This review may contain spoilers
"Love is made up of one half sweetness and one half pain"
One thing that irks me is that the English title only translates half of the original Chinese title, leaving out the part about pain. (toughies)The essence of the drama is about love comes with both hurt and fluff, and I think the actors did great in portraying such complex emotions. A sheep and a wolf, a bully and a protector - The whole journey was about coming to terms with how people may express their love to each other differently. Bailu and Leo played their roles splendidly and I especially loved Bailu's rendition of Jiang Jun.
However, I do feel like the plot could have expanded more on Jiang Jun's tear allergy, especially since nothing was mentioned about it near the finale.
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This review may contain spoilers
Don't Miss This one!
Watch it! You won't regret it. I watched it on IQ.com.I just finished it. I really liked it.
I had not seen Leo Luo before and I thought he made the drama! His expressions, his eyes, his emotions, his feelings sprung out into the screen. Many times, I felt I was there. In the series, he never gave up on the FL, consistent to the end. Their love from childhood to adulthood was adorable, at least most of the time. Is it a rewatch? Yes.
The couple were close childhood friends until something happened and they were separated. The FL wanted to work for this company which she felt had mistreated her father. The ML discouraged her to work for the company and finally she did and that is when the most exciting part of the drama begins.
The SL, Reily, was adorable as usual. the SF, could have been toned down. She was over the top in trying to land SL and got to be really annoying.
Were there evil ones in the series? Yes, a very fine actor, Kido Gao did his role in an unbelievable way, never giving up his psycho behavior.
The end is a bit soapy - that could have been cut out.
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FL misunderstanding with ML
The cast is good, but the story plot is too ordinary. I'm watching because the cast & acting. The acting is good.The ML is sweet & very intelligence but sometime seems stupid to make our FL misunderstanding him so many times. The ML character is different from his previous drama in Ashes of Love & Princess Silver which look calm & pathetic.
In this drama the FL is so cute, can not forget her in her previous drama The Legends as Zhao Yao that look like evil character and has strong aura. Hope both of them play more different character.
As for story, the plot is ordinary about secret love towards childhood friend . Something new is FL disease, tear allergy. In the past there's so many drama with amnesia, then germphobia or OCD. Maybe tear allergy will lead to a new disease trends in drama.
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I loved this soooo much!!!
I feel like short and sweet is better, so I'll make this review quick.Literally one of my most favorite dramas now- the leads have INSANE chemistry, it's indescribable. The storyline was amazing, but I feel like the acting and cast were definitely what carried this drama. Music was decent, but it never stood out to me particularly compared to the other features of the drama. I do feel like some parts of the drama were unfinished if I really think about it, but overall at the end, I was really satisfied. At least the leads had a satisfactory ending, which is obviously the most important part of the story. The second leads' relationship was cute too- and I find it funny how their relationship moves quicker than the leads' relationship, given that the second leads never knew each other before.
I'm glad there isn't a love triangle with the female lead, male lead, and Qiao Na for that long, and that Qiao Na eventually accepts that she needs to find her own love instead of Yuan Shuai. At least the "jealous female support" isn't impulsive and harmful to Jiang Jun, which is great, since I think it's sort of stupid when dramas have that same character for other female in the love triangle.
Du Lei on the other hand (the other love triangle), was really something. . . but I'm glad the female lead was so direct with how she felt nothing for him.
Jiang Jun is a really strong woman in this drama, and she is independent, which is what made her successful. One thing though, is that I really wished her medical condition of being allergic to tears had a stronger impact at the end. To me, it just seemed like the only purpose for that characteristic was to create a backstory- that's it. I think maybe if her being allergic to tears was incorporated more towards the end, that would give this drama that little bit more of a purpose.
Overall, truly amazing drama, loved it sooo much, and really hope I find dramas like this or even better. 100% recommend to any people who haven't watched this!
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Romance + Drama + Chemistry + Great Casting
OMG ! It's been a while since I have finished this series but I still can't get over it and recommend it to every drama fan I know.The whole storyline of this drama was so intriguing. Though I started the series for the sake of romance, I watched the other parts about their profession with great interest and I think it was thanks to the talent of the writer and actors.
