Definitely worth the watch

Just watched this show and OMG I forgot how much I missed a strong and good second lead couple! I loved the main leads, they had good chemistry and their story was good. But the second couple was just perfect. It was about them that I thought after watching every episode. I think maybe one downside of leads is that they took too long to get together. Or rather, the FL took too long to realize she was in love with him and that made me feel a little impatient and more interested in the second leads bc they were already full on dating mode. But in general, both couples are wonderful and this show is absolutely amazing!

It's true that about episode 10-11 things get a little slow. I really expected one of the couples to get married at some point (I'm talking about the second leads), and I don't know how to react to the fact that apparently the leads spent one whole year talking through computer/phone (seriously?! that's why I like the second leads more). Although I love the fact that this show is only 12eps long, I also think that maybe they could go on like 2 episodes more just to wrap things up in a better way. Did his grandpa accept her? If so, I wanted to see that. Youngseo and sunghoon should've got married, they were already such a stable couple with a strong hubby/wifey energy, they deserved their wedding at the end. But regardless of that I don't think it was a bad show just because the ending was not that good, and amazing and perfect. It's a funny, romantic, not over-dramatic, surprising at some moments, well produced and directed series, and it's definitely worth the watch.

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A love letter dedicated to youth

Ah!... I love romance, I love seeing people falling in love. I loved the couples in this drama. But I gotta say, my most favorite thing here was the group. I loved everything in this drama but I simply ADORED their friendship. I wish I had friends like that in my teen years. Damn I wish I had friends like them today!

This drama made me feel so much nostalgia for my school days. But also, it made me feel sad for not having that for myself. A lot of moments I kinda felt were bittersweet because of that. But I think that's good cuz it's meaningful in a way. Actually this drama can be very deep sometimes. Like in the end of ep 10, all of what Zaizai says about grandmas, but especially the part when she says that she misses her grandma but doesn't dare say it to her father cuz he certainly misses his mom too. It was so beautiful! I almost cried. Other moments and quotes I liked are:
- In ep 19 when Gu Ran wrote a letter to Jiang Jia and he says "all life encounters are reencounters after a long time apart" it resonated to me and I felt it;
- At the end of ep 9, Zaizai says "every existence is meaningful to someone" and that everyone is somehow special for somebody;
- In ep 18, the conversation between Guan Fang and his grandma after her surgery. It made me really feel how time passes and one day we'll have to be the ones taking care of our parents.

Second couple is really cute. I liked them just as much as the main couple. Unfortunately they only get together in the penultimate ep so they had practically no screen time together doing couple things. It was sad bc they had a lot of potential and I really liked them.

ML's parents were the worst, I hated them. The way they treated his younger brother Luli better than Lurang and always put all the blame for anything bad related to Luli on Lurang infuriated me. It was so sad seeing Lurang distancing himself from Luli due to that and Luli sad for not being able to have a brother relationship with him. I just wished that when Lurang become an adult he stopped talking to his parents bc they don't deserve him. Fortunately, they resolved their issues and now they can be brothers for real, regardless of what their parents do to Lurang. And the drama kinda forgets all this plot after the brothers reconcile so we don't know if Lurang still goes through this after graduating.

I missed them as a group in the final eps. They chose to focus on the main couple after graduating from school and the side characters were left aside a little. They could've showed more of the leads's friends after graduating. What they were working or anything in specific. Although I loved them as group in school (and I loved it all for real, the best part of everything) they spent too much time working on their time at school that when they became adults it all felt rushed. The drama lost a little of what made it so special. But it was good regardless of that. It was well-rounded and complete the way it was.

OSTs for this drama were really good. Besides there being many, they really set the tone and energy for each scene. I loved their vibes. And the visuals on the overall are stunning. The opening is so sweet with videos of the group filmed with a recorder. It's all so nostalgic it put me in the right vibe for the eps.

