3
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Hidden Love ʚଓ A Beautiful Story of Timing and True Love ʚଓ
SUMMARY ❀˖°🍓
Sang Zhi catches feelings for Duan Jiaxu the guy who used to always come over and hang out in her older brother’s room playing games. He’s five years older than her. When she was younger, she had this huge crush on him, but then they lost contact for a while. Later on, after Sang Zhi graduates, she ends up going to university in the same city as him. And from all their little moments together, getting closer day by day, they slowly fall in love. It’s based on "Secretly, Secretly; But Unable to Hide It" (偷偷藏不住) by Zhu Y.
Hidden Love is a beautiful, well-written love story that deals with friendship, sibling dynamics, family, and the journey of Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu’s love story. It’s about two people who started off at the right age and the right time. Sang Zhi is this vibrant, super friendly girl who first meets Duan Jiaxu when she’s young. As a teen, yeah, she did like him first, but as she grew up, she got to know him better and learned a lot of good lessons that helped her stay focused on her studies.
The way their story plays out is honestly so beautiful. They meet again when Sang Zhi leaves for university, and little by little, as they start talking more, Duan Jiaxu falls for her too. Eventually, he asks to woo her, and that’s when they officially get together. Hidden Love never made their story feel wrong or weird, Sang Zhi was at the right age, and everything happened at the right time. It was never about anything inappropriate, no matter what some people tried to say.
CHARACTERS 𓂃 ོ☼𓂃
Chen Zhe Yuan As Duan Jiaxu ⋆˙⟡♡
Starting off with Duan Jiaxu he’s such a well-written male lead. He went through some serious hardships because of what happened in his family. The consequences of his dad’s actions messed him up a lot, and people around him always criticized him no matter what he did. But even with everything he went through, Duan Jiaxu stayed focused. He never let it break him. He kept pushing toward his goals and worked hard to build a better future, not just for himself but also to pay off his family’s debt.
Along his journey, he met Sang Yan his male best friend, before he even crossed paths with Sang Zhi again. Then came Sang Zhi, and honestly, she was like this light that showed up during all his dark nights. But what’s beautiful too is that Jiaxu didn’t just rely on others he healed himself too.
Duan Jiaxu is a man of his word. He’s so determined, hardworking, and respectful. He doesn’t just care for Sang Zhi, he takes care of her in the most beautiful, patient way. And let’s be real, he’s also handsome, super charismatic, and elegant without even trying.
Chen Zheyuan absolutely brought this role to life. He didn’t just act Duan Jiaxu he became him. Every little look, every smile, the way he carried all of Jiaxu’s pain, hope, and love,it was so natural. I could feel everything through his expressions alone. He brought so much depth and softness to Jiaxu’s character that it made you love him even more. Honestly, no one else could have pulled off Duan Jiaxu the way Chen Zheyuan did. He understood the assignment and delivered it better than anyone could have imagined.
Zhao Lu Si As San Zhi 𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆🌷͙⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ
Sang Zhi is such a well-written female lead. I loved seeing all the transitions she went through how she handled being a younger sister, a daughter, a friend, and then growing into her own person. She was so good with her relationships with everyone around her. Whether it was with her family, her friends, or anyone she met, Sang Zhi always knew how to balance being sweet and playful while still being respectful. She’s the type of girl you can’t help but like because she’s real, she's humble, and she carries herself so well.
Even though her parents are rich, Sang Zhi never acted entitled. She was raised right, you could see it in the way she spoke, the way she treated people, and how she handled tough situations without ever looking down on anyone. And honestly, her maturity was such a treat to watch. She knew when to be playful, when to be serious, and when to step back and reflect. She was smart too, not just in school, but emotionally smart.
And Zhao Lusi? She Slayed in this role. She didn’t just play Sang Zhi, she made Sang Zhi feel alive. I kept rewinding during her close-up scenes because she was so gorgeous and her expressions were just perfect. Every little look she gave said more than words could. Lusi really captured all the layers of Sang Zhi, her innocence, her growth, her confidence and she made it look effortless. I really admire how she gave Sang Zhi so much heart and made you connect with her instantly.
Victor Ma As Sang Yan .☘︎ ݁˖
Sang Yan was such a good brother to Sang Zhi. You could really tell he cared about her deep down, even when he was acting all funny and teasing her. He never once treated her badly, it was always that typical older brother energy where he jokes around but would still fight anyone who hurt her. I loved how their sibling bond felt so real and natural, not forced at all. They bickered, they teased each other, but at the end of the day, Sang Yan always had Sang Zhi’s back.
