INTP - how reading about it feels like a hug

The only statement that's not quite true for me is that I'm obsessed over crime-themed TV shows in comparison to magic/aliens. Everything else? Spot on.  Even the messy hair 😂.  I don't have any INTP besties (which is for the best really) so it's easy to feel invisible.. knowing there are other people who are very similar to me makes me feel a little less invisible. Btw the one with secrets made me laugh out loud; I literally always need to ask my friends if it is a secret or not because I don't seem to have common sense in such matters. 

All there is to love about "Perfect and Casual": Chinese Drama Review

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! 

If you want spoilers, highlights and episodes summary, click on the links below 

• https://cyn-lynn.blogspot.com/2020/09/perfect-and-casual-recap-and-review.html
• https://tvbandthailakorns.wordpress.com/2021/02/28/on-perfect-and-casual-memorable-scenes/
• https://mydramalist.com/article/perfect-and-casual-a-hidden-gem-011015681

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. 

Short summary: 

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.  

Unforgettable Love : Chinese Drama Review

Copied from MyDramaList 

The drama revolves around He Qiao Yan, CEO of Heshi Group, and Qin Yi Yue, a child psychologist. It tells the story of a rational and indifferent man and a soft, optimistic, considerate, and meticulous psychologist, whose relationship develops from acquaintance to love.

Allow me to elaborate. Qiao Yan has a son. It's not his biological son, but his late brother's. His brother and sis-in-law both died in a car crash (which also involved Qiao) .Xiao Bao (the son), due to trauma as he was also involved in the crash, became mute and anti-social. He doesn't like being touched and often throw tantrums. But unexpectedly, Xiao Bao warmed up to Dr Qin real quick. Upon seeing their instant connection, Qiao proposed a marriage contract so that Dr Qin can be a stay-at-home doc and truly focus on Xiao Bao's improvement.

Honestly, I skipped A LOT. I just skipped to the main couple's scenes so I won't be able to comment any other thing than their relationship. Judging from how much I skipped, the drama really had many side stories which I didn't really enjoy. Mind you, my harsh criticisms may stem due the fact that I really realllyyyyyyyyyyy reallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyy enjoyed Miles Wei's previous drama, "Perfect and Casual". Officially one of my favourite dramas ever. And Miles' character in that drama... O.M.G .. perfection. I can't imagine liking a character more than Professor Zhang. Will definitely write a review on PaC but need to rant about this one first.

Okay on to my review: 

1) Pre-binge hopes 

The premise: It was soooo promising. I haven't crossed any dramas where the male lead has a son. So I thought, I THOUGHT, the plot won't be as cliche. Unfortunately, it was not so. 

2) Cliches

Male lead, extremely cliche. The clueless-about-love CEO with either dead or toxic parents trope. It could've still been enjoyable if he didn't act TOO clueless. Like cmon. He couldn't even figure out that the female lead wanted to hear "I love you". That issue alone dragged out over 2 episodes. Which annoyed me.   

And then the constant accidental fall into each other arms and almost kisses. Mygawd. Annoying AF. It kept happening throughout the series and I was no longer entertained. I'm clumsy too; no one is that uncoordinated. 

Then the interfering family member who thinks the hero deserves someone of same status (this time it was the aunt)

..and the possessive 2nd female lead  who is of same status/is supposedly more suited... boring boring boring!  

And seriously this woman.. how many times does she need saving?? i hate the damsel in distress trope too. Meteor Garden had plenty as well, but MG had 49 eps so those type of scenes were spaced out ok. UL only has 24 eps and its sooooo frequent. She sprained her ankle twice, nearly got attacked by a snake, kidnapped, media harassments, gotten sick, and the many times she fell or needed a coat. Plus all the situations were insignificant to the plot. I like scenes proving the male lead is "reliable" (like shown in PaC) but it would've been better if the situations were a lot less serious. 

3) Healthy relay. Yay or Nay? 

Nay. Their communication is a bit off. Contributed to a lot of misunderstandings. Plus their progression of love didn't make sense. It was sooo fast in the beginning but then dragged mid-way. The hero acted very understanding at times, and very clueless at other times. Idk it just didn't make sense to me. The post-confession kiss wasn't brief like most dramas' first kisses but then they had the audacity to act all awkward and shy the episode after that??? Ughhhh frustating!! They were going back and forth. The breakup phase where both were lying to each other was hella distressing to watch. They broke up twice. The heroin is a bit weak. 

4) What's to love 

The beginning episodes! If they kept up the pace throughout, it would've been hella cute. Like Dr Qin faking intimacy with Qiao just to make Bao Bao happy. It picked up the pace once they both confessed but due to the mid-way drag it somehow felt unnatural to me. PaC had perfect progression <3

5) Rewatchibility - would binge from the start/sweet scenes only/never again

Never again, unless to only stare at Miles Wei. Even the occasional cute cant make me.

Small victories

Harini Majlis Anugerah Cemerlang sekolah aku. Dan majlis ni buat aku teringat kat pelajar pelajar aku yang tidak hadir kerana mereka tidak "layak" menerima apa jua anugerah.

And that somehow made me sad.

Sebagai guru, aku bukan lah pesen cikgu yang nak "trophy for all". Healthy competition is needed. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But in reality, education is not a fair competition. Kalau ada sesiapa yang tengok video berkenaan "how privilege works" fahamlah maksud aku ni. These students did not start at the same starting line. And yet we reward them as if they do. The culture that we are upholding now is basically rewarding students with better privileges and giving them even MORE privilege.

Aku tak nafikan ada pelajar yang had little privilege and yet succeeded nevertheless. But such students are scarce. You need that extra perseverence, that extra effort, that extra motivation. Something that students with better privilege need not worry about because their situation has already made it much easier for them.

Aku ambil alih kesemua pelajar yang aku ada sekarang sejurus habis PPT. Aku ada anak murid yang PPT Bahasa Inggeris dia 0. Zero gais, zero. Dia tulis nama je. Dia tak usaha nak jawab pon. Selain isu akademik, dia juga ada severe behavioral issues. Aku hampir give up. Setiap kali aku masuk kelas dia akan menangis. Lari keluar kelas. Guling guling kat lantai. Hentak hentak barang. Baju sekolah dia kelabu. Kelabu betul, tak pernah putih (kesan berguling). Beg koyak robak. Aku ni da lah pesen cikgu yang suka main game segala apa tau. Tapi dalam kelas dia aku takleh buat. Contohnya, nak main dadu. Kena lah bergilir-bergilir kan? Dia tak boleh. Orang lain pegang dadu jee dia akan menangis. Dia nak dia sorang je pegang. Aku reward dia boleh. Suka. Aku reward orang lain tak boleh. Dia akan menangis juga. I tried every method in the book (except hitting coz I don't hit) and it showed results, though painstakingly slow.

Anyways, fast forward several months later, after endless pujukan, PAT arrived and guess what?

He got 66% for BI. From F to B. He's now one of my most well behaved. Tak buat bising dah, habis kerja buat kerja sendiri senyap senyap. And he has finally learn to share 😭😭😭😭😭 I was so proud of him playing chess and snakes and ladders with friends without breaking into tears (I took so many photos lol). He's also the kid that hugged me and said "sayang teacher!"

And this kiddo, who has made me so so so proud, was not present at today's ceremony.

By my standards, he deserve to be on a grand stage and be recognized for his amazing improvement. But apparently its not good enough. I, alone cannot change this culture. Be the teacher that celebrates the small things. They matter.

Actually, they matter the most.