So that was it. I super reccomend this drama if you like slice-of-life youth dramas. It had the perfect amount of romance, friendship, a little bit of found family and healing. What I want to say is that I felt so moved watching this. It was a love letter dedicated to the youth.

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Messy writing but beautiful couple

Leads are great together. They have good chemistry, love all of their skinship and cute scenes. I just think it felt a little rushed how they got together too fast. Maybe they could've take a little more time to reconcile and we could get more angst and the drama could focus on why they broke up before they make amends. But regardless of that, they were good. But still I think the actors deserved better than this drama for reasons I will explain below.

I'm an advocate for cdramas not having 30 eps or more. It's always a little slow on pace, and this drama was no different. After they get together it's like they went around in circles between his father being an a**hole, their flashbacks together in the past, and chinese police propaganda. Then she gets pregnant and it's all them and their long-distance relationship which felt a little repetitive. It felt like there was no story for real and nothing really happened. I'm usually a fan of these kinda shows where it's more focused on the characters rather than plot, but here it was neither one nor the other. They could've talked other things like why he got into the police (we know it's bc of his deceased stepfather but that is never really portrayed), or her parents' divorce which was done superficially. They could work on this and we would know more abt their characters. The dialogue is the worst. Things are poorly explained, if they happen to be at all. The timeline is a little confusing too. Flashbacks felt sudden and out of nowhere.

ML is annoying. He's too serious, never laughs or softens (sometimes not even with FL) and all characters like to praise him for smth. I mean, it's like he's perfect but not in a good way, more like a robot. And I simply can't forget the time he called FL too innocent and silly (I think those were the words) just cause she's always smiling and in a good mood. It was just patronising. The whole time he acted all macho like he had no weakness at all. FL tried to take some feeling from him but he doesn't loosen.

I also felt there were too many characters and none of them had screen time and space for their stories. It bothered me that:
- We didn't know if Mingyu and Duan Rou got married;
- ML had siblings who never showed up, why say they exist in the first place if they have no part in anything at all;
- That FL's friend who is a doctor had more screen time than he should, there was no need to know his story;
- Mingyu's son was left aside during the drama and it's like his father doesn't care abt him. He just goes from one person to another and must understand everything. He's a kid, he needs security and to be taken care of!!
- We didn't get to see the face of ML's cousin who introduced the leads until the last ep, she was like a ghost, we could only hear her voice, I don't know why;
- Why did ML's parents not divorce?! His father was an abusive father and husband. Even if his father was trying to be better in the end, she still should've divorced. FL's dad cheated on her mother and they got divorced but ML's dad beated on his children (especially ML's sister cuz she's a woman) but that can be forgiven. Ugh!!

Although side stories are usually not that important, they shoud at least be told right. It's like they opened some paths but never took time to finish it. That's just disrespect with the viewers.

All the chinese propaganda was one of the worst things of everything. Cause the couple is really good, I can handle some drama as long as it's abt them. But the show spend some time just showing how SWAT works and it was just boring yn. And sometimes it's played to show how awesome and badass ML is, but I don't really like him, he's too forced.

All in all, it wasn't bad. It was a little boring and the narrative is lost, but the leads form a beautiful couple. If you focus on that maybe it was better than I made it seem. But for me a drama is not just a couple, but also narrative and writing, which here could be way better. Overall rating goes for the couple.

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First half: Amazing - Second half: Crap

I watched this one right after it aired cuz everybody was saying it was one of the best, the couple was cute and so on... They were cute indeed. But only in the first half of the show. From the moment they break up that's when things start to crumble.

