Confidential Items (2024)

Only we can decide how we want to live and love

“The first time I truly felt happy is when I knew I have the ability to love my family. Even when I am disabled, it didn’t stop me from providing for them.” Zhuang Jie

~~~~

Zhuang Jie was like any other lady. In fact, she was more charming and chic than your girl next door. Except she had a disability - she lost a leg and her father from a bad accident during her teens.

This trip back to Nanjing was to recuperate from her surgery. She never planned to stay for long. Until she met Chen Maidong, her crush from high school.

Chen Maidong was like any other guy. In fact, he … really was like any other guy. With a granny that worried for his singlehood and aloofness about marriage. With a job at funeral line he held a little more dearly because of his past.

He never planned for his life to be different. Until he met Zhuang Jie.

Will Love in Spring could be a typical romantic contemporary story. What made it stood out and great was firstly, perfect casting choice.

Zhou Yu Tong and Li Xian chemistry as the main leads are on fire! How I love watching romance between adults. Their pull and push. Their fights and getting back together. Their kiss scenes. Purfect!

The supporting characters were great too. Each of them have their personalities which made them memorable and relatable. They aren’t only tools who push the plot forward. Their interactions with the leads and each other give more color and warmth to WLiS and the Nanping town.

First mention is Granny Chen’s and Granny Lin’s friendship - how lovely, being decades of friends. I love the depiction of their friendship which shows from this quote -
“以前是小手拉小手, 一转眼就是老手拉老手.
Last time, we held each other’s small hands, in a blink of an eye, we now hold each other’s old hands.”

The younger representation of equally great friendships were ZJ’s mum / Aunty Wu’s, and of course, ZJ and Wang Xi Xia.

The next mention is the sibling‘s relationship between ZJ, Zhuang Yan and He Niao Niao is another love. This is the kind of siblings we all wish to have. It’s a testament to how successful ZJ’s mum was in bringing them up. I love love their family scenes. Even when ZJ’s mum were scolding and had a more traditional mindset, this is a heartwarming family.

Similarly, Granny Chen and CMD family dynamics is lovely to watch too.

Special mention of Cui Ge and Jisan Goose. They added a lot of humour to WLiS.

With an ensemble like this , everyone one of them made facing all the heavy topics like separations, deaths, long distance relationships, disability, conflicting wants and adulting easier. How lovely and heartwarming.

Next, let’s dive deeper about the main leads love story.

Real and adult are 2 words come to mind.

I seen a lot of comments critiquing ZJ for shamelessly flirting CMD when she didn’t plan to stay long. I judged too - but then again, it’s the kind of judgment that holds a little envy. I envy her boldness of to speak her mind and enjoy the moment. I admire her quick wittedness and willingness to apologise first.

How charming, how attractive and how believable that CMD sunk.

It’s not a bed of roses after they confirmed their feelings for each other. Even when they made blunders and fight, I was satisfied with their resolution.

Some could name ZJ’s and CMD’s relationship toxic. I feel this is how real relationships are like. We stumble. We say things we don’t mean. So long we learn to apologise and we don’t repeat, I think it’s fine.

…well I guess the problem is sometimes we don’t. Thank goodness our leads do in WLiS.

Lastly, funeral makeup artist is no longer an unusual onscreen occupation. With this onscreen job, death is brought up every other episode. If not done well, the empathy for characters who passed away in the story and messages about appreciating life could feel empty and overtly cheesy.

For WLiS, I felt the balance was appropriate. They successfully made me care for the characters, hence, receptive with the subsequent messages that come with each death case that CMD had to handle.

This particular chat he had with someone contemplating suicide touched my heart somewhere. And I hope it reaches you too.

~~~~

“Everyone has times when they are tired of life. The reasons may vary, but the pain will feel the same.

Some family members want to use special coffins, unique urns or expensive headstones to prove the deceased was special.

However, these are all illusions.

Once we die, everyone is the same.
We can only prove how special we are by living well.” Chen Maidong

Leggi di Più

A true masterpiece with a few minor flaws

This drama imo is kinda suitable for mature audiences because of the problems, the stories, and even the characters all have mature themes, yet the pair shows a wonderful relationship and the story is alive because of their love.

It's not your average romance drama, but a deep one with so many ups and downs.

