This review may contain spoilers
Age gap romance done sexy & right!
I started this drama to take a break from complicated ones. After a few eps I was like damn this one's really interesting. At first, the girl pursuing XH from the first time she saw him was a question for many. I grasped it like, as someone who was practically caged and controller all the time, she had to hide her desires and stuff. But when she met XH she liked how XH washed her hair, touched her ear(which was sensitive for her) and she got tempted by it (her dream the following day). I think that's the reason she goes after XH and she knows she may have limited time so she pursues what she likes. Also Considering the age gap I really appreciate how XH handled it. Being a man he resisted all the time. But damn when he's not resisting that's too hot đ. The only concern I had was why she started ignoring him when from day 1 she knew she may not make it. That's not practical or ethical to make him fall for you and then abandon him in the name of not hurting him by letting him see your true self. But other than it was a wholesome drama. Really like the side story of her mother, even though she's a mother she's still a woman who went through a lot. Also, I guess this one's a HE considering the numerous hints they gave at the last second. Also, the village setting and showing their culture made this drama significant from the rest of the modern C-dramas. I'm not a re-watcher but would definitely re-watch this! đWas this review helpful to you?
One of the Amazing Dramas i watched till now !!
I found out Those who had bad reviews on this Drama .... On the main Leads Age gap i don't think its necessary ... Because the Male lead looks quite young ..... Usually he doesn't seem like 40's .... Actually he looks so young .... Nd quite looks handsome frm his previous dramas ... This drama is actually quite unique and very intersting frm the begining when i started watching it.... Both are compatible actually ....His side looks are damn gorgeous in this drama.... â€â€ Really love it .... In My P.O.V we don't focus on their real age but pay attention to the work they done .... Nd i don't think its a quite big deal about age etc ... He is suitable and worthy on this character... â€â€â€â€â€â€â€Was this review helpful to you?
Beautiful drama. 10/10
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You don't come by something like this everydayâ€
Binged it within 2days, and now I'm a whole mood.đ„č The drama got me exactly where it wanted me to be, from the opening sequence to the ending, it has been such a visceral, bittersweet experience and a celebration about the soft underbelly of humans, about basic desire, about life. It was naive and simple most of the time, and was deep for the exact same reason. I really applaud the entire cast and crew for doing this project.It didn't always make sense, but it didn't have to, either. Such is life. Sometimes you realise when you are overly critical of stories and character dynamics it is actually your own prejudice speaking, that you think only your moral standards are valid and noone else's. It is not easy to unlearn that, and to just lie back and listen to the story that the other side has so generously decided to share with you, faults, fragmented and all. It is very freeing and that's what this drama was to me~ it broadened my scope in lots of ways than not.
It was 99% vibes, 1% plot story with tenderhornysad feelings and with amazing kaleidoscopic camera language, donât miss it!
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Female lead doesnt have considerate emotions
He ran was selfish , It actually happened a while ago also in the series when he ran became insensitive to her mother , when her mother was crying to let her set free from the pain and agony of her husband's death , she had the choice to choose another man , but he ran humiliated her badly and didnt support her mother .in the same way that in the end she called him to wait for her , she didnt understand the tragedy of survivors who have the face the sorrow of their lovers death. She also hid the fact of her anaemia for a long time from him .Was this review helpful to you?
The best thing about the drama is no doubt the chemistry between the two leads. They absolutely sell the âforbiddenâ love really well. Like most forbidden love stories, it is usually all-consuming flames and you see that with how Jerry Yan and Xu RuoHan interpreted their roles. Whenever they look at each other, tease each other, small touches and especially intimate scenes, there was no awkwardness at all and you definitely would believe you are seeing Xiao Han and He Ran.
All the casts delivered their acts perfectly - most notable is He Ran mom/Qiu JiaRong - Huang Yi. In the drama, I think she had to give the most range of emotions - protective mother and anxiety-driven widow to a woman who is on the verge of finding a new dreamy love.
As for the cons, editing has its goofs but the most obvious flaws are its lack of characterization and underdeveloped storylines. Han Yu and Xiao Han suffered here the most. Han Yu was sidelined as nothing as comic relief until the very last episode while you will keep waiting for Xiao Han to get this big background story but nothing was ever explained properly. Instead we get side characters from him that came in and out without real impact like QuanQuan and QinZao. I should not compare drama with the book but if they did not plan for QuanQuan storyline to be same as her(his in book) then maybe they should have done away with her suddenly appearing and disappearing in the story. As for Qin Zao - maybe they were tried of ex-lovers appearing to bring complications so they chose to make her sister to Xiao Hanâs ex instead but her appearance was again a problem as it did not add any depth to Xiao Hanâs character. I prefer drama Xiao Han(obviously kinder and more responsible than book) but at least book Xiao Han, I knew him more and I know by the end, he had grown as a character and as a man.
