Interesting and different, despite the drawn-out ending

I want to start by saying that this is Miles Wei's best drama, without any doubt (my personal opinion)

I May Love You reminded me a little of The Love You Give Me in some ways, especially in the way FL makes ML have to fight for her. In my opinion, nothing more fair for two male protagonists who didn't try hard enough when it was necessary.

Following with my review, I want to highlight that, just like in Rising With The Wind, we have obstacles that make sense. There are no annoying second females or second leads - although the director, Mr. Lu, fell in love in 3 seconds of the scene with 3 different people, and one of them was FL -, or controlling and irritating families interfering in their son's relationships as if they could not have autonomy.
Yes, we had misunderstandings... and there were several (lol) but, at least, they were being resolved one by one.

FL's development was very interesting, I really loved the way she matured and instead of making a man the center of her life, she started to focus on herself and her work. That was admirable. And best of all: she didn't go back on her decision, even after admitting her feelings.

ML is also the typical role that Miles usually plays, however, I think this role of his is a more mature, sexier and more interesting role than the others. It still has that "science teacher" and "mommy's boy at 30" vibe, but anyway, I think it's my favorite character out of all the characters he's played.

Regarding the secondary characters, I really liked Secretary Hao, I also liked ML's cute sister, and FL's best friend. Although I thought ML's best friend was an empty character, he surprised me with a levelheadedness that I didn't expect.

However, despite all the positive aspects I mentioned, I think that the excessive conveniences, such as ML's sister suddenly becoming an actress - just for the couple's plot with the director - and the delay for the couple to get together, made the last 4 episodes became dragging for me.

At some point, I just wanted to finish the series.
Anyway, I May Love You is surprisingly better than I expected, it has GREAT performances - especially Huang Ri Ying, who was really great on her role - and delivered excellent chemistry between the main actors.

It deserves more attention and recognition, in fact.

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Much better than many hyped cdramas out there

In my opinion, 2023 is the year of mini cdramas, because, with "Miss Mystery", we had another mini cdrama that was much better than several hyped and large budget cdramas out there.

An interesting script, great chemistry between the lead actors and a story that makes sense, at least to me.

The mood of the drama is dark, mysterious and sexy at the same time, so I think that anyone looking for a cdrama in this style, "Miss Mystery" is perfect.

The FL is an anti-heroine, and I love it when FL's are like that, because generally cdramas like to infantilize women and make them exist just for male validation. At the same time that she is strong and powerful, she also had the chance to experience love.

I like it when female characters are simply normal, able to move between vulnerability and strength, and not just be "cute" or just "independent". Women can be several things at the same time.

Furthermore, the story, despite being short, delivers a good conclusion. I really liked it, and I will definitely rewatch it at some point.

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It had great potential but it didn't work for me

Let's start with a fact: I only became interested in watching this drama because of Xing Fei.
I love her and her dramas, so, even though I don't really like historical dramas and i don't often have this genre on my "tbw" list, I decided to watch the drama while it was airing. Just because i was curious about these two actors together.

Okay. I want to say that I enjoyed a lot their pre-couple dynamic, and I think that although there were several plot holes, like ML quickly learning to use technology and FL's parents being so "understanding" about the presence of an unknown man Inside the house, I decided to just not think too much, not take it too seriously and just have fun watching. Until it started to not be that fun, and it became repetitive.

The "CON" side:

1. ML being extremely jealous to the point of being exaggerated: I really didn't like the restaurant scene. I understand the clichés, and I know they flirted, etc., but it still bothered me. I thought he was a bit controlling to a certain point.

2. Annoying SF: I always complain about this, but I can't take SF or SL anymore. I just think it's almost 2024 and that doesn't happen in real life. Sorry, it's so outdated.

3. Annoying young brother: There is already "the time" complication, in my opinion, it wasn't necessary to place ML's younger brother as his "rival", you know? He seems like just a boy who didn't have much love and recognition in his life, FL was just someone who gave him what he needed and he mistook that for love.

