Here We Meet Again (2023)

Amazing Leads Chemistry, likable supporting cast but only OK plot

Overall Rating - 8.25
Subjective Romance Rating - 8.5
Objective Drama Rating - 8.0

Giving this drama an 8.5 is mainly due to the chemistry between Zhang Bin Bin and Janice Wu. Zhang Bin Bin looks so handsome in this drama. If you are a romance lover or a fan of either actor, I strongly recommend this drama. Otherwise, this is a decent one with equal parts business and romance. Most characters are likable and no one is too annoying or irritating. The villains are tolerable.

I am a fan of the leads, and that’s what prompted me to watch the drama. Because honestly, the business plot isn’t that unique and quite predictable. The part about ML’s pursuit of his dreams in the end reminds me of Yang Yang’s storyline in “You Are My Glory” but not enough for me to be moved like in “You Are My Glory”.

However, what shines are the characters. Zhang Bin Bin and Janice Wu are so lovable, fun and awesome together. They are both smart and petty (in a funny way). I feel like I am prying into their private lives when they are looking into each other’s eyes, having those lovely and realistic hugs and kisses. I enjoy the earlier episodes of their flirting and smart banter. Those earlier episodes are definitely a lot more fun. But the skinship (kisses and hugs) come in the latter half of the drama. The kisses are realistic but the camera tends to pan away and not give me enough close-up shots. LOL. Some might not like the long distance relationship but I find that pretty ok. Many dramas get boring after the leads get together, but at least the long distance relationship keeps things a little more interesting for longer.

Aside from the main romance, I love the fun relationship between FL and her grandpa. I look forward to their sarcastic, funny and witty conversations. Grandpa is one of the best in C-dramaland. On the other hand, ML’s sweet relationship with his little brother is also a highlight of the drama. It’s too bad we don’t see the kid enough in the last few episodes. That storyline ended quite abruptly. The co-workers/team chemistry is pretty good as well. All the team members are likable.

I appreciate almost all actors using their own voices and not dubbed. It seems like there’s quite a lot of live recording as well. I also like many songs played. There are just two love songs that are overplayed and I got a little annoyed. But as a whole, I enjoy the OST.

But the drama is not without faults. My biggest pet peeve is FL’s understanding/knowledge of all things technology when she first joined the company, especially since she’s a communications major and not an engineer. I have to suspend reality to enjoy those early episodes. The secondary romance isn’t exciting at all and didn’t bring anything new or add to the drama. I wish the ending for this pair was different. I also did not like FL’s hairstyles. They need to fire the hairstylists who gave Janice Wu such childish styling. I don’t feel that the pace of the drama is slow or that it drags in the middle episodes. That’s probably because the drama tries to put many subplots and filler plots within these 32 episodes. The result is that not all subplots are fully explored. I wish the drama had focused more on certain storylines and then removed some of them. If you don’t like China’s national pride in their aerospace technology, you might find this very preachy. At least it’s less than “You Are My Glory”. Lastly, this drama has a LOT of product placements! I didn’t think it took that much money to film this drama as there aren’t many elaborate sets, but there are so many advertisements - bottled water, Yakult yogurt drink, makeup/face masks, noodles, toothbrushes, etc.

Overall, this is a fun, office romance drama. Watch it for the leads chemistry and not for the business plot. It’s quite an easy watch and very bingeable.


Completed: 6/11/2023 - Review #317

Lire davantage

Sweet Romance, Great Chemistry but quite simple

This drama has it‘s main OST sung by Chen Xueran and if you have already watched a couple c-dramas then you know dramas with his OST all have a similar vibe and set up:
Around 30-40 Episodes, High Profile Actors, lots of promotion, romance centered with quotable scenes and a smooth but overall simple storyline with a dash of "china-is-the-best" sprinkled on top.

And this drama is exactly that. It’s a nice watch as it has really good chemistry that is worth the build up and unlike many other dramas, in terms of romance, it’s actually *not* anti climatic and instead has a point where the romantic tension boils over.
It’s not outstanding in terms of story besides the romance, which was very sweet and wholesome, given the nice/calm ML and the chairmans-daughter-undercover FL.
If you really like romance with funny moments and steamy kisses then you might enjoy this a lot.
+ The FL can secretly pull strings within the company thanks to nepotism which was refreshing in a way, since she doesn’t have to back down from anyone.

