This is not a drama review per se, but rather a first impression post as I delve into the first episode –
Synopsis:
Cheng You Ching (played by Ariel Lin) is the shoes district manager for a department store. She’s had a number of boyfriends and had gotten her heart broken. On her 30th birthday, she is still alone. When reminded that it is the start of the “old age” symptoms, she made a bet with her best friend, the only one who wished her a happy birthday with a true heart. Whoever get married first before 35 years old, the person wins NT$100,000 red packet. With this high stake in mind, she begins searching in earnest for marriage potentials among her social circle. That best friend is Lee Da Ren (played by Bolin Chen), a supervisor of an airline ground service crew. Young and capable, he’s had a number of girlfriends. But the relationships were all short lived!
Cheng You Ching (played by Ariel Lin) is the shoes district manager for a department store. She’s had a number of boyfriends and had gotten her heart broken. On her 30th birthday, she is still alone. When reminded that it is the start of the “old age” symptoms, she made a bet with her best friend, the only one who wished her a happy birthday with a true heart. Whoever get married first before 35 years old, the person wins NT$100,000 red packet. With this high stake in mind, she begins searching in earnest for marriage potentials among her social circle. That best friend is Lee Da Ren (played by Bolin Chen), a supervisor of an airline ground service crew. Young and capable, he’s had a number of girlfriends. But the relationships were all short lived!
This pair of conflicting man and woman, have somehow stayed together since high school and became lifelong friends who will not fall in love with each other. He once told her “I may not love you”. She replied — “Thank you, I appreciate it.” He doesn’t know why he can’t let her be alone. He also didn’t know why his world and hers seems to be entangled… Is it because they seem too much like family that they cannot fall in love?
The Skinny:
Two friends since high school who has long known each others quirks have been sharing a platonic relationship. A languidly low key, slice of life drama that explores the relationships between friends in the end of their twenties. It begs the question — Why is it so difficult to find love, when maybe the right one has been there all along?
Ratings:
Plot: ★★★★
Acting: ★★★★★
Originality: ★★★
Cinematography: ★★★★
Appeal: ★★★★★
Pace: ★★★★
Plot: ★★★★
Acting: ★★★★★
Originality: ★★★
Cinematography: ★★★★
Appeal: ★★★★★
Pace: ★★★★
First Impressions:
I watched about almost all of In Time With You‘s first episode and was floored. This is definitely one of those dramas that are inherently introspective and more of a look into the lives of these young professionals who are at the brink of their thirties. You first meet You Qing smack in the middle of her life — she’s a successful manager for a large department store, youthful and confident but insecure at facing the reality that she has turned thirty as a single woman.
I watched about almost all of In Time With You‘s first episode and was floored. This is definitely one of those dramas that are inherently introspective and more of a look into the lives of these young professionals who are at the brink of their thirties. You first meet You Qing smack in the middle of her life — she’s a successful manager for a large department store, youthful and confident but insecure at facing the reality that she has turned thirty as a single woman.
Ariel Lin, who I have only previously seen in more teen oriented fare such as It Started With A Kiss and Love Contract blew me away with her heartfelt portrayal of You Qing. Apparently she has said that this will be her last drama, which I would be sorely saddened by since she has since grown to be a true star within the world of Taiwanese entertainment. Her version of a woman burgeoning into being branded as an “old maid” is both a delight and stab-in-the-heart. I love how she’s spunky yet also vulnerable to the depressing thought of being single.
The other half of our story is Li Da Ren, who we are first introduced to via an email he sent to You Qing on her birthday. He is the titular bestfriend who may or may not have romantic feelings for her. Interestingly enough we do not meet the present day version until about halfway into the episode, instead we encounter the 17 year old Da Ren who becomes elected as vice class president (You Qing is the class president as the girls outnumber the boys in their class) in a flashback. By the time we meet the 30 year old Da Ren, we find out that he is a calm yet competent supervisor of an airline. Bolin Chen, who I have never seen in a drama before is superb as he portrays both younger and older Da Ren. I feel aghast that I actually missed this Taiwanese hottie! He has a naturally boy-next-door looks that you instantly end up liking his character — nice guy, tousled hair, mischievous smile and all. I’ve read some fan comments that there is not much of a difference between the portrayal of younger and older Da Ren, which I respectfully oppose. I think the fact that Da Ren, for the most part stays relatively the same personality-wise is a great contrast to You Qing who has since matured to realize her dreams.
The chemistry between the two leads is palpable, and you can easily feel both their long friendship and subtle hints of romantic attraction even between their phone calls.
This vaguely reminds me of another “bestfriends falling in love” drama which was 9Ends 2Outs which starred Su Ae and Lee Jung Jin. Both of these dramas share that mellow indie vibe that makes you feel like you’re indulging in a good book rather than watching everything fold onscreen.
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