Period C-drama Are You the One with Zhang Wan Yi and Wang Chu Ran Air to Average Ratings But Praise for the Lead Couple’s Acting and Chemistry
I’ve been watching Are You the One Since it premiered a week ago and honestly I haven’t felt any urge to write about it substantively on the merits or lack thereof. The drama starring Zhang Wan Yi and Wang Chu Ran still has my interest to click on new episodes every day but I FF more than I watch as the drama has gone on. The first few episodes I had the patience for the slow burn and became a new fan of Wang Chu Ran who delivered the performance needed to prove why she is leading lady material and her visuals are so insanely beautiful in a natural and effortless way styled in this drama. Zhang Wan Yi continues to be a rock solid leading man, a combination of good looks and nuanced acting, and the chemistry between the leads is fantastic. But the story is soooooo slow and none of the side characters or antagonists or mystery interest me, I just want my OTP to figure out the truth AND still be in love with each other thanks to the whole fake marriage bit. This drama is exactly what Wang Chu Ran needed to wash away the slick of Fireworks of the Heart but the lack of being a hit is not good for Zhang Wan Yi who is being promoted by Tencent and is now two dramas into the summer of 2024 and not yet broken out further.
I’m not seeing this show but WCR is a serviceable actress. That show with YY dragged her down but she was never bad. She’s also gorgeous and had her team taken the right decisions, she should’ve already been among the top actresses of her age range. I think she lost First frost because of her bad reputation at that time. That show would’ve been a game changer for her given Hidden Love was so big.
Speaking of that, I don’t think First Frost will be as big as Hidden Love. It will probably do very well in China because Bai Jingting is very popular there. But internationally, I could see it doing fine like When I fly Towards You and Amidst a Snowstorm of Love. If it stuck with its original cast, it would be very hyped since both Zhang Linghe and Wang Churan have big international fandoms.
Original cast what? First Frost producer waiting for Bai Jingting since the beginning. Zhang Linghe, Song Weilong or some actors is just rumor by YXH, the producer choose BJT to play as Sang Yan in the first place.
Doing good in China is every producer dream. They don’t really care about international market, it’s just bonus.
I think they are both showing their limitations as actors in this show. Both look overly self-conscious to me in most scenes, as if they are constantly aware that they are acting and making me the viewer constantly remember too that they are acting instead of letting me get immersed in the show and their characters.
I thought there were some scenes in Lost You Forever where I could see potential in Zhang Wan Yi, so maybe he needs more experience or stronger leading actresses?
This is the first drama with Wang Chu Ran I have really watched and somebow I really dislikes scenes in which she is supposed to be the sweet angelic beauty, she somehow always looks pretentious to me in those scenes, but I like the newer episodes with her as the tough “Bandit Queen”. If she does less sweet or weak girl roles and more tough woman roles I think I could come to like her as a lead actress.
You may want to check Serenade of Peace Joy, where she plays an antagonist role. It’s slow, but the cast acting is top notch.
I disagree with your part where you say she acting cute seem like pretending. For me and i think many people can agree she potray the character Liu Miantang very well. Every move is delicate and sweet opposite to her character Lu Wen which is rough.I think it just your preference to like more badass girl instead of sweet girl type. She has done several villain characters before. You can check her work as supporting role in these drama 1) The longest promise 2) Serenade of peaceful joy 3)Royal feast
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I’m actually really enjoying this! Wang Churan is stunningly beautiful and a pretty decent actress! I don’t mind the pace but I do wish she would find out the truth sooner.
I love this couple and tune in new episodes for the sake of my OTP.
I love everything about this drama, it has high production value, even though it has a limited budget (you can tell that there are no real palace scenes) but the productions care about the details and quality of the film speaks for itself.
I have always believed that Zhang Wang Yi is an above average actor in terms of his acting abilities and this drama proves my belief. He’s well matched by Wang Churan who is holding her own in this drama. They are brilliantly matched, their scenes are electric and captivating, and the plot is compelling enough for me to be impatient for the next episodes.
I particularly love ZWY’s voice and diction, even though I’m not a Mandarin speaker, I know that he speaks much better than many other C-drama actors, and this is due to his years in Theatre where there is more emphasis on speaking and diction, and less on looking pretty. I’ve become a huge fan of his after watching him in Lost You Forever season 1, however, not all his projects have been to my taste, so I’m glad I can watch him in this one.
Agreed with ZWY’s voice! He has such a unique expressive voice. In a way it almost sounds like he pronounces mandarin with the tiniest hint of English speakers accent!
