Crush (2021)

It was good until

Like another reviewer said. It was good until it wasn’t. For a first timer I think the ML did a really good job. I have watched dramas by the FL but I didn’t feel her in this one.
Story starts off good and the ‘shameless pursuit’ by the FL is actually realistic according to me. It’s good till ep 17-18 and then they introduce subplots and situations which are not addressed. So many of the side characters were not reused. The FL is supposed to be a reluctant psychology student who has her Masters actually but I’m not sure why she takes advice regarding the ML than actually trying to analyze it herself. The PTSD after the incident was not necessary cos they didn’t address it properly.
But coming back to the ML. Can’t help fangirling over his face and the pout.
The songs/ lyrics were translated so well in the subs and are really good.
I will recommend it in case you don’t have anything else to watch and in case you want some eye candy in the form of the ML.

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How to Date An Arrogant Crush.

Crush
A very simple title but has meaningful and deep storyline.

▪️Main Point
~ Mostly a perfect god was a male lead but in this drama it’s different since male lead has disability. He was blind. But he did not take it as a problem since he manage his life very well and become a popular songwriter.
~ A girl fell in love with the guy at first sight and happened to meet him during her internship. She gets to know him and become close to him.

▪️ Short Synopsis
The woman fell in love with the guy at the first sight when she happened to meet him at the park. Luckily, she met him for a second time at the school where she got an intern to teach there. She closely observed that guy and always took an initiative to get close with him. Then she completely fell into him.

In episode 9, they're finally become a couple after Wu Yan confessed for second time in radio. They were sweet, cute and happy when became a couple even though Nian Qin was not able to see how she was look like. But they did not unhappy just because of that. However Wu Yan's mom did not agreed with her choice and wanted her to back home. Wu Yan disagreed at first but later when she heard Nian Qin telling his step mum that Wu Yan’s mum didn’t like him because of his disability then Wu Yan was hurt. At that time her dad also died so she decided to go back and take care of her mum.

** I love this series because Nian Qin and Wu Yan got married in second last episode. They’re both so happy with their marriage even Nian Qin at first shows a weird behavior that makes Wu Yan annoyed but to me it’s funny and lovely. Every time Nian Qin back from his work, he will rang the doorbell and wait for Wu Yan to open the door then he told her that ‘I’m back’ while giving a kiss at her forehead. This is to me so romantic since he wants to keep doing it as a daily life. The most important they’re got a daughter and she’s lovely and normal like others children.

For your information, there was a little suspense in this series. Wu Yan’s bff, Cheng Yi was dead when they’re both trapped in the lift. Wu Yan cannot accepted it thus she makes her own imagination that Cheng Yi still alive.

▪️Characters Intro
~ Evan Lin was a new actor. This drama was his first debut as actor. But he’s already nailed it! He so professional to act as a disabled person. He acts as Su Nian Qin who handsome, talent and arrogant guy. He has a flaws which is he cant see or blind since his childhood. So he was a little sensitive and do not want to get close with the people except his cousin, Xiao Lu.
~ Wan Peng always good in acting. She has more dramas before this and I watched it for several like Meeting You, First Romance, My Gf is an Alien and others. She always showed a great acting for sure and we cant denied it. In this drama, she act as Sang Wu Yan who was a happy go lucky girl, cute and also sociable. She always try to get close with Nian Qin and make him a little bit care about her.

▪️OST
Wan Peng feat Lin Yanjun - Meeting You
The OST also was nice and sweet ~

▪️Overall
I liked this drama since it was different from the other dramas. I could see on how people date even though they were disable or have the flaws. It's quite interesting to me. Thus, This drama indeed has a great values.

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I'm so intrigued

I'm loving this drama. It has such a unique plot!

It's not everyday that you see a plot centered in a person that has especial needs, like the visually impaired ML.
I have never seen anything with Evan Lin, but he is great! I'm impressed with him and he has such a nice tone to his voice!

