sulkytofu

I need a really honest opinion about the change between Jung Somin and Go Yoon Jung; although I know that this debate has already occurred countless times, is the transition between both FLs seamless, and how do people feel overall about the switch in actresses? From what I've tried to read without spoilers, it seems like they've almost ended up with completely different personalities? I stopped midway through the first season after hearing that they were no longer going to recast Jung Somin since I've never watched a drama where they've changed FLs in this middle, and although we all know this is Naksu, it is visually jarring to see this transition. Would love to hear if the drama is still enjoyable despite the change in FL, and if the change logically makes sense for the series!

I agree with your thoughts; I generally prefer romance works written by women authors, especially because sometimes male authors have certain writing tropes (e.g. on women's anatomy, on experiences of women's issues, on treatment of sexuality and consent, etc.) that can be jarring to read. However, Wang Xiongcheng has done an amazing job at really delving into the emotional bonds, lapses, disagreements, and conflicts amongst people. He really lives to flesh out his characters; particularly by showing how they are multi-faceted and complex, and both align to and subvert certain tropes in characterizations at the same time (e.g. your comments on Zhao Xi's role as a CEO). I think he's excellent at drawing attention to nuances and feelings in his scripts, and while not all of his dramas have been a hit or up to my own personal tastes, I love how he incorporates poignant social issues in his work while folding them into the personal lives and experiences of his characters.

I agree; it's really the element that made me give the show a higher rating than I would have, had the drama not shown this romance!

I actually had a really, really difficult time rating this drama precisely because of this issue. If you (1) dislike extreme slow burns, (2) are not convinced at all of the chemistry between the main characters, and (3) want an action-packed mystery with some crime, this drama will be ranked very low. The plot definitely has a lot of issues, and I think the writing could have really been tightened given all of the interesting build up they had at the start of the drama (which started to struggle during the latter half of the series). There are also some elements that could have been used to create more narrative tension; it would be so delicious for example had ML and Xu Youning been twins/have the same appearance, etc. Not sure why they didn't take the mystery even further and extend the angst, given how the number of episodes (38) is relatively solid to work with.

I would honestly only recommend this if you like seeing Cai Wenjing and Peng Guanying together, and also if you are prepared for the fact that this drama (despite being a mystery with crime elements) moves on at a snail's pace. If not, however, it would be best to drop this one because I agree with you on your comments about the writing issues.

I would consider it to be a very adult romance, with older characters, a very slow-burn romance where they are attracted to each other but distrust each other, and also an ML who has a villain/"bad guy" dynamic where you know he is lying about his identity to her. In some ways it is a dark romance; in real life this would be a huge lawsuit and a total betrayal of people's feelings; however in the drama because of the way it's filmed you realize just how much the main characters love each other. I admit that I am generally someone who leans towards fluffy light-hearted romances, and honestly I think this drama definitely can be categorized as a romance one (at least far more than a crime one).

It was exciting and wonderful to be able to watch this with all of our fellow commenters! I know that this was an underrated watch; but it was a delightful surprise and I had so much fun chatting about theories, the chemistry between our leads, and always being kept waiting to discover what would happen to our main couple!

As I mentioned in my review, honestly the actual plot, the crimes, how they were staged, etc. is a bit lacking. I think the motivations of the criminals and their goals were underdeveloped, and I felt Xu Youning's character was (ironically) underused even though the whole story surrounds his death. However, I also mentioned that I find it difficult to categorize this as a crime drama. Yes, the business aspects and financial crimes are the overarching story and what compels our leads to get together, but honestly this is a story about the female lead and the male lead; about how Ruan Zhenzhen goes stronger and moves on from the death of her husband, about their amazing chemistry and how they come to love each other through their experiences. Also, there are some things that are unclear about the relationships between people (specifically ML's old profession and history, etc.) that are glossed over a bit despite their importance. Whether this is because of subtitling or just the writing itself I'm unsure, but this is not a drama that features a masterpiece of human strategy or psychological manipulation; the legal cases and the way our characters handled things really requires some suspension of disbelief.

I also think this is in some ways a love letter to The Confidence; given the fact that our leads there did not (and probably should not) have a relationship in that drama, in a way this drama seems like an alternate universe, another version of their love story. I'm glad that we eventually found our happy ending for our leads, and I really can't think of anyone else other than Cai Wenjing and Peng Guanying to be the main actors. Both of them did an amazing job portraying their characters, and I stand by Peng Guanying's performance as hitting a lot of the villainous male lead tropes that I really enjoy.

As for the ending, I mentioned before I am satisfied regardless of whether it's a happy one or a sad one. I'm pleased to say both of them find their happiness; although I admit that I wish we had a couple extra scenes of their domestic life together and how they rebuild from this experience. Those scenes where they were living, eating, and sleeping in the same house together warmed my heart deeply; knowing that they have each other for refuge in the midst of their troubling pasts is one of the most memorable aspects of the drama.

