THE SHORT VERDICT:

If you’re tired of big sweeping romantic love and are hungry for something romancey but feels realistic and relatable, this could be your ticket.

Show does a solid job of exploring what happens when two flawed individuals, who are different in many ways, are drawn to each other.

Li Xian and Zhou Yu Tong are both great in this, and their chemistry feels especially organic and sparky; sometimes I felt like a voyeur peeping at real-life lovers.

Show is admittedly a little uneven in spots, but is still very much worth the ride.

THE LONG VERDICT:

To be honest with you, it really wasn’t this show’s trailers that got me interested to watch it. It was this Instagram reel that, well, reeled me in, with this show (heh, see what I did there? 😁).

My interest in this drama skyrocketed, based on the OTP chemistry in this reel, because here, we see just how ridiculously charming Li Xian and Zhou Yu Tong are together, in this show. 😍

In the scene in the clip, he teases her and says, “Let’s go to the new house” (the phrase 新房 (xīnfáng) can also mean bridal chamber).

She retorts, “Do I look like the kind of girl who just casually goes home with a man?”

And he says, “Yes” – which is why she starts walking away from him, grinning, and that’s when he goes after her, saying, “I was just teasing you.”

Eeee!!! SHO CUTE!!! 🤩

I was SOLD, on this alone – and Show delivers, too, on what it promises.

Not only is this show full of OTP moments that overflow with chemistry, it also belongs to that category of c-drama that is my catnip: earthy yet whimsical; slice-of-life yet sprinkled with regular touches of romance.

Admittedly, there is one key thing that mars it for me, which I’ll talk about soon, but by and large, this was a solid watch that I would recommend.

OST ALBUM: FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE

Here’s the OST album, in case you’d like to listen to it while reading the review.

On the whole, I found the OST very melodious and well-applied, though I will also admit that there wasn’t a specific track that got under my skin and stole my heart.

HOW I’M APPROACHING THIS REVIEW

First I’ll talk about how to manage your expectations going into this one, and what viewing lens would be most helpful.

After that, I talk about what I liked and liked less, covering both the more macro aspects of Show, as well as selected characters and relationships. I’ve opted not to do a separate section on characters and relationships, for this review.

Finally, I also spend some time talking about my thoughts on the penultimate episodes, as well as our finale episodes.

If you’re interested in my blow-by-blow reactions, &/or all the various Patreon members’ comments during the course of our watch, you might like to check out my episode notes on Patreon here.

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS / THE VIEWING LENS

Here are a few things that I think would be helpful to keep in mind, to maximize your enjoyment of your watch:

1. This is not fluffy and feel-good

While Show is rather idealistic and whimsical at heart, I would say that it presents a more realistic take on modern romance, and the issues and struggles that come with it, than the average fluffy rom-com.

Adjusting your viewing lens to expect this is helpful, I think.

2. Some episodes are heavier than others

Generally, Show isn’t a heavy one, but certain episodes are admittedly heavier than others.

So, when you encounter a heavier episode, hang in there, because it’ll get better quite soon.

3. Show does get philosophical sometimes

..And your mileage is likely to vary.

I think some folks actually enjoyed this part of Show’s makeup, but I personally feel that Show got a little heavy-handed at points.

If you’re not feeling it so much, then my advice is to shrug it off as best as you can, and keep on rolling on; the characters and relationships in this are worth it.

STUFF I LIKED

Show’s overall vibe

Like I mentioned earlier, there’s a particular type of c-drama that is my catnip: earthy yet whimsical; slice-of-life yet sprinkled with regular touches of romance; everyday yet feel-good.

This is how I think of dramas like Meet Yourself and Nothing But You (reviews here and here!) – which, incidentally featured our leads separately – and this is how I felt about this show – at first.

Essentially, what I mean is, even though this show has a lot of the same earthy whimsy and everyday romance that I loved in Meet Yourself and Nothing But You, I wouldn’t classify it as a feel-good drama like I would the other two shows.

I mentioned this in the section on managing your expectations; Show does have a more somber, heavier side to it.

Broadly, I can say, without spoilers, that the topic of death is something that Show tends to circle back to, every once in a while, and that can be rather sobering.

I didn’t dislike this, because Show manages to still stay pretty consistent in hitting me with the feels, and because I did find this rather thought-provoking as well, which is why I’ve got it in this section.

Li Xian as Maidong

I have to admit that Li Xian was a big draw for me, in this show, because I do have that soft spot for him, with him looking a lot like my first boyfriend and all. 😅

I was rather amused at the idea that Li Xian’s character Chen Maidong, is a promising young man who could’ve made it in the big city, but has chosen to come back to his hometown, and is doing what he can, to mitigate the effect of rural displacement, even – because on paper, that’s exactly Li Xian’s character in Meet Yourself, heh.

And here, as in Meet Yourself, Li Xian’s character is living with his grandmother, and it’s just the two of them, because his parents are elsewhere.

Happily, the similarities pretty much end there; Maidong definitely is a different character than Zhiyao, the character Li Xian plays in Meet Yourself.

When we start our story, Maidong seems to be on the reticent, almost sullen side as a general rule, and the exception seems to be when he’s dealing with the bereaved or the deceased, in his work as an undertaker / funeral director

It does take some time for us to get to know what’s really going on with Maidong, and because that process has a lot to do with our OTP relationship, I’ll talk more about Maidong, in the OTP section, which is coming up shortly.

Zhou Yu Tong as Zhuang Jie

Similar to Li Xian, I have a pre-existing soft spot for Zhou Yu Tong, because I enjoyed her a great deal, in Nothing But You.

I’d liked her so much in Nothing But You, that I wasn’t sure I would be able to accept her in the skin of a different character, which is why I’m so pleasantly shocked to say that:

1, Zhuang Jie is a very different character than You’an, her character in Nothing But You, and

2, Zhou Yu Tong inhabits Zhuang Jie so well, that she became Zhuang Jie for me. 🥲

As a character, Zhuang Jie is as complex as Maidong, and there are many layers that remain hidden, underneath her good-natured, cheerful and carefree persona.

