This review may contain spoilers
A standard formula done to a high standard. Sweet without being cloying, and two great romance storylines . . .
Yes yes, this is the time old plot of a quiet, handsome, a bit brooding, talented boy and bubbly, sweet with pluck girl. She wins him over with her straightforward good heart, and he's forever grateful she came into his life.
Why is this better than the rest? One is just how well, mostly through glances and small gestures, you can see our male lead fall helplessly for the female lead. And once he realises they are both on the same page, he confidently leads them into the future no doubts or bizzare hesitations just for plot points. Their relationship also matures with their age, and doesn't get stuck in some sort of strange immature 16 year old zone the whole show.
All the actors are excellent and along with the script they make you believe you've dropped in on a friendship group of teenagers. They also go through all the developmental stages modern kids went through - transferring schools, dealing with difficult parents, going to different universities, etc. And all these developments are honored and treated seriously as the pivotal life events they are. The show paces these hurdles with an excellent sense of timing.
This is a bit more traditional than I've seen in quite awhile, this isn't one where they are in equal partnership on all fronts:
- Our female lead Zaizai struggles for respect in the workplace, and is sexually harassed by a client with encouragement from her boss. She walks out of that dinner - good for her. But it's unclear why or how she is able to work there after?
- There is no cost of living crisis! Ranran our male lead somehow has the money for their first apartment and most of the wedding costs as well and a car! Zaizai contributes what she can but it's clear that Ranran is expected to be and is the primary leader and breadwinner.
This probably? Is my favorite of the Chinese dramas in this format on high school friends and lovers. The lack of darker plot points means I don't have to knock off points for mishandling red flags. And the show is pretty perfectly paced, with a beautiful soundtrack, well filmed, easy to watch.
I had skipped this for a long time as cloying nostalgic views of high school are usually not my cup of tea. But, I was wrong, this is worth a watch.
Yes yes, this is the time old plot of a quiet, handsome, a bit brooding, talented boy and bubbly, sweet with pluck girl. She wins him over with her straightforward good heart, and he's forever grateful she came into his life.
Why is this better than the rest? One is just how well, mostly through glances and small gestures, you can see our male lead fall helplessly for the female lead. And once he realises they are both on the same page, he confidently leads them into the future no doubts or bizzare hesitations just for plot points. Their relationship also matures with their age, and doesn't get stuck in some sort of strange immature 16 year old zone the whole show.
All the actors are excellent and along with the script they make you believe you've dropped in on a friendship group of teenagers. They also go through all the developmental stages modern kids went through - transferring schools, dealing with difficult parents, going to different universities, etc. And all these developments are honored and treated seriously as the pivotal life events they are. The show paces these hurdles with an excellent sense of timing.
This is a bit more traditional than I've seen in quite awhile, this isn't one where they are in equal partnership on all fronts:
- Our female lead Zaizai struggles for respect in the workplace, and is sexually harassed by a client with encouragement from her boss. She walks out of that dinner - good for her. But it's unclear why or how she is able to work there after?
- There is no cost of living crisis! Ranran our male lead somehow has the money for their first apartment and most of the wedding costs as well and a car! Zaizai contributes what she can but it's clear that Ranran is expected to be and is the primary leader and breadwinner.
This probably? Is my favorite of the Chinese dramas in this format on high school friends and lovers. The lack of darker plot points means I don't have to knock off points for mishandling red flags. And the show is pretty perfectly paced, with a beautiful soundtrack, well filmed, easy to watch.
I had skipped this for a long time as cloying nostalgic views of high school are usually not my cup of tea. But, I was wrong, this is worth a watch.
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