This review may contain spoilers
This drama was beyond my expectations. I don't usually write reviews for stuff I've finished watching but this really deserved one.This drama was so realistic, as someone who is also in high school, I can relate to most things in the drama. The drama was also set in the early 2000s, and boy I remember those old as gadgets. The acting crew was very well chosen as part of the plot was that Su Cancan had to hesitate between 2 potential boyfriends. Usually when watching a drama, we as viewers like a certain person and hope that the main character won't end up with them, but this was the first drama that messed up my brain, I didn't know who to choose! I felt really bad for Lin Jiaze, but the same time I really wanted Lan Tianye to be with Cancan. The drama really allows us to take a stroll down memory lane and remember our youth and childhood, and that friends you make in high school and are close to are friends for life. I cried so many times during this drama, and I would definitely rewatch it again. During the last episode, when everything came to an 'end' it also seemed like a new beginning. The group went and visited their old teacher and they dug up their box with their important possessions in it. I say that this is like the start of a new beginning because Lan Tianye proposed to Cancan.
I really recommend this drama, it is the cutest thing ever and would definitely make you cry. In a good way1
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One of my faves!!!
This is one of my faves. I will usually do a rewatch after every few shows I watch. Just because there is not really anything much I’d changed about this show. Ok maybe Nicky Li’s hair in high school and adulthood. They could’ve came up with a better wig for high school, and something better than the hair extensions they used for adulthood. But besides that, I love love love this show. I love Zhao Yi Qin so much.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Good pacing. Realistic characters. Great display of timeline. Feel good drama about growth
This is the first time I have ever cried when a drama has ended..the ending was meaningful and heart touching. I still remember my school days and how I really wanted to grow up and be an adult. Have that freedom and be independent but now that I m an adult I miss those old days. Watching this I miss my old school friends tho I have contact with a only a few of my friends I miss them. I miss causing trouble at school. I miss all the fun we had together. I wish we still met and were in contact more often.I hope it has another season or maybe just a spin off where we can see the weddings and maybe yating and jiaze together since they were the most popular kids at school and were shipped together. I m sad that this has ended and I literally cried out of joy when tianye proposed to cancan and I knew it was ending. The letter to her younger self was sooo right. Youth being the time where u learn from your mistakes, get to explore and dream about your life, about what you wanna be.
Also to all the people with second lead syndrome, Tao yating once said when all the girls met up at a restaurant/cafe and I kinda think she's right when she said if Lin Jiaze had a chance, it would have happened before Lan Tianye came back. I also felt why Meili wanted Cancan to consider Jiaze cause he's always been steady and a sure thing. Lan tianye was often misunderstood by many except for his best friend and his deskmate at highschool.
Dont get me wrong, I liked Jiaze but he always took a long time to get to.the point, including his second confession. Plus he never really had a chance once she was with Lan Tianye and truly loves him, whether they were together or not. And Lin Jiaze was always too passive about her considering her love letter, his postcard and even after Tianye returned. He was too confident once he knew Cancan liked him. Hence he didnt do anything about it cause he knew she liked him for a long time. You can tell by the video that they shot in their high school where he himself says he doesnt have anything to say. Proving that he was always too confident about himself. That he would get wherever he wants to be in the future. And then he realises and says how ferocious he was back then. Anyhow, a really nice feel-good drama to watch. Would recommend to everyone cause the characters and their journey to growth in life is so real and relatable that everyone can resonate with. Plus since the drama is set through the 2000s and me having lived through that era and watching all the aesthetics of the 2000s like the cassette tapes and video store and the keypad phones, the ipod and walkman and the old computers and the posters of old games at the cyber cafe really makes me reminisce the old times. This is a drama that really resonates with my youthful days. Not that I m old! I just entered my twenties previous year. Lol.
PS: I really was never into school dramas and teen love stories because I thought I was way out of that age zone to watch them..but this drama is a gem.
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Comfort drama
Not super-original, but still a nice comfort-drama about growing up and young love.The story is held amongst the more realistic lines (no scheming, no overly controlling parents/grandparents...), which makes it more relatable (but also a bit predictive), and you grow fond of the characters. Hence I call this a comfort drama, that is easy to watch.
Even if the story spans over a long period of time, the story flows quite nicely and doesn't dwell too much on unnecessary time fillers.
I did find the FL character a bit too childish at times, and she didn't really sit right with me. I think it was a combination of the character, her appearance (the hair looked so fake), and the acting. It was a bit better in the later episodes, but still not quite "right". I wish she developed into a bit stronger persona – the foundation for it was there.
All of the female characters were a bit "exaggerated" character-wise; I don't quite know how to express it, but they all felt just a tad bit "off".
Both of the two ML were good though, and I especially liked Zhao Yi Qin as Lan Tian Ye.
Even if this was a good watch and left me with some warm emotions, I am not sure how good I will remember after a while, just for the reason it is not very original - I suspect it will kind of "blur together" with the other Chinese school dramas I have seen. I will still recommend it if you are up for watching something that is easy and enjoyable. It doesn't require you to process a lot or gives you huge ups and downs in emotions and energy.
I watched this now simply because it is leaving Netflix (in my region).