- When the series begins taeyang made up her mind as to stop pitying and punishing herself for what happened between her and taejoon's sister. So she decided to come back to badminton. But when junyoung comes back and taeyang has to face her (and this ends up breaking her relationship with taejoon, and consequently her happiness), I thought that at some point she would realize that she's again punishing herself for smth that she had already done what she could to apologize for it. She had asked for forgiveness and retired, what else did junyoung want from taeyang?! So I thought that taeyang herself would stop all of that, just think about herself, and continue her life with taejoon by her side (since he himself wasn't giving a damn for all this drama). But the writers chose to extend all of this drama and made the couple get back together like in the last minutes of the last episode. Honestly, what was that ending really?! Just for the record, junyoung is the most annoying character and taeyang didn't do anything bad. It was just the people around her that made it look that way. And I understand that his parents not supporting their relationship might be smth that could made her uncomfortable. But she had already did what she could've done for something she wasn't even that much guilty for.
- The series also drags A LOT this drama between taeyang, taejoon and junyoung. It's like after it begins it becomes the only story that's being told for some eps. I think all of it could've been wrapped up faster so that other things could be talked about. Like taejoon's problem with his parents, and taeyang's reunion with her mother and sister. But I also think all that drama around taeyang shouldn't have taken too long bc it wasn't that much big of a deal. Like I said, it wasn't taeyang's fault what happened with junyoung. Yeah, it was taeyang who insisted on junyoung going out, and yeah, taeyang didn't immediately take up the responsability for what happened. But it was a fatality still. So I think it was a bit too much that everybody was blaming taeyang for an accident. Especially junyoung who was taeyang's friend and the only one who was there.
- I think that taejoon's problems with his family should've been addressed. It was clear that his parents cared a little too much for their daughter's feelings and not about how taejoon was feeling. Taejoon loved taeyang, but when his family found out about their relationship of course he was considered a betrayer. And taejoon never really said anything about nothing. He never complains or says how he feels. He just understands everybody. That annoyed me. All of them should've had a talk about this. And in the end it wasn't clear for me if his parents would stop putting difference between their children. And since the drama didn't show that, it's my opinion that his parents will just accept his relationship with taeyang because his sister decided to be okay with that.
- One thing that annoyed me a lot was how whenever taeyang was sad (which after their break up was like most of the time) she would ghost taejoon completely and leave him all worried bout her. Like she even spent WEEKS without talking with him, not saying a word if she was fine or anything. And when she decided to come back to training he acted like nothing had happened and everything was okay. It was so infuriating for me! He was too good for her. I remember a scene of them talking about feeling lonely and I thought that they would grow to be the emotional support of each other. But that wasn't what happened. Taeyang avoided everyone whenever she was sad and he just hid all that he was feeling. At least that's how it felt for me.
- But I admit I liked taeyang and taejoon as a couple in the first half. They were cute, supporting each other in the challenges of their career. Taejoon is just perfect. And taeyang was light and fun. Unfortunately all of this changed at some point.
- I think the only thing I really liked from beginning to end in this drama was yumin. She was my favorite character! Maybe bc she was removed from all the drama. But she's also not complicated. She's just herself. I also liked her relationship with junghwan. Yeah, he took too long to get over his ex. Yes that's super annoying. And yeah I totally get people not liking their relationship. But they were so freaking cute together! And I liked that she put some limits, not going after him and just walking away when she sees he's taking too long to get over. And in the end he went for her. Idk, I just think they were so cute together.

Anyways, for me this was an overrated drama. The beginning was very promising but all went downhill with their break up and taeyang's past coming back. Maybe if the series didn't focus so much on the taeyang/junyoung drama and more on the messages that were trying to be passed on, the side characters dramas and the romance, maybe I would've liked more. And my rating is not lower than this just because the first half was really good.

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They don't overcomplicate things

I don't really know how to write a review without actually listing all that I liked and didn't like in a series. So I'll be very straightfoward with my opinions here.

Things I liked:

- The leads are wonderful. They got chemistry together and they don't complicate things. They talk about everything and trust each other, that's so great. Actually, the show is worth just cuz of them. When they are not on screen I keep waiting for when they will. The episode when ML didn't appear was one of the most boring.
- Really liked the interactions between the leads and Lu Zichen, all three got great chemistry. Lu Zichen is realy funny actually, I could see that from the beginning. He is half shy half silly and it's so fun to watch, and it's precisely this side of him that worked with Xiao Wudi's more serious and smart personality.
- I liked her mother, she's funny and doesn't get on the leads' way. I wish they had put someone for her cuz she deserved to be happy again with someone else.