The chemistry between the leads is really good, and the way the relationship is portrayed is relatable (even if they add some angst/childish behavior to spice it up, I mean, it's a drama).

I'm liking everything about this drama, the actors (Wan Peng is a great actress), the music (it has classical music mixed in), the plot is really nice.. well let's hope for a great ending too!

Okay I loved it! I finished this drama and while there were a few moments I was like:

- hmmm Why? Is this really necessary? (But they were few and sparse).

I felt like it was a good love story. It has so many great moments that the weird/bad ones are forgotten. I also think it could've been a tad longer, I mean there were a few loose ends that could've been tied, but nothing that would change the drama/plot/ending.

It's definitely worth the watch, specially for those who enjoy a love story with HEA.

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A beautiful story that will make you not want to let go

Wow, I haven’t come across a story that gets me straight in the feels like this since Go Ahead.

This story is beautifully written and executed. Our main leads go through many twists and turns but none of it felt unnecessary. I could understand the thoughts and actions of the characters very well. That’s one of my pet peeves actually, when the characters make really stupid decisions that makes me question whether I like them or not lol

Here even the events that led up to their break up felt frustrating but understandable. I understood why Wu Yan was at her wits end. She loved Nian Qin but in the worst possible time in her life she felt like he wasn’t there for her and she had to cater to his temper and feelings. Of course she also needs someone to lean on. The equality was off. She took care of him and loved him but it felt like he had some growing up and maturing to do.

The reversal in the second half of the drama was well thought out and I appreciated seeing their roles reversed and now Nian Qin being there for her after all the emotional trauma of losing not only her father but best friend back to back. She was scarred by life and left fragile. Not to mention after seeing her do all the pursuing in the first half of the drama it was nice to see him have to win her over for once.

The music in a drama rarely leaves an impact on me but I have to say the songs and background music in this drama was perfection. It gave the drama such a melancholic and ethereal kind of vibe that’s hard to describe.

The secondary characters if I’m being completely honest are the only thing I was whatever about in this drama. I skipped almost all of their scenes but I don’t think that took away from my viewing experience because for me the main characters is why I’m watching.

Overall this drama is definitely worth watching and for the first time in a good while has earned a complete 10/10 .

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Watch it because of Evan Lin

actually I've started this drama the first time and then put it down after watching 1 episode, because at that time I felt nothing attracted me to this drama.
but after I finished the drama "Fall In Love" starring Oliver Chen with Evan Lin, I started to be interested in Evan Lin's acting there and restarted this drama, and I was quite surprised because his acting was very good even for his first drama in FIL and second for Crush. he delivered very well, like an actor who has been acting in the drama world for a long time.

I feel that the development of the story in this drama is quite interesting even though after 16 episodes everything seems to have changed drastically in terms of the story and the main leads character, but so far I can still accept it, although I wish the author would maintain the male lead character as a famous songwriter after he turned into a CEO. it would be great if it was kept, but yeah...it doesn't disappoint me either of course even if it's different.

the acting of the casts in this drama is also good, but lacking for second leads in my opinion. What makes and attracts this drama is only the main leads for me. both in terms of their chemistry which is really very good or in terms of their good acting performance, especially Evan Lin. (I became a fan of him after watching this drama and Fall in Love), but wan peng's acting doesn't really stand out in my opinion here, but well it's still in a good category for that, although sometimes I still feel her acting development is not that different from her other dramas .

I quite like the soundtrack in this drama, especially what Evan Lin brought after episode 16 entitled "yuan lai wo hen ai ni" I just realized that he is also a reliable dancer and singer.
this is one of the romantic and sweet chinese modern dramas.

OVERALL : 9/10 for this drama.

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I would have rated this even higher had the story not shifted tone in the second half.

