Time flies, you discover that I'm the star glittering in your heart, so can I become your glory?

My first return to C-dramas in over 10 years, You Are My Glory (YAMG) was well worth it! A blend of winsome, refreshing romance, coupled with mischievous banter and chemistry (much owed to our OTP), with the backdrop of e-sports.

A detailed, unbiased review for those who want it.

Recommended for: Those who enjoy watching a youthful crush mature into a deeper romance in adulthood where characters learn the importance of self-worth and finding someone who loves them for who they are — and in particular wholeheartedly supports their dreams.

**OVERALL SUMMARY**

As a recent fan of Dilraba (Reba), YAMG caught my initial attention with the attractive star-studded cast, however, I was pleasantly surprised at my level of enjoyment when viewing this.

About The E-Sports theme
As some have mentioned, it is not your TYPICAL e-sports show. If you're looking for a heavy e-sports focus, you'll be disappointed. E-sports is merely the backdrop/catalyst of how our OTP reunite and ignite their adult romance. I for one, am not a fan of e-sports, so did find that the first 6-8 episodes weren't that memorable. However, these episodes do set the scene for how Yu Tu (YT) falls in love with Qiao Jing Jing (QJJ), and leads them the turning point of their relationship post episodes 14-15 after the big match. A plus side is that these first episodes aired altogether and run for 30 minutes, so watching these didn't feel like a drag.

If you're NOT a fan of e-sports, but can sit through the first 14 or so eps (~ 7 hours), this drama is worth reaching that turning point.

About The Romance
In this drama, the romance is a slow burn. It's natural and organic. So if you're expecting them to fall in love at first sight or for the romance to happen in the first few eps, either skip to about episode 18-19 onward, or decide it's not for you. The first third of the drama is focused on e-sports, the secondary plots, and YT's career, and the remaining two thirds of the drama dedicated to the OTP romance.

About The Book
I've read this drama follows the original book closely. If you've read the book, you won't be disappointed. I appreciate coherence to the original story, but in the essence of a good heroes journey, there is no huge conflict or arc that occurs between the OTP. In that sense, the story remains more even paced rather than with big peaks or lows. I don't mind this too much, however, this narrative type doesn't suit everyone. More on that below.

**STUFF I LIKED - PROS**
- The characters: I like Reba and Yang Yang (YY)'s portrayal of QJJ and YT, in particular:

Dilraba as QJJ
She's cute, winsome, a little innocent yet mischievous, but is not a pushover. I for one, was not bothered by the fact that QJJ liked YT from the start, and seemingly liked him throughout the decade they were a part. Undoubtedly, it was her prior interest in him which is what helped bring them together. I totally supported her when YT rejected her for the second time, in that she didn't come running back to him immediately after he said he wanted to be with her! She valued herself and gave herself time. She made him WORK for it. She wasn't some love struck FL that was treated badly and ran back into the ML's arms. Her response was normal and healthy.

I also love Reba's portrayal of the cheeky sides of QJJ. The slight eyebrow raises, smirks, innocent doe eyes, slight smiles, and the way she teases the HELL out of YT. She breaks him out of his shell, and in actuality, generates character growth in YT. He goes from cold, stoic, selfish, and self-doubting to warm, caring, and putting someone else's needs above his own. The thing I loved most was that she supported his dreams! In the dinner incident with YT's mentor, QJJ gets upset when YT grills her on minding her own business and not interfering with his career choices. Supporting the dreams of someone you care about when they don't even fully realise it themselves, is true love my friends.

Yang Yang as YT
Initially stoic, wooden, and cold, I felt that YY's performance had room for improvement. It wasn't until later in episodes 16-20 onward that I realised it wasn't YY's delivery, but the nature of YT's character. The tears in his eyes when he rejects her, the subtle inflections in his tone, his poignant gaze, his lit up smiles when QJJ is around, the way he embraces her. YT's cheekiness when serving her a taste of her own medicine are some of my favourite scenes. It's a complete 360 to the YT we're initially introduced to.
I need to see more of YY's acting to determine how good of an actor he really is, but I can tell from YT's performance that YY deserves credit of being a more three dimensional actor than just being a handsome face.

- Their chemistry:
If I were to base my liking of this drama on their chemistry alone, this would get 10/10! QJJ and YT are so cute together. I love how their relationship is completely platonic initially, with YT helping QJJ with her game, and by nature of spending significant periods of time together, YT falls in love with her. In particular, I felt it refreshing that unlike the rest of the world, YT isn't charmed by QJJ's fame and looks, if anything it's her fame and fortune which detracts him and makes him initially hesitant and self-conscious about pursing her, even though deep down, he likes her.