Yes, his voice and cadence is unique and beautiful. He uses his voice as an adjunct to his acting, expressing things that his face doesn’t , like the third person in the room. In my opinion, it adds texture to his acting.
She almost looks so much like liu yifei in this. Like slightly skinnier but dang I almost thought it was her. The drama started quirky but I’m waiting till it finishes to watch it. Still I wonder how long they can keep the female lead in the dark cause the drama has 40 some odd episodes.
He was mocked to hell and back for his lack of expressions so I am not sure who supposedly praised him
Yeah he’s getting the bulk of the criticism for his acting skills in this drama. Ever since LYF part 2 aired the audience in China have been liking his acting less and less.
Honestly, any one who have watched ZWY in his previous roles knows, his acting here is off, he could do so much better imo. I know from the videos have seen the leads are going for nuace acting but they come off has being dull and bland in most scenes.
I think that’s one of the things I noticed when I watched LYF part 1. He was kinda stiff, but intense. I don’t know how much of that was related to the role vs his acting, but he just looked constipated to me. Granted I didn’t finish the entire part 1 let alone watch part 2, but that’s the impression he gave me initially.
He was so much better in LYF 2, Which when u compare with this show, he comes off has being way to dull. With LYF 1, even with his stiffness, it goes with his character narrative in the story so it didn’t feel off like here and he his acting was better too.
@Coralie
He is absolutely terrible.
Fangirls don’t like it but if you want a few good laughs you can find something many edits on Weibo where he is supposed to be happy, scared, shocked and his fave is an unmoving frozen one, exactly the same. Disaster.
She was much better.
I don’t know why by looking at some of the pics of his scenes already screams he has stiff acting :/
I like the show. First show thus year I am eagerly waiting for the new episodes to drop. I am currently on ep 18 and I hope it stays good.
As for the leads, I have really watched them in anything before, but now I am a fan!
Zhang Wanyi needs to get out of the idol historical drama route and go back to more serious dramas to hone his acting.
I also think the Idol field of the industry does not fit him at all.
I love the show and the actors in general are portraying and enjoyable time to us. I can’t wait for the next episodes. Could be slow but it’s lovely since they are interacting and falling with each other through knowing each others hearts. Stop been haters, if not to your liking watch something else. Beautiful actress and strong male lead as supporting by many talented playing their role accordingly to the writing. ❤️
Go ZWY
Hope to see him acting in more dramas
People wanting ZWY to act the same way as LYF never heard of portraying different characters? He doenst need to be as intense as LYF, actors need to match the story essence, sometimes they need to be intense sometimes easygoing. Those 2 characters are different, the drama is not tragic as LYF, its funny hearing acting comparisons between the 2 dramas. ZWY is still a good actor and he chose to portray the character this way, which is a good thing, he doenst need to give the same performance everytime.
I didn’t watch this drama but the comments I’ve seen on the Chinese net is that ZWY’s acting is stiff and bad. It seems like he’s only capable of wailing and can’t portray other emotions well.
Wang Chu Ran is very beautiful, but for some reason it doesn’t translate well on screen. I find her very boring and lacking screen presence. Not FL material at all. I think she’s better off playing supporting roles.
To my surprise, ZWY was the one turning me off to drop the drama after two eps. I thought he was the better actor compared with WZR who had never impressed me in her prior works. I agree with the comments that WZR looked like Crystal Liu in many aspects, even the acting. Therefore, I don’t think I’ll be her fan even she did much better in this one. As for ZWY, his weak physique is his weakness. He looked like a kid in the scenes with WZR. LOL. It’s hard for me to root for their romance. I might continue to watch if the ML were someone with taller and stronger build. I think ZWY was miscast.
The plot doesn’t help at all. Slow and chaotic as heck as many other C dramas. Two eps into the story, I still had no clues what story they were trying to sell and have no interest to follow either.
To this point, it appears the Double has been indeed one unique exception among so many pedestrian C dramas for a long while.
I agree ZWY didn’t fit the role. Would have been better if Zhang Bin Bin played the role. WZR looks like a beautiful 1960s actress. She has nicer teeth than Crystal Liu.
Are hearing yourself😂 oh “i think she looks like liu yifei and oh i also think she also acting like her so in concluision I will not like her even her acting is good here??? Whut is even this😅? And since when she acting like LYF huh? You are so weird
Are hearing yourself Mrs “Somebody”😂
oh “i think she looks like liu yifei and oh i also think she also acting like her so in conclusion I will not like her even though her acting is good here??? Whut is even this statement😅? And since when she acting like LYF huh? You are so weird
Are hearing yourself Mrs “Somebody”😂
oh “i think she looks like liu yifei and oh i also think she also acting like her so in conclusion I will not like her even though her acting is good here??? Whut is even this statement😅? And since when she acting like LYF huh? You are so weird
Are hearing yourself Mrs “Somebody”😂
oh “i think she looks like liu yifei and oh i also think she also acting like her so in conclusion I will not like her even though her acting is good here??? Whut even is this statement😅? And since when she acting like LYF huh? You are so weird
I actually like it – still watching and considering the many dramas I drop after 2 episodes this is my current one.
