This review may contain spoilers
Bubbly and no angst drama
I liked this youth drama where the leads are so good in their roles and the chemistry was great. As young as they are, definitely gave me the vibe of two lovers with tacit understanding of what was important for them to continue their loving relationship as a couple as they mature into adulthood. Their kissing scenes were swoon worthy and will give you butterflies. The female lead was very funny, and she was perfect in this role, she played it well the awkwardness and being their first of everything that a young person does. Supporting actors were given good character development too. From being nerdy characters into a mature look. I liked that the male lead is one handsome dude with nice physique. Somewhat pleasing to watch him. After this, I guess he'll have more projects in the future. Good job! I can re-watch this rom/com drama for sure.Was this review helpful to you?
THE CUTE CHEMISTRY AND DYNAMIC BETWEEN THE TWO LEADS IS HEART FLUTTERING
I found this drama through Zhang Miaoyi (If you don't know her, her recent popular drama of hers is WIFTY.)
I'm familiar with Jun from seventeen too (thanks carat best friend ^^)
So... OF COURSE I HAD TO WATCH THIS DRAMA FULL OF EYE-CANDY ACTORS AND ACTRESSES!
I found their chemistry to be appealing as siblings and lovers. The storyline slowly transitioned the two from the stage of 'childhood friends' to 'lovers' very well. I could notice the small changes in the facial expressions and ways the two leads acted around each other as their relationship progressed from being childhood friends/siblings to having a crush, to falling in love with each other.
The outfits fit the style/time the drama was told. You could tell when there was a time skip and how the two leads grew up together as the world changed around them.
For viewers of this review, the drama is a little slower for relationship progression in the first half until around episode 14. After episode 14, my goodness... There were a lot of kiss scenes... ("Carat friend who is Jun biased, how do you feel?")
They were sweet and the mood was present! The chemistry between the leads was especially prominent!
I'll leave it here since it's hard not to spoil the drama any further!
Viewers who are thinking of watching this drama, give it a go! It's very sweet and light-hearted! Although there are some cringy romantic moments, I found it enjoyable to watch!
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This review may contain spoilers
8 for the storyline, but 9,5 for the rewatching value
English is not my main language so please bear with me hahaAs many people keep comparing this show to WIFTY, I’ll try to see both from my perspective. I’m an avid cdrama watcher but please remember that this is purely my opinion and preferences.
I, with no hesitation, give both shows a solid 9/10. Both are youth dramas with problems circling around teenagers and their recklessness towards life, but they have different approach to it:
1) If I could depict WIFTY into a scenery, then it would be a wheat field in the afternoon with a beautiful sunset, the dry smell of wheat leaves, and the tranquility of the wind blows. The show gives me a warm aesthetic; even the OSTs are of those slow and clutching songs. Those aesthetics goes well with the story, I cried 3 times watching the whole show because it just reminds me of heartwarming memories of my teenage days with my friends (and also family). The tinge of sadness is always there, but it’s pleasing sadness.
2) On the contrary, EFT gives me the vibe of summer pool. The smell of water that’s mixed with alum, scorching heat but your skin is cold because of the water, sounds of water splashing, and your friends’ screams as they have fun. EFT is definitely goes for the comedic and colorful side of youth more than WIFTY. I do feel the warmth in some of the episodes, but more than that, the whole show is just so chaotic (in a funny way), even they make fun of the supposedly sad episode. They breaks the 4th wall numerous times, my favorite is when Linglong meets her campus roommates and turns out it’s just the old characters from the high school arc and she goes something like “does the producer does not have budget or what?” I’m laughing so hard at that, because apparently yes, they do not have much budget for this drama. This drama is supposed to be a B-tier drama (because of the budget) but the good reviews in the website makes it an A-tier, a great proof that they execute everything well, even though there are some scenes that can be improved.
I’m gonna talk more about EFT because this is an EFT page.
Talking about execution, as someone that has read the original novel (you can search “Once We Come Across Love”), there are minor and major changes made and while I think some scenes are kinda disappointing, I understand why they changed it that way because it just goes well with the flow of the whole story. Good thing that they decided to dive deeper into the relationship of Lingchao and his father, because not only that we can understand Lingchao better, but also because it is where I think we can see clearly just how nurturing Tutu is, because mostly this side of her is hidden throughout the story. I was also kinda disappointed of the very few OST used in this drama, but then it’s a low-budget drama so I won’t complain. The ML is also singing for the credit scene which is very cool?? He is an idol, right?
