Flash Evaluate: Falling Into You [China]

My associates. I picked up this one as a drama nightcap – y’know, to unwind to, earlier than mattress – and I’m very, very pleasantly stunned by how a lot this one grew on me, after which crept beneath my pores and skin.

I began out pondering, “Oh okay, this isn’t half dangerous, I feel I might roll with this,” to feeling very wistful on the considered ending this one, and subsequently having to say goodbye to those characters and this story world. 🥲

Lengthy story quick, I’m actually glad I picked this one up, and I wouldn’t low cost the potential of revisiting this one someday sooner or later, simply because I actually do benefit from the vibes on this one.

When you like underdog tales, sports-themed tales, noona romances &/or healthful story worlds, this one may very well be for you, the way in which it was for me. 🥰

WHAT IT’S ABOUT

Duan Yucheng (Wang An Yu) is a passionate, aspiring high-jumper who’s a little bit of an underdog, due to his top.

When he meets assistant coach Luo Na (Gina Jin), who acknowledges his potential, he sees a brand new hope for his future, and earnestly persuades her to teach him.

As they work collectively in direction of that future, love finally blossoms. 🥰

OST ALBUM: FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE

Right here’s the OST album, in case you’d wish to hearken to it whereas studying the evaluate.

I’ve to admit that I didn’t pay a complete lot of consideration to the music on this present, so I don’t have sturdy emotions in direction of the soundtrack.

Nonetheless, I do need to give a shout-out to Wang An Yu and Gina Jin, who every sing a monitor for the OST.

I just like the groove of Gina’s tune, “Do You Need to Keep?” however I feel I’m extra moved by the earnest tenderness that I hear in Wang An Yu’s tune, “Cloudy to Sunny,” as a result of it jogs my memory of Duan Yucheng’s vibe, as a personality. 🥰

Right here’s “Cloudy to Sunny” by itself as nicely, in case you’d favor to hearken to that on repeat. Good-click on the video and choose “Loop.”

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS / THE VIEWING LENS

Listed here are few issues that I feel can be useful to remember, to maximise your enjoyment of your watch:

1. The romance is a little bit of a gradual burn

When you’re right here for the noona romance, I simply needed to present you a heads-up, that the romance is on the gradual burn aspect of issues.

Principally, the primary half of our story focuses extra on the sports activities stuff, whereas the second half focuses extra on the romance.

Not that both aspect truly ever goes away, to be clear. It’s simply the place the emphasis lies, in every half.

It does assist that Yucheng develops a noticeable crush on Luo Na, from very early on, so his hearts-in-puppy-eyes 😍 do assist to maintain the love prepare going, even earlier than the love prepare truly arrives – if that is smart. 😁

2. Luo Na is a postgraduate scholar

That is one thing that threw me throughout my watch, so I assumed I’d point out it upfront right here.

When the romance does lastly get going, I’d been confused that there was no actual challenge with Luo Na relationship Yucheng, although she’s his coach.

It solely actually clicked for me, in a while, that the explanation for this, is that Luo Na is a postgraduate scholar who’s functioning as an assistant coach, however shouldn’t be truly a workers member on the college.

Present does state this upfront in its preliminary episodes; I’d simply been too distracted attempting to piece this story world collectively, that I sort of forgot. 😅

So I’m mentioning it right here – so that you just received’t overlook like I did. 😁

3. Yucheng does mature

Once I first began watching this present, I’d felt slightly unsure of whether or not I might be capable to get on board with Yucheng as a romantic male lead, as a result of he does come throughout as moderately immature after we begin our story.

I needn’t have anxious. Yucheng does mature as we go, and really properly too.

By the point the romance obtained going, I had no issues with him as our romantic male lead. 🥰

4. Present isn’t good

Though I like this one so much, I really feel I ought to state upfront, that Present isn’t good, by any means.

There are limitations within the writing and supply, and Present is clearly not a high-budget, expensively polished form of creature.

However, it has sufficient going for it, that these items don’t actually matter, within the grand scheme of all of it.

I assumed it will be useful to allow you to guys know this prematurely, as a way to regulate your expectations accordingly.

If it helps, you may consider this as a much less elegant, much less polished cousin of Nothing However You (evaluate right here!), which can also be a sports-themed noona romance that I actually loved.

STUFF I LIKED

Present’s healthful vibes

On this story world, there aren’t any huge antagonists or actually evil folks.

More often than not, the less-nice folks have been comprehensible, and they might both develop out of their not-so-niceness, or disappear from view.

