Reviews

What is with this main character

Started off great, I always love a story where a female character goes to a small town/province because the vibe is always a pleasure. This one has the added bonus of the main character already growing up in said town and goes back home because of a scandal at work. She also has to face her old childhood friend turned ex boyfriend again, and I LOVE second chance romances.

But I am so confused with the main character. The show wants to portray her as your usual "strong independent woman" and yet she keeps crying and making stupid decisions? she's also such a big fat COWARD, breaking the ML's heart and never telling the reason why and not bothering to clear her name when her whole scandal was fake. Where was the urgency! She didnt even want to enter that photo contest at the island! I don't understand how her friends were so ride or die for her when she hasn't bothered to contact any of them for YEARS, and now she's back home because she needs help. Pathetic.

All in all, her sisters were so much more enjoyable to watch. I love the eldest sister's plotline the most. Their family dynamic was sweet too. The mom really stole the show in my opinion!

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Could have been Amazing

The whole burnt out character moving to the province where she has a cute little romance with a quiet librarian was SO GOOD...

...but then we had to have the annoying murder mystery and the annoying ass townsfolk. I am so sick of kdramas and their unnecessary murder plot lines, and this just takes the cake because it really did not fit at all.

Adding to that as well, the townsfolk were so mean? and for what?? They all just kept hating and blaming the FL in the first few episodes just because she moved there. We got a plotline of an alcoholic and abusive father STABBING his daughter, and when said daughter wants to tell the police everyone silences and scolds her for it? even though telling the police would mean they could cut back on the hospital costs AND have the abusive man taken away.

overall, just so disappointed. I loved the two leads and their romance + the setting and small town vibe was immaculate, but the whole drama is just so annoying.

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A Captivating Blend of Humor and Emotion

The storyline of Are You the One? is both engaging and captivating. With a perfect blend of humor, it ensures that viewers remain entertained throughout. The comedic elements are well-timed, providing moments of genuine laughter, while the emotional scenes evoke feelings of sadness, joy, and a rollercoaster of mixed emotions, making it a truly immersive experience.

The male lead deserves immense praise for his performance. His portrayal of the character is fantastic and executed with exceptional skill. He masterfully conveys emotions through his expressions and voice, which is both soothing and captivating. His nuanced acting makes the character come alive, and his performance is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the drama.

The female lead, on the other hand, is nothing short of breathtaking. Her beauty is unparalleled, and her screen presence feels like witnessing a stunning view in real life. Beyond her appearance, her acting skills are equally commendable. She brings depth and authenticity to her character, making her a joy to watch.

The chemistry between the leads, Wang Ye and Wang Fei, is mesmerizing and adds to the charm of the drama. Their performances were so impactful that I found myself missing them deeply after the drama ended. The entire cast and crew did an incredible job, delivering a show that leaves a lasting impression.

If you're looking for a drama that combines humor, emotion, and outstanding performances, Are You the One? is a must-watch. It's a journey you won't regret taking, and it will leave you wishing for more even after the final episode.

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this SUCKS

Probably the worst jdrama I've ever watched, I don't get why this is so popular.

We have a weird age gap between the two leads (she first meets him as a highschooler when he was already of working age) and the romance is just cringe. First of all, the female lead is stupid. Can we stop it with the Main character not knowing the basics of doing their job but gets a pass because "oh! she's so dedicated and has deep connections with her patients!" she's in HEALTH CARE. people's lives are at STAKE. she doesn't know how to do something basic like getting someone's blood but everyone looks at her mesmerized because she practices doing so? what????

this drama just infuriates me.

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More like Drama for Drama’s Sake

Made myself watch it after a few comments mentioned it as the the best KBL of 2024. Expectations were quite high considering the existence of Love In The Big City, so of course they weren’t met in the end. I LOVED the slice of life side of the story BUT weren’t quite on board with the game simulator idea, though the whole reason behind using it as a plot device was actually convincing. I’m not that impressed with its execution, but the thought of someone/something/some entity giving Tae Myung-Ha a second chance at life for him to learn how to properly love someone (and especially HIMSELF) is what saves this project for me. That was lovely, so definitely worth the watch.

Fun fact: the whole time I was kinda rooting for Cha Yeo-Woon and Chun Sang-Won to get together, so hopefully there’s a Thai remake of this without all the sci-fi drama where they do that 😁

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I tried and failed to like this lol.

