The Oath of Love (2022)

A love that naturally bloomed after an open conversation and small interactions.

After waiting for years for the drama to air, finally it arrived! Though at first when I read the synopsis, I thought that the plot doesn't really have something to offer, but I still wanted to check it out not just because of the leads but also the original and alternative titles of this drama caught my eye. I started with not really high expectations, but ended up loving it so much! Unsurprisingly, it wasn't perfect and I wish they did better on writing the other characters. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the whole drama and my March was less boring thanks to this.

I love how the story and relationship progression of the leads eventuate, it was really well-written and the heart-fluttering moments made me crave for more. The way the FL and ML slowly opened up to each other is truly one of the biggest assets this drama has, and the Little Theater (the short ending clips on almost every episode) made the show so much better and realistic. That’s one of what I’m looking forward to the most in TOOL - I'm amazed with the idea of adding something like that the first time I’ve seen it.

Like what I’ve said before, the leads are like open books. They show a wide-range of emotions, thanks to the cast's acting, that's why we can easily tell what they are feeling - especially the ML. I'm so satisfied to see that Gu Wei isn’t the type who tends to be one-dimensional when they portray an aloof character. Xiao Zhan definitely gave life to his character, he has shown his complexity in a natural way, has great micro-expressions and delivery of emotions. Meanwhile, Lin Zhi Xiao is a person who can get nosy at times but she’s optimistic and sweet who tries her best to handle a difficult situation. She’s emotional that's why her feelings were more visible - which is opposite from the ML who hides his emotions, though his soft and caring side was very exposed with his actions lol. They got a lot of comfort and encouragement from each other which led to them having mutual understanding despite the different professionalism and age gap. Watching them grow closer naturally made the chemistry get stronger and stronger.

There are just some side characters who’ll give a problem to the main leads instead of helping them solve their conflicts, which can really just get frustrating at times so I feel like they were unnecessary - but the main couple did their part so well, they outlined the bare essentials of the story nicely that I can willingly ignore the dissatisfaction I might have because of these characters. Zhi Xiao's parents were great though, they showed a realistic portrayal of a parent's way of thinking.

As for the OSTs, of course they were so good! Hearing Xiao Zhan and Yang Zi’s voices every time before the drama starts is so pleasant to hear, and the ending OST that Xiao Zhan sang described Gu Wei’s feelings and thoughts well about Lin Zhi Xiao in the drama. I can listen to any of the songs in loops, whatever mood I’m in. Overall, it was a pleasant watch and GuLin CP surely became one of my favorite couples.

Lire davantage

Years of Wait is Totally Worth It!!!!!

First of all I really like the casting, their chemistry is overflowing.... The acting is really good, well it's Yang Zi and Xiao Zhan. If you like a sweet dramas, YOU SHOULD WATCH THIS ONE! Gu Wei and Lin Zhixiao is really sweet... Too much sweetness that singles will feel envy including me..... still I like it very much!!😭 And the OST is sooo good specially the oath of love♥️ The plot is good too!! I'm not good at writing a review and not really good at english so bare with me... I only wrote this review cuz I can't get over with GuLin couple .... 😭😭😭😭😭

Lire davantage

One of the strangest cdramas I've seen.

When earlier today I was watching episode 25 of this drama I was wholly prepared to rate it at 6, write a few perfunctory lines & move on to the next drama. If I want to be entirely honest, up until that point we have not gotten anything special, ignoring how unusually pretty the leads were in the drama that is. I mean sure over time the chemistry between Xiao Zhan & Yang Zhi has improved tremendously to the point that I could barely believe it, but there was not much else going on. The leads shared an extremely shallow, borderline juvenile relationship that followed the the usual cdrama templates, involving a really stupid breakup due to ehm reasons. The secondary love interests were annoying in the early episodes, but they have not overstayed their welcome, so actually love triangle haters can safely watch this show, but I digress. The point is that basically up until the last 3-4 episodes I perceived this drama as kind of a shallow idol drama with no value beyond the fluff and oh boy there sure was quite a bit of fluff, were there like what 30 kisses before the rolling credits? Then suddenly things have turned real... Cdramas simply don't get happy endings like this one, since the fans will watch the final episodes anyway, there is no reason to upset the template. (proposal>meeting of the parents>pre wedding group fight>wedding>kid>credits) This is the first time in a long time (or perhaps ever?), when the ending of a cdrama has really surprised me. It was so well acted, so full of heart, so touching & so beautiful. I did not even really notice that the drama had an OST in the early episodes, but even that was so impactful during the final moments of the drama, I'm speechless.

