sulkytofu

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.

Could also call her 疯了 too!

I think I spoke too soon, because even more annoying than her friend is the second female lead, whose actions of sabotage are not only crazy but clearly show absolutely no respect to the ML at all. I skip a lot of her scenes too.

It's basically a modern romance drama that focuses on the FL working hard to achieve her dreams, and a ML who is a leader in the field (e-commerce) that she's hoping to break into as a fashion designer. There are many things similar to other dramas (i.e. crazy second female lead, ML treats FL like an enemy at first, ML being powerful while the FL loses everything, mom who nags on FL to get married) but also some things unique to this drama (i.e. both ML + FL have younger relatives who work to get them together, they're both neighbours, more mature romance). I think if you go in with low expectations it's a solid watch so far, because the production is high quality and Johnny & Reba have surprisingly really good chemistry. But if your hopes are too high, then I think you will be disappointed because this isn't a groundbreaking drama.

Oh man, the comments on this drama are definitely convincing me that maybe this might not be one to pick up. I really liked the casting in this one, and I like the combination of some of the genres the show incorporates (i.e. reincarnation, crime, and "time skip") but it's clear that there are some major issues with the plot and characterization from what I've read so far. Is the romantic chemistry convincing enough, and is this more angsty compared to romantic?

Honestly I just started this because I'm waiting for other dramas I'm watching to be subbed, and I was pleasantly surprised. I think it's important to go in with no/low expectations, but I do think Johnny & Reba have decent chemistry, which was what I was most worried about. I also love the fact that there are kids involved (obviously in high school, but I love the younger siblings/relatives and the way they round out the cast).

So far the series gives me the same feelings as "Across the Ocean to See You" and "Our Glamorous Times". This can either be a good or a bad thing; because both suffered from draggy parts, unnecessary angst, and division of time to a lot of other characters especially in the later half, despite the strong writing in the first parts. Considering how long this drama is, I am preparing myself just in case the later episodes worsen in quality and writing.

The only big issue I have is that while I love Qin Qing as a friend, I have a really hard time liking the couple relationship between her and Yu Lin. I think it's because Qin Qing often comes off as still being emotionally very immature, and oblivious to how Yu Lin has a very wholesome personality (which is ironic considering how loyal she is to Zhou Fang). I'm uninterested in her misunderstandings about him, so I find myself skipping their parts a lot.

I watched this alongside other college dramas that acquired popularity this year (such as Skate Into Love & The Love Equations) and I liked this one the most because I felt like it was a lot darker (for a lighthearted youth drama). Seeing Xichi feel frustrated at her part-time job and her personal relationships, and seeing Xu Fang constantly doubt his own abilities, was incredibly relatable. I also loved how reflective Xu Fang was, and how much he struggled recognizing his own strengths — and I feel that it's this quality of the series that made it especially memorable and special.

It's so strange watching the drama and then the BTS clips, because Luo Yunxi and Yukee's personalities seem almost completely switched, if you compare their acting with their demeanours in real life! I can't believe Luo Yunxi is so talkative (it contrasts so much with how elegant he looks!) while Yukee is quite shy and introverted (when she's much more straightforward and mischievous in the drama!) One thing is for sure, however, they both have so much chemistry on and off screen together!

This is a drama where I think one really needs to manage their expectations. I think it definitely has a lot of issues — I'm not a fan of the characters in this one. I was frustrated with how the show reduced the ML's personality to that of "housekeeping" and "good at cooking," while also sometimes making the FL come off as being cutesy in a forced way. In other words, I don't think the characterizations did justice to the ranges of the actors' capabilities, and that the characters themselves were not very interesting.

At the same time, however, where I find the drama refreshing is that it markets itself as a romcom and stays a lighthearted romcom that focuses on its characters (without venturing into crazy drama.) But if you are not looking for pure fluff, then I don't think it's a watch where you should expect to see anything groundbreaking or subversive elements (as is the case with The Romance of Tiger and Rose). It's obvious that both dramas will certainly be compared due to them airing at the same time and featuring the same actor, and so I think it's important to focus one's own expectations before watching this one to really get enjoyment out of it.