Forever and Ever (2021)

I loved this drama

I have not watched One and Only because I am not fan of tragic outcomes even if this a continuation of this story. Maybe when my heart is strong enough I will give it a try.

*Possible spoilers*
This drama is different for me because it is not cute and fluffy which is the genre I normally enjoy watching. There are lots of tragedy that goes on in the story but it is also mixed in with giddy lovey dovey moments of the main leads. I know that many people in the comments are disliking this series because of the lack of kiss scenes due to the male lead's no kissing policy. I respect that, in fact I think it made more of an impact to me. Even without "passionate" scenes you can see how the couple develops love for each other. Towards the end you can see how Zhou Sheng Chen passionately loves Shi Yi without any kisses needed. I love seeing skinship like the next drama addict but I've watched shows with lots of it but no real chemistry or feelings from the couples. Here you can totally see their love progress and deepen through understanding and caring which is what true loving spouses need.

I have so many things I want to say about this show which broke my heart and mended it but it's so hard to articulate it.

*Spoiler*
The death of Zhou Wen Xing really hit me hard. I felt so bad for Mei Xing as he walked alone after her death and after the wedding of our main couple. I wish they would create a spinoff of him finding love. The actor who played Mei Xing looks like he can handle a main role.

I also wish they would have an epilogue with the couple's children but I guess that 1 full episode of happiness for the couple is already a gift from the usual last 5 minutes.

Thank you for reading.

Read More

argh, so heartwarming <3

ZSC = Zhou Sheng Chen || SY = Shi Yi

"Beauty both inside out is something that rarely exists. One can be beautiful inside, but might not be beautiful outside. One can be beautiful outside, but terrible on the inside. Most people in the world have shallow eyes, they only see the outside and not the inside.","美人骨，世间罕见。有骨者，而未有皮，有皮者，而未有骨。世人大多眼孔浅显，只见皮相，未见骨相"

well, this is the second part of One and Only. It brings both ZSC and SY back together again in the modern world after their heartwrenching love in the past. Unfortunately, the show is only 10% linked to the previous season. Mostly, the show is prefacing how they make up for the love they couldn't have in the past. SY in the last life said "ZSC, if there's a next life, you must marry me first" and in this life, he did. There are many easter eggs in this show and a lot of flashbacks which hurts mi little heart :<
Now let's just talk about the story. The story is about ZSC and SY reuniting in this life again with lots of ups and downs, family's rejections, mismatch of timings etc. This show I would say is a little less 'thrilling' than the previous. Or at least near the end of the show where things spice up and your emotions really gets wrecked over.

The chemistry/love between the two characters are lovely, sometimes awkward because of how ZSC is like
but off-screen, the two actors are the total opposite of what their characters are, so it is very alarming and impressive that they could act totally different personalities of characters!

As for OST, most of them are reused but these 3 are my total FAVS!! Zhang Bi Chen - As it is, Cheng Xiang - Shi Guang Hong Liu, Mao Bu Yi - Give You Give Me

I ended up buying the actual novel and I will be reading it once it arrives!
PS. Check out my review on One and Only! keke



//EASTER EGGS! SPOILER

- Shi Yi is surnamed Shi and named Yi, because before she jumped, she begs to be removed from the Cui family tree and to drop her surname as she felt that she has disgraced the family.
- In some episodes [specifically the first few eps], the scenes at ShiYi's office, there are chalk drawings of CUI ShiYi touching ZSC nose bridge in the first season!
- Hong Xiao Yu [different Chinese characters but spells out the same name!] is still Shi Yi's best friend across the two lives!
-Mei Xing is actually ZiXing from the past life[the evil prince in the first season] and now he is ZSC best buddy!
- SY had a speaking disorder in her first life so she became a voice actor in her second life <3
- This is pretty obvious, but in both lives, the couple wrote the poem[上林武] together in the library
- Modern life SY hates RED, and loves PALE GREEN! Why? In her past life, she wore pale green to worship her master [ZSC] and wore red during her last moments.

Read More

Good Bones, Happy Ending.

