This review may contain spoilers
a mature lens into complicated relationships and real people.
No character in this drama is black and white. They've got layers to peel back, revealing complex reasoning behind outwardly simple acts. Chu Kehuan is a character who immediately drew me in. I was curious about his intentions, his reasoning, and his backstory. He's introduced as an aloof figure who repeatedly imposes his presence on Weiwei with childish pranks and flamboyant flirting, but the realities behind his actions are anything but.The drama focuses on 3 relationships.
Chu Kehuan & Ziyuan:
One relationship has long detached from its root, swaying in an indifferent, icy cold breeze. Physical affections ended long ago, they sleep in separate rooms, and their interactions are largely transactional as Ziyuan overcompensates his lack of warmth with expensive daily purchases and micromanages every aspect of his life without his consent. It's formidably suffocating, and he subverts his lack of control in his relationship by imposing himself into Weiwei's life over and over. He seems trapped within this loveless relationship because of his obligations to his girlfriend's late mother and perhaps because he doesn't want to hurt Ziyuan. Ziyuan's despair is barely concealed behind disingenuous smiles and eyes that seem always to have a tearful gloss. She convinces herself that their relationship is normal. At the same time, she imposes her controlling behavior on Chu Kehuan "all for his good," and her often delusional behavior is both toxic (to herself and Kehuan) and sad. It gets to a point fairly early where it becomes alarming to witness. She forces herself into his life, disrespects all of his personal and professional boundaries even when he explicitly says no, and she encroaches into his career, his work connections, and even his friendships. It gets to a point where it feels like blackmail for him because her involvement has entangled into his life so intrinsically that his career isn't guaranteed if he leaves her. "Remember, without her; you wouldn't be who you are today."
Wei Wei & Li Haoyi:
The other relationship is also largely transactional. It consists of lists and endless boxes to check without passion or sincerity. Li Haoyi is gentle, dependable, goal-driven, earnest, and p r e d i c t a b l e to a fault. A life of hardship and scrounging for money has burdened him with a carefully curated and budget-driven future. Despite his obvious love for Weiwei, he has blinders on their 65-year retirement plan that prevents him from appreciating her or what they have in the present. He takes Weiwei for granted, even as he's convinced their every step is toward a mutually happy future. In other words, he does not see the forest for the trees. I do pity his naivety, especially because he's not incapable of flexibility; it just takes him *a lot longer* to get to a place where he's willing to modify his carefully laid out plan, and Weiwei is exhausted from his rigidity and lack of spontaneously in their relationship (it's not Saturday!). He prioritizes responsibilities and other aspects of their life, but not their relationship or Weiwei as a partner. I didn't like his character arc near the end. It got a little too....tropey? He went from a fairly reasonable but selfish person to an over-the-top type of evil caricature, and I'm not sure it made sense.
Chu Kehuan & Weiwei:
Chu Kehuans entrance into Weiwei's life has cracked every barely patched-over facade of perfection and normalcy in either relationship. They shake the foundations laid through years of complacency and familiarity. I think it does a disservice to the realities of their situations to say that Chu Kehuan is responsible for being a "home-wrecker" in Weiwei's relationship. Neither relationship has been healthy for a long time, and they use different mechanisms to supplement or substitute the missing elements. Chu Kehuan is self-assured from the start. Every step taken is a set toward Weiwei. Weiwei takes much longer to get there, but she also has much more to lose. I would have liked to see Chu Kehuan emotionally lose it at least once. Tears and not just forlorn stares and wallowing. I would have also liked more of their story after meeting again, although I don't mind the ending and their positive outlook.
The drama takes its time with each relationship. Like, an extraordinaryyyyyy length of time. Nothing is rushed (made me a bit impatient and frustrated at times, especially with Weiwei's denial), but it makes the big turning points more effective and packs a bigger punch when they finally get their moment to land. The sexual tension is undeniable between Weiwei and Chu Kehuan. Still, the changes and growth they enable in each other ultimately catalyze them to face each other (and themselves) honestly and openly.
