At first I didn't want to watch this based on the plot summary alone thinking it may be too melancholic but I read an article on Soompi about how good this series is so I gave it a go.

I watched 6 episodes straight and boy I never looked back.

Part of its charm is that the book it is based on on the author's real life story. My pessimistic self believes that first love dies and your left with memories. But watching this made me realize that there are exceptions to the rule. The story telling was realistic and the actors were great.

The actors for YM and QY is so perfect that I can't think of anyone else who'd fit the bill. Their chemistry is off the charts that when you watch them interact whether in school or as adults you can't help but smile.

GC and WY is love. Their storyline was not on the book if I remember it right but like the main leads their chemistry is great. I want to assume that GC is in denial of his feelings for WY when they were younger because of his trauma.

And the uncle, oh my, he is a friend indeed. I love how his protective of his friends and how he kept his friendship with QY despite what happened with his nephew. He deserved a happy ending too.

I really enjoyed how the writer and the director showed different relationship dynamics be it about family, friendship, or love. I think this is the most realistic one I have seen in a series. I love how each character's imperfection it really made this story relatable.


The OST is awesome. The songs they used on this drama is perfectly apt for the story.

Rewatch value? I would say its worth watching over and over again just for the heck of it because this is a feel good realistic drama that would leave you with a smile on your face.

This is the first drama I've watched that I wanted to leave a review because it exceeded my expectations.

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Short Lighthearted Full of Fluff

Destined from the start, that is how I would describe LC and XT's story. They are fated to be together from the moment they were born, thanks to their parents. The two moms and LC dad are like members of the CP fan club lols. I love the fact that XTs dad attempted to be a spoilsport and disagree with the inevitable marriage of his godson and daughter it was funny and heartwarming to know that she will be alays daddy's girl.

Couple of stuff that I like:
Female bestie and Deskmate CP is cute. Although I understand the break up, LDR and lack of communinacation is a like a bomb ready to explode anytime. Love and trust can't make LDR work. In this relarionship I just want to point out that she is level headed in her fangirling attitude, she does not own her idol and knows her idol has a private life. Kudos to the show for pointing out not all are obsessive fans. I like also her BFs supportive stance in her fangirl life, not all could accept this lifestyle.

FLs male bestie is admirable. Throughout the show there were instances that showed he also likes XT but maybe because he was busy living his life and he knows XT and LC are a couple he supressed his feelings and decided to be just friends. He placed a boundary acceptable to stay in the life of the main couple. I want to think he would rather stay friends than lose them in his life.

The parents - Awesome parents not too controlling which is rare in cdramaland.

Didn't like:
No need for that junior guy to attempt to meddle in the couple juat because he fell for her when he saved her
The girl classmate of LC who also liked him, she was annoying but she at least changed.


The osts fit the drama but not that memorable for me.
A good watch and can be rewatched when we need fluff in our lives ..❤️

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Traigically Beautiful Storytelling

I had to stop bawling my eyes out before I wrote this review.
Although the drama didn't invest much of skinship between the couples in this series but the nuances are there. The lingering looks, the lines said with underlying mening. It says it all.

We have couples who are fated but not bound to be together.
SY and ZC are in love woth each other but vecause ZC promised never to marry he never confessed nor said aloud his feelings for her but he has good buddies who says it all for him.

CG and HXY is heartbreaking they love each other and they both know it and they can't be togteher because of their social class. When the cousin married the princess it was necessary but since the princess loves someobe else too their marriage was doomed from the start.

XY and FQ not sure how to think of these 2 but there's also Xie Chen who seems to like her.

The politics is too hard and complicated to discuss but it's basically fighting for the throne that ZC gave up on and decided to foghts wars for the country but since he's too good the people in power are scared he'd rebel and usurp the throne. I honestly wish he did. But beong an honorable man that he is he kept his promise.

The fake crown prince deserved his death and the downfall of his country was all because of his greed and affinity to avenge himself from the wmpress dowager.

Choosing death for the welfare of their friends is the best choice and their friends understood their sacrfifce.

I must say I know Allen can act but Bai Lu kinda surprised me in her acting when she was mute and the scene at the latter part she expressed herself well through her eyes.

The osts fit the scenes and strory.
Definitely rewatching this when I need a good cry.

My only peeve on this one is I wished they showed a snippet of the other generals and prince of pingqin at the end too.

