Kai
West
If you know the meaning of unrequited love, there's no much explanation needed. The whole drama revolves around the title itself. Every character had their fair share of their own unrequited love.
What makes the drama beautiful is the exposition of that abstract feeling because they made you feel it too. Watching it was a roller coaster of emotions. I felt the pain, the heartbreaks, the longing, the sadness, the happiness and of course the love. The drama was capable of portraying feelings not only to themselves but also to the the audience/watchers. Seeing the first few episodes made me bored, there were so many characters and so many side stories, but as I get through I felt one with the story.
After seeing so many dramas, this is by far the most touching drama I've watched. I love the female lead, it was so painful seeing the flashbacks and the efforts. Her character was nicely written, not your usually clingy and annoying leads. Not the one who's world crumbles for the guy. I didn't like the male lead at first but overtime I also fell in love with him, well everyone falls for him. The character and the friendship development grew within me. There were lovely characters and frustrating exes at the same time.
If you're looking for a fluffy romcom, this may or may not be for you. It is a feel good drama. About youth. Love and friendships specifically.
I believe we all encountered unrequited love. As an audience, I also had a fair share of my story. Maybe I was bias because I used to be in the same shoes, but I guarantee you it will give you realizations. Someone is always in an unrequited love, it could be you or to you.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
"We have everything in the end." "Just not each other."
This is like the saddest romantic film I've ever seen. I was quite wondering at first why the past was colored and the present was b&w, until it all made sense. Ian and Kelly were the characters in Jian Qing's video game, Ian loved Kelly and the point of the game was to find her. Jian Qing once answered that if Ian wouldn't meet Kelly in the end, it would be colorless.Jian Qing and Xiao Xiao had the best start, making me, a watcher fall in love with them too. They were so inlove with each other, and they were so happy. The world they built was full of happiness and love, but it needed more than just the two. The foundation they started was weak enough, that when reality starts hitting it slowly crumbled. They built fort but they never made it home. I also wondered when did it started to go wrong. Is it when Jian Qing began to become distant? Is it when they moved houses? Is it when Xiao Xiao gave up and turned her back?
Or maybe is it from the start? Instead of lending puzzle pieces to complete each other, they happen to miss the same puzzle piece that none of them can be completed.
For me, I think, they were both Ian from the video game, and Kelly was their selves. The past was colored because they were themselves from finding love from each other and the present were dark because when they lost each other, they found themselves lost. And when they met again, it was b&w, because they can't find their self due to questioned pasts. They tried answering the left "why"s from their past, and had the closure and the proper goodbye. In the end, it started to have colors. Jian Qing and Xiao xiao weren't each other's destination, they were just each other's stop over. They weren't meant to complete each other, but just an instrument to help each other grow.
The whole movie was a bittersweet one. It was painful, it was sad but it was real. Some people are meant to fall in love with each other but not meant to be together, and some are meant to be together but not meant forever. The "what if"s where so painful, but still comes down to being pointless. What's the use of what if, when you can't turn back time?
Was this review helpful to you?
It was a love-hate relationship for me and the drama. There were so many plot holes. I was super skeptical thinking if I am just wasting my Netflix subscription or it is something worthwhile. But when I've reached the middle, the hate (from love-hate) is slowly disappearing. I'm becoming to love it! I used to only look for the flaws the first few episodes but when I've been into it I'm starting to disregard it and see how charming it is. The character and the story development was seen.
The chemistry of the leads were so good! They freaking look so good together! I can't help to squeal because they were so fluttering! I also love Chen Quing Quing's strong personality. I dig strong woman. I hate dramas wherein they always make the female lead damsel in distress. Who said girls can't stand up strong?
Adding the side casts, they were also good. I liked Nan Xi, Fang Fang. Yi Yang and Mu Nian. The actress also did a great job portraying Xin Ya. I just didn't like the typical bestfriends falling for the same girl and a second lead mean girl. It was so cliche, but as I've mentioned, the whole story was cliche so it didn't matter.
All the music was so nice. Our boy, Situ Feng really sings well. I wish there's a Spotify playlist for this drama because they were captivating.
All in all, if you're looking for something to watch to have fun I would literally suggest this one.
Was this review helpful to you?
