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City of Romance chinese drama review
Completed
City of Romance
1 people found this review helpful
by Little Joy
Apr 23, 2025
22 of 22 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers

Cute, Complicated, and Kinda Addictive

A story that centers around Bai Xiaoduo, a college girl with a messy past—she used to struggle with her weight and now deals with the tangled web of lies she’s spun to protect herself. It sounds heavy, but the drama balances it all so well with themes like identity, trust, and growth, all set against the fun and colorful world of a college comic club.

What really pulled me in, though, was the characters—especially the dynamic between Bai Xiaoduo and Su Yancheng. And let’s just say, hello slow-burn romance. Su Yancheng is secretly the mysterious comic creator Black, and the way he and Xiaoduo interact? So much tension, so much chemistry, and so many sweet moments that had me smiling like an idiot. Their relationship goes from awkward and guarded to something really deep and genuine. I loved watching that slow shift—it felt earned, not rushed.

And I really appreciated how the show didn’t sugarcoat things. It tackled some pretty tough stuff—bullying, trauma, the fallout from lies—and did it with real sensitivity. Xiaoduo’s backstory was heartbreaking but also gave her character so much depth. I found myself rooting for her, even when she made mistakes, because the show made her so relatable.

The side characters were also a total win. Xiao Yang was adorable in that shy, lovestruck kind of way. And then there’s the tangled drama with He Rui and Yu Shubo, which added so much flavor to the story. Their friendships, little rivalries, and complicated feelings made the whole group dynamic feel super real.

And I loved the comic club setting. It wasn’t just a backdrop—it actually tied into the story in a meaningful way. Seeing the behind-the-scenes of comic creation, and how passionate everyone was about it, added a whole new layer of depth. Plus, the mystery of Black’s identity kept things extra juicy.

Pacing-wise, the drama did a pretty solid job balancing fun, lighthearted moments with deeper emotional ones. The romantic beats—especially those big confessions and quiet, tender scenes—were so well done. You could really feel the emotions.

That said, not everything hit perfectly. A few scenes—like the escape room bit and the scene where Xiaoduo was jealous seeing Yu Chi and Su Yancheng have such good rapport—felt a little over-the-top or didn’t land quite right emotionally. Also, a couple of the misunderstandings felt a bit too convenient, like they were just there to stir the pot - Yu Shubo and Yu Chi, for instance.

But those hiccups aside, the ending wrapped things up in such a satisfying way. Everyone faced their demons, grew as people, and came out stronger. I especially loved how Black’s identity reveal and Xiaoduo’s acceptance felt so sincere. The whole message about being honest and true to yourself really stuck with me.

All in all, this drama was such a rewarding watch. It had heart, it had tension, and it had characters I genuinely cared about. If you're into stories that mix romance, personal growth, and creative passion, definitely give this one a shot.
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