As Beautiful As You (2024)

The drama had too many parrallel stories but Han Ting and Ji Xing were perfect

I think this series could have wound down to 32 episodes if they hadn't added so many side stories. I think the problem with chinese drama in general is that they always like to have 3 - 4 parallel love stories. In fact, when they do not - like Hidden Love, the series is more likely to become a huge hit. This is the one thing I hated about this show - I hated the relationship of all of Ji Xing's friends, which I found completely unnecessary and a waste of time. The only other relationships that should have been covered were Zeng Di and her running to Tong Ke and her ex-boyfriend's eventual nuptials. Eventhough I loved LiLi, her entire love story was such a waste of time. And I understand the Xiao Meng's love story is a feel good addition, but again, completely unneccesary. In fact, I skipped a lot of those scenes because it just made me so frustrated.

Apart from what I hated, I feel like the core story line is super interesting - it brought to light the difficulty of starting a business, and how companies are able to grow in an emerging sector. Of course, the love story between Han Ting and Ji Xing was also incredible.

Instead of wasting time of pointless love stories of Ji Xing's best friend, I think it would have been great to focus on the aftermath of those people who wronged Ji Xing. I think this is something revenge Kdramas do very well. I wanted to see what happened to Ji Xing's colleague who turned against her (apart from just Han Ting mentioning that she would never find a job in the industry again), the poor woman recovering from her surgery and being able to take care of her daughter, and Zeng Di's situation and arrest, rather than just them reading a text message about them being questioned by the police.

I also wished they set up the scene for Zeng Di's story and how her grandfather would have reacted when she left Dong Yi and moved to Tong Ke, knowing that her grandfather was good friends with Han Ting's grandfather.

Anyway, I am just happy the end of the drama, apart from the shit show that is LiLi's relationship, and the annoying and ugly Su Zhi Zhou, it was super feel good.

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AN EPITOME OF TRUE LOVE

The character of Han Ting was what made me watch the drama. It usually revolves around how Han Ting fell in love with Ji Xing during his college days and then finally meets her as colleagues but his love for her never really changed. From the beginning till the end, even if Ji Xing had a boyfriend, Han Ting waited for her, never forced her and slowly and steadily went from being friends to lovers. The transition was truly beautiful. The 40 episodes were not much required and at the end a breakup kind of thing was unnecessary. Nevertheless, if one wants a slow and steady love story then should definitely try it out.

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STARTED WITH NO EXPECTATIONS, ENDED WITH A HEAVY HEART FILLED WITH EMOTIONS!

Honestly Cdramas are really slow paced for me and if the acting, directing and story is not interesting enough for me i drop it immediately. ABAY really turned my tables for me. Even though its slow paced, it really kept me going to the next episode and made me comfortable.
It portrays a beautiful story which is really captivating and all the characters are amazing. They all have their own story which makes the drama really appealing. I finished the drama filled with emotions and longing for more of their stories. Also the OST here is so pretty like i love it. Production team did its best!


Honestly i liked Xu Kai here more than FIYS. He is more mature here and gives more butterflies😳.

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O início da história é bastante fraco e entediante. Não faz sentido mostrar a relação da protagonista feminina com o ex-namorado, já que eles iam terminar. Os primeiros 20 episódios poderiam ser removidos, o que melhoraria bastante a trama. O protagonista masculino quase não teve destaque nesse início. Quando comecei a assistir, senti que estava vendo o drama anterior de Xu Kai, “A Melhor Escolha de Todos os Tempos”, pois a história era praticamente a mesma.

Quando chega na metade do drama, os protagonistas começam a ter uma relação romântica que, ao meu ver, foi algo repentino. Não senti a relação dos dois evoluindo de forma cativante. Pareceu que uma noite de amor fez o casal rapidamente ficar junto. De repente, o amor intensificou, eles conheceram a família, brigaram e terminaram.

Nem preciso falar dos personagens secundários. Senti que eles estavam ali apenas para acrescentar mais elementos à história, o que a deixou um pouco cansativa. Eles serviram para tirar o foco dos protagonistas principais e esticar mais a trama, apesar da boa atuação.

Já na parte final, o protagonista masculino, que desde o começo era um “cachorrinho” pela personagem feminina, fica ainda mais obcecado por ela. O drama tem 40 episódios e houve cortes de tempo muito rápidos, sem um bom desenvolvimento. De repente, passam-se meses e nem percebemos direito. Com o passar dos meses, aparece outro cara que logo se apaixona por ela. Esse personagem só serviu para fazer ciúmes ao protagonista masculino, então, ao meu ver, nem precisava aparecer na história.