This was very mid for me I’m not gonna lie. I have never been one for action-heavy plots but I was hoping the one in this drama would be interesting enough to keep my attention since it was so highly rated by pretty much anyone I spoke to. Overall, while I did enjoy the dynamic between our main leads, I cared very little about the central action plot, and once it took over the whole storyline, I pretty much checked out of the drama and watched the rest at 2x speed. I can see why this could be someone’s favorite, and I can’t find any glaring issues with this drama besides my own personal lack of interest and a very weirdly rushed ending. Happy watching if this is your thing!

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Hidden Love: A Drama of Contradictions

The Chinese drama Hidden Love attempts to weave a narrative of romance and self-discovery but often gets tangled in its own contradictions. At its core, it tells the story of Sang Zhi and her evolving relationship with Duan Jia Xu, her brother’s friend. While the show has its moments of brilliance, it is overshadowed by its uneven character dynamics and questionable romantic framing.

One of the highlights of Hidden Love lies in its portrayal of Sang Zhi when she’s allowed to exist outside of her romantic entanglement. Scenes featuring her at work or interacting with her university friends showcase a capable and well-rounded young woman. These moments provide a glimpse into her potential as a character—confident, relatable, and grounded. Zhao Lu Si’s acting amplifies these moments with remarkable versatility. She has a unique ability to seamlessly navigate between emotions, shifting from joy to despair within a single scene. Her performance in emotional moments, particularly those involving her heartbreak, stands out as some of the drama’s most impactful.

Victor Ma’s portrayal of Sang Zhi’s brother, Sang Yan, is another strong point. The sibling relationship feels authentic, capturing the blend of rivalry and deep care that defines many sibling bonds. Sang Yan’s role as both a protector and someone Sang Zhi can be vulnerable with adds depth to their dynamic. The airport scene, where Sang Zhi breaks down in his arms after a painful heartbreak, is a testament to the emotional strength of their bond and remains one of the drama’s most memorable moments. It’s rare to see a sibling relationship portrayed with such nuance, and Victor Ma’s performance anchors these moments with sincerity. The drama’s soundtrack also deserves praise, with its catchy and well-placed OSTs enhancing many key scenes.

However, the strengths of Hidden Love are often undermined by its central romantic storyline. Chen Zheyuan’s portrayal of Duan Jia Xu as the male lead is underwhelming, lacking the charisma or depth needed to carry his character. Jia Xu himself is difficult to relate to—overly controlling, possessive, and prone to jealousy. These traits make him less of a romantic ideal and more of a cautionary figure. His dynamic with Sang Zhi is particularly troubling, as he continues to treat her like a younger sister even after they begin dating. This lingering brother-sister dynamic casts an uncomfortable shadow over their romance, making it hard to invest in their relationship.

The five-year age gap between the leads is not inherently problematic, but Jia Xu’s behavior exacerbates the discomfort. Having known Sang Zhi since her childhood, his inability to shift his perception of her from a child to a partner feels unsettling. It’s as if the drama is trying to force a romance without addressing the fundamental mismatch in their dynamic. This issue is compounded by Sang Zhi’s characterization around Jia Xu. While she’s shown to be articulate and mature in other settings, her behavior around Jia Xu regresses into exaggerated cutesiness and awkward stuttering. It’s a disservice to Zhao Lu Si’s talent, reducing her character to a caricature when she’s capable of so much more.

The romantic scenes between the leads suffer as a result. Instead of chemistry, there’s a persistent sense of dissonance, as if the characters are trapped in roles they can’t escape. Sang Zhi’s infantilized behavior and Jia Xu’s condescending attitude make it hard to root for them as a couple. The narrative’s failure to transition their dynamic from a brother-sister relationship to an equitable partnership leaves the romance feeling forced and unconvincing.

Ultimately, Hidden Love struggles to find its footing. Its strengths in sibling dynamics, emotional performances, and music are overshadowed by a central romance that fails to resonate. For viewers who can overlook the uncomfortable framing of the leads’ relationship, there’s a baseline romance story here. However, for those who can’t get past the persistent brother-sister dynamic and lack of authentic chemistry in the main couple, the drama’s flaws become impossible to ignore.

Hidden Love leaves much to be desired, despite its occasional moments of brilliance. The inability to convincingly shift the leads’ dynamic and the wasted potential of its talented cast weigh heavily on the drama.

A 5.5/10 feels apt for a show that sparks moments of promise but ultimately fails to deliver on its central premise.

