Being young is all about new beginnings, whether it is going to college, meeting friends, or even falling in love for the first time. Having a passion for life and dreams, this is the perfect moment to find one’s true self, embarking on all sorts of challenges. That is exactly what we encounter in the modern C-drama “Be Passionately in Love,” a show that will surely inspire your most romantic side.
Warning: spoilers ahead!
In the summer of his high school senior year, Chen Lu Zhou (Wang An Yu), a reserved young man whose life has always been directed by his family, meets Xu Zhi (Liu Hao Cun), a beautiful and down-to-earth young woman who cares deeply for her friends and family. Although their relationship begins in a rather awkward way, it soon turns their lives upside down through a serendipitous encounter.
Despite being complete strangers, Xu Zhi is first drawn to Lu Zhou after hearing his mother nagging at him. Her unusual interest creates an initial misunderstanding between them, but Xu Zhi doesn’t let this break her spirit and relentlessly pursues him, although not in the typical way. She isn’t exactly interested in him romantically; rather, she is intrigued by his mother. She reminds her of her own mother, whom she lost when she was younger, leaving a deep scar in her heart.
Despite having a very loving family and great friends, Xu Zhi isn’t in an ideal moment. Her economic situation makes her very self-conscious about money and what she will do in the future. Furthermore, the ghost of her lost mother haunts her to this day, which pushes her to obsess a little with Lu Zhou’s mother. At first, it is a little confusing why this point is so important for the plot, but later on, we understand why it is introduced to us in this way.
This situation creates a certain mystery, since they don’t show us Xu Zhi’s mother’s face from the beginning. It somehow makes us believe Lu Zhou’s mother is actually Xu Zhi’s mother as well, but Xu Zhi resolves that issue when she sees they are nothing alike in the end. At this point, our main characters are already pretty close. She can’t help but feel sorry about the environment he had to grow up in. And that’s when the romance begins full on. By the first third of the show, the heart-fluttering vibes and constant flirtation are obvious, at least from Chen Lu Zhou’s perspective.
Inadvertently, Xu Zhi opens up Chen Lu Zhou’s heart and breaks down the walls he’s carefully put up to protect himself from his adoptive family’s derision and mistreatment, especially from his mother. Since the beginning, he has basically resigned to follow the path they’ve carefully crafted for his life: going abroad, studying what they tell him to, and coming back home to take on the family business. However, the more time he spends with Xu Zhi, the more he starts to crave something different, for a life of his own.
The drama in itself has a rather slow pace, which could be a problem for those who don’t particularly like slow-burn romances. Nonetheless, the buildup tension from the very first episode is still enjoyable for those who can appreciate the charm of the yearning-type of couples. Even more so when you get the fantastic melo-eyes from Wang An Yu, who gives a masterclass on longing for someone who is right in front of you but somehow you can’t be with.
It also adds to this the fact that the main characters are completely different, but strangely similar as well. Xu Zhi is easy-going, straightforward, and sometimes even a little aloof, while Chen Lu Zhou is very sensitive, at times sarcastic, and slightly melodramatic. At the same time, they both are brilliant in their own way, very crafty, and quick-witted. They share a compatible sense of responsibility and also a rather dorky sense of humor, which ultimately makes them a match made in heaven.
Although this isn’t exactly a slice-of-life sort of drama, the vibe that it gives us totally resembles one from the very beginning. The endearing bond between friends who are also trying to find their place in the world can take you back to your most tender years. It’s a time when everything was a first for you, with or without failures, and nothing could stop you from looking for brand new opportunities. The support each character gets from their friends is priceless. Even when their circumstances aren’t ideal, they learn to be resilient with the help of each other.
That’s also what makes this C-drama so special. Chen Lu Zhou and Xu Zhi might be interested in one another for different reasons, but as they get to know each other, they find a safe place with one another. Xu Zhi, who has doubts about studying architecture and following in her mother’s footsteps, finds a constant source of encouragement in Lu Zhou. On the other hand, Lu Zhou simply falls head-over-heels for her mature and tenacious personality.
Even if by half of the drama, there isn’t an explicitly romantic moment like a hug or a kiss, you can already feel the love and chemistry between the characters. The most endearing part of this show, which will surely make you soft inside, is the inner growth that both Xu Zhi and Lu Zhou show as they start to fall in love. And maybe that’s where the real passion lies for them. It’s not in a feverish romance but in a love so warm and tender that it will make them strive and dream for a better tomorrow.
Tune in to “Be Passionately in Love” here:
Those in Southeast Asia can watch here!
Hey Soompiers! Have you watched this C-drama? What are your thoughts on it? Let us know all about it in the comments below!
Andy zar is an avid drama watcher, from K-dramas to C-dramas, she believes any weekend is a good weekend to enjoy 12 hours of binge-watching dramas. She loves romance, web comics, and K-pop. Her favorite groups are EXO, TWICE, Red Velvet, and BOL4.
Currently watching: “The First Night with the Duke”
Plans to watch: “Law and the City“