Both manner, this helped to maintain our story world a moderately heat, healthful sort of place, and I loved very a lot, being a vicarious a part of this healthful world. 🥰

The underdog sports activities story

I’ve a giant mushy spot for underdog tales, and this one positively is, with Yucheng having the percentages stacked towards him, due to his top.

His angst round this, his earnest need to rise above his limitations, and his willingness to sow laborious work and self-discipline in direction of this purpose, actually drew me into his story.

I used to be in his nook, all the way in which to the tip. 🥲

Wang An Yu as Duan Yucheng

You guys, I ended up actually loving Wang An Yu as Duan Yucheng. Wayyy greater than I’d anticipated to. 😍

There’s an earnestness and candy vulnerability in the way in which he performs Yucheng that actually appeals to me. When Yucheng tears up, I tear up too, and hope that the whole lot will go nicely for him. 🥲

When it comes to what I discussed earlier, about Yucheng maturing over the course of our story, I assumed Wang An Yu does a incredible job of portraying that rising maturity.

Particularly, I beloved that the gaze that Yucheng wears when he appears at Luo Na, is totally totally different, by the point the loveline will get moving into earnest.

At the beginning of our story, Yucheng comes throughout as very younger, with stars in his eyes for his coach, however by the point our loveline begins for actual, he comes throughout as a younger man wanting upon the lady he loves.

There’s tenderness there, however there’s additionally smoldering intent, and I used to be very pleasantly stunned. 🔥😉

On the sports activities aspect of issues, Wang An Yu stated in an interview that he didn’t assume he did tremendous nicely, as a result of he’s not on the stage of actual athletes, however I completely give him props, as a result of I discovered all of it fairly darn plausible, from a layman standpoint.

Given the truth that he doesn’t have an precise professional athlete background, I’m much more impressed at the truth that, based mostly on the full-body pictures, you possibly can inform that he performs not less than chunk, if not all, of the jumps himself.

And, in the course of the sprinkling of shirtless scenes that we get, I couldn’t assist noticing that he does look very athletic.

When you’re a monitor and discipline professional, you would possibly discover it much less plausible than I did, however as a layman, I used to be very glad with how plausible I discovered him, as an athlete.

Gina Jin as Luo Na

This was my introduction to Gina Jin, and I assumed she was pitch good, as Luo Na.

Though she would possibly look skinny at first look, it isn’t lengthy earlier than you understand that she’s truly obtained a good quantity of toned muscle on her body, so she doesn’t look frail; she simply appears lean. And that actually works for the character.

I actually favored that Luo Na comes throughout as cool, confident and assured, and that she carries herself very professionally – not less than, till the romance will get beneath manner.

She’s passionate and devoted, and is keen not solely to face up for what she believes in, but additionally, protect and defend these beneath her cost, even when it’s to her personal detriment.

Placing that collectively, and including on her private allure and class, I can see why Yucheng can be so smitten along with her – which is vital, as a result of which means that I’m able to get on board with rooting for him to win her coronary heart. 😁

The OTP collectively

I’d truthfully thought that this OTP may be a hard-sell for me, on condition that the set-up has Luo Na as Yucheng’s coach, however Present handles this very nicely.

Moreover, like I discussed earlier, as a result of Luo Na is technically additionally a scholar, albeit a postgraduate one, that makes this loveline that a lot simpler to embrace, as a result of there isn’t any actual teacher-student taboo at play right here.

What I actually like about this loveline, is that Present takes the time to construct a bond between Yucheng and Luo Na, earlier than introducing the romantic aspect to their relationship.

I like the concept there’s basis to their relationship, and never simply sparks from mutual attraction.

On that notice, I have to make clear that the chemistry at play between them is great.

When they’re simply coach and trainee, they spark of their interactions in a platonic vogue, even with Yucheng’s hearts in his eyes, however when their connection turns romantic, the sparks amplify to some severe sizzle. 🔥

That is positively an OTP the place the skinship feels actual and pure, a lot so that there have been instances after I actually felt like I used to be a voyeur peeping at a real-life couple.

Positively one among Present’s highlights, for my part. 🫠

[SPOILER ALERT]

As a result of I didn’t take notes whereas watching this present, I’ve simply two issues that I needed to say, on this part.

The primary is, I actually respect that these two persons are in a position to proceed to work collectively as coach and trainee, even after their romantic relationship is established.

