The Oath of Love (2022)

Waste of time. Inconsistent character development. Immature FL. What a fake doctor the ML is!

1) Story
Apart from the beginning of the story that the FL has to cope with her father's illness which leads to the meeting of ML and FL, after that since her father goes back home onward, there's nothing in the story at all.

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2) Character
The FL starts from being rational and strong to a very immature, pretentious person. Her head was clear, her character was cool, but then after going out with the ML, she starts to be irrationally clingy. She wants her time with the ML despite knowing he's busy with his work. The ML puts her as his priority but she's still upset with him because he still has to do his job after staying with her!?! She starts to be afraid of dark places. At one point, she also starts to be extremely afraid of the walking glass floor over an area of low bushes at a tourist place -- moreover, it's also her idea to go there. In the scene, there're other people but no one scares like her. The pathway isn't even high. Thus, the whole scene portrays the FL as a fake, pretentious girl who just wants her boyfriend's attention.

The FL's friend group is also her bad influence leading her from normal to be a jealous, seeking-attention, never-has-enough girlfriend. No one is interesting as a person in the group. They're ignorant, shallow people, esp. her bestie.

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3) Acting
Xiao Zhan can't act at all in this series. All the moves are extremely stiff and awkward. All the love scenes are goosebumpy and cheesy. I wonder if he ever had a girlfriend before. My gosh... his acting is beyond imaginary bad.

By the way, the FL can't play cello. The promotion teaser tries to show the story about a cellist, but there's almost no scene about playing music at all.

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4) There're other weird details along the way, but let me accumulate just some of them here:

4.1 The ML is the kind of doctor that is going to do surgery on a cancer patient without telling the patient he has cancer. The patient's family plans with the doctor to keep the illness secret from the patient even though there's no problem with the patient's consciousness. What - The - Hell ??? This is considered medical malpractice. It's not only immoral but also illegal. The patient has the right to his own body. Before the surgery, the patient still has to sign the informed consent document that states his illness as well as the risk of surgery. How is a doctor going to hide this information from the patient? How is this realistic? How could this series show the ML is a good doctor while he doesn't even know the basic procedure of being professional in his own profession?

4.2 The ML wants to distract FL from practicing cello as her wrist's tendon inflames by asking her to sort a file of 100 apartments' information on the computer. Is this the solution of a supposedly top-tier doctor for someone to rest their wrist? Using the mouse is another cause of carpal tunnel/wrist pain. It's a basic knowledge that would bear in all doctors' minds but not this ML...

4.3 What a super awkward scene in ep.6 when the FL tells her dad after arguing with him that she would go to the restroom then rushes out of the room but stops right at the outside of the glass door crying. They also have a glass wall there, so her dad or anyone can see her from the inside. What is the point in making the excuse of going to the restroom then? Then the ML follows the FL out instantly. He tries to console the FL and ends up kind of forcing the FL into his embrace. Not to say how awkward and unnatural he slowly and unconfidently pulls the FL closer. It's too slow it becomes awkward. The time interval is too long for the FL to act surprised naturally, but she still acts surprised which is so pretentious. This whole process bears to the FL's father's eyes who is sitting at the other side of the glass wall. It's so clear the ML has some ulterior motive kind of feelings for the FL from the gesture of this hug, but the father doesn't have any reaction about his daughter being hugged by a guy before his eyes at all - not even a blink of surprise. How realistic.

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I rarely watch ongoing dramas because i don't usually have the patience to wait for the next episode, so I would prefer to binge watch and control when to stop and watch. The first ongoing drama that I watched was Go Ahead. I originally debated whether to watch The Oath of Love as it aired or wait until it finished airing. But Xiao Zhan is one of my favorite actors, and I have been waiting for this drama, so off I go, watch 2 episodes per day. I have to say that this drama did not disappoint. There is no "skip" or "OMG this is slow" or "OMG why this, why that" or "So boring..." I found none of that for the whole 29 episodes from beginning to end. I kinda wished there are more episodes so that I can get my daily dose of Dr. Gu Wei :) I enjoyed this drama thoroughly, even the Gu Xiao and San San story. I thought they are cute too and I wish I have a friend like San San in my life.