What I didn't like:
- First half was good up until ep 16 I think, and then the editing became increasingly choppy (scenes' transitions not done seamlessly) and some issues were thrown in without being properly addressed or even being necessary (her friend, her mental condition, ML identity revelation to the public etc.).
- Drama felt more melodrama as first, but when the leads reunited, it was more romcom-y. What with the common CEO trope being introduced later.
- Too long epilogue to stretch the drama for more episodes. Would have worked better with less episode count, but that's an issue with most c-dramas.
- ML's behavior deviated a bit too much after the separation. I understand he got his sights and lifestyle change from a reclusive songwriter to a CEO, but the changes made were a bit jarring that I felt tad disconnected with his character. Mom also accepted the ML so easily after all that happened in the beginning. Had I not watched mother-daughter argument when she visited her, I'd have thought that she accepted him cos he was no longer blind and for his status hahaha.
- Love the songs and BGM, but a lot of times, they didn't fit the scenes.
- Her being a psychology graduate was not too relevant to the story.
- ML family relationship was not fully explored (tho I like that we were shown his relationship with his father remained quite distant despite reconciled when FL came over cos that seemed more believable, for me at least)
- Second couple was boring that I FF them a lot.

Might seem like a lot of dislikes, BUT, this is actually one of the few modern c-dramas that I enjoy quite a lot this year.
- No overdubbing.
- The acting. Almost everyone acted so well in this, even Evan Lin whose this was only his second acting project (but first being aired). I think he will benefit most from working in this drama and I look forward to his future projects. Wan Peng was great as always. She was very convincing in whatever the character's trying to sell that I didn't feel like she was acting.
- Leads got nice chemistry.
- Their relationship progressed naturally and believable. I totally get why they fell for each other.
- No evil second lead trying to come between them. Even their separation was not caused by anyone else but was personal issues that they needed to overcome themselves.
- Characters behaved like real people. Conversations were rational and relatable.
- We were shown what the characters feel, and not just told verbally. (I like the scene in the hospital when ML was trying to touch his father before he went into surgery, but retracted his hand upon contact, cos it was unfamiliar for him).
- Like I said before, love the music, when inserted properly.

Overall an enjoyable watch.

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Writer squeezed all the cliches of a modern contemporary drama in just last 8 eps

Halfway in, I had really high expectations for this drama. I was elated when IQIYI release the episodes 1 week earlier
But it would have been better had I just watched till episode16. Really Episode 17 onward everything went downwards

The first half were just so smooth, beautiful, from the plot to the acting everything was perfect. It actually set the bar of expectations too high for me. Compared to it the second half- mainly episode 17 onward, I was really disappointed. the characters were there just to cater to the plot The plot was haphazard, incomplete, mismanaged, to say the least. The writer kept on bringing new plot lines which did make sense. Ending was too rushed while a lot of characters were not given a chance to explain themselves. Honestly if these plots were given more screen time, maybe the writer would have been able to execute them better and explore them deeply. But bringing all these plots together in the time frame of 8 episodes, just created a huge mess where nothing was clear and I was just left thinking 'what about that thing/person?' For example take the story of Xiao Wei (not gonna elaborate, otherwise it might be a spoiler) she was just all of a sudden dropped after episode 17 and a new kid appeared out of nowhere and even he was not able to finish his own story line.

The acting by Wan Peng was as expected amazing. She along with the newbie supports kept the drama going. Li Jia Hao and Yu Kun Niu, did not expect it out of them, but they were quite good and well suited to their characters. Evan Lin, honestly I don't know why but his acting has just left me feeling unsettled, incomplete. It felt like most of the time his expression, his tone, just did not match the scene

Music and bgm were honestly cute and kept in pace with drama. 'Meeting You' sung by the two main leads was such feel good song. Gave the feeling of being in a fluffy, light hearted love, strolling in a beautiful weather. Other osts were also quite good

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Is this a healing romance, a melodrama or a fluffy rom-com?

9/2/2021

This drama has really good reviews when it first started airing, that's why it attracted my attention. However, the writing is inconsistent and the drama seems to be having an identity crisis. It wanted to be a good healing romance, then it became a melodrama and then a fluffy rom-com.

