A Love So Beautiful: Xiao Mei Hao Drama Review

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. 

Princess Agents Brief Summary/ Cute Moments Episode 1-8

I've left this blog for almost three-four years now. Time really flies. College/work/and other life priorities have been keeping me from posting. True props to active bloggers that take the time out of their personal life and make such great posts. Especially since they are much more time consuming than people think.

My comeback post is going to be my current drama obsession "PRINCESS AGENT" starring Zhao Li Ying, Lin Geng Xing and Shawn Dou.

Zhao Li Ying is seriously one of my woman's crush. I've adored her since Prime Minister and I, and Boss and Me. She just keep on getting better and better. She definitely shed away her baby fat and took on a more serious role.

She is literally so freaking cute

This post is dedicated to the cute/romantic moments within the first 8 episodes. I shipped Zhao Li Ying and Lin Geng Xing so freaking hard.

Zhao Li Ying and Lin Geng Xing

Shawn Dou is also a cutie, and I can totally see him as the second male lead that makes all the females go gaga over him. I'm a sucker for the second lead also, but his interactions with Zhao LiYing is definitely not as significant as Lin Geng Xing in the first 8 episodes. (Spoilers: Zhao Li Ying eventually falls in love with Shawn Dou's character. He got too power hungry and used her for his own benefits, therefore she gave up him).

First impression of the first 10 episodes would be "CRUEL" 

Quick Summary (contain spoilers): 

The story sets in Northern and Southern Dynasties, where slaves/ birth rights basically determine your future, your behaviors, basically the values of your life. Jin Xiao Liu (Zhao Li Ying), a slave girl whose life of intertwined with the royal families and how she basically used her wits/natural talents to become one of the best spies in the nation and end slavery. 

Our badass Zhao Li Ying

What makes the story interesting is the fact that Jin Xiao Liu (Little Six) is not actually Jin Xiao Liu. Her real name is Chu Jiao (I have some speculation about her background and I will reveal it in another post later on). Our female lead lost her memories and only live her life as Jin Xiao Liu. The beginning of the story shows frequent flashbacks and scenes in which she was training martial arts as a young child (which contributes to her ability learn martial arts and has extremely quick flexibility/strength)

The initial story begins with Xiao Liu got involved with the YuWen manor in which her entire adopted family are slaves/servant for. Xiao Liu and her siblings got pulled into the power struggles within the YuWen Mannor, which causes two of her older siblings to die, leaving her with two young, naive and helpless sisters, Xiao Qi and Xiao Ba (basically the numerical name, Little Seven and Little Eight). Xiao Liu swore that she will protect her sisters no matter what, even if it costs her her life. 

Yu Wen Yue, our male lead, kills Xiao Liu's older adopted brother. He's the fourth young master of the YuWen Manor, and also the secret descendant of the spy organization, God's Eye.
Despite witnessing her brother's death and wanting to avenged her siblings, Xiao Liu also knew that her priority at this moment would be to stay alive. Xiao Liu knew that with her low status, there is no way for her to protect her sisters unless she is able to climb up the ladder somehow. (This is what I really like about her characters, she's smart and she knows her priorities).

Xiao Liu became the Chamber Maid for the young master, Yu Wen Yue (of course through a series of trials). Being a chamber maid means you literally are in their sleeping chamberYu Wen Yue know that Xiao Liu had ulterior motives in becoming his chamber/personal maid. At the same time, he's attracted and appalled by her wits/ photographic memory and her natural talents to become a great spy therefore naturally take her in under his wings and test her loyalty and her talents at the same time. He gave her a new name "Xing'er", which is a more endearing way of saying "Star"

Just a disclaimer that I am not recapping all the episodes, but rather recapping my favorite moments for this couple. It is of course not all the interactions, but these are my personal favorite, or turning point of their relationship.

LiYing & GengXing Best interaction #1


In the beginning of episode 5, Yu Wen Yue asked Xing'er to shave for him using a knife. Of course this is one of this test of loyalty because he knows that she has the motive of killing him to avenge her. If she has the chance to kill him using the knife, right there and then, would she have done it?


For a brief moment, Xing'er had an internal struggle, reminiscing the exact moment of YuWen Yue killing her adopted brother. Yet, she decided not to do anything about it. Our male lead also questions her because she had a chance to kill him, why not do it?





Xing'er indicated that she wouldn't dare to, however YuWen Yue beg differ and believes that she has the guts to. He also threatens her with the life of her younger sisters. This is YuWen Yue's warning that he could easily end their lives if she dare to do anything stupid.

Xing'er knows her limits and priority. You Go coco! Gotta strengthen yourself first and climb the social ladder to become better than them.




LiYing & GengXing Interaction #2

Xing'er fell asleep on GengXing's bed and he just stares at her. This is the initial point where GengXing displays a hint of emotions of Xing'er. He doesn't show any facial emotion, but the fact that he's just sitting there, staring at her, shows that he has some interest in her.