The story is nothing special. Boy meets girl, fall in love, get married. That is the formula for almost every drama. What sets this drama aside is the journey from the first step until the last step. I thought Xiao Zhan and Yang Zi really really really played their part well and they really have chemistry with each other. I like the family story as well, Yang Zi's relationship with her father and mother. Oh and did i mention the kissing and nose rubbing scenes? They are so sweet together and it melts my heart everytime that I really wish for a boyfriend like Gu Wei!

This drama made me smile, laugh and also cry. Any story with this disease is always heartbreaking. I can feel Lin Zhi Xiao's heartache and sadness as well as happiness in the last 3 episodes.

Rewatch value? OF COURSE!!! I have already rewatched couple of episodes because i miss seeing Gu Wei and Lin Zhi Xiao.

Definitely one of the best C-drama that I've watched.

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For me this drama is most anticipated drama since when it declares to launch it. Both lead in this drama is high profile actors. But for me this drama is not that much enjoyable. When I started the drama I thought whao!! I got a 10/10 drama just because of mutual understanding drama. But what is it?? There understanding sucks. They plot the female lead as a childish demanding character. I don't think it has any storyline only Lots of kissing scene.
I think this drama is becomes high rated just because male lead he did a outstanding Job in here.
I only like the little theater at end of drama.
I wanted to finish this. But I become too much boaring.

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Great acting by the main couple. . .but ultimately kind of boring

I liked the main couple and I thought they had some nice moments together, but ultimately, I don't think they're a very good match. The story itself was pretty simple and the SML and SFL's "romance" wasn't very interesting. Though, I did get a nice surprise seeing SFL as she was so buttoned down in King's Avatar. I thought she looked pretty horrible with all that makeup, compared to how she looked in King's Avatar. Not sure who made that decision. If you see the scene in King's Avatar where they do the honeypot, she can look good w/o the garish over the top make up.

The dad's story was the best part and it was quite touching and sad. Perhaps this is because I'm a father as well, so I could empathize well with his storyline (no spoilers.)

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So Boring

So after all the anticipation and waiting for this drama I must say I was completely disappointed. It has every cdrama cliche and then some and it is such slow going I could not take it anymore. I stopped watching at episode 18 and went to the end. I will commit cdrama sacrilage right now and say Xiao Zhan did not live up to my expectations in this. Nor did Yang Zi for that matter. I am sure they could have written a better script than the one they followed and perhaps a cuter, funnier, more slice of life drama would have been the result. This one was just torture. I saw zero chemistry between the main leads. I understand the age difference thing but still it could have been much better. Save yourself from this one unless you are absolutely a diehard fan of either of the leads. You will need to be a blind follower to get thru this one.

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Sounded so promising but such weak deliverance!!

First of all this drama is way too long! second of all, drama is too cliche and predictable. 3rd , i didnt feel the chemistry of the leads at all! 4th the second pairing had their first kiss before the leads which is a no no! This drama is so disappoint and quite frank boring. I was expecting it to be a lot better (but with 35 episodes... i kinda already knew)

Like it had so much potential to be good with the storyline of her dad getting sick at the hospital. The leads interactions just lacked something/some spark and heart beating moments. Although I like Yang zi ( the actress), nothing really wow me. She is sunny and cute.

I dont like the third female. She is the female doctor that is good friends with the male lead. She likes the male lead but the male lead doesnt like her. Her character is overly annoying, being rude to the female lead. Acting like she is better than the female lead, just because she is the doctor.

The development of them getting together is way too slow! like they have their feelings but they have misunderstanding which drag out... But then i guess if they were together too earlier then they cant drag it out to 35 episodes.

Even Xiao Zhan cant save this drama... sorry

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AAAH I'M IN LOVE AGAIN!