The storyline was perfect. It was simple but at the same time it is painful, very realistic. It was more than just a romance, it was also about family, friends and even self. Both the leads had gone through such a devastating incident and even after more than a decade, they are haunted. Two broken souls fixed each other. Even if it means lending broken parts to the each other. The story was sad, but that's the reality of life. People come and go, trauma happens, illness arrives.. and that's life. We may think we're at worst, but we have no idea others may have it worse.
The acting was superb! Especially the one who portrayed Lee Kang Doo! I heard he's an idol and he's underappreciated but I admit he's really good. I felt all the emotions, I felt the character. Lee Kang Doo's character was written perfectly. At first he was just a troublemaker, but as the story goes on he made me realized how good of a person he is. His life was never easy. He had gone through a lot. But despite the hardships, he was really strong, thoughtful, kind, loving and all the positive attitude I can elaborate! As for Ha Moon Soo's character, she was played really well by the actress. I also felt the pain and the emotion. I liked that her character is not fragile considering she's been through a lot. She never gave up despite everything.
I also liked all the supporting role. Jin Wan Unni, Jin Wan's boyfriend, Sang Man, Sang Man's mom, So Mi, Grandma, Mari, Team Leader and all the side casts I forgot to mention. I felt sad for the CEO (the 2nd lead guy) because hello second lead syndrome. Even for Jeong Yoo Jin, I taught she was going to be just a typical 2nd lead we all will hate but guess what, she's not. I liked her character so much and she was really outstanding, but sadly her lovestory didn't end well.
The music fits the drama really well! It was so good and it's perfect for the drama.
For rewatch, I will definitely watch it all again even if it means feeling the pain over again.
And.. am I the only one who cried the whole last episode? I don't usually cry but this drama hit me!
P.S. If you are considering watching this, get your tissues ready.
Was this review helpful to you?
I would honestly say that I really have high expectations for this drama. It was created by DOTS and Goblin creators so what should we expect right? It was so good that it exceeded my expectation. The storyline was old and based in the past but it was fresh; very new. The twists and rollercoaster ride they added to history made everything perfect.
There were so many things I want to say about it while watching but now that I finished it, I was speechless. I was so attached to the drama that a part of me felt left. It was a lovestory, but it wasn't just about romance. It's about love for family, love for friends, love for strangers who turned to family, love for comrades, love for the people and most especially love for the country. Just when I think I know the word 'love', I was just as clueless as Go Ae Shin, and no language can explain it.
The five actors really gave justice to their characters. I love how 5 different people from different countries with different plans ended up with the same goals. There were bad blood at first, but suddenly turned to fondness, and all became allies. The characters were all so unique and well written. Kim Hui Seong may be narcissist but he was never arrogant. He was so loving, selfless and precious. Go Dong Mae is evil, and he really is. But when it comes to the people he values, he is willing to risk everything. Who wouldn't love Kudo Hina? She's a strong woman who doesn't need any man in her life to back her up. As for Eugene Choi, oh my god, I love him so much. And Go Ae Shin? She's the best! Despite being noble and being untouchable she still stood tall and fought for the people who are powerless.
I was first skeptical to start because I've seen the age gap but it never bothered me. Thank God I really gave it a try.
"Guns, glory, sad endings"
I was wondering why those words were kept being mentioned in the first episodes and realized that the whole story revolved around those three words. The guns, where it all started. The glory, as every characters strove for their beliefs. And sad endings, because endings means good byes.
P.S. If you're planning on watching it get your tissues ready. It will be a fun but painful ride.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Tbh, the concept was really good. The story also is nice. But this could've been better! With e-sport genre creating a trend in the cdrama world, it was actually an interesting story. Think about it, a genius gamer and a pretty girl who isn't just a pretty girl, both working hard to reach the top, I mean that's a substance right? Imagine having two powerful individuals, together they would've been invincible (and to think they started from being questioned by everyone for their skills). I actually don't mind slow pacing romance however dude, this is freaking 35 episode drama but they only got together in the remaining 10 episodes? It would be fine if something happened in the past 25 episodes, like a nerve-wrecking competition or a bloom between the 2nd couple or anything that would've been a content-worthy, yet nothing literally happened! The first 25 episodes was just pure conflicts. There were only 2 protagonist but they have atleast 5 antagonist! What's the use of having a 15 episodes about Zhao Yang's cruelty when what just happened was a beginning for Xiang Kong's career? They could've cut it short.I wouldn't want to compare but I just had to say this. A lot of people may want to watch this because of Go Go Squid which is loved by a lot and I admit I'm one of the people who came here because of that. Actually, if we are going to be talking about the story, this is actually better than that. An e-sport genre focusing on the real development of the team and a romance genre which isn't just pure fluff but also tackles the growth of them as individuals and as couples, this one is actually a real deal. The thing is, from overall look, this is way far to be compared to Go Go Squid. That one actually had a better premise and had a content (something that made me enjoy watching rather) despite the slow pacing.