O elenco é ótimo, com boas atuações e cenários, mas a história foi pobre. Se não fosse pelos últimos episódios, com certeza seria uma história ruim. Mesmo com muitas cenas românticas, não senti a química entre os personagens principais. Apesar disso, o final foi agradável. Eu gosto muito quando o drama termina com os personagens tendo filhos. Se não fosse pelos últimos cinco episódios, para mim, o C-drama seria um verdadeiro lixo.

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Ji Xiang e Han Tian foram colegas de faculdade e HanTian sentia um amor platônico por ela, porém devido a alguns mal-entendidos e falta de comunicação perdem contato. Anos depois se reencontram e começam um relacionamento comercial quando Han Tian decide investir na promissora, mas recém-aberta empresa de Ji Xiang.

Inicialmente Ji Xiang tem um namorado de um relacionamento de quatro anos. Porém, os dois estavam em momentos diferentes, enquanto o namorado queria casamento e formar uma família, Ji Xiang estava focada em fazer sua empresa ter sucesso e os dois acabam terminado o relacionamento por essa incompatibilidade do momento pessoal que cada um estava vivendo.

Achei o término deles muito triste porque eles pareciam bem confortáveis um com o outro e havia um carinho genuíno. Não houve traição, mas um afastamento natural. O que me fez sentir bem triste por eles, apesar de achar que a Ji Xiang superou muito rápido o fim da relação, aliás, os dois superaram rápido, visto que o namorado logo em seguida assumiu namoro com uma das melhores amigas de Ji Xiang e esse fato me deixou revoltada. Não pelo fato do ex ter seguido em frente e arranjado uma namorada nova, mas por essa namorada ser uma amiga da Ji Xiang. E o pior é que essa amiga da onça estava ali o tempo "comendo pelas beiradas", soltando um veneno contra a Ji Xinag para desestabilizar o relacionamento (que já estava meio capenga), esperando o momento certo para dar o bote, mas com aquela cara de sonsa.

Quem precisa de inimigo como uma amiga dessa, não é mesmo? Mas o pior é que ela tinha vários outros inimigos na trama. Mas gostei de como a Ji Xiang foi lidando com a maioria deles. Uma personagem inteligente, com personalidade e que, apesar do Han Tian desempenhar o papel do CEO poderoso que resgata a mocinha dos apuros, Ji Xing também trabalha duro para alcançar suas conquistas. Não é uma donzela a ser resgatada, ao contrário, é uma parceira que soma. Como fica evidente nos episódios finais quando ela assume a frente para lidar com os problemas/sabotagens na empresa e também na mediação do conflito e disputa de poder da irmã do Han Tian e ele.

Com relação as tramas secundárias, especialmente das outras duas amigas da Ji Xiang, gostaria destacar que fiquei muito satisfeita com a construção da personagem Lili e como foi encerrada a história dela no drama. Ela era uma mulher de personalidade, bonita e que chamava a atenção dos homens. Teve dois pretendentes, o amigo do Han Tian e o sócio da Ji Xiang. Começou um namoro casual com o amigo do Han Tian e conforme o relacionamento evoluía para um namoro, o cara se mostrava cada vez mais reservado com relação a vida dele. Quando finalmente é revelado o motivo da recusa dele de formalizar o namoro, eu fiquei realmente revoltada e achei que o roteiro conduziria a Lili a aceitar aquele relacionamento que tornava ela quase uma "amante". Mas para a minha felicidade ela recusa esse lugar e no final acabei ficando feliz que ela e o sócio da Ji Xiang (que era apaixonado por ela desde o começo) ficassem juntos, mesmo que de inicio eu não torcesse muito por ele por achá-lo muito imaturo e irresponsável (até com relação aos negócios da empresa), o personagem teve uma evolução e amadureceu bastante ao longo do drama.

A história da outra amiga foi menos interessante, mas achei muito fofo o ator que fez o par dela. De inimigos a namorados, os dois também tiveram ali o seu final feliz e foi satisfatório.

O drama é bom, a história prende, a química dos protagonistas é ótima. Nunca vi Tang Song Yun (a Seven) tão a vontade com um ator nas cenas românticas como ela estava com o Xu Kai. Minha única ressalva é que na segunda metade do drama, mais para os episódios finais, tem alguns subenredos um tanto desnecessário, com muita embromação. Um "problema" de dramas muitos longos que acabam preenchendo alguns episódios com tramas desnecessárias para o contexto geral. Mas apesar disso é um drama bom. Recomendo.