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favorite show of 2020
I have spent much of this year watching Chinese dramas, and this is 100% my favorite show of the year. This show going to be in my top 5 dramas for a while. Yes, it had a lot of cliché moments, especially in the first episode but part of getting into a show is seeing a familiar troupe and wondering how these characters are going to handle the situation. As the show went on there were a lot less forced drama cliché’s and more actual moments coming from real life. It might just be my huge crush on Zhao Yi Qin but I finished the last episode wanted about an hour (maybe) then started back at episode 1. I think the only bad thing about this show was watching it right after finishing Meteor Garden and seeing Li JiaQi go from a college student back to a 10th grader and her Li Jiaqi's wig and extensions.Was this review helpful to you?
Must-watch coming of age drama. Reminds me of youth
I made an account just to write how much I loved this drama. If that doesn't convince you to start watching this, keep reading!This starts off with your typical optimistic FL and cold ML but it gets better as you keep going. I wanted to drop it at the 4th ep but I didn't, best decision I've made haha.
Honestly, the ML wasn't even that much of a tsundere and he began to express his affection for her in cute and subtle acts. He's the ideal boyfriend to be honest... Also, the FL was adorable, I couldn't help but root for her. The second lead cast was nice and thankfully no annoying character nor unnecessary drama. Plus there wasn't any annoying misunderstandings, that's honestly a breath of fresh air for me.
I'm still not over Lan Tian Ye and Su Can Can! >< I also watched their other drama together, My Girl and it felt like a sequel lol (it's so rare to see the same couple get casted as main again, so lucky!)
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It has everything. Innocent school romance, Friendship, Love triangle - BUT nothing is over the top! So subtle that you will actually like. The drama delivers the message of YOUTH, DREAM & LIFE so beautifully.
Acting wise, each and every character is so good! The chemistry of lead characters will surely leave you drooling. Their chemistry looks so real and endearing.
Still wondering whether to watch this or not? I would say, just go for it! You won't regret it for sure.
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This review may contain spoilers
Light Hearted Drama With Just A Pinch Of Heartache.
A pretty decent drama with one little hiccup, a breakup that lasted far too long and shouldn't have happened. In the beginning, I wondered why the FL should be the ML because he was a bit annoying and kinda mean to her. In this aspect, I liked "When I Fly Towards You" better. Honestly, that one is better.I do have to wonder why the stylist did the FL wrong with horrible hairstyle when they were in school. It just didn't fit her right. But then I remember my own hair in school, so it was quite realistic.
I like how nice the supporting characters were, even though Anze liked her, he wasn't a jealous SML who interfered or tried to push his attentions on her. Instead, he was quite mature about their whole situation. Same could be said for Tao Ya Ting, in face of unrequited love, she conducted herself with such grace. They were all a bunch of likable characters.
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Pretty good coming-of-age story
I struggled at the beginning as I usually do with Chinese dramas - I hate the dubbing, the writing can be awkward, and the acting can be mediocre. Added to that, I didn't care for the character of Su Can Can - why do they tend to make the FL appear stupid and/or inept so often? She's bad at school, she manipulates her desk mate, she has no immune system, apparently, because if she got even a hint of a chill, she got sick, oh, and HOW MANY TIMES did she sprain her ankle?!?! That's it, I'm finished with my rant.Once I got a few episodes in, I just sat back, relaxed and enjoyed. This was a quiet show that you can settle into. There are no evil characters, just one (in my opinion) sightly irritating character, no bullying per se, and the friendships are lovely. This show also has the advantage that it takes place over a 10-year period, so we got to see long past high school. We saw the growth in each character that was realistic. For the most part, I think I could have been friends with them.
My favorite part of this show was Zhao Yi Qin as Lian Tian Ye. Typical tsundere character with kind of a bad boy vibe, he was quiet and caring, and there was never any vacillating with him. He knew who he cared about, and nothing was going to change that. He had an intense look about him that drew me in.
POTENTIAL SPOILERS:
Opportunities missed - he always saved the wrappers from the candies that she gave him. I thought that would be addressed, but maybe it ended up on the cutting room floor.
When he came back from America after she graduated - I thought that would have been much more effective if it had all been in her imagination.
Her keys falling in the grate that her ring had fallen into - was there supposed to be a tie-in?
END POTENTIAL SPOILERS.
All-in-all, I enjoyed this drama. I can't say that it was absolutely one of my favorites, but I did enjoy it and was glad I watched it. The ending was good and got me choked up a bit.
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Good story
I very much like the idea of the story but I think there could have been a little bit more conflict. and my honest opinion and lead male could have a little bit more of a character but it does build as The Story Goes On.I feel like there could have been a big Crescendo of a fight between the two best friends and then a resolve. And I honestly would have loved to see a wedding but not all dramas will give you that wedding you are looking for.
I do like the chemistry of those two together and the growth between the male and female lead both together and apart. Overall I give this about a 9.3 .
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This review may contain spoilers
I really love youth dramas and this one really hit the spot. Although the plot was pretty predictable, Su Cancan and Lan Tianye's chemistry was great. I enjoyed how Cancan worked hard to achieve her dreams and it's not some drama where the male lead uses his status to help the female lead. But sometimes I felt the female lead was too dense and her acting was kind of mediocre. The best actor in this drama would have to be Lan Tianye. Xu Meili was hilarious and I loved her a lot. I think Lin Jiaze and Tao Yating deserved a happier ending than what they got. Overall, this drama is an 8.5/10 for me. Was this review helpful to you?