Another plus point for this drama is no parents for majority of the drama, which in my books is always a plus… because when was the last time you saw parents that weren’t annoying in romance centered ones?

Negative Points (slight spoilers):
Overall the main couple is what made me like this drama but everything else will probably not stay in mind for long.
It did have a lot of supporting characters and side plots that came and went without much impact.
The whole Baidu Navigation system versus America‘s GPS was over the top and 2-3x it completely took over for half an episode, which went beyond a lil self praise to full on propaganda… but it’s a Chinese drama so what can I do besides roll my eyes maybe :')

Conclusion:
It’s a smooth but simple drama, without blood-boiling qualities and a truly swoonworthy, sweet ML. It‘s lacks a few ever so annoying tropes, which was nice but it also didn’t replace those so it ended up being a mid-tier drama with (probably) high budget that is nice to look at.

End note: I see dramas are getting bolder by sneaking in a fruity side character… even though he was stereotypical, he was cute.

Lire davantage

Acting is good but the script is mediocre.

Here We Meet Again is a Romcom about Xiang Yuan's former love interest Xu Yan Shi once again.

It is nothing special about this drama; it is a brainless teenage crush and loves lost and find-it-again drama. I think both Janice Wu and Vin Zhang did an okay job in this drama. Their onscreen chemistry is not bad, but not great, either.

At least I like the pairing better than when he was paired with Esther Yu in AROTLF, where Esther Yu's character and high pitch noise annoyed me.

Xiang Yuan is intelligent, but I did not like her childish and girly character. Janice Wu's acting in this drama was not the best compared to her other dramas. The production quality is also bad, and so is the script. Too cheesy, but the OST is good. I give it a 7.5 rating. The last two episodes made me bumped my original rating from 6.0 to 7,5 because Xiang Yuan character became mature and showed her support and encouragement for her BF and family.

Lire davantage

JUST TRY IT

story starts with bit of sniff, i needed some time time to understand what happened. But when the story goes to move on, i feel their love for each other, their understanding.
I liked the comedy troops in the episodes. Sometimes i think fl is too childish . She easily get angry before conforming things happen. But that doesn't effect their relationship. Next day they like ok got it, that what i liked much.

Let's move on to the jealousy part. In specific episode (i can't tell the ep number 😁) when they got together and he tell her "tell him to go away" I really laugh out loud.

Anyway more ep to go see how thing goes...

You guys who wanted to start this,, start it now. I fully recommend this to everyone. I like it so far till now.


HAPPY WATCHING

Lire davantage

Near to perfect

I loved the drama . Every thing was perfect in the drama. But I had more expectations toward the ending part of the drama. I wanted to see their marriage ,then her pregnancy time and then the very last part of the the last episode. Chemistry between the leads were good . I liked the one who played the role of grandfather. Then her and his brother. Their office's friends . Everyone just perfect in the drama. Whenever he jeolous or angry or upset ,he kissed her that was so romantic.
I hope they have more drama together . Yes,this drama had so many romantic scenes. Why this drama got finished so early .
It was not that wow one but it had its taste.

Lire davantage

Excellent Chemistry and Fresh, Mature Storyline

"Here we meet again" delivers an exceptional viewing experience, combining excellent chemistry between the leads and a fresh, mature storyline. The male lead, portrayed by Zhang Bin Bin, impresses with his acting and captivating portrayal of the character Xu Yan Shi. The drama also stands out with its well-developed romance and strong female lead, Xiang Yuan. While there are a few areas that could be improved, the overall experience is enjoyable and entertaining.

Good things:

Male Lead: Zhang Bin Bin's First-Rate Performance
Zhang Bin Bin's portrayal of Xu Yan Shi is commendable, capturing the character's mature and responsible nature while maintaining a charismatic aura. His expressions, reflecting various emotions, are spot-on, making it easy for viewers to connect with the character.

Chemistry between the Leads: A Mature and Engaging Romance
Unlike dramas with communication gaps, "Here we meet again" features a mature chemistry between the leads. They communicate openly, creating an engaging and intriguing storyline. The romantic moments, especially the intense and long-awaited kissing scene in episode 20, leave a lasting impression on viewers. Both leads display genuine enjoyment in their intimate scenes, setting them apart from the typical surprised reactions seen in other dramas.

