Story-
Only side by side with you is relatively a good drama. Obviously the first negetive mark for this drama starts with the unnecessary 40 episodes but I guess once you get the kick out of it, you won't mind it anymore. However, one thing that really iritated me in this drama was flashbacks. Brace yourself people coz there are innumerable same flashbacks in every episode. Story was kind of a cliche but they didn't leave any plot-holes in it so I am giving an extra point to the story for that. Chinese dramas are master at leaving plot-holes and Only side by side with you wraps up every story quite well.
Acting-
I discovered William Chan people. My greatest discovery in C-dramas ever! It is going to be difficult to get over him for a while coz he's such a good actor! The drama was nothing great but the acting was superb by everyone especially the two leads. Main girl is a strong independent and quite a cool woman. I liked her character alot. Actually I enjoyed all the women characters of this drama. I even enjoyed watching the obsessive An Ning too, maybe because she was not THAT cruel or messed up as other evil second female leads. All the other characters, their development with the story and their acting was on point except for the few minor ones which could be ignored.
Music-
Love love loved the music. The opening theme, the ending theme by William Chan himself and all the other OST's were good. Anyone would enjoy the music of this drama.
Re-watch value-
I don't usually re-watch Chinese drama coz they're super long like this one, but I might re-watch some episodes of this again to see all the muscle and dimple of William Chan. I swear people just watch this show for the fabulous him.
Overall-
On the side note I actually kinda liked this drama. It was nothing extraordinary but you would enjoy it. I certainly didn't get bored of watching it atleast. 40 episodes are big commitment but once you are into the drama, I don't think it would itch you any more. Go watch it.
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For this drama, I see the key theme as focusing on human intertwined relationships. We all have relationships from the past that somehow stretched to present life - good or bad regardless, these past relationships made us who we are now. This drama tried to have good coverage of all kinds of relationship stories for all the characters featured in it. Other than the expected romantic relationships, there are friendships (esp on man to man buddy for life between Shiyue and Chang Jianxiong), boss with co-workers and among colleagues of Future Up, family members of Nanqiao (esp on father-daughters and even mention of mother-son between Nanqin and Zhenghao and issue on aging!), 'debtors'-'creditors (not just monetary per say but being life indebted and faithful to 'jianghu' aka the underworld sorta relationships), grief relationships with the dead person, and even trying to inject how we can be connected through animals! I though it was a nice play on the whole vet shop and relating to the 3 dogs of Shiyue (little things reinforcing faithfulness and kinships theme). As the relationship stories made progress for the characters, we get to see how people made choices in their lives, what they would do for love from their perspectives and learning to let go, and then to wrap things up mainly focusing on acceptance, which is not easy to do in real life to be honest.
So if you have patience to watch the unraveling of these relationships then you may be interested to stay on till the end of this drama even if you possibly able to predict the outcomes of these relationships but to watch them unfold quite worth the journey. Undoubtedly there were quite a number of what I perceived as unnecessary scenes towards the development of the story plot (aka fillers) and also in terms of characters development, not that smoothly illustrated but these became easily oversight for me when I chose to remember the meaningful conversations about the strong female MC, Nanqiao's dream in this drone business and always on the exchanges between Shiyue with Anning. I seriously thinks Qin Hailu's acting shone brighter than Bai Baihe in this drama. At times I even feel Bai Baihe's acting a bit stiff and I could not really feel strong chemistry between Bai Baihe and William Chan in this drama as a couple. William Chan was great in carrying out his role though, almost to the point of being himself at certain points in terms of being playful.
When talking about meaningful conversations I recalled two intertwined dialogues on Shiyue, Nanqiao and Anning. Between Shiyue and Anning: "What we have is the past but we don't have a future", which is so true because what was once lost you can never go back and even if you do, it is never the same anymore. Then followed up with conversation between Shiyue and Nanqiao on accepting Shiyue's past and stating, "I did not make it in time to be with you in your past but I will definitely be with you in your future". I believe it is the many meaningful conversations that keep me watching the drama because they made me feel connected to the drama. Also after all the flashbacks fast forwarding, for me, Ep34 was the most memorable episode as the plot gets a final strong hold to build to the finale momentum. Oh, oh and I like the opening and closing theme songs. Both songs' lyrics aptly depicting the drama itself.