Okay, move for the casts, I ADORE the FL and ML. I even follow their contents on twitter because they looks genuinely having fun working on this drama together. Their behind the scenes are my favorite because they look like a real childhood friends that bicker 24/7. Oh and I also love how they choose to make the FL’s best friend to be a fangirl of an idol named Junhui and Wen Jun, which is the ML’s real name, they are also using the ML’s real photoshoot pics for it. I give it 10/10 for the dedication and detailed research.
I’m watching all kinds of shows, and I include cdramas as a “very light” entertainment, which is shows where I don’t have to use much of my brain to enjoy it. WIFTY is excellent in so many ways, but EFT wins my heart because of the comedic atmosphere they give. That’s why, for rewatching value, I give EFT slightly higher score (9.5) than WIFTY (9.0), please remember that this is only my opinion.
If you prefer shows with more elaborate storyline, warm aesthetic with slow musics, you might love WIFTY. But if you like something more comedic, less-serious and a very light drama, you can try EFT because this drama has no rise of problem at all (they have some, but they are resolved just like that).
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a fun light-hearted story
this is my first c-drama so understandably i was shocked by exactly how slow the slowburn is ? but it was definitely worth it, i loved xiao tu and ling chao's relationship and i so loved the side characters especially jia siwen and juan juan , jun and miaoyi did an amazing job and i enjoyed every second of itspoilers ??
watching the first few episodes was admittedly quite frustrating to me lol but in a good way i just wanted them to get together already but after eps 17 it was just smooth sailing from here on out i loved it
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This review may contain spoilers
Sweet childhood romance
Long time not find such fit title. Yeah this drama really like the title 'Exclusive Fairytale', cause not everyone get really such sweet romance story. From baby until grown up, our ML & FL never really separated with each other, except for 1 year while the ML go to university, yet he still come back a few time to meet our FL. Haha...Story about Xiao Tu (XT) & Ling Chao (LC) that already know each other since baby till grown up. How their friendship finally bloom into romance feeling for each other. The love that get a little 'blinded' by their closeness with each other, until not really realize that the feeling already start to bloom inside the heart. With classic jealousy, separation & advice from friend story, they made aware about their feeling with each other. Really cute and a little bit stupid, especially XT, feeling when she finally realize & admit to herself that she indeed fall in love with LC.
A love story that maybe all of us really dreamed about. We have childhood friend, family friend too, that accompany us from baby until grow up & finally grow into adult relationship. More over also without much hic cup & trouble with their relationship. This is one of the most relax cute youth romance drama that we really can just sit down, relax & enjoy watching.
But that's exactly why I didn't give this drama higher score. This drama, you can say, without conflict at all that actually feel a little bit repeatable & kinda predictable make me a little bit bored to watch. And if you compare the most recently drama of our FL, Zhang Miao Yi, When I Fly Towards You, I more like that one than this.. M
Although still cute enough, but I really can't bring myself to give this drama higher score. But for you who really want to just sit down, relax & enjoy watching, this is the drama for you then.
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Dreamt Childhood Sweetheart
A stress-free romantic comedy CDrama & a must-watch! It really is a fairytale. The story has its unique charm to it. The actors are giving so much chemistry to the point that I will definitely believe if ever they are in a relationship in real life (Though I bet Nah since Jun is a K Pop Idol). The ML & FL are so comfortable with each other, been totally swept by them. Sobrang nakaka-kilig!I also liked that there’s no cliche’ toxic/obsessed female/male antagonist here. Also how both families were approving their relationship.
All-in-all, this is highly recommended if you want to watch light hearted romcom youthful CDrama.
Please don’t hesitate to watch it. ???
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Here mainly for Jun;)
Haha… as my title says, watching this mainly for Jun from Seventeen;) worth the watch!FL’s character was not your typical girl-girl type, quite tomboyish and no regards to boundaries when it comes to ML, who is her childhood friend. There’s one scene in the uni hall and she’s sitting half slumped in the chair with one leg hanging over his thigh! Uhmm.. not very eye catching imo.
Not much originality in terms of storyline- childhood friends, through high school, get together in uni, start working life and a few struggles here and there. No angst, no rivals, no breakups. An easy watch
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Love this drama so much
I love the story line, the acting, and the chemistry. I Their relationship as childhood friends was on point. When the ML develop his love for the FL. I feel the excitement and affection. Although the ML is a cold type of guy, he is soft with the FL. I feel how he really cares for her and love her like what his love confession. His love always seen in his action towards her. The relationship between the family of ML and FL is so great that I want to have it as well. I love the FL she is always funny and cute. She’s really a good actress as I watched her other dramas. She never fails to give a great acting skills may it serious or funny scenes. She always have chemistry with her leading men that lead me to ship her with them, lol. I always looking forward for every episode. It’s indeed worth watching for, most especially if we will really pay attention to the story.Was this review helpful to you?