If you have been observing Yu Wen Yue, he cares about very little amount of people. He seems disinterested in everything.

You never see him show any emotions or even look at any of the maids. Yet, WenYue actually puts a blanket on Xing'er.
He could have left her there and not do anything but he chose to covers her up.

Please keep in mind the social status at this time, he is a young Master, of high status, and she is a slave whose life is worthless.




Next morning, Xing'er woke up and realized that she was on the same bed and under the same blanket. She immediately freaked out and questioned if anything happened the night before.







YuWen Yue of course attacked her and indicated that she needs to know some martial art if she's going to be serving him. He started showing her some moves.


Once Xing'er picks up on the moves, she started fighting with her master. Somehow the fight scene becomes this romantic dance scene where he holds her up and they twirl around.




Of course this moment got interrupted by our annoying maid, Jin Zhu (Pearl). She walked in when he's holding her hostage from their martial art practices, but it seems to others as if they're displaying affection. Awksssss

YuWen Yue even feeds her soup in front of the maid. The maid immediately noticed blood on the bedsheet (from him cutting her hand) but of course it indicates something different. She's assuming our OTP had some sexy time the night before and got even more jealous.







LiYing & GengXing Interaction #3

In Episode 7, YuWen Manor got broken into by assassin, which distracts Yue Qi (YuWen Yue's righthand man). Instead, the ice figure poisoned YuWen Yue, making him completely weak and unable to exerts energy.

Xing'er witnessed her master being completely helpless, and swung the sword. YuWen Yue was under the impression that she would kill him, recalling how her adopted brother died. However, Xing'er swung the sword to kill a poisonous snake that was near YuWen Yue and fainted.

This moment was also crucial because Xing'er had almost a perfect chance to kill him, but she didn't. The true reason why she gave up on killing up could be due to two things.






1. She is truly ambitious and wants to learn all the skills he is teaching her. She does not want to kill him yet because she knows that she will be able to use martial art skills that he taught her in the future. She wants to use him in the future.

2. She knew that Yue Qi (guard) was coming back and changed her mind at the last second.

Nevertheless, Xing'er fainted and YuWen Yue used his internal strength to help her.

Once they called the doctor to examined YuWen Yue of his injuries, he also asked the doctor to examined her. The doctor refuses because she is a slave and isn't worthy of his time. YuWen Yue threatens the doctor and indicated that he will change the doctor's rank to a slave if he doesn't do so. This shows his protective side of him towards her.


LiYing & GengXing Interaction #4

In episode 8, YuWen Yue used his "neigong" to help save Xing'er. During this process, Xing'er had flashbacks of her childhood memories.










After saving Xing'er, Yu WenYue told his guard that he lost his vision. While Yue Qi (guard) questioned why he's wasting his effort on a maid, Wen Yue indicated that she isn't purely just a maid. He suspect that either Jin Zhu (evil maid) or Xing'er could be the spy/culprit behind his grandfather's murder. At the end of their conversation, you see that YuWen Yue was breathing heavily, which shows that he used a good chunk of his energy to save her life.

I believe that he's lying to both himself and Yue Qi. For someone that's nickname "Ice man" and he never shows an inch of interest in other people, he exerted his energy on a maid. This is  one of the subtle moment where viewers have a glimps at the fact that he cares for her.






LiYing & GengXing Interaction #5

In episode 8, YuWen Yue called Xing'er out for her actions while dealing with Jin Zhu (evil maid). YuWen Yue explained his reasoning, indicating that even when he's blind, he knows her every move.






At one point, he held onto her arm very strongly which caused Xing'er to grasp in pain.

The cute part of this is when YuWen Yue apologized and asked if she was okay? C'mon guys, this guys didn't even care when he was hitting her with a sword, or even have her practice with arrows, yet apologizes when he gripped her arms too hard?
This is the second slips by our Young Master indicating that he really cares for her.

When YuWen Yue kicks Xing'er out of his reading room, he told her to leave because she's an eyesore. Xing'er retort by saying that how is she an eyesore when he can't see. I laughed out loud for a second. Wen Yue told Xing'er that he's blind, but he's not deaf and upon hearing that, she immediately apologized. She didn't seem very apologetic though. Wen Yue also calls her out by mentioning that he can't see, as if she wants the whole city to know. Xing'er once again apologized for her action despite not meaning it at all.

This is another turning point, showing Xing'er's sassy side. She isn't afraid to say or feel anything. This also marks a new point in their relationship because Xing'er is being able to report and sass out in front of her young master.





YASSSSS! I'm sure you guys are as excited as I am about this drama. Will be doing the next 8 episodes recaps of cute scenes in a bit. There are much more in the next 8 episodes as you can tell Yu Wen Yue is showing his feelings towards Xing'er a lot more

GIFs are all made by me. Please give credit if you're planning to use the gif for your own blog.
Since I'm still new with this blogging world, please feel free to give me constructive criticism on my writing/editing styles. Also leave a comment if you're also obsessed with this current drama