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Separation is a must to mature

Crush is a series that I like the timeline and storytelling the most.
We have an assertive but not annoying FL in Sang Wu Yan and we have a hidden gem of a composer and an insecure blind ML in Su Qian Nin. We also have a bunch of friends and family who understand and support the leads as they mature.

I honestly enjoyed the way SWY chased and got SQN to like her too. It's not annoying of her to chase her though she can be a bit impulsive her personality is quite cute. SQN is a deeper person, he's visually impaired and comes from a dysfunctional family with a tragic childhood. He can't be blamed for being insecure about personal relationships.

The BFFs who turned into lovers with SWY in between is a realistic story and I like how they closed the issue with SWY being mature enough to admit her mistake and wish her friends lick, but, her friends didn't become lovers afterwards, they had to face issues normal teens had to face, pursuing dreams, choosing careers, and love.

I honestly needed the main leads separation was very much needed, independently they both needed to grow as individuals and mature. I felt there came a point that they grew too much dependent on each other that they can't face their problems on their own. Although, that reason for break up was too harsh in terms of death in the family but it was miscommunication because they both were not willing to face the reality that there's a crack in their relationship,

At the last half, I like how the tables were turned and it's SQN who has to chase SWY.

There are psychological factors in this drama that was shown but was not well explained but it's okay since the FL didn't pursue her career.

All in all it's an enjoyable drama with a slice of life theme that was well written and played by the actors.

The OST is cute specially the song the leads sang.
I would definitely rewatch this.

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Realistic and yet still cute

This is one of my favorite KDramas. Why? Because this depicts the adults who were born in the 80s.

Of course this is another drama trope, childhood friend separated then reunited. However, SJJ and GJW is sooo cute together. Their friends are no less cuter than they are. Struggling with life and love. The series shows a diverse background for the FL and her friends and the ML and the people around him.

SJJ the loyal fangirl to Anthony is so cute and relatable to girls in the 90s and early 2000s who still like the boyband songs they grew up with. I can relate. A LOT.

GJW and his insecurities is a real life issue for children of parents who remarried. Even though they are a family it feels like there's an intruder in their life.

HAR is cute and a hopeless romantic. I find her character endearing in a way and JYS the friend whose struggling because of her family and her career is a character that I find so realistic

The story revolves around 30something adults who grew up together and faced happy and sad times together. I like the flow of the story and the development of the characters in this series. I guess since it's been awhile since I watched it I kinda forgot the details. But what stuck with me is the reality people in their 30s, unmarried and still struggling with their career face.

SJJ and GJW love story is cute, her fangirling of Anthony oppa has boundaries. She understands the fact that she's a fan and doesn't own her idol's life or love. That's the healthy way to fan girl.

The ost which Melomance sung is awesome. It's on my play list.
I've rewatched this twice or thrice.

If you need a realistic drama with fluff this is a good series to start.

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Cheesy. To the point that I cringe at times.

I stopped watching Ancient Love Poetry and finished this drama in like 3 or 4 days. I started this one quite late. WeTV already has about 28 episodes uploaded when I started this and I didn't regret stopping Ancient Love Poetry for this.

What I liked in this series:
- The subtle... not so subtle flirting is just too much but you can't help but smile.
- The ML just can't stop being clingy to the FL when they became a couple, obviously making up for the lost time.
- The way the ML asked the FL to be his girlfriend kinda reminded me of how HS in GGS asked TN to get back together in episode 15. That was not a confession, it was like a choice that the FL has to make. It's kinda cute.
- The story of the FL's BFF and mid of the YQCB is cute, although I feel their screen time was short, I like the way they relationship grew.
- The awesome friendship. Need I say more? Despite the ups and downs they are friends who consider each other like family.

Ming God definitely I like, his acting is different from Legend of Yun Xi. I like him. <3

What I didn't like? Not much really, I wish there's a clarity on the reason why God Yang broke up with the FL. I didn't have a second lead syndrome in this series, but I like how God Yang didn't pester the FL until the end. He knew when to give up. I wish he could get his own story told when he meets the one for her.

I almost forgot, I like the way the series addressed the issues of e-sport players, the issues they face with their family and the prejudice of the people who is not aware how hard working this people are too.

The OSTs are okay.
Rewatch value, definitely, when I need a dose of fluff. Xu Kai is just a cute Chessman. Lol boyfriend goals...