Things I like:
1. Evan Lin (ML) - I am glad I discovered Evan Lin, as he's a newbie and this is his first drama. He is gorgeous to look at with beautiful eyes and smile. He also has a very nice, sexy voice and his singing is beautiful. His acting surprises me and he plays the role of a blind, introverted songwriter and teacher really well. I enjoyed all of his scenes before he regains his eyesight. He also did a good job as a jealous, childish, overprotective, lovesick CEO. Though I don't like the writing of the second half of the show, Evan's acting is good.

2. Challenges of the visually impaired - I enjoy watching the show's tackling of the challenges and life adjustments for the visually impaired. I am not sure how realistic they are, since I am not blind, but that part of drama is most interesting to me. I like scenes at ML's home and at school. I also like the relationship between ML and the little girl, and how caring he is to her. I enjoy the scenes at the school's fundraising event, where the little girl was "used" by those who might have the school's best interest at heart.

3. Music - The songs in this drama have great lyrics and melodies. Several different songs were played throughout the drama, and I like every single one of them. I already added them to my "Liked Songs" on Spotify. The piano instrumental bgm is nice as well, except for one (which I will discuss below).

4. Chemistry between the Leads - Evan Lin and Wan Peng have great chemistry and I totally enjoy their banter. As much as I enjoy the sweetness of their hugs and kisses in the last few episodes, I enjoy the quiet companionship they have at home before ML regains his eyesight. That calm romance when they're just sitting on the couch reading and cuddling, or taking care of each other in their own little ways, are more romantic than any cheesy love declaration or fluffy silliness. I do wish Wan Peng can kiss better because Evan Lin seems like he would be a good kisser. I can see all that love in Evan's eyes.

Things I don't like:
1. Plot change/Plot holes - There are just too many convenient circumstances that broke our couple apart. Both fathers in the hospital at the same time, losing cell phones, and all the lack of/miscommunication are just too convenient. The 3-year time skip is not a favorite of mine. If they were going to stop talking for 3 years, I would like to see a longer courtship from ML in order to win FL back. What's with the surprise death of a friend and PTSD? It came from the left field and was subtly and easily resolved by watching the movie and coming out of a dream. FL is a psychology major and although I don't expect her to know everything, she did not seem to be doing a good job at the Autism research center. And why does she have to ask others to analyze her boyfriend's actions? I thought her EQ was pretty decent.

2. BGM - There's this one particular instrumental piano piece that comes up each time and sounded like the music of doom. Whenever that song is played, I feel like something bad is going to happen (but not necessarily). I also find BGM comes up quite often, and often a little too loud for my personal taste.

3. Secondary romance - This has to be one of the most uninteresting and boring secondary romance I've seen. The acting of the actor/actress isn't that great either, granted they are pretty inexperienced. You can totally skip all their scenes, and won't be missing a thing.

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Modern Old-fashion drama mood? This is it!

Would like to start this review saying that is the first cdrama that I could complete after finishing I started and left so many after FIYS but finally found a cdrama I could follow until the end. With that said, I'll give my honest review. This drama was a half and half for me.

I got captivated by the first half of great scenery, background music was very suitable, love the OST (is included in my playlist already=D) and the way they build the love story of the leads made me sigh happily😌

But the last half... specially the last few episodes, I found it unnecessary. Yes, I almost always complain that I want to see more of the couple, more couple-ly and trivial scenes from them but this drama was… I am still not sure if what I didn’t like was the amount of sweet scenes or the execution of those scenes. I am going to go with the latter. I felt the script and/or the scenes sequences from the last half wasn’t build up correctly! There were countless times I felt lost with the dialogue, and I found myself with a huge ‘?’ and saying ‘what the hell is happening?’ For instance: The friend/roommate story was kind of sudden and the wrap up was totally confusing, almost rushed. The little boy, I understood his scenes because of Wu Yan’s work but those last scene at the house were cute but very random. The little girl they were fond of at the beginning just disappeared? And the most confusing thing of all was the meeting of Wu Yan with Nian Qin’s parents… all the nervousness of the girl to meet the parents and she just went there to play the piano without talking with he father?? that one just turned my logic upside-down.