What I imply is, Luo Na continues to be very targeted on serving to Yucheng obtain his objectives and desires, and even when he’s attempting to influence her to go simple on him in order that they will go on dates, for instance, she is rarely truly persuaded.

She runs a good ship, and y’know, I’ve to admire that about her, on condition that she actually is correctly smitten with Yucheng herself.

The opposite factor I needed to say, is the skinship between Yucheng and Luo Na feels fairly.. frank with attraction and need.

That is fairly a shock to me, truthfully, as a result of I’d anticipated the skinship on this present to be on the tamer aspect of issues, given the strongly healthful vibes on this story world.

However no, other than kisses and hugs (that are fairly swoony in their very own proper, little question), we’ve additionally obtained different aspects of skinship, that successfully raise the skinship from feeling posed and sanitized (like in some reveals), to feeling just like the product of very actual, very intense emotions.

Like him kissing her neck, or casually mountain climbing her leg up round his hip, in order that he can higher cradle her waist. That.. sort of factor. 🔥🥵🫠

[END SPOILER]

Chi Jia as Wu Ze

Wu Ze is a personality that took some time to develop on me, largely due to how gruff he’s, at the start of our story.

Over time, although, I positively discovered myself softening in direction of him, as soon as I knew extra about his backstory, and what makes him tick.

He may be robust and gruff, however he’s additionally obtained a whole lot of coronary heart and loyalty, and I actually felt for him, as I progressed by way of my watch. 🥲

There are two key relationships that I affiliate with Wu Ze. One is his bond with Li Ge, which I discuss within the subsequent part, and one is his friendship with Luo Na, which I assumed I’d discuss a bit about, on this spoiler part.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Though Wu Ze isn’t the kind to say a lot, it actually isn’t lengthy earlier than we change into conscious that he nurses romantic emotions for Luo Na.

He largely doesn’t let it present, preferring to stay to the simple chummy tone that he and Luo Na have settled into, over time.

Some folks would possibly say that he ought to do extra to woo Luo Na, since he likes her a lot, however I can perceive the place Wu Ze’s coming from.

The platonic vibe is powerful in the way in which Luo Na pertains to him, and Wu Ze has sufficient discernment to see that he doesn’t stand an opportunity with Luo Na, as a result of she merely doesn’t see him in a romantic mild.

Wu Ze isn’t profitable in successful Luo Na’s coronary heart (his single shot of shopping for her roses is gently however fairly firmly declined), and what I respect about this, is that it by no means dampens Wu Ze’s loyalty in direction of Luo Na.

He stays sturdy and steadfast in his look after Luo Na, as a buddy, even after his romantic overtures have been clearly turned down and he’s been formally friend-zoned.

That claims so much about how sturdy and pure his regards is, for Luo Na, and I do love that.

[END SPOILER]

Wu Ze and Li Ge

Roughly midway by way of our story, Present introduces Li Ge (Li Zhou Zhao) in what seems like a moderately random arc (extra on that later).

The arc felt so throwaway, that I used to be truthfully fairly stunned that Li Ge turns right into a moderately key secondary character in our story world, and even develops a reluctant bond with Wu Ze.

I ended up having fun with this bond fairly a bit, which is why it’s on this part.

[SPOILER ALERT]

At first, Li Ge simply looks as if Wu Ze’s ticket to having a successful athlete on his staff, but it surely quickly turns into clear that Li Ge is simply as cussed and willful as Wu Ze had been, in his personal youth.

And, the sort of hassle and angst that Li Ge places Wu Ze to, is strictly the sort of hassle and angst that he’d given his personal coach.

Given what we discover out, that Coach had given up his probability for surgical procedure, by utilizing the cash that he would have used for the surgical procedure, to bail out Wu Ze from hassle that he’d gotten himself into, and the way that had modified Coach’s whole prognosis, it’s deeply, sharply poignant, to see how Wu Ze now pours out that very same sacrificial care, in direction of Li Ge.

Like, sure, Li Ge usually has a foul angle and doesn’t deserve the assistance that Wu Ze provides, however I can perceive that Wu Ze thinks of this as his alternative to pay it ahead, in a fashion of talking.

He’s doing for Li Ge, what Coach had completed for him, and I do imagine that in a manner, this eases his sense of guilt and debt in direction of Coach.

On the similar time, it’s admittedly fairly satisfying to see that Wu Ze is extraordinarily in tune with the strategies that will work with Li Ge – as a result of he’s been in Li Ge’s very same spot, previously.

