Love is Science? (2021)

Love is alchemy, not science - it transmutes people.

A look at expectations vs reality in the relationships of several couples with mostly realistic conflicts, flawed but likable characters trying their best and no OTT stakes or makjang villains. If you're looking for a noona ensemble romance ala Romance is a Bonus Book this is a fairly close match in tone and setup and it's a perfect starter Tdrama if you're coming from exclusively watching Kdramas because the production values, fashion and storytelling are all similar.

FL runs a high-profile match-making company and has to confront the idea that by its algorithm she's undesirable - 35, divorced and still mourning her failed marriage. One day she runs into old neighborhood friend, ML - 27, a small time stylist and nursing a long time crush on her. He thinks she's utterly desirable but married because she maintains the image for her business, she thinks he's the perfect guy but not for her. Cue getting to re-know you friends to lovers noona romance, complicated by an ex-husband, serious girlfriend, nosy relatives and differing life circumstances.

The second couple plays on the same theme. 40+ investment banker SFL wants a high spec marriage to save face after an ex left her for a younger woman. At FL's agency she comes in contact with a very unsuitable partner - 40+ rural farmer SML with some inherited land that he wants to keep in the family. They're a complete mismatch on paper and to society but a perfect match in their values, expectations and temperaments.

Unlike most reviewers the BL couple was the weakest part of the story for me. There's still a good message there about expectation vs reality - TML thinks he's straight and discovers he's bisexual, along with some other surprises down the line - but the presentation of the serious issues brought up left a lot to be desired.

The stories come together to show that sometimes what we think we want in love and life is different from what we actually need. Overall an enjoyable watch if you enjoy low key slice of life romance that isn't trite or fairy floss - there's substance here to appreciate.

And I usually don't comment on skinship because even the best skinship can't save a bad script, but Taiwanese dramas are definitely on a different level compared to Kdramas. If that's a major factor for you, you won't be disappointed - the scene where FL pulls ML into the shower with her is pretty memorable.

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Fofíssima

Eu amei a série em si, realmente, já assisti de novo duas vezes. Tenho só algumas coisas a pontuar.
Gostaria que a personagem lésbica tivesse tido um foco maior. Normalmente temos até um terceiro
casal, então poderia ser ela. Achei a história dela ótima sobre superação e tudo que ela passou, mas
acho que poderia ter ido só até o meio dos episódios e ter achado alguêm pra ela, adoraria isso mesmo
se tivesse poucas cenas, mas gostei do final que deram pra ela mesmo assim. O casal hétero (casal
principal) me dava uma preguiça horrível, eles tinham tantas cenas de enrolação que eu só pulava todas.
A mulher aparecia como sendo durona e que não precisava mais do ex marido, mas ele aparecia
e ela virava uma bundona (?) e não era nem questão de gostar dele ainda porque ficava claro que ela não
gostava mais, era só questão de ser besta mesmo. Cada vez que o ex marido entrava em cena (obviamente
por ciúmes por ter outro dando em cima dela) ela virava uma coitadinha , mas enfim. Eu posso ser julgada
por isso por ser uma grande fã de BL/GL, mas os grandes salvadores da série foram o casal secundário
Mark e Ouwen, a construção do romance deles pra mim foi algo muito gratificante, a insegurança de Owen
por ter um namorado Bi e AMEI como o Mark aceitou tudo com simplicidade o fato dele descobrir gostar
de homens. Ele só aceitou que era como gostar de qualquer outra pessoa e não mostrou nenhuma relutância,
fugiu do clichê desesperador de quando um personagem descobre isso.

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It was definitely cute and light-hearted.

I just finished this and I truly enjoyed this drama. The main couple is very cute and wholesome, but I preferred the second couple and their dynamic. I'm a sucker for a hate to love. Well more like can't stand the other to love. Mark and Ou Wen definitely deserve their own series for sure. I also enjoyed the side story of the couple the agency helped, that was also very cute. I didn't expect to see a long storyline for it, but I liked that they did add it in.
All in all I will say this is one of the few dramas I have binged in while and it was kind of worth it. The ending to me was ehh, but it does give an important lesson about love and marriage that I loved.