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This review may contain spoilers
This is one of those deeply problematic, guilty-pleasure shows that I keep coming back to even though it is riddled with problems. The pacing is poor, the plot sometimes goes in circles, character behaviour is wildly manipulated for plot purposes and it has some troubling scenes (especially toward the beginning) depicting aggressive behaviour from the male lead that is shown as romantic. The relationship between the leads is toxic in the beginning -- the male lead displays stalkerish behaviour, intimidates the female lead into kissing him, frightens her (the, uh, balcony scene anyone??) and forces himself on her. This behaviour doesn't continue throughout the show, but it did leave a bad taste in my mouth. The idea that that is an okay place to start a romance from, and that the man wouldn't eventually go back to using those tactics if he didn't get his way, is really damaging. Even if later in the drama their relationship actually feels very positive and honestly, healthy, that still doesn't excuse the beginning.
HOWEVER. The acting from the leads is mostly excellent and their chemistry is insane. Do you ever just want to watch two very good looking people have sizzling hot romantic scenes for 13 episodes? Then this is really the show you need. They just meld together really well. They simultaneously hit the 'comfortable' notes and the 'palpable sexual tension' notes, which is rare and very enjoyable to watch. Besides, Jasper Liu is one of the prettiest people in the world, so you have that to look forward to.
I also just love the lead actress. Yes, the writing does make her do repetitive circles at times, but I think she brings this rawness to the role that really elevates her from the usual female leads. She actually feels like a person, with goals and feelings and a personal philosophy (really think about it - how many female leads actually feel like a standalone person?). I love her delivery in the really emotional or angry scenes, but also in the more comedic ones. She has a very natural acting style that I think is part of why I keep rewatching it. There's so much bullshit, but at its heart is someone who I can actually relate to and empathize with.
The other issues with the show are very common. I have seen them all before too many times to name (maybe that's part of the reason that I'm forgiving of them and can still rewatch the show - because I'm used to this shit). The plot starts meandering and going in circles, with the same issues seemingly being brought up every single episode. The parts of the plot relating to the workplace are dull and uninteresting. Characters that were relatively normal at the beginning of the show become out-and-out psychopaths to up the drama in later episodes. Finally, the ending is not great. It just sort of... ends.
Overall, not a stellar show. It has a lot of problems and I completely understand why some people don't enjoy it. If you turned away as soon as you saw the balcony scene, you have good taste and are probably right. I do not condone that portrayal of romance on television. But if you manage to adjust your expectations and want to watch something for the hot and heavy scenes and attractive people, I would give this one a shot! Just be warned, there's a lot of bad with the good.
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This review may contain spoilers
I had great expectations for this drama as it starred two of my favourite Taiwanese actors and the plot looked mature and fun. STORY:
The story starts with a handsome and successful man Chu Kehuan (Jasper Liu) who unexpectedly meets a woman Zhou Weiwei (Puff Guo) and decides to pursue her to take her to bed because he is bored in his love life and he doesn't care she has a boyfriend. In the end it happens. They do it. But in the meantime, there is a long journey during which their character change, evolve to show their frustrations, insecurities, dreams and wishes and their true personality through encounters during which they say one thing and their eyes say another thing and their body just crave for skinships with each other. The story goes from a game of seduction to more serious feelings and crisis ensue as they their lives are entangled together emotionally and professionally.
I really loved the story describing how these people interact and evolve for the first part of the drama. It was like in real life. Sometimes you are just with the wrong person or your love the wrong way and you lack the courage to face it and change it and it takes someone else or some events to give you the courage. Then comes the writing accident. At some point, it turns into an office drama and some characters just unexpectedly evolve in a very unrealistic way which spoils the good things before. The story becomes quite draggy and annoying at some point. I almost wanted it to end quicker. The chapter is finally closed in the best way possible considering the events and people's evolution. Not a happy ending but an open ending which gives you a big smile.