One of the key highlights of this show, I feel, is slowly peeling away those layers, to really understand the drivers behind Zhuang Jie’s behavior.

Again, because that process has a lot to do with Maidong, I will talk more about this in the section where I explore the OTP relationship.

I will say though, that I immediately fell in love with Zhuang Jie’s cheerful resilience, where she doesn’t get offended easily, and is quick to dust herself off and carry on, after a setback.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-4. The fact that Zhuang Jie is a survivor of a horrific accident that had taken her father’s life, and that she now lives as an amputee, because she’d lost the lower half of her right leg, just makes me love her resilience more, and feel more protective of her.

In particular, my heart goes out to her, at the scenes where we see her massaging her leg, because it hurts.

To me, this visual acts as an representation of all the pain, both physical and emotional, that Zhuang Jie keeps to herself, hidden from everyone else’s view. It makes me want to be in her corner, and root even harder for her.

Also, it strikes me really hard, how grateful she is, for her family, including her stepfather Uncle He (Zhang Zheng Yang), and half-sister Niaoniao (Zhang Xi Wei).

Instead of feeling like her stepfather had taken her father’s place, she’s grateful for Uncle He, and the stability he’s brought to their family. I love that. 🥲

E5-8. We see that from Zhuang Jie’s perspective, the reason she likes Shanghai so much, is because it affords her anonymity.

When she says that she likes the streets and bridges in Shanghai, it doesn’t seem like much at first, until she reveals that on the streets on Shanghai, no one notices her leg, and on the bridges of Shanghai, no one thinks about how her father had died.

With this as context, I feel that, at the heart of it, Zhuang Jie’s main reason for choosing Shanghai isn’t primarily about chasing after career success, even though it might be part of the picture.

At the heart of it, it seems like Zhuang Jie chooses Shanghai, because it allows her to distance herself from the root of her pain.

That is so poignant, isn’t it? 🥲

[END SPOILER]

Maidong and Zhuang Jie

As you know, I came for this OTP and their chemistry, and Show does not disappoint.

Because Maidong and Zhuang Jie are both such complex, flawed individuals with differing personal goals and outlooks on life, it’s a complicated, multi-faceted thing, for them to find their way to each other, and become a couple.

I thought that Show did a very solid job of exploring their attraction to each other, as well as their differences, and allowing those differences to clash, so that we get to see how their coming together is a sometimes messy, sometimes chaotic, sometimes difficult sort of thing.

I also wanted to say that once this OTP was minted, I found the connection between them pretty unique, in that they seem to have their own special frequency that only they can fully understand.

I’ve seen some other dramas that have tried to bring this quality across for their OTPs, and I can say that this really is the first time that I felt this came across for me in a way that felt believable and organic.

Like, I bought into their special and unique frequency, even as I continued to try to understand it.

I thought Show did an excellent job of selling the idea that these two people belong together, in spite of their differences, and I absolutely rooted for them to hold on to each other, all the way to the end.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-4. Based on the flashbacks that we’ve been given so far, and at Zhuang Jie’s own admission, even, we know that Zhuang Jie had had a bit of a crush on Maidong, when they’d been in high school.

Honestly, I’m rather intrigued by the connection that they’d shared in high school, because they look like such an unlikely pair.

He’s slightly on the side of “little gangster” with the way he’s fighting so often, with the other kids, while she’s the outcast for having a disability.

And yet, they form a little connection, when he borrows her crutch to use as a weapon, and she informs him that he owes her a favor – which she then calls in, when she volunteers to act as a tree in the class play, and suggests that he can play the other tree.

The way everyone sits up and “oooh”s at the fact that he actually agrees to her suggestion is completely understandable, because why is the belligerent little gangster boy-man listening to the outcast girl with the crutches, right?

I love the fact that he stops to check on her when it’s raining, and then carries her on his back, once he realizes that she has no way to use an umbrella on her own, while using her crutches.

That’s such a great scene, and I love that there’s an unspoken connection there; I feel that if things had been purely transactional between them, then there’s no way he would’ve ended up carrying her in the rain. 🥲

E1-4. I just love how casually matter-of-fact Zhuang Jie appears, when Maidong asks her if she’s been joking with him all along, with regard to her limping, as well as her statement that he’s her ideal type, and her old flame.

I love how she leans in and tells him that it’s true – and it’s also false; it all depends on how he understands it.

With that as context, I kind of have a feeling that Maidong will be at least a little out of his depth, in trying to court Zhuang Jie, like he’s promised Gran. Which, muahaha. 🤭

E5-8. Although we know that Gran means well, it was still awkward to watch the run-in between Maidong and Zhuang Jie, when he comes home and finds her sitting there having tea with Gran, and looking at pictures from when he was little.

Eep. I felt awkward on both of their behalfs, because clearly, he’s uncomfortable having her there, and then, it’s kind of secondhand embarrassing, a little bit, how Zhuang Jie powers through, while pretending everything’s ok. 😅

Like, I did feel like Zhuang Jie overstepped her boundaries, when she invited herself into Maidong’s bedroom, and started showing herself around, while even touching his things, and putting on music.

I do think that this is Zhuang Jie’s nonchalant persona, and not necessarily reflective of what she thinks is appropriate, but it was still kind of uncomfortable to watch.

It’s not surprising, I suppose, that that conversation comes to a head, when Maidong basically says that she’s frivolous, and Zhuang Jie leaves in an offended huff.

I’m glad that Maidong messages her to apologize, and I’m glad that Zhuang Jie shows us that while she might lose her temper when provoked, she really isn’t one to hold grudges.

It was really quite refreshing for me, to see her accept Maidong’s dinner invitation to make amends, and then actually act friendly, instead of offended.

I actually find it quite charming, that she’s frank about telling him that he’s got a nice profile, and doesn’t feel embarrassed to tell him so.