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Great side stories

A lot of issues were tackled in this drama. Toxic relationships, unwanted pregnancy, LGBTQ romance, etc. But the main plot and all subplots were satisfactorily concluded.

For the main CP of older FL/younger ML, I wished the ML had more drive. He pretty much hesitated in most of his decisions, letting situations control him, but it was very obvious how much he loves and protects the FL.

The male/male couple really upgraded this show and was more interesting than the main CP. Their enemies to devoted lovers transition was 10/10. OuWen had the most emotive face among all the characters and Mark had the most growth.

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Esperava mais

Acho que minha opinião sobre essa série é um pouco impopular, mas vamos lá. Assisti a série apenas por saber que tinha um casal secundário BL, se fosse apenas o casal hétero eu não teria me interessado, e acho que realmente o núcleo secundário levou a série nas costas. A série tem muitos personagens e vários núcleos e sub tramas que acontecem de forma independente, mas que se entrelaçam de alguma forma. Tudo foi muito bem pensado, e os atores combinam muito com seus personagens.

De uma série taiwanesa, eu não esperava menos do que uma atuação impecável, e isso eles entregaram, o problema pra mim, em relação ao casal principal, foi um roteiro arrastado, que se estendeu por infinitos 18 eps e um casal que até poderia ter química, mas não teve a oportunidade de mostrar, e eu não estou falando de cenas N/C, estou falando de uma forma geral. Existe uma parte muito doce e singela, como o diário por exemplo, mas tem coisas imperdoáveis. Eles vendem a imagem de Yan Fei como uma mulher muito forte, autossuficiente, que se reconstruiu e tudo o mais, depois de sair de um casamento infeliz onde ela era praticamente um enfeite, além disso ela lida com uma mãe que deve ter algum problema mental pra agir de forma tão ridícula para com a própria filha, só falta colocar a placa de venda na coitada e ignora tudo o que o ex marido a fez passar, como se Yan Fei fosse um objeto numa vitrine a ser vendida por quem desse mais dinheiro. Enfim, todo o trabalho de reconstrução da personagem, de uma jovem patética para uma mulher guerreira, simplesmente sumia quando o ex aparecia, e isso ela já apaixonada pelo porquinho, se não estivesse teria se deitado no chão e virado um tapete pra o ex pisar. Sem falar que o ex era um embuste que só a queria de volta por status, pra ter o prazer de dizer que a reconquistou, mas lá atrás, o que ele fez com ela foi uma palhaçada e ele é o típico macho escroto que acha que dinheiro resolve tudo. Tive muito ranço das interações deles, pq ela não demonstrava querer ele, mas também não cortava o mal pela raiz, muitas vezes deixando o porquinho mais inseguro.

Outra coisa revoltante era a personalidade do porquinho, o menino não tinha uma gota de autoconfiança... namorava com outra sem gostar dela, e se ela mesma não tivesse tido a atitude de abandoná-lo, ele teria ido pra outro país com ela, mesmo sem amá-la, como é possível ser tão idiota? Sem falar no tempo todo que ele e Yan Fei perderam, meu Deus que lenga-lenga.

Sobre o núcleo secundário, o casal BL é maravilhoso, principalmente o cabeleireiro, que mesmo sendo sua primeira vez com outro homem, não hesitou nem por um momento, não existiu aquele pânico inicial da auto descoberta, aliás, quem hesitou foi o outro, talvez por já ter sofrido outras decepções, e até mesmo quis abrir mão de seu amor para que ele formasse uma família com a amiga grávida. O cabeleireiro foi super seguro, inclusive enfrentou os pais de primeira, e mesmo assim não abandonou a amiga grávida. E por falar nela, que pessoa maravilhosa! Optou por ter o bebê, mas sem querer atrapalhar o relacionamento dos meninos, e formaram uma linda família feliz.