Romance: A Delightful and Heartwarming Element
The romance in "Drama Title" is a major highlight. The lead characters' love story unfolds with a perfect blend of intensity and tenderness. The kissing scenes are particularly memorable, leaving the audience with butterflies in their stomachs. Moreover, the mutual and mature portrayal of intimate scenes adds depth to the romance.

Strong and Funny Female Lead
In contrast to typical naive female leads, Xiang Yuan stands out as a strong, mature, and humorous character. Her well-rounded personality adds depth to the storyline and captivates the audience.

Admirable Camera Work and Cinematography
The drama's camera work and cinematography are praiseworthy, enhancing the overall viewing experience. Certain scenes are captivatingly captured, making them enjoyable to watch.

Things that could be improved:

Pacing in the Early Episodes
In the initial episodes, there were some unnecessary and dragging parts. While character development is essential, the writers could have trimmed certain portions to maintain a more engaging pace.

A More Satisfying Ending
The drama could have ended on a more delightful note by providing a quick glimpse of the leads' marriage, their journey to parenthood, and the bonding between Xu Yan Shi and his younger brother. These elements, which were underutilized, could have added to the overall satisfaction of the audience.

Conclusion:

"Drama Title" delivers an excellent package with its outstanding chemistry, fresh and mature storyline, and remarkable performances. Zhang Bin Bin's portrayal of Xu Yan Shi stands out as a major highlight, alongside the strong chemistry between the leads. The romance and well-rounded characters make the drama a joy to watch.

Lire davantage

cute

Nice drama, very fluffy, and little to no angst, and if there was any it got resolved quickly. The leads don't officially get together until episode 20 but technically they're together from the start because the chemistry and everything is there. I'm a fan of the FL I've watched her in a few other dramas so I knew what to expect and she didn't disappoint. I enjoy watching her dramas because she doesn't ever play a weak mild-mannered FL that you typically see in C-dramas. I think this was the first drama I've watched with the ML and he isn't bad I just wish he could give more facial expressions. The leads had a very healthy relationship.

Lire davantage

Electrifying leads, with similar plot to You Are My Glory

As other comments pointed out, the plot has many similarities to You Are My Glory. You have an established FL with a cold-at-first ML that's aiming to become a scientist/researcher. The plot is a bit underwhelming but don't let this deter you - it's rare to have a high-budget modern drama with great leads, amazing chemistry and an easy to digest plot without a billion cliches and angsty moments.

I'll start with the pros, and why you should watch it.
1) Characters. The leads are amazing. It's rare to find such great chemistry, good-looking leads and such a healthy relationship. There really isn't any notable love triangles, the characters start devoted to one another and remain devoted throughout the whole drama. One minor "break" in their relationship close to end (approximately 1 ep in length) but really not a big deal. Kisses are intense. Janice and Vin fit perfectly in their roles. Janice's character was so endearing and character growth was really well-written. Side characters are good too, although the second couple was really an afterthought, with no real development - whatever, I'm not here for them haha. Main couple didn't have too much drama - was healthy overall and they always talked whenever they were upset so issues were promptly discussed.

2) Plot. The plot is solid. Nothing to write home about but for a modern drama, it's well worth watching. No angsty moments, no cancer scares and no mindmelting love triangle.

3) OST is solid. A couple nice songs (notably the ballads).

4) Good budget. You get the real voices from the actors (very limited dubbing) and you get to see the cities of Shanghai and Xi'an. As a modern drama, I think it's so important to get the vibe of the city right.

Cons. There aren't really any notable cons, but I'll point out some things that could've been done better.
1) Needs some more "high" and "low" moments. Since the main couples were well-written, there really weren't many highs or lows in the drama. I never found myself thinking: "wow this is so swoonworthy". No tears either. There was a lot of missed opportunities during some pivotal moments where the writers could have had the main characters show a bit more emotion (so the viewers can empathize).

2) Plot starts off exciting but plateaus. The latter half of the drama was noticeably weaker once the couples got together. Since they have such a healthy relationship, I guess there really wasn't much to write about so they made the main couple do long distance, so was a bit underwhelming. The last few episodes were also extremely rushed with choppy editing (what even happened?!?!)