Thank you to everyone for a wonderful comment section; it's been lovely watching this drama together and cheering for our Zhenzhen and our male lead during this time. Until the next amazing show that captivates our attention ~

I love how the show actually plays with the viewer's emotions. It leaves us some information, and then it completely twists our belief in that information in the next episode. Who do we trust? Can we even trust Ruan Zhenzhen? Can we trust Guo Jun? It's so wonderful how the drama complicates our theories and what we think about the leads. The only thing I think all of us agree on is the amazing chemistry between our characters, which has kept me hooked on every episode!

I like too that he definitely looks older; I think what I enjoy about this drama a lot is a focus on adults who are BOTH in their late 30s, who go through different life experiences, career changes, are developed in their relationships. It's really refreshing especially given the predominant focus on actors in their late teens and 20s instead (again, nothing wrong with this too, but just that it's very nice to see a drama that focuses on a different type of couple dynamic).

All the sweet and lovely scenes! I really missed how much I enjoyed just watching them at home doing things a "normal couple" would do; going to the beach, cooking dinner together, sharing their evenings with each other, etc. All of the scenes when they are together like this are bright with different lighting effects, while the other ones are always muted and foreboding. I know that sometimes having this sweetness before the ending will only make things more bitter; but I am trying to stay optimistic that we will get a really good ending for these two!

I love him both with glasses and without (maybe I'm just addicted to Peng Guanying!) I feel like the drama does a good job though using glasses to show his disguise, and then his normal appearance to show who he really is. I agree with you 100%; one of my favourite quotes is that "a hero will sacrifice you to save the world, a villain will sacrifice the world to save you." This is our ML completely; I adore just how much he cares for the FL, and the lengths he goes to protect her even if she doubts him or doesn't trust him.

I am thinking about watching The Confidence after this, but going into it with super low expectations (especially since it seems they change up the ML in the middle of the drama, and they also make ML a bit more palatable than what he was actually like in the manhua).

I agree, I love how he's definitely not a beautiful or pretty visual (there is nothing wrong with that at all, just that it's a very different type of feeling he gives off!) He does the more mature, very traditionally masculine type of character very well; although I know he's been playing villain roles quite a lot lately I'm really satisfied with him taking on these characters since he does such an amazing job!

I think Peng Guanying has a very imposing figure; especially because he is so tall and tends to tower over his other co-actors, but also he pulls off the villain characterization very well. I think he stands out less when he's playing sweeter, younger, more "foolish or naive", junior characters (like in some of his previous dramas), but he is amazing at being a broody, manipulative and dangerous character. Just like this drama, where you slowly become ensnared by how captivating our main leads are together and the mysteries behind their relationship, I feel that he's an actor where upon first glance you may miss, but after watching him for a while you are really stunned by his presence and his ability to command the screen.

Immediately when Unexpected Falling began filming after the end of The Confidence, the news trended because of the amazing chemistry between Cai Wenjing and Peng Guanying. If they don't find their happiness in this drama, I don't know how I will feel. But regardless of whatever the outcome is for the finale, I am glad to be able to watch such a wonderful drama with an amazing slow-burn, enemies to friends to lovers to enemies again tropes, and a villainous male lead. My hope is that Zhenzhen and the ML find their happiness together after all of the pain and angst they've been through.

Although... if they are thwarted from a happy ending for a second time, perhaps let's wait for a third collaboration between these two? (This is me trying to be very optimistic over the tension of what's going to happen in the finale!)

The best way I can describe this couple is ML and FL who get into trouble together; I love how the ML dotes on the FL so much that he's willing to help with all of the antics she gets into, while she shamelessly steamrolls everyone and anyone who tries to block her path to success.

Some issues are that Anson Chen's acting does come off sometimes as stilted, it's clear that he's a bit more amateur and in a way I feel as if he was really lucky to get a role where he doesn't play a traditionally "cold" ML, but instead one who is also playful and clingy towards the FL. Although I feel that making the episodes slightly longer would have helped to build characterization, in a way I appreciate how there's no filler and that most of it is cut off because of the short length requirement. A pleasant surprise, although I'd still recommend one goes into it with very low expectations since it's clear that it's more low-budget and that the acting is not as well-developed.

To be honest, I struggled a lot to watch this because Li Xun in the first half is really, really unlikeable. I think the main issue is that if you are Zhu Yun, then of course he treats you well, silently protects you, is someone that you can defend because you "see their good sides." But the fact that he really does not treat others well outside of Zhu Yun and Ren Di, and also treats other people around him arrogantly is hard to stomach (despite the fact that we know he has a tough past and has gone through a lot in life). His inability to communicate and work with others who are not Zhu Yun is a real issue. For example, this shows a lot in his working situation; instead of getting angry at others for "not working hard enough," "not following him properly," wouldn't it be better to make the environment a better place where everyone can work to their strengths and succeed together instead?

