This review may contain spoilers
What a gem...
For some reason, I’d been avoiding this drama like the plague, despite hearing so many good things about it.
Well, let me tell you DON’T MAKE MY MISTAKE — WATCH IT NOW.
Even though the plot is nothing special (a pretty basic long-term rivals-to-lovers story), it somehow still manages to feel fresh and entertaining, and I think that’s mostly thanks to the acting and the production.
ACTING.
Both actors who played the main couple are AMAZING. This is exactly what I mean when I say, “You don’t need to make characters fuck every episode to showcase good chemistry.”
The tension. The slow burn. Chef’s kiss.
Also, Yu (Zhou Shu Yi) completely stole the show for me. He was charismatic, sassy, and emotional, but never cringey or over the top.
PLOT.
The themes of unrequited love and rivals-to-lovers blend really well here. The creators didn’t use stupid clichés like turning the woman the main character fell in love with into an evil caricature just to make viewers sympathize with the other character (thank god).
Yes, there were a few questionable moments (like… did that guy really need to act flirty around his own cousin for a couple of episodes just to make the main character jealous?? I got scared for a second, knowing how much Taiwanese bls love the incest trope), but overall, I had no real issues with the plot.
PRODUCTION.
Surprisingly excellent. I don’t know if y’all will be as impressed as I was (I had really low expectations for this show), but to me it felt so warm and intimate. It really brought everything together.
CHARACTERS.
Lovely. Sweet. Once again, Zhou Shu Yi is the star of the show. (And please get that creepy cousin off campus — I really didn’t vibe with that guy.) I also loved how the dialogue was written.
OVERALL.
I WILL be rewatching this until I memorize every sentence.
Well, let me tell you DON’T MAKE MY MISTAKE — WATCH IT NOW.
Even though the plot is nothing special (a pretty basic long-term rivals-to-lovers story), it somehow still manages to feel fresh and entertaining, and I think that’s mostly thanks to the acting and the production.
ACTING.
Both actors who played the main couple are AMAZING. This is exactly what I mean when I say, “You don’t need to make characters fuck every episode to showcase good chemistry.”
The tension. The slow burn. Chef’s kiss.
Also, Yu (Zhou Shu Yi) completely stole the show for me. He was charismatic, sassy, and emotional, but never cringey or over the top.
PLOT.
The themes of unrequited love and rivals-to-lovers blend really well here. The creators didn’t use stupid clichés like turning the woman the main character fell in love with into an evil caricature just to make viewers sympathize with the other character (thank god).
Yes, there were a few questionable moments (like… did that guy really need to act flirty around his own cousin for a couple of episodes just to make the main character jealous?? I got scared for a second, knowing how much Taiwanese bls love the incest trope), but overall, I had no real issues with the plot.
PRODUCTION.
Surprisingly excellent. I don’t know if y’all will be as impressed as I was (I had really low expectations for this show), but to me it felt so warm and intimate. It really brought everything together.
CHARACTERS.
Lovely. Sweet. Once again, Zhou Shu Yi is the star of the show. (And please get that creepy cousin off campus — I really didn’t vibe with that guy.) I also loved how the dialogue was written.
OVERALL.
I WILL be rewatching this until I memorize every sentence.
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