Rated ?


Which I don't ?What comes to mind is Legally Blonde. If you like films along those lines, you may like this.

I'm writing this before I can even rate this because I'm not sure what to go with.

I don't like the back and forth timeline type of plot flow because I find it jarring and for the first few eps this show did this by jumping from 14 year old FL to 17 year old FL a number of times. I prefer a more A to B approach, or give us the flashback at once. But that may just be me.

Personally didn't mind the FL's romantic feelings in her school days as it is very much a crush and the ML treats her like a little sister, and a possible substitute family environment that he lost due to a tragedy in his own life. There are no signs of romantic intentions coming from him that made me feel uncomfortable or feel like it was crossing into grooming territory. I also appreciate how, despite the trauma, the ML is not a cold and distant asshole and the writers took him the other way by remaining firmly grounded and compassionate to others. I could even look at it as over compensating slightly.

When we get the FL into Uni and she's now legal (which is stated multiple times by the FL and side characters in case we were still unsure) the ML seems to have a personality transplant and devotes himself to pursuing the FL when he figures out that he is the 'crush'. You may choose to interpret previous behaviour up until this moment as, he does have feelings but is in denial or he is continuing his brotherly protector role. Either way, there's something missing in the ML transition from brother to boyfriend. I do appreciate the writers at least trying to portray an inner struggle but I feel like it could have been more developed. His feelings were pretty platonic to me and within one episode he was suddenly smug, cocky and hot on the FL's tail lights as soon as he realised that he was the one she was crying over. Something just feels off to me. I think that's where the plot has gone wrong despite the careful approach to the FL's age.

I either have to see it as A. he only became interested when he found out that she had long been interested in him, and she's an adult now so can make her own choices or B. he did have other feelings but had repressed them due to her age and once she was a legal adult, there was a greenlight.
There was a lot of focus on the FL being underage and not enough of a portrayal of how the ML was really feeling.

What would make me feel better is showing more of an inner dialogue for the ML. I need to see a genuine developing growth from the little sister figure he wants to protect to a woman he now admires and is developing romantic feelings for.
There was one scene in the car of him first questioning his feelings and that was it. They dangled the complicated human condition in front of me and then said, nah, that's too much work. Let's just skip to undying devotion now.

I think this is why there are some reviewers who are feeling uncomfortable with this show. The key component to the relationship is missing and the viewer is left with having to choose between A and B.

Which brings me to the next reason I'm dropping this show. The 'Chic Flick' feel. There is this candy coated approach to everything. The FL is clearly from a rich family so gorgeous big house, with an older brother who might as well be her dad. Parents who seem to dote on her endlessly and treat their son like her servant. The sickeningly cute dorm room of the FL uni and she's complete besties with her roomies. Oh, and the love at first sight pursuer just to make the ML jealous. Everything is very picturesque and I can't help but feel like I'm being sold something subliminally from pinterest.
I don't even need to look to the end to know that this show ends with a proposal, doesn't it?

Another thing that randomly stood out like a sore thumb to me, is that the FL loves to draw and is studying Digital media at Uni. Perhaps it's my own inner creative being annoying about this, but I feel like this arty side could have been utilised more within the plot as it's a core element of who the FL is as a person. But instead, I feel like it's reduced to an aesthetic for the show's visuals like the little title screens. That bothered me a little. At least there is some groundwork done for the ML and why he's a game developer.

Acting and music was really nothing noteworthy because my brain shut off a lot of the time or I was simply skipping scenes.
I held on through the 17 year old who acts and is treated like she's still 5 arc so I could get to the main course of the plot, the beginnings of the actual relationship. But now I feel like the writers must have felt the same way. Go through the cutesy, enjoying your crush girlhood stage, get the first heartbreak in there, reconnect, then jump straight to being pursued by said crush.

Also, the 'other girl'.....they really lost me on that one but I guess it wasn't a love triangle so there's that. Block and delete should have been on his mind somewhere and then a restraining order but he just kind of takes it and relies on his place of work to amp their security. I'm sorry but what?

*Edit* when I was re-reading for typos it occurred to me (to my horror) that this is a scenario where a love triangle would be a legit issue simply because it would give that feeling that the ML was at least trying to just live his life and not just subconsciously waiting for the FL to be of age. Even if it was just a few dates that were being regularly spoiled by stalker girl. He's in his mid 20s, incredibly good looking, steady job and drives but has never dated and rejects any attempts to get him to date. So why the sudden interest in the FL?

One of those shows that I waded through to get to the point and then it just kind of glossed over it preferring to stick to what everyone just wants to indulge in. A privileged girl being spoiled by everyone around her and her 'impossible' first love becoming a possible soulmate.