This Rec League comes from Juhi. Thanks, Juhi!
I have found my way to c-dramas, and I need some recommendations!
I started with a Perfect Match which is good, then found Love Like A Galaxy which I LOVE (and still have to watch all of, except I already saw the ending becauseI had to!) and then followed Wu Lei to Amidst A Snowstorm of Love which is hitting ALL MY SWEET SPOTS. I thought I loved Love Like A Galaxy but I really, really love AASOL (amidst a snowstorm of love).
Part of the reason is the main lead actor, Leo Wu/Wu Lei—his face—ooof. He is infinitely gorgeous to look at AND he uses his fact to emote all these feelings that make me want to fan myself like a miss in the regency times! But just that wouldn’t have been enough. There is a quiet buildup of the romantic tension in the show which is absolutely swoonworthy (for me). There are feelings being conveyed through eyes, through a brush of the hand, through everything that is not said that is totally addictive. It reminded me why I fell in love with romances in the first place. I also the slow, quiet pace of AASOL’s storytelling. It just speaks to me where I am right now.
SO! I wanted to hit the bitchery first for a) recommendations! I adore Amidst A Snowstorm of Love. I am 11 episodes in and I would recommendations which capture the same things like this show. b) I wish SBTB would discuss some of these shows!! Or point me somewhere where they are discussed with the same thoughtful nuance and playfulness that is the hallmark of SBTB?
UPDATE: I have now finished the whole show, and the second half actually picks up a little more pace which I kind of loved too! Apart from everything that I said previously, here’s a few more reasons why I enjoyed this show so very much and am going to rewatch it, just wanted to share in case you want to add it to the note when it goes live! (also ok if this is not included, I still wanted to share!)
There is an aspect of caring/being cared for in this show that is super appealing. (talking specifically of the male lead doing stuff for the female lead–and while that can be problematic too, mostly the balance is towards caring and not being creepy, at least for me!)
Both the protagonists are super competent in their chosen fields, and that of course is always such a turn on!
Thinking about it, the show has a slice-of-life feel to it, and that has always been one of my favorite categories of stories.
Amanda: Big thanks to Juhi for such a thorough breakdown of what they’re looking for! They also note that they’re interested in learning Mandarin, if anyone has some language learning recommendations.
Susan: I am Taking Notes, because all of the c-dramas I’ve watched have been intensely tragic.
Claudia: Hmm I can only think of The Untamed but it was so heavily censored…
Tara: We had a lot of fun watching The Untamed, although it’s 50 episodes and I had edibles with probably a solid third of those, which I do not recommend doing. There are a lot of characters and a LOT happens, so I want to go back and rewatch it. It’s very “oh sure, they’re definitely not gay” except they’re SO GAY.
I also really enjoyed Guardian, which is a sci fi drama with time travel. When I checked in with a friend for the title of that one, she recommended Till the End of the Moon, which she said is beautiful and fun.
Susan: Guardian I imagine would be improved by edibles.
Like I love it, but the protagonists and the opening song are carrying a LOT of that show.
Untamed, Guardian, and Nirvana in Fire are all very good but full of sadness.
Amanda: Shana and I discussed Asian dramas, but that was a few years ago!
Do you have any recommendations for Chinese dramas? Please drop them in the comments!
