Many of you have voiced interest in this cdrama so I’m opening the thread.
The drama’s about second chances in love. The couple had a kid.
It’s on Viki. I don’t know how many episodes because it’s still an ongoing drama.
Enjoy the show!
57 Comments On “The Love You Give Me: Open Thread”
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Waaaaaaa! There’s my favourite family! 😍
Thanks Chingu Queen! 😘
Thanks so much @pkml3! 🫡
According to MDL, this is a 28 episode drama (about 45 minutes each), airing from Apr 24 – May 17, 2023, originally on Tencent.
With all the FFDing I’ll do, it will probably become a 14-episode drama or less for me!! 😁 😜 😬 😂
Hi @GB, I totally understand about the fast forwarding. Our main couple is very engaging especially with Quanquan there but the rest I can forget. 😂
I’m going to watch Once We Get Married as well straight after updating myself up to the current episode of the drama. ☺️
Thank you @Packmule3!
This show is doing extremely well in the ratings in China – it was number 4 in the national web drama ratings over the weekend (To the end of the Moon is number 1 and Nothing but You number 1 in the TV ratings!).
Delightful main couple and kid – with you all on this! – funny and heart warming.
Thank you, @packmule3. It looks like my kind of drama.
Hi @Fern, @Kate, @agdr03
EPISODES 1-5
SPOILERS
I breezed through Episodes 1-5. I find this production better than When We Got Married. The 2nd leads are less annoying, the interactions with Quan Quan are gold. The little shootout was the cutest thing that could happen in a convenience store.
As usual Wang Zi Ci plays the sourpuss, pushy guy with the heart of gold. I can’t believe he actually simply pushed himself into the Min home to stay! So we’re getting the cohabitation trope on top of the past lovers meet again trope and the cute kid who brings parents together trope all rolled into 1 series. I also especially like the ex-lovers given a 2nd chance trope.
With the ‘family’ in place, it’s going to be getting better from Episode 5 onwards. 🙂
SPOILER
continuation
And @GB I adored the scene where the FL discovers ML and kid, chez elle, in the midst of competitive game with hair braiding penalties!
ML is discovering the fun of ‘kin’ in general – feels like him playing with a younger bro’!
I’ve binged until Episode 16 and will have to wait for the next episodes to be subbed and posted.
It’s gotten to the good times with 12 more episodes to go. I hope we get lots more happy family times before more conflict strikes.
Episode 16 – That evening dress was to die for!!! Really one of the most tastefully beautiful dresses I have ever seen in a drama.
@GB, I’m about to watch episode 16 now before going to bed.
I’ll start to call Quan Quan, Wonder Kid 🥰
He just lights up the mood in all of his scenes. 😃
@agdr03
Quan Quan is an amazing child, actor and all round darling. It’s the most delightfully unexpected thing whenever he opens his mouth to speak like an adult to the adults. He speaks the truth as he sees it, and he’s mostly right.
The adults believe that they have to put up a front to protect the child, and basically lie to do so, but perhaps it’s oftentimes the child who figures it out and calls out the adults, or gracefully lets the adults get away with it.
I like that the angst was short-lived and that new developments come along at a good pace. When will the next episodes come up?
@GB – that evening dress was gorgeous. She made everyone else look ordinary even her striking bff* in that jewel green dress. FL has a dance background and can really pull off outfits like that!
Agreed with you both – Quan Quan is being acted so well. This little chap is very gifted. And he gets surprisingly great lines!
*Her upbeat bff, btw, is played by the petulant love rival to our main FL in Love O20, the series. Amazing what a difference bright red lipstick and a snappy wardrobe makes to your look.
I like the chemistry between second couple. They seem to find one another attractive in real life. That natural chemistry helps rescue the very ‘thin’ plot.
I am at the end of Ep 16 too and waiting for more. Not keen on the latest coincidental development with FL’s BFF’s new boyfriend. I hope they bring something good out of it.
@agdr03, @GrowingBeautifully, and @Kate, I’m onboard and try to catch up. I agree that the child playing QuanQuan is adorable. He carries many of the scenes he’s in with the adults: he’s not just decorative, he’s a talented professional.
Yes, this is light fare, but for me it is satisfying to watch because the tropes are comfortingly familiar. Although this is a new drama, it’s like rereading a favorite book. The tried-and-true plotlines have been freshened up a bit because we’re moving backwards: instead of rooting for the OTP to fall in love, get married, and have a family, this OTP has a child, goes through growing pains in becoming family, and we root for love and marriage to stabilize this precious unit.
@Kate, you wrote about the actress playing the FL’s upbeat bff, “Amazing what a difference bright red lipstick and a snappy wardrobe makes to your look.” You forgot to mention big hoop earrings. That shape seems to be part of Cao Mu’s signature style.
@Welmaris – yes! I’d forgotten those statement earrings! They add to the sense of energy, movement and impact don’t they?
Glad you are watching this. I liked what you said about the tried and true but freshened up plotlines due to direction of travel of the story!
@Welmaris @Kate, what a coincidence… every time I hear the first part of the Opening OST, that thought came to me. We start in the now but we end every episode looking back at what happened 5 years ago. We are tracing back from the past.
The first verse seems to say this and the promise that is to be kept keeps cropping up in the lyrics. We are moving forwards by remembering the good of the past, and undoing the mistakes or at least forgiving.