But... Overall is a nice romantic drama with the usual up and down, the misunderstandings was a bit cliche but, hey if you are up to a modern old-fashion romantic drama this one is it.

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The locomotive runs fast till it loses its steam… what a pity

“Every time I thought I would cry when the light fades away, look around for familiar sounds, slowly penetrate the tides and raindrops, even though I tried to carry on, and I leave my past behind, I seems to hear your breathing, the night becomes transparent, the dark tranquility of a city, when I am lost I close my eyes and you are there, forever shine for me, no fear of unknown dreams because I only think of you, forever shine for me, no matter how far you go you won’t doubt, so I love you very much…” (Forever Shine for Me)

A BEAUTIFUL romantic relationship between a young lovely kindhearted psychology student and a visually impaired person who can only express his feelings through music due to childhood trauma and abandonment syndrome causing low self-esteem personality.

Wu Yan (played by Wan Peng) is a psychology student; she is an optimistic person always look at the bright sight and has ambition to become radio broadcaster. She was arranged to have relationship with a man from her hometown – a man from family friend, a man who grows up with her. In one night, she saw him kissing her best friend from the same hometown, her besties from school. This event devastates her, and she runs to her hobby of listening to music from mysterious song writer Yi Jin.

Yi Jin is an alias of Su Nian Qin (played by Evan Lin), a reserved, closed person, cold hearted, visually impaired with lack of self confidence and self esteem personality due to childhood trauma.

They met each other in a park whereby Wu Yan is feeling down and sinking her mind in listening to music and singing it out loud with off tune voice. While Nian Qin was just seeking of quietness to calm him down. Of course, Wu Yan off tune voice disturbs Nian Qin and they look at each other where Wu Yan feels the vibe from the look of Nian Qin and then falls for him.

They met again in a special need school where Wu Yan has her internship there to complete her psychology degree, whereby Nian Qin is a substitute teacher there. Wu Yan learns that Nian Qin can play piano very well and starts to have interest on him. Their relationship builds up and Nian Qin despites sometimes got annoyed but her persistence melts his cold heart.

Their bond is getting stronger and seems like they can overcome any problems that they face in life. Nian Qin starts to have trust on her and falls for her due to her kindness, positivism, companionship, and her love.

Conflict comes when the family from both sides started to come into play. The demanding mother of Wu Yan opposing their relationship whilst Nian Qin who turns out to be an heir of critically ill prominent business group of companies. Nian Qin doesn’t have good relations with his family due to his conditions, visually impaired since birth causing issues between his parents that ends up divorcing his mother. The moment his mother put Nian Qin in the orphanage, is the time his mother killed in an accident making Nian Qin abandoned and must live in orphanage.

From the start of this drama till this part of the story, which is about half of the series, they are very good, sweet, some happiness, some sorrow. The script to this moment was flowing nicely, the story runs smoothly and very enjoyable to watch.

After big tragedy hit Wu Yan then the stories start to crumble. With conflict between Wu Yan and Nian Qin becomes greater, the story then falls into pieces and fall all over the place.

Surely, Nian Qin got his surgery to fix his eyes and then he can see again. He felt guilty to causing Wu Yan losing her last moment with her dad. He is afraid to face Wu Yan, his self esteem drops even deeper. He worked hard to be successful in managing the family business and after 3 years reach his peak of his career. He started to contact Wu Yan again, but Wu Yan’s heart has also been hurt deeply because of loosing her father and her heart becomes cold to face Nian Qin behavior.

From this part onwards the story tells on how Nian Qin pursuing his lover back.

There are several parts in the story that is not resolved well. Although that finally both reconcile and finally get married. For example, what is the further career of Wu Yan as special needs child therapist. Yes she’s been taking care of one boy with autism. What happened to Xiao Wei?

