Hidden Love (2023)

best cdrama i've seen

MUST WATCH. HAPPY ENDING!!!!
I'd give it ♾️¹⁰ stars out of 5 if it were available.
Duan Jiaxu, is thus far, the best character ever created. He surpasses Adam Carlsen and Jonathan Smith Turner. And that is something coming from me. Chen Zheyuan played his character beautifully. I can't imagine anybody doing it better than him. His chemistry with Zhao Lusi is so perfect. They are the best couple ever. No fictional character has made my heart beat so fast, so often. The screenplay, the direction, the attention to the little detail, everything is done so perfectly, with so much finesse. Whenever I watch any drama, or movie or read a book, there are always some scenes or narratives, or some character developments, or some things that I have wanted to change and do it my way, but damn, there was not one scene, not one single thing that I wanted to change in this whole drama. I loved it so much. It was better than even Doctors kdrama, even the love hypothesis is not quite as good as this. Wow! Just wow!

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Let's Just Say I Had a Change of Heart

As you can tell by the title, this was a drama that I initially dropped early on in my CDrama experience. This was one of the first few dramas I attempted to watch after falling in love with Falling Into You (2022). Obviously, there are some similarities with the age gap/age difference but that's about where the similarities start and stop. Anyway, I dropped this drama a LONG time ago and completely forgot about it. Fast forward to a few weeks ago where I watched the ML in another drama that I absolutely fell in love with, so I decided to come back to this drama and realized that it was the same actor. Everyone say, "Thank You, The Princess & The Werewolf!" If it weren't for that drama, I never would have circled back to watch this one. Chen Zhe Yuan is outstanding! I enjoyed him in that show and that's why I decided to go back and give this drama another chance.

I'm typically not the type of person to watch highly rated and widely popular dramas because the expectations NEVER live up to the hype. I never fall in love with the same dramas that most of the people on this site falls in love with, so the hype surrounding this drama was NOT enough to make me give it another try. The dramas always fall on this side of overrated and over-hyped, unfortunately. At least, that's been MY experience. Now, let's hop into this review, shall we?

I'm quite outspoken regarding my dislike and hesitance regarding age gaps. Age gaps always tend to be a miss for me. It never ticks off all of the necessary checkboxes for me to thoroughly enjoy them. In this case, I'm not going to pretend like the age gap doesn't bother me because it absolutely does. It doesn't take away from my enjoyment of the show but it's certainly not something I can relate to or understand honestly. There's a 5-6 year age difference between the lead characters, right? I can't imagine being 25 and dating anyone under 21. I cannot fathom dating anyone that young because most people in that age range typically acts their age. Plus, Duan Jia Xu watched Sang Zhi grow up. This isn't a matter of grooming by any means, but the age gap could turn some people off and I'm not going to paint it in a positive light just because I enjoyed this show. If you had an issue with the age gap, then you have every right to feel that way because it does come off as kind of icky in the grand scheme of things. But I digress.

Also, the episodes where we watched Sang Zhi grow up dragged out for FAR too long! I think that's what initially made me drop this show the first time. It's one thing for there to be a trope I'm already uncertain about. It's another thing to force me to watch a show overly emphasize said trope by giving us 5 or 6 episodes of the FL being an underage minor and the ML being an adult. That part of the drama dragged out so long and it would easily take someone out of the story if they were already unsure about watching this show to begin with. We didn't need to see that much of her being a kid in relation to Duan Jia Xu. We didn't need to be constantly reminded of the age gap/age difference in that way, honestly. It went on too long!

So, moving on. I think there were some things about this show I would have changed to elevate this drama that much more. I feel like the stakes should have been higher in terms of the obstacles they faced as a couple. The stakes never felt high and there didn't appear to be any true threats to their relationship, which can make the drama feel a LOT longer than it actually is. It makes the drama feel more draggy instead of eventful. Duan Jia Xu's issues weren't threatening enough to make me believe it was enough to be an issue for them. My one pet peeve is that I feel like Sang Zhi should have had more of a presence and backbone. Sometimes, it felt like she was TOO passive for someone who'd happily accepted her love for an older guy. Someone who had wholeheartedly convinced herself of her love in that way should have been a LOT more defensive and protective of said love. While she did stand up when necessary, I feel like she didn't fight enough, if that makes sense. Knowing that you were going to have to deal with a ton of naysayers rightfully being hesitant, uncertain, and wary of your relationship should have made her more assertive when it came to fighting for her relationship with Duan Jia Xu. I think in these moments her age was fairly obvious. Her personality and her choices regarding certain things would remind me that she's still fairly young because an older woman wouldn't have been as passive as she was. Due to that, I extended some level of grace to her.

