To start off, let me just say right off the bat that this review is for both We Best Love: No. 1 For You and We Best Love: Fighting Mr. 2nd. Partially because I binge watched both back-to-back without stopping to write a review but also because it's practically impossible to separate the two once both have been seen. Some of that is due to the flashbacks and reminders in season 2 but also all the references and mentions of things that happened in the past, the series were clearly made with 2 parts in mind. When the first one leaves off with such an open-ended cliffhanger like that, there's no way they were ever considering ending it like that. And if they did, they would have had so much backlash.

Anyway....

As a whole, the series was very good. I thought it would be a quick watch, seeing as each season is only 6 episodes at 30min a piece. But each episode is so packed with content and things going on that were actually relevant that a 6 hour watch-a-thon felt like 2 days of non-stop watching. I'm not complaining, as I enjoyed every second of it... but I didn't realize how much of a mental break it is when a series is lighter and longer with fluff filler that seems so superficial. It makes watching a series with substance so much more fulfilling.

Speaking of which, I can't remember the last series I watched where I felt as empty and sad that it was over than I felt after watching this. I just didn't want it to end.

The pacing was really well done though there is that weird peek into the future at the end of season 1 that causes the whole tension for the beginning of season 2. Admittedly, I was watching season 2 thinking "the misunderstanding better not last for the whole season" and thankfully, it was somewhat cleared up by episode 3. I hate when series have misunderstandings to begin with, let alone using it as the main conflict for an entire run of a show. Thankfully, that didn't happen here. The only thing that never really gets cleared up is who the girl with the child were though it's clear to assume it is She De's half brother and step-sister from the mother's new marriage. I mean, we find out that the mom was pregnant when they arrived which would mean by the time Shu Yi went to the US, the child would have been just over a year old.

I enjoyed the transition from University life to the working world to see their growth as individuals apart from the relationship. Even the supporting cast was great to see in a different light. I almost didn't recognize Zhe Yu and Bing Wei at first but then was happy to see they were still hanging around Shu Yi, even in a professional manner. I thought all the actors portrayed their characters well though I was really impressed with Shih Chih Tian as Zhen Xuan. It is extremely hard to portray an affective disorder without being over the top with it but I thought he did a great job with little nuances and ticks that showcased his struggle with it all.

Some reviews I'd read thought a chunk of the intimacy (mostly in season 2) was unhinged and messy but I personally didn't feel that. I can only assume they are referring to when Shi De was drunk and it looked like he didn't know what to do with his hands. It may seem sloppy on the surface but, at least for me, it is pure and real and passionate. A good portrayal of wanting to cherish but also wanting to devour the guy that got away 5 years ago and you finally managed to have within arms length, even if you are three sheets to the wind.

Not only would I recommend this series but I would watch it over and over again; it was just that good. It's also one of those series that once you know the ending, you'll want to watch it again to see if there were any hints or foreshadowing.