new fav

One of my new all time favs. I still like Love020 a bit more b/c of all the really funny and sweet friendships, but this wins in terms of chemistry and slow but steady relationship building.

Dilraba was perfect casting for this - No other c-drama actress in her age group could have done a better job, she was that good a fit. Yang Yang felt like much more mature here than in Love020. Obviously its been a few years, but I'm grateful because the male lead in this how has a much higher acting hurdle. I didn't want a engineer cosplay, and I really wanted to fall into the fantasy of aerospace and he pulls it off for the most part. I will say the switch his personality goes though after committing to love is significant. It's believable in the context of his highschool days personality, it does feel earned, and I enjoyed it (lol) but it did make me blink.

Personally I think Yang Yang is the best looking chinese actor, so I would have checked this even if the plot was meh, but I read the translated novel a while back so I was really invested in this turning out good. I like this kind of plot where ther isn't any face slapping, evil mother in law craziness. There were a couple of small cathartic moments sprinkled in that were really well done, like the ex boyfriend and the boyfriend visit on set, but they were like little bonuses. They did deviate from the book quite a bit, however. For example she was close friends with the PA in the book, but here she was just a supportive assistant. The book had a bit more comedy too. Also the show was quite a bit longer than the book, but the added episodes didn't feel tacked on - just felt like an extended epilogue (though i did skim though them).

Music and production value was nice enough for me to notice. There were a couple of goof ups w/ green screen and music that make me laugh but they were tiny. Like there was this one scene where Yu Tu is writing a letter and the music is jarringly epic, and then cuts off lmao. Another scene where Jingjing is sitting by a window at her hotel room looking outside, but the windows to her back don't match up with the view. But I think the most annoying choice that was made was Dilraba's makeup. She's so beautiful, and that style of make up is so tacky. Maybe for a photoshoot but for an entire drama? Sometimes the lighting made it look natural, sometimes not. You get used to it.

Great drama in general, though if you hate video games, or find those scenes cringy your going to have to fast forward some parts in the first half of the drama, but even then its worth it.

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My. Favourite. Drama.

I have been watching k/c/jdramas for 14ish years now, but I wouldn't say I'm a huge fan. I have issues finishing shows, so the number of dramas I have finished are small considering how long I've been watching.

But I adore Love 020. I have rewatched this start to finish, and have rewatched my fav episodes as a mood booster in the past.

What I loved:
1. Capable Female Lead: not only is she book smart, she has a high EQ so I never feared for second hand embarrassment. Cute and dumb characters are fine but I hate watching avoidable, stupid scenes. You may be asking yourself, but if the FL is so perfect how can there be any drama? You would be partially right.
2. No Melodrama: Because the FL is capable, the show keeping crazys to a minimum, and no ridiculous miscommunications, there was no melodrama. NO hateful in-laws, jealous evil suitors, disapproving friends. There is drama - lots of problems and goals pop up that the main leads work together or alone to solve. These scenes give the relationship and the characters ways to mature that all seems natural and realistic. But overall this is a lighter, fluffier show.
3. The FL has a girl squad: How many shows have a female lead with MULTIPLE friends. All distinct and likeable so they don't just fade into the background. I have always found FL's with real friends (not lackeys) soo likeable. The ML has his own guy squad too but thats more normal in dramas. The ML friends are all secondary leads so they're in every episode and really cute and supportive.
4. Smoking hot ML: Yang Yang is perfect. nuff said
5. Gaming life: I don't play video games, but this read like a fantasy to me - ie interesting world building with in game social life and etiquette. I love fantasy books, but prefer modern dramas to period ones, so this was really cool for me.

Dislikes..? Nothing much, though I will say the latter half has less tension but is still a great watch. Also the secondary couple scenes can get a bit draggy. The show gave the novel a lot of padding (like the secondary couple) to lengthen it to drama length, but I find I like the drama more than the book and most of the scenes added make sense.

If you're an anxious watcher like me, this show will be like a cooling balm for your nerves :D

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