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Actors= LOVE
Acting= AWESOME
Music= Very Suitable
Relationships= Well Thought out, Deep, Trust, Believing, Bromance Galore, No Unnecessary Sidesteps (Just misplaced good intentions)
Plot= Great.
Character Development= It happened. Slowly, but surely... not for all, because some people were already well thought out adults with their personalities already settled (Appreciate that in a lot of the supporting characters). Though most people grew into clearer versions of themselves.
There were a great too many flashbacks. Now we all know flashbacks aren't bad. They give us more information, a new perspective on an old scene or even why things are the way they are in upcoming newer scenes. These flashbacks though... are everywhere. They're like internet pop ups. the first few were good for what I have above mentioned before. After the constant usage of the exact same flashbacks again and again, it just got really repetitive. Even with that I still greatly appreciated this drama. Now just saying for people who love to fully watch every scene in every episode... its actually okay to do so. I just sped up the speed for scenes where I knew I had seen the past scene(s) in flashbacks. It helped me through. I did however sometimes sit through the flashbacks of the early episodes in the concluding episodes. As it took me over 4 days to watch it... why not look at those scenes again. There are a few scenes in the beginning that although they begin the same you actually must watch in order to get the slight continuation. I have confidence and faith that you will figure it out. (You will get what I'm saying)
Alright then... our main couple is adorable. They aren't hating each other with burning passions nor are they suddenly magically head over heels in love in the first 4 episodes. Nan Qiao is a very dimensional character who doesn't follow cookie cutter personalities. She is very well thought out, intelligent, and very straightforward in her thoughts. I loved her. She's also very cute and lovable. Also just saying in the first episode especially she reminded me so much of Kim Go Eun (Drama: Goblin) Lovely Shi Yue. Where have you been all my life?! He isn't overbearing, chauvinistic, I'm right you're wrong, I'm way too smart for you. He's caring, intelligent but doesn't take himself for being more than Nan Qiao. He has a lot happen to him to turn him into the man he is when he meet's Nan Qiao.
Shi Yue and Nan Qiao give the audience beautiful expressions, gorgeous smiles + laughter, well thought out conversation, delicate tacit understandings, innovative flirting situations, uncommon dates. My love for this couple is immense and I felt fulfilled with their constant trust and faith. There's not a lot of will they won't they. Its more like when will they finally state the official lol
The secondary couples/ supporting characters are fantastic. Of course the best friends of our main leads get to go through some relationship journeys. (I won't specify, because half the fun is to figure it out for yourself)
Our main adversities and challenges presented themselves in the form of their solidifying their relationship with self obstructions, and then outside interference (2nd Female looking at you) The level of that meddling was just other level that I don't get to see in many modern day Chinese dramas. More so Korean DAILY or Korean exaggerated dramas.
Drones were a unique aspect that I wasn't expecting. Yeah I read the summary, and the fact that I saw drones there was a big factor in why I chose to watch it. The revenge that we are promised in that summary isn't fully the way it went down, but it did still play a part through the entirety of the drama. Its not just used loosely than suddenly they found a new path to lead the drama. It was well paced aside from one of my only complaints which is yes the constant overuse of flashbacks. I did like certain ones as I mentioned before. I was talking this out with another drama viewer and we came to the conclusion that: The drama aired everyday. Some people can't watch everyday. Thus so people still knew what was going on they could tune in whichever day and still get the flashbacks they need. Plus just some recap reviews of previous times. When I thought of it that way I just accepted, and appreciated the flashbacks. If I didn't marathon so well, and remember what I had seen previously... I would need those flashbacks.
Overall this drama was freaking ACES. Would highly recommend, and yes I will be re-watching it. Give it a shot. Very worth it.
