This review may contain spoilers
A Love So Beautiful... and Frustrating
There's something quietly timeless about A Love So Beautiful. It doesn't rely on big dramatic twists or over-the-top angst. Instead, it captures the sweet awkwardness of youth and the quiet complexities of growing up. The drama focuses on the long, winding road between two people who clearly love each other but don’t always know how to show it.
The acting is one of the strongest elements. Emotions are delivered with a natural, grounded feel that makes the story feel sincere. Wu Bosong’s character is especially well-portrayed. His loyalty, heartbreak, and quiet moments of sadness are deeply moving. But at the same time, his role in the love triangle isn’t as innocent as it seems.
Truthfully, Wu Bosong might have been the most selfish of them all. He knew, just like everyone else, that Xiaoxi liked Jiang Chen. Her feelings weren’t hidden; they were obvious to anyone paying attention. Even after being rejected multiple times, he continued to pursue her, hoping she might change her mind. While that came from love, it also contributed to more confusion and emotional pressure for both Jiang Chen and Xiaoxi. His repeated efforts to sway her feelings complicated things unnecessarily.
The plot overall is enjoyable, with a good mix of warmth and nostalgia, but there are moments that can be frustrating, mainly due to character decisions. Jiang Chen is often seen as emotionally distant, but it becomes clear over time that he’s just socially awkward and struggles to express himself. Xiaoxi, meanwhile, is sweet and passionate, but she has a tendency to be emotionally reactive and inconsistent.
One scene in particular really drove this home. Xiaoxi calls Jiang Chen to ask if he can go to a realtor appointment. He immediately offers to take the day off without even knowing what it was about, which shows he wants to be there for her, but she refuses, telling him it’s fine and not to worry. She doesn’t even tell him why she wanted him to come. Then later, she gets upset that he didn’t show up. That kind of contradiction becomes a pattern: saying one thing, feeling another, and expecting him to somehow know.
And honestly, I got pretty mad at the couple during the moment where Xiaoxi complains that she always has to guess what Jiang Chen is thinking. Because yes, he’s closed off, but with all her mixed signals, he also has to guess what she’s feeling. And because he’s awkward and overthinks everything, he almost always guesses wrong. He probably got used to her being upfront about her emotions, so when she stopped doing that, it made things worse. That breakdown in communication chipped away at their relationship more than any outside force ever did.
Even Lin Jingxiao, Xiaoxi’s best friend, calls her out gently but clearly. Yet Xiaoxi still chooses to shut down, avoid confrontation, and “forget” about Jiang Chen instead of talking things through.
Watching this drama for the first time now, years after its 2017 release, offers a clearer view. Without the emotional hype and nostalgia clouding judgment, it’s easier to appreciate the genuine moments while still recognizing the flaws. Back then, it probably would've felt like a perfect 10 because of all the hype. But watching it now, it feels more like a heartfelt, imperfect story about growing up and learning how to love better.
A Love So Beautiful isn’t without its faults. The story can be emotionally messy, and the characters often get in their own way. But that honesty is part of its charm. It doesn’t romanticize everything. It shows how even genuine love can be clumsy, confusing, and frustrating. And in that way, it really does leave a mark.
The acting is one of the strongest elements. Emotions are delivered with a natural, grounded feel that makes the story feel sincere. Wu Bosong’s character is especially well-portrayed. His loyalty, heartbreak, and quiet moments of sadness are deeply moving. But at the same time, his role in the love triangle isn’t as innocent as it seems.
Truthfully, Wu Bosong might have been the most selfish of them all. He knew, just like everyone else, that Xiaoxi liked Jiang Chen. Her feelings weren’t hidden; they were obvious to anyone paying attention. Even after being rejected multiple times, he continued to pursue her, hoping she might change her mind. While that came from love, it also contributed to more confusion and emotional pressure for both Jiang Chen and Xiaoxi. His repeated efforts to sway her feelings complicated things unnecessarily.
The plot overall is enjoyable, with a good mix of warmth and nostalgia, but there are moments that can be frustrating, mainly due to character decisions. Jiang Chen is often seen as emotionally distant, but it becomes clear over time that he’s just socially awkward and struggles to express himself. Xiaoxi, meanwhile, is sweet and passionate, but she has a tendency to be emotionally reactive and inconsistent.
One scene in particular really drove this home. Xiaoxi calls Jiang Chen to ask if he can go to a realtor appointment. He immediately offers to take the day off without even knowing what it was about, which shows he wants to be there for her, but she refuses, telling him it’s fine and not to worry. She doesn’t even tell him why she wanted him to come. Then later, she gets upset that he didn’t show up. That kind of contradiction becomes a pattern: saying one thing, feeling another, and expecting him to somehow know.
And honestly, I got pretty mad at the couple during the moment where Xiaoxi complains that she always has to guess what Jiang Chen is thinking. Because yes, he’s closed off, but with all her mixed signals, he also has to guess what she’s feeling. And because he’s awkward and overthinks everything, he almost always guesses wrong. He probably got used to her being upfront about her emotions, so when she stopped doing that, it made things worse. That breakdown in communication chipped away at their relationship more than any outside force ever did.
Even Lin Jingxiao, Xiaoxi’s best friend, calls her out gently but clearly. Yet Xiaoxi still chooses to shut down, avoid confrontation, and “forget” about Jiang Chen instead of talking things through.
Watching this drama for the first time now, years after its 2017 release, offers a clearer view. Without the emotional hype and nostalgia clouding judgment, it’s easier to appreciate the genuine moments while still recognizing the flaws. Back then, it probably would've felt like a perfect 10 because of all the hype. But watching it now, it feels more like a heartfelt, imperfect story about growing up and learning how to love better.
A Love So Beautiful isn’t without its faults. The story can be emotionally messy, and the characters often get in their own way. But that honesty is part of its charm. It doesn’t romanticize everything. It shows how even genuine love can be clumsy, confusing, and frustrating. And in that way, it really does leave a mark.
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