A Masterpiece of 2023

Best Chinese Drama of 2023.
I am hooked with the story, the chemistry, and the business cases.
Gong Jun as Xu Si and Zhong Chuxi as Jiang Hu are the best decision ever.

Running against the wind. Beginning with Jiang Hu.
When rising with the wind, Zhaoyang will be there for you.

My final points for this drama why I choose this drama as my #1 drama:
1) The drama is as realistic as it can be in C-drama world
2) All scenes are important, not even single scene is some kind of filler
3) The leads have their strengths and weaknesses and have great character development each other
4) The chemistry of the leads are great. Smart and Powerful Couple ever
5) Learning business cases by watching a drama
6) Xu Si is also NOT usual CEO-Type male lead. The finest grey flag man ever. Xu Si yaaaaaaaaa, you’re my top character male lead drama of all time now??
7) The OSTs are superb

Full playlist of this drama : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbaz30HW30w
Compilation of Xu Si and Jiang Hu Best Moments (Part 1) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRKwBU-J8_g

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L&P WON MY HEART PERFECTLY

I hope it is not too late to review this drama.
This drama just came to my attention a week ago. As a picky C-Drama enthusiast, I need to find out a few details before watching the whole series.

The conclusion is THIS DRAMA IS AMAZING!!

L & P just won my heart!

A fascinating plot, wonderful actors, perfect chemistry for ML FL, enjoyable OST, and lesson learned in life (for me).

There aren't any boring episodes in this series, so I won't spoil too much for you guys. I highly recommend this drama for you.

During the young-adult phase (college life). It brings me joy to watch them in college, since they are a lot like I was during my college years. I was also a computer science student so I relate so much to this kind of campus life. It does not even surprise me when ML is a genius at coding. Participating in lab practice, solving coding quizzes, and building a team for a number of projects. I know there will be romance in there since we have interaction a lot everyday like ML and FL. Love is a habit, right? It's like nostalgia watching this whole series up to episode 22 for me hahaha.

During the adult phase (work life). This is the most interesting part for me. There are so many changes to ML and FL that they are like day and night. There is a huge gap in their background. The life of FL makes me jealous. She even graduated from Cornell Univ and had many prestigious internships abroad hahah. While I am deeply aware that it is not easy to let everything go to work for a small business, or to help the ML from a minus (considering his past), it is also very challenging. If I were her, I just couldn't. In addition to her intellectual skills, FL keeps her words to ML as well. Lesson learned for me.

My favorite thing about ML is that he has a lot of character traits that I admire (focus, goal oriented, genius), but his words always hurt despite the fact that his intentions are good. His intentions may not be understood by everyone. In this adult phase, I sense his personality has become better and better each day. I agree with FL everytime she said ‘we need to communicate’ since teamwork requires communication to support and understand each other. Since having back-up ideas is essential for winning a project, I didn't comment on his habit for work. As a project manager, I understand his position, just as FL has decided to follow his instruction. If we were to examine GJH's actions closer, I would understand, but I can't tolerate him taking over ML's company this way-in nasty manner. When it comes to a coding and project manager genius like ML, I prefer to stay close to him and make a team with him. This will enable us to achieve goal together, not become enemies since it is rarely successful. Just like the ending of this drama.

All OSTs are available at Spotify. I love all of them, especially Falling You. MY FAV.

The intimate scenes between ML and FL are all beautiful. Their interaction, skinship and kisses are real hahah I LOVE IT.

I would like to conclude by saying that it is hard nowadays to find any drama that is beautiful in all aspects and suits my taste. This gem came to my attention when I opened a web page about the Best Chinese Dramas of 2022. The "drama hangover" might last for quite some time because I won't be able to find another like this. But I will try to find one next month. Please recommend another drama like this for me hahah

YOU SHOULD WATCH THIS DRAMA NOW!!!

-YAE-

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A Healthy Secret Relationship

I don't know where to start my review. Initially, I didn't plan to watch this drama because I was still experiencing a "drama hangover" from As Beautiful As You and wasn't ready to start a new one. But here we are. I'm glad I decided to watch and hype this drama while it's ongoing. I had previously seen Zhang Jia Ning in Shining for One Thing and watched several Wei Zhe Ming dramas.

To begin my review, I should mention that I haven't read the novel yet. I'm enjoying the drama on its own merit. At first, I was quite surprised that Jiyuheng proposed to Tuxiaoning in the very first episode. I thought that with 32 episodes, the plot might drag, but I was completely wrong. The plot is well-paced and builds up slowly and neatly.

