This review may contain spoilers
Not Hidden Love but BETTER
I'd like to start off by saying that for all you Hidden Love fans who've been waiting for this (spin-off? prequel?? not sure...anyway) the only similarities you will get are some of the character names, locations and one song from Hidden Love played at OverTime, Sang Yan's bar. This drama has a completely different vibe, tone and cast. I have to admit that I'm not a huge fan of melodramas because they can be dark, dreary and draggy but this one had me hooked!
The story: As I said before, you're not going to get the light-hearted sugary fluff here like we got with Hidden Love. (WARNING: This story centers around the FL's past trauma of abandonment, loss and s*xual abuse. So if any of those topics are triggering for you I do not suggest you watch this show. Nothing is shown to the full extent and the romance is still plentiful/ beautiful but her trauma is a big part of the story.) The OST and cinematography are drastically different as well. This drama is way more adult and lays on the real-life issues thick. For a melodrama with a dark setting, I was expecting a slow/boring start. But there is A LOT going on within the first 2 episodes in terms of action and plot building incidents. Right out of the gate our FL is put through so much. It's almost hard to focus on the love story with how traumatizing her life is. But seeing how strong and genuine of a person she is, you can't help rooting for her happy ending. The slow burn is intense and has a very organic feeling so it's not frustrating at all.
Main Characters: Wen Yi Fan is a very sad character and not your typical FL. She's timid, soft spoken and has these innocent doe eyes. Her sweet disposition will melt your heart instantly. She doesn't act babyish or use a whiny voice at all like some FLs but her mannerisms and microexpressions are naturally cute. She is also kind of ditzy and bad at math, which she manages to make endearing somehow. And in every decision she makes you can tell that despite all she's been through she still has a good heart full of compassion and resilience. At first, it's strange to see a character like her choose to be a journalist because she isn't naturally aggressive or assertive like most journalists are. As the show progresses she explains why she loves her field so much and it's because she can help people like her through telling their stories. This is all probably why she has such a chokehold on our poor Sang Yan. Zhang Ruonan was perfectly cast for this role. Her beauty was on full display and her acting just got better and better. All of her emotional scenes had me ugly crying with her and it takes a lot for me to cry during a drama.
Bai Jing Ting's SY is different than Victor Ma's but appropriately so. He needed to be more serious for this story but also even more charming. What was consistent were SY's style, pride and arrogance. BJT did a great job of keeping those characteristics while putting his own spin on the role. We see a completely different side of SY here which is his bleeding heart that is glued to WYF. Even though it's clear that she hurt him in the past, it's like he is programmed to automatically give to her and help her. It's both sad and endearing actually because in the beginning, although he cares for her, he doesn't trust her enough yet to tell her the real reason he does the things he does for her. Yet, he still never really punishes her for rejecting him in the past. And that's a testament to how deep his love is for her and how pure his heart is. He stalked her a lot back then but once you learn he made a promise to always be with her, it becomes obvious that it was out of concern. He's always sensed that something was wrong back then and although he didn't have the confidence to confess to her all those years they were apart, he still took it upon himself to be her guardian angel. My heart was so full once they finally got together because their obsessions with each other only grew. Sang Yan really is the perfect boyfriend. He's always just what WYF needs and he helps her to heal and grow with confidence. Although she's beautiful, he loves and accepts all of her- her flaws, her baggage, her ditzy side. It seemed like where most people who run from someone who had all these problems, he loved her even more because of them. I thought BJT killed this role. It also helps that BJT has the eternal face of a high school boy with the voice of matured man. This made the flashbacks more realistic. ZR also has a versatile face and acting style. The two of them together were flawless.
Side characters: Siqiao is easily one of my favorite 2FLs of all time. She is smart, hardworking, and a great friend to WYF. When Xiang Lang rejects her, the thought of being bitter towards WYF doesn't even cross her mind. She's WYF's cheerleader and support in every situation and doesn't give her bad advice like drama bffs usually do. I also love that within her own life, she takes care of everyone around her but when it comes time to seize her own happiness, she doesn't get desperate and jump right into something with Su Haoan. She knows he's been jumping from one bad relationship to another so she tells him to court her and fall for her slowly, so that he can learn how to be in a healthy relationship. I found this really impressive and mature of her.