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Was anticipating this film because the trailer was so good.
It's a story about an idol turned actor who fell in love with a high school girl.

The acting was just okay and in my opinion they lacked chemistry and it felt like the story was rushed but it's what you get when you watch a manga adaptation. I think it is part of the charm but it's like a curse too.

I think this movie is much relatable to normal men or women who have dated celebrities. After the break up it's like a shadow follows you everywhere when you see an ad billboard, watch tv or movies. It could be difficult to move on past the relationship.

The best friend is just adorable I wish he had a happy ending too.

The OST was okay.

The movie overall was just an okay. The trailer ruined it for me.

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I am one episode short before I finish this series.

I like how the story unfolded for all the characters. The story or the main leads is somehow realistic to what really happens in long distance relationships. But of course this is a drama. Happy ending is needed.

I also like the way the story about the online chat mates/gamers becoming a couple it was a thing way back when lols makes it so relatable.

How I wish Yating would end up with someone after all the heartache of a one sided love.

Overall, the music is okay. The acting is okay except for the female lead in HS years. I guess she found it awkward acting younger than she is but in university onwards her acting improved.

I will rewatch this when all eps are subbed. It's a feel good series. Relatable stories that could bring back memories.

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Paying the price for stupidity

Let me just say JH and ZLS's relationship as father and son is messy and the reason for the rebellion at Yangzhou and the annihilation of the families of ZY YSH and LY. But ZLS didn't even realize he is taking revenge on Gu family until the last minute. ZLS could have been admirable had he walked the right path after all that struggle but he felt the world was unfair to him he so he should take revenge on the world too.

LY and GJS this couple was so perfect although their marriage was an accident at the beginning LY determination to make it work was admirable. Their relationship was built on trust so no matter what ZLS does LY won't be swayed.

SM and YY was an unexpected pairing but cute too bad the series didn't show how this relationship developed.

ZY and QW could have been perfect too bad it was not. They admore each other and fell for each other but because of LZS plot they never got the chance to live happily.

The brotherhoods:
Gen. Zhou and Emperor Fan's friendship is so admirable. GZ pointed to EF that his son is not fit for the role after trying to frame GJS for murder. A real friend is not scared to tell the truth it hurt but EF knew he was right but he loved his pathetic son.

ZY, YSA, SM, and GS these three combined is unbeatable from plottinf to assessing the situation they are brains and brawl combined. Their concern for each other was sincere and their friendship built on going through thick and thin and life and death.

The sisterhood between YY, LY, QW was showb briefly but they meshed well.

Side:
Mom in laws- these two are pillars for LY and GS they were able to do what they want because the MILs trust them. No monster in law here. Maybe LYR dad but he died early.

The righthand man of ZLS and his lady ally who keeps on being used and manipulated. I felt vad for them and happy for Lady Feng to have realized she can have a life without ZLS after her talk to LY. Her ending is fit for the story.

All in all the current generation is paying the price or consequences of what happened in the previous dynasty, there are other irritating characters like the dowager empress and princess but they also got whatvthey deserved off screen.

The last episode where they tried to stop GZ from killing FY was epic in a way. It's an ending fit for how everything went down but a bit anticlimatic if you ask me.

Actors were will fit and acted freat to the point that I want to curse LXY for his role as LZS .

***many actors were on BOY and even the scene of GZ at the last epsiode was similar tothe BOY ep when they tried to usurp the throne***

Osts:
Liu Yuning's ost for this drama was good and all the songs were well chosen to fit the story.

Rewatch: definitely specially the beginning when GJS was aimless and LY trying to mold him to be who he should be.

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Partners and Friends for Life.

I watched this and expected lot of tropes and fluff...but boy, was I wrong. This drama skyrocketed on the top of my fave youth dramas. The story and the acting was just perfect.

I liked and loved watching all 5 of them grow up. The friendship of GF LR ZZ JJ and GR made me realize how relationships formed through being the good and the bad and everything in between makes the bond of friendship beautiful, nostalgic, and perfect.

The story was paced well. It never felt rushed despite the fast track from senior high to college to their adult life.