Things I didn't like:

- The second couple is super boring. I liked them as characters but not as a couple. They have poor construction and I didn't understand why they took so long to be together. Was it because of his father? But he had already cut ties with his father! Was it because of his immaturity? But how would she know he has no maturity to enter in a relationship without trying this with him?! idk, i thought they were too slow!
- I didn't like sisi, Nanxing's bff. She doesn't see how that other guy likes her and keeps ignoring him, sometimes being even rude to him. She only thinks about eating. I think she's annoying and I didn't miss her when she didn't appear anymore in the end.
- I didn't get the logic behind the fairy. First, Wudi appears to make Nanxing's wish come true, and when he does, he comes back to the fictional world where he came from. Then, out of nowhere, when Nanxing needs help, the fairy decides to bring Wudi back to do some mission. But why didn't he give that mission before? Why wait for idk what happens to send Wudi to the real world?! And I think that Nanxing should have tried to appeal to the fairy before. Why did she never thought of going to the fountain and making a wish just like Wudi did on the other side?

Anyways, despite everything I said here I really liked the show, it was funny and cute. I just think they should have built the second couple better or focused more on the main couple. But besides that, it was a great drama, among the best chinese dramas I watched.

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A treat to audiences who like romance

I absolutely loved the couple. They give butterflies in my stomach! Sizzling chemistry. I loved how Yiyang looks at her. He really has the look of a man in love. Loved how he thinks she's perfect and too much for him when he is Wu Lei. Loved that first awkward-getting-to-know-each-other phase they had. Loved how they felt comfortable with each other almost instantaneously after they start dating. Loved their skinship. Loved how they were super affectionate with each other. All of their scenes together were just pure romance.

Liked the turn the drama had in 15-16~ ep. It was heartbreaking but important for their development. Actually, there is not much of narrative in this drama. It's all basically just the couple, their love for sports and for each other. But that's not bad. It's the highlight of everything. There were no unnecessary dramas and no annoying characters trying to break up the leads. It all went smooth and without big troubles. The side characters are good. Specifically Xiaodong and Jiang Yang. It was so refreshing how Xiaodong, as FL's big brother, was the n°1 fan of the couple. And Jiang Yang too was a really supportive friend. Wished he had more screentime and Xiaodong's story with Linlin had closure. But we can't have everything :(

The production of this drama was superb. Really! Besides shooting in Finland and France, which is huge in itself and they did it beautifully, the games were well portrayed (at least from an outsider's pov) I understood most plays and the direction of them was good. The romance scenes were very well done. It was so delicate and swooning and passionate. Ofc they had good actors doing a good job but they explored them and their chemistry really well with the locations and situations. It could've been cringe and ridiculous some interactions they had, but instead they were cute and lovely together.

If I had to point out smth negative, I would say that the geographical and cultural inaccuracies and vagueness bothered me a little. Not one non-chinese player had a name that made sense with their nationality. Besides, we don't get to know where exactly they are. Where is Hel and Helsin? I assumed it was in Finland bc that's where the drama was shot. But it was confusing how they flew from Finland to France like it was just there. I just think that these details make the overall more real, if explained. But that wasn't big enough to annoy me.

So, anyways, I basically loved it. It was full of what I always like in dramas. The leads go through few difficulties which they work it out together. The drama doesn't feel cliché in how it is written. Good OSTs, good visuals, good acting. It's a treat to audiences who like romance just like me.

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One of the best dramas of the year!

