First and foremost, this show did NOT feel like a typical Chinese drama and that is absolutely refreshing. Nothing against the C Dramas, but they're a lot like K Dramas in the sense they're pretty predictable and they always feel like other shows within the genre. Which, again, is fine. This did NOT feel like a Chinese drama by any stretch of the word. I can't reiterate that enough. That should be more than enough for any potential watchers just case in they want to watch this one. I know I keep saying it but I don't think you guys understand me when I say this. There was skin being shown in this show. There was a lot of kissing. There was even a moment where the main characters were in bed together naked after having sex the night before. Like, this didn't feel like the censorship I'm used to and I'm happy about it!

For the sake of this review, just look at the show for what it is (regarding the age gap/age difference/power imbalance, that is) - a fictional depiction of something that could be terribly terribly problematic and gross in real life, yeah?

Now, I typically don't watch dramas with age gaps. Although I'm from the West and I have a very distinct relationship with coach/athlete or mentor/mentee dynamics due to that socialization, I didn't mind that aspect of this show that much. It didn't bother me, and I find myself ignoring it even though it's something that was mentioned quite frequently. It may be due to the fact that both actors felt older than that? Yu Cheng didn't FEEL like an 18-year-old, if that makes any sense. Yes, in some ways, he did feel immature. But for the most part, he definitely felt older than a teenager. If they casted actors who were more closer to the characters' ages, then I may have felt differently about it. Even in Yu Cheng's characterization, he came off as "more mature" than his peers. He wasn't all that interested in romance and sex, which worked out pretty well for this show because that probably would have easily turned this show into something else.

I think the fact that he was more mature and focused on his dreams of becoming a professional athlete is what helped me to accept his affections for Luo Na. If he acted like the typical 18-year-old chasing skirts and slacking off on both his studies and sports, I would NOT have rooted for their relationship. At that point, this show would have turned into a sad attempt at getting the audience to buy that this older, mature woman would even be interested in someone that juvenile. That's enough talk about the age gap/age difference.

I did see some people mention that Luo Na didn't act like she reciprocated Yu Cheng's feelings or that he showed more interest in her than the opposite. To those people, I have to say this - with all due respect, what show were you watching? It was obvious from the first episode that she was dazzled by him. It was obvious that he caught her eye and grabbed her attention. She saw him before he saw her. Out of all those competitors, Luo Na paid attention to him. It was like love at first sight for her. She was clearly rendered speechless by him. Not even the other coaches with her took notice of Yu Cheng, but she did. Their relationship was the perfect example of "she fell first, but he fell harder." She was way more careful with showing her affections for him, although I don't think she did a good job of it. Even though she may not have realized it, it was fairly obvious. She was attracted to him and that was obvious, but she didn't quite understand her own feelings. Which is why the 180 happened after they officially got together because the levy had been broken! She had no reason to hide what she felt, especially since she finally accepted it. However, I DO think it was silly for her to have told him that no one could know about them when she wasn't very careful while out in public with him. Come on, Luo Na! Anyone with eyes could see it.

Also, another thing. I didn't mind Yu Cheng's short bout of heartbreak and depression. It felt realistic to me. He was a young guy who felt like he had been rejected by the girl he likes. Why wouldn't he lash out and respond like that? He was sad! It's normal to feel that way and it was normal for him to lash out like he did. Yes, kids, alcohol makes all of us do stupid things when we're using it to bury our pain and grief. He screwed up! He didn't pay for it with his life, thankfully, but it was stupid. I think a lot of people feel the same way that I did about Yu Cheng not feeling like a teenager, because anyone who's ever been around teenagers should be surprised by his reaction. I guess people forgot that he was technically a teenager and he was acting like a stupid, immature teenager. Kudos to the actor for his acting! He did VERY well with depicting a heartbroken teenager. I felt sorry for Yu Cheng! He made me feel his pain. Good for you, buddy!

Also, the chemistry! OMG! The chemistry between these two was off-the-charts. They were fucking hot together. The first time they kissed, my heart raced! It was so sexy. I don't know how to explain it, but you could feel the heat and sexual tension wafting off of your screen. Their chemistry was unquestionable. You don't have to ponder whether the chemistry is there, because it definitely is. I know some people didn't like Yu Cheng's characterization or maybe they were grossed out by the logistics of their relationship, but they can't deny the chemistry. The chemistry was undeniably hot! You will definitely enjoy their scenes together.

Now, the thing that kept this show from getting a perfect 10. I do agree with some reviewers regarding the ending. The ending felt .. weird. I can't explain it. I didn't like the last episode. There was something off about the final episode, and I can't quite put my finger on it. It's a happy ending, and we love that! However, I do agree that the reporter angle in the last few episodes was unnecessary. That didn't need to happen. I think the writers ran out of steam and didn't know how else to fill those last episodes, so that's what we got. But outside of that, I do like the show. I would rewatch it again because it's a feel-good romance drama. It's not too heavy, it's not too dark, it's not too angsty. There is very LIGHT angst, but it's not enough to make you angry. it's not enough to piss you off and make you drop the show altogether. There's not a lot of relationship drama or drawn-out love triangle nonsense to annoy you. (There is a love triangle technically, but I wouldn't even consider it as such as Luo Na only feels strongly about Yu Cheng and not her best friend who's in love with her. Luo Na never returns her best friend's feelings, and he knows it so he's never confused or under a different impression regarding their relationship.) It's just a clean, wholesome show. Like, if you want to watch a cut-and-dry romance drama with no real outside issues, then this is the show for you!