loserlemon

This drama was an absolute delight, and I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. The cast had great chemistry, and the characters were genuinely lovable. I especially enjoyed the first half of the drama, when they were still in high school, because it was much funnier thanks to the constant bickering between their classmates and friends, Song Zi Qi and Kong Sha Di. Once the characters entered college, however, the story leaned heavily into miscommunication. I don’t mind miscommunication when it helps build the plot, but when it’s dragged out, it becomes frustrating and this drama definitely did that.

The most frustrating aspect was Ding Xian’s lack of independence. Her main goal revolved around getting into the same college as Zhou Si Yue so they could be together. Zhou Si Yue is an extremely gifted student, while Ding Xian is more average academically. Despite their differences, they become close friends, with Zhou Si Yue frequently helping her in school by sharing notes and tutoring her. When the college entrance exam results are released, Ding Xian doesn’t score high enough to attend the same university as Zhou Si Yue. As a result, she decides to repeat her senior year of high school to try again.

This storyline was especially infuriating because Ding Xian breaks down under the immense pressure she placed on herself. Zhou Si Yue overhears a conversation about this pressure and, realizing how much she sacrificed for him, begins to distance himself. His intention was for Ding Xian to focus on herself without him influencing her decisions, but his lack of communication only made things worse.

Eventually, Ding Xian does get into the same university and even attempts to major in the same field as Zhou Si Yue just to stay close to him. Her constant chasing gave me serious secondhand embarrassment. I really wished Zhou Si Yue had been honest from the moment he overheard her conversation and told her that she should pursue her own passion, reassuring her that their relationship could work even if they were long-distance.

In the end, Ding Xian finally discovers her own passion, which shows character growth. Still, that entire storyline dragged on far longer than necessary and ultimately felt unnecessary.

One genuinely cute moment in the drama occurs when the students must choose between liberal arts and science. Ding Xian chooses science for Zhou Si Yue, while Zhou Si Yue chooses liberal arts for Ding Xian. I found that moment especially sweet.