This has gotta be the best urban romance aired yet. It hit 1billion views within 5 days for a reason. We all have different opinions but I recommend watching at least till ep 6 if you want to quit watching coz after the dad_daughter plot ends it gets rlly cuuuutteee. I'm squealing from all the cute moments. I hardly every write reviews and this dramam hooked me from ep 1 and I couldn't resist it. Now i'm waiting for each ep and stalking their cute tidbits and bts scenes while giggling 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 go watch it before u regret it 😏 Not being bias but yang zi and xiao zhan rlly portrayed thwir characters rlly well and i'm gonna stop before I spoil.

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‘A simple romance is what I love.’

Before I write my thoughts on this drama, I have to say first that I am not a fan of Xiao Zhan or Yang Zi. I will just write my thoughts based on what I have watched, in all honesty.

MAIN STORY

Gu Wei (Xiao Zhan), a gastroenterologist in a hospital, met Lin Zhi Xiao (Yang Zi), a university student majoring in music (cello) when the latter’s father was hospitalized. He was her father’s surgical doctor. Due to some misunderstandings, they didn’t quite like each other at first.
Nevertheless, as they slowly grew to know each other better, they gradually fell in love, despite the huge age gap (he 31 and she 20), personality differences (he was a serious and rational person, while she was happy-go-lucky) and lifestyle habits (he had mysophobia and was health-conscious, while she enjoyed eating steamboat and drinking coke).
Gu Wei eventually confessed his feelings to Lin Zhi Xiao, but not after attempting three times and when they finally got together, hurdles were thrown along the way, but eventually all these were overcome.

ACTING/MAIN CAST

Yang Zi was good, but not anywhere different from her usual character she tends to play as far as I have seen in her other dramas - bubbly, easygoing, straightforward – type of character. And she is a natural in such a role.

Xiao Zhan was the one who made me sit up and give a second look (and couldn’t stop looking, indeed). Other than the historical dramas The Untamed and The Wolf, this was the first time I saw him in a modern romance drama and he oozed charisma here. His tender eyes, superbly sweet dimpled smiles, gentle gestures and devotion as Gu Wei towards Lin Zhi Xiao won my heart over.
I seriously couldn’t stop looking at him in every episode throughout the drama. Many people prefer Xiao Zhan in his Wei Wu Xian character in The Untamed, for sure I like him there too, but it was slow burn for me. Here, he WON ME OVER within the first two episodes. His acting was also natural and believable, whether in his role as a doctor or when he had to show a more emotional side of Gu Wei.

SIDE CHARACTERS/OTHER CAST MEMBERS

I especially like Lin Zhi Xiao’s mother. She looked beautiful with her bright smiles and was always supportive of her daughter in whatever she did. Lin Zhi Xiao's father also did an exceptional job in his role.

As for Lin Zhi Xiao’s friends, they had their own story developments, but all in all, they looked like they were simply there to allow the audience a breather from the main leads once in a while and I did not quite like that Lin Zhi Xiao always consulted her friends for advice when she encountered issues with Gu Wei because her friends always tended to make a mountain out of a molehill of the issues.

PACING

Overall, it was not too fast nor slow, though I did find it a little frustrating around the time before Gu Wei’s confession of his feelings for Lin Zhi Xiao, mainly because he was inexperienced with falling in love, and with the appearance of the love rival, him wanting to give up, misunderstandings, etc., the entire process towards his confession was a little slow (as I mentioned, he tried to confess three times).
So, when he finally managed to confess, it was a sense of relief and the entire confession was so sweet that I found myself smiling and feeling as over the moon as Lin Zhi Xiao.

OST

For most parts of the drama, there was a duet sung by Xiao Zhan and Yang Zi and two others each sung by them. I enjoyed all three songs thoroughly. All have a romantic ‘love is in the air’ vibe in them. They were the kind of OSTs which I would still continue to listen to, even after the drama has ended because they were extremely melodious and the lyrics were so meaningful that they could easily be used as wedding songs in future.

