Hidden Love (2023) 偷偷藏不住
Directed by Lee Ching Jung, starring Zhao Lusi as Sang Zhi and Chen Zheyuan as Duan Jiaxu.
Directed by Lee Ching Jung, starring Zhao Lusi as Sang Zhi and Chen Zheyuan as Duan Jiaxu.
Watched 6 - 19 September 2024 — 25 episodes (NETFLIX)
*Love and adore this Chinese drama that's so well received and popular, and I can totally understand the hype. There's more drama and plot than in When I Fly Towards You (my first Chinese drama, I also love that one a lot) and I couldn't stop watching.
*The biggest draw and appeal of this drama is the OTP. Zhao Lusi as Sang Zhi and Chen Zheyuan as Duan Jiaxu have amazing chemistry and make their love story very believable and palpable. The story premise is very simple and relatable (a girl falls in love with the best friend of her elder brother and we see her come of age and ultimately in a romantic relationship with the friend), nothing really special, so the series hinges on the characters and chemistry and performances. The lead characters are well written and played to perfection. I love all the micro-expressions both lead actors display on their faces and their cute antics. Duan Jiaxu gets more attractive once you get to know his character. At times the actor looks like a kid, but then he looks so mature and so attractive, mostly in his serious and vulnerable moments and when he looks at Zhi.
*The biggest draw and appeal of this drama is the OTP. Zhao Lusi as Sang Zhi and Chen Zheyuan as Duan Jiaxu have amazing chemistry and make their love story very believable and palpable. The story premise is very simple and relatable (a girl falls in love with the best friend of her elder brother and we see her come of age and ultimately in a romantic relationship with the friend), nothing really special, so the series hinges on the characters and chemistry and performances. The lead characters are well written and played to perfection. I love all the micro-expressions both lead actors display on their faces and their cute antics. Duan Jiaxu gets more attractive once you get to know his character. At times the actor looks like a kid, but then he looks so mature and so attractive, mostly in his serious and vulnerable moments and when he looks at Zhi.
*The age gap between the main couple is only 5 years, so not a big thing. But the controversy comes from Zhi being a minor when she meets Jiaxu and starts crushing on him. Online reviewers are put off by the age gap and the pedo vibes, but honestly, it never went that route. Yes, it would have been a big no if Jiaxu would have been attracted to Zhi as a minor. Yet he just saw her as a kid and it never became uncomfortable watching them together when she was a minor, and he was just overprotective of her like a brother. Personally I thought they handled the age issue very well.
*In episode 2, there is this scene where Zhi gets her period, and I loved to see how Jiaxu and Zhi's brother (Sang Yan, played by Victor Ma) go out of their way to make her feel comfortable. They are so thoughtful and considerate towards her.
*I love Sang Zhi's family and her relationship with her brother. A lot of the show's humour comes from their interactions.
*Show never loses steam or drags when the leads have become boyfriend and girlfriend. Love the development of the romance, how Jiaxu falls for Zhi, and how once they get together, it's not all cuteness overload and fluff but there are also serious moments where the depth of their relationship is being explored and showcased. I love how supportive they are of each other. I also love to see them thrive professionally.
*So many things to love in this show. I absolutely love Jiaxu in his vulnerable moments, when having to deal with his family problems. I felt for him during the scene where he talks to Zhi's father about reconsidering his future with Zhi.
*One of my favourite episodes is ep. 24. It demonstrates the culmination of the OTP's love and it shows how much they have grown and matured. I love the scene where Jiaxu tells Zhi he loves her and she instigates the kiss. Also when his dad dies and he cries in her arms. But the most heartfelt scene in ep. 24 is set at Jiaxu's mother's grave and Zhi tells him she wants to protect him and be his family. I cried too. It became my fave scene and I have replayed it multiple times already.
*I love the side characters, Zhi's college dorm girlfriends, Jiaxu's work colleagues and his likeable female boss.
*So many things to love in this show. I absolutely love Jiaxu in his vulnerable moments, when having to deal with his family problems. I felt for him during the scene where he talks to Zhi's father about reconsidering his future with Zhi.
*One of my favourite episodes is ep. 24. It demonstrates the culmination of the OTP's love and it shows how much they have grown and matured. I love the scene where Jiaxu tells Zhi he loves her and she instigates the kiss. Also when his dad dies and he cries in her arms. But the most heartfelt scene in ep. 24 is set at Jiaxu's mother's grave and Zhi tells him she wants to protect him and be his family. I cried too. It became my fave scene and I have replayed it multiple times already.
*I love the side characters, Zhi's college dorm girlfriends, Jiaxu's work colleagues and his likeable female boss.
*Will definitely watch this series again, some day, to relive all the heart-fluttering feels! And I'm going to explore more of Chen Zheyuan's work. Maybe watch Mr. Bad.
*Also, love the OST!