I honestly got so much pleasure from watching the ice break between them, as they warmed up in conversation.

I like that Zhuang Jie tells him honestly that she’d had gallbladder surgery, but hasn’t dared tell her mom about it, and I like that this actually makes him chuckle. 🥰

I also like that when she asks him why he doesn’t often smile, he’s honest in telling her that it’s because of his work; that he’s learned to keep his emotions in check.

With this conversation, I feel like the walls that had previously been between them, are finally removed, and they are finally relating as individuals. I do love that. ❤️

In fact, some of their conversation runs very personal and frank, like when he tells her not to keep referring to herself as a disabled person, and also, when she tells him that people who understand him, will accept everything about him, including his chosen career, and so to not settle, just because of minding other people’s opinions about him.

Also, I personally really like Zhuang Jie’s point, that people who don’t understand you, will never accept you, even if you change everything about yourself.

Oof. Those are some wise words indeed, and really hit me in the gut, honestly. 🥲

On another note, that moment when Maidong flinches after Zhuang Jie tries to touch his arm, and he explains that it’s a habit, because most people don’t like to have close contact with him due to his job (because it’d be unlucky), I felt a stab of sympathy for him.

I mean, that must feel quite lonely, on some level, I would think? To have people automatically avoid physical contact with you, because they feel that you’d bring them bad luck?

And so, I really do appreciate the point, that when Maidong declines to shake Zhuang Jie’s hand because most people find it unlucky to shake hands with him, and don’t want to hear him say, “See you again,” Zhuang Jie goes in like the rebel that she is, grasps his hand firmly in a handshake, and tells him with a smile, “See you again.”

Ahhh. To my mind, this must feel like some kind of balm to Maidong’s soul, because for once, someone is happy to shake his hand, instead of being afraid to do so, and that same someone, is smiling while saying, “See you again.”

Aw. I thought this little beat was very gracious and affirming, honestly. 🥲

It’s around this time that we the flashback to their high school days, where we see how Maidong had been assigned the task of looking out for Zhuang Jie when it rained – and that when she’d moved away, he’d looked on, with sadness.

That tells us a lot about Maidong, doesn’t it?

He’d actually come to a point where he’d wanted that connection with Zhuang Jie, and had likely felt rejected and abandoned, when she’d moved away with her family.

This set of episodes, he talks about how those who will leave, will end up leaving, and you can’t stop them – and I can’t help feeling that that sentiment also applies to this thing with Zhuang Jie.

Back then, he couldn’t stop her from leaving, and now, he likely sees that he can’t stop her from leaving either – and most likely, that’s why he refrains from establishing a connection, to start with.

Like, if you don’t offer a corner of your heart, then you can’t be heartbroken – that kind of thing, y’know?

And, I imagine that as he considers the fact that Zhuang Jie’s going back to Shanghai to where she’s set down roots, this is the sentiment that comes back to the forefront; those who will leave, will end up leaving, and there’s nothing you can do to stop them.

So YAY for Gran, who sends that voice message to Maidong, basically telling him that he needs to say something, and that those who are leaving, are also afraid of overstaying their welcome.

..Which is how we end up having that scene at the train station. 🥲

I’m sure going to the train station to see Zhuang Jie off, is Maidong’s way of doing something about the situation, even though he keeps it vague, when he tells Zhuang Jie that he’s there to see someone off.

BUT, he takes Zhuang Jie’s luggage from her, which, to my eyes, is a confirmation that he really is there for her, and not for someone else. Eee!

My gosh, I do love how she goes after him, after he turns to leave, and ends up grabbing him for a kiss.

And when he reacts in stunned surprise, she goes back in and kisses him again, this time reaching to hold his face in her hands. Eee!!

AND THEN, it’s almost like you can see him toss any concerns or inhibitions to the wind, as he holds her, and kisses her back.

You can just feel like there’s a lot of pent-up emotion that’s going into the kiss, and yet, the kiss still lands as retrained – but it’s still very heartfelt.

Aaahhh!! I am flailing into a puddle here, folks. 🫠

This kiss feels magical, in terms of how it vibes as being suspended in time, like these two people have lifted themselves out of the context of their world, via this kiss.

And, it’s only as the kiss comes to an end, that reality come rushing back, with a thud. 😅

It’s amusing but also, secondhand mortifying, to see that the kiss soon goes viral in little Nanping, coz everyone knows someone who knows someone, and everyone’s already talking about it, even before Zhuang Jie arrives back in Shanghai.

(Now that’s efficiency! 😅)

I can see why Maidong would opt to delete Zhuang Jie from his contacts, though.

Mainly, he sees that she might like him, but she doesn’t like him enough to come back to Nanping for him, and he can’t see himself leaving Nanping, because Gran needs him, and he’s also got a mission that he wants to accomplish, in Nanping.

And, Zhuang Jie’s username, which translates as “Free-spirited woman” just affirms his suspicions, that the kiss might not have meant as much to her and one might have hoped.

It makes perfect sense that they would both count their encounter as a regrettable but necessary loss, and move on – until Uncle He’s sudden death, that is.

E5-8. I’m so glad, honestly, that Maidong is there when Zhuang Jie feels most lost and alone.

During this terrible time of loss, while Zhuang Jie’s in shock at having lost Uncle He, it really is Maidong who’s able to provide the most comfort, empathy,  and solidarity.

It’s heartbreaking to see that Zhuang Jie regrets never having addressed Uncle He as “Dad,” and it’s even more heartbreaking to hear her tell Maidong, that the reason she hadn’t addressed him as “Dad,” was because she’d been afraid to bring him back luck – and yet, he’d still died. 😭

Ack. That’s a very heavy burden to put on oneself, and I’m glad that Maidong is there for her, to lend a listening ear, and a sense of perspective.

I’m glad that Maidong opens up and shares how he’d lost his best friend at age 17, and how he’s blamed himself for it, all these years.

It also feels significant, that Maidong tells her about his Master, and how he’d come to decide on this profession, to be able to do something for the deceased and their families – and then, even how he’d ended up saying goodbye to his Master, 10 years later.

