I started watching this show expecting it to be another one of those light-hearted, fluffy idol dramas. But I could not be more wrong - it defied expectations at every moment in a way that couldn't have been done better.

More than a love story, this is a story about growing up, trauma (with a dash of mystery), and finding light in a world that can sometimes become unbearably dark. The show evoked so many emotions in me, and I found myself tearing up every now and then, especially in the last few episodes when we dive headlong into finding out exactly why the group of six friends split up more than ten years ago.

The main storyline is chock-full of flashbacks, with each piece being part of the puzzle surrounding Liu Yifei's story. It's an innovative format that can come off as choppy and annoying if not done well, but Love Endures pulls it off. There are many small, clever details in the show beginning from the first episode that contribute significantly to the story, and they are easily missed if you don't watch carefully. It is precisely this that makes this show great for a re-watch. Lastly, the music is outstanding, not just because of the great songs (which are classics by Sun Yanzi, by the way), but also because the placement was done so immaculately.

If I had to nitpick, I would say that there isn't much chemistry between Yang Zi and Fan Chengcheng. While both of them put up a decent performance, the sparks just didn't fly this time round for me.

Overall, I would rate this as one of the best modern c-dramas to date. Would highly recommend!