A much anticipated release. Did it live up to the hype? I'm not so sure.

For me, as someone who's read the translated novel, I found it wildly different from the source material. Some of the choices were good but some of the others fell into the same trap as other run of the mill c-dramas: drama for the sake of drama.

First things first, terrifying fans of the actors and fights in the comments section aside, the acting was top notch which lifted the drama significantly. I'm not hugely familiar with the lead actors but I thought they did very well. The emotional beats resonated with me. I've only watched Yang Zi in Go Squid. I don't think it's her fault but I found both the story and her character pretty tropey and uninspired. However, as Lin Zhi Xiao she was by turns winsome, charming, resilient, and a fighter. No candy character here for the ML to walk over. Similarly, Xiao Zhan as Gu Wei was good too. He portrayed the emotionally closed-off yet vulnerable and steadfast ML well. Their chemistry sparkled. Their interactions and physical comfort were such a pleasant change from the incredibly stilted and choreographed intimacy we see across our screen every day. While some of the direction choices were problematic, more on that later, it was nice to see a couple that who actually talk about (most) things. They discuss things that are both mundane and serious (occasionally ass-kicking is required!) and don't brush off their problems or concerns. A well adjusted adult relationship - after You Are My Glory -- this was a solid follow-up.

The ensemble cast was also stellar especially Mrs. and Mr. Lin. The FL's character arc is very well done. He goes from. being infuriating (making me want to punch him in the nuts. Repeatedly.) to sympathetic over the course of the drama. Once we finally get an insight into his emotional landscape that is. The chemistry between the Lin family was lovely. From heartbreaking showdowns between a disappointed parent and child (and vice versa) to moments of sweetness and vulnerability and humour the Lin family showed it all. And while I didn't enjoy the change in characters from their portrayal in the novel at the start of the drama I came around to it. A lot of that is down to the actors and their performances. Meanwhile Dr. Gu's family were placeholders entirely devoid of substance. I found this a shame since the whole trope of disapproving and controlling parents is so old-school and was manifestly chosen to create unnecessary drama. I feel like that bit of the drama could easily have been left out. More moments of sweetness between our leads please!

The opening and closing credits (with sweet little theatre moments) and the OSTs were charming. And in keeping with the theme of the drama and our main leads.

I could have done without the second leads -- boring and unnuanced, again drama for the sake of drama --- and the awful flat characterisations of the FL's besties. Nothing good there beyond repetitive scenes of passive aggressiveness, terrible dating advice, and unwanted interference in the lives of our leads. Again, that comes down to poor decisions when adapting the novel to the drama.

All in all, a drama that was held up by the main leads and some members of the ensemble cast. Would I watch it again? Probably not. But it was definitely head and shoulders above its peers in the same genre.