Ever looked forward for something so badly but end up disappointed when it finally comes?
Well, I guess fans of Unrequited Love 暗恋橘生淮南 might be feeling somewhere close to that zone. Those who have been earnestly waiting for the drama adaptation of the novel, which is a part of Ba Yue Chang An’s Zhenhua trilogy, don’t seem too happy after its premiere.
Comments such as the actor, Zhao Shunran who played the main lead, Sheng Huaianan, looked too ordinary that the kind of crush the female lead had for him was impossible to develop cropped up. Fans also mentioned how they don’t feel anything during the couple’s interactions. The female lead, Luo Zhi, who is portrayed by Zhu Yan Man Zi, doesn’t really give the “I’m-secretly-in love-with-you” kind of vibe that was intensely depicted in the novel.
Currently, the drama has Douban ratings of 7.2, which is lower than its predecessors With You with ratings of 8.9 and My Huckleberry Friends with ratings of 8.7.
Considering the popularity of the novel, it is expected for the drama to receive some heavy critique although I personally did not expect the negativity for this. It does seem like the main concern of the viewers was the cast. For a youth drama, many thought that the cast looked quite mature. There are comments singling out leading lady Zhu Yan Man Zi when in fact, she is only in her mid-twenties.
Nevertheless, fans were not all disappointed as there are others who have expressed their support for the drama and its cast. As it is, there’s always two sides of a coin, or in this case, two kinds of viewers. So, which side are you on? Furthermore, there’s another Unrequited Love starring Hu Yitian and Hu Bingqing based on the same story that finished filming last March.
Source: 1
Anonymous
They should have used the actors who played Sheng Huaianan and Luo Zhi in With You. Eventhough they have very short appearance in it, they have so much chemistry especially during the proposal scene. Plus, that girl is so beautiful and it's really obvious from how she acts that she has a crush on Huaianan.
Anonymous
Yeah, well watch the other version with Hu Yitian gets super popular because there's a "pretty boy" male lead worthy for a girl to crush on for years because apparently a good nature personality boy isn't good enough nowadays. How shallow these c-netizens are???
And the male lead here isn't that bad. While watching, I've noticed in certain angles he reminds me of Dylan Xiong from My Mr. Mermaid. I mean, he's no Liu Haoran in the visual department, but he's not any worst than that male lead in My Huckleberry. I don't find him attractive at all but his acting make up for it.
The only thing that bothers me about the male lead here is that his voice is dubbed. Is he not from mainland China??? Everyone else voice is not dubbed except for his.
Unknown
the dude is not even ugly. I like his looks. When these things happen I'm more concerned about the actors self esteem.
As for Hu Yitain everyone calls him a 'pretty boy' even though I think he's not even that handsome. I don't find him attractive.
Binge-watcher
Hmm. I was also wondering why they didn't use the same actors.
Binge-watcher
Yeah, he's not bad-looking. Maybe they just expected too much based on the description in the novel?
Unknown
the problem is that the fans always have an unrealistic mindset.
Susielollie96
I wanted to watch this drama and give it a try.people have their own preferences and there is so much hype it good looking actors are casted.appearance wise people would go crazy and forgets other details of the show such as the potrayal ot storyline.there is much bias though that other dramas tend to be overrated than giving other dramas the recognition it truly deserved.
Unknown
so true
Anonymous
I think the male lead isn't exactly visual material, but other than that I'm quite satisfied with the adaptation. In any case, it cannot be worse than Hu Titian's version.
Anonymous
Huh? Wdym? Zhang Xin Cheng is handsome, even with his baby-face
Anonymous
Everyone has their own personal taste. I mean he's not ugly or anything like that, but I don't find him attractive. Like how so many people think Hu Ge is super handsome, but I don't see it. But I do appreciate Hu Ge for his acting though. Funny because I find the male lead in Unrequited Love more attractive than Zhang Xin Cheng, guessing that's his name. He's a good actor though, so I like him for that. For actors, look isn't always the number one thing I look for. It's his/her ability to bring the character to life.