This is one more drama of a CEO falling in love with his subordinate. But, personally, this one hits different for me. I think it's because of 2 reasons. 1) Gu Won. He is so cute. I love him! I like that he's just like other CEOs from dramas but he's much more sweet. Idk what is it but he's like a puppy that must be protected; 2) But also, their relationship grows from friendship to romance. Ik he lets it clear that he's courting her, and they flirt a lot, but they're also really comfortable with each other. And from my experience with dramas that's not common. Usually the couple is awkwardly in love until after some time of dating where they start getting intimate. But here they seem natural together even before dating. Such good chemistry! Besides this, they have A LOT of kissing scenes. I was so surprised by that. And they're good ones. Also, good talking scenes. There's no stupid misunderstandings or lack of trust. They're the whole package.

Before talking about what I think of the narrative, I gotta say that I DO NOT agree with the criticism I've seen so far of his series. I don't understand why, for some people, a good series must have so many obstacles for the leads' love, so many dramas and tears, and so many twists. As a fan of romance, I love a drama that focus on the couple, how they fall on love, what they love in each other and how they work to be together. I mean, it's so satisfying to watch a drama where the couple is happy together and help each other grow as a person and to overcome their traumas and fears. Personally, I think that's real romance. And all my favorite dramas are this way. So if you like romance, don't give a shit for what people are saying of this drama cuz I promise it's worth it.

Moving on, I think the main plot is a good one. It's kinda about how no one is better that the other and every person must be respected regardless of their position or hierarchy level. It made the antagonism between the Gu Won and his sister more important. It wasn't just a fight for money (at least not for Gu Won), it was much more bigger than that. They had different ideals and gave importance to different things. In this sense, Hwa-ran was a good villain. She was bad and I hated her but I liked the fact she never really wins, not even once, during the whole drama. I think it's really funny that in the beginning she was just in control of everything because Gu Won never wanted to have anything to do with the company. But when he put his mind into taking her out of the group, he did it like it was that easy. So, for me, she was a good villain bc she never wins against Gu Won and is only there for his personal growth. And the ending felt real. Like, his family don't end up hating each other, but they don't love each other either like those happy families from commercials. Instead, they just accept defeat and respect each other cause what else to do? So they didn't force anything. It felt relatable how his sister doesn't like him but still goes to his wedding; his mother has unresolved issues with his dad that she put aside so she can be present for her son; and Gu Won has a disagreement with each of them, but he still keeps them in his life.

Another good element in this drama is the comedy. It's really on point. It's been a long time since I laughed this much with an asian drama. And, for me, it's all because I truly like all the characters. That group trip to Thailand was amazing! I love the group, they were super fun together. Actually, all of Gu Won's moments mingling and learning from side characters were really good.

However, I must say that there were some things which I didn't like or that just bothered me:

- One mistake in the series, in my opinion, is how they dealt with the divorce thing. The part that Pyeong-hwa was prejudiced and tried to hide the fact that she's a divorced woman was ok. I understand that. But Da-eul should've divorced as well. Her husband was a complete asshole and she deserved so much more. Why did she need to put up with him? It's like the drama is portraying that even though it's wrong to discriminate people for being divorced, divorce is never the right choice either.
- Something that was missing in the end was Pyeong-hwa's situation at King Air. We don't know if she was ever promoted or if things changed about how the employees are treated there. Like, Da-eul had her "revenge" on her boss, and at least she was the boss at the store. But I think I missed some closure with Pyeong-hwa's situation.
- Why did they showed that annoying girl who worked with Sa-rang kinda falling for Sang-sik if they would never gonna bring that back?! I mean, I wasn't shiping them, she was just a toxic coworker, but it was weird hinting for smth that was gonna be forgotten in the end.

Well, it was very good and fun watch. The problems which I've put above weren't big ones as to get in the way of my enjoyment. This was for me one of the best dramas of the year. I super reccomend if you like drama with comedy and a lot of romance. The OSTs were really good; the story had a good pace as it wasn't rushed nor slow; the acting was good, Yoon-a and especially Jun-ho showed that they have good timing and talent for both comic and dramatic scenes. All the ensemble cast did their job well. It was 10/10 for sure!

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