summerfancy
US
This review may contain spoilers
Better than expected but still a typical C-drama
Where do they come up with these titles? There’s no ‘sweet first love’ in this unless you’re referring to ML, and his experience wasn’t exactly sweet since FL kept him pursuing her throughout most of the drama. As for everyone else, they didn’t get their ‘first loves’ except for maybe Li Din, but who knows if Zihui was his first love or not? I suggest they go hire the people who give names to paint chips and nail polish to come up with more descriptive titles.
I honestly didn’t find this drama as bad as some people said it was. Sure, it was a typical high school to adulthood C-drama, but I didn’t get an ick vibe. I personally have no problem with foster/adopted/step siblings becoming romantically involved. As long as they don’t share blood, I’m fine with it. Yes, ML and FL were raised as siblings, but they were aware that they weren't true brother/sister, and it just seemed natural for ML’s parents to raise their best friends’ daughter. Honestly, for me, there's more an ick factor with older woman/younger men romances.
As for ML, he was certainly overly possessive, jealous and controlling, but I didn’t get a dangerous vibe. He was more a bully than anything else, but he did try to change in episode 21, doing things that he would have felt silly – like wearing a panda bear outfit, dancing with rabbit ears, cooking and even buying her a lizard. He was always there for her, and she did sort of take him for granted. He reminded me of the plant in Little Shop of Horrors because he was constantly telling her to feed him and used his stomach issues to gain her sympathy on more than one occasion. I’m not a fan of the poker face ML, but I do like how guys like this don’t give the obsessed female rivals the time of day. He was rude and dismissive of both Zihui and Ouyang Qingxue. I just wish he would have actually told Qingxue that he wouldn’t marry her even if FL hadn’t existed. He could have at least been more expressive to Qin Yao and told his friend he wouldn't marry that harpy for all the investment funds in China. The patch on his neck was odd, and they should have covered the tattoo with make-up, made him wear shirts with collars or get a patch that blended better. Back to his possessiveness – I didn’t find him as dangerous as some MLs I’ve seen (like the guy in Well-Intended Love that lied about FL having an illness when he could have just asked her out like a normal person). But, this is the great thing about fiction – ML will never become dangerous unless it’s written in the script. He’ll never cross the line so those viewers who like their men a little possessive can indulge without being frightened. In real life, you should take note of the red flags though, ok?
FL was cute without being too cute, if you know what I mean. She also wore sensible heels! She was definitely likeable, but I wish being ‘nice’ didn’t mean she takes all the crap flung at her by this drama’s trio of harpies (Qingxue, Monica and Qi Yuan) and their minions. At least, once in a while, she did speak up for herself, and she had the protection of ML and Ouyang Yu although I would have liked to see her take care of these harpies herself instead of relying on men to fight her battles. I really don’t know why these FLs let these b****** bully them so badly. You’ve got a mouth – use it! I agree with other reviewers about how FL reacted to Qingxue big revelation about her parents’ death. Why in the world would you believe this harpy over your adopted parents? I mean, who of the two displays the better character here? The harpy or the people who have taken care of and loved you all these years? I can understand being shaken at first, but after thinking about it, you should be reasonable and listen to their side of the story. At one point, she tells a dog she thought was a stray that both of them don’t have homes. Well, who’s fault is that? It was your decision to take off. But, on the positive, her self-imposed exile did help her grow up and take care of herself. I’m glad when she and ML went through a ‘silent treatment’ phase that she was the one that finally went to him, even though ML was at fault (jealous again, he was constantly jumping to conclusions). Why? Because it was always ML running after her. It was nice to see her seek him out for once. It was a little odd how she suddenly switched careers; ok, you can’t handle hospital work but what about medical research like she’d already done with Dr. Thomas? Why throw all that schooling away? And 1) where did they get the money to open this dessert shop and 2) when did she learn to make gourmet desserts?
Just a few comments on the other characters:
Le Diyin was a sweetie, but can't you just find this guy a new heart? Seems like a transplant would have been simpler.
As Zihui asked - was Qin Yao blind? Why did this guy continue to like Qi Yuan when he could clearly see what a vindictive, nasty shrew she was? For old times sake? He said she was a spoiled brat before her parents lost their money and you liked that? FL was his friend yet he just stood there and let Qi Yuan mock and sneer at her. He wasn’t worthy of being FL’s first love. He was an idiot....as a lot of first loves are. Why these people put them on pedestals is beyond me.
Qingxue was a first-class psycho chick who needed to be in a mental hospital. Her conceit was astronomical yet ML humiliated her as a child and gave her low self esteem? Really? FL didn’t do anything to her (except have ML’s love and devotion, which she didn’t accept for the majority of the drama) yet this spoiled baby had to maliciously harass her at every turn. Like that’s going to make ML fall in love with you instead? Then when ML turns down her investment/business marriage, she uses her family’s influence to make sure he’s not hired by someone else. And, at the end, she basically receives no consequences for all the harassment the MC had to endure because of her. I hate these kinds of characters, and it seems like every C-drama has one. And, let’s not forget her henchwoman, Monica, who tries her best to make FL’s work life a living hell because she wants psycho chick's brother who also likes FL. She didn't receive any consequences either. Just a question – are work places actually like this these days? Where groups of women will make snarky comments within earshot of their victim? I worked with women in a large company in the past, and I don’t remember this ever happening, but that was 20 years ago so maybe the current workforce is different. Or maybe Cdramas just exaggerate this? I don't know.