The mopey episodes while he's in the desert add to this, and I find the notion of writing hand-written letters in the 21st century and posting them in the mailbox classically beautiful. YT definitely deserves brownie points for going back to their old high school chats and crafting specific responses to her questions in a vow to win back her affections.
Most noticeably, in an earlier episode with Guan Zai, I like how YT introduces the 'girl' in his life as "smart, mischievous, and receptive." They.are.character.traits! He doesn't talk about her beauty. Her fame. Her money. He likes her for WHO she is, not WHAT she is.

Regarding QJJ, while I find it unlikely that as a celebrity, you'd still be in love with your high school crush, I do appreciate that she doesn't just fall into a pile of mush when YT helps her out with the game. She doesn't get salty that his feelings weren't reciprocal. Nor does she expect it now that the tables have turned and as an adult she's on paper more "attractive" than he is. She stands her ground, she's somewhat detached, and treats their game playing relationship as what it is; platonic. Only through their time together does YT really see how attractive she is and that he made a MISTAKE for not reciprocating her feelings when they were younger. She eventually forgives him, not just because of his birthday present, but because she can see that his feelings are genuine (even if she's apprehensive about linking him more).

A few of my favourite OTP highlights:

- How both of them cheekily throw the other under the bus when meeting their parents
- Their blind date / you can never trust a girl's selfie banter
- How she's his AI girlfriend when doing long distance
- Him being too comfortable in her house and at her mailbox
- The tricks YT pulls to get to stay over/ get JJ to stay over
- How she used an air purifier to initially get in contact with YT again

- The SKINSHIP:
BOY CAN YT kiss!!! Dayum. Their kiss scenes/bed scene had me SQUEALING. Reba and YY make such a visually appealing couple, it's hot beyond denial. Their variety shows and BTS banter really helps you SHIP them both in the drama and IRL.

- The fact they're both flawed:
Hooray for not having that fully polished CEO with looks, intelligence, the body, money, and some childhood trauma. While there are stereotypical aspects to both of their characters, they're still inherently flawed. QJJ is bad at a game she's a sponsor of. She's a little vain and materialistic. She puts herself on the line, is impulsive, and doesn't think too much when in love. She gets rejected twice for goodness sake.
With YT, he's smart and handsome, but not financially well off. His ideas initially get rejected at work and his career plateaus. His peers during high school are climbing the corporate ladder but he doesn't really have much to show for all the potential he had. He starts to doubt himself. He makes up lame excuses about belonging to different worlds when rejecting QJJ. QJJ and YT's flaws are what makes them relatable and their character development that much more enjoyable.

- They support each other's dreams:
This falls more in line with QJJ, but I love that in contrast to Xia Qing, QJJ supports YT's goal as an aerospace engineer and has genuine interest in it. She wanted to go to the same uni as him. She asked him space related questions when in school. Though her motivations may have been due to the fact that she liked him, her genuine interest is authentic and unadulterated.
On YT's side, I love that he soon realises that he's not the centre of the universe and that QJJ ends up being more busy than he is! Her long filming trips really is the definition of distance making the heart grow fonder. Unlike her douchebag ex, YT supports QJJ's career and even gives her support and advice when she's not doing well.

**STUFF I DIDN'T LIKE AS MUCH - CONS**

- The theme of weight/body/looks :
Understandably QJJ is a celebrity, however, I did find that the frequent recurring reference to her weight/food/diet/ how thin she is could be really triggering for some people. With eating disorders being the number one form of mental illness, and the sheer popularity of this show, I felt the consistent reference to weight a little off-putting and could be detrimental to young people's mental health/self-worth. Also, the reference to how attractive YT is is present throughout, and it is almost mentioned as frequently as how smart he is. Surely as a person, character traits beyond his looks and intelligence are more important?

- YT's arrogance:
Again, this is a character trait and not so much about YY's delivery, but I found his narcissism a bit too much at times. In particular with reference to ep 20, when YT confronts QJJ about answering her high school questions in hand-written letters from him having no meaning, he makes it about himself. "Did I do something stupid? Has my IQ gone into negative?". I get that we can do foolish things in love, but I wasn't a huge fan of how he framed it as her fault, and even his confession overall felt more about him rather than about her.

- The themes of money, status, and power:
Recognising that a major theme of this show is how the pursuit of happiness comes from one living and achieving their dreams, I do admit that the notion of money/status/power is present to show how we can get bogged down by societal norms. YT does a double degree in aerospace engineering and business, but when his career plateaus and the health of his mum deteriorates, he considers giving up on his dream. His ex-girlfriend Xia Qing also shows a stereotypical mindset exhibited from a lot of Asian cultures, which is that power and money defines a person's attractiveness and value.

- No major climax/peak:
This can be considered both a con or pro, depending on your preference. 25-26 episodes in, viewers get the taste that after the big union of the OTP, nothing much happens in their relationship. There is no major conflict/drama or arc, but rather the remaining scenes are filled with swoon-worthy romance and excessive skinship/ PDA ( not that I'm not complaining!). That being said, for viewers looking for more depth in the story, or looking for issues to generate further character development, you're not going to get it. The story flat lines at a strong connection and chemistry between the OTP and that's it.

