If you're still hesitating whether to watch One and Only first, I would highly recommend it as the prequel would give you a deeper understanding into the characters of Forever and Ever. Not only that, you'll be able to appreciate the historical references and beautiful antique aesthetics much more given how they're also interwoven with One and Only. Technically, Forever and Ever is a continuation of One and Only so it would only be logical to watch the first half before the second half. Plus, it's a shame to miss out on a masterpiece like One and Only!

PLOT & SETTINGS:

Beware of One and Only spoilers (skip to next section if needed)...

Even if I have yet to read the novel, I'm still very much engrossed by the poetic soul of this series. I guess it's an advantage of having the novel's author as the screenwriter. I'm captivated by how Shi Yi is able to recognise Zhou Sheng Chen's "beautiful bones" (inner beauty) and falls in love with him all over again after having "reincarnated" from One and Only. While the reincarnations are not explicitly stated in this sequel due to censorship, the reason why the series is split into 2 parts with almost different sets of actors to begin with, they're hinted throughout the show in a subtle and intricate way yet prominent enough for viewers to make the connections. This can be seen where Shi Yi becomes the dubbing actress for the drama One and Only. It is cleverly inferred that Shi Yi can recall the "memories" of their past lives and romantic attachments where she would cry while dubbing Zhou Sheng Chen's demise or look longingly at the city wall where the past Shi Yi has presumably fallen to her death to follow her love so that he can "come to marry" her. Similarly, Shi Yi is also shown to prefer the turquoise dress because it reminds her of the dress she wore when she first met Zhou Sheng Chen in their past lives but dislike red dresses and has a fear of height as they evoke memories of her own death from One and Only.

Furthermore, the modern Shi Yi's family name is "Shi" instead of "Cui" to reflect how she has asked to be taken out of the family tree towards the end of One and Only in order to just be Zhou Sheng Chen's beloved "Eleven [Shi Yi]" as well as to save her clan from the repercussions of her actions. The modern Zhou's family house is also designed to follow the traditional Chinese style with a similar layout to the Zhou Manor in One and Only, from its iconic gate to the lotus pond and library where the past Shi Yi shared memorable moments with her Master. So in this case, the censorship may actually be a blessing in disguise as it encourages viewers to actively engage with the plot and draw comparisons between the 2 parallel narratives.

CHARACTERS:

Personally, I love how the modern Zhou Sheng Chen is portrayed as intelligent and caring (at least towards those he's close to) but also rather aloof and not very well versed in human relationships due to his lonely and harsh upbringing. This then gives the audience an opportunity to witness how he is able to endure the pain of hardships and grow as a character, where he would gradually learn how to stand up to the opposing forces in his family and protect Shi Yi from their schemes despite all of his shortcomings. I find that raw and imperfect side of Zhou Sheng Chen very touching and humane as it shows that his heart is indeed made of gold, or should I say his "beautiful bones" are made of gold.

While Forever and Ever tends to focus a bit more on Zhou Sheng Chen's struggles, like how One and Only did with Shi Yi's, our female lead is still very much in the limelight. I think there's really no singular way of creating a strong female lead. And in this sequel, it's Shi Yi who is able to draw Zhou Sheng Chen out of his shell, give him the strength and courage to deal with the power conflict that is rotting through the core of his own family. Given her memories of their star-crossed past lives, she took the initiative to approach him and patiently get to know him. In spite of Zhou Sheng Chen's inexperience and insecurities, Shi Yi gives him her unconditional trust and love to make their relationship works. From the perspectives of those around her, their progress might appear to be too rushed and almost reckless. But I guess for those of us who have suffered the waterworks from One and Only, their second chance love could not have been fast enough.

I must admit I enjoy Zhou Sheng Chen's awkwardness when he's around Shi Yi way too much. Like a true science man, he is very methodical in his romantic "research" and prefers to do things by the book. He doesn't have a single romantic bone in him but willingly let himself be led by Shi Yi's spontaneity and free spirit. Whatever he lacks in romance, Zhou Sheng Chen makes up for it with his own sincerity and loyalty. Together, they're such an adorkable and charming couple that would make you giggle in one minute and swoon in the next. While their relationship doesn't exactly restart from zero, they're still taking the time to get to know each other little by little until they form a strong enough bond that can withstand any adversity.

Aside from the main couple, my favourite character got to be Uncle Lin who is Zhou Sheng Chen's driver but also his father figure and love counsellor. Growing up in such an austere family after having lost his birth parents, Zhou Sheng Chen only has Uncle Lin and his "grandmother" who know him best and actually care for him. I love how Uncle Lin is there to witness the couple right from the beginning, whether it be accompanying Zhou Sheng Chen on his ridiculous 8-hour night trips just to meet Shi Yi or being the unfortunate "third wheel" that interrupt their romantic moments.

