“One and Only” is Part 1, and “forever and ever” is part 2. You have to watch them one after the other. Because not only is that how the book is written, Part 1 in the past, and Part 2 in the present; but also because if you don’t have part 2 following the watching of One and Only, you are going to cry for a long time.
One and only is a Masterpiece. (Forever and ever as well). This is a most beautiful love story, even if it remains platonic ( at the difference of Forever and ever), because of an officially given promise…. Yet, even without kissing scene between. Bai Lu and Ren Jia Lun, their chemistry, skinship and the way they look at each other more than make up for the absence of consumed romance.
The story is a slow burn, with the underlying political schemes of this Wuxia far from boring, and I am not a big fan of political plots… and you will hate the empress dowager, and everyone greedy for power and not letting people live the peaceful they are longing for.
The production is just beautiful, although it took place in winter times, and is served by a beautiful ost. This drama will haunt me, as The Red Sleeve did…
but this one (and Forever and Ever) have something unique when you think about it: they are the only ones I watched so far - and I’ve seen hundreds of them, where there is an absolute and unwavering love between the two main protagonists, something that is more powerful than anything, a vow for eternity without fight or breaking up, but mutual respect and understanding. Love in its purest form.