Story:

The story is exactly about childhood classmates who happened to be each other's first love too, but due to drama and mishaps in their lives, they never had to chance to feel the love. They grow up and fate brings them back together but they both have a very heavy baggage on their shoulders and love is not easy for them. we get to see the culture, the townspeople's stories, and also how a mature love survives despite the hardships.

Acting:

The ML and FL deliver wonderful acting. there are some minor characters that are annoying and at some point the misunderstandings get out of hand, but that's how real life is. it's not always full of butterflies and happy moments. There are so no super cringe characters( except for the mom and grandma that actually come to their senses in the middle of the drama)

Chemistry:

LX and ZYT have one of the best chemistries i have seen in Cdramas. They are a natural together and honestly, i craved for more each episode. They show how a mature couple can be intimate and romantic and this was greatly done in this drama. we get to see so many Kiss scenes and intimate scenes without the interruption of censorship( which was new kinda lol). so don't miss this!

OST:

I really like the variety of songs used in this drama. even the background music wa soothing and matched the mood of this drama.


Production:

This drama is mainly set in an old and small town with not-so-glamourosus buildings but it shows life and real people's lives which matches the story quite well. there minor scenes shot in shanghai too but this drama is not about big city and its chronicles.

Overall, one of the best romantic Cdramas of the 2024 is this one and i highly recommend this to romance lovers.

Leggi di Più

My two fave actors... Finally it's out. I love how the plot was being delivered by these awesome and talented actors. This two really can act without dialogues because their eyes can show emotions. Each episodes has it's own story to tell. I am very excited of how the Story is leading to. The FL leads family brings color to this drama as well as the ML grandmother. How can I forgot grandmother's friend who can see the couples future... hahahaha.. that was so funny. I love how the flashbacks being inserted not to spoil something. I love how they deliver their Heartfelt dialogues... I am so in love with this drama.

Leggi di Più

Well written, exceptional acting and aesthetically pleasing

If you're looking for cliche childish and stupid romcom this isn't for you and please don't bother dropping your 2 cents here coz you're not qualified to do so.
First off the cinematography is top notch felt like I'm watching a movie with solid backing.
The casting is great and these actors' work is really admirable not just the leads but also the supporting cast.
The soundtrack is also pleasing and apt.
It's well paced there seems some cuts but overall nothing too hasty or too slow so it keeps you hooked.
One thing I prolly complain would be the abrupt endings at each episode but dat would prolly because it's meant to be binged?
It's just 5 EPs now but from what I've seen I'm giving it an A+

Leggi di Più

A beautiful, touching, heartfelt drama delving into human relationships, life, death, and humanity

I was expecting a nice fun romance but was blown away by the depth of this drama. After finishing it today, I thoroughly enjoyed this high quality, wonderfully acted, beautifully directed drama. The characters are rich and relatable. The issues they face and how they they react are realistic and relatable as well. The crew did a fabulous job juxtaposing the beautiful natural backdrop of the main characters’ hometown vs, the beautiful modern skyline of Shanghai. Not only did the drama capture the scenery but also the feel, community, culture, and customs of their hometown.

I love how this drama takes the time and care to portray the various relationships and struggles of many characters. We can see the beautiful decades long bestie friendship between grandma and Ms Lin and how they grapple with the imminent reality that all of us will one day face. We see the push and pull between mom and kids who clearly love each other but struggle with their roles and expectations of each other. We see the siblings teasing each other but care and support each other like how loving siblings do. And of course, we see romantic love blossoming or bursting - with all the emotions that comes along when two individuals, each with their own set of baggage, learn how to work it out. So beautiful.

This leads me to the main focus of this drama, the romantic relationship between the main leads. Wow! Kudos to the actors on their superb acting. They were on fire! I love romantic comedies but I love rich deep interesting romantic comedies more. It was very rewarding to ride along with this couple’s journey, seeing them grow individually and towards each other, see them opening up and allowing their vulnerability to be exposed. And super enjoyable to see the fireworks between them.

I hope you give it a shot and enjoy it!

