I'm exciteeeeeeeeeeeddddddddd. I took a long time to prepare for this blog post. This is how deeply devoted I am to this drama. I honestly haven't enjoyed a drama this deep since My Girlfriend is a Gumiho. And this drama has firmly made me believe, CDrama beats KDrama. Sorry kdrama fans!
This drama had a very cliche premise; contract relationship, forced cohabitation, cold vs warm characters, yada yada yada. Even so, the plot was still refreshing in a lot of ways. Both the male and female lead, are my favourite drama characters ever. In fact, I pretty much adore all the characters. Even the supposed antagonists aren't mean. I didn't feel frustrated even once, which is super rare for any drama fans.
Long story short, a university professor (Zhang Sinian) proposes a contract marriage deal with one of his students (Yun Shu), coz its the wish of his critically ill Grandpa for him to have a partner.
Ok so on to my review! I will post a list of everything there is to love about this drama, with screenshots that I have relentlessly captured! It was hard work but I feel so satisfied doing so. When a drama deserves love, I am more than happy to demonstrate. Ok ok we're trailing off.. back to the review.
1) Professor Zhang is a consent KING
Professor Zhang, especially during his efforts to convince Yun Shu to marry him, repeatedly said he won't force Yun Shu to do anything she didn't want to. Even when it was the day before the wedding, knowing full well how heartbroken his Grandpa would be if he didn't marry soon, he didn't push Yun Shu to agree. Even reassured her, if that was her decision (to cancel the wedding) he would figure things out. How crazy refreshing is this?? We all know male characters, especially RICH male characters, are often very pushy and demanding, and think anything can be bought with money. Prof Zhang was not it. Love love lovee!
After they started their married life, he was very adhering to the contract on no physical intimacy. Didn't use special ploys for skinship. Even fined himself if he accidentally touched her. That's an honest and righteous man right there.
2) Cupid Grandpa and Supportive Friends
Grandpa totally played cupid! Again, another refreshing change. None of those toxic family members wanting a wife that is of the same status as the male lead. He picked her cause he thought she was warm. So sweet. Her friends, his friends, are all good advisors. They never discouraged the pair and make them think otherwise of each other. I absolutely love a love story where everyone is in full support of the couple. So tired of the "its us vs the world" trope.
3) Match made in heaven
The drama consistently shows us how perfect of a pair the two characters are. Which I really enjoyed. Especially all their shopping scenes. It made it very clear how the both of them needed each other. Prof Zhang and his logical and vigilant thinking.. Yun Shu with her intuitive, carefree and emotional way of thinking. And both of them showed how those different traits are necessary. Prof Zhang taught her that life isn't so innocent, and Yun Shu taught him that life can still be warm.
4) The leads' thoughtfulness
This pair has got to be the kindest couple in history. Even before falling for each other, they were very kind towards one another. So in my screenshots above are all acts of thoughtfulness before they even confessed their feelings.
Things Prof Zhang did :
- Helped look for Yun Shu's soft toy; even got himself dirty pouring over garbage despite being a clean freak
- Changed the home password to their wedding date (the previous password was a complicated math formula)
- Changed the wedding venue to the beach, knowing how much Yun Shu dreamt of a beach wedding
- Lied to her about being cheated by the lawyer; knew she was going to feel hurt if she found out she was scammed twice
Things Yun Shu did :
- During Grandpa's surgery, she distracted Prof Zhang with a sudoku game upon seeing him so anxious
- Made him ginger soup when he had a cold; even blew the soup so it wasn't so hot to sip
- Gave half her steak when Prof Zhang burnt his own
- Changed the ending of the little mermaid and drew him a happy ending <3
Most importantly, they apologized and admitted faults.
And of course, they both tended to each other's hurt..
Zhang's proposal and Yun Shu's acceptance was easy because of their warm personalities.
5) Him the Hero, Her the adoring fan
Prof Zhang was always quick to defend her; from her own sister, from the restaurant manager, from her own boss, and from queue cutters. Yun Shu was unabashedly adoring her hero. Look at the simping gazes she gave him. So cuteeee!
6) They COMMUNICATEEEEEEEEE!
Dramas always drive us crazyyyyyyyyyy because the leads keep having these fights due to miscommunication. Thankfully, this drama had none of them. Even small misunderstandings were resolved quickly.
Things they communicated :
- Prof Zhang properly explained why he initially wanted distance between them
- Yun Shu did not freak out upon knowing Prof Zhang pulled the strings to get her her job. She addressed what she found out directly with him, and thanked him
- She was honest when she wanted to take things slow
- He was honest about being clueless on dating and love
And sooo many other instances.
Like in any other drama, the female lead would have probably overreacted when the male lead doesn't celebrate her birthday. With Yun Shu, she knew Prof Zhang had something planned for her.. and instead of being mad at him for not waiting or act more understanding, she apologized and explained why she was so late on the night of her birthday.
And I was soooo touched she didn't feel hurt over her husband basically using his ties to get her her job. I'm 9000% sure other female leads would've freaked.
7) Both of them wear their hearts on their sleeves, and leaves Z.E.R.O room for doubt
Best rejection IN HISTORY
They were frank with others, and also to each other. Post confession, there were literally no jealousy scenes because they were both very reassured of their feelings of one another. Again, really refreshing. Real healthy.
8) The cute jealousy scenes
All asian dramas have the best jealousy scenes. PaC is not an exception. I LOL-ed when Prof Zhang can't even have 1 strand of her hair on another man, hahaha.
9) Saves the day with math
I'm a definite sapiosexual, so having the ML save the day constantly with math and logic is soooooooooo damn attractive. Like yow why do all other male leads magically have good fighting abilities?? Prof Zhang is more realistic. And I love that the problems the FL face in PaC are not always life-threatening like a lot of other dramas. All other asian dramas have at least 1 near death experience. ALWAYS. Glad it wasn't the case with this drama.
10) Family first
This drama puts forth a lot of family values, which I loved.
11) 16 kisses, SIXTEEENNNNN! Plus the hugs and intertwined fingers *my heart
And they were GOOD kisses too! And almost all of them between Ep 17 - 24. PaC #FTW!!!!
All in all, the drama has a very simple plot, but still manages to make it "fresh" somehow. I loved it for its simplicity. 10/10 . Definitely will be one of my fave dramas of all time.