If you’ve watched One and Only (周生如故), then it’ll be pretty easy for you to be love swept in this drama. Forever and Ever is the sequel set in a modern time period with indications that the female lead, Shi Yi has ‘dreams’ or memories of her past life without stating the obvious due to China’s reincarnation censorships. The drama follows their commitment and mutual understanding to overcome multiple challenges in their careers and families so they can pursue the love they both yearn for. 

Though I haven’t read the novel, I’m sure many who have would vouch that they did try and follow the book very closely and it was definitely evident in the first few episodes. Do you need to watch O&O or read the novel to be able to understand this show? In some ways, yes? I think without the understanding of O&O, I don’t think you’d be able to understand why it was so heart wrenching and why we viewers have such strong emotions for the characters. So I’d highly recommend you watch the prequel first! But be prepared to be broken, and then come back to watch O&O to get mentally fixed up on love. :P

So instead of doing the usual break down, I thought, why not do 11 things I liked or disliked about the show, in tribute for (十一/时宜):

1. I think it goes without saying, what kind of an actor Bai Lu and Allen Ren are. The chemistry on-screen and off-screen are both fantastic. Considering that Forever and Ever was filmed prior to One and Only, you can definitely see in all the BTS clips how their friendship grows and how comfortable the two become with each other. 

I loved ZSC’s character in this series, I loved how aloof and innocent he initially was. SO different to how he was in O&O and it was albeit quite refreshing! I couldn’t help but giggle when he was all shy around SY. That said, realistically, in a modern day setting, if someone were to get engaged over the phone, I can’t imagine anyone who would have said yes willingly after only meeting 3 times in person and emailing for 6 months. LOL. 

Reality aside, the two made you root for them like they did in O&O and I think fan’s would be happy to know that they got the ending they deserved, FINALLY.

I do admit, after say a whopping 15 episodes+ in you’d think the aloofness would subside, but it didn’t and it was starting to get a bit old and too cringey for me.

2. I loved all the Easter eggs they had. Here are just a few of my fave: 

- Shi Yi dropping her surname ‘Cui’ as a continuation from the last episode of O&O where she denounces her family name before she jumps off and request that she only be ‘Shi Yi, of the Nanchen Royal Mansion’.

- The fact that she was a voice actor for ‘O&O’ in this drama.

- The hints about the library comment in episode 8.

- When she sleep talks about pomegranates and ZSC goes out to find some for her.

- When Mei Xing says “I feel like I owed him in my past life” in episode 24, because word is he’s technically the reincarnation of the crown prince in O&O.

- The Fu in Imperial Park poem that she wrote on the wall and that ZCS finished for her

3. I loved that they kept the same songs, especially the opening credits, and there were clips of Allen’s song in the instrumental version.

But god damn, give me Mao Bu Yi any day! He’s got a way with creating such beautiful hits for dramas, the melody is so haunting and beautiful. His single “Give you, Give me/ 给你给我” is such a beautiful track. Even Bai Lu commented on it on her Weibo.

4. I loved the way it was post edited. Most scenes flowed so smoothly and didn’t feel rushed. The first 1-10 episodes were done very well. 


5. I think if anything it was the storyline overall that felt rushed, but that’s just basing it off the novel. The first 1-6 episodes moved so quickly. The production setup in itself, was great! With the exclusion that there were maybe 1/2 scenes that could have been filmed better, some poor choices of scripts or words (scroll through comments) and some scenes that felt ‘lazy’. I think it’s noted that some scenes did get cut, we’re unsure why or which to be exact. I think him piggybacking her in Bremen early on was one of them.

I think the conversations about them deciding to have kids and choosing the words ‘I’m ready’ before sex scenes just felt awkward to me. Episode 27 was a bit cringey to watch. I said it in the comments, but I stand with the fact that there are so many diff ways of creating a scene that’s supposed to be meaningful yet not overdone or uncomfortable. I think even Bai Lu made a comment on it in the BTS videos.


6. I didn’t like that there really wasn’t a proper introduction to ZSC family. Without reading all the comments here, I probably wouldn’t have known the family tree and what the relations are with all the ‘siblings’ and why it’s so complicated and why there’s so much issues and dramas arising within the family. At the very least iQiyi could have done like a diagram for us like how some dramas do.