A STORY FIT FOR A ROMANCE LOVER
This drama is like any other, but the casting made it more exciting and enjoy full. Just like other dramas— it depicts the story of youth and the building of romantic feelings between the leads and side characters. I totally recommend this to those who love romance dramas despite the cliches'.FIRST THE STORY:
As I said before, the story is just like any other. It starts from childhood bestfriends to adult sweethearts.
THE ACTING AND CASTING:
The casting is very good since it has very professional actors who portrayed their characters very well.
THE MUSIC:
I wasn't really interesting for me. But I guess it's because I didn't give it a try.
THE REWATCH VALUE:
I wouldn't probably rewatch it since it isn't quite my cup of tea, although I like romance dramas— I would likely prefer ones with twisted plots and exciting things, and also it would be lovely to have an emotional rollercoaster...
AND LASTLY:
I could recommend you to watch this if you are a drama starter, it would be a nice start for your drama journey. It is great looking all in all.
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Awesome Chemistry
I loved this drama. The ML and FL did their job right. Surprised this is the ML's first adult role. Great job. I liked how they seemed very comfortable around each other as they realistically portrayed people who grew up together. The FL did it a little too convincingly sometimes with that and her tomboyishness. LOL, Plus she was very slow to realize her feelings for the ML, even with all the hints. Anyway, the slow realization of them falling in love, feeling each other out, and actually being in a relationship, I liked it. When they were in college was even better. It is GREAT that the director/writer realistically portrays the " liking/love" that college kids show. The hand-holding, hugging and even tastefully kissing/making out. Some of these dramas I've seen act like these college kids don't have these urges and don't even show entwined hands, hugs, or at least kisses on the cheeks. Rate 9/10.Side Note: Please dress the FL in more adult clothing in college. I know she is supposed to be tomboyish but they could have put her in stylish nice pants and tops occasionally and not jumpsuits.
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This review may contain spoilers
Totally heart warming drama
Tbh I started this drama because of Jun, but the more I watched it the more I got hooked. I liked how this drama was able to develop the supporting characters without it becoming boring or less interesting. I was so invested that I wanted to know what was going on in their lives. The stylist also deserves credit because I really liked most of the characters’ outfits. There was nothing like love triangles, breaking up and heart breaking scenes by the main leads. Their relationship was so healthy and it kept on developing gradually which I also loved. I loved the glow up of Jia siwen and how he managed to handle his relationship till the very end. I liked seeing them although they had some misunderstandings but I loved them. the way the parents were shipping the kids’ relationship also was so exciting to watch ???. like they planned a whole trip just to let them have time for themselves…??!!!!! I liked the way Linglong (childhood friend) didn’t fixate so much on Ling chao after he dumped her. she literally accepted her fate and life went on and became friends with xiao Tu.this drama is definitely worth the hype ❤️
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Decent drama to breeze through
I'm a Carat, so I watched this for Jun. Considering it's been years since his last role, I'd say his acting was pretty solid. (ik his eyes are droopy/sleepy but why do they do look extra sleepy here lmfao) His dubbed (?) voice bothered me the entire drama though. It sounds so monotonous and unnatural (not like jun) to me and I've seen better from other 'cold' and 'emotionless' male leads, but eh. Special mention to the FL Miao Yi though. Really loved her performance in WIFTY and she did great here as well, very natural and cute. (btw the kiss scenes were rlly good holy hell god damn jun)Story was fine..nothing memorable to me..nothing bad to say either lol. I just breezed through everything basically. The main couple was pretty cute as well though I felt their development of realising they like e/o especially Ling Chao's was a bit ehhh???? but oh well, Some scenes were funny too. Also Yin Zihan the 2nd ML who disappeared halfway was a great character. He and the beauty queen classmate who everyone (me) thought was a bully were my fav characters. they had great personalities and were fun. The story got more engaging in the second half when they went to university for sure. Xiao tu getting 3 guys on her back to back lmfao.
Music, nothing memorable either, I didn't particularly like any, Jun singing the ost was nice tho.
LASTLY I WANNA RANT. I'm so sorry to any lovers of juanjuan and that guy I can't remember the name of, the 2nd lead couple. THEY ANNOYED ME SO MUCH HJSFBHJC. THEIR SCENES AND BREAKUP WAS SO POINTLESS IM SO. I hated it so much and they were worthless and so unnecessary I didn't care about them AT ALL.
Seems like I trash it a lot lmao oops but it's a decent drama, a good watch I think. I binged this in days, played it in the background basically lol. Enjoyed it, not as much as other dramas but still alright.
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