Sobre a personagem lésbica, eu imaginei outra coisa, achei que ela fosse ficar com seu amor da escola... quando não aconteceu, imaginei que iria aparecer alguém pra ela, e achei super injusto isso não acontecer, ela merecia ser feliz também, até pq existiam traumas que ela precisava curar.

O casal de terceira idade me fez ter uma montanha russa de emoções. NO começo eu não conseguia ver eles em um relacionamento por causa dos estilos de vida diferentes, depois comecei a shipar e me decepcionei, quando eles estavam se acertando eu já não queria mais eles juntos, e por fim, me apaixonei por eles.

No aspecto técnico, nada a reclamar. Atuações perfeitas, ost de milhões, fotografia, filmografia excelentes... muita qualidade.

Por fim, a série é muito longa e eu não pretendo ver de novo, 2 vezes é o suficiente pra mim. Indico a série sim, principalmente por causa do casal BL e gostaria muito que eles tivessem sua própria série.

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A Couple for Everyone

LIKES:
STORY: although slow with the ML and FL, was better with the Mark & Ou Wen characters. The farmer and financial adviser couple story shows you that opposites can attract. Each storyline was developed at different speeds. The supporting stories happened faster, but didn’t feel like filler and fit within the main plot. They handle a few adult themes: sexual orientation and ‘coming out’, pregnancy, divorce, marriage and touches briefly (a back story) on bullying. I liked that they were using the theory that love knows no age, financial background, education, or gender. (Except they didn’t have a racial love story). I saw a little character growth with the FL, but they didn’t show it enough with the ML. Mark had the most character growth and the financial advisor had a lot of growth too. Also some beautiful location settings and I recognized some from other dramas (BROMANCE 2015). Wu Nein Hsuan did well for his character. [I liked him in Age of Rebellion too.]

OST: was good and appropriate for the scenes, but nothing stood out, so neither good nor bad.

PRODUCTION: had good cinematography and filming had no shaky moments.

FX: not noticeable, the story and everything else was all natural.


DISLIKES:
The director kept the ML doing his scenes so slow, almost like he had a mental disorder. They played it as if he has a social disorder, but he’s a hair dresser, so that didn’t fit at all. They could’ve said he was slightly autistic, which would’ve fit better.

Backstory between FL and ML just made their age difference REALLY stand out, but as adults it wasn’t too noticeable. Also too much back story moments or flashbacks took too long, and the times could’ve been used for the Mark & OuWen couple or others.

They rushed the self discovery of Mark, but at least showed why he suddenly was into that person. I was more interested in watching his story unfold than the other couples and thought he needed more screen time.

Too many supporting actors/actresses having their storylines take up time.

FX: the pregnancy belly came on too suddenly, including the side effects of pregnancy.


OVERALL:
Good watch, not overly long and no really boring moments. If I do watch it again, it will be only the Mark and OuWen characters and their moments. I would recommend this show too.

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A parade of couples and stories

Can´t really understand why i didn't drop this.
The theme is interesting...is love a science? Maybe, but even if it is we don't know it yet.
Don't mind the themes, but i think the story is not so great. More of some couples blended in the same drama.