7. Episodes 23 onwards were such a breath of fresh air! There was so much more punch to it! Lots of emotions and it was definitely a whirlwind of a rollercoaster ride we all were hoping to see. Episode 24 had me like a mess! Despite all the hurdles the family threw at Shiyi, I loved that she didn’t blame anyone for all the mishaps, she stood by ZSC when he just needed space and time to overcome his loss. But I felt these episodes really showed them coming closer together and it wasn’t as awkward and you could tell, he was becoming more and more comfortable around her—which he should be by now!


8. LOVED her outfits, I thought they were great! Bai Lu looked amazing in everything they had on her.


9. Side characters I did enjoy would have to be Xiao Ren and the driver, Uncle Lin. Both like a real brother and father figure to both SZC and Shi Yi.


10. I wasn’t sure if I liked the old and new mixing, like the idea that this was a modern day drama but that Zhou family house gave me the creeps a little. That and the mixing of modern vs the old Qi Pao’s the Wan’s made. It grew on me, and I like that it was heavy of tradition but I guess still acknowledging the current period they were in and that they did things out of the ordinary like obtaining their marriage certificate before the actually ceremony.
 The excessive poetry was beautiful but I wish I understood it.

11. Lastly, episode 29 probably hit me the most. I feel this is where we really get to see ZSC and his commitment for Shi Yi. Dealing with in-laws is always a hard and troublesome task. What he did and what he was willing to say to her parents at the hospital and his actions clearly showed that he wasn’t going to waiver and proved to her parents that he was worthy of her love. This really hit hard for me dealing with my own personal experience of something similar. The scene where he submits and finally bows in front of his ancestors just proves that nothing is bigger than his love for her and omg I couldn’t stop the waterworks!

Overall, I think it was a beautiful drama, albeit slow, but so deserving. I think the last few episodes picked up and I really enjoyed watching them get closer. Would I watch it again anytime soon? Probably not. But I’m so so happy they got the happy ending they deserved.

Read More

People with Beautiful Heart have Beautiful Face.

This is a sequel of One and Only,
This is a very beautiful sequel I have ever watched.
Watching this I had this Haiku in my mind by Lubna Yusuf

"ten autumn passed by
yet each time I look I know
your eyes are still mine"

This indicates that whatever happens to us I will surely be with you for rest of your life even if it means reincarnation.
ShiYi (played by Bai Lu) and Zhou Sheng Chen (played by Allen Ren) and other actors portrayed their characters very well.
ShiYi was always there for ZSC even when she was treated poorly by his family .Their love was so pure and and delightful.
Whenever I watch this drama I kinda feel like I am watching a real house where all the problems are solved it never felted that there was any exaggeration for any situation.

If you watch drama carefully there are many other details which shows that there is still true love present eg:-
1.Even when ZWX pushed SY into the water she had reasons where she wanted to save the fight between the bothers she adored.Even it was a selfish move but I could understand the motive of hers.
2.Love of the main leads ever though they were too physical (that is been complained by many of the viewers ) but didn't notice when anyone would be sad the cozy cuddles the kisses on the cheeks , hugging together in the bath tub.
For me the most heart touching was when ZSC hand wrote his marriage invitation .
3. Ren and uncle Lin was a secrete show stealer loved them how they were close to each other ahaha
Interesting facts:-
~ SY liked pomegranates in past life as well as in this life too
~ in past life SY was not able to speak her half life that why she was worshiped but a beautiful career and voice in this life
~ZSC was not able to give Sy anything in past life because of the oath given but this time he gave her everything he had.
~ZSC always obeys SY and vice vera this is the most lovely thing in this show.etc
For me OnO and FaE are true gems .
If you want to give it a try pls do it right now !! I personally loved it.

Read More

Intense but expected more

The chemistry between ML and FL is the main reason I decided to finish this drama except that I was little bored with dry conversation, according to story line and script what I felt is they could have done it more interesting rather than circling in the same tree. If you are looking for just a pure love story this is the one but other than the love and chemistry between ML there is nothing interesting. Instead of taking time for dry talk between ML and FL they could have given proper ending to each highlighted characters.
I won’t regret for watching this drama because of their heart touching love story, after watching this drama I am really become a fan of both ML and FL, both acting skills are very good but only disappointing is the director didn’t utilized their effort fully in a proper fashion.

