Hidden Love (2023)

The feeling of being loved and loving those regardless of their flaws

I felt like I was apart of this drama. The cast and writers pulled me in with such raw emotions. This drama has an overall happy/pure feeling to it. This drama not only had a good sounding synopsis but actually exceeded every expectation I had for it while watching it. This drama primarily focuses on the main leads relationship and their family/school plots. Not much of side character plots, but there are some. Occasionally with first loves, you’ll be let down or have doubts in yourself… Sang Zhi expressed those feelings in such a pure manner. At one point I just had to stop the drama and let myself have a good cry, and at other points I found myself laughing out loud and smiling ear to ear. I haven’t had such a fun drama come across my list in quiet some time. The speed in which I finished this drama says it all, and at no point did I skip through any scenes that I felt weren’t relevant. I absolutely loved this drama!!!

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Perfect drama to relax

Highly recommend if you're in the mood for adorable and heartwarming love story. No complicated twists or mind-boggling plots, just a simple, sweet plot, and it's a perfect drama to relax.

Chen Zheyuan and Zhao Lusi have extraordinary chemistry, portraying a cute yet mature relationship. Zhao Lusi totally nailed it as a cute high schooler without being cringe, and Chen Zheyuan also nailed his role as Sang Zhi's loving "brother" aka boyfriend. I'm obsessed with the Sang Sang siblings too. They’re so relatable, just like how real brothers and sisters act at home. Waiting for new episodes every week is torture, and now I'm already missing them like crazy.

The OSTs for this drama also *chef kiss*. Currently listening to Forever Star, Be your light and I Have Someone I Like non-stop.

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CLASSIC Coming-of-Age Romance Drama! MUST WATCH!

This series was simply beautiful! From the cast, crew and overall production, well done! The ML and FL were very good at giving nonverbal communication and cues that spoke volumes. The trials and challenges within the series were felt but not overdone. Thank you, writers, for smart edits. The OST was perfect for driving the theme and overall progression and tensions throughout. I have seen Zhao Lu Si in various series, and she is good at conveying innocence and desire very well. Yet, within this series the audience can feel and see the growth within the ML and FL more than just positioning of hairstyle, job, school or situation. The leads conveyed real innocence to mature growth throughout the series that felt genuine and not forced or assumed. Chen Zhe Yuan is very dynamic and charismatic with his nonverbal cues. Their chemistry was methodically heartfelt and warm. There are many series that try to convey the love, desires and expectation gained and lost through adolescence to adulthood. Some come close but this one truly hit the mark in every way. The supporting cast was very good. The parental concerns which can be intense were addressed with reason and not an overbearing abuse or control. This is truly a treasure of what a blooming respect of connection, friendship and love can be. MUST WATCH!!!

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In simple words... Overrated.

To start off the story has major potential.
I loved the Sang siblings relationship. Their relationship is what kept me hooked.

I personally think the ML's acting wasn't that great. I couldn't really feel the emotions that he was trying to portray. I felt they had a good opportunity to make his character have depth but they didn't.

The entire story revolves around her being madly in love with the ML, which is understandable considering the title. But I felt there should have been more scenes that show his love.
It's almost like the writers and directors had enough of female chasing male, so out of nowhere the ML falls in love. How did that happen? When did that happen? Why did it happen? None of these questions are answered.

I personally love Rosy Zhao but this was the most annoying character she ever played. She was trying to hard to be childish and it came off as weird and strange to me. It made her more unrelatable. Though the situation the FL is in, I think a lot of us has gone through similar emotions (I personally have been in similar situation). But most of the time the FL was so pathetic about it that I didnt feel sympathy but anger.

Once the ML falls in love with her, he barely chases her and starts teasing her because he figured out he was her crush. He also kept standing her up. Yes, he had legit reasons but he never once explained it to her. The main couple never talk, they never have the real convos.

The most unrealistic part was how none of her friends were angry with him for constantly cancelling on her. Women/girls are not like that. If my friend's boyfriend would do that to her I personally would have gone to him and given him a piece of my mind.

A lot of videos list this show as "girl falls first but guy falls deeper", which I personally feel is totally untrue. Even if the last few episodes she runs to the airport to his city again to tell him how deeply she feels for him by showing him the "folded stars". Throughout the story she is proving her love for him. Yes, I will agree he takes some major steps for their future but I personally feel it's too little too late. By that time I am already convinced that "he is just not into her".

