sulkytofu

My feelings for this drama can be summed up by the title name — unexpected. I think a lot of the comments are accurate, in that this drama did a great job handling pacing, inserting twists, and even incorporating depth into its script, which from a first glance one really would not expect. From asking questions about purpose and one's own ability to change their will, to being incredibly reflective, I loved seeing both the journey the ML took to navigate his own manga, but also encounter his own pain and experiences from his past.

This drama did many subversive things which I thought were quite impressive, and managed to do so in a way that maintained the logic of the series (which similar dramas such as W started off excellently with, and then lost a lot of steam in the later parts). The 23 episodes are a perfect length, especially because there was no drag or filler. In some ways, I find that the beginning of the series is more true to a typical romcom, while the middle and the latter half in fact get more exciting and tense as all of the characters begin to face uncomfortable truths and realizations.

I will admit that some couples didn't have as much chemistry, and I think there was some miscasting going on (especially in Pei Encai's role). What I did really like was how the entire cast had chemistry with each other as well, and there were some really great acting performances in this drama. I binged this all in one day, and I'm glad I went in with no expectations because the drama truly was something that I did not expect to see.

Several dramas i.e. Love O2O in the past have gotten great reviews, simply because they were focused on the romance and most importantly, because the romance developed in a healthy manner. I think I prefer dramas (if they market themselves as romcoms) to focus on the chemistry and relationship between the leads, instead of trying to stuff unnecessary plot points for the sake of creating conflict. I also liked how this drama showed two people falling in love through an arranged marriage, instead of marriage being the "happy ending." This is therefore a drama that's good if you're into something that can take your mind off for the day, and you want something that's pure fluff.

That being said, I didn't like this one for a variety of reasons even though it fit my taste for fluff, and dropped this one about halfway. I found Ding Yuxi's role here to be quite plain, in that he didn't really seem to have a personality between liking to cook and clean. Zhang Yuxi on the other hand I think would have had a much more interesting personality if she were cold, especially since the ML in this drama gives off the feeling of warmth and comfort. I think the cutesy part of her personality (as you mentioned) didn't come off naturally. In other words, I liked the idea behind this drama (the focus on romance and fluff), but I think especially in the context of airing at the same time as The Romance of Tiger and Rose, I didn't enjoy it as much.

They're both confirmed! Pictures are up from the filming ceremony!

Interesting, I always thought like they had either the same production team or scriptwriter or something (My Dear Lady also has the same "feel" as both of these dramas, i.e. light, romantic, and fluffy). I'll keep my eye out to see more comments, but I have to say I'm going to lower my expectations because from what you've mentioned this is definitely not what I thought was going to be the plot of the drama!

If you're looking for another fluffy romcom, I would recommend it as a watch that is light, not draggy, and great to pass the time! Agree that it's great to see how much more expressive he's been.

Right? It's a shame because Reba and Johnny really surprised me with their chemistry (I really thought it wouldn't work when I saw the casting!) I think the drama really should have incorporated more cute scenes, instead of focusing more on other couples and dragging on the plot for the sake of episodes.

I think Lucky's First Love was a good romcom for him because he had a lot more of a "puppy" personality in that drama, compared to his colder demeanour in The Eternal Love. I'm often surprised by just how young Xing Zhaolin is, I often think he's a lot older (like in his late twenties) and am impressed by how much he's improving in his acting.

So I read some of your spoilers, and wow, that was not what I was expecting at all. I really thought it'd be a lighthearted romcom, but considering the fact that it's related to Well Intended Love (which at one point almost ended up as horror, LOL) I'm wondering if this may be a little more angsty and/or different than I thought. I'll probably wait until all episodes are out, but thanks for helping those of us interested in watching to get our expectations in check!

I'm so excited for this, especially because Gala Zhang's performance in The Best of You in My Mind made me really impressed by his acting abilities. I think this is one of the first big historical dramas where he's the ML, and so I can't wait until more subs come out to start watching!

As someone who's all time favourite drama is the original Taiwanese version, it always surprises me how (even during its initial broadcast in the 2008 version) how in many ways this drama does a lot of subversive things. I love how pregnancy is depicted at all stages, from the difficulties and hardships it has on women's bodies and mental state, while many c-dramas simply use pregnancy as the "happy ending." I love the fact that in-laws are not evilly scheming, but instead the majority of the problems exist amongst our main couple and their experience being in a relationship together. I also love the FL's character development, and how both the ML + FL have to communicate in order to make their marriage work (especially considering the circumstances of their marriage itself).

I do appreciate how this drama balanced upgrading some of the elements of the series (i.e. the smartphone/networked context, etc.) while also keeping in the original aspects in plot & character as the Taiwanese version. I therefore have a lot of high expectations for the upcoming episodes, especially because the second half of the drama is probably the most emotionally investing arc, and also because of how it's my favourite part of the drama.

So I think this drama could do A LOT better if it was shortened, especially in terms of the number of episodes. There's lots of chemistry and I think the pacing was quite good in the beginning, and I really loved the dynamic both Reba & Johnny had, especially with the adorable high school kids brought into the mix. But I think as I'm nearing Episode 28, where we've gone through a lot of (cliche) issues, it leaves me wondering exactly what else we have left to cover especially as this drama is supposedly 45 episodes long.

Wow. This drama combines so many things that there's a lot to unpack, and I think it does both really good things and also some bad ones.