And as a friend, Sang Yan was honestly such a good one to Duan Jiaxu too. He never judged Jiaxu for the hardships he went through and always treated him like family. Their friendship felt solid like even if they didn’t say much sometimes, you knew they were loyal to each other no matter what. Sang Yan was the bridge that connected Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu in the beginning without even knowing it, and I just loved how he was always present in both their lives without being overbearing.
Victor Ma's Acting here was very natural and good, i loved how he conveyed the comedy in this drama, it felt natural and not cring at all and he was very good as a big brother.
SUPPORTING CHARACTERS
I also have to say the supporting characters in this drama were so good. Everyone’s acting felt so natural and real. It never felt like they were acting just to move the story along; it felt like every character had their own life and story going on in the background. It made the whole world of the drama feel more alive and believable. You could tell the whole cast understood their roles and made everything come together so perfectly.
ROMANCE PART────୨ৎ────
I love the romance in the drama, everything came out at the right time, right moment, and the feelings were mutual and not forced at all. The maturity in Sang Zhi was such a treat to watch, Lusi really slayed here as she always does and I kept rewinding during all her close-up moments cos she's so gorgeous. I love how Jiaxu respects Sang Zhi and never crossed any boundaries.
I liked how the drama showed how a healthy relationship should be, just like Sang Zhi and Jiaxu, even when there is a misunderstanding they open up to each other on time. It’s so refreshing to see two characters communicate, compromise, and show vulnerability without it feeling too dramatic or over the top. Their dynamic felt like a real relationship – supportive, understanding, and full of mutual respect. The way Jiaxu listens to Sang Zhi and values her feelings is just... chef's kiss.
There are so many scenes I loved in the drama and I really liked the proposal scene, the birthday scenes, like I said every scene. EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM IS CUTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. The little moments of just them being together, laughing, or sharing a quiet gaze... it felt so pure. And let's not forget the chemistry, it's electric, but in such a natural way. These two were so in sync with each other, and it’s honestly the kind of relationship that makes you believe in love a little more. Just... PERFECTION.
Favorite Scenes 🐻❄️ྀིྀི
I loved the OST so much. It just blended perfectly with the drama. Every song matched the mood, and it made each scene even more emotional. The music didn’t overpower the moments ,it enhanced them.
Their first date
Sang Zhi’s birthday
Sang Zhi with her friends
Sang Yan and Sang Zhi’s bickering
Every moment of Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu’s relationship-from their awkward but sweet conversations to their more mature moments, I was living for all of it. Their growth as a couple was so natural.
The proposal scene
Overall Thoughts on Hidden Love ｡ ₊°༺❤︎༻°₊ ｡
Hidden Love is easily one of the best dramas I’ve watched. The story is so well-written, and everything just falls into place. The way love, family, friendship, and life in general are portrayed is amazing. Author Zhu Yi has a real gift when it comes to blending all these aspects and creating something that feels real and heartwarming. She doesn’t just write a love story she writes an entire life story. Honestly, I might need to ask her to write my own love story (LOL).
This drama is so rewatchable for me. It's never boring, and I can watch it over and over. I even watched the special episode where the behind-the-scenes cuts and the main leads shared their experiences. It was so nice seeing how comfortable they are with each other and how friendly they seemed off-camera. Since I joined the Hidden Love fandom a bit late, I’m not sure how the fans feel about each other, but I really hope Lusi and Jiaxu get paired up again. It’d be tough to get a second season, though.
The summer’s coming, so you bet I’m going to rewatch it again. Even when I was tired after work, I watched it, and it made me feel alive again. It’s just that good. Now, I’m diving into watching edits and even planning to create a Pinterest board for this drama.
So, would I recommend this drama? A thousand YES, no doubt. Would I rewatch it? Well, I’ve already said yes, and it’s a big YES. And here’s the thing: watch it at your own pace, don’t let FOMO rush you. I watched it at my own pace, and I enjoyed every moment of it.
🐻❄️ྀིྀི🧸🎀
"Our story began when he was 22 years old. I once buried my feelings towards him worried that someone else might find out. I worked hard to become a better person to match his pace. And when I finally caught up to him, that's when I knew that I wasn't the only one running. He was running towards me too. In these five whole years, I healed his trauma. He gave my bittersweet first love a happy ending. Our story began when he was 22 years old. And it came to an end when I was 22 years old" - Drama's Message ₍ᐢ. .ᐢ₎ ₊˚⊹
Hidden Love – Released 2023, Watched 2025 LOVED BY PRECIOUS ִ ࣪𖤐
Thanks For Reading ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ Final message from the BTS - Love changes one's chaotic life into two mutual journey, going through High's and lows together. ‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡🪐༘⋆
Sang Zhi catches feelings for Duan Jiaxu the guy who used to always come over and hang out in her older brother’s room playing games. He’s five years older than her. When she was younger, she had this huge crush on him, but then they lost contact for a while. Later on, after Sang Zhi graduates, she ends up going to university in the same city as him. And from all their little moments together, getting closer day by day, they slowly fall in love. It’s based on "Secretly, Secretly; But Unable to Hide It" (偷偷藏不住) by Zhu Y.