Su Haoan was funny and good friend to SY but other than that I didn't feel much for him. Xiang Lang is very handsome but has the personality of a block of ice so I found his character to be a useless filler.
Sadly Duan Jiaxu and Sang Zhi are only side characters here and honestly added nothing to the story accept familiarity. But their unimportance really doesn't affect anything for me. This drama stands on it's own.
Finally...the family from hell. I don't think I've ever been more disgusted with a drama mother. This woman has no soul and my heart broke for WYF this whole drama because of how she was discarded time after time. Although her aunt and "uncle" hurt her tremendously, I still hate her mother the most. Because if her mother had cared for her properly, none of the horrible things would've happened to her.
OST & Cinematography: I liked the OST from Hidden Love. This one isn't better per say, but the songs are still catchy, and fitting for the drama. The one song from Silence Wang is my favorite. I couldn't help but laugh while it played when SY was walking up to the noodle shop in Beiyu in the rain. It looked just like a music video.
The cinematography is brilliant. I don't know how to describe it but along with the solid directing/writing, the whole production was gold. The transitions, camera angles, layers of color and lighting really draw you into the emotions in every scene. Especially when there is no dialogue the scenes speak for themselves. For example, when WYF is living in her first place the setting and production really gives you the feeling for how sad her life is. The trains go by her windows in her tiny room all day long, casting non stop flashes of light off the walls and off of her face putting on full display how depressing her life is. Also the scene when SY beats up those guys who threatened her, all lot was said with no words in this scene and not having dialogue here was way more powerful and effective. Even the lighting in their apartment looks romantic and dreamy when they're together. But when she's not there the rooms look grey and somber. The attention to detail was impressive and the production team really created the perfect setting to fall in love. *chef's kiss*
The ending: Perfection...I don't think I've rated a drama a 10/10 since LBFAD. This drama was a masterpiece from beginning to end. The writing, the acting, the chemistry, the pacing, the cinematography, the overall story...all perfect. I don't even know what drama to start next because the bar is so high now!
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
-Dian kitty is so adorable. I want one just like him.
-EP 4: WYF being bad a math is kind of adorable and we can tell SY acts annoyed but thinks so too.
-EP 8: SY is WYF's sun in her dreams and in real life. He brings her warmth and light in her dark life. The romance and poetry in that just gives me the feels... Then it's the morning after our first stolen hug and WYF wakes up like she just had the best sleep of her life, meanwhile our poor boy SY is still sitting wide awake in bed all disheveled and frazzled. Oh the power of one hug from WYF XD
EP 9: More math struggles for WYF lol That umbrella check SY gives the intern (I refuse to use his name) was great. I sympathize with SY during the movie. I'm also scared with him bc the movie clips they showed were actually terrifying. But WYF trying not to laugh at him is too funny/cute. "Jobs are looking for me" LOL typical SY comment.
-EP 11: The misunderstanding with both Sang Yan and Jiaxu in their robes at the breakfast table. Siqiao's laugh is everything. For someone who is so prideful and arrogant, SY never ever truly punishes WYF for hurting him in the past. I think because he's always had a gut feeling that something else was going on based on what he silently observed when they were in school.
-SY babyproofing the house.
EP 12: WYF must have never seen someone drunk before because SY's act was not good. Hilarious. But not good...However, SY man handling the intern and throwing him over his shoulder like a ragdoll...very good. He emasculated that boy for life. The next morning...I've never seen someone get into an elevator in a sexy way but leave it to SY ;)
EP 14: There's not much else to say in this episode other than YAY. Also SY's bed does look more inviting and comfortable. Where did he get that set of sheets from?...And he definitely came out of that shower shirtless on purpose. His hand gestures are so funny as he follows her around the table complaining that she always handles everything the same way. I would assume he was faking drunk again if he hadn't ended their conversation with that vulnerable request she stop spending time with other guys and then coming home and feeling him up LMAO
-EP 15: WYF having enough emotional intelligence to not believe that SY is being nice for revenge when people suggest that. WYF's self control because if BJT dared me to violate him I would have to take that dare
EP 16: If this phone can't contact WYF anymore SY doesn't want it anymore. Time for a new one.