Through it all, I appreciate that Maidong’s purpose, is to encourage Zhuang Jie that even though it hurts now, that she will eventually make it through.

Later, the arc where Maidong finds Niaoniao after she’s run away is a little convenient, but because it brings Maidong and Zhuang Jie closer to each other, I’m happy to just roll with it.

I appreciate that he agrees to stay with them, instead of just leaving like he’d originally intended, and I appreciate that he’s patient with Niaoniao and does his best to answer her questions about death.

I like that Zhuang Jie makes it a point to thank Maidong for his help and his time, and I’m also glad that they reconnect on WeChat, even though it gets a touch awkward when Zhuang Jie mentions the kiss. 😅

Afterwards, I do like the fact that we see them individually enjoying the things that the other person had mentioned.

Maidong stops to admire the view of the radio tower, while Zhuang Jie makes it a point to use warm light, like Maidong had talked about. Aw. That’s sweet. 🥲

E9-12. I like that we see how each of them looks for opportunities to see the other, like the way Zhuang Jie quickly volunteers to bring Maidong the cake that Gran had set aside for him, on his birthday.

And then later on, we also see Maidong driving to the chicken shop so that his assistant can buy chicken, all so that he can gaze at Zhuang Jie from afar.

And I also like how their instinct is always to protect the other person.

When Zhuang Jie arrives at the funeral hall and finds Maidong in the middle of a brawl, trying to break it up, she immediately jumps in there to protect him, and when he realizes that she’s there, he immediately uses his own body to protect her, while he shuffles her hurriedly out of the fray.

Afterwards, I thought it was cute how Zhuang Jie remarks that Maidong had threatened to hit one of the guys in the brawl, and Maidong retorts that it was only because the guy had wanted to hurt her.

On top of that, I can’t help but notice that every time Maidong opens a car door for Zhuang Jie, he puts his arm over the door, so that his hand is shielding her head as she gets in, and this ensures that she won’t accidentally hit her head getting into the car or taxi.

It’s a small thing, yes, but I just love that this is such a natural part of how Maidong relates with Zhuang Jie.

Isn’t there a lot of protective sweetness going around, despite their gruff non-relationship sort of status?

Of course, there’s also the flirty banter that is a trademark of their interactions, and I can’t deny that I really enjoy those too, even though I wonder, as much as the both of them, probably, at the status of their relationship.

My favorite thing about these moments of flirty banter, is how affectionately amused they both look, as they engage with each other.

They clearly enjoy each other, in these moments, and I love that. 🥰

I’m not super sure why Maidong makes that request of Zhuang Jie, to help him buy clothes, because it’s not like he’s in desperate need of new clothes, and the reason he gives, that he’s too busy to get away from work, sounds like an excuse to me.

So my guess is that he’s just making an excuse, to get closer to Zhuang Jie, because surely her buying clothes for him, has girlfriends vibes all over it? 😁

Although, unfortunately, Zhuang Jie takes it the opposite way, and concludes that he must not view her as a woman, if he’s asking her to buy underwear for him. I do, for the record, think that Maidong’s going more for the girlfriend vibes. 🤭

And Zhuang Jie’s definitely showing interest in him, in spite of herself.

It’s very telling, isn’t it, that she’s been watching videos online, about undertakers, and what the job entails.

I mean, who does that for no reason, right? She’s obviously curious to know more about Maidong. 😁

Honestly, the introduction of Zhuang Jie’s previous love interest, Ji Tong, basically served to fulfill one purpose, and that is, it really demonstrates how he’s so not right for Zhuang Jie – while Maidong is so much better for her.

I personally found Ji Tong quite insufferable with how full of himself he is, and how condescending he is, as a general rule.

For example, just the way he avoided hanging around the chicken shop, even though he knew that it was Zhuang Jie’s family business.

This, even though he claims to have serious romantic intentions towards Zhuang Jie?

Man, if he’s like this even before marriage, I can only imagine how much more distant and aloof he’d be, after the so-called honeymoon flush of romance is over. 🙈

And how about the way he chooses a BBQ restaurant, either not realizing or not caring, that Zhuang Jie doesn’t enjoy BBQ.

And then there’s the way he doesn’t notice (or care?) that the draft from the restaurant door being open, bothers Zhuang Jie’s leg.

Of course, there’s also the way he says that if Zhuang Jie studies some more, then perhaps his family might be more open to accepting her and his wife.

UGH. How awful, when you add that all together, yes?

Our Zhuang Jie deserves better than that, and Show helpfully demonstrates that Maidong fulfills all of that and more.

Maidong thinking to get her those medicinal patches, because he wants to alleviate the discomfort that she experiences in her leg; Maidong immediately going to close the restaurant door and putting his own jacket on Zhuang Jie’s legs, because he knows that the draft is literally hurting her; Maidong remembering immediately, that Zhuang Jie doesn’t enjoy BBQ.

PLUS. With Maidong, there is no need for Zhuang Jie to have to try to earn his family’s approval; Gran already loves her, and has declared that Zhuang Jie is her preferred granddaughter-in-law.

With this one incident, I’m more convinced than ever, that Maidong is wayyyy more right for Zhuang Jie, than Ji Tong (who can take his hoity-toity self back to France, thankyouverymuch).

But of course Maidong gets all angry-jealous at the idea of Zhuang Jie spending time with Ji Tong, and possibly re-igniting things with him, which is how he gets into that fight; he’s just so on edge.

I can understand Maidong sulking when Zhuang Jie shows up at his home and tries to act all normal with him.

However (and this has been bugging me since I finished watching these episodes yesterday), I struggle with the forced kiss that we see him plant on Zhuang Jie.

It helps that Zhuang Jie basically bites him in retaliation and then storms out of the house, because that makes the point that this is not ok, but.. later on in these episodes, he does it again. 🙈

I mean, it kinda-sorta-mayyyybe helps, that we see Zhuang Jie question herself, about whether she’s just more cowardly than she’d like to admit, but I have to confess that it still bothered me.