STORY - Yan Fei is a divorce business woman who developed an algorithm to search and find couples. Of course that she uses her experience with a lousy husband and the she discovers that her core business may have some flaws...
So the story... is there really a story? I think that we have some stories of couples.
Yan Fei and the hairdresser Hsuan Yu, eternally in love for her. Younger and very kind, a Nobel Peace Prize candidate for sure...
She fell in love for him and happiness can occur, even slowly.
Second couple is about a gay Ou Wen and a bissexual? Mark, who one day is head over heels for Yan Fei's best friend An Na, and the next day he discovers that he may be bissexual or even gay and loves Ou Wen. I only found Ou Wen interesting, the way he thought about An Na's child and how he advise and face Mark's "coming out" and his parents issue.
An Na likes to have sex with men and have fun! That is great in an independent and beautiful woman. She has a health issue that pratically keeps her from getting pregnant, but... she did! in an one night stand with Mark. Interesting to know that Taiwanese woman only use condomns or equivalent to avoid getting pregnant even in one night stands! I thought there were other reasons, specially in a person that has many sexual partners...
She will keep the child and that's it. A good side of this story. Ou Wen will help her. The biological father, Mark... don't seem very engaged...
Another couple is the farmer and the financial adviser... didn't like the characters and a little boring to me
Ru Yue was interesting. I don't understand the justification of her former best friend to treated her badly...


CASTING - like some of the acting but not everyone.

OST - can't recall any song...

REWATCH - no. With so many things to watch and rewatch i will never see this.

OVERALL - I can't say what was the main story... I don't think the acting was very good, the plot and the production. I tend to review only with my feelings watching it.
I don't find very interesting for me BL dramas ot LGBTQ+ themes, because i like couples that i can identify with and genres that i like. That is why there are dramas for all and some i will never watch. In this drama, the gay couple is ok, even if i find Mark's being very fast, but i am ignorant in that matter. Love is not a science... i think there's science in it, but since we can't figure it out it is very different for every one.

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What is your dream?

Would you like the person you like to ask you this question? Well the main character did, and the woman fell for him hook, line and sinker! Why? Because he thought only of her needs not his own, or theirs for that matter!

Love Is Science? is a very ordinary noona romance. Very, very, very ordinary! So ordinary that it is boring! The ML has been carrying the torch for the FL since primary school. She has never been aware of it. And he never managed to forget her ! When they meet again she does not recognize him. But he recognized her immediately. She is a strong woman, he is in adoration before her and even though he manages to stand up for himself in workplace but with her it is a different story. There is an ex husband who comes back but is chased away by her. He is just standing by, steadfastedly!

What saves this dramas skin is the second couple and a half. The MMF combo is well written and brilliantly funny, smart and cheeky. And of course the third couple formed by a farmer and a banker: opposites attract so yes, love is science!

There is no toxicity, problems are talked about and resolved as soon as possible, secrets are shallow. Everyone is nice and kind. And everyone assumes their choices gladly and without a doubt!
The music is awful and I hated the main theme with all my might: it sounds like alley cats singing! I do not want to rewatch it: it is far too long. Though I could be persuaded to watch the second couple cut! Now that was a story worth telling!

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Is love science?

If you want something warm hearted but entertaining. Then you should watch this the main couple is cute and really doesn’t make sense for the first few episodes, they do grow on you and you will see how they got to where they are now. The friends will actually make you invested because of the similarities that you might get from them, they are still trying to find themselves and sometimes love comes with that. With the love that sparks from everyone you can see that love is not science at all sometimes you need to trust your heart than trying to pair yourself trough science. This is what this drama teaches and shows you in many ways.

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We Need to Start Normalizing Dramas Like This!!!!

Love is Science normalizes all types of love and is romantic!!!


~~ STORY ~~

Love is Science really came running for gold. The drama focuses on Love is Science, a match-making company. At a glance, the story seems clique. The rich CEO of the company falls for a poor, good-looking, younger man. However, when you start analyzing the characters, their backgrounds, and everything in between, you find that everything is not as it seems. All of the characters and couples, are not the norm in romantic dramas.

Since Love is Science has quite a few couples running different plots at all times, I decided to talk about each couple and their plot separately.


YAN FEI x HSUAN YU

They are the main characters of the drama, and have the most screen time.

At a glance, Yan Fei is beautiful and rich. She is the CEO if Love is Science, and she seems to be one of those women who have everything they want in life... But in reality, Yan Fei is divorced and in her mid-30s. According to her statistics, she is considered part of the undesirable percentage of single women.