Regarding our main couple, even though they initially decided to get married because they were a good match, Jiyuheng had already admired and fallen in love with Tuxiaoning since high school. They gradually get to know each other, understand each other, and fall in love. I really appreciate the progression of their relationship from the beginning to their eventual marriage. They also communicate well, avoiding misunderstandings and never allowing a third party to come between them. Moreover, they have supportive families. It's a dream to have a family like our main couple's, where both sets of parents approve, and Tuxiaoning's parents even agree to help with Jiyuheng's mother. What a healthy and green-flag relationship.

Usually, I don't show much interest in other couples formed in the drama, but this time, I was interested in Raojing and Zhao Fanggang's relationship. Their relationship also develops gradually, evolving from colleagues to lovers. Zhao Fanggang is really suited for Raojing because he can handle and take care of her well, given that Raojing is a strong, independent character. Their dynamic adds fun to the story. The friendships between Raojing and Tuxiaoning, and between Zhao Fanggang and Jiyuheng, are also portrayed as healthy.

Overall, this drama has been a nice watch after my work in the lab. It delivers a positive message. I was almost convinced, like Raojing, that it might not be so bad to stay single as long as you have a career, money, and don't disturb others. However, now I believe, like Tuxiaoning and Raojing, that being in a happy and healthy relationship with supportive parents is also something to strive for. I need to find my own Jiyuheng or Zhao Fanggang!

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It encompassed everything I wish all romance dramas could offer

“Maybe I think love is not a noun but a verb.” – Xu Ziquan

I cannot believe I found this hidden gem two months after it was initially released.

This is a very good slice-of-life middle-aged modern C-Drama.
The chemistry of the main leads was sufficient to keep me engaged throughout the 14-episode series. Their mature and engaging dialogues held my attention and left little room for me to focus on the other supporting couples or characters in the show. To be honest, I even skipped a few of the supporting scenes just to catch more moments with the main leads. This drama predominantly delves into the professional lives of an investor and lawyer, which might make it feel a bit sluggish for those who aren't fans of this genre.

It encompassed everything I wish all romance dramas could offer. Here are few reasons:
1) A mature romance with actors in their 30s, which is a departure from the usual Chinese dramas with mature romance involving older actors.
2) Mature characters. One of the primary reasons I usually don't enjoy Chinese dramas is their tendency to feature immature characters, which I find hard to tolerate.
3) It consisted of 14 episodes, each lasting an hour, following the format more akin to K-Dramas. This format, unlike other Chinese romance dramas with a minimum of 24 episodes, avoids unnecessary filler episodes, tedious family melodrama, and annoying secondary character subplots.

I wholeheartedly recommend this to all romance enthusiasts. The chemistry between the main characters is truly exceptional. ??

P. S. This drama has turned me into a fan of Elvis Han. I'm eagerly looking forward to his future works!

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Best Drama about Healing, Growth, Love, Life, Dream and Career

Very satistied with all aspects of this drama.
The dialogue, characters, story development, acting, chemistry, friendship, romance are the best.
Everything has each portion in balance, thanks to the writer of this drama for making the great storyline.

Although it is slow burn romance, but the progress of their romance is amazing and heartwarming. I love the ML who are sure about his feeling despite 10 year old gap with FL. When they talked about the past, I know that they can't be separated hahahah.

All in all, I love SSC and LYA. Best drama of 2023, no maybe for me one of my all time favorite C-Drama.

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Summer Lemongrass

I watched this movie at the 2024 Busan International Film Festival.
After the screening, there was a guest session where the director, writer, and lead actors discussed the movie with the audience.

Overall, it's a youth romance movie, so the plot is fairly common—or I should say, very common.
However, the execution of the entire movie wasn’t bad. I liked it.

What I liked:
1. The male and female characters were portrayed as 'normal' high school students, without any over-the-top actions, childish voices, or exaggerated coolness.
2. The male and female leads spoke multiple languages—Taiwanese, English, Spanish, and French—throughout the movie. They’re polyglots, which made me envious!
3. The second male lead was also portrayed as a good character. His moment begging the vet to open the clinic to help the dog of the man the girl he loves cares about was his golden moment. He’s also talented in music.
4. The difficulty of long-distance relationships was realistically portrayed. They drifted apart slowly, breaking up without explicitly saying it.
5. In the reconciliation scene, some people might disapprove of the male lead’s actions, like saying the kiss was without consent, but I support it. His third wish came true. Sometimes, you don’t need explanations—actions can clear the grey areas.
6. The ending was cute.

What I disliked:
1. The title 'I Am the Secret in Your Heart' doesn’t seem fitting. 'Lemongrass of Our Youth' would be better. The English title doesn’t reflect the core of the story. Even by the end, the female lead didn’t know she was the male lead’s childhood friend. Or maybe the title implies that some secrets should remain secrets.
2. The movie’s focus on high school and college/work phases was roughly 2:1, which felt a bit unbalanced. Wanna see more of college-work era.

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The first half was absolutely incredible, The second half lost its way.