Coz like I said, even though Zhuang Jie’s already shown her displeasure at the forced kiss, Maidong goes ahead and does it again, at the train station, the very next day, it looks like.

That was very uncomfortable to watch, for me.

Yes, Maidong does say to Zhuang Jie that if it’s ok for her to kiss him, then it’s ok for him to kiss her, but see, my problem with this, is, Zhuang Jie had initiated a surprise kiss, yes, but there was nothing forced about it.

She’d moved in and shot her shot, and Maidong had responded, and the kiss had been gentle and all kinds of unplanned swoony.

However, in this case, the way Maidong goes in for the surprise kiss, is very forceful, and Zhuang Jie tries to break free from said kiss, until she changes her mind and kisses him back.

This.. feels very uncomfortable to me, to watch.

The only thing that barely saves it, for me, is the fact that Zhuang Jie actually chooses to become an active participant in the kiss, partway through, and that they are immediately on smilingly gently ribbing terms, as they hug it out.

This brings me to the vibe between Maidong and Zhuang Jie, as they embark on this new chapter of their relationship.

It’s very hard to define, in the sense that I feel like they’re on a unique frequency that only the two of them truly get, and I, as an outsider, can’t fully understand, no matter how hard I try.

Their jokes; the way they tease and rib each other; the way they encourage each other and help each other; the way they talk about their situation, where there is clear interest and affection on both sides, but a limited view to the future, because Zhuang Jie professes to love Shanghai more than she loves him.

Although, I do find it quite touching, that even though they aren’t able to see a clear future for their relationship, they are continuing to enjoy each other and care for each other, in the present.

E9-12. It felt like a misstep on Maidong’s part, to ask Auntie Wu to broach the topic of matchmaking with Zhuang Jie and her mother, and I was honestly disappointed that he got angry and distant in response to Zhuang Jie’s mom rejecting the match, saying that Zhuang Jie wouldn’t settle down with a local Nanping man.

I don’t blame Zhuang Jie for storming off, after telling him off.

And yet, I’m glad that Maidong goes after her, even though, like I said, I sometimes just don’t get the connection between them.

The way he tries to forcibly get her to turn around feels wrong and imposing, and yet, on a dime, the two of them are laughing together, as he grabs her in a princess-carry, and soon, they’re on his motorbike, where he blithely tells her that he’s taking them somewhere to kiss her.

It’s all very fascinating to me, that they are both on this very unique wavelength together, where they argue and fight, and suddenly turn a corner, and are all smiles and cuddles again.

On a tangent, I know it’s kind of alluded to in the subs, but I wanted to call out the pun that comes up, during the princess-carry.

When Zhuang Jie accuses Maidong of taking her by force, he grins that she should call the police, and Zhuang Jie asks, “Call the police, or hold on tight?”

That’s because both phrases sound almost identical, with “call the police” being 报警 (bào jǐng), and “hold on tight” being 抱紧 (bào jǐn).

I thought that was a cute pun, and I also thought it was cute that Zhuang Jie and Maidong are able to joke with each other like this, so soon after a falling out.

That final kiss, among the lanterns, is so dreamy and tender, like they’re in a beautiful bubble all their own, and nothing else matters. 🥰

E13-18. A very big part of these episodes, is Maidong and Zhuang Jie trying to navigate the uncertain and often murky waters of their relationship.

One of the reasons I think Maidong’s such a good guy, is that he doesn’t try to change Zhuang Jie’s mind about going back to Shanghai, even though he would like nothing better than for her to stay in Nanping.

In fact, not only does he not try to change her mind, he’s so.. accepting of her stance, that he doesn’t even appear to bat an eye, when she brings it up, on occasion, and tells him why she is choosing to go back to Shanghai, even though she does like him.

I feel that very few people would be able to do that, in Maidong’s shoes.

His steady acceptance of Zhuang Jie, is honestly one of the most melty things about him. 🥲

In fact, the more I find out about him, the more my heart goes out to him.

Like the whole backstory about Song Yi, and their relationship.

Honestly, I was really quite taken aback by the way Zhuang Jie chases Maidong down to the resort, because she’d heard that Song Yi was back in town, and was there too.

The way she literally showed up knocking on Song Yi’s door was quite mortifying to me, because of course I knew that Maidong wouldn’t be there, and that it would be extremely awkward, once Song Yi opened the door. 😬

Honestly, sometimes Zhuang Jie is way too impetuous for her own good. 😅

However, the misguided misadventure turns out to be a positive thing in the end, since we and Zhuang Jie get to understand what the deal was, with him and Song Yi.

What a sad story, that Song Yi had been his best friend’s younger sister, and that their actions had both inadvertently led to her brother’s death.

Oof. I can only imagine the kind of guilt that would haunt the both of them, after his death, and I can see why Maidong might decide to allow Song Yi to hang onto him, even though he didn’t actually like her romantically, out of that guilt that he felt towards his friend. 💔

It’s hard to imagine just how much emotional pain Maidong must have endured during those 7 years of their relationship, since his entire reason for even being in that relationship, had been out of guilt towards his friend.

This really makes my heart go out to Maidong, and I’m sure that Zhuang Jie must feel kind of the same way, because it’s clear that this at least gives her food for thought.

And then, how about that beat, when Zhuang Jie goes to see him, and cradles his head gently while he lies in bed, and he remarks thoughtfully, that he can’t remember ever having been held that way before, by anyone.

Oof. Again, it makes me feel that Maidong’s lived a lonely life in many ways, and is only pouring out himself for others, without really taking care to pour into himself too. 🥹

These episodes, we also get a starker glimpse into Zhuang Jie, and it all feels very raw and real, the way her cheerful masking gives way to show us the painful wounds on the inside, that she’s studiously kept hidden from sight, all these years.