ENDING

What to say about this other than I was touched to tears? I have watched lots of wedding ceremonies in dramas, but this couple just made the wedding vows totally unforgettable, saying words to each other unique in their own way.

Some of the unforgettable words said,

"I hope that when we grow old, you will tell me that marrying me was the best decision you have ever made in your life. If really we cannot remember anything, I also hope that loving you will be the last thing I will forget." Gu Wei

"I swear, I will be patient like a brother, humorous like a friend, thoughtful like a lover." Gu Wei

"I swear, I will be tolerant like a sister, understanding like a friend, romantic like a lover." Lin Zhi Xiao

And when Gu Wei proposed to Lin Zhi Xiao, I could not forget this sentence spoken by him.

"Work, children, health, problems from all sides, I cannot guarantee that our lives will be smooth-sailing in the future, but I can guarantee, be it good or bad, I will always be here. I will always be by your side..." Gu Wei

REWATCH

Absolutely, but perhaps only the scenes of the main leads. I was already re-watching those kissing scenes and sweet love interactions of Gu Wei and Lin Zhi Xiao as I continued to watch further episodes.

NEGATIVE

There were comments about absurdities in the drama, mainly in the hospital setting and well, I do agree with them. Things like giving Lin Zhi Xiao to rest in one of the resting rooms meant for hospital staff or putting an adult patient and a paediatric patient in the same ward or nurses gossiping in the nurses’ station or not telling the father about his cancer condition even right before his surgery or such a huge hospital had no seemingly other patients’ families in the hospital except Lin Zhi Xiao’s family, etc.….

I would say, this is a drama, and watch this drama with your heart, not your brain. You will enjoy the show much more because their romance will far surpass those illogical parts.


VERDICT

People said the romance was clichéd and corny, but what I saw was a very classic, sweet, simple and romantic love story which warmed my heart very much. I enjoyed and found myself smiling at all their love interactions with each other.

Just watching them doing very ordinary things like Gu Wei stroking Lin Zhi Xiao’s eyelashes while she was sleeping, or him gently waking and kissing her in the morning the moment she woke up brought a smile to my lips naturally. They were all just so tenderly done. In fact, when they became a couple, the things they did were very common like taking selfies with polaroid and watching sunrise together, such scenes in other dramas might have been rather boring, but in this drama, I found myself watching with intense concentration. The entire execution was just so natural and sweet that they looked so convincing as a couple and made me want to fall in love too. Kudos to their acting skills!

All in all, I enjoyed this drama immensely and relished every episode. It was really one of the few times when I couldn’t wait for a drama’s next episode and eventually decided to pause watching first because I couldn’t bear it to end so quickly, preferring to ‘savor’ it slowly later :D

It was the entire packaging – very melodious and romantic OSTs, very natural acting from the main leads and above all, amazing chemistry between Xiao Zhan and Yang Zi who were totally comfortable with each other.

It was their natural execution of the roles, making them totally believable, which made this drama worth-watching and unforgettable. The story was nothing extraordinary, it was just a common, simple slice-of-life romance, but the commendable acting of Xiao Zhan and Yang Zi brought this drama to a different level. Perhaps if it had been other less experienced actors and actresses, with a simple story as this, I believe they would not have produced the same effect as Xiao Zhan and Yang Zi.

On top of the romance, I have to specially mention about the relationship between Lin Zhi Xiao’s father and her. Calling her father ‘Old Lin’ or ‘Teacher Lin’, they were always bickering and at odds with each other. Her father used to be a school disciplinary master, while she was a total opposite of what a disciplinarian would want to see. However, their relationship improved amidst heartbreaking moments when her father’s cancer relapsed and hearing her finally call him ‘dad’ at the end was heart-wrenching. It reminded us yet again that humans only learn to cherish the people around them or closest to them when they realize that they are going to be apart soon or apart forever,,,


I would HIGHLY recommend this drama if you like Xiao Zhan, Yang Zi or if you are looking for a sweet and romantic love story with heartwarming scenes or simply if you want to see a handsome doctor for a male lead.