-EP 17: WYF is slowly gaining confidence and opening up to the women around her. She's finally having girl talk with her friend at work and bff and it's great to see her finally caring about herself and her feelings. Hopefully she will open up to SY soon because it's definitely living with him that's giving her her self worth back! And Siqiao is actually a great friend. She's hardworking, there for WYF whenever she needs her and doesn't give terrible advice or act annoying. She's very down to earth and cute.
- EP 18: SY SHOWING UP at the noodle shop in Beiyu. SWOON. And then their sweet confession outside in the rain. And then the flashback to remind us how she broke his heart under an umbrella last time, but they are now reconciling under similar circumstances in the same town. Ahhh, it's been a while since a romance had me smiling and giggling like a school girl. In the epilogue when they show him from the back walking with the umbrella up to the noodle shop with the song playing, it reminds me of the most romantic music video I've ever seen XD
-EP 19: SY doesn't even know about her s*xual abuse and yet can sense how skittish she is so he only teases verbally, never pushes the limit physically. Also these two are equally obsessed with each other which is making for the cutest honeymoon phase ever.
-EP 20: Okay, I'm a puddle on the floor. Someone come mop me up! The first official kiss on the ferris wheel was perfect. I love how SY starts wearing khaki colors now because WYF likes it. Their first dinner together and I'm crying too. WYF is just so sweet, earnest and beautiful. If I was a man she would have me wrapped around her finger too with how sweetly she's opening up and showing her vulnerable side. Also SY saying "Just like your choice in partner, you deserve the best of everything." lol another typical SY one liner.
EP 21: I'm happy that Siqiao doesn't want to be a rebound or liked just because she helped Haoan and now he has hero syndrome. She's really smart and strong for saying that to his face. She's also weary to trust him because she knows he's a hopeless romantic and she's seen the type of girl he previously dated. She also tells him to fall for her slowly because she knows how quickly he's jumped into things in the past. I really like and respect her. She's quickly becoming one of my favorite 2FLs...I'm still rooting for them because he seems to have woken up and realized what type of woman deserves his devotion and special treatment. They are both givers and it's time they both received.
EP 22: I appreciate the attention to detail. WYF's dorm in Yihe is identical to Sang Zhi's in Hidden Love. The intern's confession is silly. He thinks he's more important in WYF's life than he is. She never cared what he had to say lol Moving on...this couple walks in a room and turns heads. That whole wedding was admiring how good they look together. Drunk WYF is too funny. She's definitely me when anyone tries to wake me up. SY is a GOOD BOY. Really shows how much he loves and respects her, all the restraint he shows. She really makes it hard too because she is velcro when she's drunk. Couldn't help but laugh watching him pull her fake eyelashes off.
Dislikes:
-They dress WYF like a school teacher sometimes. But I realize she doesn't like to draw attention to herself or believes that she deserves to buy pretty things to wear.
-How much she gets obsessed over and sexually harassed. There's no denying that WYF is beautiful but it's a little dramatic to think that every male she crosses paths with is a deranged pervert. The incident with her uncle is traumatic enough but then adding in her first roommate, her old boss, her new colleague etc...It's just a bit much. We could still get the point with less of this.
-SY getting a "real job" just bc WYF asked if he had one besides the bar? Since when is owning a bar/restaurant not a respectable business? Idk, thought that was weird and unnecessary but maybe I'm missing something.
-Creepy college kid with a crush on her. He's an aggressive little weasel and makes my skin crawl.
-WYF's weird drunk kitty/SY hallucination. Was this supposed to be funny? I hope so...
-How low her self worth/esteem is because she was discarded when she was young. She doesn't believe SY has evil intentions towards her but she doesn't believe he could still care about her or that she deserves him. It's so sad :*(
-They're pushing the Pizza Hut product placement hard in this drama. Which is more funny than annoying I guess but as someone watching from the states where we don't have a lot of good Chinese food, seeing Pizza Hut is triggering lol
-Introducing the gaming pen pals trope late in the game just seemed pointless and like lazy writing.