Read More

"Shi Yi and Zhou Sheng Chen Pure perfection"

The drama is just pure perfection. Congratulation to everyone that worked on it. I love how natural and relatable the progression of their relationship. From the way they're so awkward around each other was so oddly to gradually getting intimate and loving each other.
This drama proves that intimacy is so just about kissing but also about looking at each other, touching, bed talk, loving each other with action not just saying it. The way the director and the Bai Lu and Allen Ren portray suggestive intimacy in this drama was just out of this world.
I cried my eyes out watching one and only but I loved how they intertwin the two dramas together soo.. seemly made this drama even more faultless. Really one of the best dramas I’ve seen this year and the best cast. LOVE ACROSS 2 LIFE TIMES.

Read More

What a Surprise!

This drama being the sequel of One and Only no-one had to convince me to watch it!

Unforgetable, Just love this drama. .I can't bring myself to rate this drama anything below 9 because that would be so unfair. The story was well crafted, we see good chemistry between the actors. I felt that Bai Lu and Ren Jia Lun did a good job of portraying their characters.
The OST was very good. The script was not perfect but it followed the novel very closely. Excellent rewatch value, It is one of those dramas that I can watch over and over. There a few third party issues and no unnecessary drama/conflict between the leads.

Read More

How mundane can a relationship be? ZSC and SY of the modern times will show you.

I like how Forever and Ever is the polar opposite of the tragedy of One and Only.

SY and ZSC has the most healthiest relationship in dramaland that I have seen. Their relationship is neatly wrapped in a bubble wrap that no one can ruin.

The trust she has for ZSC is absolute that no matter how crazy his family is it could not break them apart. I also like how SY parents and family supported her despite the rudeness of ZSC family. This really depicts the statement that marriage is not just about the couple but their families as well.

To describe ZSC family as dysfunctional is too light. Theirs is an extended family x 100 and everyone relying on the eldest son of the family its just baffling. I understand why ZSC fought tooth and nail to have SY and protect their relationship. He maybe inexperienced in romance and dating but I think he did his best to be with SY. Compared to SY loving family the Zhous would be a weird one.

The stepmom and 2nd uncle are living their lives in guilt and I thought at first they were in cahoots with WC but I was so wrong. Even though the stepmom does not like ZSC she protected his rights she does not care of in the eyes of others she's evil except her mom maybe. The stepmom explains to her mom but not to nayone else. When WX died I could feel their anguish as parents and even tried to prtect WC. I appreciated ZSC resolve in pursuing the matter since WC killed his sister to avoid his embezzlement and crimes. ZSCs having Ren inherit was the best decision and I think ZSC and MX has that planned all along. He is really not fit to lead that pack.

I felt bad for the reincarnation of the Crown Prince, in this lifetime MX deserved to be happy with WX but WC was too greedy and he did not care for the life of his sister. WC deserved to die and XM was right in leaving him. I won't babble about the other folks from OAO who reincarnated with them. It lacked depth in this lifetime. Except for Ren. I just love Ren. He did his best for his cousin and his wife.

Despite being shorter One and Only is more beautiful in it's storytelling and Forever and Ever being the total opposite. They deserve happiness after all that crap.

The dream sequence of their past life was done beautifully it seemed like a seamless transirion from their past life.

The actors be it the leads and support did a good job. But the OAO actors were excellent. I can't compare much except for the leads they executed the roles well for me despite the lack of skinship the eyes and body language showed a beautiful rapport.

The ost is good.
I would definitely re-watch this one.

Read More

Lovely Shiyi's Love Only For Zhou Sheng Chen.

Forever & Ever…..
Here the sequel of One & Only but in different genre, A Classic Modern Drama. A story about lovely Shi Yi met Zhou Sheng Chen in her next life.

▪️Main Points
~ In One & Only, Shiyi couldn’t confess his love to Zhou Sheng Chen because of an edict from a Majesty to marry Crown Prince.
~ A beautiful story revolves around classic scenes about Shiyi and Zhou Sheng Chen met again in next life. But it was completely in a different romantic drama.