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A Wholesome Storyline and beautiful acting

To say that I loved this drama is an understatement. It is a beautiful piece. It was a bit slow at first and I understood because of the kind of plot but it was a beautiful merge of romance and business. It was realistic, bitingly so, as it didn't give the viewers a pipe dream like most dramas do where people start companies and it just becomes big overnight. It shows the reality of business behind closed doors. I love Seven Tan. She plays her roles well and has easily become my favourite Cdrama actor. I've always loved Xu Kai, especially from Arsenal Military Academy and Yanxi Palace and at first, didn't buy into his role as CEO. I think the role took a bit of getting used to as at first, he was quite stiff but subsequently, flowed into it naturally. Oh! How I love the side characters. Everyone executed their roles expertly. It is a solid drama considering all the other dramas that have been coming out of the Chinese entertainment industry. Honestly, I didn't expect much but I loved this one. It's a ten from me. To whoever feels this is not worth the watch, just try it. It'll grow on you. I think that for this year, this is the best CDrama so far and if you're like me who finds it hard to get a solid Cdrama like Meet Yourself, The Story of Minglan, Sword and the Brocade , Nothing But Thirty, First Half of my Life, etc, you'll understand why this is a must see.

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Slow burn romance with awesome chemistry

ACTING: The first time I watched Tan Song Yun in anything was 'Go Ahead' and I really liked her character in that drama. I also really liked the character she played in this drama. She's a great actress and in both had amazing chemistry with her co-stars. However, this was my fourth attempt to watch a Xu Kai drama and this is the *FIRST TIME* I've seen him display romantic chemistry worth watching with a co-star. Certainly, he's a good actor. But his romances had always fallen flat for me in the past. But with Tan Song Yun, their chemistry together was the reason I actually finished this otherwise somewhat boring drama.

ROMANCE STORY: Their slow burn story was worth watching and I loved their conflict / 3rd act breakup. It all made sense.

OVERALL STORY: It was your typical modern CDrama with some intrigue. Nothing new, special, or interesting.

PRODUCTION VALUES: Great

DIRECTION: Fine

WRITING / DIALOGUE: Fine.

MUSIC: Fine.

Overall, definitely worth a watch for the romance storyline (if romance is your thing).

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Honestly to say I was very tempted to rate this 7/10 or 7.5/10 is such an understatement but I will give it an 8. The acting of the cast overall was actually so good, it came across so natural, I was very impressed, especially compared to alot of idol CDramas nowadays where most of them especially the MLs cant act worth a dime.
The romance took a while to start but that’s on par with how almost every CDrama with 40+eps go, so I kinda was not surprised about that, normally I’m against FLs forgiving MLs for lying to them, but I’m ok with how this went and it wasn’t an instant or fast forgiveness, it took time and reflection which I liked.
The reason why I wanted to reduce my rating was cos of the 2nd couple, I won’t even go into the 3rd couple cos I ⏩ all their scenes as I could care less about them, no offense 2 them (BTW I liked his mom), anyways I agree with LiLi not ending up with Xiao but her ending up with that man child (no matter how they tried to dress him up in the later part of the drama to look matured, it just wasn’t working cos he still looked like a kid) IMO is such an insult to her character, first cos she said no several times but apparently no ain’t no, 2ndly there was zero physical chemistry between them but they just made her settle for him cos they were so hell bent on going the nice guy don’t finish last route to make so kind of statement that IMO failed so miserably, I’m so pissed actually about how that storyline ended.
Anyways overall I do recommend.

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Loving it!!

I read the novel like 5 times before the drama started! In all honesty, I have no idea why some people are hating the drama? Yes, sure, the writers changed Han Ting's character to be more approachable, more human vs the cold Han Ting in the novel. I think that by creating a new backstory of them knowing one another in college really makes Han Ting's love & pursuit of Ji Xing more realistic. I mean while I was reading the novel, I was wondering how would a successful and powerful COE like Han Ting who has invested in so many companies and who is so busy with his own battles have the time and energy to coach and pay special attention to Ji Xing? Like what he said, he has seen so many new start ups and they all have the same passion and drive. So what made Ji Xing so special in the novel? Just because she banged into his car in the beginning? But in the drama, it just plays out so well....this guy unexpectedly met his first love/crush after 10 years!!! And what do you know, she works in his company and in the same building. Squeal! So there he is, using all opportunity and chance to try to get closer to her. And guess what? Her passion and ideals are still the same as in college!!! I honestly believe that he loves her...but unfortunately, they didn't start on the right foot....it was a one-night stand (to her) and they are in a mentor-mentee relationship. They don't know one another on a personal level, like their likes/dislikes etc. So I think that's where the miscommunication started. But you know what, I am loving this and I can't wait for everyday to watch a new episode!

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As boring as ...

