I have read the others’ criticisms of this drama and before you decide to embark on this journey known as “You Are My Glory”, please be cautioned of the following:

• This is not a gaming drama! The leads are not game experts or wannabe professional players in the e-sports stratosphere. The mobile game serves as a channel for the two leads to meet again, be reacquainted and fall in love. There are many scenes of the leads discussing real life issues outside of the gaming sessions and the gaming focus dwindles to bare mentions after episode 15.
• This is not an antsy romantic drama. There are no back and forth between our main couple, no love triangles, no meddling in-laws and no unnecessary misunderstandings. “You Are My Glory” is a simple, sweet and mature love story about an actress and an aerospace engineer as they navigate their relationship to find balance and inspiration in each other and pursuing their dreams together.
• The romance is a slow burn and can take up to 10 episodes for you to feel invested in the two main leads’ motivations and struggles before you can appreciate their romance or relationship dynamic. Having read the novel, I am familiar with the story and have patience for what is to come and encourage viewers to keep an open mind - their emotional journey is worth the wait (epitomized in episode 21).
• The last 11 episodes of the drama are saccharine (no joke, and I mean cavity inducing) and conflict free as the male lead pursues his passion with the support of the lead female character. If you’re searching for something more profound or climatic for an ending (beyond the romantic sweetness and a realized dream), then this drama might not be for you.

STORY: Qiao Jing Jing (Dilreba Dilmurat) is a celebrity actress who is an ambassador of a popular mobile game but is later exposed for being a poor player. To salvage the game endorsement, she decides to train (in secret) for a competition to demonstrate her skills. One night while playing, she is accidentally invited to a group battle by her high school classmate, Yu Tu (Yang Yang), whom she had a crush on 10 years ago and who happens to be an excellent player. Realizing that her game play can be improved dramatically with an in-person coach, Qiao Jing Jing initially tricks Yu Tu to meet in person but quickly fesses up to Yu Tu that she wants his help in teaching her until the day of the competition. Yu Tu agrees as he is on vacation to ponder his career path whether to continue as an aerospace engineer or pursue a new career in investment banking. And so their love story begins as the drama details their interactions before and after game training as they bond and share confidences. The game itself only serves as a means for them to reconnect but the heart and soul of the drama is about Yu Tu’s internal struggle over his career and feeling worthy of having a relationship with someone who is successful, confident and brilliant - everything he currently isn’t. As the story progresses, one can see Yu Tu achieving everything he wants with the support of a woman who has always understood him and admired his desire for reaching for the stars.

First, I want to preface that I am a fan of the novel and wishes to thank and praise the author (and screenwriter) Gu Man for this wonderful adaptation. This drama follows the novel faithfully but Gu Man has also written additional scenes in the drama that really tie the entire story together. I find this couple’s love and interactions to be one of the healthiest and most realistic romances in all modern Chinese drama. The story itself is rather simple one but the message the drama has delivered are so very heart-felt and moving. I empathize very much with Yu Tu’s character and his inner conflict. Pursuing a dream can require sacrifices and Yu Tu is willing to accept the financial shortcomings of his job to follow his dream but when his mother faced a medical scare, he realizes that he is not financially capable of caring for his parents should a crisis occurs and feels guilt that he is not doing more to provide for them. The dilemma that Yu Tu encounters hit close to home for so many of us and is quite relatable. How many people in this world have relinquished doing what they love in face of the harsh realities of life? Most have experienced this crossroad or at least made compromises to improve their lives financially.

I love how the female lead, Qiao Jing Jing (QJJ), believes in and understands Yu Tu unequivocally despite having no interaction with him for 10 years. Even in high school, she has long respected his passion for aerospace and as they reconnect, she quietly supports him in his continuous pursuit of it. She never tries to sway him to choose one career over the other but just silently encourages him or offers words of comfort when he needs them, especially with this famous line, “You’re the rabbit who has seen the most stars”. Aptly poignant words to console him that regardless of what he chooses to do, his past efforts and accomplishments are still visible and that he has at least strived for his dream. Amazing that she can grasp him so well, even more so than his ex-girlfriend of many years who fails to recognize (or care) where his heart lies. Jing Jing is truly his soulmate.

ACTING: I have followed Reba’s career for few years now and she has been incredible this year with her acting performances in both “The Long Ballad” and “You Are My Glory”. Two completely different characters and two distinct genres but her portrayals have left me so very satisfied as a viewer. She has shown leaping improvements in her acting and I honestly feel going forward that she will continue to surprise us as she tackles different drama roles.

