Clkytta: I’m sure you’ve already heard the news, but we decided to revisit this gem because the leads got married in real life! Yes, Janice Wu and Zhang Yu Jian were married a while back and had a child. They kept it a secret, which is completely understandable because actors are allowed to have private lives. This isn’t a huge surprise to those of us who thought they had amazing chemistry in Le Coup de Foudre. While both actors have been in several other dramas, they just clicked in a way that made us all feel like they were really in love. Apparently, Zhang Yu Jian was pretty fierce about protecting his family’s privacy, and I’m impressed that he was able to do so for so long. I know the Maknae and I squealed in delight to know that one of our favorite drama couples became a happy family in real life. I feel like all of us should do a rewatch and eat cake to celebrate!

Karie the Maknae: I am SO VERY EXCITED to talk about Le Coup de Foudre. This is the first fluffy Cdrama that I watched with Clkytta, and I *still* think about it to this day. I read the novel at her suggestion too, and fell in love with the humorous non-linear story. Janice Wu and Zhang Yu Jian were so easy to watch, so believable in their roles as the sunshine one and the cold one — now one of my favorite romance tropes — that I binged my way through the drama in a record amount of time. In fact, I think I’m due for a rewatch. And then to find out that they’re married in real life? ALL THE HAPPY SQUEALING! Le Coup de Foudre is one of my top Cdramas, clocking in just after Go Ahead. Highly, highly recommend watching it. Currently, you can find it on Viki.

(From August 2019) Oh my gosh! I just stumbled upon another drama based on one of my favorite Chinese novels! Le Coup de Foudre (French for love at first sight) is based on the novel I Don’t Like This World, I Only Like You. The novel was very slice of life and I really enjoyed the insight into why the characters liked each other. Beware: Small spoilers ahead.

Reason #1 We already know the end game

A married couple gives us a glimpse into their relationship through a series of flashbacks and memories of their lives. They were deskmates in school and fell in love, but they were separated for many years before reconnecting. As they tell their story of love and loss, we get little nuggets of their everyday life in the present day.

Reason #2 Not Your Normal Tsundere Lead

Yan Mo is the #1 student and Zhao Qiao Yi is usually at the very end of the list. Yan Mo doesn’t think Qiao Yi is dumb though. He sees her bubbly personality and her perseverance as qualities that are as important as his book smarts. I think that my favorite part about this is that he just likes her and he doesn’t have a concrete reason why. That’s the reason why the book is titled I Don’t Like This World, I Only Like You.

Reason #3 Sismance!

Qiao Yi’s bestie Wu Yi is adorable and dedicated. They are closer than sisters and support each other through all of life’s trials and triumphs. Even when the two are mad at each other, they still stand beside each other. When Wu Yi showed up to school in the wrong uniform and was being reprimanded in front of the entire school, Qiao Yi ran and changed to match Wu Yi so she didn’t have to suffer alone. That’s sisterly love right there, you can be mad, but you can’t stand to see the other one suffer.

Reason #4 Qiao Yi’s Stepdad

All too often we see stepparents in Asian dramas as the evil outsider. This drama is different though because Qiao Yi’s stepfather is loving and supportive. When he fell in love with their mom, he fell in love with the whole family. He’s a Dad who makes them all feel safe and loved and I haven’t even gotten to the best part yet.

Reason #5 The Author Based It On Her Own Life

While some of this has been embellished for the book and the drama, the characters are based on real people. There are many realistic aspects to the story that people can relate to as the characters go through their successes and failures. The story is charming in it’s realism and it feels more like peeking in someone’s diary than watching a drama.

I could list many more reasons why you should watch, but I held myself back. As much as I could keep gushing over our OTP and secondary stories, you really need to see it for yourself. Make sure and leave a comment with what you thought of this drama.

Until the next fluffy romance,

Clkytta

Dramas With a Side of Kimchi