4. Repetitive plot: that's it. We just watched the same things again and again

5. Bad kissing scenes: Despite the good chemistry with the ML actor and good acting, Xing Fei's kiss scenes are usually bad, and in "Love Is An Accident" we have the same situacion. In my opinion, the actress seems very mechanical in this type of scene.

6. Too much episodes

The "PRO" side:

1. Carismatic FL: I love Xing Fei's acting, and in this drama, she did a really good job.

2. Really likeable SC's

3. Amazing chemistry between the leads

4. Romantic story

5. Really beautiful scenery

6. Light and funny, overall

So, that was my review.
I don't think it was a bad drama, I just think it could have been better.

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The perfect drama to watch and forget about the world a little

I really enjoyed this cdrama, more than I expected. I thought it was going to be a low budget and a cheap drama, but it was really decent and touching.

First, I enjoyed how the timeline of their relationship and life stages developed.

I thought it was cool that everything was natural. The FL started being a naive and childish little girl to become an incredible woman, but without losing her essence. I really liked that the character has matured, but who she is has just evolved.

The ML is ok. He is quiet and reserved, respectful, the typical clingy and super passionate boyfriend of these youth Cdramas, so, after all, nothing much different or special about him. Jun's performance was average, but he did well and surprise me in the marriage proposal scene. it was really emotional for me.

I thought the FL actress stole the show for her, this girl is super charismatic, lol.

The chemistry was great, I LOVED them together, not to mention the kisses and their evolution starting to have an interest in each other, the sexuality and desires topics were approached as something natural and not seen as taboo here.

Overall, "Exclusive Fairy Tale" was a great drama, but I really think that topics like harassment could be better addressed and seriously treated, and, of course, I would like to see a little more of their development at work.

I also missed finally having an inclusion of an LGBTQIA+ character in cdramas, as, in my opinion, Yin Zi Han is. It's pretty obvious that he spent his entire high school - and probably life, lol - being obsessed over a guy for no reason, and that fixation wasn't just a desire to prove himself better. Tbh, even the cdrama made a joke out of it, with the fact that he and Ling Chao they are "a match made by heaven".

Despite those things, i really enjoyed the experience and have nothing to complain about it. It's a good drama, I liked it a lot.

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Disappointing, but had good potential

To be honest, I was really excited to watch it the moment I saw the poster, and even more so after seeing the trailer. Sadly, it turned out to be disappointing.

The first 11 episodes are great, lively, manage to mix romance and office business very well, however, after the following episodes, everything became boring. In my opinion, unlike "Here We Meet Again" - using a fresh drama as an example - "Sweet And Cold" failed to convince me of the balance between romance and office. Which is a pity, cause I think the chemistry between the actors was sorely wasted. To be honest, the secondary characters' relationships were more interesting to follow than the main characters', especially the best friend's relationship.

I really found it positive to bring more conversations about feminism, domestic violence and female independence into a Chinese drama, and I'm really enjoying the trend of talking about it, such as "The Love You Give Me". That part was what I liked the most.

But I missed them as a couple, I missed the male lead having more initiative towards his father, you know? It was a very dumb and disrespectful idea to his girlfriend to fake a marriage while he was in a relationship, even though he discussed it and was sincere, it's still so silly! After all, the male lead must be around 27, 28 years old, right? How can he let his father tell him who he should marry? So what if his father's company goes bankrupt, will he sacrifice his happiness for it? This is something I just can't understand in some Asian dramas no matter how hard I try.

The whole part about the female figure and misogyny was well put, maybe if the drama wasn't sold as an office romance, but a drama focused on women and their relationships, I would have liked it more, as I wouldn't have expected to watch it an adult romance with flirting, relationship building and work balance.

Overall, despite having several interesting topics and a good female lead, "Sweet And Cold" wasn't that "sweet", to be honest, it was even a little bitter from so disappointing. It's really a pity, cause I enjoyed the FL so much, but I find this cdrama habit of thinking that because a woman is very strong and more introspective she needs to be "cold" and has no right to be delicate, it's as if women don't could have dualities, you know?