▪️Short Synopsis
Shiyi was top voice actress who was humble, straightforward and lovely. After hearing a name called as ‘Zhou Sheng Chen’ she was interested to go and confirmed his name then asked for his contact information. She said that because of his name was same in the novel of ‘One & Only’ so she want to make a friend. Zhou Sheng Chen was a chemist professor who came back from overseas and planning to develop a project in his own country. He met with Shiyi in airport for the first time but was moved to give his email to her when she asked for his contact information. They became friends as they communicated each other with emails for six months and accidentally met in restaurant after Shiyi and her friend go to Xian for the first time. Before that Shiyi had sends an email telling him that she’ll go to Xian and planning to meet him. He did not read the email but their fate bought them together. Later Shiyi asked him to show the place to her and they met for third times. After meeting about fourth to fifth times, they were gradually getting more comfortable and closer.

Shiyi agreed to register for marriage with Zhou Sheng Chen. She felt that if she did not agreed to his proposal she’ll be regretted it later. She did not even told her parents yet and also her mother in law did not liked her. But with Zhou Sheng Chen there, she felt it enough and already happy with it.

▪️Characters Intro
~ Allen Ren was a sweet and handsome actor. He acts as Zhou Sheng Chen, a chemist professor who came back from overseas and plan to work and staying in the country. He was a straight and slow spoken guy who respect the oldest and others. He fallen in love with Shiyi after knowing her and plan to marry her. He was well behaved and responsible guy.
~ Bai Lu was acted as Shi Yi who recalled some histories about her past life. She was a popular voice actress and manage to buy her own house in Shanghai. She was a cute, lovely and extrovert girl. She took an initiative to make a friend with Zhou Sheng Chen and later became his fiancée. She an easygoing girl who always trust and loved Zhou Sheng Chen with her deep heart. Shiyi was timid, she afraid of dark because she always dream about war since she small. I love to see Shiyi’s styles in clothing. Even this drama revolves around classic background, Shiyi’s attires was fashionable and pretty cute with her.

▪️OST
~ Shan Yichun - Continued
~ Yan Zhong Ren - Freeze
~ Buyi Mao - Give You Give Me
The song by Shan Yichun was very suitable with this drama. It’s has beautiful meaning and when you hear the drama playing it, you will feel it either happy nor sad.

▪️Opinions
~ You can see how much Zhou Sheng Chen’s love Shiyi from beginning to end. He care about her, never leave her behind when she’s sick and became so emotional when he knew Shiyi’s fall sick.
~ Shiyi was the one who take the initiatives either in making friend nor in getting close together. She also the one who said ‘I Love You’ first. But I think it’s so cute.
~ I think Zhou Sheng Chen also cute as same what Shiyi’s claimed. He indeed different from the other guys. He well behaved, slow spoken and very straight guy. He’s not romantic but his love was enough for Shiyi to know that he was the one to her.
~ I love all the people in this drama except Zhou Sheng Chen’s stepmom and brother, Wenchuan. His sister, Wenxing was a good and nice girl. Even she’s sick, she still care about her brother and family. Zhou Sheng Ren also was a nice brother. He care about his brother and sister in law. He likes to be with them and want to be with them always. Mei Xing also was a good friend. He care about Zhou Sheng Chen and always help him either in business or families.
~ Zhou Sheng Chen’s stepmother was evil and arrogant woman. She was not respected his son’s choices in choosing his own wife. I did not like her even what she’s said to Shiyi was indeed true.
~ Zhou Wen Chuan was a bad brother. He aware his brother trapped at the factory’s gate but he was on purpose to make him waiting for three hours. He only care about the power and money.
~ A bit weird since Shiyi can walk easily after wake up from a long bedridden. Then she also went to award ceremony like nothing happened before. She did not even met her parent who worried about her when she was bedridden.
~ Shiyi asked about getting a baby as soon as she heals. If the drama skipped the time for one year, it may be good for her to think about having a baby.
~ I'm only feeling satisfied with the drama since Zhou Sheng Chen can officially married with Shiyi and do the marriage ceremonies. They were looked good in red wedding dress and suit.

▪️Overall
For me, this drama need to skip the parts that not really important. From the 25 episode to above, I mostly skipped a few of part because it was a bit boring.