Hsuan Yu is a 26 year old hair stylist. He hasn't been able to pass his apprenticeship at the hair salon he works at to become a full-fledged hair stylist. That being said, his is popular with the women and all of his customers keep coming back to have their hair but by him. At a glance, he seems to be desirable by all the women out there, but he has never been able to get the attention of the one girl he likes the most because he has trouble saying his true feelings. He also has a secret... He used to be fat when he was younger.

As a couple, Yan Fei and Hsuan Yu are a match made in heaven. They click with each other since the first time they appeared on screen together. They each have their flaws, but the compliment each other. The have major communication issues, but they both know that they need to start communicating more with each other. With each episode, they grow closer together and it's great to watch such a positive couple on screen.

The real issue with this couple is that they have so much unnecessary drama. Between Yan Fei's mother and both Yan Fei's ex and Hsuan Yu's ex, there is so much to unpack. Yan Fei's mother only wants what's best for Yan Fei, but she comes off as annoying every time she is on screen. She lives in her own fantasy world and doesn't even listen to a word Yan Fei says. Whether it's supporting her ex or cheering on Hsuan Yu, we don't know that team her mother is even cheering for since she's giving off mixed signals all the time. As for Yan Fei's ex, he shows up half-way through the drama to give some competition for Hsuan Yu... We don't need that. He already divorced Yan Fei, so he should never have shown up. He was painted as a cold-hearted man that only cares for his image, so bringing him back in Yan Fei's life just to suddenly be "caring" and love Yan Fei again was so left field. I honestly skipped most of his scenes.

Now to the most problematic and unnecessary drama... Hsuan Yu's girlfriend... err... ex? According to this drama, Hsuan Yu had a girlfriend the entire time he was pinning after Yan Fei for 5 episodes... I just don't see it in Hsuan Yu's personality to be unfaithful to his girlfriend the entire time. Also, his family not mentioning her to Yan Fei is odd too. Not to mention how they treat Yan Fei badly after his girlfriend starts accusing him of cheating on her with Yan Fei. Wasn't the older brother Yan Fei's classmate? Why are they treating her so badly just because the ex is psycho? Even after Hsuan Yu breaks up with the girl, they still treat Yan Fei like shit... She wasn't even dating Hsuan Yu too! Hsuan Yu clearly made the decision to cut his ex out of his life and keep Yan Fei, so the family should just stop. Yan Fei didn't even treat them bad. She just treated them like normal.

Anyways, this couple had a lot of unnecessary drama. The two clicked together right from the beginning that we spent most of the series shouting at the two to just date already. Maybe if the couple didn't get along so well some of the drama wouldn't have been unnecessary, but oh well.


OWEN x MARK (x QIAO AN NA)

Owen and Mark are the secondary protagonist and probably the most interesting couple.

Owen is a proud and confident gay man who works under Yan Fei at Love is Science. There he works as a love consultant and matchmaker. Owen meets Mark at a cafe while matchmaking. Mark is Hsuan Yu's friend and he is also a hairstylist. He is a player that gets around quite a lot, but when he finds the right girl, he is very devoted and loyal. Mark is also has a little homophobia. When Mark and Owen meet for the second time, Owen announces he is gay leading Mark to get visibly uncomfortable. Mark doesn't do anything extreme or straight out attack Owen for being gay, but he does take a few jabs at Owen since he is jealous of how manly and cool Owen is for a gay guy.

As a couple, Owen and Mark are couple goals. They never do anything to hurt each other and they are always communicating. We get to watch them grow from complete strangers into a loving couple.

Now to the drama... Qiao An Na.