Despite everything, at least we finally get to see 3 healthy relationships at the same time. No arm pulling or childish exaggerations.

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a good attempt overshadowed by poor narrative choices

The drama had all the aspects to be light and assertive in terms of romance and life in general - slice of life type -, but it failed in bad and lazy narrative choices. We love cliches, but you have to know how to make a good cliche. Otherwise, it becomes silly and average.

The beginning and even the middle was cool; The characters have a somewhat unusual relationship for dramas - at least the ones I've watched.

While it is obvious that there is a flirting game that makes them much more than just friends, ML's emotional complications and FL's financial difficulties make it very difficult for the two of them to stay together, considering that FL needs to make difficult choices to survive

I liked that they have a few kisses before they officially become a couple; It's more realistic than giving a kiss and automatically starting a relationship.

Still talking about the PROs side, it was cool to see how FL helped ML A LOT to loosen up and get rid of his guilt and his past. In fact, one helped the other and one sacrificed for the other.

But, apart from these aspects, the NEGATIVE points really stood out to me;

1) Very annoying second female: no one can stand anymore the way cdramas still bring in SF or SL plots that have known the protagonists for 10 years and have never managed to win them over and think that by setting up, pranks or female rivalry they will be able to "win" - like it's a competition... tbh, SOOO silly and childish.

2) the best male friend in love with the female friend: I don't even need to talk about how cdramas have these heteronormative things where men and women can't be friends. Lazy. Boring. Updated.

4) The protagonist's mother appeared for 2 episodes to be unbearable: I think the title says everything. She had no use other than to piss off and meddle in the life of her daughter whom she never bothers to visit. The FL is almost in her 30's and the mom wants to decide her relationship. i really can't stand those family's plots anymore, for real.

5) Female rivalry: as I said before: I'm tired of female rivalry, it's almost 2024, c'mon, writers

6) Too passive ML: Okay, this is the last item, I promise. ML really should have been more assertive; make everything clear and clarify your feelings, especially since your best friend has tried several times to disrupt your relationship. Sincerely? I think he secretly enjoyed being "chased" by two women. In my opinion, he could have more attitude.

Other than that, the drama is pretty average. The emotional and relationship part is interesting, but, in my opinion, there wasn't that much plot for 24 episodes, it could easily have been 20.

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a great romance, but i was expecting more

I confess that I waited a long time - really a long time - for a Portuguese subtitle for this cdrama, especially because I love the two main actors. When it finally came out complete and fully subtitled, I was full of expectations.

What I have to say is that "Exploration Method Of love" was everything I expected, and at the same time, it wasn't.

I expected a fun mess, and obviously, I got that, but I also got a more mature, adult relationship.

I was expecting a more adult romance, and yes, there was that, but at the same time I felt like they cut A LOT of things. This thing about China removing kiss scenes - which, btw, is fcking annoying - already happened with the drama that the same ML actor, Gao Han Yu, acted in, "Dine With Love", which had GREAT Kiss Scenes cut out. This ends up discouraging me a little, I confess. It becomes frustrating, especially when it comes to romance dramas with characters in their almost 30s. Makes no sense to me.

Anyway

Well, the drama has this more realistic aspect of a romantic relationship; without annoying SL or FL and without annoying and controlling families trying to control everything, but, from another perspective, the series starts to get a little stuck and gets a little lost in the sameness: we have this cycle of the female protagonist being a little too stubborn in owning your feelings, and this happens over and over again.

In my opinion, it's a reasonable cdrama that I expected - a little - more kissing scenes and a better development at the end. The ending was REALLY pretty weak.

A couple more episodes to close with a flourish would be more interesting.

Other than that, I would recommend it, despite the negative points; especially due to the super healthy relationship and the wonderful female lead.

PS; very good chemistry between the actors

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one of the best of the year

I'm not surprised I loved this drama cuz I don't think Gong Jun and Elaine would deliver anything less than amazing

I don't know where to start and I don't want to this review be too long, but firstly, I think China should release more cdramas like this, where the couples' problems and the scripts are based on life decisions and setbacks, and not on outdates clichés, like, the silly "love rivals fights" or second leads/females annoying tropes, you know?

