In the midst of a kdrama slump, aimless browsing of Netflix threw up this cdrama called Hidden Love that was on air meaning I couldn’t binge it even if I wanted to. I started this show with no expectations and it remains now one of my favorite chinese dramas ever.

The story starts when the male lead is twenty two and ends when the female lead is twenty two. A five year age gap compounded by that awkward time in their lives when she is in school and him in college. It could be creepy and groomery but, it is not.

We watch the story unfold through the eyes of the fourteen year old Sang Zhi played by an even younger looking Zhang Xi Wei. She is precocious and precious. She writes her secrets on strips of paper and folds them into miniature stars. She collects memories the way other kids collect toys. As the story progresses we see her study hard, deal with a broken heart, struggle to find her dream and eventually live happily ever after.

For a story with no great conflict, it could have been boring but, it is not.

The story is the love. The first flush of love, the puppy love, the unrequited love, the reciprocal love, the deepening of love, the acceptance of love. What the story aces is the focus on the nuances, the little gestures, the facial expressions, the eyes that speak when words are rendered inadequate. Where the story differs is in how comfortable it is with physicality, not just the kisses and hugs.

The love story is foremost. The sibling dynamic is top notch. The makers also manage to nail the filial dynamic. Over twenty five episodes we watch our protagonist just be herself, win at life and love and take us on the journey with her. The bonus of course is our male lead who has the most expressive eyes ever. Swoon!