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.