However, back to YAMG…Dilreba is Qiao Jing Jing personified! When I read the novel, I have imagined Reba as the female lead but her acting here magnifies the loveliness of this character and yes, QJJ is one of my favorite female characters in a Chinese novel. QJJ is not a weak-minded character who carries a torch for the male lead for the entire 10 years they are apart; on the contrary, once she has learned of Yu Tu’s dating in college, she moved on. She establishes her own career, has dated and is financially independent. When she encounters Yu Tu again, all the qualities that she has once admired reignites the past feelings she had for him and she falls in love with the current Yu Tu, vulnerabilities and all. When she is rejected again, there is no groveling on her end and if Yu Tu did not pursue her, the present QJJ would have gotten over him as she had done in the past. Her strong mindset and resolve will not allow her to short-change her own happiness. She is resilient in that she will ensure that she still lives a good life, even without Yu Tu in it. Critics argue that Reba is playing herself (29-year old famous actress) and true to an extent, I view Reba as very spirited and lively individual like QJJ but seeing such character on screen can get old real fast or be quite annoying after so many episodes. But Reba has characterized QJJ with such charm and exuberance that I cannot help but be moved by her in the drama adaptation. Her expressions, her mannerisms and the vivacious aura appear so effortlessly and she sparkles like the stars. Reba expresses the right balance of being a glamorous celebrity, playful and cute gamer, attentive and caring friend/girlfriend towards YuTu’s struggle and dream and also exhibiting maturity, bravery and self-respect when faced with heartbreak and rejection.

Now for the other half of our glory couple, Yang Yang’s Yu Tu. This is the first drama I have seen of Yang Yang and he has given a worthy showing and justice to our male lead character. Admittedly, he wears a stoic expression in the beginning of the drama but it’s very in character to the novel’s description. Yu Tu is an introvert, very logical, a deep thinker and a complete opposite of our female lead. He’s naturally not expressive so the lack of emotions is expected. Yang Yang really nails the nuances required of the character, especially with his emotive eyes. His gestures and emotions such as the lingering gazes and attraction towards QJJ, the little smiles when he is in her presence, the pain and conflict in his eyes when he speaks of leaving aerospace are so beautifully done. In the beginning, it is a subtly credible performance given by Yang Yang but when they become a couple and he recommits to his craft, the transformation is captivating. Yu Tu is a completely different character - more self-assured, utterly cheeky and undoubtedly charming! Yu Tu smiles widely, jokingly laughs, sexily flirts with Jing Jing and is witty as hell! I appreciate the different layers of Yu Tu that Yang Yang is able to bring to life and after seeing him in YAMG, I must say Yang Yang is a natural romantic male lead. I can understand why Gu Man preferred him as Yu Tu even though he already starred as the leading man in another one of her adaptations (Love 020).

The chemistry between Yang Yang and Reba is palpable, explosive, teasingly sweet, thoughtful and wonderful to witness. I can’t stress enough that if their chemistry is lacking, this drama will fail dismally because the last half of the drama simply describes their daily lives with loads of humor and the progression of their romance with many sprinkles of teasing banter and affection towards each other. I enjoy how physically demonstrative they are with each other, from their passionate kisses, flirty exchanges, sweet gestures like forehead and cheek kisses, hugs, cuddles, sitting on his lap and holding hands while he’s driving. The attention to details on how a real couple acts and the displays of affection towards one another is everything a romantic pair should be. Kudos to Yang Yang, Reba and the YAMG team! If you’re a romantic at heart, the latter episodes will make you melt in a sugary puddle!

The supporting cast is truly that, supporting in the background and allowing the focus to be on Yu Tu and QJJ’s romance and I’m thankful for it considering this is a short drama. All the side characters are great as they are encouraging of Yu Tu and Jing Jing’s relationship. Special shout out to the actress who stars as Sister Ling (QJJ’s manager) who provides plenty of laughs in trying to recruit Yu Tu as her artist. It’s so rare to see an entertainment agent/manager who is supportive of her artist’s love life and is excited to expose her own artist to dating rumors with plenty of contingency plans.

Another aspect I enjoy is the exposure to Chinese aerospace, which is not everyone’s cup of tea. There are many technical elements that were initially lost to me (I did rewind a couple of times in trying to understand the rover and testing being done). It might not be the most riveting thing to watch but I personally find the subject refreshing as the aerospace industry has never been covered in a C-drama. Yu Tu’s career is the basis of the titled drama, “You Are My Glory”. QJJ wants to bask in Yu Tu’s glory so the focus on his profession is integral to the drama.

The cinematography is amazingly well done and the audience can sense the high production quality from the first episode. The shots of the Shanghai nightlife and the romantic scenes (especially the hometown snow scenes) are splendid. They are definitely swoon-worthy and made this romantic drama even more romantic, if that is possible.

This drama is not without (minor) flaws. The gaming scenes are more than I wish, although I do want to say they are less than what have been described in the novel. I didn’t mind them as much as I thought but I can see why other viewers who are not into gaming would find them tiresome. However, the game competition episodes are excellent and very engaging. The soundtracks for the drama can also be better. I like the opening score sang by Liu Yuning but find the rest of the songs to be unremarkable. Very trivial grievances that in no shape deter from the beauty of this drama and the beautiful love story of Yu Tu and Qiao Jing Jing.

All in all, I have mad love for this romantic tale and my heart wants to rate this drama a perfect 10 but my rational mind prevails at a glorious 9.5 stars. Please note, I rarely rate 10s for a drama because I only reserve perfect scores for masterpieces that surprise me with intricate plot and execution. “You Are My Glory” is lovely in many ways and I absolutely recommend it if you want a light-hearted, mature romantic drama; its narrative is relatively simple but nevertheless touches the heart.