, acting, relationships between characters, and even the decision to set the story in Thailand first, it felt uniquely different. I was skeptical of the dynamic between the leads due to them being “siblings,” but almost right away the drama assured me that although the characters remembered each other as brother and sister, that memory was from over ten years ago.
As much as the main leads cling to that past relationship, they cannot help but acknowledge that they are now essentially strangers getting to know each other little by little. In truth, they are simply a man and a woman falling for each other.
By the end, I felt that the story tried its best to keep the pacing intact. There were definitely creative choices that could have been better in terms of what to cut and what to keep. I do not know much about Chinese censorship standards, so I will leave it at that. Still, I am grateful to the editor, director, actors, and producer for achieving something cohesive and genuinely sweet.
-------Emotional impact---------
The moments that affected me the most were:
1. When Mumu found out about ZhaoZhao’s underground boxing match. Her facial expression genuinely surprised me and pulled me in.
2. Episode 15, and honestly every kiss scene after that.
4. ZhaoZhao’s accident and Mumu’s desperation to know whether he was okay.
The ending felt satisfying, but I still wanted more. I needed extra scenes of their post-marriage life.
------Main couple and romance-------
The chemistry between the main leads is hard to describe. It felt like I needed to give them privacy while secretly peeking at them. It was like watching a real couple being sweet, but instead of feeling annoyed, I felt like Cupid appreciating his own work.
------Character development--------
The main characters played their parts well. This is something viewers have mixed opinions on, especially regarding Esther’s portrayal of 19 to 20-year-old Mumu. Personally, I understood her approach. Mumu was spoiled by her mother growing up, and while some viewers disliked her voice, that feels more like personal preference than an acting critique.
Her higher-pitched, small voice was used to show Mumu’s cunning side, how she uses cuteness to get ZhaoZhao and others to accommodate her. That said, there is room for refinement. Referencing performances by actors like Park Bo-young or Shin Eun-soo could have helped shape this portrayal further.
Mumu grew up accustomed to having things done for her, which explains her dependency. Over time, we see her become more independent, though her life still centers around ZhaoZhao. Her dream of astronomy was once ZhaoZhao’s dream, and she rejected many potential partners because of him.
ZhaoZhao’s character has more depth and is more thoroughly explored. His decisions toward Mumu are driven by his sense of “a man’s dignity” and the high standards he stubbornly upholds. What makes his arc satisfying is his gradual realization that it is okay to loosen that grip, to be vulnerable, and to let Mumu choose him even if he is not the “perfect” man he wants to be.
The supporting characters are not treated as accessories. San Lai, in particular, stands out as the true big brother of the story.
------Plot and pacing------
I have not read the original novel, so I cannot judge the adaptation fully. However, the editing does have issues. Some scenes could have been easily shortened to make space for others that were cut. For example, the scene where ZhaoZhao teaches San Lai how to drive was far too long and could have been reduced to a minute.
The climactic accident would have benefited from more tension in the scenes leading up to it. Showing more of the underground crime world could have increased the impact, though I understand this is not that kind of drama.
-------Themes and meaning------
I loved the consistent use of sun and moon symbolism. It made the romance feel more intentional and poetic. Ultimately, the story emphasizes that they are both human beings making a conscious choice to be together.
-------Production and atmosphere------
The cinematography was excellent. I was initially skeptical due to the production changes, but the final result deserves praise. Thailand was captured beautifully, and the contrast with China and Vancouver was handled thoughtfully, making each place feel distinct and well-represented.
-------Comparison and context-------
This drama did not feel like a typical C-drama. It felt slightly inspired by Wong Kar-wai films, mixed with 2000s Korean romantic films, and a hint of Taiwanese cinema.
-------Personal reflection-------
This drama felt like a gift to end 2025. It was blissful, heartfelt, and genuinely lovely to experience~
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Side note: Some viewers may dislike Esther’s voice, but it is something she grew up with and is part of the persona she shares with her fans. Disliking it is fine, but hurting or shaming someone over something that was never meant to cater to you is unjustifiable.
------Overall impression------
This drama left me feeling all the shades of love. First love, longing love, true love, fated love, last love, passionate love, friendship love, etc.