The story: As I said before, you're not going to get the light-hearted sugary fluff here like we got with Hidden Love. (WARNING: This story centers around the FL's past trauma of abandonment, loss and s*xual abuse. So if any of those topics are triggering for you I do not suggest you watch this show. Nothing is shown to the full extent and the romance is still plentiful/ beautiful but her trauma is a big part of the story.) The OST and cinematography are drastically different as well. This drama is way more adult and lays on the real-life issues thick. For a melodrama with a dark setting, I was expecting a slow/boring start. But there is A LOT going on within the first 2 episodes in terms of action and plot building incidents. Right out of the gate our FL is put through so much. It's almost hard to focus on the love story with how traumatizing her life is. But seeing how strong and genuine of a person she is, you can't help rooting for her happy ending. The slow burn is intense and has a very organic feeling so it's not frustrating at all.
Main Characters: Wen Yi Fan is a very sad character and not your typical FL. She's timid, soft spoken and has these innocent doe eyes. Her sweet disposition will melt your heart instantly. She doesn't act babyish or use a whiny voice at all like some FLs but her mannerisms and microexpressions are naturally cute. She is also kind of ditzy and bad at math, which she manages to make endearing somehow. And in every decision she makes you can tell that despite all she's been through she still has a good heart full of compassion and resilience. At first, it's strange to see a character like her choose to be a journalist because she isn't naturally aggressive or assertive like most journalists are. As the show progresses she explains why she loves her field so much and it's because she can help people like her through telling their stories. This is all probably why she has such a chokehold on our poor Sang Yan. Zhang Ruonan was perfectly cast for this role. Her beauty was on full display and her acting just got better and better. All of her emotional scenes had me ugly crying with her and it takes a lot for me to cry during a drama.
Bai Jing Ting's SY is different than Victor Ma's but appropriately so. He needed to be more serious for this story but also even more charming. What was consistent were SY's style, pride and arrogance. BJT did a great job of keeping those characteristics while putting his own spin on the role. We see a completely different side of SY here which is his bleeding heart that is glued to WYF. Even though it's clear that she hurt him in the past, it's like he is programmed to automatically give to her and help her. It's both sad and endearing actually because in the beginning, although he cares for her, he doesn't trust her enough yet to tell her the real reason he does the things he does for her. Yet, he still never really punishes her for rejecting him in the past. And that's a testament to how deep his love is for her and how pure his heart is. He stalked her a lot back then but once you learn he made a promise to always be with her, it becomes obvious that it was out of concern. He's always sensed that something was wrong back then and although he didn't have the confidence to confess to her all those years they were apart, he still took it upon himself to be her guardian angel. My heart was so full once they finally got together because their obsessions with each other only grew. Sang Yan really is the perfect boyfriend. He's always just what WYF needs and he helps her to heal and grow with confidence. Although she's beautiful, he loves and accepts all of her- her flaws, her baggage, her ditzy side. It seemed like where most people who run from someone who had all these problems, he loved her even more because of them. I thought BJT killed this role. It also helps that BJT has the eternal face of a high school boy with the voice of matured man. This made the flashbacks more realistic. ZR also has a versatile face and acting style. The two of them together were flawless.
Side characters: Siqiao is easily one of my favorite 2FLs of all time. She is smart, hardworking, and a great friend to WYF. When Xiang Lang rejects her, the thought of being bitter towards WYF doesn't even cross her mind. She's WYF's cheerleader and support in every situation and doesn't give her bad advice like drama bffs usually do. I also love that within her own life, she takes care of everyone around her but when it comes time to seize her own happiness, she doesn't get desperate and jump right into something with Su Haoan. She knows he's been jumping from one bad relationship to another so she tells him to court her and fall for her slowly, so that he can learn how to be in a healthy relationship. I found this really impressive and mature of her.