Despite their relationship being slow-burn, I never thought the pace is slow and it needed to accelerate. it was the best pace and I LOVED how my connection with characters developed through the series.
don't get me started with the OST. I wish I could play the OST for other series I watch lol. They played the right track at the right point at the right volume.
It's way shorter than other C-dramas I've watched so far and that is one of the reasons I liked this series better.
I liked the little characteristics of the characters, it made the whole series much more enjoyable.
if you are seeking a drama with no-school romance with good side storyline, it's the best choice for you.
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Typical Office Rom-Com with Childhood Story!
গল্পে কিংবা গল্প বলার ঢঙে কোন নতুনত্ব নাই। সেম ওল্ড, সেম ওল্ড! মেইন লিড কাপলের যথেষ্ট রোমান্স ছিলো, সেকেন্ড লিড কাপলের যথেষ্ট ছ্যাচড়ামি ছিলো। ভিলেন ছিল, সেকেন্ড লিড ছিল, সেকেন্ড লিডেরও একটা সেকেন্ড লিড ছিলো আবার! এইতো, টিপিক্যাল স্টোরি! 🥱🥱ব্যক্তিগতভাবে আমার যেটা মনে হয়েছে- লাস্টের ০৬ এপিসোড হুদাই বাড়ানো হয়েছে। কাহিনী যা দেখানোর সব ৩০ এপিতেই শেষ। ব্যাপারটা এমন হইতে পারে- রাইটার ড্রামাটা ৩০ এপিসোডের জন্যই লিখছিলো মূলত। ডিরেক্টর শ্যুটিং করতে গিয়া দেখলো যে ড্রামার জন্য যে বাজেট ছিলো তার বেশকিছু বাকি থেকে গেছে, খরচ করা যায় নাই। এদিকে প্রডিউসারও বলছে- না, যেমন হবেই হোক, এটা খরচ করাই লাগবে! এজন্য প্রডিউসার আর ডিরেক্টর মিইলা রাইটাররে ঘুষ্টুষ দিয়া বুগিচুগি করে লাস্ট ৬ এপিসোডের কাহিনী লিখাইছে!! 😒😒
আবার এমনটাও হইতে পারে- ৩০ এপিসোড শেষ হবার পর ডিরেক্টর দেখলো যে, সেকেন্ড লিডরে খুব ভালো ভাবে দেখানো হইছে! এটা অডিয়েন্সদের মাঝে সেকেন্ড লিড সিন্ড্রোম ক্রিয়েট করতে পারে! এটা কোন কারণে প্রডিউসারের পছন্দ হয় নাই। এজন্য ইচ্ছা করে সে সেকেন্ড লিডের ভেতরে কিছু ভিলেনগিরি ঢুকাইছে যাতে ড্রামা শেষে তারে আর কারো ভালো না লাগে! এজন্য লাস্টের ৬ এপিসোড পরে এক্সট্রা ভাবে যোগ করছে!! এছাড়া শেষ ৬ এপিসোডের কোনো ব্যাখ্যা আমি আর আসলে পাই না!!! 🥴🥴
যারা অলরেডি দেখে ফেলেছেন, তাদের বলার কিছু নেই। আর যারা এখনো দেখেন নি, কিন্তু দেখবেন বলে লিস্টে রেখেছেন, তাদের জন্য পরামর্শ- ৩০ এপিসোডেই শেষ করে দিতে পারেন ড্রামাতে। শেষ ৬ এপিতে কিছু নেই, সেটা না দেখলেও কোন ক্ষতি নেই! এই ৬ এপির পেছনে সোয়া ৩ ঘন্টা সময় নষ্ট না করে নতুন কোন ড্রামার ৬টা এপিসোড দেখেন, সেটাই বরং ভালো হবে! 😇😇
পরামর্শ ধরলে ভালো, না ধরলে ৩ ঘন্টা সময় নষ্ট হবার জন্য পরে আফসোস করবেন- এই আরকি! কি আর এমন ক্ষতি হবে এতে!!! 😬😬
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Loved this!
