Slow beginning but the pace picks up
It took me about half way through the story before I started to care about any of the characters. The pacing was a slow beginning introducing plot points and increasing as all the threads wove themselves together connecting into a finale. The soundtrack wasn’t able to match many moods and settings. I considered this a clunky romance while watching yet felt pretty happy and satisfied with the drama by the ending.This is my first stopping a drama checking the age of the actress wondering about a gap between FL and ML. Liu Jin at 27 is styled similar to Ester Yu in Speed and Love. I was thinking she was too young, beautiful and charismatic putting the ML into the background. Wang Kai Mu is fading and didn’t come across with his usual starring performance. The chemistry between these two wasn’t coming across as sizzling at all. There were moments when ML carries the FL around or was protecting her which were appealing as the size difference is prominent. The casting between the ML and FL was mismatched not the individual acting of these two who are both great in their roles individually.
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Revenge is a dish best served cold
The beginning was promising and the rest of the show is in the eye of the beholder. The casting is a mismatch for ML & FL. Plot has intriguing elements and dislikable ones. You quickly come to understand FL character’s motivations. The ML’s character is undeveloped and underrated. With just 50 episodes this melodramatic vertical short drama delivers a complete story of revenge. The soundtrack is ok. Rewatch value low.Was this review helpful to you?
Modern secretary CEO romance
I enjoyed watching the spunky FL making her choices and living them out. She was realistic in understanding class differences and making herself romantically unavailable to ML drawing clear lines. This was a fairly typical CEO romance missing grand gestures instead knowing a person over time and appreciating them with flaws. I kept thinking if ML wasn’t so jaded and disillusioned he could have put in more effort pursuing FL. As a CEO he was decently respectful and not overly dominant. Wang Kai Mu lights up the screen with his charismatic charm as a rich CEO. My only complaint is around the third quarter mark where a bunch of plot points seem to be thrown in to make an ending happen.Was this review helpful to you?
Sizzling and palpable tension for leads
If age gap tropes aren’t to your taste this one could easily convince you. There’s electric tension between the leads. The plot and acting build up a sense of anticipation, or "longing," where every interaction feels like a teaser for a deeper connection. Wang Chen Peng is excellent as the ML. I liked him in Roses and Pines with a similarly aged older man/younger woman relationship. The soundtrack works well with setting up the scene moods. Huge rewatch value story, acting, cinematography is great for a short drama.Was this review helpful to you?
One of my favourite rom com
This is one of my favourite rewatches. It’s a short drama bringing first laughter and then emotion as you understand it’s a heartbreaking story of tragedy and devotion. I love the duo of Yang Mie Mie and Yu Long as acting partners. Their performances never fail to deeply move me. The productions seamless editing takes you from beginning to end immersing you into the characters living reality. The soundtrack enhances the humor, timing, and atmosphere of the scenes.Was this review helpful to you?
Unique story and surprisingly interesting watch
The synopsis for this on mydramalist is accurate which left me sceptical for watching. With only a 1hr14min running time it’s surprising how much plot and storyline is achievable. A low budget k drama being raised up by the entire cast performance’s into a slightly romantic and believable show. Interesting and unique story I would watch a full 16 episode drama series about if available. Rewatch value is high especially if a better platform to view the subtitles and fix lagging sound could be found.Was this review helpful to you?
Immersive first class and well balanced
This drama is memorable and a definite rewatch. Very attractive casting and the styling is top notch. It’s my first time seeing Huang Bo and Fan Di Yu in a production. Great acting by both and very entertaining bringing up spicy level together. I find it superior to previous short dramas of similar plot lines. The storyline plays out minimizing the toxicity while maintaining the tension and darker elements. There’s never not going to be power imbalance and dubious consent with this type of younger/older trope so compliments to writers for doing this so well. The soundtrack is perfectly matching the scenes tones. It didn’t just fill the background instead was integral to telling the story.Was this review helpful to you?
A deeply layered romance
I went into this knowing an emotional roller coaster would be waiting for me. The writing, acting, soundtrack and production delivering it up masterfully. The ML’s puppy dog demeanour chasing his idealistic love is endearing and irresistible from Wang Kai Mu. The FL’s story arc carries you forward wanting fairness for her in all areas of life. The dialogue is precise in laying out her circumstances and situations presenting her as a social commentary. An ordinary person with coworkers, friends, family, health, employment and social systems all suppressing , using, betraying and invalidating her. Even having a loving relationship is pressuring to her needing to be protective, caring and not allowing his goodness to be tarnished. This has no villain or villainess taking extreme actions instead people surrounding the FL being self serving and uncaring of the FL as a person. Soundtrack matches the moods without being overpowering. The rewatch value is high as this is a great romantic tear worthy drama.Was this review helpful to you?
Go for the ride with this toxic red flag trope
Definitely an imaginative piece of work. I kept watching holding onto hope the FL could catch a break. The FL does an amazing job acting out fragility, dignity when there’s none to be had and actions stemming from love for a family member. Beautiful and pitiful throughout. As for the ML, he is the definition of why watching someone attractive being toxic becomes tolerable. You can’t stop watching his portrayal of cold masculinity waiting for any type of redemptive arc to begin. Even the villainess did great staying true to an evil punishing plot trying to keep her man. I didn’t really notice the soundtrack it must have blended well and not been intrusive. I’d rate this a one time watch only due to how poorly the FL was treated. Go along for the ride and allow the story arc to take you down to the depths and rise back up again.Was this review helpful to you?