ACTING / CHARACTERS:
Puff Guo and Jasper Liu were just great. Their natural chemistry they showed in previous drama was at its peak here with nice dialogues and an incredible sexual tension. They both managed to portray two very human characters. She started a docile but frustrated gf and learnt to accept her own needs and aspirations to deal with a stalker she had feelings for and her over controlling boyfriend. In the end, she is the ones who takes charge and it was very satisfactory to see it. Jasper Liu is naturally charming and he had no difficulty portraying this golden boy stuck in a sad relationship and using his high IQ and cunning plans and schemes to trap himself and fall for ZWW. Finally he keeps his best quality (being cool) and learns to be sincere and accept others' choice (her choice).
The second leads turned to be a disappointment. Phoebe Yuan showed great talent portraying an incredible friend faithful to the very end with XWW and always helping her or triggering her to show her the right way. She was great and very fun as a person outspoken and not afraid to assume her own desires and play with men. Then the tragedy happened. She who could not bear to see the second male lead just turned into a freaking gold digger. The second lead actor portrayed an annoying guy from start to end. He had little evolution of character and I really had difficulties to understand how he developed feelings for Han Kefei and vice versa. ZWW boyfriend was ok as a guy obsessed with his own plans but he was mainly pitiful. The worst was the second female lead who was quite convincing in the beginning as a desperate housegirlfriend but then she turned into their "boss" just to throw roadblocks at them despite all managing and leadership logic. This was a very weak part of the drama.
/EDIT 29/07/2020 : I watched this drama again recently. 13 eps in a row. I was too harsh with Kefei and Dawei. I understand better now that the last part is different because they needed to develop multiple characters to properly give them a closure. This is why the love story beetween these two. I still think it was not so greatly done. I understand now that Dawei, apart from being annoying, is actually naïve, quite innocent and a bit idiotic and not the playboy type at all but a guy with little experiences with women. So I can believe he can be infatuated by Han the bulldozer, volcano always in eruption, plenty of experience, Kefei. I still have doubts about how a woman like her can fall for a guy like him as his two main qualities alledged were his money and his technical equipment . But OK, I will accept their love story as credible.
I also noticed Weiwei last sentence to KeHuan. "May I buy you a coffee?" . The first time I watched it I did not even notice it directly referred to the beginning of the dama when he said that to her. Makes the ending more romantic and even more satisfactory. /
MUSIC:
I found it was good and it reflected well the situations and feelings of the characters. I did go to look for the OST and main the songs as I do that for dramas I liked. Still listening to it from time to time.
REWATCH VALUE:
This drama has some incredible scenes of couples very well written and memorable but the second part of the drama is quite a letdown before the nice ending. I would rewatch it but fast forward the annoying parts.
OVERALL:
It's a good drama. I recommend it.
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A captivating drama destroyed by horrendous writing ( DESERVES A REBOOT/REMAKE)
Imagine you come across a drama that has such a controversial plot , it keeps you hooked to the screen .A mess you can't help but watch, it keeps on disappointing yet you keep watching it, hoping the writing will improve but it doesn't.
It keeps going down and down .
The acting is marvellous, you expect greatness from it further .
It gives you a reason to enjoy the plot in a different kind of entirety in itself.
And then everything that can go wrong , goes wrong.
The plot derails, and the plane crashes.
This drama is an excellent example of what happens when the writer allows the plot to peak in the beginning itself and runs out of plot after the 1st half.
The first half of this drama is tempting, as good as it can get.
The 2nd half is total trash, horrendous and should be deleted from every memory.
The chemistry b/w the leads is captivating to watch, you just can't get enough of it and would want to watch it again and again .
Sadly, the writing is an utter disappointment post-episode 7 .
How can they destroy such a great script?
The highlighting point was the cheating aspect of it , which when you try to understand makes every sense of why they did , what they did, and why it happened!
Such writing makes me enraged that I put such interest in a plot and in the end, it culminates into sh8t .
You start to ponder, this was so thrilling so what happened?
How can the writer sh8t on such a great plot?
Are they mad?
Who tf even allowed them to progress this way ?
The actors deserve better for sure .
F*****K I'm angry.
Anyway, you can watch it.
Just drop it post-episode 7 as it's not worth it .
The writer does everything she can to destroy the plot.
Every nonsense one could portray was shown.