The trigger is certainly that argument that she has with Mom, because Mom’s words pierce right into the most tender parts of those wounds, but I would argue that Mom’s words, in this case, are simply the catalyst; the wound in Zhuang Jie’s heart is real, and something that she and Maidong would have had to deal with at some point.

It just happened to surface at this point, because her wounds were bleeding from Mom’s piercing words.

It’s an uncomfortable truth that Show confronts here, with Zhuang Jie’s deep insecurity about her disability, particularly in the context of intimacy with a man.

We don’t know the full story at first, certainly, but we can already see how much pain those wounds cause her, which is why she ends up acting out with Maidong, and also, hurting him so deeply with her words.

The way she’d come on to him, and then turned around and accused him of forcing her into intimacy, was awful, and the way she broke that figurine of her dressed as a tree, that he’d kept so preciously all this time, was very cruel as well.

I felt so sorry for Maidong, because this is obviously not his fault, and he doesn’t deserve to be treated like that at all.

It’s little wonder that he calls it quits with Zhuang Jie that very night, though not until he’s taken her home, good man that he is.

I’m not at all surprised that Zhuang Jie’s all out of sorts for days afterwards, because this isn’t just about her relationship with Maidong; this is about a deeply held insecurity, which, with Mom’s angry direct words, got rudely poked, after being shoved into a corner of her consciousness, for years.

I’m glad that Zhuang Jie does apologize to Maidong soon enough, and that Maidong gives her a chance to explain the reason for her behavior.

I’m also really relieved, that Zhuang Jie ‘fesses up right away, and tells him the broken truth that drove her behavior.

And then, how great is it, that Maidong accepts her explanation, and tells her that he forgives her, just like that?? 🥲

I mean, he doesn’t try to punish her for her bad behavior in any way, which a lesser person might try to do; instead, he carries on like he’s well and truly forgiven her, which is one of the most wonderful demonstrations of love and acceptance, I feel. 🥲

Afterwards, I love how Maidong shows, through his actions, that he fully accepts her disability, and is ready to love her in practical ways.

I love that he doesn’t allow her to rush things, even though she wants to prove to him that she’s ready to allow him to see the most shameful part of herself.

And then I love that he shows her, step by step, that he’s not squeamish about her leg, and even learns how to put on her prosthesis, so that he can help her with it.

AUGH. I love how loving he is, and in such a down-to-earth, practical sort of way. 🥲

It really is Maidong’s unwavering love that eventually convinces Zhuang Jie that she’s ready to allow Maidong to see even the most shameful part of herself, and this honestly might be one of the sweetest, most tender OTP consummations that I’ve witnessed.

The way he gently takes off her prosthesis for her, with such tender resolution, and the way she’s brave to let him, is just beautiful. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

Zhang Xi Wei as Niaoniao

I just wanted to say that I really got a kick out of having Zhang Xi Wei play Niaoniao, because, as many of us know, Zhang Xi Wei played Zhao Lu Si’s younger self in Hidden Love (review here!), and Niaoniao is Zhao Lu Si’s character’s pet name, in Love Like The Galaxy (review here, and Open Threads here!).

This feels like a little wink at the audience, for those in the know? I was entertained by it, at any rate!

As for Niaoniao herself, I found her a delight.

She’s so earnest and precocious and all-around very charming and endearing, so much so that I perked up every time she was on my screen.

Zhuang Jie and Niaoniao

I also wanted to say that I really enjoyed the relationship between Zhuang Jie and Niaoniao.

I love that it’s clear to see that they genuinely care about each other, and have affection for each other, beyond the daily bickering.

[MINOR SPOILER]

Like when Zhuang Jie is too distracted to help Niaoniao with the livestream that they’d planned, it really doesn’t take long for Niaoniao to stop scolding, and to ask if there’s something bothering Zhuang Jie.

[END MINOR SPOILER]

Aw. The sisterly bond is strong with these two, and I really enjoy it, particularly since they are “only” half-sisters, and many people would expect them not to have a strong bond because of that.

Fang Fang as Granny Chen

Over the course of my watch, I found myself really growing fond of Gran, in all her boisterous gruffness.

[SPOILER ALERT]

I thought it was really cute that she liked Zhuang Jie right away, and decided that Zhuang Jie would be the perfect partner for her grandson.

The way she basically threatens Maidong until he agrees to court Zhuang Jie for as long as she’s in Nanping, really amused me.

I also really like the warmth that Gran and Zhuang Jie show each other, whenever they meet. If I didn’t know any better, I’d have thought that Zhuang Jie was her real granddaughter.

I thought that was very, very lovely. 🥰

[END SPOILER]

Xixia and Cui Ge

About halfway through our story, Show introduces a potential loveline for Zhuang Jie’s bestie Xixia (Wan Peng), with Chinese physician Cui Ge (Zhang Chi).

I have to say, I was very pleasantly surprised by how well this loveline grew on me, especially considering how I’d originally felt that this loveline felt a little randomly shoved into our story.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E13-18. I really do love the way Xixia scolds Zhuang Jie, when Zhuang Jie calls and tells her what had happened with Maidong.

The way she scolds Zhuang Jie is so magnificently principled, confident yet caring, that I understood Cui Ge completely, when he admits that he likes her more than ever.

Hee. So cute! With that one thing, I suddenly rather wished that we’d gotten to see more of this pair’s dating scenes. 😁

[END SPOILER]

Liu Lin as Mom

Mom tends to be on the scoldy, naggy, boisterous side of things, so I feel like she might be a bit of a tough sell, to some viewers.

I’m glad that Show makes sure to give Mom a bit of the spotlight from time to time, to help us understand her better, because once I got to know her better, I found my heart going out to her too. 🥲

[SPOILER ALERT]

E5-8. The grief that the various family members feel, at Uncle He’s passing, feels so real and raw, that I couldn’t help but grieve with them. 💔

I felt most bad for Mom, who’s being widowed a second time, and this time is just as sudden as tragic as the first time.

Just how much tragedy does one person have to bear, right? 😭

E13-18. Mom does get incredibly upset at the sight of Zhuang Jie kissing Maidong in public.