Qiao An Na isn't a terrible character. She is a great character and the drama she brings to Owen and Mark is really good drama to watch. The only issue I have with her is that the drama she brings to Owen and Mark is something that I would like to have seen in a separate drama. In this series, Owen and Mark are not the main couple. They are a side couple and don't get as much screen time. With Qiao An Na and the drama she brings to his couple, I would like to have seen it in a separate series with Owen and Mark as the main character. Qiao An Na's drama is very interesting and makes a really powerful statement to the LBGTQ community and to the world. Giving it to the side couple is really a waste of a good plot because we don't get the full story to the drama and we are left curious as to what is happening. Also, when the Qiao An Na drama hits, Owen and Mark end up taking the spotlight off Yan Fei and Hsuan Yu, which doesn't make them look good as the main characters.

Overall, I just wish Owen, Mark, and Qiao An Na get their own spin-off because I like the drama the trio had and I would like to see it as a stand alone series. I think the series would be a good point of discussion in the LGBTQ community and send a message to the world about normalizing gay love.


YOU FU x NAI HUI

You Fu and Nai Hui are the third and final couple of the series. They have the least amount of screen time out of all the couples, but make an impact.

You Fu and Nai Hui are two clients of Love is Science. Nai Hui is a bank director with lots of money and high credentials. She is in her late-40s and is considered part of the undesirable single women according to the Love is Science statistics. Nai Hui is highly educated and has very specific aspects she desires in men, like men needing to have a PhD, leaving her choices of men limited. She accidentally meets You Fu when You Fu's date tries to stand him up and makes him wait 3 hours. Seeing the young women treat You Fu with disrespect, she stands up for him and scolds the young woman. You Fu notices Nai Hui's injured foot and buys her band aids, leading her to become interested in him. You Fu is a poor farmer with no college aducation. He is the opposite of Nai Hui in all aspects. When Nai Hui asks Love is Science to match her with You Fu, only Owen thinks their love with go well despite statistics saying they have a low love matching score.

While Nai Hui and You Fu have limited screen time, it is fun to watch them get to know each other. Both Nai Hui and You Fu learn to understand each other and each other's background. It's great to watch an independent woman like Nai Hui learn to depend on You Fu. Similarly is nice to see You Fu gain some self-esteem through Nai Hui.

Overall, this couple is great because it's rare to see an elder couple fall in love on screen. Usually it's teens or young adults falling in love, so seeing Nai Hui and You Fu, who are clearly adults slightly past their prime fall in love is refreshing. I also liked how Nai Hui was such an independent and confident woman. She is someone that all women should aspire to be.


~~ CHARACTERS ~~

Love is Science has the best combination of characters I've ever seen. Almost all the characters have a beautiful love story and there is no real "bad guy." In Love is Science, from the minor characters to the major characters, everyone is desirable despite their flaws.

Representation wise, here is the breakdown.

Straight: Hsuan Yu
Masculine Gay: Owen
Bi/ Player: Mark
Lesbian: Sheng Ying
Divorced: Yan Fei
Player: Qiao An
Educated/Independent Women: Nai Hui
Uneducated/Unconfident Man/Over 50s: You Fu

When looking at the characters and thinking about the common Asian ideals of who not to marry, all of the characters fit the list. However, Love is Science fights the stereo types and gives everyone a happily ever after.


~~ OVERALL ~~

Love is Science is an amazing series that normalizes all types of romance. I think that there needs to be more series like this that normalizes different love without making a spectacle about it. It's not the best series out there in terms of plot, but it is interesting to watch and normalizes all types of love.

Don't sleep on this series and watch it now!!!

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Cannot Wait!!!!

The last time I was this excited about new
episodes is when I watched Mr.Queen.

I absolutely LOVE this show! The main characters are very sweet and natural with one another, I am really enjoying the progression of their lives from past through present.

The supporting characters are seriously fun and entertaining. Some moments are expected, but welcomed all the same, and there is a hint of something coming that has me at the edge of my seat!!!

I will be watching for additional shows with many of the actors,

Gotta go watch a new episode now!!!

LOVE IT!!!

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