Hidden Love is a beautiful, well-written love story that deals with friendship, sibling dynamics, family, and the journey of Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu’s love story. It’s about two people who started off at the right age and the right time. Sang Zhi is this vibrant, super friendly girl who first meets Duan Jiaxu when she’s young. As a teen, yeah, she did like him first, but as she grew up, she got to know him better and learned a lot of good lessons that helped her stay focused on her studies.
The way their story plays out is honestly so beautiful. They meet again when Sang Zhi leaves for university, and little by little, as they start talking more, Duan Jiaxu falls for her too. Eventually, he asks to woo her, and that’s when they officially get together. Hidden Love never made their story feel wrong or weird, Sang Zhi was at the right age, and everything happened at the right time. It was never about anything inappropriate, no matter what some people tried to say.
CHARACTERS 𓂃 ོ☼𓂃
Chen Zhe Yuan As Duan Jiaxu ⋆˙⟡♡
Starting off with Duan Jiaxu he’s such a well-written male lead. He went through some serious hardships because of what happened in his family. The consequences of his dad’s actions messed him up a lot, and people around him always criticized him no matter what he did. But even with everything he went through, Duan Jiaxu stayed focused. He never let it break him. He kept pushing toward his goals and worked hard to build a better future, not just for himself but also to pay off his family’s debt.
Along his journey, he met Sang Yan his male best friend, before he even crossed paths with Sang Zhi again. Then came Sang Zhi, and honestly, she was like this light that showed up during all his dark nights. But what’s beautiful too is that Jiaxu didn’t just rely on others he healed himself too.
Duan Jiaxu is a man of his word. He’s so determined, hardworking, and respectful. He doesn’t just care for Sang Zhi, he takes care of her in the most beautiful, patient way. And let’s be real, he’s also handsome, super charismatic, and elegant without even trying.
Chen Zheyuan absolutely brought this role to life. He didn’t just act Duan Jiaxu he became him. Every little look, every smile, the way he carried all of Jiaxu’s pain, hope, and love,it was so natural. I could feel everything through his expressions alone. He brought so much depth and softness to Jiaxu’s character that it made you love him even more. Honestly, no one else could have pulled off Duan Jiaxu the way Chen Zheyuan did. He understood the assignment and delivered it better than anyone could have imagined.
Zhao Lu Si As San Zhi 𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆🌷͙⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ
Sang Zhi is such a well-written female lead. I loved seeing all the transitions she went through how she handled being a younger sister, a daughter, a friend, and then growing into her own person. She was so good with her relationships with everyone around her. Whether it was with her family, her friends, or anyone she met, Sang Zhi always knew how to balance being sweet and playful while still being respectful. She’s the type of girl you can’t help but like because she’s real, she's humble, and she carries herself so well.
Even though her parents are rich, Sang Zhi never acted entitled. She was raised right, you could see it in the way she spoke, the way she treated people, and how she handled tough situations without ever looking down on anyone. And honestly, her maturity was such a treat to watch. She knew when to be playful, when to be serious, and when to step back and reflect. She was smart too, not just in school, but emotionally smart.
And Zhao Lusi? She Slayed in this role. She didn’t just play Sang Zhi, she made Sang Zhi feel alive. I kept rewinding during her close-up scenes because she was so gorgeous and her expressions were just perfect. Every little look she gave said more than words could. Lusi really captured all the layers of Sang Zhi, her innocence, her growth, her confidence and she made it look effortless. I really admire how she gave Sang Zhi so much heart and made you connect with her instantly.
Victor Ma As Sang Yan .☘︎ ݁˖
Sang Yan was such a good brother to Sang Zhi. You could really tell he cared about her deep down, even when he was acting all funny and teasing her. He never once treated her badly, it was always that typical older brother energy where he jokes around but would still fight anyone who hurt her. I loved how their sibling bond felt so real and natural, not forced at all. They bickered, they teased each other, but at the end of the day, Sang Yan always had Sang Zhi’s back.