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The Rainbow After The Storm

Just to let you know how much I loved this show, I watched it in 3 days and I don't know what to do next. It's so dramatic but that's precisely what immerses you in their world so hard, you think you're notmal about it and the next second you're moved to tears. The suspense is way too good, I'm so impressed by everyone's acting, the finale in specific was SO well done! I can only applaud the cast. Brilliant story about harder times to be queer in Thailand, I was rooting so hard for them, giggling, kicking my feet... you know the deal. I don't know if it's because it's s period drama or if their chemistry is crazy like that, but it's one of those shows where every little detail feels like the most romantic thing you've ever seen. Not only the romantic love won my heart, many rooted for Tian, it was so sweet to watch. I'm just really sad it's over & might rewatch Laws Of Attraction next~ that's it thank youuu

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Long-winded but sweet

Foremost, it took a few initial episodes to get a bit more drawn in to the plot. Then while the interactions between the realms, families, and friendships developed pretty well, it became too long-winded and I spent a significant amount of time speeding it up. There are some sections that were binge-worthy and other sections that felt unnecessary. But it should be said that it was at least overall good enough to spend that fast-forwarding effort to complete the series.

Some additional words of description in addition to the title would be humorous, touching, and corny. I also agree with some of the other reviewers that the ML/FL development was nowhere as interesting as the secondary ML/FL. While I usually prefer the stronger female personalities, the feisty FL fell short of her gentle but tough sister in this one. If you're looking for a casual watch that doesn't require your full attention, this is a good one to try.

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Okay so it wasn’t the worst hour of my life-

Yes, I clicked on this randomly. It happened to pop up under another show I was watching and since I was bored I was like ‘why not?’. I thought this would be like a real series, not that’s it’s not a real series- but certainly not the length of a short movie.
You can say that I was surprised when they started kissing like 30 minutes in and I thought ‘isn’t this the first episode? why are they randomly confessing their love to each other?!’
I simply cannot believe that the dark brown haired dude (yeah idk his name lmao) actually fell for blonde dude so fast. Like how?! They spent half of the show hating and bullying each other (looking at u blonde dude), just for them to start making out. No way am I believing that, not even if the acting was okay.
I was expecting this to be a much longer series but I was just very disappointed when I finished the ‘first two episodes’ and there was no more episodes. If I wanted to watched a bl with no plot and basic acting I would just finish one of the many series I have On hold instead of wasting my time with something like this.
Honestly, I didn’t hate it per say… I just didn’t need to watch this.

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A must watch

Guys, forget every cdrama out there cause I forgot all of them because of LGIEF lol. I waited for this overwhelming feeling to go away after watching the drama to submit my review here. Just want to add that this drama can be considered my all time favorite cdrama. Leaving below my review on everything about this drama:

Plot:
At the beginning, plot might seem a shallow fantasy script but more episodes you watch more you realize how deep it actually is, and towards the end it becomes even more apparent how meaningful this drama is. Not to mention the countless plot twists it has until the very end, those plot twists literally altered my brain chemistry lol. The bond characters have is undeniably beautiful and I really have no negative feedback on the plot.

Acting/cast:

Couldn't find a better cast than this one! The whole cast did their job perfectly, especially main leads. When first googled this drama, the first review I came across was the positive feedback on acting and after watching the drama I now know why. Actors and actresses neither refrain from delivering the emotions nor overact, everything is just in perfect balance. And I can talk about the chemistry between Esther and Ryan the whole day, even though I have watched a lot of dramas with really good chemistry between the couple, I feel like before Esther and Ryan chemistry didn't even exist and they are the inventors of it haha. Not gonna lie, couldn't get enough of their chemistry, planning to watch their previous drama moonlight too, but I hope casting directors are eyeing them again for another reunion later cause I want them to have their third, fourth, fifth, and more dramas together!

OST:

most of the OSTs were given to cast members to perform and along with them doing a great job singing them, soundtracks are also so good and full of emotions, and perfectly used in scenes throughout the drama. Also, there was a sountrack which I haven't found yet that was played in the background of some sad scenes making them even sadder, I am still looking for that one, hoping to find.

Additionally, this is my first time watching a costume drama which I was not planning at all and fully focused on modern dramas, but seeing this drama trending made me watch it and I don't regret at all. The only thing disappointing me was it having an open ending, with such a couple and background story, they should have made a happy definitive ending.
Despite my review seeming calm, I am screaming internally, still trying to process overwhelming feeling this drama brought to me.
Wish I could give more than 10 score to this drama.

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