Seems like Wu Yan after experiencing some losses got a mental issue, a delusional syndrome, whereby she keeps having talked with her deceased college roommate whenever she needs a friend to talk to and even rent a house and live together.

The life after marriage also seems quite blend, no more lovey dovey part like the first half of the show. It only shows daily routine of Wu Yan as a housewife and Nian Qin as 9 to 5 CEO.

Nian Qin who has talent in music as song writer suddenly dropped his ability after feeling heartbroken and regain his visual. This is kind off not making sense because in the beginning part of the series, music and song writing are his way out in expressing himself. Although he did write song as last song after breaking up but he should utilize more song writing to express his emotions and feelings further. This has not been exploiting in the further half of the series.

What is the solution when the media found out that Yi Jin is actually Nian Qin, how he solves this and protect his family? During pregnancy, Wu Yan got stomachache and rushed to hospital during the issue where the media found out the identity of Yi Jin. She wakes up in hospital bed then the story jumps to several years later where Nian Qin, Wu Yan and their daughter walk in the park.

Seems like the writer got confused on how end this series. Or it looks like the series can finished after 20 or 22 episodes it doesn’t have to be up to 24 episodes. The second half should have been more compact.

Regardless of my takeout on the story, I give two thumbs up on Evan Lin acting, especially when he is still visually impaired. After he regain his vision, then the acting becomes regular not so exciting anymore.

Wan Pen is okay, she can reflect happiness and sorrow quite well. Chemistry between the two is adequate, the romance builds up well, how she adores him, cheer him up, care for him. Chemistry is okay but intimacy seems a bit lacking for a full in love couple.

For a romance drama with music as part of its there, the OST is really good!

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Absolutely well-written, it never made my face do the expression of eating a sour lemon

Just like how meeting each other was beautiful for Nian Qin and Wu Yan, meeting this drama is a beautiful moment to me.

Most of the modern Chinese dramas I have watched so far have plots and scenes that are common, cliché, and cringy (CCC). I never get past the episode 1 of those drama with overly used tropes, my face would just automatically frown and crumple as if I ate a sour lemon. Since all those trending campus cdrama I checked out had this CCC characteristics, I lost hope to find a good one and thought I just had to bear with it if I want to have something to watch. But not until I watch this drama which I came across on twitter. I know Lin Yanjun since Idol Producer era, and though I find him good looking, I was never a fan of him. My initial reaction after I saw on twitter that he has his drama, I just felt happy for him just like the way I felt happy for the former Idol Producer trainees whenever I see them in a drama or achieve something big. But I actually never even planned to watch it because I was looking for historical dramas. But the wind that blew on Nian Qin's and Wu Yan's faces might have blown on mine too because I just found myself searching for this drama and downloading it.

I'm telling you, my whole journey of watching this drama is such a heart-fluttering and smile-triggering precious moment. It cleared all the prejudice I had against modern Chinese dramas, made me realize that even campus or idol chinese drama can be well-written and well-executed as well. The characters are realistic, the scenes are realistic, there is not a single thing that has been exaggerated or adjusted for the sake of giving "fanservice" to the extent that I would think it's ridiculous. The main leads did an excellent job as well, little to none awkward expressions, and no annoying voices and screams that tear my ears down, like those campus and idol dramas. Not to mention the OSTs... Oh, the so good OSTs which can warm your heart on rainy days, or make you appreciate the stars at night.

I can't remember when was the last time I praised a drama as highly as I praised Crush. The casts aren't even veterans or very famous, it's even Lin Yanjun's first drama. I admit I wasn't expecting much because of the mostly rookie casts and my prejudice against modern chinese dramas, but Crush definitely crushed my former thoughts and left an impression on my heart as one of my favourite dramas of all time. I wouldn't say it's a perfect drama, but it is way way way better than most of the cdramas that are currently airing and even better than the cdramas that have been aired in these recent years.

Whoever is tired of the same old silly tropes for modern dramas, watch this one and feel the butterflies.

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