I loved every second of this drama. The entire evolution of the Fl's character and the history of her family linked to the factory, this duality between ethics and empathy related to the male protagonist, the construction of friendships in unexpected moments and the two sides of each character, which can be selfish or generous, depending on the situation

I also really liked how the chemistry between the couple was built. A true relationship between adults, with flirtation and interest, but without leaving aside goals and career. In my opinion, despite the more "open" ending between their relationship, I believe it was the fairest. In the protagonist's place, I don't know if i would be able to forgive ML.

PS: I love the fact that we didn't have annoying and controlling parents trying to ruin the main's couple relationship, thank god!

PS: 2: And I loved that chinese writers are discovering that man and woman CAN BE friends without having any romantic feelings at all. I'm a fool for the FL and the cute guy friendship

Furthermore, the negative part, at least for me, was the side couple. They just had no chemistry, and the FL's best friend had more chemistry with her than the girl he liked, which doesn't even make sense, lol. The sister's character is also boring, selfish and dull. I have nothing against the actress, I like her in "Sweet Teeth", but I didn't find her interesting.

I will definitely rewatch it at some point. I found it touching, with a good script, a good female lead and extremely catchy. It's a hidden gem in the sea of cdramas released in 2023.

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a mature romance slice of life typo

i'll be quick in this review, cuz i don't think i have to much to say or complain about, lol

ok. this is a really good series, but only for slight-and-slow-romance office-trope lovers. if you like to see action and things happening fast, "fake it till you make it" it's not your choice right now.

we have a excellent chemistry between the main couple and a interessing sexual tension happening during the drama. not to metion the realistic way things develop between them; It's actually more believable the way it happened, normally, I can't believe people fall in love so quickly like they do in most dramas I watch.

in this series we have two grown adults discovering together what means to really love and accept someone, so you'll be frustrated, angry, sad, excited and happy at the same time, cuz i think this is what really means to be in love with someone. people are not just one thing.

i loved to watch them flirting, i miss this in dramas sooo much; i miss the tension, touches and the moments "before" they got finally together, you know? and "fake it till you make it" delivered that to me.

the office part was a little bit boring sometimes, but this is normal. despite not being able to understand most of what it means, I still managed to have fun

The others characters were interesting, I liked that there was no such thing as "good people and bad people", everyone has a negative and positive side. although, tbh, I was irritated with the FL's cousin the entire series, she is very snobbish and spoiled.

ok, that's it. my verdict is that it is a good cdrama, with an interesting romance and great production, but it may bore those who enjoy quick development and big plots.

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A great drama

I found this cdrama by accident, but ended up liking it a lot.

Despite the subtitles being pretty regular, and the fact that I had to fit the words together like jigsaw puzzles to be able to translate them, I managed to understand most of it, or at least, I would say, about 80%.

The drama is good, quite different for a office romance. Indeed, it has the office cliché with the boss and the secretary trope, but it is much more than just that.

There are no SL or SF complications, in fact, the real complications are the two characters' complexities and insecurities, that's why I enjoyed following the couple so much.

It was really interesting to see the layers of ML develop and be able to get to know the true side of his character, as well as knowing his motivations and the anger he has built up in his heart.

FL is an incredible character. She is mature, professional, talented and there is no infantilization of her in the series. While she is very young and has her privileged side, she is also a very simple person.

Overall, even though the drama is excessively long - could at least be 5 episodes less - I still enjoyed it. But, yeah...It got a little tiring, I have to admit.

What really pissed me off about all this - except, obviously, the fuckedu up situation of the FL's family - was the best friend character. She is a terrible person and extremely selfish. The entire time, throughout the drama, I wanted her to suffer the consequences for the manipulations and scheming she did with her own friend. She got her best friend fired just because of a man, that's shameful as a friend and also as a woman. I really don't understand cuz I would never do that.