Su Haoan was funny and good friend to SY but other than that I didn't feel much for him. Xiang Lang is very handsome but has the personality of a block of ice so I found his character to be a useless filler.
Sadly Duan Jiaxu and Sang Zhi are only side characters here and honestly added nothing to the story accept familiarity. But their unimportance really doesn't affect anything for me. This drama stands on it's own.
Finally...the family from hell. I don't think I've ever been more disgusted with a drama mother. This woman has no soul and my heart broke for WYF this whole drama because of how she was discarded time after time. Although her aunt and "uncle" hurt her tremendously, I still hate her mother the most. Because if her mother had cared for her properly, none of the horrible things would've happened to her.
OST & Cinematography: I liked the OST from Hidden Love. This one isn't better per say, but the songs are still catchy, and fitting for the drama. The one song from Silence Wang is my favorite. I couldn't help but laugh while it played when SY was walking up to the noodle shop in Beiyu in the rain. It looked just like a music video.
The cinematography is brilliant. I don't know how to describe it but along with the solid directing/writing, the whole production was gold. The transitions, camera angles, layers of color and lighting really draw you into the emotions in every scene. Especially when there is no dialogue the scenes speak for themselves. For example, when WYF is living in her first place the setting and production really gives you the feeling for how sad her life is. The trains go by her windows in her tiny room all day long, casting non stop flashes of light off the walls and off of her face putting on full display how depressing her life is. Also the scene when SY beats up those guys who threatened her, all lot was said with no words in this scene and not having dialogue here was way more powerful and effective. Even the lighting in their apartment looks romantic and dreamy when they're together. But when she's not there the rooms look grey and somber. The attention to detail was impressive and the production team really created the perfect setting to fall in love. *chef's kiss*
The ending: Perfection...I don't think I've rated a drama a 10/10 since LBFAD. This drama was a masterpiece from beginning to end. The writing, the acting, the chemistry, the pacing, the cinematography, the overall story...all perfect. I don't even know what drama to start next because the bar is so high now!
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
-Dian kitty is so adorable. I want one just like him.
-EP 4: WYF being bad a math is kind of adorable and we can tell SY acts annoyed but thinks so too.
-EP 8: SY is WYF's sun in her dreams and in real life. He brings her warmth and light in her dark life. The romance and poetry in that just gives me the feels... Then it's the morning after our first stolen hug and WYF wakes up like she just had the best sleep of her life, meanwhile our poor boy SY is still sitting wide awake in bed all disheveled and frazzled. Oh the power of one hug from WYF XD
EP 9: More math struggles for WYF lol That umbrella check SY gives the intern (I refuse to use his name) was great. I sympathize with SY during the movie. I'm also scared with him bc the movie clips they showed were actually terrifying. But WYF trying not to laugh at him is too funny/cute. "Jobs are looking for me" LOL typical SY comment.
-EP 11: The misunderstanding with both Sang Yan and Jiaxu in their robes at the breakfast table. Siqiao's laugh is everything. For someone who is so prideful and arrogant, SY never ever truly punishes WYF for hurting him in the past. I think because he's always had a gut feeling that something else was going on based on what he silently observed when they were in school.
-SY babyproofing the house.
EP 12: WYF must have never seen someone drunk before because SY's act was not good. Hilarious. But not good...However, SY man handling the intern and throwing him over his shoulder like a ragdoll...very good. He emasculated that boy for life. The next morning...I've never seen someone get into an elevator in a sexy way but leave it to SY ;)
EP 14: There's not much else to say in this episode other than YAY. Also SY's bed does look more inviting and comfortable. Where did he get that set of sheets from?...And he definitely came out of that shower shirtless on purpose. His hand gestures are so funny as he follows her around the table complaining that she always handles everything the same way. I would assume he was faking drunk again if he hadn't ended their conversation with that vulnerable request she stop spending time with other guys and then coming home and feeling him up LMAO
-EP 15: WYF having enough emotional intelligence to not believe that SY is being nice for revenge when people suggest that. WYF's self control because if BJT dared me to violate him I would have to take that dare
EP 16: If this phone can't contact WYF anymore SY doesn't want it anymore. Time for a new one.