Overall it is a great and definitely memorable drama. Directors deserved kudos for art and feelings translated to film medium. Music scoring a top tier. Lastly, a big salute to all actors!
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This review may contain spoilers
Age Gap x2
If youâre going to take issue with the age gaps of both couples. The main couple and the secondary couple . This series isnât for you. Westerners are hog wild about the age gap relationships now because women have finally gain some power and are starting to date younger men. Now the media is all in an uproar about men grooming little girls to be child brides so women shouldnât do it too. Women canât date younger men. Even if the women looks significantly younger than her age. The casting is interesting because ML was 46 and FL was 25 while the 2ndML was 30 to the 2ndFL was 45. Proving a 21 age gap when itâs a man to the 15 age gap when itâs a woman. Now that the elephant in the room is talked about. I will say this. Donât take your western POV into this Asian series because social norms arenât universal. Spare me your judgmental self if youâre going to watch a series that wasnât made for westerners.The story was very different and interesting as you watch along. Since the acting is superb. Even if some aspects of it seems like itâs cliche. It isnât.
First off He Wan is a very willful young woman who has been shelter by her mom who has a very traumatic life. She was married off to a famous artist to be nothing more than a trophy wife. This man is weak willed so he kills himself after he was diagnosed with leukemia. That husband is a self prick. He only care about his art and seemed to have left his wife to raise a daughter on her own while he focuses on his art. The he just offs himself and leaves his wife to raise his daughter with no afterthought. The fact that this women had to sell all his art to support herself and her daughter shows how resilient she is. Then she builds a successful business by herself by being the brand herself. She fakes a persona of being the organic queen so she binges on fried chicken and booze in private. It just shoes that imposter syndrome is real. She has to be this perfect women to be the face of her company.
The male lead. I donât understand what is his attraction that the FL is gaga over him. Perhaps itâs because he is a good looking guy nearing 50. Maybe sheâs looking for a daddy figure since hers killed himself. Maybe itâs because she sheltered by her mom after sheâs diagnosed with leukemia like her dad. Maybe she knows her life is shortened so why not do whatever she wants. The fact that the ML had a slew of women who are after him is something I donât see other than his looks. I mean he doesnât seem to be sociable as he is curt with people. He doesnât seem to have any money or ambition. He takes care of plants and does odd job landscaping. I donât get the barber shop as heâs never cut anyone elseâs hair except the FL in episode 1. Yet he has women chasing after him.
The chemistry and dynamic between the main couple is really good. The FL is the aggressor and a jealous fiend. I love how she told the ex-GFâs sister off with so much gumption.
I fell for the 2ndML. I almost always do. I want this dude so bad. His voice is sexy AF. The way he eats up the 2nd FL in those kisses. đ„đ„đ„ Whenever he cries. I feel it in my loins.
The mom being the 2nd FL really has me giggling and doing double takes. Like how I detest her in the beginning. Then she softened me up after she is spotted gouging on the fried chicken and booze. All the while making the 2nd ML fall for her. But when she was there for her daughter during her relapse. I was like. Protect this woman at all cost 2nd ML.
What can I say? I loved this series. I am now back to straight series after gorging on BLs since Covid. BLs have lost their mojo with me this year.
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This review may contain spoilers
Wonderful! I just don't give it a 10 because of the ending. ( lt's not exactly a sad ending... )
Despite some nonsensical parts...
lt has a very beautiful story around gardening and an ML with an unimaginable character and personality.
ML is one of the most wonderful personality MLs that ever appeared in dramas. Kind, patient, compassionate, loyal, faithful, sweet, passionate, warm ( and hot), SUPER responsible, gentle, humble, noble, committed and generous...
A personality quite similar to ML from hotel del luna
FL despite having some flaws was also had a wonderful and courageous personality...
I believe that this is one of the few dramas where there were two main protagonists with the most indescribably passionate and wonderful personalities.
Really a shame the ending was sooooo dry...
The drama makes us really want to be a better person!!!!
The music is also beautiful...
[ SPOlLER ]
The only flaw is the ending where she comes back was so short.