Leggi di Più

Good book leads to great drama

I haven't read the book, yet this drama clearly indicates that if you pick a good book and follow it to it's minute details, you end up with a classic drama. As compared to the screenplays that are hashing out clichéd crap just to meet deadlines and make a quick buck,

This drama takes the c industry to the next level. It's absolute poetry, smooth, delicate, yet hard core feminist.
Sometimes feminist dramas trample on males, but here it is a sheer sense of admiration and respect for the ML.

And add to that the sizzling chemistry, heart fluttering relationship, beautiful landscapes, wonderful supporting cast.......
This drama is a gem.......

I had stopped watching c dramas because it was embarrassing to watch female leads speak like a baby, act like a teenager and wear crotch revealing outfits.

But wow.....the last 4-5 c dramas have beaten the so-called popular k dramas of 2023-24.

Way to go.......congratulations to the full team!!

Leggi di Più

Absolutely loved

Oh, this gave me all the feels! From the warm fuzzies to bawling. I loved this show. The writing was poignant, the acting was on point! The romantic chemistry was beautiful and so was the family chemistry. The show, of course, talks a lot about death. The way it talks about it, though, is like a complex, deeply layered painting. So heartfelt even when painful and incredibly rich in its depths. This is one of the best cdramas I've ever seen. It was so incredibly well done!
On a slightly petty note: I was so HAPPY to watch a show with a FL who is mature and acts, sounds, and DRESSES like a grown woman. And a relationship that was also mature and equal. No patronizing behavior from the ML to FL. It was so refreshing. I hope to see more shows like this going forward.

Leggi di Più

A MASTERPIECE of humanity and wisdom. To (re)watch without moderation (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)

Very nice romantic & family series with Li Xian & Zhou Yu Tong as CL, which sincerely addresses tough themes (disability, death, mourning, trauma, old age, etc.)

PLOT: FL, a sales manager, returns to her hometown for vacation. There she finds her high school friend (rebel), the ML, who has become Funeral Director. They will reweave their bond, and try to heal each other's wounds. But their way of life is very different...

PROS:
+++ CL brilliant, beautiful, talented, with palpable alchemy & without prudery (mature romance and natural kisses). They bring to life deep, wounded, but intelligent, determined characters... Kudo ! I loved this couple!
+++ excellent supporting actors, who bring to life complex, unique, very endearing characters.
+++ a realistic description of life in "small" Chinese towns (tradition, culture, customs, interpersonal relationships,...)
+++ the context is very unusual: I learned a lot about the funeral profession and this drama changed the way I view this activity
+++ the production is lively, direct, without length or unnecessary scenes, without procrastination. Everything (sets, costumes, locations) is realistic and coherent. WELL DONE !
+ very good OSTs
+ Death is mentioned a lot in this drama, without false modesty and with a lot of wisdom.

=> A MASTERPIECE of humanity and wisdom. To (re)watch without moderation (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)
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Très jolie série romantique & familiale avec Li Xian & Zhou Yu Tong en CL, qui aborde avec sincérité des thèmes durs (handicap, mort, deuil, trauma, vieillesse, etc.)

PLOT: La FL, manager commerciale, retourne ds sa ville natale pr des vacances. Elle y retrouve son ami de lycée (rebelle), le ML, devenu Responsable des Pompes Funèbres. Ils vont retisser leur lien, et tenter de guérir les blessures de l'autre. Mais leur mode de vie est très différent ...

PROS:
+++ CL génial, beaux, talentueux, avec une alchimie palpable & sans pruderie (romance mature et kisses naturels). Ils donnent vie à des personnages profonds, blessés, mais intelligents, déterminés,... J'ai adoré ce couple !
+++ d'excellents acteurs support, qui donnent vie à des personnages complexes, singuliers, très attachants.
+++ une description réaliste de la vie dans les "petites" villes chinoises (tradition, culture, coutumes, relations interpersonnelles,...)
+++ le contexte est très inhabituel : j'ai beaucoup appris sur les métiers funéraires et ce drama a changé ma façon d'envisager cette activité
+++ la réalisation est vive, directe, sans temps mort ni scène inutile, sans atermoiement. Tout (décors, costumes, lieux) est réaliste et cohérent. BRAVO !
+ de très bonnes OST
+ La mort est beaucoup évoquée dans ce drama, sans fausse pudeur et avec beaucoup de sagesse.

=> Un MASTERPIECE d'humanité et de sagesse. A voir sans modération (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)

Leggi di Più