-EP 17: WYF is slowly gaining confidence and opening up to the women around her. She's finally having girl talk with her friend at work and bff and it's great to see her finally caring about herself and her feelings. Hopefully she will open up to SY soon because it's definitely living with him that's giving her her self worth back! And Siqiao is actually a great friend. She's hardworking, there for WYF whenever she needs her and doesn't give terrible advice or act annoying. She's very down to earth and cute.
- EP 18: SY SHOWING UP at the noodle shop in Beiyu. SWOON. And then their sweet confession outside in the rain. And then the flashback to remind us how she broke his heart under an umbrella last time, but they are now reconciling under similar circumstances in the same town. Ahhh, it's been a while since a romance had me smiling and giggling like a school girl. In the epilogue when they show him from the back walking with the umbrella up to the noodle shop with the song playing, it reminds me of the most romantic music video I've ever seen XD
-EP 19: SY doesn't even know about her s*xual abuse and yet can sense how skittish she is so he only teases verbally, never pushes the limit physically. Also these two are equally obsessed with each other which is making for the cutest honeymoon phase ever.
-EP 20: Okay, I'm a puddle on the floor. Someone come mop me up! The first official kiss on the ferris wheel was perfect. I love how SY starts wearing khaki colors now because WYF likes it. Their first dinner together and I'm crying too. WYF is just so sweet, earnest and beautiful. If I was a man she would have me wrapped around her finger too with how sweetly she's opening up and showing her vulnerable side. Also SY saying "Just like your choice in partner, you deserve the best of everything." lol another typical SY one liner.
EP 21: I'm happy that Siqiao doesn't want to be a rebound or liked just because she helped Haoan and now he has hero syndrome. She's really smart and strong for saying that to his face. She's also weary to trust him because she knows he's a hopeless romantic and she's seen the type of girl he previously dated. She also tells him to fall for her slowly because she knows how quickly he's jumped into things in the past. I really like and respect her. She's quickly becoming one of my favorite 2FLs...I'm still rooting for them because he seems to have woken up and realized what type of woman deserves his devotion and special treatment. They are both givers and it's time they both received.
EP 22: I appreciate the attention to detail. WYF's dorm in Yihe is identical to Sang Zhi's in Hidden Love. The intern's confession is silly. He thinks he's more important in WYF's life than he is. She never cared what he had to say lol Moving on...this couple walks in a room and turns heads. That whole wedding was admiring how good they look together. Drunk WYF is too funny. She's definitely me when anyone tries to wake me up. SY is a GOOD BOY. Really shows how much he loves and respects her, all the restraint he shows. She really makes it hard too because she is velcro when she's drunk. Couldn't help but laugh watching him pull her fake eyelashes off.
Dislikes:
-They dress WYF like a school teacher sometimes. But I realize she doesn't like to draw attention to herself or believes that she deserves to buy pretty things to wear.
-How much she gets obsessed over and sexually harassed. There's no denying that WYF is beautiful but it's a little dramatic to think that every male she crosses paths with is a deranged pervert. The incident with her uncle is traumatic enough but then adding in her first roommate, her old boss, her new colleague etc...It's just a bit much. We could still get the point with less of this.
-SY getting a "real job" just bc WYF asked if he had one besides the bar? Since when is owning a bar/restaurant not a respectable business? Idk, thought that was weird and unnecessary but maybe I'm missing something.
-Creepy college kid with a crush on her. He's an aggressive little weasel and makes my skin crawl.
-WYF's weird drunk kitty/SY hallucination. Was this supposed to be funny? I hope so...
-How low her self worth/esteem is because she was discarded when she was young. She doesn't believe SY has evil intentions towards her but she doesn't believe he could still care about her or that she deserves him. It's so sad :*(
-They're pushing the Pizza Hut product placement hard in this drama. Which is more funny than annoying I guess but as someone watching from the states where we don't have a lot of good Chinese food, seeing Pizza Hut is triggering lol
-Introducing the gaming pen pals trope late in the game just seemed pointless and like lazy writing.
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