It took away almost all the emotion it should have.
[SPOlLER END]
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The chemistry is through the roof!
I started watching this drama after being recommended to check it out and I was instantly hooked.This really is a drama straight away goes into the main couples romance. There is quite a big age gap between FL and ML and I'm not gonna deny that it is really noticable. Not only is the FL playful and bold with her flirting, but ther were a few moments where I felt that if FL would have been older, she wouldn't have acted as immature. Whats lacking in the storyline is nonetheless covered by the chemistry between the leads and it is sizzling with passion. There are ALOT of montages where nothing happens in general in the drama (like the main leads just walking around in different clothes) and some plotlines are really inconsistent regarding timing and reality. The whole drama consists probably around 50% of just watching long edited montages of the main actors without any plot and just music, flowers or staring into some corner.
The music, although being quite repetitive, is really good (in my opinion) with a oldschool tropical song that is fantastic (It's the band Grasshopper and the song is called Half Heart or ćé»ćż) and a few ballad songs that are dramatic and where the lyrics goes well with the plotline.
It is quite obvious how all the other characters have been written around the romantic main lead. Towards the latter part of the drama, the melodrama really takes of and everything gets more tangled than it needs to be. In the last few episodes, we start to see more scenes about the FLs mother and the story suddenly starts to shift towards her love story with a younger man in comparison to her daughter (the FL) who has a romance with an older man.
Regarding the open ending, there is an extra scene after the final credits that can be interpreted in different ways.
Honestly, I did not like the ending and feel like it is muddy and unclear.
SPOILER!!
Towards the end, FL who has been slightly sickly suddenly deteriorates and has a health obstacle that leaves the viewer with an open ending. The FL who has had jealous tendencies throughout the story comes off as extremely incompassionate towards her lover when she selfishly declares that he cannot move on if she passes away. The post-credit scene in my opinion is just an imagination or them meeting in the afterlife. Some viewers have expressed that they will interpret the ending as happy because it is just so sad if not.
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I want a follow up to these people and their lives I am very invested in their characters.
This is a very stylish drama the cinematography is quite adventurous and the warm pallet is pleasing. Throughout the drama the music is prominent. Beautiful words and tunes are very evocative and set the mood especially as the sadder details are revealed. Often the actors are shot in close-up with just the music as their internal reaction to the earlier scene is processed.The two main actors are mesmerising. The young female He Ran, played by Xu Ruo Han, whilst having her hair washed meets the ML Xiao Han, played by Jerry Yan, and is immediately attracted to him and his deep sexy voice. Thus begins her persistent pursuit of him.
There is more social taboo in their culture around great age differences so even though they become lovers the relationship has many secrets.
I fell for the charismatic Xiao Han, his calmness, deep voice and hidden talents married up with a rocking physique.
The female leads character at times was annoying, however, her actions were in keeping with a young adult that has been secluded away and cossetted and controlled by her fearful mother.
Her mother is a strong, yet damaged character and the offer of a relationship with her much younger coworker is charged with expectation.
The pairings work because of the directing, writing and all the many talented people who finalised and edited the story.
Spoiler: watch the credits for the conclusion.
I want a follow up to these people and their lives I am very invested in their characters.
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This review may contain spoilers
Definition of Love - A classic for all times.
This story started out as one that a viewer would ordinarily tend to reject. This very pretty young girl pursuing a strange older man after what she feels while her hair is being shampooed. The pursuit was relentless and mindless and initially began to turn me off because of the obvious age difference. The visuals appeared to be a teenager pursuing an old man. However, each episode debunked this visual and made the viewer feel the growth of a true relationship only tarnished by "other" women who desired this extremely handsome man and had no qualms about showing their desire.Not a unique story but the story is told with musical interludes and English lyrics that were integrated magnificently into scenes and scene changes. Without looking at the scream you felt emotion. Without reading the lyrics you felt emotions. This is the first time I felt the music was the drama and the drama was integrated and woven into the fabric and tones of the music.
Each episode became more and more addictive as the introduction of additional storylines and scenes and locations was shown. The most memorable and award-winning scenes were from the Qiang province. The village, the people, the love, and the commitment to love were just awe-inspiring.
I would watch this drama again and again except for the illness of the FL (my sis died from this diagnosis) and it was painful to watch her go through the struggles of illness. The uplifting part of this drama is asking yourself - what is love? The answer can be easily found in this drama. A must-watch and definitely my top ten modern drama in the past 10 years.
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