Normally I wouldn't rewatch something like this, but I've started to doubt my own perception, were the early episodes REALLY that bad? Perhaps I'll find out and soon at that :-)

Lire davantage

It was okay then it was meh

I was looking forward to complete this since it was very big by the time it was aired. Everyone really talked about it and hyped it every day. But maybe I have a high expectation and it simply didn't meet it, it didn't even meet it halfway. The first half was okay, was bearable. The second half was worse, draggy and I only skimmed through ep 22 - 29. I also skipped the other CPs and only watched the main CP. I know the plot is cliche but the execution was really bad. At least made the cliche plot interesting but they didn't even do that. The acting was okay, but not memorable. Everything was just not right and boring.

Lire davantage

The Oath of Love is a drama that great popularity not only because of the huge fandom of the actors playing the main roles. The script is rather simple. It lacks great tension and sometimes even sense, but maybe that's the point, because once the viewer gets used to this very light convention he or she will actually start to feel a certain pleasant lightness.
I won't lie, I quit this drama twice so weak was the story. The relationship between FL and ML was artificial, forced and trite. But at some point this changed and something really sparked between the viewer and the drama.
I don't rate this drama very high because it had too many shortcomings. However, I rate it above average for the fact that at one point it really brought something light and enjoyable. If you're looking for thrilling action, an intriguing script and intelligent dialogues, you won't find them here, but you'll find plenty of warmth and smiles, so if it's raining outside the window, I recommend this drama to improve your mood.

Lire davantage

Waste of time. Inconsistent character development. Immature FL. What a fake doctor the ML is!

1) Story
Apart from the beginning of the story that the FL has to cope with her father's illness which leads to the meeting of ML and FL, after that since her father goes back home onward, there's nothing in the story at all.

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2) Character
The FL starts from being rational and strong to a very immature, pretentious person. Her head was clear, her character was cool, but then after going out with the ML, she starts to be irrationally clingy. She wants her time with the ML despite knowing he's busy with his work. The ML puts her as his priority but she's still upset with him because he still has to do his job after staying with her!?! She starts to be afraid of dark places. At one point, she also starts to be extremely afraid of the walking glass floor over an area of low bushes at a tourist place -- moreover, it's also her idea to go there. In the scene, there're other people but no one scares like her. The pathway isn't even high. Thus, the whole scene portrays the FL as a fake, pretentious girl who just wants her boyfriend's attention.

The FL's friend group is also her bad influence leading her from normal to be a jealous, seeking-attention, never-has-enough girlfriend. No one is interesting as a person in the group. They're ignorant, shallow people, esp. her bestie.

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3) Acting
Xiao Zhan can't act at all in this series. All the moves are extremely stiff and awkward. All the love scenes are goosebumpy and cheesy. I wonder if he ever had a girlfriend before. My gosh... his acting is beyond imaginary bad.

By the way, the FL can't play cello. The promotion teaser tries to show the story about a cellist, but there's almost no scene about playing music at all.

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4) There're other weird details along the way, but let me accumulate just some of them here:

4.1 The ML is the kind of doctor that is going to do surgery on a cancer patient without telling the patient he has cancer. The patient's family plans with the doctor to keep the illness secret from the patient even though there's no problem with the patient's consciousness. What - The - Hell ??? This is considered medical malpractice. It's not only immoral but also illegal. The patient has the right to his own body. Before the surgery, the patient still has to sign the informed consent document that states his illness as well as the risk of surgery. How is a doctor going to hide this information from the patient? How is this realistic? How could this series show the ML is a good doctor while he doesn't even know the basic procedure of being professional in his own profession?

4.2 The ML wants to distract FL from practicing cello as her wrist's tendon inflames by asking her to sort a file of 100 apartments' information on the computer. Is this the solution of a supposedly top-tier doctor for someone to rest their wrist? Using the mouse is another cause of carpal tunnel/wrist pain. It's a basic knowledge that would bear in all doctors' minds but not this ML...

4.3 What a super awkward scene in ep.6 when the FL tells her dad after arguing with him that she would go to the restroom then rushes out of the room but stops right at the outside of the glass door crying. They also have a glass wall there, so her dad or anyone can see her from the inside. What is the point in making the excuse of going to the restroom then? Then the ML follows the FL out instantly. He tries to console the FL and ends up kind of forcing the FL into his embrace. Not to say how awkward and unnatural he slowly and unconfidently pulls the FL closer. It's too slow it becomes awkward. The time interval is too long for the FL to act surprised naturally, but she still acts surprised which is so pretentious. This whole process bears to the FL's father's eyes who is sitting at the other side of the glass wall. It's so clear the ML has some ulterior motive kind of feelings for the FL from the gesture of this hug, but the father doesn't have any reaction about his daughter being hugged by a guy before his eyes at all - not even a blink of surprise. How realistic.