I’d been wondering how Mom would react, since, beyond her anger at Zhuang Jie conducting herself inappropriately, she does wish to see Zhuang Jie settled down, and Maidong’s such a decent, good guy.

Honestly, I was a little bemused at how vehemently Mom opposed Zhuang Jie’s relationship with Maidong, but the more she talked about it, the more I found it easier to understand her concerns.

The thing that she said, that stands out to me the most, is that Maidong’s a good person, but it’s a completely different matter, when thinking about becoming family, potentially.

For Mom, nothing seems to satisfy, because on the one hand, she doesn’t like Zhuang Jie’s idea of keeping things light and free, because she can foresee the pain and fallout that would come afterwards.

And yet, on the other hand, even if Zhuang Jie were to be serious about Maidong, Mom’s concern is that it would be a difficult match, what with his complicated family background, his chosen career, and Zhuang Jie’s own disability.

It took me a while to see Mom’s perspective, but when I did, I could understand why she was protesting so vigorously, especially at the part where she gives in, and promptly tells both of her late husbands, that they must not blame her for not doing a good job.

That was when it dawned on me, that Mom saw it as her responsibility to take care of Zhuang Jie, on behalf of her late father, and Uncle He.

I can see how that might have added to Mom’s sense of duty and therefore, her stress levels.

I’m glad that Zhuang Yan and Niaoniao take it upon themselves to talk to Mom, and tell her, in the most matter-of-fact, earnest yet loving way possible, that sometimes, she won’t be able to protect them, as their mother, and that they’d have to learn certain lessons through personal experience, and that she should let Zhuang Jie have her way in this, because it’s so rare for Zhuang Jie to insist on something in such a determined manner.

While Mom’s turnaround with Maidong might seem very sudden to some, I do think that it feels true to her character.

After all, Mom’s a good person at heart, and she does have gratitude towards Maidong for his kindness, when Uncle He had passed.

Additionally, I feel that Mom isn’t the sort to be confrontational with a guest – especially if that guest is Maidong, who had been so kind, respectful and helpful, at such a crucially devastating moment in their family’s lives.

After all the angst, it was actually really heartwarming to me, to see Mom being so welcoming and affectionate of Maidong, and even bragging on him, to the townsfolk. Aw. Yes, please brag on Maidong; he’s such a good person. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

Special shout-out:

Zhang Zheng Yang as Uncle He

I just wanted to give Uncle He a shout-out.

Even though we didn’t spend a whole lot of time with him, I found that I’d really grown to like him; he was such a cheerful, good-tempered, grateful person, and I love that he was as grateful to have his family, as they were grateful to have him. 🥲

The sense of community

Whether it’s between family members, or between friends and neighbors, there’s a strong sense of community in this drama world that I really liked.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E9-12. It’s heartening to see Mom, Zhuang Jie and Niaoniao work together to keep the business going without Uncle He, and I really liked seeing Zhuang Jie’s talent come to the fore, both in terms of business ideas, and maintaining customer goodwill.

I also found it heartwarming to see that lots of the townspeople buy lots of chicken from them, to show their support.

Like the way Maidong’s grandmother buys all those chickens and gives him chicken for breakfast everyday.

Honestly, that made me smile, coz isn’t that so loving, thoughtful and kind? 🥰

[END SPOILER]

STUFF I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH

When Show gets philosophical

I honestly debated with myself on whether to have this in a more neutral “Stuff that was ok” section, or this “Stuff I didn’t like so much” section, because there are upsides to Show’s philosophical bent.

As you can see, though, this eventually got on my bad side. 😅

On the upside

I do appreciate that even though Show is never very far from the topic of death, whether by way of us actually losing a character, like we do with Uncle He, or whether it’s via Maidong’s job as an undertaker, this, overall, feels like a story that affirms life, instead of wallowing in death.

I thought this was a good thing.

On the downside

I did feel that Show leaned a little too heavily into the philosophical stuff, such that a number of times, I felt like Show sounded rather too preachy.

Honestly, I felt like Show ramps up the philosophical stuff in its last third and in the finale stretch, so much so that I really felt it interfere with my ability to enjoy the finale. 😅

Your mileage may vary, of course, and you might actually find this to be one of Show’s strengths; one man’s meat is another man’s poison and all that, eh?

THOUGHTS ON THE ENDING [SPOILERS]

E19-21. My friends. I find myself in the very odd position of genuinely liking this show, and yet, feeling kind of underwhelmed by this finale. 😅

I’ve been mulling over the “why” of this, over the last few hours, and I’ve come to a conclusion that I think feels about right.

Mainly, I am on board with the OTP developments and the emotional beats, but I honestly feel that Show gets rather preachy in these last few episodes, and that just.. took me out of the story, you could say.

Of course, your mileage is likely to vary, and I personally think that if you don’t find Show’s philosophical side preachy like I did, then you’re more likely to enjoy this finale.

That said, I think your mileage would also very much depend on how your receive some of the key OTP developments, in these episodes.

Because, I can imagine that some people would be really upset with Zhuang Jie for leaving, and other people could be really upset with Maidong, for reacting the way he did, even asking for the engagement ring back.

Personally, I think that they are both at fault, but that their actions are understandable.

First, let me talk about Zhuang Jie, and why I think she’s at fault.

I feel that Zhuang Jie is at fault for saying that she wanted to get engaged, without first telling Maidong that she planned to go back to Shanghai, and would be focused on growing her business there, for the next several years.

I mean, if you’re going to make a commitment, like get engaged, then it’s only fair that both parties are clear on what they’re getting into, yes?

Without telling Maidong about her plans to leave soon for Shanghai, on a medium-term basis, she’s, in effect, tricking him into a long-distance relationship.

Of course, you could say that he always knew that this would be a long-distance deal if they continued their relationship, but I would argue that the way Zhuang Jie played it, Maidong had been lulled into thinking that she was giving up Shanghai, in order to get engaged to him.