PS: I hope somebody makes a remake of this , this drama needs a reboot with the same actors but a different writing style.
They deserve it, we deserve it, Only if !!
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About emotional turmoil
As someone who absolutely despises infidelity in shows, I went into this thinking that I was watching it simply for Puff/Jasper, who I had loved in Pleasantly Surprised. And yet, I turned out to be ~pleasantly surprised~ by this drama and the way it handled cheating and emotional turmoil.For anyone who goes into this expecting a whirlwind romance and two people who can't help but be physically attracted to each other's touch, I give a few words of warning: this is not that sort of drama. Instead, this drama was really intelligent and emotionally thoughtful, which made me enjoy it much more.
This is a show about two people who are both trapped, in work, in life, and in their relationships. The physical attraction they feel towards each other is the first opening of that Pandora's box, sure, but what was always more important was the other things: what do you need out of a relationship? how do you deserve to be treated?
I know people found the female lead's restraint frustrating — and it truly does last throughout most of the show. But I actually really loved it because it was a lot more realistic. I think of people who have been in relationships for years and worry that it would all go to waste if they give up now, and worse, people who have been treated a certain way for so long that they start thinking that it's all they deserve. I found her internal conflict super relatable and was really impressed with how emotionally and morally intelligent this show was.
Overall, I loved how down-to-earth everything seemed. The show had its dramatic moments, but they made sense and it never felt like they were spitting out tropes to be dramatic. This is a show that really takes its time and lets its main character take as long as she needs to think, and dramas like that don't by very often anymore.
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This review may contain spoilers
This drama is so real and so good that anyone planning on getting married should watch just to checklist their partners, the story was well written and acted that it leaves an indelible mark and has a rewatch value of 100/10 ?. Kehuan and Weiwei met each other thrice in one day during which time he needed to return a journal she had forgotten in a taxi to her and he became intrigued/attracted to her and wanted to ask questions as to why she had a clear cut life plan and how possible it was for her to live based on the what she wrote in the journal only to find out she was living according to her boyfriends life plan, him also being in the same type of relationship questioned why she lives her life according to someone else life plan, this opened Weiwei eyes to the flaws in her relationship and she started getting swayed because she was also strongly attracted to kechuan.
This drama was a beautiful roller coaster journey of the two main people coming out of bad relationships that seems to be good and finding themselves to able to love each other freely without the feeling of the weight of being burdened .
What I love about this drama more than the story was the lead chemistry that was so real, the sexual energy was there with the right intensity from the start till the finish, when they get together sparks fly everywhere with kechaun knowing for sure it was love more than attraction as he started to care about her more and more and Weiwei holding out because of her commitment to her relationship.
Glad they broke up with their respective partners and finally burned out that passion on my screen in the final episode ? and then took a new path in their life without the weight of the past and them came back together in a clean slate ? and special kudos to kechaun who took that bold step not caring about the consequences or that he may lose his job immediately he realized he couldn't go on with the farce of a relationship with Ziyauan, she was crazily unbearable , she would have been the perfect match to deal with weiwei's ex haoyi. .
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This review may contain spoilers
THIS IS REALLY NOT A DRAMA WORTH DROPPING. It has a great storyline and it is very mature. That is if you can't handle mature content (for the younger viewers and the few that just don't like those things) I say don't watch it because you have a higher chance of not liking it. It is honestly really worth the time and I hope that the next episodes live up to my expectations which they probably will.Update: Finished the series (which I hadn't previously done when I wrote my review) and I... LOVE THE ENDING!!!
I won't lie, the ending definitely will leave some people unsatisfied as it does not give a definite answer on where the main couple stands but it does hint that they eventually end up together it's just that we don't see them as a couple in the drama. (but they do end up together lol just making that clear)
I enjoyed the struggles the main couple faced throughout the drama, to be honest. It makes it seem more worth it in the end. I honestly didn't like the cheating part, but it makes sense in the context of the drama. (in a way)
I would a 100% recommend and rewatch whenever I have the time.