I personally found the drama quite enjoyable at the first half. I agree with the majority that the plot's direction shifted in the second half, but I also believe it wasn't entirely unexpected. The change occurred because the characters themselves evolved; they transitioned from being adolescents to young adults, making their own decisions and facing the consequences. Additionally, we gained insights into the male lead's past and saw the female lead overcoming certain challenges to pave her own path in life.

Therefore, I'd describe the first half as focusing on two youngsters with troubled backgrounds who find solace and support in each other meanwhile in the second half, they are young adults who reconnect and develop deep feelings for each other while pursuing their dreams.

The drama isn't the best, but it's not the worst either.

P.S. : I'd recommend watching the special episode to find more answers.

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As beautiful as Ji Xing to Han Ting as business partner and romantic lover

Honestly, I watch this ongoing series because it is a modern drama and I have previously watched TSY's works.
When I read the synopsis, the premise seemed similar to RWTW, focusing on business and romance, with the male lead also being an investor. Since I loved RWTW so much last year, I decided to give this a try.
And bam! It exceeded my expectations. The plot is so good and solid!

Synopsis in short:
Ji Xing previously worked at a top IT firm and decided to quit to launch her own company, Xingchen Technology. Han Ting is an investor and CEO of Dongyang Medical. With Han Ting's support as a mentor and backing, her entrepreneurial journey begins. As they collaborate closely, their professional relationship starts to deepen, and unexpected romantic sparks fly.

Execution:
The character introduction is clear from the beginning. HT has been interested in JX since their college days, but it wasn't reciprocated because HT moved to Germany and JX had a 4-year relationship with her boyfriend. Their daily interaction was purely business-related. Soon, her boyfriend asked for a breakup, and HT's pursuit journey began.

The chemistry between XK and TSY is sweet and natural, both as business partners and romantic lovers. The stories of the supporting characters are also good without overshadowing the main characters' screen time.

For some people, despite the ML having had a long-time crush on the FL and the FL having been in a 4-year relationship with her ex, their relationship is not considered true love. But time is not a measure of their love for each other. They find it easier to interact and communicate because they work in the AI Tech - Medical field. So far, their romance doesn't feel forced at all.

All in all, I like the plot and everything about the show. Even though the progression of their relationship is fast-paced, the business aspect of the story remains strong, not just presenting us with lovey-dovey scenes. The last quarter of the story, which includes the breakup and reconciliation part, was executed well. I love how they started again as Hanting and Jixing without bringing their job into it. And the extra episode was also cute and complete with two boys and their old days.

Conclusion:
It was a good story with solid execution from beginning to end, wrapping up with a heartwarming extra episode. Of course, there are small imperfections, but they didn't really disturb the overall story. They are a beautiful college friendship, business partnership, and romantic couple. Thank you Jixing and Hanting for 40 episodes plus 1 extra; my summer vacation was great!

NOTE:
I make a full OST of As Beautiful As You, kindly check this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lyr2UTFzVMg

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You Are My Lover Friend = You're My Best Friend and My Lover

I'm interested in watching it because of Zhang Xin Cheng, Wang Yu Wen, and Wu Jun Ting.
The plot is fairly common—friends turned lovers—but it still has potential to explore the romantic aspect further.

What I like about this drama:
0) This is a true best-friends-to-lovers plot. The romance develops almost in the last 10 episodes.
1) Their friendship feels genuine. They're real besties, paying attention to and understanding each other so well. It would have been very strange if they didn't end up together and get married, considering how close they are—HAHA.
2) The kisses and skinship in the last 10 episodes were good, yohoooo!
3) The story focuses mainly on friendship and work. The obstacles are just work rivals, ex-lovers, and one-sided crushes.
4) Cheng Hui and Ni Na's love story ended happily, even though they didn't get much screen time.
5) I love how the end credits show flashbacks to their high school days.
6) The wedding ending was quite a surprise. It was cute, though.
7) The OST sung by Zhang Xin Cheng is my favorite.

What I dislike:
1) The story drags a bit. They made it 30 episodes, with the first 10 focusing on pure friendship, the next 10 on worrying about how a relationship might affect their friendship, and the last 10 on the romance. Maybe it would have been better to make it only 24 episodes.
2) I still can’t believe Wei Ran and Yan An didn’t notice their close friends’ feelings for each other until the leads spoiled it themselves.

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One of Best Youth High-School Chinese Dramas to Watch

I REALLY LOVE THIS SHOW!

At first, I did not expect this drama would be my interest because I felt like the plot was the same with all aired dramas in the past. But I was wrong! The story is interesting enough to keep going to next episode. The characters of FL and ML, even the friendship are also really great. The FL is a smart, cheerful, thoughtful person who I love the most, not the clingy, dumb, childish (thanks to the writer for a more mature FL character).