If we are going to be talking about the characters, it was actually good. It was handled and portrayed really well. The acting was good except for the crying scenes, the supporting characters also did well, and to top it of we have Wang Yi Bo. I mean do I have to add more? The evil characters were frustrating, but let's admit the actors and actress illustrated them well and really got into my nerves. Plus, they have good looking leads, which is really hard to find because I keep on seeing dramas who makes the female lead ugly (the bob-cut with bangs hair and awful style) when in fact they are really beautiful. The 2nd couple and 3rd couple is really cute, I may have liked them more than the main couple.
All in all, it was really good after Episode 27. When they started creating the dream team oh my god it was like that is the quality and intense feeling I've been wanting since episode 1. The development I've been asking for is finally coming to place. I've seen the friendships, relationships and family relationships getting stronger. So if I were going to rewatch it, I would definitely start from episode 27 onwards. And the ending is so awesome, I totally loved the finale!
Was this review helpful to you?
First of all the story. It tackles romance, frienship, family and dreams. It may not be as romantic as other dramas, but you'll surely squeal at every episode once you get involved. The friendship is really tight here, and I'm a sucker for that. It was nice to see the understanding and acceptances. The conflicts were realistic; especially if you are from an asian family. But trust me on this, it was kind of unrealistic because a relationship with 10 year gap wouldn't look that great (maybe because there were only a year gap between the leads and the chemistry is the BOMB) and the acceptance of a 20 year old girl asian family is not that easy especially if the guy is 30 years old. The drama was slow paced (not that I mind of) yet their relationship was quite fast paced. Nevertheless who cares about that right? We're not watching documentary. Let's be fun at the parties. Last thing is it circulates more on Han Shang Yan, his life struggles; his dream. That was one hell of a story, gave me identity crisis for being dreamless.
Next thing characters. I loved every character! I can't really call it a character development for Han Shang Yan because obviously he is really a cotton candy just with a hard surface starting from the beginning. Tong Nian just made him softer. And did I mention Li Xian? Girl, that dude, hands down. I love his character as well as his cute smile & eye smile. He won me as Han Shang Yan and Li Xian both at the same time. As for Tong Nian, the actress really portrayed it flawlessly. It just took me awhile to appreciate her beauty because of the style department (I actually just noticed how beautiful she was when I was watching her interviews). Sun Yaya dresses way better. And speaking of Sun Yaya, she and Xiao Mi is a scene stealer! Wish they had more scenes. Team K&K, Team SP and the Team SOLO squad I loved them all! It was nice to see the friendly competion they shared.
Music was really good! The opening song (Nameless Person) is so damn fitting whether it be a happy scene, sad scene or game scene. It was so heartwarming, adds more to the emotions the characters are giving. The closing song (Milk Bread by our very own Tong Nian) is also nice. Makes me feel fluffy and in love. Did I mention Li Xian also has a recorded soundtrack? Though it wasn't played regularly. All in all the OSTs are fitting and nice.
I can't stress how I've fallen deeply in love to this drama! I'm so invested to it that it was the first time I actually know a lot of the character names. Most of the time I only remember the leads names when watching cdramas. Wow, I'm actually really impressed at the dramas China is releasing. They really are stepping up the game. Though I have noticed few flaws like the sudden stop (very disturbing) every after episodes without no transition (idk if it's intentional), the use of green screen and the non-matching dub (rare). Nevertheless it was really created well, love how aesthetically pleasing the K&K club is. I would love to visit that set one day!
Would definitely rewatch everything! Best one I've seen out of all the cdramas I've watched. It was even better than most of the kdramas I remember. Definitely belong to my top 5.
I hope this helps. Surely recommended ♡
Was this review helpful to you?
After watching so many dramas, this is the first time I ever wrote a review because I may say, I can't move on. There is something about the story, the characters, the music, and even the artists itself that caught me. Yes the drama was cliche, yes we can find dramas with the same story line, yes it can be predicted, but I guarantee you, out of the dramas I've seen there is no such work that can be compared to the warmth it made me feel. I only watched it for 4 days, but I felt like the characters grew within me.