For overall, the drama indeed different from the other dramas. It's interesting and nice to watch.

Read More

Great Acting, Boring Story, Not Really a Sequel

Though anticipated, the ending of “One and Only” gives the viewers tears and broken hearts. Most have been waiting anxiously for its sequel “Forever and Ever” which is believed to have a happily-ever-after ending that is needed for closure. This drama (“Forever and Ever”) is originally a story about karma and reincarnation but as the Chinese government bans the reincarnation subject in all drama productions, this essential element becomes subdued, if not totally eliminated, rendering a great shift of the story away from its original work.

From the beginning, our main couple from “One and Only” meets and gets married, almost instantly in their modern lifetime. For three quarters of the drama, viewers are shown a chronicle of daily life of the newlyweds, with a hint of something nefarious lurking beneath what seemingly a blissful life. As much as I love watching the love development of the couple, I find the over extension of love play rather boring had it not for the exquisite ancestral home and antiques hidden in a tranquil city. The daily life of the inhabitants of such a traditional home with complicated extended family members, is a reminder of how some large Chinese families still live today - with a lot of useless protocols and mindless burdens. The plot thickens slightly from episode 23 on, but still takes a leisurely slow pace till the end.

Many characters in the drama are said to have reincarnated from its prequel “One and Only” which is supposed to have taken place some 2,000 years ago. However due to the censorship, all the character links are downplayed or totally non-existent, except for some weak inklings for the main couple Zhou Sheng Chen (Ren Jialun aka Allen Ren) and Shi Yi (Bai Lu); they retain the same names in both dramas. Had it not been the repeated mention of the Xiao Nancheng Wang (Prince Nancheng Junior) in the FL’s voiceover project, there is really nothing linking the two dramas until the last episode when Shi Yi describes her dream which is also the story of “One and Only”. Not totally brilliant, but at least it manages to tie the 2 stories at the end (well, kind of).

Zhou Sheng Chen is a prodigy and a chemistry researcher working in a university in Germany. He returns to China to try salvage his family’s declining traditional businesses that are being run to the ground by his younger brother. His mission is to promote traditional crafts and to ensure their sustainability in modern times. As the oldest son in the family, he is entrusted the family inheritance and all the baggage that comes with it, with a caveat that he has to first get married, as stipulated in his father’s will. As a hermit, Zhou Sheng Chen doesn’t date nor know any eligible girls for marriage. Comes Shi Yi. He figures he could make do with her. Little did he expect himself to fall in love with her so deeply, and for her, she has known the name Zhou Sheng Chen from her work and falls in love with him when she hears his name mentioned, which to me, is a rather weak explanation.

Zhou Sheng Chen is passive, bashful, unromantic and uneasy with public intimacy. You can say he makes a very boring boyfriend as he doesn’t really know how to reciprocate a kiss, a hug, or any romantic play. But then again, romance, like beauty, is in the minds of the beholders. Many readers are angry over the adapted character as they claim the original Zhou Sheng Chen has a much more forceful and proactive personality in the novel. Many even lash out on the actor for changing the character or for not portraying it right or even for poor acting. I have not read the book but from my understanding of the adaptation, I find Ren Jialun delivers 100% of the Zhou Sheng Chen character in the drama. He captures every nuance in his every hesitation, embarrassment, bewilderment which is so real and so authentic, and very appropriate for the adapted character traits.

Bai Lu is natural and beautiful. Her portrayal of Shi Yi is commendable. As for her chemistry with Ren Jialun here, I find it not as great as in the prequel “One and Only” despite there is hardly any intimacy in the earlier drama as compared to the more kissing and touching scenes in this one. Understandably, as “Forever and Ever” was made before “One and Only”, this may explain the slight missing spark.

My Verdict

Not having read the novel, my expectation is quite different from what is delivered here. Perhaps I had expected a more arduous journey for our characters to find each other, and to overcome multiple challenges and tests - the usual drama stuff which may be less realistic. Here, the story is very realistically portraying life of very traditional big and complicated Chinese families with undesirable feelings and occasionally unfortunate events taken place.