I have to say one thing I really love is that Zhu Yun really grows a lot, she is very open-minded, and she is a great and loyal source of support. I think she's one of my favourite FLs, and I really appreciate how passionate and how hard she works, while also caring for the people around her. In some ways I feel as if she is too great for Li Xun; she mediates so many different conflicts, and even if she may not have the exact same skills as Li Xun, I appreciate how in many ways she is like an equal, even someone who is key to Li Xun's capabilities. Without her, Li Xun cannot achieve his goals; I love how the drama does show how much they mean to each other.

Additionally, I'm a bit mixed on how the drama handled Gao Jianhong's resentment; actually his frustrations, inferiority, and unhappiness are very relatable. I wish however his character was more fully developed and that instead of becoming a cartoonish villain to Li Xun, that he and Li Xun truly become good friends. Had Li Xun said words such as "you are the one I trust most" earlier, I feel they really would have made progress; but of course at this point Gao Jianhong has crossed the line and there is no turning back from this road.

Overall, I still have mixed feelings about the drama so far. Chen Feiyu's acting is sometimes quite stiff and I find Li Xun to still be a character that is very difficult to like. Zhang Jingyi is wonderful, however, and I agree that they have a really beautiful and natural chemistry together, through the way they look at each other, interact with one another, and protect each other. But I am struggling a lot with Li Xun's characterization, especially because of how dependent he is on Zhu Yun while continuing not to grow as a person himself. Perhaps the latter parts of the drama will focus on this; I'm looking forward to the next episodes!

Before I watched this drama, I was a little surprised at all of the news articles around the production that mostly focused on editing scenes, delaying the airtime, etc., because of "too many kiss scenes." Not only do other Chinese dramas show more skinship, but I was kind of shocked that a fluffy romance drama would have any problems passing the official regulations and broadcast restrictions.

After the first episode, I'm pleasantly surprised and have a feeling that why it was delayed wasn't because of skinship, but more so because of some of the really interesting subversive themes. Yanghua is a super interesting character; one that feels defeat from his job and currently doesn't hold a "socially acceptable" career, instead choosing to focus on "freedom" and his own wellbeing instead. A lot of the questions he asks himself (will the "right" career, the "right" amount of money, the "right" marriage will bring us happiness?) resonates with a lot of us who are told to go to a good university, do all of the right things, and then find out that working hard doesn't necessarily translate to "success." We start to question what success is and feel that we deserve better; not to mention how layoffs, recessions, and economic issues remind us how disposable and replaceable we are as workers. Rather than supporting other workers, having health and social benefits to care for our health and wellbeing, and working for things we believe in, we end up moving to a race to the bottom with long hours and low pay.

I can see this being one of the main reasons for the edits; I'm surprised they didn't change this part of his personality and find it super refreshing that a lot of these romance dramas (often targeted at but not exclusive to women) are circulating around social issues such as labour, a good or successful life, and women in the workplace through their writing. Although I'm still very early in the drama, it's not a surprise that some of the commentary in the series is focusing on a lot of issues that are relevant to China's social conditions (i.e. gender and age gaps, the "tangping" or lying flat movement, frustrations at youth unemployment, etc.) but are also relevant around the world. Looking forward to watching the rest of the episodes and keeping my eye on how they handle these themes!

I loved this scene so much to be honest; I think it really shows how even if Zhenzhen is reserved, depressed, and anxious, her inner core and her protectiveness over her friends are a huge strength of hers. I kind of do like how this scene turned out; I didn't find it romantic at all but instead kind of a tension between both of the character's worldviews and ML's reflections of his own guilt, conscience, and anger in playing the role he does.

I recommend to keep watching because this is an important part of his characterization and the storyline; however I can only really suggest you continue giving this a try if you like the chemistry between the main characters. There are a lot of reasons and hidden secrets that are slowly being unlayered, and this is a very long journey (we won't be able to find out the reason until much later, almost near the end of the series). I agree with you 100% that in the beginning ML is extremely arrogant and abrasive; but I really liked how the drama makes you perceive him as a villain in the beginning, before flipping some of these perceptions in the show.

It's a lot more complicated than this; my general guess is that everything ML is doing is related to his work, and the title of this drama ultimately demonstrates that how he feels about the FL is unintended/not what he expected to experience. I think the drama does a great job at showing how our leads eventually get to this point; although it's a very long path and the ML definitely is very arrogant, rude, and completely disregarding of the FL's feelings in the beginning.