It was so cliche to the point that it was so realistic. It is more than just a love story. It is also about school, about family and about friends. It showed a slice of life; the youth. Everything was so real. From the title itself, it taught me that love can be so beautiful. Whether it be a puppy love, first love, unrequited love, requited love and true love. All of it is beautiful. It was so real that it made me smile, laugh, cry, angry and feel excited. It reminded me of how simple and how fun high school life can be. It also reminded me of college acceptances, university applications and even dreams I strive to reach. It made me wonder, what my life could possibly be.
How nice must it really be to feel in love. Whether it be to your family, to your friends, to your work, and even to your first crush.
Dear Jiang Chen, wo hen ai ni (one of the few words I remember from learning Chinese). AND PLEASE STOP SETTING THE BAR TO HIGH!! I mean, how could you portray the character so perfectly?! I already loved you since episode 1 and I think I will still love you. I just hated the fact that you waited until college to make her your girl. Or maybe I didn't really hate it because I liked seeing you in your jealous state. I love you, that's it.
Dear Chen Xiao Xi, thank you for the fun you brought us. There is no single thing to hate about you. Or maybe I just didn't like you chasing Jiang Chen so much? Or maybe that made the story really fun and exciting. The push and pull. I admire your persuasion, courage and loyalty. It was so innocent. I also liked your height difference with Jiang Chen. I liked your height because... same.
Dear Wo Bo Song, why?! Why do you have to be in pain for how many years? I taught when you left school, the pain is over. But why do you still have to be persuasive until you were all adult. You made me cry! Because out of all the scenes, your unrequited love is the most painfully real.
Dear Lin Jing Xiao, I admire you character for being so strong, for standing so tall, for studying so well, and for not chasing the star when you already got the moon. There's nothing I hate about you because I really love your character.
Dear Lu Yang, well from writing love story to everyone to marrying the prettiest girl in your class, your great. Your character is so funny but the health condition was so sad. It's so good it ended well. Or else this light story will be heavy drama and it's not going to be the same.
All in all, thank you for sharing us your youth. It was a nice story and it will forever be kept within me. This is fiction, but I got real learning. Thank you, A Love So Beautiful.
P.S. Thank you Jiang Chen for inspiring me. I am a pre-med student, graduating next year, carrying so much load from school and just surviving until graduation. Seeing you look good in white coat, it inspired me again to work hard and made me want to continue the dream I gave up because it was hard, to become I doctor. But was it really only 5 years? Because after pre-med there is still med for me.
P.P.S. It is April 22, 2018 today. I'll come back next year and edit this if I continued med school.
Was this review helpful to you?
A reel that feels so real
If I were to describe the drama in one sentence I would say it is a light, bubbly, cute type of romantic comedy young adult drama. But if I were to describe it in few sentences, I have a few things to say.First of, I would write this without comparing it to any cdramas that is mostly tackled when this drama is being mentioned. I would tell my opinions on the drama itself.
Storywise, it was just your normal college romantic comedy drama. It was purely romance. No slice of life, no family dramas, no annoying (evil) second leads, no broken relationships. If you want to watch something that would give you butterflies just like your first love, I recommend this drama. It really catered the "romance" part and made me satisfied with the "comedy" part (the secondhand embarrassments is real). I was very pleased at Si Tu Mo's character because even though she is naive, she's neither irritating nor displeasing. She doesn't overreact and she doesn't push herself to the things she wanted. She know her worth. As for Gu Wei Yi, just another fictional character you'll surely fall in love with. But the special thing about him in the story is, he was never made with the perfect image. Despite how he seems to have it all, he was still written with flaws which made him more realistic. Thus, it wouldn't change the fact that his character was played and written perfectly imperfect and once again, a character set the bar too high.
The chemistry was perfect. I love how their clothes always match each other. I also like how the cinematography appeared, the colors where so vivid which makes the drama more fun to watch. Plus, did I forgot to mention the cute height difference they got there?
This is the type of drama you would definitely see if you wanted to feel in love. A drama you would want to binge-watch on a rainy day.
PS Gu Wei Yi look so handsome in white coat. I am a scientist (medical field) too and I would say not every guy look so good in white coat.
PPS It plucked few of my heartstrings because I'm only 2 weeks away graduation and the part where they were wearing their bachelor's gown felt special to me. Well my gown is hanged in my room and I can see it all the time. But yes, I'm graduating university life soon and I don't have a Gu Wei Yi by my side, I thank you.