The two dramas, “Forever and Ever” and “One and Only”, don't really connect to each other except for the repeated references to the historical one by Shi Yi in her work and finally in her dream. Initially there seems to have no plot and no story, merely a chronicle of the daily life of a couple. The overall plot is rather subtle and only in the last 8 episodes, it becomes more apparent, making the story realistically ordinary.

I love how artistic and poetic the whole drama is, from the poems to the antiques, to the traditional crafts passed down for generations, encapsulating the overall Chinese culture and treasure we want to preserve.

A drama well made and deserved to be loved.

Read More

“How often can life’s pleasures be enjoyed? Shi Yi, alone, is all that I ask.”

Forever & Ever ruined romance dramas for me in general since it is so beautifully written and acted. It is just very rare to find romance dramas that do not have stupid misunderstandings, petty games of push & pull, breakups and just about love, trust, loyalty and absolute understanding between two people in love. I can never stress out how wonderful and fantastic this drama is. Zhousheng Chen & Shi Yi’s relationship is really beautiful -- I rarely use this word to describe relationship in dramas but they have ‘soulmate’ kind of relationship since they can see deep into each other's souls where no words are needed to be spoken. I never seen a drama where the leads actually smile at each other as much as they smile to each other here -- they look totally in love, smitten and extremely blessed to be at each other's company. And this drama is actually better with each rewatch since the love & romantic details in it are really amazing.

THE LEADS’ PERFORMANCES
Ren Jialun is truly fantastic as the awkwardly shy Zhousheng Chen to the point I really thought that is his real personality. His awkward body movements, the way he will lick his lips when he's nervous, to those blissful and shy smiles -- the attention to details when he is playing the character is just magnificent. And I love how Zhousheng Chen handle his toxic mother with such a grace -- never disrespecting her but also never allowed her to mistreat his wife as well.

And Bai Lu as Shi Yi in Forever & Ever is just beyond awesome. I really think they need to write more amazing FL character like her -- bold, straight forward and just full of love. The way she comfort her husband, understand him like no one does, all the sweet little gestures, or the way she laugh at him are just fantastic. She is perfect but at the same time appear very humane and approachable. Plus, she did all the first moves, how awesome is that?

BEAUTIFUL VISUAL DIRECTING, CINEMATOGRAPHY & COSTUMES
I love how the Director using frames a lot in the drama to display characters’ thoughts and distance and how when they are shot in the same frame, its to show how both is at the same state of mind. And I also notice the drama used a lot of earthly colors like yellow, white and brown for soothing and warm effects and that is why you will feel the drama is very relaxing and healing. Or using shadows when the couple had their first night together which is one of the best directing I've seen for this kind of love scenes.

I also love how this drama will be using characters' outfits to tell a story or their motivation. I like how Zhousheng Chen & Shiyi will always wear same color with different shades before their marriage while same color with same shade (coupling outfits) after their marriage. Or how the antagonists in the drama will always wear black, literally, black all the time. Or grey character like Weixing will always wear black & white.

THE ESSENCE OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP
I love that the essence of their love did not change at all despite both of them has different personalities than their previous life in One & Only. Shi Yi will fall first and Zhousheng Chen took time but when he did, she can feel it in her bones despite his love being silent.

And the most important of all, they found calm & tranquility with each other just like in One & Only -- the same calmness and safety. That is why when everything else is failing him (like his family), he always find her, since she gave him the comfort just like Shi Yi found the comfort in Zhousheng Chen in One & Only. They are still one heart and mind -- in fact stronger since now, no explanation needed as they trust each other unconditionally.

And both of them really gets each other. They really knows and understands each other in some fundamental ways. For Shi Yi for an example, all Zhousheng Chen's socially awkward and shy personality to his weird antics -- are the aspects that made her love him because they're what make him who he is. She doesn’t want to change him as she love him just as he is and vice versa. Their relationship is not just about physical beauty but they're about really seeing deeply into each other’s souls. Their attraction is based on trust and understanding. I love that their internal monologue would be like; 'I should hug her. She would also want me to hug her' which I find interesting since Zhousheng Chen completely understand what Shi Yi wants. Even when they moved to Xi'an, the house that he bought and the furnitures in it are based on Shi Yi's preference even when she is not there to tell him. They have this 'Us against the world' mentality so adversities only make them closer instead of the other way around.