Sara Rojas APRIL 22 2018
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The cast
Setting
The bad about this drama
FFFFFLLLLAAASSSSHHHHBBBBBAAACCCKKKSSS such a killer of momentum in this drama past the second half it get so bad at one point it feels like a filler episode of an anime where if you take out the opening song and ending song you are like with 10 or 15 minutes of actual progression of the story
Rivalry is akward beetwen the 2 male leads.
first 20 episodes amazing then the flashback grenade hit and made the last 20 episodes drag on.
i binged the first half and loved the show then coudn't watch more then 1 or 2 episodes each few days and when i watched it i ended up skipping alot of scenes without the main couple.
Dissapointing show if it was not for the flashback taking 35% of the episodes past the first half and maybe cut down to 26 episodes or less and it would have been fantastic and one of my favorite dramas
Still worth a watch but boy does the quality go down past episodes 23-24 what saves it from being really bad is the story is actually great when it progress and i really like the tech aspect of it.
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The pace and narrative is very slow. The scenes are stretched out. Its a dull watch. I sustained bcoz of the chemistry but to be honest it was really not worth the bother.
This is another one of those revenge stories and its follows the cliched route of revenge, love, then backing out to protect ur love and then getting back together to fight all evil. BUT there is something about this show that makes u watch it even of high skip mode. But after ep 36, i just cant do it anymore.
Skip it or not, it won't make much difference except for the time lost.
****** finished it and I have to say that 37 to 40 was the good part...cant believe after siting thru 36 epi I was gonna leave it! Its kinda worth it a little, these 4 episodes are cute with bromance,romance,Father in laws. Still had to skip some scenes but if u have started it and unable to leave it, like a peak after a plateau, it does get better*****
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Flashback Galore + Hot Guys with Hot Abs
Completed - 1/15/2022The reason I picked this drama is because I want to watch a William Chan modern drama. Having seen him in "Lost Love in Times" and "Novaland: Pearl Eclipse", I am not convinced in his acting. I hope to see him in a different role (not the cold/bland type) and in a modern setting. I am glad that I watched "Only side by side with you" as now I have a small crush on him.
As for the drama itself, what the reviewers and commenters said about flashbacks are totally true. Let's address what I don't like in the drama first.
What I don't Like:
1 Flashbacks - You need the fast-forward button with you to watch this drama, esp. if you are binge-watching. For the first 12 episodes, the flashbacks aren't bad as they are telling the history of the two male leads when they're in military school. So, there's a purpose and I am fine with that. After that, the flashbacks happen every single episode multiple times. These are long flashbacks and sometimes what happened earlier in the episode. This drama is really testing the audiences' patience and it's the main reason I can't give a high rating.
2. Product Placement - It's been a while since I watched a drama with SO many products featured. Is it because it's an older 2018 drama? Or because they need a lot of money to purchase drones and create fancy white offices? I have no idea. Products include: face creams, insurances, mobile apps, delivery service, drinks (OJ and bottled drinks), different types of alcohol, and of course, Macbook Pro for everyone. But the worst product is the cold medicine. Because the medicine has a sticker, the characters are not necessarily taking the meds, but use them as sticky for notes, like post-its. I have to applaud how creative they showcase this cold medicine.
3. Secondary Romance - I am not quite interested in this romance. I do not like Rachel Wang's acting as Ou Yang Qi (pet store owner). I don't feel the chemistry between Ou YangQi and Hao Jie, no matter how much Hao Jie tries and tries. I also don't see a reason for this love-at-first sight.
What I Enjoy:
1. Nan Qiao (FL) - It's so refreshing to see a smart, sensible, hard-working, independent woman CEO in a C-drama. Oftentimes, CEO are portrayed either as super cold or super bitchy. Nan Qian might be a little nerdy in the beginning, but she's never rude or dumb. I enjoy her character being slowly revealed as more than a nerdy engineer. Even when she fell in love, her sensibility did not go out the door. She's honest and direct when expressing her her feelings to the ML. I enjoy Bai Bai He's portrayal of Nan Qiao. She's not particularly pretty but she gives off a genuine vibe that fits this role.
2. William Chan - As I mentioned, I watch this drama because of William Chan. I am so happy to see him in a role where he can flex his acting chops. Shi Yue is a character that has a fun side and a dark side. William is able to portray the funny, adorable and flirty side of Shi Yue. And then in another scene, he's boxing and fighting and turned into a boss. When he smiles, I melt. So much better than the blank look I get from watching him in Pearl Eclipse. And there are so many scenes where he's topless or showing his muscles. He also looks dashing in all his clothes, whether it's casual wear or a 3-piece suit.
