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Good Chemistry, Weak Characters
I really wanted to love Hidden Love. I enjoy slow-burn romances, well-acted leads, and dramas where characters know what they’re doing. Age gaps and inexperienced male leads don’t bother me at all, and I usually binge dramas in 1–3 days. Yet, this one turned out to be a different experience entirely.
I first started watching it in 2024, and I was intrigued by the story. The first two episodes were enjoyable, with sweet chemistry between the leads, Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu. But after that, I couldn’t get fully invested. Over time, I found myself watching sporadically—maybe one episode here and there sometimes taking months between episodes.
The strongest point of the drama is the lead chemistry. Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu’s interactions are natural and easy, and the romance has genuinely sweet moments. I found myself giggling, smiling, and even kicking my feet during their cute interactions. Sang Yan, Sang Zhi’s older brother, is another standout. His playful, protective personality adds humor, warmth, and depth, making me wish he appeared even more often. Sang Zhi’s parents are also well-portrayed a calm, mature, healthy couple, which is surprisingly comforting.
However, there were several issues that made it hard for me to continue. Sang Zhi’s early behavior in college felt overly childish, and the timid first interactions with Duan Jiaxu were a little cringe at times. The pacing was very slow, and repeated reminders that “Sang Zhi has grown up” felt unnecessary and repetitive.
The biggest problem for me was Duan Jiaxu’s sudden shift in feelings. While Sang Zhi’s crush develops naturally, his emotional change felt abrupt and came out of nowhere. It disrupted the slow-burn dynamic that I normally enjoy and made it hard to fully connect with the romance.
Side characters were also underdeveloped. Their stories felt cookie-cutter and bland, leaving large parts of the narrative feeling stagnant. Even after almost a decade passed in the story, character growth was minimal, which made the journey less engaging.
Over nearly 1.5 years, I tried really hard to keep up with the drama. I forced myself to watch an episode almost every day, but it felt more like a chore than an enjoyable experience. Finally, around episode 16, I decided to drop it. While I enjoyed the leads and their chemistry, the lack of side character depth, the slow pacing, and the abrupt male lead development were too much for me to continue.
Overall:
Hidden Love has sweet moments, excellent lead chemistry, and heartwarming family dynamics. Fans of slow-burn romance with a feel-good, calm atmosphere will likely enjoy it. But if you value consistent character development, engaging side characters, or a gradual emotional arc for all leads, this drama may test your patience.
Rating: 7/10
Tips for viewers:
Perfect if you love slow-burn romance and heartwarming family interactions.
Be prepared for very slow pacing in the early episodes.
Don’t expect strong secondary character development.
Requires patience, especially if you tend to binge-watch.
I first started watching it in 2024, and I was intrigued by the story. The first two episodes were enjoyable, with sweet chemistry between the leads, Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu. But after that, I couldn’t get fully invested. Over time, I found myself watching sporadically—maybe one episode here and there sometimes taking months between episodes.
The strongest point of the drama is the lead chemistry. Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu’s interactions are natural and easy, and the romance has genuinely sweet moments. I found myself giggling, smiling, and even kicking my feet during their cute interactions. Sang Yan, Sang Zhi’s older brother, is another standout. His playful, protective personality adds humor, warmth, and depth, making me wish he appeared even more often. Sang Zhi’s parents are also well-portrayed a calm, mature, healthy couple, which is surprisingly comforting.
However, there were several issues that made it hard for me to continue. Sang Zhi’s early behavior in college felt overly childish, and the timid first interactions with Duan Jiaxu were a little cringe at times. The pacing was very slow, and repeated reminders that “Sang Zhi has grown up” felt unnecessary and repetitive.
The biggest problem for me was Duan Jiaxu’s sudden shift in feelings. While Sang Zhi’s crush develops naturally, his emotional change felt abrupt and came out of nowhere. It disrupted the slow-burn dynamic that I normally enjoy and made it hard to fully connect with the romance.
Side characters were also underdeveloped. Their stories felt cookie-cutter and bland, leaving large parts of the narrative feeling stagnant. Even after almost a decade passed in the story, character growth was minimal, which made the journey less engaging.
Over nearly 1.5 years, I tried really hard to keep up with the drama. I forced myself to watch an episode almost every day, but it felt more like a chore than an enjoyable experience. Finally, around episode 16, I decided to drop it. While I enjoyed the leads and their chemistry, the lack of side character depth, the slow pacing, and the abrupt male lead development were too much for me to continue.
Overall:
Hidden Love has sweet moments, excellent lead chemistry, and heartwarming family dynamics. Fans of slow-burn romance with a feel-good, calm atmosphere will likely enjoy it. But if you value consistent character development, engaging side characters, or a gradual emotional arc for all leads, this drama may test your patience.
Rating: 7/10
Tips for viewers:
Perfect if you love slow-burn romance and heartwarming family interactions.
Be prepared for very slow pacing in the early episodes.
Don’t expect strong secondary character development.
Requires patience, especially if you tend to binge-watch.
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