THE FUNDAMENTAL OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP
"Most people see the skin and not the beauty of the bones." – and their relationship is not just bonding on the physical aspect but bonding of the soul.

Both One & Only and Forever & Ever explored both Zhousheng Chen & Shi Yi’s relationship with this fundamental core. The 'bonding of the soul' -- something that can’t be seen from the surface but both of them see each other’s' soul for who they truly are. That’s why when some people complained that they couldn't understand why someone as gorgeous as Shi Yi could be attracted to someone socially awkward and nerdy like Zhousheng Chen, it is exactly what the drama wants to achieve -- Shi Yi sees his beautiful bones instead of his skin and see the beautiful man he is from the inside and fall in love with that part of him. It was meant to be portray that way.

Lots of people just see the drama from the surface, thus passing it merely as fluff but once they actually see each scene on what the writer actually intended to tell, they are just gonna be surprise with how full of depth is their story -- whether in the past or the present.

CONNECTION BETWEEN THE PAST & PRESENT
I also love how the writer connect the past and the present -- from something simple as drying of Shi Yi’s hair to helping her changing shoes which both happened in One & Only and Forever & Ever.

To the part where Zhousheng Chen taught Shi Yi Guqin in One & Only and gifted her the Guqin factory in Forever & Ever. Or he gifted her tea all over the place in One & Only and gifted her Tea House in Forever & Ever.

Or something big like he guard the whole city for her safety in One & Only and he sent someone to protect her when she went back from Germany in Forever & Ever.

ZHOUSHENG CHEN’S SILENT LOVE
One of the greatest thing about Zhousheng Chen is his silent love. Like he will always do things silently -- never expecting anything in return but Shi Yi could always feel his love despite he never mention it -- whether in this life or their past life. For an example, a simple scene like showing him paying their dinner together with his student at Xi'an where no one know except his assistant. Looking from the surface, it seemed like a filler scene but its actually to show his selfless and sincere personality since everyone in the room thought it is his assistant who is treating everyone to dinner.

I love how the writer and director chose to portray Zhousheng Chen’s love that you can truly passed it as something insignificant because Shi Yi didn’t even know most of them. Like him calling her taxi at Xi'an -- even when he could tell her that it was him who did it, but he didn’t when she thought this nice gesture is from his assistant and not from him. Or how he helped the injured delivery guy -- he could tell her how he helped him (in the later episode) which will expose how he drove all night just to see her that day and again, he didn’t. Or the pomegranate scene that he passed as something he found on the street when in fact we as an audience knew the length that he go through for something that she said in her sleep. Or something big like how he sent someone to protect her when she went back from Germany since he feels she is in danger to asking Xiao Ren to accompany her at the Old Town – both instances, Shi Yi never knew.

She once asked him how would she know he did all this if he never tell her but he said he simply did it out of love so it didn’t matter whether she know it or not -- exactly just like Zhousheng Chen from the past. This is not including the one that Shi Yi can see like the wedding cards or the wedding lanterns. I think no other drama actually show this much romantic details in their story -- I find it truly captivating.

SHI YI’S LOVE & AGENCY
Some people misunderstood Shi Yi since she seemed to agree with everything when it comes to Zhousheng Chen. Its not that she didn’t have agency but she understood him to the core. Like she didn’t have to protect herself or fight for her rights, because she know he will do it for her -- since he will never ask her to do something that she didn’t like or uncomfortable with. Like she know she didn’t have to move for him after the wedding, since he will move for her. Their relationship is actually rather fascinating in this aspect - a complete trust and understanding of each other.

He can’t come home as initially planned, she totally understands it. Need to leave early while they are in the middle of dating, she's cool with it too. Not because she's a pushover, but she knows that despite of anything, she is #1 in his heart -- a real mature understanding that reflect her state of mind.

CONCLUSION
Zhousheng Chen may not remember anything (unlike Shi Yi) but everything that he did in Forever & Ever is the things he regrets and couldn't give her in One & Only. That is why, he is my favorite romantic lead in any drama because his love is sincere, pure and did not ask anything in return -- its okay if she never knew what he did as long as she feel his love and that is all matters to him.

Read More