3. Fashion - Aside from Nan Qiao's earlier dorky fashion, all the leads have a wonderful wardrobe. Even Nan Qiao dresses a lot nicer after the first 1/3 of the show. It's nice to see an office drama where people dress appropriately to their age, and their work environment. Both An Ning and Wen Di have sophisticated and fancy outfits throughout the drama, and both women look beautiful and smart. Nan Qiao's early dorky fashion eventually evolves to a more sophisticated office look and more fashionable casual wear when she's on dates and not in the office. Our two male leads look super handsome in shirts/pants, or suits, or casual sports wear. They are both tall and lean, and basically look good in anything.
4. Plot/Pacing (minus flashbacks) - If I take the flashbacks out of the drama, the story has pretty good pacing. Although there isn't anything too unpredictable in the plot (a couple common tropes), the story keeps me engaged. There's a good mix of drone engineering/romance/rivalries/dark pasts to keep me entertained. I was never bored or felt that the storyline dragged for too long. It's unfortunate someone decides to use so many flashbacks. This drama could easily be a 30-episode drama.
5. Dads Unite - ML and FL's fathers are so funny together! Individually, they could be overbearing for their children. But when they are together, they are hilarious. Their conversations, banters and attempts in getting their kids together. The scene at the dating show registration is so funny!
Other Observations:
1. The bromance is pretty good in this drama.
2. I feel the rivalry between the two MLs resolved too easily and quickly without much fanfare.
3. Watch this if you are a fan of William Chan and Li Xian.
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This review may contain spoilers
StoryThe story itself start as a revenge plot from Shi Yue (ML) to Nan Qiao (FL). 7 years back, the ML, trained to become a soldier, getting expelled from some mistakes he didn't do and after that, his life went downhill. During the darkest times, he met a woman with a same hardships and growing care for her. But the relationship didn't end well.
7 years passed, the ML met the woman who "ruined" his life, and trying to take revenge. What he didn't expect is to fall in love with her, while his past haunts him back.
Acting/cast
All the casts are good, especially William Chan (maybe i'm a bit biased). His expression changing from playful, calculating and cold is really interesting. The only thing i'm not sure is Bai Baihe. She seems a bit stiff, but (maybe) because of the characters she played, which is introvert/calm tech geek woman, it is understandable.
Music
The music is good and well placed.
Minus
The flashbacks were too many and unnecessary. And it lacks proper kiss !
An Ning's plot is a little weak near the end.
Plus
William Chan dimples and smiles
Bai Baiha's character : independent, calm, non clingy boss/girlfriend. Her outifit as a tech woman is on point.
Their "honeymoon" phase is really cute and heartwarming.
PERSONAL REVIEW *spoiler alert*
I think the big theme for this drama is to let go of your past. Like Nan Qiao said to Ouyang "Stillness is relative, change is absolute", everyone is bound to change. Whether to be better or worse. In this drama, almost all of the character got something in their past.
Shi Yue, with his relationship with An Ning, trying to change and become a better person. He realize Nan Qiao is the one that can accept his past whatever it was. Meanwhile An Ning is still stuck in the past with her love for Shi Yue.
For Ouyang Qi, time froze when her boyfriend Nan Si, died 3 years ago. She closed her heart to anyone and maybe secretly hoped that her bf would appear again. Although we know it's impossible.
And Chang Jian, who stabbed his bestfriend from the back, trying to make amends to make up his past his mistakes.
For me, the only character who's moving on is Nan Qiao. She built her business and make her brother's dead as a goal to success her company. Even with his dad disapproval and An Ning schemes, she didn't back down and handled it really well. I could say she's an epitome of mature woman, business-wise and relationship-wise.
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This review may contain spoilers
What a great ensemble cast!
