I haven’t seen him in anything for so long I wondered what happened to him. He was so popular just a year or two ago and then he disappeared... I’ve liked him since his Chinatown days when he played support roles so I hope all is going well for him.
I just realized why Yan Ze has such messed up hair in this drama!!! She shaved her hair for the drama New Smiling Wanderer and it didn’t grow back fully! Of course, they could have styled it better but I’ve had shaved head before and the growing back phase is a B.
This was a very good school drama. The description is very misleading. There is a lot less romance and is more about personal growth, the thoughts, emotions and friendships we have when we were young and in high school. This is a true youth drams like the kind of School 2013. Most people will be able to relate to the FL and what she goes thru. The short flashback narrative was really good and added a nice summary of the feelings of the FL during that episode. If you’re looking for that same formulaic love triangle silly high school romance that’s been done 1000 times, this drama is not for you. If you want a thoughtful youth drama with realistic problems, friendship, and likable character I strongly recommend this. It’s available on YT with Eng subs.
Contrary to what some commenters think, I really liked the archery aspect of the drama. It was well done and I was excited to watch Xu Fang compète (despite being really skinny, Gala Zhang looks great as an archer). I also think they added the archery aspect because it shows both the FL and the ML’s development. He was there for her thru her tough times and she was there for him thru his. It was a balanced, good relationship. I love that about this drama. I’m surprised that the ratings aren’t higher. But then again, I think too many viewers are biased against Chinese dramas in favor of Kdramas.
To present a counter point to many of the comments here, I understand why the female lead seems selfish - what…
I couldn’t agree more. Also, I didn’t think Xi Chi was selfish. I think her emotional state and her reactions are really understandable and realistic. More importantly, those parts of her were part of her character development and not a plot device. So I appreciated that a lot. If you read the YouTube comments you’ll see many people relate to her saying they’ve been in her situation. Xu Fang is hands down one of the best ML characters in C-Dramas. Smart and understanding. No craziness or idiotic behavior. No unnecessary angst or drama purely to extend out episodes. Just can’t say enough about this drama. Frankly I could watch it forever - Xi Chi and Fang Fang’s story.
It’s highly recommended. I don’t know your taste but if you like well-written, well-acted, sweet and realistic drama this is it. I also love that the side characters are not just “fluff” characters but you actually enjoy each of their stories. Really well-made.
Definitely a drama worth raving about. Such a sweet, realistic, well-written and well-acted drama. Not your typical C-Drama fluff here. It was such a nice surprise that I binge-watched the entire series in two days and still can’t get over it. I also really enjoy watching Gala Wang. He had me just in the first few minutes of When We Were Young. I started this drama because he is the ML here while he is a SL in WWWY. He is definitely ML material. Great acting at such a young age. Despite his baby-face he was able to transition from high school, college to young adult easily and with the right amount of gravitas and maturity. I really hope he goes far and will be looking forward to his next projects.
Watched him in I’ve Fallen For You. A good actor. Look forward to his works. I feel like the actors who graduate from Shanghai Film Academy are always solid actors with great attention to detail and expression. I really like him, quite promising. ??
Why does this seem like the CDrama version of Sungkyunkwan Scandal? Well, doesn’t matter. Even if it’s a remake CDramas add their own nice flare that I like. And this one has Liu Yi Chang, the ML from I’ve Fallen For You. So, I’m sold. ?? Can’t wait.
Unexpectedly great! What a fun drama!! This is such a gem of a drama. Very under the radar. Thank goodness YouTube knows me so well to recommend it. ? I think the ML is new but man he is GOOD. He just nails the subtle expressions with his eyes, tone, gestures, all small details that really creates depth in each interval action with the FL. The dialogue is SO witty and funny (one of my big quips about Cdramas is the not so great dialogue but here it’s really good!). The chemistry between the FL and the ML is great. I want to watch it just bc of that!
But the underlying story is actually quite good. You know there is some main underlying mystery/story about our characters but it’s solved thru their solving murders that happen. It’s a great storytelling setup (a la “Signal” for those who’ve watched that drama).
I haven’t finished the drama yet but so far I’m half way through and it’s still great. I hope it continues and doesn’t take a crazy dark turn like many CDramas do. ??
I think Zhao Liying is beautiful. And she’s a good actress. Young actors should be grateful to work with such a talented actress who has had countless hit dramas. After all, this is acting. Acting talent and skills should come before looks, otherwise go model or shoot ads.
I haven't watched this drama yet and I'm hesitant because of the FL. I watched her in an interview and the trailers and she just looks so....old to be playing counter to Xu Kai. And from the little I've seen her acting is so.... yeah not sure if I can handle her. As compared to Xu Kai who, despite being a younger actor, seems to have talent I'm not sure if I can stomach the female lead. Anyone know why she was cast? Surely there could have been other better choices? Maybe I'm completely wrong and should give this drama a go? I see it's on Netflix.
I’ve never seen Xu Kai and Bai Lu before (yes, I know, Legends is on my list) but I was immediately captivated by their chemistry. Xu Kai is especially good at small details and expressive eyes. I hate the overt nationalism propaganda aspect of this drama but it’s held up by good chemistry, so far, not sure if I can last though. Question: anyone know if a Director’s Uncut Version will be available? Like they did for Goodbye My Princess on Viki?
Completely blew me away. Was so shocked at how AMAZING this movie was. Great story telling, great acting (Minho is one of the two main leads), and it wasn't the typical war movie I was expecting. It was a human drama balanced so well and directed with such care and even-handedness that I have to give props to the director. This movie is not about war but a human story about the unfair sacrifices that war demands from our youth.