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A drama adaptation that stayed true to the original source material

This drama has a special place in my heart. To be honest, when I heard that the novel will have a drama adaptation, I had my doubts. Given that most adaptations don't really give justice to the original source material, I really thought this project won't go well. Fortunately, I was totally wrong! I love how they closely followed the novel. The vital scenes that kept the story standing together were well executed. I must say some of the scenes was even better in the drama than what I have imagined while I was reading the novel. The Female and Male leads down to the supporting casts had created this dynamic that will made you feel a sense of comfort from just watching a fictional show. The acting felt so real and natural. Interactions are not forced with no over the top expressions. Lines were delivered perfectly especially from the leads from the funny sibling interactions to Duan Jia Xu and Sang Zhi's conversations which made me so emotional. I also love how they showed Sang Zhi's university life and Duan Jia Xu work life normally. Sang Zhi's interactions with her roommates felt so relatable and nostalgic as well. Moreover, the leads were so character coded and their chemistry were off the charts! I almost forgot they're just acting. The greenest couple I have witnessed in dramaland. ? Their genuine care, love, and trust with each other made me realize that I may not find a love like that. ? I definitely cried in single. ??

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A Fairytale of Love

Once upon a time, you have a young princess who met her prince. She liked the prince the moment that she saw him. That is how I felt watching this drama. A beautiful woven fairytale of love.

In our lifetime we are fortunate to receive the most unexpected gift, you didn't really think it would be that extraordinary but with "Hidden Love" it is. This drama resonates with so many of us that we are transported back to our youth and relive our moments of our own first love.

As soon we Shang Zhi we know that she is a girl that is full of sweetness, naivete, and childlike qualities and there is such a depth of kindness and love that you cannot help but want to protect and embrace her. That is how Duan Jia Xu felt about Shang Zhi. Being her protector but it was really Shang Zhi who was the protector. She helped Duan Jia Xu understand that even though life had thrown him the worst struggles and disappointments, he was more than worthy of being loved.

It was so exciting to see their love blossom over so many years until you felt like family watching your own daughter in this relationship and cheering her on. We felt all of her heartaches, tears, joys and misunderstandings. You feel yourself wanting to help her fix everything and keep the beautiful world that she envisions not only for herself but Duan Jia Xu as well.

Many may go in with a jaded attitude and not feel what I or others feel about this drama and that is ok. But if you just allow yourself to think about the most important love that you had in your life--you will understand. It's just magical.

You find yourself, laughing, smiling, crying and just overjoyed with this fairytale of love. But you know there has never been a fairytale without an obstacle, and you would think it would have been Shang Zhi's parents, but it was actually Duan Jia Xu himself.

Her parents always like Duan Jia Xu but felt the problems that he had in the past with his family would be an issue with moving forward in their relationship. Duan Jia Xu was not to be deterred. After speaking with Shang Zi at the airport he understood and stated to her clearly his feelings and love for her.

Here is the following monologue from episode 24:

Shang Zhi: "Why did you drink? What's wrong? I'll get you something hot to drink."

Duan Jia Xu: "Why did you wake up?"

Shang Zhi: "Are you in a bad mood?"

Duan Jia Xu: "I think I treat you badly."

Shang Zhi: "When did you treat me badly? Is it because of what I said to you at the airport today? I told you because I just wanted you to know. Since you didn't know before, that's why I wanted to tell you. But I didn't want you to feel...You treat me very well. Whether it's the past or now, you still treat me well. It's true."

Duan Jia Xu: "Shang Zhi, I love you. I'm sorry, Zhi. I've said this too late. Over the years, I know I've made you sad. It was your unwavering dedication that made me realize that I'm not good enough. My imperceptive or indecisiveness. None of it was good. But for these shortcomings, I'll try my best to make it up to you for every day we spend together. Zhi, I won't forget the choice you made. I love you, Shang Zhi."

What else can you say after that? Oh, I do.... they lived happily ever after! The End!

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Unpretentious Fluffy Drama

This drama is perfect for a binge-watching experience. Watch beautiful people enact young love. It is perfect escapism.
The actors did a stellar job but I have to specially mention #ZhaoLusi who brought the character of Sang Zhi very true to the book.