To start off with The Bad — you really need to watch this show with a healthy dose of suspension of disbelief. The "jewel hunting" industry for example is overall pretty laughable —It's like they decided to combine a bunch of specialized fields (i.e. gemology, anthropology, marketing, etc.) into a "sexy" career that involves adventure, while also being profitable enough to form lucrative business ties with mining companies. This makes a lot of the overarching plot in the drama seem kind of illogical/unrealistic and even childish at times. I also don't think I need to make any additional comments on the whole fake "tribe" they created for Xing Yue's character, although this may also be a result of censorship restrictions.

Now for The Good — Ren Youlun has so much acting range, and I was surprised to see just how solid his abilities are within the confines of a modern-day romcom. He has so much presence, and even though the ML in this one is VERY flawed (and is a jerk because he is manipulative, instead of outright being cold or dismissive to the FL) he made the character much more likeable and sympathetic. His expressions and the way he completely embodies his character is so naturally done, and I've been really impressed with his acting. One moment I find him scary and threatening, the next I can see just how much he cares for the FL. Both he and Zhang Yaqin also have so much chemistry together, and it's been really cute watching all of their adorable scenes, but also all of their misunderstandings and frustrations together.

I'm really enjoying the main cast and the romance. And even though there's been a lot of eye-rolling for me personally at the plot, so far the cute and fluff have been able to keep me watching, and I am definitely pleasantly surprised by how great the performances have been so far!

I think it'll be soon since the behind the scenes clip was just released!

My brain just kind of gets muddled every time I see Luo Yunxi — he's just so elegant and graceful to look at that whenever I watch him I feel like I've achieved internal peace or tranquility or something. No wonder the drama is trending for his performance, you can really see his ballet experience and background through his acting.

I binged and skip watched, and I was also watching this while waiting for other dramas to be subbed. I think this drama overall in terms of production quality and story is quite solid compared to other c-dramas. Nuannuan is one of my all time favourite FLs and Eleanor Lee did a great job making her likeable, while Tim Pei is one of my favourite actors, so I kept watching for them. There IS good chemistry between Nuannuan and Han Chen, and there are also lots of cute and fluffy scenes. I'd say keep watching for a couple more episodes when you find out the "misunderstanding," and if you like the main couple and overall tone of the drama, then keep on going. I was more harsh because I think having your expectations in check will make the drama more enjoyable, but I don't think it's the absolute worst drama and it does have its good aspects.

I binged and skip watched, and I was also watching this while waiting for other dramas to be subbed. I think this drama overall in terms of production quality and story is better than many other c-dramas. Nuannuan is one of my all time favourite FLs and Eleanor Lee did a great job making her likeable, while Tim Pei is one of my favourite actors, so I kept watching for them. There IS good chemistry between Nuannuan and Han Chen, and there are also lots of cute and fluffy scenes. I'd say keep watching for a couple more episodes when you find out the "misunderstanding," and if you like the main couple and overall tone of the drama, then keep on going. I was more harsh because I think having your expectations in check will make the drama more enjoyable, but I don't think it's the absolute worst drama and it does have its good aspects.

No! I did too, I really love Nuannuan so much and seriously emphasized with how emotionally and mentally strong she was. It was hard constantly seeing her fall, because of how great her personality is, and how many difficulties she navigated in her path to find herself and chase her dreams.

The Best of You Is In My Mind (I love the ML in this one, he's not cold, but instead super insecure about his own abilities!) For other pure fluff dramas, I'd also suggest the historical romcom Dr. Cutie, The Sweet Girl, of course The Romance of Tiger and Rose, and Intense Love, all of which are basically focused on the romantic parts with little angst.

My interpretation is that Han Che wasn't upfront about what he did. It wasn't the action itself, it was that he couldn't be honest with her, and that he was therefore in a relationship with her because he felt guilty for his actions. Han Che always noted that "he was bad with words/he didn't mean it like that," and while his feelings for her were true, it was also true that he continued to have feelings of guilt for what he did.

In all honesty, considering how much I loved Nuannuan, I really hated this aspect of Han Che and it's part of the reason I had a hard time watching the drama. Simply because even though he doesn't exactly have the power to "cut a trainee," he still though it would be okay (disregarding the moral implications of his actions) to follow through with the decision to centre Lin Jiayi at the performance. His lack of reflection made me feel uncomfortable, considering how much Nuannuan works to improve herself, and truthfully if I were Nuannuan I'd be upset with him for many more other things beyond simply this miscommunication.

I have been watching this and am liking it, but I think it's because I am a skip watcher and literally only watch scenes with the ML and FL. I totally agree with some of your comments, and I've fast-forwarded a lot in this drama to skip much of the issues that you've mentioned (wouldn't it be so much cooler if the mom was proud of her daughter for being her child and navigating so many hardships, instead of only worrying about her marriage?)

I'm not a fan of Johnny Huang, but if there is one complaint I do have, it's that there's something about the ML that I find difficult to like (that he can't decisively cut off the second lead female, that he sometimes comes off as wishy-washy despite liking the FL, etc.) The secondary cast is also hit or miss (i.e. I love the sismance, but I find it hard to like her best friend as a character). In other words, I think your comments are good to make the viewer aware of expectations, because this is by no means a groundbreaking drama and has A LOT of flaws, but might be a good watch for someone who is willing to go through these for the romance.