It seems like this was done in Bai Lu's real voice? Id love to have more of actor's voices in the shows! I loved the chemistry, the playfulness, and how much fun it seems like the lead actors were having with each other. The story was fun and engaging but without reaching points where the couples were super cruel to each other which I don't like. They did so well and told one of the sweeter and heartwarming stories I've seen in a while.I highly recommend this is you want something to remind of people being kind and funny, and also trying to live out positive values in a business world that doesn't tend to accommodate that. This show had me at Mozi.
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Childhood love is so romantic and best
This drama is like wow... Wonderful acting and story..Worth watching the story,the drama,the twist everything is so good and like perfectly presented..
Such a sweet and sour story...
Perfectly matched couples..
Perfectly acted roles
Like wow
I really really really liked it so much..
If you want to watch something like romantic yet some drama..
Something sweet yet some sourness..
I prefer ther drama..
This was i first Chinese drama and I must say I was really happy that this was i first drama..
It leaves such a wonderful and strong print in my head and heart..
And somewhat it is relatable with real life at some points..
Like this drama is like you must watch it...
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Love IS sweet
Pros:- Bai Lu and Luo Yunxi are adorable together as Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai - their relationship and onscreen acting and chemistry is so natural and sweet.
- Du Lei! Gao Hanyu looks amazing in suits.
- The acting of the main 3 (Bai Lu, Luo Yunxi, and Gao Hanyu) is great
Cons:
- The second couple's acting and storyline were pretty terrible - I skipped all of their scenes.
- The story is honestly kind of boring, I skipped a lot of the corporate drama and really only watched the scenes of the main 3 and their relationships.
- Pretend episodes 31-35 don't exist - they destroyed Du Lei's character.
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Filled with sweetness – a humorous and playful drama intermingled with an at-times intense story
Yes! This is how romance/business dramas should be done, really glad I picked this one up. The storyline was well thought out, our main leads were on fire with their couple chemistry and couple goals, and the overall consistency and characterisation was on point. Recommend this if you’re looking for something sweet and light, but also want a serious side.STORY
Overall, the storyline was solid, very consistent and the pacing was good and there were so many funny moments. The story follows our female lead Jiang Jun entering the investment banking business world and just so happens by fate meets her childhood frenemy Yuan Shuai. Though they start off on the wrong foot, they slowly grow closer and learn to love each and support each other. They were truly couple goals and I loved that. Along the way, they work through business cases together, with our climax around the 25-30 episode mark where they work through a particularly personal case. Don’t be expecting a purely fluffy love story, it’s more than this, focusing on the balance between a working career and a love life. It gets very serious, touching on business ethicality and corruption as well, so be prepared for that. I really liked the first episodes as we get to know our leads and see them bond over cases (and realise their feelings for each other). It definitely started slowing down at the 24 mark and got a tad dramatic, but stick with it and power through, you will be rewarded (you’ll know what I mean when you get to that WHAT moment)! The ending 6 episodes were more for closure and did drag out a bit, but it was a satisfying and sweet ending.
The drama also tracks our two lead’s relationship. From flashbacks to their past, to high school and to their current selves. The drama managed to portray the differing stages of their relationship really well. First realising their love for each other, then going to that very physical and intimate chemistry with very slow and long kisses, to fast forward when they’ve been living together for a while and just feel so comfortable in each other’s company.
Things I didn’t like (drags down my ratings)
Petty break up and make up. Jiang Jun was characterised as a strong, independent, at times stubborn and also short-tempered woman. So a lot of the times, she got angry/annoyed at little things and would cold shoulder Yuan Shuai. But they’d make up again really quick. There was just a few too many of these flutterings for my liking and it got a bit old.
The side couple Xu Li and Li Xiao Chuan. I’m sorry, this story arc was just a complete bore for me. I thought Xu Li was a naïve, immature, wilful, whiney and clingy character who dropped all her aspirations/career to pursue a guy purely based on a love at first sight moment. Their relationship felt really forced and I felt they were so incompatible on so many levels despite them trying to convince us otherwise. I liked Xiao Chuan’s characterisation as a high IQ but very low EQ kind of guy, Riley Wang did really well in getting that right. But overall I couldn’t connect with this couple and it got really annoying at times.