The chemistry between Zhao Lusi (Sang Zhi) and Chen Zhuyuan (Duan Jiaxu) is palpably scorching. But having said that I actually love the brother-sister synergy between Zhao Lusi and Victor Ma better. It actually got to me more and I would have loved it if they had more scenes together.

Highly recommend this drama, particularly to those who wanted to relive the cute feeling of puppy love/first love.
I would also like to mention the OST. The songs are very catchy which is of course a testament to how good they are for a non-Chinese speaker.

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My heart....

I don't know if any show has affected me the way Hidden Love has. I watch with a smile on my face and I even cry through the sweetest scenes. First of all, the age gap is not an issue at all. He is only 5 years older and there is nothing inappropriate in any of the 25 episodes. Please do not be put off by any of the negative comments because you will miss out on a beautiful experience. I rewatched all the episodes while I waited for more episodes to be released. Now that I have watched all 25 episodes, I am so sad because I will miss Jia Xu and Sang Jhi! I also loved Sang Jhi's brother Sang Yan. I read that there will be a sequel with Sang Yan's story called First Frost. I am hoping to see the same actors play Sang Jhi and Jiaxu in First Frost.

Sang Jhi grew up in a loving family. Her parents are kind and generous. Her brother loves her and is protective of her even as he bickers with her. It is still so touching to see how much the brother and sister love each other. I enjoyed watching the beautiful dynamics of Sang Jhi's family. If you enjoy watching sibling relationships, it is another plus for Hidden Love.

Duan Jia Xu had sad family life and he worked hard to pay off his father's debts. What made his relationship with Sang Jhi so beautiful is that even though he didn't have money to spare, he always took care of Sang Jhi and refused to take money from her or allow her to pay for anything when he was around. And even more beautiful was the way Sang Jhi cared for Jia Xu by protecting and taking care of him. He never had anyone to rely on and instead took on the burden of taking care of his mother and father. It was so beautiful to see the emotions as he felt Sang Jhi's love for him.

Both Zhao Lu Si and Chen Zhe Yuan are the magic key to Hidden Love. Zhe Yuan expressive eyes...sigh. Just watching him play Jiaxu is enough to convince me that a 17-year-old girl would have a crush and fall in love with him. Lu Si was perfect for Sang Zhi. You just need to watch to see. The BTS clips provide information on the scenes and be sure to watch the extra scenes at the end of each episode. The strawberry scene at the end of episode 13 was one I had to rewatch immediately. I absolutely love this show!!! There is nothing quite like it.

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Sweet Warm Drama

I'm not a fan of Zhao Lusi and Chen Ze Yuan. I'm watching out of curiosity as to why it's so popular.

a warm and sweet teenage story, perfect for watching when relaxing. but for me this was a bit boring, I skipped some scenes that were too long, like the scene when Sang Zhi was thinking. this is great to watch, especially for those of you who like relaxing dramas that warm your heart. i recommend it.

ML and FL are very good looking, they also have strong chemistry. very suitable. I last saw ZLS on Feel at ease Mr Ling, and CZY on Mr. bad did not expect they would play together and break a record like this. their acting skills are very natural and pleasing to the eye.

Anyway, this is a warm story, watch it if you're bored and relax. I think it will also be good if you watch it when you're lonely. one more thing, this drama is very light, especially since the characters are still teenagers, don't think the conflict will be complicated!

Happy watching all!

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No. 1 in rankings!

No. 1 in MDL for top C-Dramas and overall (even beating out K-dramas)! Hidden Love is getting all the love it deserves! ?

For those who are still wondering or hesitating to watch this drama, just give it a try! It has a good storyline (nothing very stressful), lots of heartwarming scenes, nice visuals (Zhao Lu Si's clothes here are pretty and looks good on her!), beautiful soundtrack (Forever Star is especially written for this drama), superb acting (even the micro-expressions of the leads are spot-on), perfect chemistry between the main leads and even the supporting cast (sibling chemistry between Zhao Lu Si and Victor Ma, which we often don't get from dramas), and I don't know what else to say to convince you, the rankings don't lie! I will definitely miss waiting for new episodes to come. Congratulations to the cast and crew of Hidden Love! ❤️

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