Only for Love (2023)

Boring

I havent read the original book series.

For the show as a standalone, I found it very hard to sit through. The central romance plot is a guessing game/ misunderstanding. In this quest sometimes it seems as if the FL is trying to scam the ML. This plot point was dragged throughout the show, when they should have wrapped it neatly earlier on and then focused on something else. And the score make everything worse, adding a 'humour' sign to everything. I was cringing and face palming almost the entire time. There was a lot of 2nd hand embarrassment that i felt because of the FL. Someone had commented that the title of the series should have been "only For Work" instead, and i agree. The makers tried to portray FL and ML as aspiring hard working career driven people, and so the viewers have to sit mostly scenes about their projects, and work related drama. It seemed like how they show random hello world code and keyboard tapping to represent programmers and hackers. aka, im not sure of the credibility of the info, so how is it of any use to me? Is needed tutorial on how to take a business interview, run a large corporation or write a economics article i would be looking it up elsewhere, not watching your show.
We have 3 couples in focus. 3 girl-friends and 3 guy-friends. The friends give wrong advice, and misunderstandings keep getting prolonged. The 2nd lead couple has some commitment issues. The 3FL is a little naïve but has her heart in the right place. There are some other side couples too, and everyone is falling in love.

The FL doesnt really have a personality, she's just reacting to things happening in her life, and taking bad advice from her friends. Its almost as the makers made it such that the target audience may live vicariously through the FL (almost?).

The ML is a kind of secure man, who is very calculative and smart. Which makes the misunderstanding plot device more frustrating because the whole humour point is supposed to be "you thought he didnt know but he knew all along" type. He is a man of a few words, little snobbish. "Always watching you from behind", "got your back" kind of attitude towards the FL. And there is a lot of manhandling in the show. It is supposed to appear romantic.

I gave it a chance only because of Bai Lu and Dylan Wang.

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Drama Doesn't Suit Both Main Leads

Please beware of spoilers....

I'm a fan of both Bai Lu and Dylan Wang but there's just something missing in this drama. Both characters seems lacking. The writing and plot are just so-so. There isnt any real emotions coming from either actors because the storyline and writing is limited. The problem I think with Dylan and Bai Lu is that when we see them in other historical/costume dramas, including ones that either have the fantasy genre, wuxia or martial arts, these actors have action scenes and CGI to fall back on. Things like special effects and CGI, mystical powers, brillant costumes, cable wiring and martial art scenes all give the actors that extra flair. But take that all out and put Dylan or Bai Lu in a modern day drama, well, there's not much but their own acting to fall back on. And of course, shoddy writing is a killer too.

Major spoilers:
First, when the FL's bf cheats on her, you don't get feel any emotion from her character. And she even allows herself to get shoved aside by the "mistress" and then she goes out and pouts like a little girl. Even when another colleague steals her interview, again, no real reaction from the FL. We're supposed to take her seriously as a reporter but at the same time, we see her crushing hard on the ML. For someone who was betrayed, the FL has no problem quickly trying to target a rich person. I expect highschoolers to act the way she does but she's supposed to be a professional, grown, mature woman. We have to repeatedly watch her stare at the ML and in slo-mo too. Her staring-while-awkwardly-smiling scenes are so much that it's giving off cringey, stalkery vibes. Also, too much dead space when she just stands there uncomfortably smiling and making no eye contact. Her inner dialogues are often immature and overdramatic. We don't need to hear everything she's thinking if it's just going to be about dumb assumptions. All annoying. It's doesn't make the FL look any better and doesn't complement nor highlight Bai Lu's acting skills at all. Also, her hair and makeup is all the same. Very bland.

As for Dylan Wang, he plays this no-nonsense CEO but he has his doubts. Instead of playing to that emotion, he just seems like he's boringly competitive and jealous. Like how do you make jealousy boring? Apparently the lack of compelling writing and direction can. I'm not sure who the stylist is but some of his suits and jackets don't look properly fitted to him. He sometimes looks like a kid in big clothes. Don't even get me started on his glasses. It's like instead of making him look "dashing" and model-like, his clothes look baggy and often makes him look "aged". He has a good physique so it's disappointing to see him in ill-fitting clothing. The only time he looked really good was when he wore riding clothes. Also, what's with all the camera angles always panning from under Dylan's chin when he make some kind of grand entrance? Not exactly flattering. There's always that low panning of the camera angle on Dylan and then a higher camera on Bai Lu. And is his character supposed to have some kind of "super hearing"? As for his acting, he's the typical Dylan Wang and his character is pretty basic.