- Random, unrelated plots:
I find the subplots of Guan Zai and his wife a little random in the earlier episodes, and his cancer story line drops off the radar completely. I understand that the second leads story line has more prevalence in the book, but the way it translates into the drama seems a bit random and unnecessary for me. Three quarters of the story in and I don't really see how this ties into the main plot.

For me, the pros far outweigh the cons for this wistful, fun drama. Overall, this drama is light, heart-felt, and very swoon worthy. With a slight focus on e-sports, its ideal for dreamers, romantics, and those who appreciate space. It's truly a jade rabbit who catches a shinning star.

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Worthwhile watch, however with substantial flaws

This show is divisive. It's got avid fans or serious detractors. I enjoyed this show, but acknowledge it had major flaws.

Firstly, I have not read the novel, but am aware of deviations from the original book. If a true drama adaptation is what you're looking for, you'll be disappointed.

The plot premise is young lovers torn apart due to class differences, with the FL's family (in particular her mother), disapproving of the ML. 10 years later after many trials and tribulations, the couple reunites, as adults. It's a journey of them uncovering their passion for their work (particularly the FL as a doctor), rediscovering their love, and garnering the bravery to stand up for their beliefs and find their way back to each other. The ML is a noteworthy and honourable firefighter, and the FL, a cold, yet talented doctor.

Flow/ Love line.
The Song Yan (SY) and Xu Qin (XQ) love line is drawn out and they don't get back together until after ep 25. XQ is highly weak, indecisive, and bounces back and forth between wanting to get back with SY. Her personality is a result of decades of being suppressed by perfectionist, disapproving parents, leaving her as a seemingly lifeless pushover. The plot didn't pick up until the earthquake story from ep 23-24 onwards. You get 5-6 episodes of sweet, overcompensating skinship, passion, and chemistry, and then the plot resumes to XQ uncovering her family's sabotage of SY in the last decade.

I also am with fans who agree that the mother did not get the karma/justice/poetic justice she deserved.

While 40 eps is not extremely long for a Chinese drama, a lot of the first half were filler, and besides the firefighting scenes, there was no real substance or progress with the love line. Acknowledging that even for some of my favourite shows such as Love Like The Galaxy, I found the plot (eg first 14-20 eps of that show), didn't have much progress with the love line either. Leads usually get together in the second half.

Acting
Yang Yang is another divisive actor. People either love him or hate him. I am a fan of him, but acknowledge that he isn't the most expressive actor.
If anything, the weakness in this show for me was Wang Chu Ran. She's pretty and has an elegance about her, playing a 29-30+ year old when she's actually 23-24 (whereas other actresses her age such as Zhao Lu Si are playing youthful, high school students for example), I did find her performance lacking. XQ is a cold, scared character, but I felt WCR's inexperience caused XQ to be further flat, and one dimensional, therefore limiting what YY could also bring with his character. They both appeared rather lacking in certain scenes, and for me, her blank look, or crying actually made YY look like the strong performance here.
I for one don't find YY to be the worst actor, but do agree with comments that his performance can also be better/worse depending on the FL's abilities too.

Themes
This show is rife with propaganda. From the music, to the signs, to the glorification of noble careers such as firefighting and medicine, there are subliminal, and obvious messages about communism throughout the show. I'm aware they left out some key themes from the book such as government corruption etc. which did not sit well with a lot of people.

The one theme/lesson I did really enjoy is SY's ability to let bygones be bygones and not live his life consumed by hatred and revenge. Despite XQ's mother sabotaging him twice in his life - from failing his initial military admission to later setting him up so that he couldn't get a promotion, I respect his ability to live life free from anger. The scene where he's trying to get his cousin Zhai Miao to hand in the footage of Ye Zi, he says "I didn't forgive or forget what the Meng family did to me, I chose not to live my life with hatred". He let it go for himself, not for them.

Music
The music was tried to the propaganda and was all about "respect the party, be disciplined, work hard". While I am not against any of these messages (lesser favourtism towards 'being loyal to the party') it did feel strange to be the backdrop of a show whose main storyline was romance. For me, the music leaned more towards a show regarding their careers.

Ending
I was neutral about the ending. The mother never thanked/apologised to SY which was a big flaw for me, even after he saved her. I was disappointed they didn't show the wedding between SY and XQ and that she went back to her family, unlike the book - I suppose to align with the value of filial piety. Her parents got off scot free.
The secondary characters, such as Jiang Yi and Li Meng, albeit brief, did get some ending. I wished Yanchen/Ye Zi and some of the other characters had more written about them, and what happened next.

Overall, a show with some great positives, but a lot of flaws. Ep 23 onwards is worth rewatching, but it is a show you can skip a lot of. Good if you're a YY fan.

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