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Lire davantage

I rarely watch ongoing dramas because i don't usually have the patience to wait for the next episode, so I would prefer to binge watch and control when to stop and watch. The first ongoing drama that I watched was Go Ahead. I originally debated whether to watch The Oath of Love as it aired or wait until it finished airing. But Xiao Zhan is one of my favorite actors, and I have been waiting for this drama, so off I go, watch 2 episodes per day. I have to say that this drama did not disappoint. There is no "skip" or "OMG this is slow" or "OMG why this, why that" or "So boring..." I found none of that for the whole 29 episodes from beginning to end. I kinda wished there are more episodes so that I can get my daily dose of Dr. Gu Wei :) I enjoyed this drama thoroughly, even the Gu Xiao and San San story. I thought they are cute too and I wish I have a friend like San San in my life.

The story is nothing special. Boy meets girl, fall in love, get married. That is the formula for almost every drama. What sets this drama aside is the journey from the first step until the last step. I thought Xiao Zhan and Yang Zi really really really played their part well and they really have chemistry with each other. I like the family story as well, Yang Zi's relationship with her father and mother. Oh and did i mention the kissing and nose rubbing scenes? They are so sweet together and it melts my heart everytime that I really wish for a boyfriend like Gu Wei!

This drama made me smile, laugh and also cry. Any story with this disease is always heartbreaking. I can feel Lin Zhi Xiao's heartache and sadness as well as happiness in the last 3 episodes.

Rewatch value? OF COURSE!!! I have already rewatched couple of episodes because i miss seeing Gu Wei and Lin Zhi Xiao.

Definitely one of the best C-drama that I've watched.

Lire davantage

For me this drama is most anticipated drama since when it declares to launch it. Both lead in this drama is high profile actors. But for me this drama is not that much enjoyable. When I started the drama I thought whao!! I got a 10/10 drama just because of mutual understanding drama. But what is it?? There understanding sucks. They plot the female lead as a childish demanding character. I don't think it has any storyline only Lots of kissing scene.
I think this drama is becomes high rated just because male lead he did a outstanding Job in here.
I only like the little theater at end of drama.
I wanted to finish this. But I become too much boaring.

Lire davantage

Great acting by the main couple. . .but ultimately kind of boring

I liked the main couple and I thought they had some nice moments together, but ultimately, I don't think they're a very good match. The story itself was pretty simple and the SML and SFL's "romance" wasn't very interesting. Though, I did get a nice surprise seeing SFL as she was so buttoned down in King's Avatar. I thought she looked pretty horrible with all that makeup, compared to how she looked in King's Avatar. Not sure who made that decision. If you see the scene in King's Avatar where they do the honeypot, she can look good w/o the garish over the top make up.

The dad's story was the best part and it was quite touching and sad. Perhaps this is because I'm a father as well, so I could empathize well with his storyline (no spoilers.)

Lire davantage

So Boring

So after all the anticipation and waiting for this drama I must say I was completely disappointed. It has every cdrama cliche and then some and it is such slow going I could not take it anymore. I stopped watching at episode 18 and went to the end. I will commit cdrama sacrilage right now and say Xiao Zhan did not live up to my expectations in this. Nor did Yang Zi for that matter. I am sure they could have written a better script than the one they followed and perhaps a cuter, funnier, more slice of life drama would have been the result. This one was just torture. I saw zero chemistry between the main leads. I understand the age difference thing but still it could have been much better. Save yourself from this one unless you are absolutely a diehard fan of either of the leads. You will need to be a blind follower to get thru this one.

Lire davantage

Sounded so promising but such weak deliverance!!

First of all this drama is way too long! second of all, drama is too cliche and predictable. 3rd , i didnt feel the chemistry of the leads at all! 4th the second pairing had their first kiss before the leads which is a no no! This drama is so disappoint and quite frank boring. I was expecting it to be a lot better (but with 35 episodes... i kinda already knew)

Like it had so much potential to be good with the storyline of her dad getting sick at the hospital. The leads interactions just lacked something/some spark and heart beating moments. Although I like Yang zi ( the actress), nothing really wow me. She is sunny and cute.

I dont like the third female. She is the female doctor that is good friends with the male lead. She likes the male lead but the male lead doesnt like her. Her character is overly annoying, being rude to the female lead. Acting like she is better than the female lead, just because she is the doctor.

The development of them getting together is way too slow! like they have their feelings but they have misunderstanding which drag out... But then i guess if they were together too earlier then they cant drag it out to 35 episodes.

Even Xiao Zhan cant save this drama... sorry

Lire davantage