I really don't understand the purpose of Dylan's niece. She's just another woman being made to play a dumbed down and immature character. Why do cdramas make women like this? Enough already. And even the FL's best friend just seems like she likes rich dudes too.

Anyways, I'm hoping that the storyline improves. It's a bit draggy. I'll update this later if necessary. (Ep 10.)

Updated:
I just realized I dropped this drama after Ep14.

Every time the two leads were in the car, the car trips are a waste of time. The FL is always avoiding eye contact but then she smiles and giggles when texting and their texts are even boring. So much texting because afterall, they can't have grown up, decent conversations. And then in one scene, the FL runs away and hides from her cheating ex. Why? Because it was the same restaurant they went to? Like who cares? She was sitting with a way better dude. And let's talk about her running away from the ML half the time especially after the FL kissed him... which was... meh.

Apparently the FL lead has no idea about relationships because she keeps calling her bestie for advice who gives the worst advice. She even gave advice when there was a guy in the room who actually knows the ML. Like every woman knows that's just ain't something women do. The bestie can't even get her own sh*t together either.

Then we have to watch the young niece pursuing one of her uncle's friends and she had the audacity to ask him if he was gay when they barely know each other. She's basically stalking him. Actually, everyone is stalking each other! Lol!

And lastly when we finally see the two leads holding hands, it bothered the hell outta me that her jacket belt was undone. Sounds ridiculous, but I telly ya', it was distracting.

Overall, the whole push and pull theme is just boring and unoriginal. There's only so much awkward smiling I can take from the FL.

I read some comments and everyone is complaining about the pace. I don't care how long it takes for the leads to get together, so long as the build up to get there is interesting. I understand that others are also saying that it does or doesn't mirror the book but a show should be able to stand on its own and make you want to read the book afterwards. That's just my opinion.

I'm passing on this for now and if I do pick it up again, I'll be fast-forwarding to only the leads' scenes together. Lowered my rating from a 6 to a 4.

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Fill in type of drama

I had toxic relationship with this drama. Entire tme, there was voice in my head telling me to drop it, but like with my toxic ex I wanted to stick around. I should had listen to voices in my head.
This drama was adapted from the novel, but just because it worked in writing world, it doesn't mean it's gonna work in TV world. Not every book deserves movie/drama. I didn't read a book, but I don't doubt it was good. But this topic as drama isn't good. At least writing of the script.
Drama had 36 episodes, but based on what was in those episodes, it should last 12 episodes max. Most of the time didn't have dialog, no communication beetween leads. To be honest, most od the time I was asking myself what was foundation of their love. Everything happend on whatsapp or wechat, it's like some of those communication apps is sponsor of the drama. So, no dialog or something that make viewers see or feel how the love happend. Also, wierd edditing happening here. First 2 kiss scene had sudden interruption and if we look BTS of the same scene, they clearly made those kiss much longer. I don't know why director wanted to edited it that way that the kiss scene that needed to make viewers more drown in drama lasted 2 seconds and viewers left hanging. Also, most of the episodes, leads were only in the same frame for about 2 minutes. Like I said, everything happend via phone. Too much bussines or phone massages to little together in the frame.
Long story short: writing, directing, editing was bad.
Now, when it comes to acting, that was the only thing that was good in this. Obviously, the actores didn't have that much to work with but what they had, the were good at it. Leads are big name in the industry so I didn't except anything less then good acting. Dylan was good, nothing special but he didn't had anything to work with. I watched his other work, and sometimes he is amazing in his role, sometimes he lack expression. He is good here, but obviously he will have to work on his acting a lot. But I think that he can be amazing actor not just pretty face. Bai Lu, I feel so sorry for my girl in this drama. Her acting is always on point especially micro expressions. I wish they put less filter on her couse she can act with her face but with heavy filter we can't always see her expression. But one day, she will be big name in Chinese dramaland and not only by those idol dramas that demand pretty face but in those heavy movies and dramas that actually demand acting. Miles, he has standard in his acting and he never goes under that standard no matter how bad the script is and here is the same. Definitly big name in future dramaland. The rest of the crew was also good.
At the end, I fill this drama was cash grab for someone. They used these big name actores for nothing. Also, you can't unsee all those sponsors and they product.

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Disappointing Plot, Frustrating Storyline

What a wasted potential. The acting from actors were great but the frustration I had in the middle of the plot was so serious that I just had to go here to give it a rating to vent it out. I can't believe they wasted so many earlier good episodes only for me to witness the crap of the 20+ episodes.

