sara

Xu Kai is not my favorite actor. I don't need to be a fan to tell which actor has screen presence for not. Also, I'm specifically talking about his character in that drama.

It's fine I'm not the only one who think SWL is stiff and lacks charisma. I don't need your validation for what I think about him.

It's not bc it's supposed to look that way. It's simply bc this director has very outdated style of directing.

Like I said, I've seen plenty of dramas set in 1990s and early 2000s that have better camerawork/editing/cinematography than this. Whether it's true or not, this drama just screams low budget.

Girl, are you an amateur? So just bc a drama is set in 2011–2012, the directing and cinematography have to be outdated too? Even cdramas set in the 1990s with big budgets can have way better camerawork/cinematography than this.

Nah, camerawork and editing doesn't have to be so old-fashioned just bc the story set in 2010s. I've seen several cdramas set in 1930-1990s with high budget have better directing/ cinematography than this.

I can tell if a drama is well-directed or not regardless of the year setting. A camerawork doesn't have to be so old-fashioned just bc the story set in 2012. I've seen few cdramas set in 1990s have better camerawork/cinematography than this.

And what about it? Have you seen the drama As Beautiful As You? You cannot tell me that Xu Kai doesn't have better charisma than SWL in this drama

I'm talking about the camerawork, not the overall vibe or setting. A drama can be set in 2011 and still be well-directed. There are plenty of dramas or TV shows set in the early 2000s or 2010s that have much better or more sophisticated directing.

Funnily enough, I've seen Chinese drama set in 1990s have better directing/editing/cinematography than this.

My first impression after watching the first 5 eps:

- It feels like I'm watching an old cdrama from 2015–2016. The directing/editing/cinematography feel really old-fashioned. I wonder if the budget was pretty low. I think the story would have much better potential if they'd had a stronger director.

- FL's character is very likable and charming. I love the way she always stands up for herself when needed. ZJM's acting is great and natural, as always. She makes the drama much more engaging than it would be otherwise.

- SWL is indeed good-looking but I find him quite boring to watch. I'm not sure if it's bc of his character, his acting, or the directing but he lacks charisma and screen presence as an executive. Xu Kai's role in As Beautiful as You is an example of similar type of character, but with much better charisma.

- I don't feel any chemistry yet, well it's still too early to tell but based purely on visual chemistry, it feels pretty meh.

- The drama isn't super gripping right now but it's also not bad enough for me to drop. I'll stick around for a few more episodes and see if it picks up.

Maybe believable if they parted on good terms. This wasn't.

Also, broke up during highschool and met 15 years later? They're basically strangers at that point.

IRL, no exes are getting back together after a full 6 years apart. 6 years is way too long, the heck. And the fact that it's still the FL who's doing the chasing even after their reunion, where's the proper groveling from the ML 😒

This drama wasn't bad but also wasn't particularly good either.

I'd say the best thing about this drama is its calm and cozy aesthetics and great ost, which really enhance the romantic scenes. Other than that, everything else feels just okay 👌🏻

The plot and storyline is okay-ish
The acting is okay-ish
The chemistry is okay-ish

Tbh I find both leads' acting very bland and weak, esp the ML. There are many scenes with nice lines I wish he could emote and deliver better. Still, the characters themselves are quite likable and well-written enough for me to look past some of the mediocrity.

When I say the nice, well-timed ost and visually pleasing aesthetics really help a lot with making the romance a little more engaging, I'm not lying bc most of the time the romance/chemistry isn't hitting except when the ost comes in.

TLDR: This drama can be very slow and boring but overall quite a decent watch if you have nothing else to watch. I'd recommend Meet Yourself for a drama with similar vibe but with more charming leads and better acting and chemistry.

I don't get comments like this. Why do you have a problem with the CPC being portrayed in a positive light? Why would you expect them to be shown in any other way when they are genuinely a good government that has greatly contributed to building the prosperous modern Chinese nation, alleviating poverty, and more?

They have always been viewed positively by Chinese citizens, even without these dramas. You probably have no idea how patriotic and proud ordinary Chinese citizens are of their government. They don't need propaganda to genuinely support their government, they can see the results of their improving lives and their country's development in various fields with their own eyes. The relationship between Chinese citizens and their government is not one of blind submission but rather a familial bond, like that between parents and children.

I don't know what kind of anti-China or anti-communism propaganda you've been exposed to all your life, or what trauma you might have with your own country's government, but it's not the fault of Cdramas or the entertainment industry if you have an issue with them telling realistic stories about their government, history and politics, and how CPC has served as an anchor for the development of modern China.

Can someone who has read the novel pls spoil for me how many years the story's timeline spans? And when do they start dating, while she's in college or later?

The dynamics are giving L&P core except Jin Zhao has much more pleasant personality than Li Xun. Despite the rebellious appearance, he doesn't come off cold, arrogant or intimidating at all. He lowkey looks more like an abandoned puppy or hurt stray cat. He was rather quiet and introverted and speak softly most of the time. I actually was kinda surprised with how pleasant the ML's personality is right from the start lol I thought a character like him would have the classic cold, arrogant personality and only warms up to FL later. Can someone who read the novel pls tell me if Jin Zhao's personality is supposed to be "soft" like this?

Yess her diction/enunciation/pronunciation or whatever it's called is really good her line just sounds clear and crisp it's satisfying to hear it.

FR which mdl admin or mod changed the poster.. It looks so low budget and unappealing😭 how is it supposed to attract people to watch the drama... the previous one was much nicer. The current poster doesn't do justice to how visually stunning this drama actually is

I really love the way this drama captured and portrayed the vibrant atmosphere of Bangkok it's so beautiful!!!

You keep talking about the first 10 mins. Did you even finish the first episode? The editing, cutting and flow of the scenes are just fine. Calling it bad/chopped is so reaching. Girl stop acting like you know stuff about technical aspect. Script aside, the directing and technical aspect is literally the most praiseworthy part about this drama. Maybe you should rewatch and realize how you're just being nitpicky cause everyone else had nothing but praise for its production quality.

Tf are you saying? Are we even watching the same drama? Are you watching with 360p quality or something. This drama literally has one of the finest coloring, editing and cinematography for modern dramas. Like you can tell this drama has high budget and quality production team behind it.

Wdym she said she's cold and it ends up with a slow mo hug instead of him taking off his jacket and put it on her, which is the more logical choice LOL I can't with this scene 🤣 It's lowkey cringe nevertheless I'm still enjoying the drama so far