Subjective Gut Rating - 8.25

If you want a fluffy romance, then you are at the right place. The romance between Lin Yi Yang (ML) and Yin Guo (FL) is the central plot, and everything else is to support their romance. They have excellent chemistry together. If you are looking for a sports drama, you will be bored in the ⅔ of the drama, but a little more delighted in the last third.


Main Romance
I am personally not a big fan of love-at-first sight, and it’s even harder to believe it happens to Lin Yi Yang, a guy who is too busy to think about love. But nevertheless, it happens to him in the most unrealistic way, and the rest is history. ML is the perfect boyfriend - smart, caring, considerate, loyal, only has eyes for FL and ignore all suitors, and most importantly, loving through actions and not sweet-talking. Luckily(?), he’s not as perfect as the ML in “Love Me, Love My Voice” (LMLMV). He actually has a personality and flaws, which makes the romance a little more interesting. There are plenty of loving and longing gazes, and Leo Wu can melt anyone with his eyes. The romance is cute and fluffy, and really does make me smile. However, after about 15 episodes of nothing but sweet romance, I got a little bored. There are a few episodes that were soooo slow and draggy that I wish FL would just go back to China already. They really only knew each other for a very short period of time, and they fell fast and hard. A week of dating and you’re already telling each other how much money/assets you own? There are quite a few of OK kisses, definitely not as extended or passionate as in LMLMV, which is a little disappointing. What’s more disappointing is FL constantly blocking ML’s kisses and rejecting him. Some say ML is a little horny. But I’d say you have limited time together and you see each other once a week, of course he wants to kiss and hold his girlfriend as often as possible before they are separated. The constant rejection becomes rather annoying and repetitive. I’d rather FL kisses back shyly than turning her head away. Having said that, this is a lovely romance from start to finish. They met as shy young adults, and grow to support each other unconditionally. I love how FL expresses to ML that she would be behind him 100% and be his safety net.

Other Romance
Well, basically non-existent. There’s plenty of time to shower us with more scenes of the smoking hot Wang Xing Yue/Meng Xiao Dong and his romance with Lin Lin. They obviously had a very interesting past and I’d like to see a more smitten Meng Xiao Dong. I want to see how they could break up 3 times, yet still are very attracted to each other. What a lost opportunity! If the drama has spent less time in the first half of the drama on a super slow-paced romance, there will be time left in the second half for this romance, and other more interesting plot.

Snooker/Billiard
Watching this drama reminded me of watching my dad play snooker at the snooker hall when I was little. And this is one of the reasons I want to watch this drama. Rarely do we see this profession being spotlighted in a drama, let alone an idol drama. I enjoyed all the competitions and friendly battles. The drama does not really describe the sport, so if you know nothing about snooker/billiard, you might be bored. There’s a lot of strategies involved in the sport, but this drama is not trying to educate the public. The camaraderie of the players reminded me also of e-sports. You can be friends off the court, but respectful competitors on the court. In the end, China just can’t shy away from this national pride, and the writers have to insert international competitions into this drama. I actually would have liked to see how Lin Yi Yang transforms and modernizes the club. I want to see the process and the result of his new ideas, but that plot is short-changed.

Healing
Before I watched this drama, I read that viewers dislike ML moving back to China for FL and giving up his original plan. I disagree with that. ML did not give up his dreams. Instead, FL is the catalyst and the push that he needed to really pursue his dreams. He longs to go back to China and correct what he’s done. He longs to go back home. He wants to see his Teacher again. Meeting FL and seeing how passionate she is about the world he left behind, is the best thing that could have happened to him. The second half of the drama focuses on ML’s journey home and to reconnect with those that he left behind. It was really touching when ML and his teacher reconnected.

Brotherhood/History
There aren’t enough scenes of the 3 brothers in this drama. As much as I love romance, I really wish there’s more time spent on the past and present friends/brothers/frenemies between Lin Yi Yang, Meng Xiao Dong and Jiang Yang. The three men have so much chemistry together and are so fun to watch their sarcastic comments to each other. I also wanted to know how ML lived his life from when he retired from age 16 to 27.

Acting/Supporting Cast
I enjoy everyone’s acting, especially our leads, Leo Wu and Zhao Jin Mai. Leo can play a lovesick puppy so well. I don’t think anyone can be immune to his gazes to FL. He has some very emotional scenes when he speaks with his eyes, as Lin Y Yang is a man of few words. Leo did a pretty good job. Zhao Jin Mai/Yin Guo appeared quite mature when she was first introduced. But as she started dating, her youth shows and she acts a lot younger than ML. However, once she’s in competition-mode, you can see the calm maturity and fierceness in Zhao Jin Mai’s eyes. The rest of the younger cast did a fairly good job. Of course, the veterans are great, e.g. FL’s mother and ML’s teacher. There aren't any annoying characters in this drama. Instead, we have loving families and supportive team members and competitors.


I recommend this drama if you are looking for a cute and fluffy romance. Mind you, there are times when the plot is a little slow in the first half but if you just want romance, then this is good. However, if you are looking for a well-balanced sports romance, then this is not a great one. Too much focus is spent on romance and not enough on the competition or other interesting sports plot. Nevertheless, I had an enjoyable time watching this.


Other Random Observations:
1. I know all eyes should be on Leo Wu, but Wang Xing Yue is so smoking hot in suits.
2. People in Finland only speak English and Chinese? I don’t think I hear any Finnish at all.
3. I like a FL who is just as amazing professionally as the male characters. FL looks so cool.
4. Pestering a player about his love life and forcing him to confess his love during an international tournament is so UNPROFESSIONAL!!!
5. How can a player who just had surgery be selected to the national team???


Completed: 3/3/2024 - Review #413