Likes:
-ZZ and LR - After the cp of one and only and forever and ever. These two are the healthiest couple in cdramaland. Since they were friends to til when they were in a relationship, they have no misunderstandings, defined goals as individuals and as a couple, they literally grew up together.
-GR and JJ - the typical enemies to friends to lovers, they bicker like cats and dogs but when one is in need the other is there. Their love story developed late but didn't feel rushed at all.
-GF and Granny - was so happy the writer didn't give him a love story bit his character embodied a filial grandson and good friend. A third wheel to his friends that are a couple.
Granny is a friend to these kids. She imparted very good advice and slice of life words to all of them.

Dislike:
LR parents - their favoritism towards LR younger brother ruined the brothers relationship. If the younger brother didn't stand up to them and runaway would LR still suffer from their mistreatment The brother wanted a relationship with his LR but because of them LR became wary of his own brother. I hated them.
YZX - that classmate who kept on trying to set up and ruin ZZ. She should have been expelled after all that.

If it wasn't for LR parents would have scored this a 10

24 eps is just enough but felt like it was not enough.

I like the last voice over:

LR: "If fate could have told me in advance that I would meet such a person could I have chosen to meet her a little earlier?...It was like a hint that my light was coming."
ZZ: "It was that glance, just that quick glance that brought ius together for life. So precisely.


The ost is so good and it fit the drama and the lyrics are just perfect for the moments they were played for.

Definitely a must rewatch.

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Nonsense and Fluffy

Who does not want a CLTCL part 2 with that ending but I settled for this for now. A girl can still dream right, I am still wishing for that part 2?

The basic premise of the story is that an AI system has a glitch and falls in love with a real life human girl.

The ML, Bob is the IT guy who gets electrocuted by the AI when he attempts to override the system and erase his affection for Lana the FL. Bob then gets "possessed" by the AI who goes rogue so he could pursue Lana,

The chemistry between these two is still there but the story is just too shallow to ask for a good acting performance. Nothing stands out in this movie.

AI Love You is shallow. This fluffy and a bit funny. Illogical at it's finest but it's an hour and 35 mins only. It's not much of a story if you are looking for a meaningful one this is not for you. But if you just want to watch a nonsense film with some eye candy and some chemistry this is for you .

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The Sweetest Not So Secret..

The story revolves around TWW and LR who grew up together, but LR initially was secretly in love with TWW. They initially have a fake relationship to help TWW get her certificate/diploma to get her to enroll to PH D program. But LR keep on pushing until TWW became his real girlfriend.

Honestly, I am not much invested in TWW and LR, alhtough what I liked most in their story was that it was a realistic portrayal of how a relationship works when one is older and the other is younger.

I am much more interested in the story of LX and JZC, the FLs best friend and the businessman who once thought TWW was the ideal woman for him. His rationality and way of measuring up people by adding or deducting points, is kinda funny. LX is a complex woman with a past and is easily misunderstood. This is a classic opposites do attract.

Then lastly we have JH and GZ, JH was in once infatuated with LR but she's very open minded and understands her affection will neer be reciprocated and decided to move on and be happy, her as a friend to LR is better than nothing.

The crazy guy DZ us literally cray cray with his delusions and crazy mom, though, they added spice to the story. The classmate who worked part time for TWW is a classic nutcase too, since LR didn't like her, she wanted to ruin everyone else. She got what she deserved.

The acting is so-so. Plotwise it's a good story. Not much fluff but the realistic approach is nice.

OST is fit for the series but not much remarkable if you ask me.

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Another gender bender trope with a good story. 

This is a series about two opposites attracted to each other with a lot of comedic relief, side of drama and just enough soul swapping.

I liked:
-the way the series focused on the life of idols outside the limelight. Their daily lives  and the reality that not everyone in a group or band have a good personal relationship.
-they showed a contrast of a well loved child and an abandoned child nicely. We can't choose our parents but we can choose our friends. Jiang Yi didn't have much growing up he has his manager/best friend who has his back.
-the rationalized fangirling of the besties Tong Tong and Shang Shang. Not all fangirls are cray cray . They know and accept that their idols are human.
-the line between gossip and responsible writing. Although the series didn't dive much into it, they clearly placed a line how an entertainment writer is different from a paparazzi or a gossip writer.
- The writer wrapped up the story of how Jiang Yi's family broke up and how Shang Shang helped him heal his scars.

I didn't like the lack of background to Tong Hua and Pei Shu they showed a bit of their past but it was not enough to conclude of they had feelings for each other or Pei Shu had feelings for her. We are left to assume how we perceive their relationship.