Zahra
No matter how negative people said about this webdrama, I like this. The least point is only that this drama is dubbed, it would be better if it's not. But it's not like a new thing for chinese drama to be dubbed.
Kris Young
I find this drama interesting. The acting and direction is nice. The leads are not bad looking, They shouldn't be compared but I find the male lead a better actor than Hu Yitian.
Unknown
i love this drama. the lead roles both are doing good . they also are good looking .
Anonymous
I think he is okay though. I agree that Hu Ge is not superhandsome but he has charm. I dont find him attractive. Beautiful is relative. Nowadays cdramaland is about looks, acting ability is second or even third? I dont deny that actor actress must be attractive but sometimes it is being too much. Maybe in the future most actress and actors in cdramaland have similar faces like in kdramaland as a result from plastic surgery.
Unknown
Creo que para ser yó latina puertorriqueña, ver las diferentes perspectivas de cultura y lo que veo acá en mi país…
¡¡¡!Me encantó!¡!!!
Es una drama y dialogo tan puro que en estos tiempos se ha perdido… Ese orgullo y ese silencio del dolor que no nos deja quietos y el miedo de la perspectiva del demás que juzga y se burla de tu sentir que solo sabes tú y Dios. Para mi parecer son los actores perfectos para la serie ¡¡todos!! La hermandad preciada y la lealtad no se ven por estos lares hoy día, Y tanto así que creo tener una pequeña obsesión por ellos; Busque información de sus nombres y vi en el internet "Puppy Love" donde también son protagonistas los mimos; me mantuvieron despierta toda la madrugada para terminar la serie, y aun seguí dodo el día buscamdo la manera de conseguir el filme Chino de "Puppy Love" con ese deseo que querer más y suspenso, y el tiempo de espera y agonía para poder decir lo que sentían. No me gustan las series in-reales donde todo es perfecto y difiero con los comentarios; Para mí los más sencillo el drama y romance, es más real y esa sencillez humildad de que no todo es una cara perfecta lo hace real para mí. Vivimos en un mundo ex centrista donde cada filme es exageradamente ficticio muy perfecto. Tuve un amor nó correspondido y sé que igual que muchos (as) al ver la serie sentirán lo que se siente y lo importante que son los valores y la inocencia de tu verdad.
Alexandra Loaiza
También soy latina y me pasó exactamente lo mismo! La historia se me hizo muy tierna y realista, los actores super y también quiero ver su película 🤗 está en Amazon
Unknown
I igree… for me thr'e where perfect!¡
savitri'slove
I love this drama! I think the longing, silent suffering and persistence were excellently portrayed by Zhu Yan Man Zi and the director brought to life these scenes. The lead actor Zhao Shunran looked exactly the part in my opinion as well. He made me watch the drama from just wanting to have a glimpse of his good looks just like in the story 🙂
Unknown
Es el primer drama que veo y me dejó satisfecha ,se me hizo tierna y no bonita la historia
Unknown
I honestly loved the drama since it felt so raw and heartwarming. The male lead may not be THAT attractive but he still really is and I really loved his portrayal of Zheng Huainan, you'd understand why the world likes him because I did too. Also, the female lead portrayed Lou Zhi in the best way. Although I haven't experienced this massive unrequited love, I really felt her silent suffering. Both their acting was spot on. For the age part, both leads are already in college, besides, they look pretty youthful to me, what's with the hate? I don't even think the new version will surpass their version because it's already perfect.
traci
I enjoyed this version very much. Just finished it December 2020. Both leads were amazing and chemistry was felt. I am not sure if the 2021 version will live up to the acting. I would have like more scenes with the leads after they got back together. The soundtrack also pleasing. Their is a melancholy mature mood in this web adaptation and it pending where you are at in your life and experiences to appreiciate this more.