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a bit of good and bad
Overall it kind of dragged a bit much, Kehuan was in a loveless relationship due to the choicesZiyuan made in the past that led to their distance, and the FL she living on a budget that consumed her relationship all bc her bf thought saving would bring them to where they ended up being both rushed out of the FL starting to feel for another guy but she tried to control herself and she technically didn't sleep with the ML at all til like the last episode,1-12 was more of a lead-up to what the intro kept teasing, thought there would be passion and desire and such but they just dragged the FL and ML to the end. Their acting was well worth watching if they worked together again.
-ZiYuan was just way too clingy throughout it all, she really couldn't get a happy ending and she was so obsessed to make the ML something he realized he didn't want to be, I felt bad for her story in all that but she held on to something that she lost herself in and even though it took for him to resign and really leave for her to snap out of it should have been the last thing but that woman just smh her story was just cringy and painful to see.
-Haoyi, I felt bad for him but the FL did try to keep a distance from the ML, he was also kinda just hard to watch at times when he was playing clueless and so wrapped up in Shanghai with his female boss, their relationship felt so downhill when he proposed. Also, the FL was to blame too as she said yes knowing that the ML was there just so she can forget the steamy kiss they shared in the heat of the moment which was steamy.
-Ke Fei the BFF she was really worth watching too loved her fierceness towards ppl who went at Wei Wei she stood tall and gurl can talk. I think she got alot of interesting lines and to be in the middle of the drama her BFF was tangled up in with both men gurl held it together.
-Wei Wei and Kehuan story was sad and bittersweet when all Kehuan wanted was to be with her and she was tugged towards her so-called life plan with her fiance which turned into a bomb but Kehuan was always there for her even if he was distancing herself from him, they had their smexy time and captured that pretty well. Jasper and Puff Kao have great chem and obviously worked together before and reunited so it was good watch and Wei Wei was a strong woman who had so much to deal with, she seemed to have a mid-life crisis happening towards the end and sometimes a reset helps get away from everything that just seemed to much but come back with a clean slate, break the ties that bind when it comes to finding oneself and she did that at the end and Kehuan also realized he was living a life he got tired of bc of ZiYuan he finally also opened his eyes to the problems he had locked himself up in. Glad they moved on but sad that they left it at that in the end with the wedding and no more......
-The bad thing story was the drag that was done to make us watch as it was expected something hot and steamy would come out but to hold it to the very end was so lame and to rush the last ep that way was pooooops it deserved more eps unless they had to cut back bc it felt like there was more but 13 eps seem to small for a story like that.
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interesting...
started watching this lightheartedly since I didn't think the storyline would be so interesting. However,strange enough I actually started enjoying the acting and characters. Not quite sure about some scenes and the super dominant and aggressive actions...not a big fan of that. Male lead tends to force female lead to do things like overpowering her with his physical strength and dragging her into situations she doesn't want to be in. SO basically he doesn't really care about her consent and I found it strange how he didn't care that she was literally almost engaged and still tried to appeal to her (which worked smh). Other than that, the female lead isn't in the right either...she basically cheated on her fiance/bf for a whole 13 episodes ??? so the two characters really confused me and some instances with the second lead and exes really made me cringe. Other than that, the funny and wholesome moments really saved the show. The humor is definitely spot on and that relationship between characters do work. However, I don't quite agree with some actions just because I feel like the male lead just does whatever he wants and the female lead gives in eventually. however, the acting was done pretty well and i do think this is a decent drama for people who like romance and dramatic plot.
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The story of this drama is good and that is the main reason I stick to this . Second reason is male lead .He is awesome.
Anyway this is not a perfect drama at all. I skipped so many seens because nothing happening and samething repeating . What I dont like drama about is the female lead . She is very beautiful but I cant see her sincereity to the male lead to the end. Yes sometimes she is getting excited with him but to the very end she wants to settle with her original boy friend and doing everything for that . Main lead is the only one doing all sacrifices and staying steadfastly to the end. But this make his character personality going down. At first his character having lot of potential and good personality and yes he is a play boy type . But later only thing he is doing is stay around her and moving here and there for her like a puppet.
Overall good drama and can watch to the end without dropping . All the characters are doing a good job.
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