No proper communication, FL doesn't know how to apologize and she's dragging the issue for way too long, it's deeply frustrating. To think the characters are all working professionals here. FL is mature & great at work, it's not even her first relationship. She came from a 5+ years relationship yet that doesn't show in the story. The BFF is also stupid & overconfident, can't understand why FL listen to her when she doesn't even know how to keep a long-term relationship. So many unnecessary misunderstandings & miscommunications and the introduction of ML's childhood friend to the later story is also unnecessary.

I came here hoping I would learn how to effectively flirt, only to find out later it's showing communication red flags. Only the acting of the actors are carrying the whole show.

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Cast is Not convincing at all

We are supposed to watch a drama where the FL lead who is a young professional falls In love with a serious and accomplished CEO. The chosen ML is not convincing at all. The male lead looks and acts like a young boy who does not know what to do or how to express himself with words. How are we supposed to believe that this scared boy is a successful entrepreneur?

17 episodes in and I do not see any chemistry between the FL and ML. Some moments I even cringe because I see an experienced woman who knows what she wants approaching the scared and inexperienced boy.

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Your average C-drama

Plot: 6/10
The plot of this drama is actually very shallow, it barely even scratch the surface. Ever since the first episode I could see that the drama didn't really take themselves seriously. They have fun with this silly plot and go along with it. I was entertained with it in the beginning, before the doomed break-up happened. But even before then, when Yi Yang started to come into the picture, this balance of pure comedy and silliness that the drama has, suddenly come into a halt. It felt like someone else demanded that this Yi Yang character needs to be there, and the script has to be rewritten. Because even though the plot was so silly it's borderline crazy, but it was really fun. I have fun refreshing my Viu page to see whether it has been updated with the next episode. Since Yi Yang came, it felt like the fun, the silly, the laughter the drama showed in the beginning just gone.

Then the break-up that went on for far too long, wasting a lot of plot and the screentime of our main couple so much. It felt like it had to be dragged in order to fit Yi Yang in there, even though he didn't even matter. He had little significance to the story, and yet he's there. It made me felt uncomfortable watching him in the drama, it felt like he's just so out of place. Why put him there if he didn't even needed?

Other than Yi Yang, I also felt that this drama suffered from having too many couples at the same time. The most useless would be Bi Ruoshan and Guanji. I don't even understand why they need to be there. Sometimes, they took too much screentime supposedly for our leads, and it caused the story to go stagnant for a while as well. I can still forgive Qin Shiyue and Yu You, as they don't take that much screentime. But still, with this many couple, the time spent for the two main leads also had to be cut down.

This showed started episode 35-36, where everything felt so rushed and so fast. There are times when the editing felt so weird. AND WHERE IS MY WEDDING.

Acting: 6/10
I didn't see any bad performances, but this means there's no one who stand out either. Bai Lu was okay, but most of the time she act like a child, so it didn't matter. The others are okay as supporting character. I might have the biggest problem with Wang Hedi. It's not that he's bad, but it felt like he's not progressing either in his acting. And when I first started the drama I mentioned it to my friend that he looked like a child trying hard to be a CEO. And when he speaks, it shattered my reality of the cold and dominant CEO. He doesn't sound like one. I felt conflicted saying this, but I'd rather him get dubbed.

Production value: 5/10
I don't even know what to say. There are times when I thought the camera angle totally unnecessary, and there are times when I thought it's just too much. The lighting felt off at times, and I kinda feel some discomfort watching some parts because the light is too strong.

Overall, the drama is 6/10. I enjoy the first 14 episodes of the drama, then the last 6 episodes. I like my drama fluffy and fun.

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Cringy script barely saved by a likeable cast

I really enjoyed Love is Sweet and LBFAD, Perfect and Casual, etc. but I really wasn't sure about this one, given some friends were enjoying it, other friends couldn't get past the first couple of episodes, and reviews overall were quite mixed.

But curiosity got the better of me -- plus I'm a reporter that covered fintech and has written about batteries -- so I decided to check it out. And eeek. Whatever people think of Douban in general, I get the score for this one. It feels a bit like a modern mini-drama script. If it wasn't for the cast and the fact that I set aside all my expectations, this would be a slog.

When it comes to the romance, the dialogue is cringy. Massive journalistic conflict of interest and ethical issues aside, the FL is an intrepid and good reporter, but she spouts the corniest flattery and pick-up lines and her expressions of interest feel off; I can't tell if she's being serious or just trying to be cute, flirty, or teasing. Meanwhile, 90 pct of the ML's dialogue when it's not about business is "Mm." "No." "Yes." Make the characters make sense! And let's not get into the endless push and pull from the side couples either.