3) A bit too much advertising. So much advertising... and it culminates in being a giant advertisement for China's Beidou (GPS) navigating system. Almost like the show's whole theme is dedicating yourself to being a government researcher. This really took precedence over anything else (family, relationship, even the FL's hundred-million dollar company).

Overall, worth watching for the leads alone. The main leads are just eye-candy. With the solid budget, viewers get a real taste of Shanghai/Xi'an. For a modern drama, plot isn't anything revolutionary but solid, backed by generally down to earth characters.

Lire davantage

MUST WATCH!! PERFECT 10/10 ADDICTING SHOW

At first I thought it was a basic cheesy rich CEO Cdrama, but it really isn't. I cannot describe the feeling but watching this show made me really joyful and I binge watched 15 episodes a day and finished it in 3 days.

The Male lead is FINALLY A GREEN FLAG!! He's not one of those selfish rude and cold characters, he cares for the people around him and he has a good morale, he is my perfect type of what to look in for a lover.
The Female lead is NOT NAIVE, she is bold yes. But she is also a little sly and really smart, her backstory is relatable to many but yet she is very understanding and grateful for all she has and doesn't use people for her own advantage.
As the chemistry is great between the 2 main characters, the other characters make the show even more interesting to watch. AND I FINALLY DON'T HAVE TO WAIT A DAY BECAUSE IM MAD AT MISUNDERSTANDINGS BECAUSE WORRY NOT THIS DRAMA DOES NOT HAVE MANY MISUNDERSTANDINGS!! It is smooth going and quick paced, it is not a hard watch except it's a super easy watch. It makes you relax and laugh, 10/10 DEF RECCOMEND!!

Lire davantage

Loved the fire chemistry and kisses .. I love romance

I was waiting for this, but somehow wasn't feeling like it was interesting enough so i left it in my plan to watch *that's being shelved for life in my books*, but after a month or so I watched like two episodes and then put it on hold, but somehow I still wanted to watch it so i left it in currently watching. I came back a few times and never continued, but i eventually give in, i initially thought it wouldn't be as interesting or the romance wouldn't be what i expected, boy was i wrong hahaha... the romance was great, the kisses was amazing and the chemistry was fire.. sweet ost's too.

Definitely don't regret watching it, and I'll recommend if you love romance. The story was nice, the chemistry was great, the romance was sweet, the family relationship with the FL, her brother and grandpa was great, and the ML's friends were the best. they had some great coworkers too.

I left feeling content and pleased. I've always loved Bin Bin and Janice's works but i wasn't sure what to expect with romance since this is the first time I'm watching a main role of hers since she got married, but... the chemistry she had with Bin Bin was amazing, don't talk about their kisses.. *me blushing* haha

Lire davantage

Their communications is KISS

If you’re looking for fast paced drama where ML and FL kiss and get together at episode 5. Then, this drama is not for you. Spoiler alert ! They start to be in relationship in episode 20. Lol. This is drama for adult. Of course involves working places, patriotism, flashback and etc. but for first 20 episodes, you will have few cute moments, sweet scene and flirting. The FL is not like weak character who need to be saved. She is strong minded, not like spoiled brat, even tho she is rich. The ML is very supportive and always there for the FL but without crossing the line, he just stand by her side in case she needs him, but still give lots of opportunities for FL to learn and settle her own issues.

And when they are together. No matter what happened. Happy scenes, sad, mad, angry scene, break up scene all end up with a hot kisses from em. Haha nothing much about misunderstanding. The first few episodes are a bit confusing. But after that, the drama is well written. Even for flashback, are just enough to explained things but not dragging the whole drama. Even the breakup only last 1 episodes with cute jealousy scene in between. Haha.

As for cast. I always love janice. So no doubt in her acting. I don’t really like ML. Usually I don’t like to watch his other drama so I cant do comparisons. I always find him not good looking for me. Haha but this drama change my mind. I like how he brings the characters out.
Other cast like technicians team are quite good and perfectly cast as well. But i think the grandpa, can be some other grandpa tho. Haha

Music and ost wise are good. But not that much noticeable in the drama. I don’t really remember any of it. But accidentally come across the ost playlist in utube and like it.

Rewatch ? Obviously i will. In future. But just hope the ending could be longer and doesn’t feel that rush. Would love to see their life after marriage tho. Wondering if they will repeat their parents life too. But I’ll rewatch for all those sweets, cute and those kisses huhuhu

Lire davantage