From the beginning, the tone of the story felt different from all of the C-dramas I have watched. Immediately, from the colour grading, acting, relationships between characters, and even the decision to set the story in Thailand first, it felt uniquely different. I was skeptical of the dynamic between the leads due to them being “siblings,” but almost right away the drama assured me that although the characters remembered each other as brother and sister, that memory was from over ten years ago.
As much as the main leads cling to that past relationship, they cannot help but acknowledge that they are now essentially strangers getting to know each other little by little. In truth, they are simply a man and a woman falling for each other.
By the end, I felt that the story tried its best to keep the pacing intact. There were definitely creative choices that could have been better in terms of what to cut and what to keep. I do not know much about Chinese censorship standards, so I will leave it at that. Still, I am grateful to the editor, director, actors, and producer for achieving something cohesive and genuinely sweet.
-------Emotional impact---------
The moments that affected me the most were:
1. When Mumu found out about ZhaoZhao’s underground boxing match. Her facial expression genuinely surprised me and pulled me in.
2. Episode 15, and honestly every kiss scene after that.
4. ZhaoZhao’s accident and Mumu’s desperation to know whether he was okay.
The ending felt satisfying, but I still wanted more. I needed extra scenes of their post-marriage life.
------Main couple and romance-------
The chemistry between the main leads is hard to describe. It felt like I needed to give them privacy while secretly peeking at them. It was like watching a real couple being sweet, but instead of feeling annoyed, I felt like Cupid appreciating his own work.
------Character development--------
The main characters played their parts well. This is something viewers have mixed opinions on, especially regarding Esther’s portrayal of 19 to 20-year-old Mumu. Personally, I understood her approach. Mumu was spoiled by her mother growing up, and while some viewers disliked her voice, that feels more like personal preference than an acting critique.
Her higher-pitched, small voice was used to show Mumu’s cunning side, how she uses cuteness to get ZhaoZhao and others to accommodate her. That said, there is room for refinement. Referencing performances by actors like Park Bo-young or Shin Eun-soo could have helped shape this portrayal further.
Mumu grew up accustomed to having things done for her, which explains her dependency. Over time, we see her become more independent, though her life still centers around ZhaoZhao. Her dream of astronomy was once ZhaoZhao’s dream, and she rejected many potential partners because of him.
ZhaoZhao’s character has more depth and is more thoroughly explored. His decisions toward Mumu are driven by his sense of “a man’s dignity” and the high standards he stubbornly upholds. What makes his arc satisfying is his gradual realization that it is okay to loosen that grip, to be vulnerable, and to let Mumu choose him even if he is not the “perfect” man he wants to be.
The supporting characters are not treated as accessories. San Lai, in particular, stands out as the true big brother of the story.
------Plot and pacing------
I have not read the original novel, so I cannot judge the adaptation fully. However, the editing does have issues. Some scenes could have been easily shortened to make space for others that were cut. For example, the scene where ZhaoZhao teaches San Lai how to drive was far too long and could have been reduced to a minute.
The climactic accident would have benefited from more tension in the scenes leading up to it. Showing more of the underground crime world could have increased the impact, though I understand this is not that kind of drama.
-------Themes and meaning------
I loved the consistent use of sun and moon symbolism. It made the romance feel more intentional and poetic. Ultimately, the story emphasizes that they are both human beings making a conscious choice to be together.
-------Production and atmosphere------
The cinematography was excellent. I was initially skeptical due to the production changes, but the final result deserves praise. Thailand was captured beautifully, and the contrast with China and Vancouver was handled thoughtfully, making each place feel distinct and well-represented.
-------Comparison and context-------
This drama did not feel like a typical C-drama. It felt slightly inspired by Wong Kar-wai films, mixed with 2000s Korean romantic films, and a hint of Taiwanese cinema.
-------Personal reflection-------
This drama felt like a gift to end 2025. It was blissful, heartfelt, and genuinely lovely to experience~
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Side note: Some viewers may dislike Esther’s voice, but it is something she grew up with and is part of the persona she shares with her fans. Disliking it is fine, but hurting or shaming someone over something that was never meant to cater to you is unjustifiable.
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