As the lyrics in the duet goes, ‘A simple romance is what I love.’…totally apt in summarizing my thoughts of this drama.




OTHER COMMENTS

1. I think Yang Zi’s character in this drama is about 70% of her true personality, minus the naivety and a little of the bubbly side, based on what I have seen in her past interviews, behind-the-scenes, etc.

2. This doesn’t affect my rating of the drama, but I was a little disturbed and have to say something about it. I saw it frequently in Chinese modern dramas. It would be perfect if actresses could do with less make-up when shooting scenes in the bathroom or on the bed to add that touch of realism. Most of the time, Yang Zi had FULL make-up on, that is, eyeshadow, mascara, bright red lipstick in those scenes when she was supposed to be showering, sleeping, waking up, etc.
I know actresses cannot afford to look ugly even shooting such scenes, but I would have preferred them to tone down on the make-up, like use a lipstick with lighter color and do without the mascara to make things more realistic.

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Just do yourself a favor and watch something else....

I heard a lot of positive things about this drama so I gave it a chance. It started well enough. I ignored the overbearing dad, childish FL, toxic FL's best friend and ML's cousin, and all the obvious plot fillers, hoping for a smooth drama-free ride after the couple got together.

I should just have read the reviews early on. I'm at episode 27 of the 32 episodes version and I think I'm done. The medical scandal happens, 0 communication on ML's part, FL's is completely oblivious to his change of mood, and he chooses to run away from it all to figure it out? I'm over it all. The ML was one of the strongest points of the drama for me but with the hand that he was dealt in this drama, I don't think there is much more he could've done to save it.

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A VERY REALISTIC SWEET ROMANCE DRAMA

The oath of love is a quite heavy slice of life themed drama wrapped up with a sweet love story for me. I love how raw, natural and realistic the story and characters are as a romance/life centred drama. The way the story portrays family and relationship issues is simply amazing. Especially I love the fact that all the characters have their own flaws like normal human beings, the way they struggle with unexpected situations and try to make their circle better. It shows a real healthy relationship requires time, patience, trust, mutual support, communication and commitment and how it’s not that easy to understand someone else’s situation and deal with it. The way they clash with each other’s differences and eventually build up their relationship to a ‘happily ever after’ story is beautiful.
Thank you Xiao Zhan and Yang Zi for your wonderful portrayal as Gu Wei and Lin ZhiXiao, the whole cast for making this drama beautiful, especially the actors who played Lin ZhiXiao’s parents, they’ve done an amazing job making the family issues very emotional and realistic. I’m very lucky to witness this beautiful story. ♥️ Here I’m leaving some memorable quotes from the drama,

‘’There’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in’’

‘’ We can’t control the coming and going of life, but we can face the past experience calmly, cherish the current experience, and maintain hope for what we will experience in the future. This way we won’t have regrets when we have to say goodbye’’

‘’ I’ve always felt we’re very different. You’re mature and stable, but I’m clumsy. I can even fall on the flat ground. You like to be neat and clean, and keep everything organized, but I like a spicy hot pot and street foods. I often leave things everywhere. But even though we’re different, I still love you.
Even if life repeats many times, in that spring, I still want to meet you’’ - Lin ZhiXiao

‘’ From today, I’ll go old with you. Even if we can’t travel the world, I’ll still feel content. I hope when we get old, you can tell me that marrying me was the best decision you ever made. If we’re too old to remember anything, I hope that loving you is the last I’ll forget’’ - Gu Wei

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Yangzi Lots of Love ❤️

This drama is a sweet development of two persons contrasting in personalities n maturity level but loving each other, adapt to one another with such consideration because they understand n love each other. The drama is such a success because ONLY Yangzi can carry this character so successfully bringing everyone's character acting so well blended together, so naturally. Like we are watching everyone's happening in day to day happening.
I especially like when early on he starts to fall for her and while she is crying he offers her music, a cello concerto the look on his face when she starts to share her love for the piece and the performer. Great match.
Love it ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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