I discovered it very heartening to look at Li Ge’s angle change, first in direction of Wu Ze, after which in direction of operating.

From being a burden, operating turns into his ardour, by way of which he desires to earn honor, not only for himself, however for Wu Ze too.

The best way Wu Ze cries when Li Ge wins his first gold medal, is extremely transferring, after which the way in which Li Ge will get so upset when Wu Ze received’t go along with him to the nationwide staff, may be very poignant.

I can perceive Wu Ze’s place, although. He desires the most effective for Li Ge, and he is aware of his personal limits. He is aware of that that is the furthest he can take Li Ge, professionally, and he’s setting Li Ge free into higher pastures, the place he can meet higher coaches.

Eep. I teared up at this half, not gonna lie. 🥲

General, I merely love how far this relationship has come.

I really like that Li Ge has glommed into Wu Ze like a child duck, and I do imagine that Coach can be proud, for the way far Wu Ze himself has come. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

STUFF THAT WAS OK

Some arcs really feel fairly random

Some arcs really feel like they’re stitched into our story in a moderately tough form of method.

This wasn’t a deal-breaker for me personally, but it surely additionally wasn’t my favourite factor that Present did, which is why it’s on this part.

Right here’s an instance of what I imply.

[SPOILER ALERT]

In episode 15, some troublemakers present up on the new noodle store arrange by Jiang Tian  (Guo Jin Qi)and find yourself thrashing the place.

Now, it doesn’t make zero sense, in that the principle troublemaker is somebody who’s felt rubbed the unsuitable manner by Yucheng, and these are his associates.

Nevertheless it does really feel very tangential, that Li Ge is one among his troublemaker associates, and since Li Ge is ready to run that quick and that far whereas attempting to keep away from getting caught by Yucheng, he will get talent-spotted and persuaded to compete with Yucheng for an opportunity of Wu Ze clearing his debt for him (for wrecking the restaurant) – and that’s how he then will get  reluctantly roped into the operating staff, beneath Wu Ze’s tutelage.

It does make some sort of sense, but it surely’s extra a sketch-like, connect-the-dots form of sense, moderately than an natural sort of sense, if you understand what I imply.

[END SPOILER]

THOUGHTS ON THE ENDING [SPOILERS]

Truthfully, after I look again on the closing few episodes of this present, I understand that our OTP spends chunk of time aside.

First, when Yucheng will get accepted into the nationwide decathlon staff and goes for closed-door coaching, after which later, when he goes abroad, to coach with Luo Na’s father.

What I respect about how Present handles this, is that although our OTP has to spend time aside, they’re truly very a lot on the identical web page.

We see Luo Na encouraging Yucheng and serving to him to maintain angle and perspective, even when issues don’t go the way in which they’d hoped.

And, we additionally see them placing in quantity of effort, when it comes to retaining in contact, and staying linked, regardless of the bodily distance between them.

On that notice, I do respect that Yucheng switches away from the decathlon, and goes again to the excessive soar.

This feels proper, as a result of the excessive soar has at all times been his major ardour, and I’m so glad that Luo Na acknowledges and honors that.

After all it’s not a straightforward street, however I’m glad that Yucheng manages to make good throughout his abroad coaching, and win over Luo Na’s dad and mom, whereas he’s at it.

It’s identical to Yucheng to attempt to spring a shock proposal on Luo Na, since he’s been speaking about marriage for such a very long time, but it surely’s additionally identical to Luo Na, to select up on the truth that Yucheng’s performing weirdly, and power him to come back clear with the reality, as a result of she hates lies.

It’s fairly cute how she’s tremendous contrite for ruining the shock, and asks him to simply fake that she doesn’t know something, and proceed with the plan. 😁

What we get, in the long run, is a montage of what appears like a part-engagement, part-wedding form of mash-up, however I don’t truly care concerning the particulars, as a result of it’s simply so heartwarming and candy, to see all our characters gathered collectively, and being so cheerfully delighted, as one huge discovered household. 🥰

As the ultimate credit roll, I get the sensation that Yucheng and Luo Na are going to be very completely satisfied collectively, and that they may at all times be surrounded by these folks, who’ve change into a everlasting a part of their world.

Bliss. 🥰

THE FINAL VERDICT:

Heat, candy and healthful. Excellent for a drama nightcap.

FINAL GRADE: B+

TRAILER:

MV:

WHERE TO WATCH:

Present is accessible on YouTube, Netflix and Viki.

If you understand of one other platform that has it, please share within the feedback!

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