I usually like this trope where the ML or FL gets together with the other lead for revenge, however most of them fail to hold these characters accountable for the way they treated the person they supposedly loved. (Korean Drama: The Innocent man: is another example of this trope) And that is what happened with William Chan character Shi Yue as well.The ML was in a situation where he had to be chummy with his ex who is this uber powerful older woman who doesn't really care about what the ML wants and just wants to control him. So, when this woman comes back in his life, he doesn't really put up a lot of fight in trusting his relationship with the FL and doesn't have any faith in her either. He decides to play the game with the ex and be cruel to the FL. Honestly his game had no purpose at all, in the end, he gave it up anyway.
In other situations I would have termed the FL as a doormat, but this FL was anything but that. She was just a great character to watch, she tried very hard to put faith in ML when he didn't deserve it. She is the who held on so that their relationship could work. She didn't react blindly but thought logically everytime she discovered something new.
The acting was brilliant. I wish the drama had been shorter, as it would have cut the FL's suffering in half at least.
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Yes I agree that all the actors and actresses did give their best, even though some called the female lead (which is stupid, I mean come on people, what part of her is fat? I think she's perfectly thin) and that there wasn't any chemistry between the leads (Actually their interactions were the only thing that made me finished watching this drama) it was just the plot that gave away for me. This could have perfectly been a 20 episode or even less drama but god damn those flashbacks. I swear in my life I haven't seen a drama that uses so much flashbacks in my life. I blame the flashbacks for the downfall of this drama. This was honestly a drama I was seriously anticipating after seeing the first trailer and I was genuinely excited but unfortunately it just didn't live up to it. Which is sad. The saving grace was mostly the spunky female lead and the two male leads' smiles *swoon* and obviously, Li Xian for me.
Would I reccommend this drama to anyone? Unless you are a die hard fan of Li Xian of William Chan, nope, most definitely not.
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What I only dont like in this drama, and like everyone is saying is that repetitive flashbacks. Its pretty annoying at times, and they are long flashbacks already occupying 40% of the whole episode. I also dont like how there are so many dead air in the drama. Long exposure on characters just standing, walking or just staring mid air. There are also scenes that obviously were cut off, like teasing you on whats gonna happen next but in actuality they are not gonna show you anything. If you will really calculate it, this whole drama doesnt need to be 40 episode. It can be lessen to 20 or 24 episodes.
As to the romance between the main characters. I find them cute together, even if there are not much kissing, but those cuddles, gestures, hugs, pecks, flirting with each other, they are really cute. I dont think kissing scenes is the only justification of a good romance in a drama but adding that will satisfy the viewers.They are sweet to each other, and i find myself smiling the whole time. Chemistry is 100% good.
Above all else, 8/10.
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Modern romantic story with drones...
A modern romantic story using drones... Definitely a twist to the idea of a modern love story.Good Things
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The main actors are on the spot. Bai Bai He is her normal brilliant actress. Her portrayal of the unfeeling Nan Qiao that has fallen for William Chen's Shi Yue, the little moment of cuties and innocence. Spot on. The supporting cast is also wonderful to watch. A lady to watch for is Wang Rou Shan (from An Ancient Detective), which is her first show I think.
The moments of humour in the show are well time. Adding moments of light-heartedness to the show.
The Storyline of the drama is good and bad. It is very simple which isn't a bad thing, and the actors are able to play pretty well. The formula is nothing new but the use of technology as the message channel of the relationship is different, making viewing different. Still, it is good viewing.
Things I don't Like
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My biggest gripe about this show is its constant use of flash-backs. It is not just once or twice but a lot, a lot of times. And the length of the flash-backs is long. Honestly, after a while, the flashbacks become boring and annoying as they felt like it is gap-filled.
Final Thoughts
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It is worth a watch. Interesting story with hidden twists, but the story of three-legged love and power struggles, firstly female lead then male lead.
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This drama showed me good performances and other questionable ones
The weakness of this drama is his story, this drone thing was very annoying. The parts of the protogonist's past in the gangs were really cool to know. The female lead's performance was bad, her character was uninteresting and alive with poker face. The male character was great, my first drama with him and I already love him. The character I got most attached to was the villain, An Ning, I really felt her love for the protagonist and I feel sorry for her, definitely my favorite in the drama. The second love interest was cool, good acting, but your character didn't attract meWas this review helpful to you?