Overall, I enjoyed this drama, even though it was packed full of vindictive harpies who didn't get any consequences for their disgusting behavior. I like my leading men to be a bit more lively in terms of expression, but there was never a doubt that ML was devoted only and always to FL. I was glad they and their parents had a happy ending. As usual, I wasn't interested in the second couple's (Lihui & Li Din) romance.
I honestly didn’t find this drama as bad as some people said it was. Sure, it was a typical high school to adulthood C-drama, but I didn’t get an ick vibe. I personally have no problem with foster/adopted/step siblings becoming romantically involved. As long as they don’t share blood, I’m fine with it. Yes, ML and FL were raised as siblings, but they were aware that they weren't true brother/sister, and it just seemed natural for ML’s parents to raise their best friends’ daughter. Honestly, for me, there's more an ick factor with older woman/younger men romances.
As for ML, he was certainly overly possessive, jealous and controlling, but I didn’t get a dangerous vibe. He was more a bully than anything else, but he did try to change in episode 21, doing things that he would have felt silly – like wearing a panda bear outfit, dancing with rabbit ears, cooking and even buying her a lizard. He was always there for her, and she did sort of take him for granted. He reminded me of the plant in Little Shop of Horrors because he was constantly telling her to feed him and used his stomach issues to gain her sympathy on more than one occasion. I’m not a fan of the poker face ML, but I do like how guys like this don’t give the obsessed female rivals the time of day. He was rude and dismissive of both Zihui and Ouyang Qingxue. I just wish he would have actually told Qingxue that he wouldn’t marry her even if FL hadn’t existed. He could have at least been more expressive to Qin Yao and told his friend he wouldn't marry that harpy for all the investment funds in China. The patch on his neck was odd, and they should have covered the tattoo with make-up, made him wear shirts with collars or get a patch that blended better. Back to his possessiveness – I didn’t find him as dangerous as some MLs I’ve seen (like the guy in Well-Intended Love that lied about FL having an illness when he could have just asked her out like a normal person). But, this is the great thing about fiction – ML will never become dangerous unless it’s written in the script. He’ll never cross the line so those viewers who like their men a little possessive can indulge without being frightened. In real life, you should take note of the red flags though, ok?
FL was cute without being too cute, if you know what I mean. She also wore sensible heels! She was definitely likeable, but I wish being ‘nice’ didn’t mean she takes all the crap flung at her by this drama’s trio of harpies (Qingxue, Monica and Qi Yuan) and their minions. At least, once in a while, she did speak up for herself, and she had the protection of ML and Ouyang Yu although I would have liked to see her take care of these harpies herself instead of relying on men to fight her battles. I really don’t know why these FLs let these b****** bully them so badly. You’ve got a mouth – use it! I agree with other reviewers about how FL reacted to Qingxue big revelation about her parents’ death. Why in the world would you believe this harpy over your adopted parents? I mean, who of the two displays the better character here? The harpy or the people who have taken care of and loved you all these years? I can understand being shaken at first, but after thinking about it, you should be reasonable and listen to their side of the story. At one point, she tells a dog she thought was a stray that both of them don’t have homes. Well, who’s fault is that? It was your decision to take off. But, on the positive, her self-imposed exile did help her grow up and take care of herself. I’m glad when she and ML went through a ‘silent treatment’ phase that she was the one that finally went to him, even though ML was at fault (jealous again, he was constantly jumping to conclusions). Why? Because it was always ML running after her. It was nice to see her seek him out for once. It was a little odd how she suddenly switched careers; ok, you can’t handle hospital work but what about medical research like she’d already done with Dr. Thomas? Why throw all that schooling away? And 1) where did they get the money to open this dessert shop and 2) when did she learn to make gourmet desserts?
Just a few comments on the other characters:
Le Diyin was a sweetie, but can't you just find this guy a new heart? Seems like a transplant would have been simpler.
As Zihui asked - was Qin Yao blind? Why did this guy continue to like Qi Yuan when he could clearly see what a vindictive, nasty shrew she was? For old times sake? He said she was a spoiled brat before her parents lost their money and you liked that? FL was his friend yet he just stood there and let Qi Yuan mock and sneer at her. He wasn’t worthy of being FL’s first love. He was an idiot....as a lot of first loves are. Why these people put them on pedestals is beyond me.
Qingxue was a first-class psycho chick who needed to be in a mental hospital. Her conceit was astronomical yet ML humiliated her as a child and gave her low self esteem? Really? FL didn’t do anything to her (except have ML’s love and devotion, which she didn’t accept for the majority of the drama) yet this spoiled baby had to maliciously harass her at every turn. Like that’s going to make ML fall in love with you instead? Then when ML turns down her investment/business marriage, she uses her family’s influence to make sure he’s not hired by someone else. And, at the end, she basically receives no consequences for all the harassment the MC had to endure because of her. I hate these kinds of characters, and it seems like every C-drama has one. And, let’s not forget her henchwoman, Monica, who tries her best to make FL’s work life a living hell because she wants psycho chick's brother who also likes FL. She didn't receive any consequences either. Just a question – are work places actually like this these days? Where groups of women will make snarky comments within earshot of their victim? I worked with women in a large company in the past, and I don’t remember this ever happening, but that was 20 years ago so maybe the current workforce is different. Or maybe Cdramas just exaggerate this? I don't know.
Overall, I enjoyed this drama, even though it was packed full of vindictive harpies who didn't get any consequences for their disgusting behavior. I like my leading men to be a bit more lively in terms of expression, but there was never a doubt that ML was devoted only and always to FL. I was glad they and their parents had a happy ending. As usual, I wasn't interested in the second couple's (Lihui & Li Din) romance.
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