It all screams "frustrating watch", especially the romance, and yet! I'm surprisingly not as frustrated as I should be. I really don't know if it's because the cast helps -- or worse, because I do not feel invested in these characters at all. As much as I've enjoyed their other dramas and likability factor on variety shows, the acting and pairing don't really work for me here -- I'm not feeling the chemistry.

This is the first time I've written a review before finishing, but I wanted to sort out my thoughts a little. Everyone seems happy with the last half dozen episodes though, so hopefully this perseverance will be rewarded.

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Absolutely recommended

Absolutely recommended. The cast are visually amazing, their chemistry as well is undeniable. I love the whole story but the progress of it is very slow but its not stressful, its a slow pacing relaxing drama. I love everything about it, congratulations to Dylan Wang and Bai Lu for their amazing acting that captivated everyone as well as the other cast who is absolutely doing their best to portray their character as well. Big thank you for all the people behind this drama who made this into reality more power to you guys, the crew, the production and the writer. I've been watching kdrama for a long time and just started watching chinese drama last year, I realized Chinese dramas are more relaxing and family oriented and I will choose this over a very stressful drama, life in reality is stressful already . I wish to visit China even once to experience the beauty the country offers as well as to experience its culture. Thank you for this amazing drama that made us experience your culture and made us realized your beauty. Cheers to more Chinese drama and I hope more project for Dylan and Bai Lu in the future,

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I didn’t enjoy this drama, I suffered it

I'll start by saying that it's not a bad show. In fact, it keeps you hooked to see what comes next. And I loved the chemistry between the three couples.

But I have so many things to say about this, so let me start with a question: is this about a journalist who doesn't understand the importance of good communication? Really?

Isn't discernment (the ability to evaluate what is good, and what is bad) one of the essential skills of a journalist? However, the female lead blindly followed the awful advice she got from her best friend. Did she really believe that starting a relationship with lies and pretending was going to have positive results in the future? I think that's what bothered me the most about this series.

And I really hated the friend. With so many tricks, secrets and lies in her relationships, she didn't deserve a happy ending.

Another thing that annoyed me was that sometimes the FL was very bold and when he responded, she ran away like a scolded puppy.

Now, let's talk about the second female lead. She was so cute and persistent. I understand that the idea was to fight for what you want, but to what extent do you have to “beg for love”? To what extent do you give up your dignity to try to attract someone who is not interested in you, even pretending to be something you are not? Was the idea to pursue him until he accepted out of exhaustion? In any case, I liked the evolution of her character, going from a shallow girl to a woman with interests and goals.

On the other hand, there are the three male characters, which I thought were good, and I loved how they looked together in one of the scenes in the lasts chapters.

The ML was pretty deadpan, but I guess that's how the character was written. The teacher was my favorite, with his serenity. The third, who carried a certain sadness within him, matured as the plot progressed.

Another issue that bothered me about the series has to do with journalism. I don't know what it's like in China, but as a journalist, you don't give the interviewee the draft of the interview to approve, unless it's an advertorial. You're also not afraid to interview someone because you might suddenly fall in love if you get to know him better. This is just a professional interview, not a date.

In any case, it is better not to analyze these professional issues too much and enjoy the drama.

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Much ado about nothing

What a disappointment....
I had high expectations from this drama, because of casting Bai LU and Dylan Wang...
In beginning; it was lit bit interesting, but FL character was a let down.She is a smart,talented new generation journalist. What she is doing,l lying, acting like a dumb taking all the wrong suggestion from a friend .Who herself is confused about her relationship.
Story is slow and boring; scenes were repetitive.Onscreen chemistry is not there between main characters; felt more like shooting formalities. Three ML does look powerful onscreen; especially Dylan as CEO walking making a grand entry..don't feel his power as CEO. Basically,everyone fro0m FL boss to FL to FL so called idiotic best friend relationship is mess ...
24 episodes ; everything is still dragging... Felt boreed

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Why Dylan Wang's Acting is Actually Good in Only for Love?

Overall, Only for Love is a well-made and enjoyable C-drama. It is a romantic comedy with a lot of heart, and it is sure to leave you feeling happy and satisfied.

Here are some specific things that I liked about the drama:

The chemistry between Bai Lu and Dylan Wang is undeniable. They have great rapport together, and their scenes together are always electric.

The drama is well-paced and there are no unnecessary filler episodes.
The drama does a good job of balancing comedy and romance. There are plenty of funny moments, but the drama also has a lot of heart.

The drama explores some interesting themes, such as the importance of following your dreams and the challenges of balancing work and love.

The first 8 episodes got me kicking and giggling and gave me goosebumps, I don't why the hate on this series?

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