Like when she tells him that she’d thought that she loved Shanghai more than him, but it turns out that she loves him more than Shanghai.

I thought that was a statement that could be easily misunderstood – and I do think that it’s this statement that made Maidong believe that she was giving up the idea of going back to Shanghai, and that she was now willing to stay in Nanping with him, and make a new life there.

As we learn in these episodes, it’s actually a struggle for Maidong to say that it’s fine for Zhuang Jie to go back to Shanghai, like he’s been saying all this time.

We learn that he’s been deeply hurt by the brokenness in his family due to his parents’ divorce, and has always felt, deep down, a sense of abandonment by his parents, even though he’d been the one to choose to live with his grandparents, when his parents had divorced.

And, when Zhuang Jie makes that decision that they should get engaged, all of the happiness around the engagement serves as a balm for this hurt that Maidong’s been carrying in his heart, all these years.

Therefore, Zhuang Jie getting engaged to him, and then, in just a few short days, dropping the bombshell that she’s going back to Shanghai for the foreseeable future – at the train station, when she’s about to board the train, no less – it’s a huge slap in the face, for Maidong.

It’s the equivalent of her lulling him into putting down his defenses (because he’s no longer bracing for her to leave), and then hitting him hard, where it hurts the most. 💔

That said, I can sympathize with Zhuang Jie, that she’d found it really hard to broach the subject with Maidong, which is why she’d ended up telling him the truth, so last minute.

I can also sympathize with the idea that she likely didn’t dare tell him before they’d gotten engaged, for fear that he would refuse to get engaged to her, or even break up with her, because he didn’t want to do the long distance thing.

It doesn’t make it right, certainly; I’m still of the opinion that Zhuang Jie should have told Maidong the truth much earlier, and at least made it clear, before they’d gotten engaged.

And now, let me talk about Maidong, and where I think he’s at fault.

Basically, I really wish that he hadn’t asked for the ring back, or said that they should take it that the engagement had never happened.

Even if I don’t take this into consideration, out of sympathy for how shocked and hurt he is, by the realization that Zhuang Jie’s leaving, I think it was wrong of Maidong to give Zhuang Jie the silent treatment for (if my calculations are right) four whole months.

That’s a long time to ignore someone, particularly if they’re in a different city, and your relationship with them is up in the air.

I can only imagine how horrible Zhuang Jie must have felt, as she tried to establish contact with Maidong, while he kept ignoring her texts and calls.

I know that Maidong explains that he never doubted her love for him, but was giving her time to figure herself out, but I still feel that he shouldn’t have done it that way.

He should have at least told her that this was what he intended the time for, instead of leaving her hanging, such that she wasn’t even sure if they were together anymore.

That felt like he was punishing her, and even though he says that wasn’t his intention, I’m sure that her experience was a miserable, punishing one, because of how things must have looked from her perspective.

I have to confess that I’m rather disappointed by Maidong’s behavior on this front.

And then, while all this is going on, I was also rather exasperated with Show’s philosophical leanings, which felt heavy-handed to me.

Like that conversation between Zhuang Jie, Xixia and Mom, where they talk at length about women, independence and marriage.

I mean, I get the good intentions, and yes, I’m sure it’s important for some people to hear these messages, so that they feel less alone in their struggles, but it.. kinda felt heavy-handed to me, and therefore landed as rather brainwashy in execution, to my eyes. 😅

If you loved these philosophical bits, sorry. 🙈

I’m glad that Maidong and Zhuang Jie reconcile before the whole Truck of Doom fakeout, instead of after.

As it is, I felt that the Truck of Doom thing was too long drawn-out, with Show teasing us with it quite early, and then showing us the same scene again, at least two more times.

Given that this worked out to be a fakeout, I honestly felt like Show was toying with our feelings, with this, y’know?

I get the idea, that both Maidong and Zhuang Jie are shaken up by the sudden reminder of death, and that’s why they suddenly see things in a whole new light, and that’s why they rush to see each other.

And, I buy that people would have a shift in priorities, when they’re suddenly confronted with the possibility of death.

It’s just that the whole conversation between Maidong and Zhuang Jie leaned a little.. stagey, to me, like these were rehearsed lines, rather than words that two people would naturally say to each other. 😅

I’m sorry. I was really trying to get into the groove with Show, in this finale, but, as you can see by now, it didn’t go very well.

In the end, I am glad that Maidong and Zhuang Jie see each other with new clarity, and decide to prioritize their relationship, and savor every moment, going forward.

Yes, the details are hazy, but it is a picture of hope that Show gives us, that two imperfect, flawed people, can choose love, and choose to overcome their challenges, together, for the long haul.

My favorite bit of the finale, though, has to be that epilogue after episode 21, which only comes on after the credits finish rolling.

I love that Zhuang Yan’s goose finds his way home – and brings home a friend. Looks like the whole reason Jisan Goose had wandered off, was to find himself a partner, hee!

For some reason, it pleases me greatly, that Jisan Goose is back home now, and that he and his partner, are both welcomed with new beds.

Aw. Now that’s what I call a happy ending. 🥰

THE FINAL VERDICT:

Realistic but hopeful; flawed but solid.

FINAL GRADE: B+

TRAILER:

MV:

PATREON UPDATE!

The next drama I’m covering on Patreon, in place of  Will Love in Spring, is The Tale of Rose [China]. I’ve taken an initial look, and I’m happy to say that I really like it, so far.

You can check out my episode 1-4 notes on The Tale of Rose on Patreon here.

Here’s an overview of what I’m covering on Patreon right now (Tier benefits are cumulative)!

Foundation Tier (US$1): Entertainment Drop (Sundays) + the first set notes of all shows covered on Patreon (that’s 2 episodes for kdramas and 4 episodes for cdramas)

Early Access (US$5): +Hold My Hand at Twilight [Japan]

Early Access Plus (US$10): +The Tale of Rose [China]

VIP (US$15): +The Atypical Family [Korea]