Yi ai wei ying

I see haters are already at work trying to malign this drama. Not just here, I'm seeing hate videos on Youtube too. Unfortunately, this happens in the world of Chinese dramas where producers are blackmailed into paying up, otherwise their dramas are defamed on social media. Apparently, the producer of this drama did not give in to blackmail, thus flaws were invented or those that are common in cdramas and would largely be ignored were exaggerated with this drama. The attacks got propagated to other sites including international ones.

But don't let haters keep you from enjoying this delightful rom-com.

Only For Love is about a beautiful and smart but rather quirky reporter, Zheng Shuyi (Bai Lu), and a hotshot mysterious young CEO, Shi Yan (Dylan Wang), who requests to be interviewed by Shuyi to publicize the vision of his venture capital company to help startups achieve their full potential. Shuyi has just caught her boyfriend cheating on her with a girl she mistook for Shi Yan's niece. Her boyfriend breaks up with her for the girl who promised to help him with his career. With her pride shaken, Shuyi decides to flirt with Shi Yan, seemingly to get back at her ex-boyfriend and to allow her to conduct a series of interviews with the much sought after bachelor CEO. Their constant meetings lead to romance. But what would Shi Yan feel when he knows the truth about Shuyi's reasons for pursuing him?

Shuyi is not the usual type of female lead in Chinese dramas. She is brilliant when it comes to work. But outside of it, she is somewhat clueless. Self-centered and shameless too. Her clumsy pursuit of Shi Yan is hilarious, showing how out of character she is at playing a seductress. But is it all play-acting? Might this seductress have fallen in love with her prey?

Shi Yan is being hailed on social media as the Chinese Mr. Darcy with his reserved and stoic demeanor as well as the dashing figure he cuts especially in a riding outfit. But he's also got a charm all his own. When he smirks at Shu Yi's clumsy attempts at seduction or when he looks at her with all the affection and sexual tension he oftentimes has a hard time keeping under wraps, your heart wouldn't be able to help dancing with excitement.

There might be some cultural challenges that could impact a non-Chinese viewer's understanding of the drama. For example, the joke about the cake in Shi Yan's uncle's dinner feast started with Shuyi mischievously texting "making love' to her ex-boyfriend's query about what she was doing. But when she noticed Shi Yan watching her composing the text, she changed her text to "making cake". The misunderstanding arose due to some texts not being subtitled. In addition, it seems "eat cake" has some sexual connotation in Chinese culture. So if you don't understand something in the story, try to join social media discussions and ask away.

All in all, this drama is pleasing to the eye and is quite entertaining. It starts off lighthearted but the characters turn out to be more than typical rom-com characters. These are multi-dimensional characters who are not all good but also not all bad. In short, they are human. Dissecting the characters and what makes them tick is fundamental to enjoying this delightful drama.

(Updated 12/04/2023 to add information about hate reviews)

This drama is so bad that is good?

Let me explain.

Even though sometimes you get a sense of what the writers are trying to do and the direction they tried to take, the script makes absolutely no sense. You spend the whole series speculating the intention of the characters or if there's any real plot at all because nothing really happens for most of the drama.

The series is at least 15 episodes too long and the secondary plot of technology is the most boring thing I have tried to watch in my life, I literally disconnected the whole time.

But then you watch Dylan Wang and Bai Lu together and magic happens in front of you and somehow you forget everything else about the show. You find yourself smiling, trying to guess what the hell is going to happen with this couple, admiring their electrifying chemistry and wondering when their next kiss will be and for how long... Their characters suck? YES, there are a hot mes, (again the script is terrible) But they are really good together, and specially Bai Lu's performance is spectacular.

I have watched all Dylan Wang's dramas and I know he can act better than here (Unchained Love, The Rational Love or Love Between Fairy and Devil as an example) so I blame the stiffness and coldness of his character. ( last few episodes his acting is completely different than the beginning)

Secondary couples were also great to watch as well and in general as a group of friends. It was very enjoyable, great chemistry overall. Special mention to the character development of the couple of the niece Qin Shi Yue and the Teacher Yu You ( played by Shen Yu Jie and Wei Zhe Ming) that arc was actually great to watch.

Would I recommend this series? No if you are looking for something of quality with a good script and great characters. But if you are looking for a bit of a trash tv with an amazing chemistry to spend a cozy night at home this is the one for you.

By the way, soundtrack is actually great and it surprised me! Great music.

Both male and female leads have played their character the best.

Its the little nuisances that fill the details of characters. Dylan wang as Shi Yan is not a big sharer, actor plays the character well through his eyes and movement of his fingers to express emotions.

Where on other hand, shuyi is inexperienced in behavior for relationship, and keeps us engaged at times frustrated with her nuisances.

The story takes leaps n bounds jump in emotional development and character development of the leads relationship after they patch up.

So patience is the key, but the end of story is completely satisfying. Especially the extra episode of their wedding!!!

'm a huge fan of Dylan Wang and i think I can never go wrong when I pick one of his dramas to watch.

He's absolutely perfect in the role of the stoic up-tight even at time obnoxious CEO. A role that fits him like a glove, especially when he has that constipated odious look on his face, that I love so much.

He is a young CEO that want to get away from under his father's shadow.

She's a young financial journalist that wants to be the therte is.

Ofcorse we have the professional conflicts, the love rival that wants what he can't have, the jealous shrew that wants to ruin the girl that gets the job done, the misunderstandings, the medling parents even a few very stamy kisses.

I absolutely enjoy it. Everyone did a great job . This was great combination. I would love to see them all work again on another project. I cant believe this a 7.2 rating on here... thats way too low!

The storyline was good. All the characters did a good job . I do feel like when going into a another episode there was something missing.. its like it just jump right into a different scene.. The flow of moving from each segment could've been much better . Also I would have love to seen the last episode. I would love to see more from the two main characters. The chemistry was all smiles and enjoying :)

USA tuning in. Great work overall.