This show is SO funny. I watch it RAW but it’s still hilarious. They did a great job with the casting bc the chemistry is amazing. I have to say, the most unexpectedly, outrageously funny break out star of this show is Deng Lun. I bet the producers themselves never guessed what a funny gem of a character Deng Lun is. Everything from his OCD germaphobia to his fear of EVERYTHING, to his tendency to blurt our random English phrases (“I have a question!” “Oh my god!”) to his versatility is just simply entertainment at its best. I am not saying this based on any bias - he is just fun to watch. But what makes him great on the show is that he is definitely the brains on the show. The others, like Justin, do their part to solve puzzles but Deng Lun is very smart, just very thoughtful, analytical, observant and sharp so he helps solve most of their tasks. And he has a tendency to be rather quiet and more mature in his tasks which gives him gravitas as a leader. AND based on the most recent episode - he also has muscles when needed. I mean, the guy clearly works out. (Should definitely watch the 5/11/19 episode).
So what makes all of this hilarious? The fact that he startles on a dime, falls to a near faint at every turn, screams when a bird flies around, openly admits to being scared and cries for his “mama” when he’s scared. ???? I mean, the contradiction really makes for fun tv. All of the cast members tease him endlessly calling him “Lun Ge” or Brother Lun and poking fun at his scaredy-cat ness. But what’s great about all this is he never shrinks from it and embraces the fact that yes, he scares easy but he helps the team make their “great escape” each episode. It’s actually great to see a man not trying to pretend to be tough but acknowledging his fears and stepping up for the team in all other aspects. He really makes this show. I think the producers really got lucky, and if you get a chance to watch it you’ll be in luck too. Definitely worth it. “Jia you Lun Ge!” ????????????????????
About the drama, there is one scene towards the end that I thought was good and reflective about how we define success in life. It's where Guo Guo tells Hui Jie, who is clearly upset that her daughter lost out on so much in life because she was wrongly chastised by society for being a single mom, didn't get well-educated, lived a poor hard life, and was otherwise manipulated by others.
But, Guo Guo tells her that her life wasn't actually terrible. She got to learn embroidery, married the man she loves, and has an adorable daughter (albeit not biological). So her life is a success and not a loss like her mom thinks it is. I thought that was a great point.
Success is individually defined. If you achieve all the things you want that make you happy, then you have succeeded in life. It doesn't matter what other people say about your life or how others think you should /should have lived it in order for it to be considered a success in their eyes. Life is about self-judgment and self-worth, not judgment by others.
Anyway, I thought that was a beautiful point, although done in a kind of a short scene, that made Guo Guo less a victim of circumstance and more someone who chose her life path her own way - even if that meant people thought she was too naive, too kind, or with loose morals (i.e., thinking she had Le Tong out of wedlock ), she chose what made her happy.
I know many people think she was too stereotypically "pure, sweet, naive and kind." There are moments where I think she is definitely too kind to her foster mom. But at times when she needed to make a choice for herself, she does. She fights her mom to be able to do embroidery. She keeps Le Tong because she loves her even though people talked behind her back about being a 'single mom'. And she didn't back down and play the victim when Xiao Qin later tries to push her to give up on Yun Kai. So to me, I think she was a character who wasn't a victim but a quietly persistent person who made her own choices.
But the underlying story is actually quite good. You know there is some main underlying mystery/story about our characters but it’s solved thru their solving murders that happen. It’s a great storytelling setup (a la “Signal” for those who’ve watched that drama).
I haven’t finished the drama yet but so far I’m half way through and it’s still great. I hope it continues and doesn’t take a crazy dark turn like many CDramas do. ??
So what makes all of this hilarious? The fact that he startles on a dime, falls to a near faint at every turn, screams when a bird flies around, openly admits to being scared and cries for his “mama” when he’s scared. ???? I mean, the contradiction really makes for fun tv. All of the cast members tease him endlessly calling him “Lun Ge” or Brother Lun and poking fun at his scaredy-cat ness. But what’s great about all this is he never shrinks from it and embraces the fact that yes, he scares easy but he helps the team make their “great escape” each episode. It’s actually great to see a man not trying to pretend to be tough but acknowledging his fears and stepping up for the team in all other aspects. He really makes this show. I think the producers really got lucky, and if you get a chance to watch it you’ll be in luck too. Definitely worth it. “Jia you Lun Ge!” ????????????????????
But, Guo Guo tells her that her life wasn't actually terrible. She got to learn embroidery, married the man she loves, and has an adorable daughter (albeit not biological). So her life is a success and not a loss like her mom thinks it is. I thought that was a great point.
Success is individually defined. If you achieve all the things you want that make you happy, then you have succeeded in life. It doesn't matter what other people say about your life or how others think you should /should have lived it in order for it to be considered a success in their eyes. Life is about self-judgment and self-worth, not judgment by others.
Anyway, I thought that was a beautiful point, although done in a kind of a short scene, that made Guo Guo less a victim of circumstance and more someone who chose her life path her own way - even if that meant people thought she was too naive, too kind, or with loose morals (i.e., thinking she had Le Tong out of wedlock ), she chose what made her happy.
I know many people think she was too stereotypically "pure, sweet, naive and kind." There are moments where I think she is definitely too kind to her foster mom. But at times when she needed to make a choice for herself, she does. She fights her mom to be able to do embroidery. She keeps Le Tong because she loves her even though people talked behind her back about being a 'single mom'. And she didn't back down and play the victim when Xiao Qin later tries to push her to give up on Yun Kai. So to me, I think she was a character who wasn't a victim but a quietly persistent person who made her own choices.