Friday, March 2, 2018

A Love So Beautiful: Xiao Mei Hao Drama Review

at 10:41 PM 0 comments

A LOVE SO BEAUTIFUL: 致我们单纯的小美好

I've been on hiatus because of hectic graduate school schedule, but this drama is such a great hidden gem that I feel like I need to make this post in order to spread the words about this drama. 

CONTAINS SPOILERS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! NOW READ AWAY! 




Plot: 4.5/5 

The drama revolves around five friends and follows them through their high school until adulthood with the main focus on a pair of a childhood friend, Xiao Xi and Jiang Cheng. 


Xiao Xi harbors a crush on Jiang Chen (typical intelligent, handsome and aloof—like every male lead) and follows him around. Jiang Chen is well aware of her affection towards him and flats out rejects Xiao Xi’s confession. As the drama progresses, you realized that Jiang Cheng’s response is definitely not the reflection of his true feelings. There seems to be little progress in their relationship throughout the first two years of high school, not until another girl confessed her feelings for Jiang Chen and cause misunderstanding between the two. Xiao Xi vows to stop liking Jiang Chen and basically ignores him, this gives us a great opportunity to see Jiang Chen being uneasy that Xiao Xi is no longer following him around (our boy finally shows his feelings).

Originally, Jiang Chen was studying to enter a super prestigious school for Mathematics, however, he realizes that medicine as something he wants to study and decide to give up on a more well-known school for a lesser known school in medicine.  He also says that "the reason why he changes his mind is because he wants to study medicine, but also wants to stay by her side."  (melted when he said that). I would say that this was the turning point of their relationship, where Jiang Chen really admits to another person that he cares for Xiao Xi. 

(Literally could skip to episode 16-17 at this point—it’s mainly XiaoXi chasing after Jiang Chen for the first 16 episodes).

Xiao Xi actually failed her initial entrance exam to college and decided to do retake. With Jiang Chen's help and her personal determination, she actually successfully entered the college near Jiang Chen. After chasing after Jiang Chen for 3 years of high school (High school in Asia is only three years), Jiang Chen finally decided to show his feelings for her. The two becomes a couple.

Flash forward to three years later, Jiang Chen is busy with residency, while Xiao Xi is struggling to finish her graduation project and finding a job and new place to live. While the two are at a different point of their lives and stressed about their own respective lives, communication became their main issues. Misunderstandings occur and the two broke up. Jiang Chen decided to move to Shanghai at another famous hospital while XiaoXi stays and found a job.

Flashforward to another 3 years later (not sure why they’re all in increments of three years—feelings developed in 3 years of high school, dated for three years in college, broke up for three years) Xiao Xi ran into Jiang Chen again at the hospital as he moved back to the city, but with Wu Bo Song by her side. Once Jiang Chen found out that Bo Song and Xiao Xi are not dating each other, he tries to squeeze himself into the picture by creating different opportunities to talk to her.

Wu Bo Song tried to convince Xiao Xi to be with him, once he got rejected, he came to Jiang Chen to ask him to give up on her. Jiang Chen gave a speech on how he fell in love with Xiao Xi and how he cares for her (how no one is aware of how important her existence is to him). After the whole spiels, Jiang Chen did not know that Wu Bo Song actually called Xiao Xi during the conversation so she literally heard everything (main reason of their breakup was also because Xiao Xi was tired of being the one putting in more in the relationship and have to guess what Jiang Chen is feeling—he doesn’t really express himself). Of course, once the two got back together, all the sweetness occurs.

I won't spoil this part so go watch it for yourself! They're such an adorable couple!







Characterization:

Chen Xiao Xi, plays by Shen Yue.

Shen Yue did an amazing job portraying a bubbly and cute Xiao Xi that’s a bit silly, but completely loveable. Xiao Xi might be annoying to some, but I see her as someone that’s extremely courageous that’s willing to pursue her own happiness (whether it is Jiang Chen or drawing). Initially, she was a little bit more silly but you do grow to love her. Importantly, she represents someone that could truly succeed in a non-traditional way. (when your parents force you to study hard, because that’s the only way to be successful, but studying isn’t made for everyone, and certain people are good at different things). I also love how supportive Xiao Xi’s parents are. They know that their daughter isn’t cut out for studying, and supports her even when she failed her entrance exam.  She is more realistic and knows to draw the line (she stalks Jiang Chen but cuts off her love for him when she thought he cares for the other girl, or when she realizes that Jiang Chen doesn’t want to try for their relationship or doesn’t value her as much as she cares for him).  After their three years of breaking up, they met again and Xiao Xi did not blindly accept Jiang Chen back into her life. She makes him work for it and rejects him with several times. I would say that she isn’t stupid at all, she knows that she was hurt and therefore tries to avoid him in order to no get hurt again. I’m definitely a fan of Shen Yue after this drama. Definitely doing to look forward to seeing her in Meteor Garden 2018. 


Jiang Chen by Hu Yi Tian

Jiang Chen is our typical male lead, smart, cold, and quite aloof. There are many girls interested in him but it seems like he isn't interested in anyone. Can we please just settle down and admired Hu Yi Tian. He The reason why Hu Yi Tian is so fitting for this role is that of his minor expression. Jiang Chen's had a lot more character development than I've expected. I thought he would more like Zhi Shu from It Started with a Kiss (sorry for those that love Zhi Shu) but his character barely changed at all. Jiang Chen, on the other hand, became so much more expressive and was able to convey his honest feelings to Xiao Xi. He was the first to chase after Xiao Xi again because he did not want to lose her, and he was also the one that told her that they will get back together. I just love how his guy is so adorable with his facial expression and also so good in apologizing. He begged her for forgiveness and that's how he got his girl back. For those that think that he doesn't try hard for Xiao Xi, you gotta watch the last three episodes to really realized that he cares for her. 



Music: 4/5
Nothing to not like about the music. The introduction song is adorable, and lively which is a great representation of their youthful days. I initially thought this drama was Taiwanese because the introduction song sounds very much like it. 


Overall: 4.5/5
The plot is definitely not very original, as some did mention the resemblance between this drama and It started with a Kiss. Our genius male lead with cold personality falls in love with a silly, down-to-earth, and hard working female lead. The girl chases after the boy and somehow miraculously, he also reciprocates her feelings even though she’s not the best candidate for him. This drama is everything, and it hits the right spot for me.  If you haven’t seen You’re the Apples of My Eyes (Na Xie Nian) and Our Times, highly highly recommend those, you’ll notice that the high school theme drama are def my fav because they’re just so raw and realistic, and reminds you of those carefree days. I love these kinds of coming of age sort of show.
Totally recommend this for those that want to watch some cute eye candies and reminiscence their youthful days. 
 

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