Obviously, I can't NEVER compare her with FL's uncle and father, they are both murderers, that's why I would never put her on the same level, cuz, to me, she is just a horrible person, not a murderer. She was also a victim, for sure.

But then, she went running after her best friend's ex-fiance to hit on him after they broke up... man, that was so bizarre and fucked up, I don't have the words to describe how much I wanted the writers to make her suffer some consequences for being such a motherfucker.

Finally, I wanted to say that the FL's brother is SO beautiful. I met him in "Healer Of Children" and I already thought he was cute, but in this cdrama he's even cuter!

PS: ML was a big asshole at certain times and he deserved to spend 10 episodes chasing FL, even though I understood his motives, it will never justify what he did and how he acted.

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Light and perfect to see on a rainy day

I was looking for something light and slice of life type, so this drama came at the right time for me

The story is interesting - although I think it lacked more scenes over the topic - and the characters are nice. Overall, the chemistry between the actors worked, they seem to have gotten along well off camera, which was evidenced in their performances together, but I think because the actress is 11 years younger than the actor they probably didn't want to put anything "more adult" or "spicy" (idk which word i can use to describe), so the "romance" part here it's pretty slight. I believe they show how much they love each other by trying to protect each other and doing things for each other. I would say if they had a love language it would be acts of service lol.

The FL is my fav character from this drama, she is very adorable and smart. Beyond charismatic and beautiful! Worked well here, I liked it. I also liked her evolution as a person, she matured a lot.

SL was the worst part of this cdrama. In addition to being extremely clingy and boring, he thinks he can interfere in the FL's life because he grew up with her. Tbh, i'm getting sick of this type of SL, they think they "own" the women who are their friends, as if they were their property. He's a joke. I really liked that ML made fun of him.

ML is ok. Cold-hearted type, but with an detail: he is very introverted, and i liked that. For me, she brought light into his life and that was lovely to watch.

My consideration is that one is a drama to watch with a light rain in the background and pretensions left aside. You won't find super chemistry and an adult romance or super plots, but you will laugh, get to know a very interesting area and find the construction of the novel cute

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Um dos melhores de 2023 para mim

Completamente adorável, no melhor sentido possível.

A China nos presenteou novamente com o que ela sabe fazer melhor no mundo dos dramas: dramas juvenis! Não tem jeito, os mais bem feitos dramas juvenis asiáticos SÃO cdramas, e com “When i fly towards you” não foi diferente.

Antes de tudo, algo FINALMENTE aconteceu: temos um casal que NÃO começa se odiando e se desenvolve normalmente como amigos até, finalmente, se tornarem namorados.

Queria começar dizendo que o segredo nesse drama é a simplicidade e o realismo que ele tem. Adolescentes sendo adolescentes, se preocupando com vestibular, saindo, se divertindo, sem triângulos amorosos bobos, sem second female ou second leads sendo chatos e sem noção, com todos descobrindo o amor no seu tempo e trabalhando nisso como deve ser. Teve aquele exagero dos pais falando sobre namorar e blá, blá. Blá? Teve, né? Não esperava menos de um cdrama, já que parece que eles são bem restritivos em alguns casos, então eu entendo essa parte. No final das contas, acho que tudo teve sua época certa.

Não sei dizer o quanto eu gostei dessa turma de amigos, e o quanto eu AMEI que cada um teve seu destaque, seu momento e sua chance de brilhar. O amor dos protagonistas é a coisa mais lindo do mundo, amei como eles superaram as coisas juntos e nunca se separaram, pelo contrário. Química incrível entre os atores principais e mais ainda com os secundários, que brilharam – inclusive China, por favor, nos dê um drama com o casal secundário.

É difícil explicar o porquê eu amei tanto, acho que foi a nostalgia do meu próprio ensino médio junto com uma história que realmente se aproxima da realidade e me fez sentir como se eu pudesse facilmente viver aquilo. Não sei, tudo me conquistou. Vou sentir falta demais deles, de verdade.

PS: Muita gente linda nesse cast, inclusive os secundários

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It's ok

To be honest, i don't know what i was expecting, but i didn't feel hooked with this one.