It had the same vibe as the series don't disturb my study. We are watching a story within a story.  In DDMS though it was not the FL who wrote the story.

All in all I like the ending showing it was a story made up by the FL to help her understand the ML  and the reason why the relationship almost didn't work for them.  We do need to be able to emphatize with others and symphatize since we all have different stories to tell and have different dreams and goals and to find that other person who understands and accepts you as you is hard in real life.

The series has a lot of funny moments that balances the drama. I liked the sound effects used in the series than the osts. Lols.

LJ and SZ are both good with their roles but  SZ shined brightly when their souls were swapped.  I have seen LJ in Eternal Love and I must say she kinda developed her knack with the soul swap thing but compared to SZ he really nailed the nuances of the FL. The rest of the actors did well in their roles too.

Would definitely rewatch this.

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Toothachingly Sweet Love Story.

I like the friendship between Zeng Li, Wu Ying, Ma Yi YI and the Deng Hao Ran whose also Zeng Li's step brother from her mom's 2nd marriage. Their friendship is solid gold they support and scold each other and stick with one another.

The series focused on 3 types of relationship:
Inexperienced - Zeng Li and Ai Jing Chu are polar opposites in terms of personality. There's a hint that Zeng Li is holding on to her crush on her distant relative Yu Yi but when they met again they realized that whatever they felt for each other has passed.

Ai Jing Chu is obviously inexperienced which caused him to be confused at first and when he thought he may be in between the long standing feelings of Yu Yi and Zeng Li he was more of be the bigger person type.

The Yu Yi and Zeng Li arc was perfectly ended. I honestly think no one in their right mind would be waiting for another for 10 years. As for Zeng Li and Ai Jing Chu their story is cute and the progression was written well it does not hurt to add that the actors chemistry is good too.

Age Gap - the relationship of Wu Ying and Liu Yu Cheng at first focused on their age gap but then it delved on the differences in their outlook in life and I liked that although Yu Cheng is young but he's mature. Wu Ying is older but a bit childish. It made them perfect for each other. This relationship moved at a speed of a bullet train and they communicated well with each other even in the face of difficulties.

Friends - Ma Yi Yi and Deng Hao Ran were in a relationship before but they kept it a secret from their friends. They kept their friendship after breaking up but honestly their bickering made me realize they still like each other whether they admit it or not. They are also the people in this series that look confident on the outside but has so many insecurities inside.

The 22 episode series was able to focus on Friends, Love and Family...it was written and acted well.

The OST didn't give me any LSS but it the series played a lot of song which was perfect for the scenes.

I would definitely rewatch this. Once I'm over the toothache of the sweetness and the cringey lines. :D

I'm only scoring 8.5 on this is because I still have a hang over on You are my Glory and some of the lines are sweet tot he point I cringe.

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I'm a fan of these two because of Eternal Love. And I'm happy to see them in a moderm drama. This version has its up and downs.

I watched the Taiwan, dropped the Korean because it became too melodramatic for me and thai version was boring in my opinion.

The chinese version changed some details from the original story but am happy they removed the sick male lead arc from the korean and thai versions.

Although they cheated involuntarily on Anna I can't help but hate her victim mentality and her brother Dylan, I seriously love him and thought of all the versions he could be the best Dylan but no, he had to be the good brother and stop Wang Xoyo from reuniting with Jiaxin even though he had the moment of enlightenment I can't help but think that the siblings are way too selfish.

I love Wang Xiyi's family and I like how this family dynamoc changed with Jiaxin and how intact it was after she left. I love the aunt for fighting to keep Jiaxin as her niece in law. And that outrageous meddlesome grandmother.

Jiaxin's family is okay for me the mom fought for her daughter and saw Xiyi's devotion to her and changed her mond about their relationship.

The story dragged on in the latter part and I kinda hated how Jiaxin became a pushover for the siblings may be because she thought she was to blame but like girl you gotta fight for your love. Right? Although you see the character growth she still has that snail in her.

Wang Xiyi's growth is imminent and although I think he's too nice he never got back with her even after his wife left. But he never drew a line she can't cross which cpuld be the reason she was hopeful they can be together again.

The only ex gf of the main lead I liked is the one in the thai version because after they talked it out I never saw her attempt to get her ex back and understood that he loved the wife.

Although we all know it would be a happy ending given it's the 4th remake but the last episode felt too rushed. Anyways its still good.

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