ACTING/CAST
Such great chemistry between our two leads, I felt them love each other in their own ways and though they bickered at times, the whole way through they loved each other intensely. Their acting was really great, especially Leo Luo who was able to convey top boss vibes but also be very caring and passionate. I really liked how he was so supportive of her and let her do her thing, but was always looking out and protecting her when most needed. Also those couple goals, when one of them is in the wrong and sincerely apologises and talks it out like mature reasonable adults. (Omygosh and don’t forget Wang Cai the little corgi, what a cutie haha)!
Props to Kido Gao, Du Lei, our second male lead who put on such a great show. He was by far the most complex character I’ve seen. Though people thought he was evil, I actually felt he was just complex and very multi-dimensional. He had conflicting motivations, struggled to find his self-identity and all the while been constrained by the values from his family upbringing. He was really interesting to watch, seeing him shift into multiple dimensions of his character throughout the drama e.g. menacing and manipulative but also really flirty and playful. I thought he portrayed his character so well, especially nearing the end when he reveals his truest self.
I thought the rest of the supporting cast was great and did their characters justice especially Yuan’s Shuai loyal assistant and also the supportive Qiao Na.
MUSIC
Music matched the moments, felt very sweet.
REWATCH VALUE
I’d definitely re-watch this drama. With a solid start, nail-biting and intense middle, to a very sweet ending. It was full of really fun, funny and cute moments between our two leads and I loved watching their chemistry. I’d have to skip over all the side couple bits though, they were really off-putting and sorry just wasn’t feeling it.
Overall, a really great drama I’d recommend for someone looking for a balance between fluff and seriousness. I really appreciated the storyline, scripting and overall aesthetics of the production and costumes. I thought characters got their just desserts and justice was served, good triumphs evil. Love lasts despite trials and tribulations and stays sweet. What did you think? Keen to hear your thoughts! xx
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Your friends turn lovers romance with good acting
Plot: A girl who is allergic to tears and a guy who tries to protect her in his own way. Childhood friends who part because of a misunderstanding meet again as colleagues. The ML is a top shot in Investment banking and the girl is a newbie with potential. When they meet again, the guy again tries to protect her in his own way while the girl has plans of her own. Along side, the FL has a really sweet friend who dotes on the FL so much (She takes care of her like a mum). She falls in love at first sight with a geek who knows nothing except algorithms.The plot isn't heavy. It's based of tidbits of their everyday lives and how they fall in love while surviving the challenges of corporate lives. The story isn't slow or rushed and I find the plot well paced. There are no major misunderstandings or overuse of cliches. Also, there's a super lazy dog. All the side characters fit well in the plot and you don't feel like they didn't get enough screen time.
Acting: I was scarred by Leo in Ashes of love (amazing acting but the character wasn't my fave). So it took me a while to get used to his nice guy character. But he was adorable. Both him and Bai Lu have an amazing chemistry. I loved their acting. Bai Lu's character or acting wasn't the overly shy or soft type which was a breath of fresh air.
It has a business plot but isn't overused. It's basically a sweet gradual romance with great acting. One drawback was what they did to one of the side characters who was having a good character development. It would have been better if they wrapped it up at 30 eps and didn't have the fast forward by 2 years in the last 6 eps just to flaw the otherwise really good drama. But they did compensate by an adorable last episode.
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Best modern romantic drama
This is one of the best cdramas I've ever watched. The chemistry between the leads was sizzling hot. The plot was enthralling and kept me hooked all the time. The production and cinematography were great too. The music was not my favorite but went well with the show.Now to the characters.
They really broke all the stereotypes of cdrama leads with this show. Both the leads were rich and smart. FL was strong and smart(I WAS SO HAPPY BECAUSE CDRAMAS RARELY SHOW SUCH FL). The ML was genuinely kind and supportive of FL's dreams. They had a very healthy relationship and respected each other's personal space. All the other characters were also interesting and showed great character development as the show ended.
The actors did a great work portraying the roles.
The drama had just the right amount of angst. It also had tons of kissing scenes and romantic moments. The business parts were actually interesting and connected to the characters and story. I would 10/10 recommend this drama to modern romance drama lovers!!!
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