CAST:

I absolutely love love love Bai Lu and Allen Ren together! Did I forget to mention how much I love them? It's hard to find 2 actors who not only have that much chemistry with each other but also excel in both the modern and historical genres. I've only seen Allen Ren in historical dramas and I know that he can play a dashing general very well from Under the Power. But this is my first for a modern drama and Allen surely doesn't disappoint. Suddenly, the serious and restrained face from One and Only is replaced with those shy smiles and cute baffled expressions that totally fit the socially awkward personality of the modern Zhou Sheng Chen. On the other hand, we all know from Love is Sweet that Bai Lu is classy and elegant enough to pull off any modern looks. She looks extremely beautiful those trench coats and tailored dresses, especially the traditional qipao.

I thought Bai Lu and Allen Ren couldn't fit any better than they did in One and Only but Forever and Ever just hit us with a totally different kind of charm. Even though they're supposed to play the awkward couple at first, their chemistry is already off the roof. It's kind of hard to believe that they've this much chemistry in Forever and Ever despite it being filmed before One and Only. Plus, their behind-the-scenes never fail to make me laugh. Who knows that the awkward couple is such a hilarious comedy duo in real life!

SOUNDTRACKS:

I thought that the production team tried very hard to not get flagged by censorship for "reincarnation", but I guess they couldn't be more blatant with the soundtracks, not that I'm complaining. Forever and Ever literally uses the same opening No Worries (无虞) by Mimi Lee and Jing Long from One and Only, showing that they're both the same show. Not only that, the theme song Continued Writing (续写) by Shang Yichun also poignantly expresses how long Shi Yi has waited to be together with Zhou Sheng Chen and the beauty of their transcendent love...

"In the memory, the snow-covered city tower... When your name rings out, finally blooming again like a flower of the soul, the dreams that have accompanied me through the light years."

"The poem I'll continue to write, with your name in each line. If started all over again, I'd still remember our love. It took hundreds of centuries for our love to begin, there's no way it'd end."

"Those familiar eyes, lost the past when we shed tears. It won't change, our fate of encounter."

"When our story became history, in another world, there is another pair of longing eyes [that] have been waiting for that everlasting romance."

I personally love Time Froze (定格) by Yan Ren Zhong as it really highlights the sweetness of those shy and awkward moments between Shi Yi and Zhou Sheng Chen. And like Zhou Sheng Chen in One and Only, Bai Lu also blesses us with her own OST, Heartbeat (心动), that's just pure candy for the ear.

OVERALL:

I think you really need to have watched One and Only to really empathise and fall in love with Forever Ever. Even with the censorship, this is not supposed to be an ordinary modern romance where it ends as soon as the couple gets together. It's about two people who have withstood the test of time just to be together and would do anything to protect their newfound happiness. I love how, despite the drama and conflict surrounding Zhou Sheng Chen and Shi Yi, their love for each other is pure and uncomplicated. I don't care how many tears I have to shed because I wouldn't miss this series for the world!

FAVOURITE QUOTES:

“Even the most beautiful face will have to age. You are the best in my mind. I can see the bones of beauty inside you… People’s faces are shaped by their hearts. If they’re kind at heart, they look kind in their face. One has to have dignity before having the bones of beauty.” Shi Yi

"Things in this world are no more than dramas. People on this earth don't have to be serious. You bear too much [in the heart]. I only ask for a small part. But it has to be all of your romantic love." Shi Yi

"Since there's nothing sure in our life, then don't hesitate. All you need to do from now on is to study the Venus you like. Leave the rest to me." Shi Yi

“Within the limited amount of time I have left to spend with him, I don’t have any time to think about using such tricks or applying pressure. I need to size every single minute to be with him.” Shi Yi

"The research area itself can't be right or wrong. Only the method of experimentation can be wrong. If the experimental method is wrong, we can change the method. But the research area itself will not change. For example, the fact that we're together is not going to change. If something goes wrong, we can change the way we get along." Zhou Sheng Chen

"Maybe I'm not very sensitive about [romantic] things. Nevertheless, I like that our love for each other is growing over time. In other words, it makes a relationship stronger." Zhou Sheng Chen

"From the moment we decided to be together, we would not leave each other forever. I don't want her to be treated unfairly. I can't live without her." Zhou Sheng Chen

"I had thought that I could handle the human relationship separately, rightly... But I find that I can’t easily handle things related to Shi Yi." Zhou Sheng Chen

“I am only an ordinary guy, that happens to meet a woman exceeding my expectation at the right age. If I didn’t marry her, I would have regretted it for the rest of my life.” Zhou Sheng Chen