--Positive Disclaimer--

If you are usually not impressed by idol and romance dramas, this one certainly isn't the canary in the coalmine that's going to surprise you‒you are better off checking out Fake It Till You Make It. But if you are the preferred audience, you may find this show to be above average in casting a FL that has a checklist of things such as career, independence, nonbitchiness, professional competence, smarts, a supportive boyfriend, non-toxic breakup, rich dude that's not annoying, blah blah blah. It's similar various other Tan Songyun professional dramas such as A Flight to You, Master of My Own, etc. So if you liked her in those, you'll probably like her here. The MDL viewership numbers and even its decent China viewership numbers clearly indicate that this was interesting for some people. Oh one more thing, the screenwriter managed to continue her creative ascent by topping her previous masterpiece 'Only For Love' ... who would have thought. That's all the good things I can possibly say, if want more positivity, stop reading and head elsewhere.

‒Short Review that ran long‒

As Beautiful As You was a drive-through lobotomy session that materialized when I got the crazy idea to watch airing dramas, even though the only thing airing were the putrid cadaver decompositions in the CDrama wasteland. I also held out the slim hope that Tang Sonyun isn't just going to waste her career making yet another cookie-cutter professional drama, and that this would at least be 'idol-drama good' (aka substandard in all sorts of ways, but with some creativity and redeeming features). Instead I came away as frustrated about her make-believe professional depiction on-screen as her actual career off-screen.

Immediately in the first episode, we are slammed with all sorts of predictable cliches that had my shit-show Geiger Counter going Chernobyl. With every scene, we are given all the telltale elements to predict the next scene, the next plot twist, and pretty much what the ending's going to look like. The plotline is so scandalously see-through that all the viewers should get the 'Angela Baby at a burlesque show' treatment and be permanently deplatformed.

But if you prefer to be selective with your defenestration location, you can take the elevator up to the C-suite penthouse where where a whole boardroom of lazy tropes are stuffed into a Xu Kai you-are-too-skinny-for-that power suit. We have the 8-pack I-can't-believe-he's-virginal uber-rich genius charismatic CEO cum gourmet chef who's socially adept with high EQ, but is completely helpless in expressing his love for his pixie dream girl supersmart competent classmate innocent firstlove interest that slowly realizes they are meant for each other. It's the Chinese-American restaurant menu approach of character writing with the chicken-pork-beef-shrimp-veggie Lo Mein permutations of originality by addition. The only interesting thought that the plot inspired was wondering what glory would follow if the screenwriter instead opened up a school to teach career development and sex ed.

And unlike the value offering from hardworking immigrant restauranteurs, the show delivers little value for its budget or your time investment. The cinematography has all the richness of an Alibaba wholesaler product video. The derivative soundtrack creates the aural experience of being subjected to a discount elevator music playlist while you are trapped and the doors won't open. Even the titles, both English and Chinese, reads like the diary heading of some 12-year-old.

The main leads, being Tan Songyun and Xu Kai are at least serviceable in portraying the ridiculous characters they are given. But this is their comfort zone, where they've done so many similar characters and dramas that they can do it with their eyes closed, or in Xu Kai's case, wearing the same suit from his other CEO drama. We are spared the Wang Hedi CEO stylistic assault, but watching them has all the novelty of watching McDonald's open up another franchise.

And that's the only part that engenders some emotion in me that's not boredom or frustration. I haven't seen Xu Kai enough to care or be disappointed. But I sincerely hope that Tan Songyun showed enough acting chops, unique personality, and potential early on that she can be a stalwart in more interesting CDramas. She garnered pretty positive review from astute observers for her various school and other dramas. In an era where actresses have more surgeries than full-sized meals, she has kept her distinctive look, and not be swayed by the CDrama peanut gallery, whose unmatched ability to call someone ugly has never looked itself in the mirror. And off-screen, from as much one can really guess about a performer's true character, she seems to belong to that precious minority that are still able to prioritize integrity, professionalism, and decency over the trappings of acting fame.

Granted, that hope is born of a selfish desire to see less of Yu Shuxins of the world. But for as much as I mock the parasocial nature of drama fandoms, I can't help but hope for some real kernels of decency, inspiration, and feel-good story for the human beings off-screen. Perhaps she's a one-character wonder. And perhaps she's happy to stay that way. And perhaps success in the entertainment business is even more precarious than in startups where you only strike gold when all the stars align. Whatever the case, I will continue to wish Seven Tan and other similar actors success. If for nothing else than to chirp from the peanut gallery: "see, I always believed she had much greater potential."

--Category Ratings--

- Overall [5] - I give it a 5 for this being a very average show. I typically give popular or slightly different idol dramas that nevertheless inspire seppuku a 5.5. So the 5 rating is more of an indication of how much worse other shows are in dramaland than anything else. Based on subjective reaction or brain cells lost, I'd rate idol dramas even lower.

- Plot - 5
- Theme / Message / Impact - 6
- Acting - 7
- Visuals - 6.5
- Audio - 5
- Rewatch - 5
- Accessibility - 8
- Subtitle quality - 8

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