I really like the main actors, and i enjoyed their previous dramas - at least the ones i watched -, but i don't think that the history was strong enough to to sustain their chemistry.

It is not the convinients and the clichés, those things don't bother me - actually i love them - i think it was the excessive slow burn that, in the end at the day, didn't burned anything. lol.

at one point things were just... boring? even the side couples were boring. poor FL's male best friend, he's really sweet and her best friend were just so childish all the time and never knew what she wanted.
the sister, omg, what a annoying character... and, yes, the ML's best friend is also annoying lol.

in general, i think there was a lack of content in everything. from the characters' personalities, through the plots to the end.

everything was just so superficial that the one thing i really enjoyed was the health and natural relationship with the mc's, even though i caught myself missing more spontaneity in acting of both of them

still better than "sweet cold" though, lol

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my comfort drama FR

This is a drama that I've already watched about 3 times - or more, idk - and I'll probably keep watching whenever i have an opportunity. Some people compare "To Fly With You" with "Skate Into love", but in my opinion, there's no room for comparison, cause To Fly With You is much better.

The pros:

1) Well-constructed romance: unlike many drama couples that I see out there, in this one the two develop as "enemies", friends, best friends and only LATER, boyfriends. It is obvious that the ML is in love with her from the beginning, but their relationship is very well developed, so much so that they go through a lot together until they officially become a couple. That's why I love seeing these two together, cuz more than a couple, they are real partners

2) The evolution of the main character in sport: it is very interesting to follow how pp goes from an amateur athlete to a professional one

3) The secondary characters: I'm suspicious, but I loved all the secondary characters, especially the best friends. I really love de second couple.

4) There is no break up: thank goodness, but there is no end here, the two of them resolve themselves by talking

5) Chemistry between the actors: the dynamic between the main actors is very nice, it was super natural and pleasant to watch

Cons:

1) Caricatured "Villains": it is a juvenil drama, i wasn't expecting too much, tbh

2) Weird trainer: This, by far, was the aspect that bothered me the most. An older man - probably in his early 30s or something - subtly hitting on a girl who just TURNED 18. Throughout the drama, I felt annoyed with him pretending he had no hidden agenda when he paid special attention to FL. In my opinion, the male lead was absolutely right when he asked "What right do you have to talk about me and her? You are a stranger".

3) I missed having a more "adult" side to the main characters' relationship a little bit, but I understand why there wasn't, it's not necessarily something that i needed to survive or something (lol), I'd just like to see how the actors would do.

Anyway, this is my review. I love this cdrama and I think it is a comfort in every way.

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I only watched it for FL and her story

I gotta be honest: i was expecting more.

as I said in the review's title, i only watched it for the FL's story.

for me, personally, i was interested to watch a single mom's story.

i was excited to see her rebuilding her life, overcoming things and growing up as a woman and a person.

and, yes, that was exaclty what i received, but if the drama were only focused on her and not on so many boring side characters, it would have been better.

i didn't like the other two FC, and i'm sad to say that, cuz I'm always interested in stories about women and told by women, but this time it didn't work me.

overall, i wasn't surprised by the fact we didn't get a kiss and no romantic scenes at all. sadly, the chemistry between the main actors was wasted. would be interessing finally seeing the FL having fun and being loved — even though she were loved by the ML throughout the series, since he really care so much about her — at one point i was so sick to see her suffering, and not having, at least, any good thing in her life

maybe, if the drama had fewer episodes, maybe 10 less, it would be more interesting and enjoyable to watch.

I enjoyed the acting, but i felt no "passion" between the lead actors.

the "debt story" was resolved very quickly, after all the drama.

the husband's character is just...boring, there was no need for him to be back, they could just kill him that was enough for me.

despite the negative points - for me, ofc -, the drama brought good discussions and real questions about love being much more than just loving and sex, it's about companionship, patience, giving and reciving, understanding and empathy.

FL is an incredible woman, she was admirable the whole time, and as I said, she was the only character that made me want to continue watching.

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