story (8.5/10): the ending was absolutely satisfying. it was a nice, clean wrap up to the series and any attempt at a season 2 will honestly ruin it. probably one of the most satisfying endings as i didn’t end up with any questions as to how other ended up, unlike certain dramas that leave me with questions like “how did *** relationship end up?” “did their parents forgive *** for ***?”

the plot itself is an easy manipulation of a classic cliche; they’ve known each other since childhood, one of them hates the other (though it’s typically both or neither), revenge plot, whoops i’m in love. nothing old and nothing wrong with a classic. it’s not original enough for me but i’m a sucker for cliche dramas as well.

besides the romantic plot, i really enjoyed the idk “side plot” (?) that was framed around dreams. they brought together all these characters that all, in the end, strive for their dreams instead of pining around and forgetting they’re full-time college students. it gives a great message and something i really enjoyed was liao zhenyu and xia menghuan’s relationship. menghuan didn’t allow zhenyu to just put his focus on her and her passions but made him realize that he should be on his own path as well, not groveling over his girlfriend’s dream. it brings a good balance to the relationship, to make sure they’re equals and not superior and inferior, which is glorified in too many dramas, along with other toxic/unhealthy relationships.

if the main genre was slice of life or youth or something, i think this could’ve gone so much better because the romance was lacking in individuality between other dramas. together, misunderstanding, break up, whoops lol i was wrong, together again. like biking and ending up at a hill, you bike over it, go downhill, then the path leads you back to the same hill. a circle of the same problems drama after drama.

i didn’t like what they did with bian cheng’s character. he experienced what seems like complete mood swings because he was blinded by emotion. it was done for entertainment, making there be a bad guy, but it just doesn’t sit well with me. all too extreme. on the other hand, zhou ran was someone i saw potential in as soon as i got a couple of episodes in, especially when she gave reasoning as to why she doesn’t like tang xue. it was weak hatred and i think she knew it too. they ended up giving her character a chance and zhou ran really reached her potential, a genuinely nice person who got caught up in jealousy and a bit of misunderstanding. as you watch, you can see her doubt whether she actually likes li yubing or if it’s just to get at tang xue.

[i just watched yu yan's figure skating performance on ep 39 and can i say that was t h e most touching thing!?!?!?! he explains his emotional journey through, not only words, but through the choreography. his character developed so well, though there were some parts that didn't seem to fit well with me.]

acting/cast (9.5/10): they put effort into this. the cast was quite well done, though the main leads didn’t always seem to have the best chemistry, in my opinion, but the acting was well done. i got so mad at tang xue’s character so many times and, if acted poorly, could’ve made my hatred even stronger. same goes for li yubing’s character. the supporting cast did excellent work too, making sure to keep a nice balance in the by not bringing too much attention to themselves around the leads but not slacking off on their characters.

music (8.5/10): i noticed in SO many serious scenes that there’s a not-so faint instrumental that plays. when the leads aren’t speaking, the music is made louder despite it already being quite loud and obnoxious in the context of the drama. the lyrical music was edited in a better manner. i really REALLY like the songs on their own, especially actor of xia menghuan, he xuanlin’s snow and ice (冰糖炖雪梨). it’s such a beautiful song and such so well, it gives me goosebumps. and zhou shen’s 雪花落下? his VOICE!!!! working wonders on my soul. soft/sad chinese ost songs really do something different to you but that’s for another conversation.

rewatch value (7/10): it was a nice drama, enjoyable watch really. but i don’t think i would rewatch it anytime soon, maybe a year or so from now to reminisce. i was into it when i saw the drama but rewatching it seems like a waste of my time as there were so many stretched and tense parts, especially the bian cheng parts that jumped from a dude tryna get a girl to “haha lets hurt her boyfriend haha whoops that seems a bit far, no?”