Adjust your expectations, some of you clearly don't pay attention to details

I went in with zero expectations - I don't know any of the cast and merely jumped in due to it being featured in a Cdrama List of 2021. As a preface: I usually watch dramas on 1.5x speed and adjust accordingly depending on the plot. For this, I started at 1.25x and changed to 1x speed till the last episode. It was light-hearted yet flowery enough to hook me from the start - such that I found myself pressing 'next episode' without fully realising it. The relationship between FL and ML was gradually built on with subtle touches of noticing each other, there was no sudden jumps in the journey. It simply started as an old family friend relationship blossomed from growing up together as kids, and then deskmates (bearing in mind he isn't your typical cold af ML). In short, it's a "everyone knows they like each other except them" kinda thing. Some reviews mentioned it's a one-sided obsessed FL going miles for him but y'all can't see that the ML does all these gentlemanly gestures too (i.e. saving her butt multiple times), so it's supported both ways. Some reviews also mentioned the unrealistic notions in the plot: 1) spotlight on science > arts 2) toxic mother 3) obsessed FL quick to drop ML after a 'tiny' mishap.

1) bear in mind the subtitles literally states "2010s" - while it's not set in 1200s, this stereotype of STEM favourism is prevalent even during NOW. And literally it's a Sci guy x Arts girl trope, while it's selfish to write the FL having to sacrifice her interests she did so in romantic pursuit, remember that ML also tried to get into Arts for her. So she's just a hopeless romantic kinda person forcing her way into Sci just for him, only realising her true talents after studying that Sci degree through the art projects - and it simply shows the rash nature of young love with a resolution at the end: you can be lost and misled in direction but still find your way in the end, be it arising from common sense knocked into you or not. Some of y'all quick as Usain Bolt to scorn and expect super intentional clear-headed intelligence when in reality lol.
2) Again toxic parenting - helicopter parenting in fact, is a typical trait in Asian households and it's these characters that simply what makes this drama, this drama. Toxic parenting -> kid finds solace elsewhere, which happens to be ML. It simply is what it is - don't know why y'all saying portrayal of her mom is unrealistic, perhaps you have not lived in such households?
3) Mentioned in first para: FL painted as obsessive yandere - sacrifices her interests, gives ML items of love etc.: she does this for 4 years - she'd obviously be tired and there would be an instance being the last straw for her. Some of y'all also scorn at how quick she gives up: I'd like to see you pursue someone for 4 years straight, some years alone, and maintain iron strength esp. when the male counterpart keeps pushing you away. Conversely, the ML is not cold but I completely empathise why he chose to push her away. True, y'all push the fact he lives in a big luxurious apartment but it's not entirely about the money here. It's about the emotional troubles - his dad dealing with the accusation, being hospitalised. a) I'm sure the stakeholders involved (e.g. lawyers) are not free b) I've not seen his mother go work, seems like a stay-home mom iirc c) he's hospitalised not just for a few days, imagine the accumulated expenses and MAIN POINT d) with these familial issues how does he put his heart into FL without subconsciously venting his stress on her? Obviously he chose to be the bigger person here.

I've only read the first few pages of reviews, don't get me started on the rest...

-ve points I agree on: Focus on MLs were too much - side couples could be more developed, it was sudden why 2nd Leads argued and he had to seek shelter from ML & Senior Su feelings could be more in depth, wasn't obvious he liked her more than a childhood friend. Feel like 24 ep too short, could be better developed as the last 5 episodes were rushed and squeezed. Though, I admit the suspense built-up was decent, it gave relish to see MLs finally kiss. But could've been more, as the issues in last 5 eps felt rushed to be dealt with.

special mention: OST/music score is beautiful. Not aplenty, but enough for the scenes. Although I'm salty I still can't find that one english song during the fireworks scene.

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