I know ZWY may not be for all but personally I find him attractive and while he’s a little short – he does have a certain charisma esp I like his voice.
But it’s really WCR that impressed me – she’s absolutely gorgeous in this drama and really likeable
I really don’t care about the ratings I care about the chemistry of all the actors the mystery that is slowly being revealed and I don’t find it boring in anyway I watch each episode hoping the next one is just as good and it is my dearest held my attention in just the same way I don’t go by your rating but mine I will watch again
I like this drama. I agree the ML needs expressions. If he could make his eyes even more expressive, it would help. He delivers his lines well and the energy between him and the FL can definitely be felt…most of the time. I’ve seen him in modern dramas twice and his acting was really good. One of those dramas was a challenging role of a doctor that was an autistic genius and he was over the top good. The other drama he played a veterinary and eventually the FL fell for him. He might stick with modern dramas. I liked him though enough to really hate him in LYF 2, so he did that part well too.
Watching this and enjoying the performance of both leads. Thought the initial stiffness fits well with the story since the character of the male lead is acting as the loving husband and the couple were awkward around each other. Some of expressions are played for comedic effect and worked well in the scene and context. The initial episodes are slow but in a good way and things are getting exciting at the halfway point.
Yes ZWY’s acting is nuanced. Seems the haters snip some parts to claim he is stiff..when he is suppose to be as the character CXZ try to act the part of CJ. Anyway seems there were advertisements paying people to write negative comments/review about his acting.People writing about bad acting barely 10 mins into the show etc.
ZWY was in the Hospital Playlist-esque modern drama where he played an autistic doctor. He was way out-acted by the veterans, okay-ish as a newbie, but disappointing considering he was so hyped as the next best thing.
WCR is really pretty, elegant like Liu Yi Fei. I was impressed by her supporting roles but not enough to follow her dramas as leads.
So, I think I’ve left a comment on Koala’s blog maybe twice—okay, three times max—over the years. But who’s counting? Chinese dramas? Yeah, not really my jam. I’m as lost as a tourist without Google Maps when it comes to the actors and actresses, especially the ones who look like they just got their first ID. But every now and then, I stumble upon a new drama, and surprise, surprise —this one actually hooked me.
Now, I’m the type who’ll nitpick acting like it’s an Olympic sport. I mean, I’ll pause and rewind just to make sure that side-eye was delivered with the right amount of sass. But with this drama? Nada to complain about! The leads are on point, and the plot? It’s got me like, “Just one more episode… or five.”
People won’t stop talking about LYF, but let’s be real—I found it so boring I couldn’t even survive one episode. And I’m usually the type who can binge-watch a show, even if it’s about paint drying. The male lead in this drama? I had never seen him before, so I went in with zero expectations. The female lead? I’d heard/read so much trash talk about her that I was ready to cringe—but guess what? Gossip failed me big time because she’s pretty awesome.
Long story short, I’m glad I gave this drama a whirl. It’s been a blast to watch, even with its quirks. I’m slapping an 8.5 on it for now — mainly because it’s kept me entertained, which is no easy feat for someone as picky as me!
This drama is pretty good. The acting is good, decent chemistry, well written storyline, granted it’s slower paced compared to others, but on its own, it’s necessary, and no annoying elements yet. I don’t really listen to people anyway. This is a solid drama so far, way more interesting than Lost You Forever any day!
ZWY really has moments where he captures nuanced emotions and catches me completely off guard, but lord does he need some more experience. His voice is captivating and I think it’s his strongest card, the comedic timing is actually very good too – he manages to make it seem so natural and sweet and as someone who tends to dislike comedy elements he still managed to make me enjoy them, his chemistry with the female lead was believable as well… but that’s where the positives stop for me. I’ve seen a lot of people praise his micro expressions and I tried looking for what they meant to no avail, his facial muscles tend to be really restrained and his eyes often look like he isn’t present. There’s something so blank and awkward ( not in the sense that he is trying to portray awkwardness but that he himself feels out of place) about him. I’d like to see him in a really ruthless villain role, I think he has that “unhinged” ( I mean this in the best way possible XD) aura around him that would lend itself wonderfully for a deplorable character. All in all, he has potential.