There are plenty of dramas I like, but there’s only a few that leave such a strong impression on me that I want to rewatch them the very minute I finish the last episode. It’s almost as if they get into my bloodstream or as if I’m an invisible part of that world. “Love for You” is now one of those.
I like that there’s a bit of different genres in this story. I believe that helps with the pace and the mood switch; it allows you to breath during some moments and has you on the edge during others while keeping you hooked all the way through. What I admire even more, though, is that it never feels like chaos. I had a clear understanding of the main idea was or what I often call the “why have we all gathered here” question. Money as the undercurrent? Simple and quite true.
I like its aesthetic. From the intro to the end credits and everything in between, it’s a beautifully filmed drama. The sets are meticulous and have a character. I love their apartment—I recognize certain things from my childhood—and how it changes throughout the show. One of my favorite locations is the metal factory partly because I found it unexpected. It looks unique, and that choice makes sense within the context of the story: a place where broken, abandoned things are waiting to be picked up for a chance to be something new.
I’m in love with the soundtrack, and my husband and I have been humming the intro tune for the past two days. He is a fan of the song by Lars Huang, and so am I. There are a certain mystery and lightness to it, like circles on a water surface once it becomes disturbed by a raindrop, and there’s so much longing and wishing, and calling out for that one person. My husband says, “There’s nostalgia in it as well.” And I agree.
I like the dialog and all performances. There is not one person in this drama who made me go, “Meh.” So much has already been said about the leads. Visually stunning, they deliver nuance with ease as far as my preferences go. It would take some time to list all my favorite scenes, so I’m going to pick a couple. For her, it’s when Miao Jing she sees Tu Li at their place, and the camera reveals the look in Jing’s eyes. So much hurt and anger, and betrayed (for a moment) feelings. For him, it’s the scene where he sits at a table with Zhang Bin with the pond behind them. The look in Chen Yi’s eyes is spot on. Attention, carefulness, and future planning. I know exactly what he is thinking. Or perhaps it’s the one in which he grabs Jing by the hand, begging her to come over…
And the now famous scene in episode 17? Stellar in every bit of it, not to mention that I thanked the writers for not making Miao Jing do stupid and unnecessary things like distracting Chen Yi while crying out in a drama-like fashion, “NOOOOOOO!”
Kissing scenes? Beautiful. Not only with their use of light and camera angles, but with the substance as well. How nice it was to watch the characters take a deep breath, not looking constantly over their shoulder, and start living to the fullest!
It’s a gem of a drama. Yesterday my husband asked, “So, are we rewatching it tomorrow or..?