Beside their friendship, what I love the most is also the communication between our main couple. Since they are in high school, they have good understanding for each other so in their adult phase, they are compatible enough even though they are busy with their college and work.

Thanks for a healthy show, with healthy relationships that resulted in beautiful growth for each of them. Rewatching this later is definitely on the agenda! :)

PS: Based on this show, is it true that men and women can never be friends? Since there are two couple formed in this show HAHAHA XD

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Overall, a well executed drama

In my opinion, this series outperformed its predecessors featuring firefighters. It's unfortunate that it was released after a wave of similar-themed dramas.

I found this drama highly enjoyable because it focused on the lives of the firefighters and their families, depicting the challenges they face. It included both uplifting moments and incredibly heart-wrenching scenes, including my interpretation of the conclusion for the main characters.

The romantic aspect was well-executed, offering profound and realistic insights into the lives and relationships of the firefighters. Additionally, the fire safety tips provided were valuable. The entire cast, including the leads and supporting actors, delivered impressive performances.

Overall, it was a well-crafted drama.
Truly, this show deserves a higher rating!

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Romance in Afterschool Academy

After watching Episodes 1 & 2, I’m in!!!!
Under the same director as 'Something in the Rain' and 'One Spring Night,' I believe in this one.
This tutor-student relationship, where in the past and now they are colleagues at an afterschool academy (called hagwon in South Korea), a young man falls in love and chases the woman, who is 6 years older than him, that he likes, is always worth watching. So far, both the female lead and the male lead have their own solid arguments. And the communication between them ?, especially when we can see the male lead's micro expressions as he talks to her at the cafe ?.

I also love the introduction, the OST, and the small details the director puts in each episode.
Let's see how the story will develop in the next episodes!!!

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My Best K-Drama of 2024

"The Judge from Hell" exceeded all my expectations. I initially started watching just because of Park Shin Hye and because I had no other show lined up for Friday and Saturday nights. However, as the series unfolded, I found myself eagerly looking forward to each new episode, especially to see how the journey between Bitna and Daon would develop.

Park Shin Hye truly outdid herself with her role in this drama. Taking on the complex character of Bitna, a seemingly cold-hearted "demon" judge with a mysterious past, she brought intensity and nuance to every scene. It was refreshing to see her challenge herself with such a layered character, a departure from some of her past roles, and she pulled it off flawlessly, embodying Bitna’s resilience, ambition, and vulnerability.

Kim Jae Young was perfectly cast as Han Daon, matching Park Shin Hye's energy and creating undeniable chemistry on screen. Their evolution from rivals to lovers was surprisingly satisfying; it wasn't drawn out or clichéd but rather progressed naturally, allowing viewers to connect with their journey. Their relationship was filled with tension and tenderness, offering just the right balance of push-and-pull dynamics. When they finally shared moments of affection—whether in a lingering hug or a sweet, unexpected kiss—it felt like a well-earned culmination of their growing bond rather than a typical romance plot device.

The drama's pacing and storyline were also well-crafted, ensuring each episode had a mix of suspense, emotional depth, and romance. “The Judge from Hell” delivered on every front, providing a thrilling watch and leaving me eager for more by the end of each episode.

Yes, The Judge from Hell is my top 1 best K-Drama of 2024!!!

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The Beauty of First Love

The premise is basic and cliché, centering around 'first love.'

What's so special about first love? According to ChatGPT, first love is often considered special due to its novelty and intensity, leaving a lasting emotional imprint and shaping one's perception of relationships. This formative experience, marked by idealism and innocence, evokes nostalgia and plays a significant role in personal growth. Cultural portrayals in literature and art further underscore its unique status, highlighting the unconditional and uncomplicated nature of first love. These combined factors contribute to its cherished and memorable place in many people's lives.

I always watch both Kim Soo Hyun's and Chae Jong Hyeop's projects, so I have to watch this one too!

This drama tells the story of the ML who has had a crush on the FL since high school for 10 years. From the flashbacks, it seems they knew each other back then, but something is missing. We'll see in the upcoming episodes why ML never revealed his feelings. Meanwhile, for FL, her first love is not ML. But we'll see, first love is special, but last love is more important, right? XD

For the first two episodes, here are my thoughts:
1) So far, the story is smooth without many unnecessary scenes.
2) Another loser was born. Hu Yeong just smiles every time he is with Hong Ju.
3) The chemistry between Kim Soo Hyun and Chae Jeong Hyeop is great. I can't wait until they officially become a couple.
4) It seems like ML is not just an admirer of FL; maybe there's something about his move to the USA. We'll have to wait and see.
5) As we know, FL's best friend also likes ML. I hope the writer doesn't create unnecessary conflict between FL and her best friend.

I really hope the story isn't just about a crush/admirer becoming an official couple but has more depth.
Let's keep watching episodes 3-8!

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