Also, I feel like Duan Jia Xu should have had a little more of an edge to him. Don't get me wrong, I'm a STRONG proponent of nice male leads. I love them dearly! However, I feel like he should have had more of an edge to him. I feel like he was TOO perfect. I kid you not - this man was flawless in every way. He had no real flaws and it can easily take you out of the story in some aspects. Also, I did see some people say they wished he was more uncertain about jumping into a relationship with Sang Zhi. While I understand the sentiment and reasoning, I feel as if that would have only worked if Sang Zhi were more determined about snagging him in the first place. I know some people hate that trope but I actually love the "female chases male lead first" trope because it's subversive and it's different. You don't see that much in CDramas, so I would have gladly been all over that. But again, that's the only way it would have worked. Otherwise, this drama would fall apart with a ML who's uncertain about acting on his feelings for the FL and a FL who is easily swayed by the opinions of her family and others; it would not have made for an interesting drama.

Anyway, I think I yapped enough for one night. Was this a great show? It was okay. Would I recommend it? Initially, I would have said yes. But after some time has passed, no. Also, I realized that I didn't actually like this show. Would I rewatch it? Probably not. Don't get me wrong. I did enjoy it somewhat but I don't think I can rewatch it. I skipped through the first few episodes of this show for a reason and I doubt I would want to go through that again.

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“Our story begins when he was 22 and ends when I was 22.” – Sang Zhi

*** Spoiler Alert (PERSONAL FEEDBACK)
Title : Hidden Love – 2023 (Complete 25 Episode)
Personal Rating : 10/10

“Our story begins when he was 22 and ends when I was 22.” – Sang Zhi

One of the best modern dramas and power couple. Their chemistry is top notch, and their acting was so natural. ❤️

Sang Zhi (Played by Zhao Lusi) is smart, pretty, kind, bit spoiled and immature (when she was a kid). And have a big crush on her brother’s best friend Duan Jia Xu.
Duan Jia Xu (Played by Chen Zhe Yuan) is handsome, smart, kind, hardworking and best friend of Sang Yan (Sang Zhi’s older brother)

The story is a about a girl who have a big crush and hidden love with his older brother’s best friend. Chen Zhe Yuan met Sang Zhi when she was still in the 8th grade. She needed help from his real brother but instead Chen Zhe Yuan helped her and pretended to be Sang Yan.

Then, they met again when she was in 11th grade and from then onwards, she started to like him. She wanted to attend Chen Zhe Yuan university to be closer to him. Before Sang Zhi graduated from high school, she heard the news that Chen Zhe Yuan had got a girlfriend. She felt heartbroken and betrayed since they promised each other that when he got a girlfriend he would inform her, from that point she let go of her feelings to Chen Zhe Yuan till they met again when she became an adult.

When she became an adult, she felt like whatever feeling he had for Chen Zhe Yuan is still there, she never forgets him, she loves him deeply to the point that she wishes that he will never be alone, and she will be always on his side.
At first Chen Zhe Yuan didn’t have the same feeling for Sang Zhi since he treated her as a little sister. And they have a 5-year age gap. But when they started to hang out together, he fell in love with her kindness and protectiveness. He felt like he could not accept someone to be with Sang Zhi other than him, so he started courting her. And of course, they ended up being together.

Overall, Hidden Love is my number 1 modern drama as of today, it was pure innocent love for me. The story may have ups and downs but still it is not as scheming, and tragic as other dramas can be. I love how Sang Zhi is so protective with Chen Zhe Yuan and how Chen Zhe Yuan will do everything for Sang Zhi. Others may find it awkward since Chen Zhe Yuan knew Sang Zhi when she was still in 8th grade and there is a 5-year age gap but heeeeellloooo!!!!!! What is wrong in 5 years age gap? If it is pure, kind love there is nothing wrong with it. I watched this drama more than 5 times. It is so refreshing, so natural and so addicting. Definitely worth watching if you like a light, pure, from teenage to adulthood love story! ❤️

GENRE – Modern, Romantic, Comedy,

OST – You Are My Only Wish by Zhang Bichen & I Have Someone I Like by Zhao Lusi ( so addicting!!! )

CAST – Zhao Lusi, Chen Zhe Yuan

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Awesome Rom-com drama to watch

This Chinese drama is a really unique drama out of all the dramas I have watched. The acting and cast were awesome and the writer did an amazing job plotting this story. Great job to everyone who helped making this wonderful drama. This is a masterpiece. Recommended 10/10! Worth the watch! 🥰🥰🥰 Their chemistry was awesome! I don’t regret watching this drama. I really appreciate everyone who made this drama happen. This drama started with the perfect start and ended perfectly. If you are looking forward to watching this drama, please do! This is an awesome, unique rom-com to watch when you are bored. If you haven’t watched it, what are you waiting for?