And as a friend, Sang Yan was honestly such a good one to Duan Jiaxu too. He never judged Jiaxu for the hardships he went through and always treated him like family. Their friendship felt solid like even if they didn’t say much sometimes, you knew they were loyal to each other no matter what. Sang Yan was the bridge that connected Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu in the beginning without even knowing it, and I just loved how he was always present in both their lives without being overbearing.
Victor Ma's Acting here was very natural and good, i loved how he conveyed the comedy in this drama, it felt natural and not cring at all and he was very good as a big brother.
SUPPORTING CHARACTERS
I also have to say the supporting characters in this drama were so good. Everyone’s acting felt so natural and real. It never felt like they were acting just to move the story along; it felt like every character had their own life and story going on in the background. It made the whole world of the drama feel more alive and believable. You could tell the whole cast understood their roles and made everything come together so perfectly.
ROMANCE PART────୨ৎ────
I love the romance in the drama, everything came out at the right time, right moment, and the feelings were mutual and not forced at all. The maturity in Sang Zhi was such a treat to watch, Lusi really slayed here as she always does and I kept rewinding during all her close-up moments cos she's so gorgeous. I love how Jiaxu respects Sang Zhi and never crossed any boundaries.
I liked how the drama showed how a healthy relationship should be, just like Sang Zhi and Jiaxu, even when there is a misunderstanding they open up to each other on time. It’s so refreshing to see two characters communicate, compromise, and show vulnerability without it feeling too dramatic or over the top. Their dynamic felt like a real relationship – supportive, understanding, and full of mutual respect. The way Jiaxu listens to Sang Zhi and values her feelings is just... chef's kiss.
There are so many scenes I loved in the drama and I really liked the proposal scene, the birthday scenes, like I said every scene. EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM IS CUTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. The little moments of just them being together, laughing, or sharing a quiet gaze... it felt so pure. And let's not forget the chemistry, it's electric, but in such a natural way. These two were so in sync with each other, and it’s honestly the kind of relationship that makes you believe in love a little more. Just... PERFECTION.
Favorite Scenes 🐻❄️ྀིྀི
I loved the OST so much. It just blended perfectly with the drama. Every song matched the mood, and it made each scene even more emotional. The music didn’t overpower the moments ,it enhanced them.
Their first date
Sang Zhi’s birthday
Sang Zhi with her friends
Sang Yan and Sang Zhi’s bickering
Every moment of Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu’s relationship-from their awkward but sweet conversations to their more mature moments, I was living for all of it. Their growth as a couple was so natural.
The proposal scene
Overall Thoughts on Hidden Love ｡ ₊°༺❤︎༻°₊ ｡
Hidden Love is easily one of the best dramas I’ve watched. The story is so well-written, and everything just falls into place. The way love, family, friendship, and life in general are portrayed is amazing. Author Zhu Yi has a real gift when it comes to blending all these aspects and creating something that feels real and heartwarming. She doesn’t just write a love story she writes an entire life story. Honestly, I might need to ask her to write my own love story (LOL).
This drama is so rewatchable for me. It's never boring, and I can watch it over and over. I even watched the special episode where the behind-the-scenes cuts and the main leads shared their experiences. It was so nice seeing how comfortable they are with each other and how friendly they seemed off-camera. Since I joined the Hidden Love fandom a bit late, I’m not sure how the fans feel about each other, but I really hope Lusi and Jiaxu get paired up again. It’d be tough to get a second season, though.
The summer’s coming, so you bet I’m going to rewatch it again. Even when I was tired after work, I watched it, and it made me feel alive again. It’s just that good. Now, I’m diving into watching edits and even planning to create a Pinterest board for this drama.
So, would I recommend this drama? A thousand YES, no doubt. Would I rewatch it? Well, I’ve already said yes, and it’s a big YES. And here’s the thing: watch it at your own pace, don’t let FOMO rush you. I watched it at my own pace, and I enjoyed every moment of it.
🐻❄️ྀིྀི🧸🎀
"Our story began when he was 22 years old. I once buried my feelings towards him worried that someone else might find out. I worked hard to become a better person to match his pace. And when I finally caught up to him, that's when I knew that I wasn't the only one running. He was running towards me too. In these five whole years, I healed his trauma. He gave my bittersweet first love a happy ending. Our story began when he was 22 years old. And it came to an end when I was 22 years old" - Drama's Message ₍ᐢ. .ᐢ₎ ₊˚⊹
Hidden Love – Released 2023, Watched 2025 LOVED BY PRECIOUS ִ ࣪𖤐
Thanks For Reading ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ Final message from the BTS - Love changes one's chaotic life into two mutual journey, going through High's and lows together. ‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡🪐༘⋆
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