Was this review helpful to you?
For me, Love O2O is a light, fluttering, college romance drama. I liked how mature the relationship between Xiao Nai and Bei Wei Wei despite having almost everyone around them against it. They never fought and they were so cute. The story is as predicted, prettiest girl + hottest guy, it is more realistic than the cliche: hottest guy and the ordinary one. I liked the friendships they had with their dormmates, the interactions and the funny scenes they had. Storywise, I'm giving it a 10/10 because I liked how simple and realistic it is, I liked seeing them in love (though they never exchanged ???), I liked the simple complications, the friendships and everything that happened in the story.
For the acting, I liked how Yang Yang portrayed the perfect character Xiao Nai, perfectly. A fictional character set the bar too high again. I'm pretty sure Xiao Nai is everyone's ideal guy. Let's just say the looks and skills are just plus points, the main reason why I really liked him is he is mature, soft, kind, understanding and gentle. Yes he is cold, but it's only to the girls who liked him and that's another plus points! It just shows that he will never look at anyone. Notice how he was to his friends, to his family and even to Beng Wei Wei's friends. He is really perfect!
As for Zhen Shuang, she is really pretty but I don't find it to that extent where everyone is almost drooling at you. She's really beautiful but everyone seems overreacting as if she was an angel that fell. She's also a little stiff and awkward. Plus everyone calls her sexy but I find her really thin? No hate, I love her and I loved how she portrayed the character. I'm just saying the flaw I've noticed. I don't know if it's the actress or the character Bei Wei Wei that didn't win me over.
The music was catchy but it was nice. I kept on remembering Love O2O whenever I insert my USB in the laptop because of the music it made. There was one OST that caught me but it was played in near the end part.
I would definitely rewatch it over and over again. But maybe I'll be skipping the part inside the online game. It was like a story inside a story. There were also a lot of side characters, not that I complain of, but I find it hard to remember that I kept on searching who's who. Until now that I finished all the episodes the only people I can remember are Xiao Nai, Bei Wei Wei, Erxi and KO.
For overall, I was satisfied with the drama. Well there may be few flaws but spending 3 days was worth it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Storywise, there's not much content to it. More like it was the reality of youth. Some of us were happy go lucky, some of us were absorbed in studying, some of us are chasing dreams and some of us are busy making the ends meet. Though most of us ends up falling in love. Every episode was promising and makes me want more. It is the type of drama where you wouldn't mind to see a scene where they are just eating or simply having a trip or just conversing. It is the type where you wouldn't mind having a lot of episodes just to see how they are doing.
I still can't conclude anything because I've read somewhere that there will be a 2nd season. The only thing I wouldn't like (if this happens) is that this was a fun lighthearted drama, I hope there will be no broken hearts in the end. I'm quite smitten by both of the guy leads so I'm hoping they both have a happy ending.
Was this review helpful to you?
Time is gold, but it isn't the world
Ahh, I won't deny, I'm obviously so in love with it! I thought it was going to be a melodrama because it tackles tragedy and stuff, but I was wrong! It was more than just a melancholy, it possess something that I can't even put to words.The characters, the story, the music and the cast were so perfect. It gave me warmth wherein I've only watched it for 3 days but I felt so attached feeling like I was a part of their family. It was a light drama, but what happened to the main characters where heavy. It made me cry but it also made me realize that yes time will heal anything, but what will heal the time? It was a drama that circulated in healing and not just between the leads, but the whole characters. They helped each other heal even if they were still broken, and let each other mend shattered parts.
I loved the connection between the past and the present. Adding the music, it was all a sweet serendipity. The twist of fate and the click of time, that was perfect. Their parallel past and rollercoaster present was written perfectly, just as the leads were made for each other perfectly. It was an example of "everything happens for a reason". The love that went from each characters, the laugh they shared as family, I also felt it too. And that was what the drama left me.
As Yoo Chan always said, "Don't think, feel". You will really feel the beauty this drama offers, and you will feel the beauty of life. On how age doesn't define a person, or on how achievements doesn't define talent. It will always come down to how great you are as a person and how happy you live.
There were no evil 2nd leads, no stealing of love and no antagonists. It was all love. Well of course there are some casts with no happy endings but that's life, and this drama will let you open the door through happiness along with love.
Was this review helpful to you?