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potrayed the most realistic and healthy relationship ever

in one word what makes this cdrama great and soo much better than other cdramas is that THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN THE MAIN LEADS and the fact that how REALISTIC it is. the story itself isn’t much, simple plot. and some people find it boring because of the lack of drama . But to me thats a plus point, no unnecessary drama, conflict and misunderstanding between the characters. often times the relationships potrayed in shows are unrealistic, but the relationship between the main leads is realistic, they face general problems that all couples face but they both are supportive of each other and communicate their problems. and another thing is that GREEN FLAGS💚, and the romance was slowly built up, not in a rush, which will gove you butterflies. i rearly watch cdramas and I don’t really like cdramas because how long they are and how they drag the story too much, byt even tho hidden love has more episodes than a typical 16 episodes kdrama, i still enjoyed every pit of it. I also fell in love with the ost

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This is a good series

Hello everyone !! Today I will reviewing about Chinese drama “Hidden Love.”
Hidden Love is Chinese drama. Hidden Love is a 2023 Chinese television series starring Chen Zheyuan and Zhao Lusi.
Hidden love tells about the life of Sang Zhi (Zhao Lusi), a young girl who develops a crush on Duan Jiaxu (Chen Zheyuan), who happens to be her older brother Sang Yan's (Victor Ma) bestfriend. Sang Zhi had a crush on Duan Jia Xu when she was young, but they lost contact with each other for some reason. After she graduates, she joins the university in the city he is in, and during their day-to-day intimate and close interaction, they slowly fall in love.
In my opinion, I like this drama. Because hidden love is the best drama I have ever watched, the male protagonist (Duan Jiaxu) is a great man, and have a green flag. The female protagonist (Sang Zhi) she is a great actor. This drama have 25 episode and the drama is so good because have a simple flow. The actors can acting that play the drama clearly and have real-life chemistry as well. And the last, the focus is on the family and friends surrounding the main characters.
So in conclusion, I give rate 10/10 for this Chinese drama. I recommend for the people who is in love and to every lover of Asian dramas as a MUST watch. The effort put into making this happen is see clearly, and it's clear that female directors and writers are behind it all.

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Amar é cuidar e cultivar

Eu consigo entender por que o primeiro diretor quis desistir dessa história. Uma história de amor em que o homem (nem tão) mais velho se apaixona pela irmã do melhor amigo, a qual ele conheceu quando ela ainda era muito nova, realmente é um enredo difícil de não cair no desagrado do público. Porém, estou feliz que não desistiram desse projeto, pois o resultado foi simplesmente lindo!

Sobre a protagonista feminina: apesar de gostar de alguém mais velho, em nenhum momento o seu tempo é desrespeitado. Ela não buscar fingir ser mais madura do que o que de fato é, ela não pula etapas pelo relacionamento que quer ter. E, embora a família a trate com o cuidado dado a crianças, ao reservar ela se mostra muito madura emocionalmente - sem deixar de ser meiga, delicada, atenciosa e muito fofa.

Sobre o protagonista masculino: que show de atuação! Senti muita sinceridade nas cenas dele, em especial quando o assunto era a sua família. Gostei que ele foi construído como alguém que aprendeu a ser uma boa pessoa, apesar de tudo. Gostei, também, de como ele se mostrou decidido uma vez que entendeu que seus sentimentos pela prota mudaram de cuidado para amor, que é um detalhe que faz toda a diferença nessa história.

Os protagonistas mostraram que o amor é cuidar do outro, mas é também cultivar no outro felicidade, conforto, confiança.

É um dorama simples, no fim das contas, mas que mostrou personagens como pessoas reais. Nem perfeitos, nem caricatos. Os pais tem suas questões quanto aos filhos, os irmãos brigam, quem se ama tenta dar o seu melhor pelo outro, e é isso.

Muito grata a atriz principal que deu o melhor de si para fazer esse projeto acontecer, valeu a pena cada segundo gasto.

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The only Chinese drama I haven't dropped

This show is absolutely beautiful. I don't mean that in an aesthetically pleasing way, though that's not bad, but in a purely sweet, fluffy, and romantic way. I could not stop watching this and binge watched it to the end within a couple days. I know, I have a problem, but the characters were just so compelling and the plot was so fun and enjoyable. This is the only cdrama I've been able to actually finish, as the title suggests. The men are actually tolerable and not overbearing or abusive. It's the first cdrama I've seen to not have abusive ML and just abusive men in general throughout with annoyingly childish FL no matter the age of them.

This FL is young and younger than the ML and the plot is her having a crush on the ML who's 5 years older and her brother's best friend. Maybe it's because this is the exact story with my husband and myself, I was drawn to it. My husband and I both absolutely fell in love with these characters though. The girl is quite youthful and naïve at times, but so is the guy and they felt like the perfect match because of this.

If you're looking for a fluffy, sweet, airy romance with little drama, this is the show for you. I love some good drama, don't get me wrong, but this was just what I needed to step away from all the drama and just enjoy some good, entertaining love

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