Yay for nice upbeat songs and in English!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_XixnoXbbs
“I’ve been tracing back.
Went through all the sweetness and sorrows
Chasing a dream till it starts
All the subtle things
You can’t erase memories
They lead my life going on
You make my heart beat
It travels from silent darkness
To starry nights
We hold our hands
Back to the home bay
Braving love
I don’t wanna break a promise
Braving us
I just wanna stay here till you
Feel my love
I just can’t get you out of my mind
You’re in my dreams every night
I feel love
I just wanna keep a promise
I feel us
When you slowly fall into my arms
You’re the one in my life
Baby you make my world so perfect
You make my heart beat
It travels from silent darkness
To starry nights
We hold our hands
Back to the home bay
I feel love
I just wanna keep a promise
I feel us
When you slowly fall into my arms
You’re the one in my life
Baby you make my world so perfect
Stars miles away
Shining in the sky
We can find true love
This special moment
When I see your smile
My dream is realized
Braving love
I don’t wanna break a promise
Braving us
I just wanna stay here till you
Feel my love
I just can’t get you out of my mind
You’re in my dreams every night
I feel love
I just wanna keep a promise
I feel us
When you slowly fall into my arms
You’re the one in my life
Baby you make my world so perfect”
@GB, I read somewhere that episode 17 will be shown on May 8.
I totally agree about Min Hui’s gorgeous dress. It suited her perfectly. 🥰
I always love it when a husband can buy his wife a dress/gown and it’s just perfect on her. ☺️
@Kate, yeah the bff’s bf being the brother of Su Tian. I hope they’ll resolve that quickly.
Which second couple are you referring to? The bff’s or Daddy Zhaou? 😁
Oh good eye on bff being the girl from LoveO2O. I had to remember her face and yes, it’s her. 😃 She seemed more taller here so I gather that’s her heels. 😁
@Welmaris, I’m actually paying attention to her earrings too. 😁
I do love hoop earrings myself but not those size. 😁
@GB, I really like this song and the title, Braving Love.
Thank you. ☺️
@agdr03 My pleasure!
I’m intrigued by the child actor, Cui Yi Xin. I cannot at the moment find a place which give us his year of birth. But he’s been acting since 2017. Unless he was a mere infant then, I’d have to guess that he might have been around 1-2 years old then… which means he might have been born in 2015-2016? That makes him actually closer to 7 (or 8) years old but he really looks like he’s around 5 years old.
Here’s a livestream of 4 of the actors including Cui Yi Xin, being themselves as they take a break on set. We can see that Yi Xin may be small, but is very self-possessed. It’s no wonder the lines of script roll off his tongue so beautifully.
I suspect our little scene stealer is around five years of age, because he still has his baby teeth. Most children lose their top and bottom incisor teeth (the four in the center) between ages 6-8. I also think the adult actors wouldn’t feel as comfortable lifting a 6-8 year old child regardless of how small he might be for his age.
I wonder how much longer anyone will be able to lift him after seeing him eat in that live stream clip. He certainly had the appetite of a growing boy!
Hi @agdr03,
Should have clarified – I meant the bff and her boyfriend.
Chen Xin Hai (bff’s boyfriend) is playing the lead in a series which is out now on IQIYI (see his VIKI details). A new face on the scene.
Interesting, @GB, to see them all on set. Thank you for finding this.
A hot day and they are probably not feeling like doing a ‘live’ broadcast. Very natural together aren’t they?
Our rather reserved Dr is actually the most outgoing on camera – or at least it looks that way.
Hi @Kate, my pleasure to share the videos. I came across it when I searched for the show’s OSTs. It just popped up next to the MVs.
I’m glad to be able to get a couple of new OSTs to add to my collection.
Here fyi is the drama with bff’s boyfriend in the lead role… haven’t had time to check it out.
https://www.iq.com/album/falling-before-fireworks-2023-1bda7pj8kup?lang=en_us
Hi @Kate, I took a quick look at the Falling Before Fireworks cdrama but was not impressed by the acting. I liked the kitten in the prologue and the nice scenery, but the acting of the few scenes I watched, felt wooden.
I think the actor, Chen Xin Hai, is better in The Love You Give Me than in the Fireworks show, but as I’ve not watched the latter show, I may be wrong. I see that his filmography experience is still not much, and he’s only 21 years old after all. We should check back on him in a couple of years and after a few more dramas. 🙂 😉 😁
@GB – thank you! That will save us the time of checking out that drama.
He’s only 21! Lots of room to grow in smaller parts perhaps.
Your research is appreciated.
It was my pleasure @Kate! If I have time, I might give other episodes of that drama a go and see if my verdict still holds true. 🙂
I think we’re safely past most of the tiresome misunderstandings now at episode 22. We just have one more couple to get their act together before all 3 plus Quan Quan can go romping at the beach, as we see in the opening credits.
I was getting tired of Xin Qi forever staring at Min Hui with mooney eyes and was glad that they had a serious talk and his re-affirmed commitment to protect her for the long-term without that mooney-eyed look.
I liked that in the ghastly encounter with sleazy scum, Cheng Qi Rang, Show let Min Hui deal with him and defeat him by herself before Xin Qi arrived. Too often we see him running in to beat up the bad guy, but this time Min Hui did it herself.
Now it’s back to our waiting for the subs game… or I could watch the episodes raw without understanding much… 😏
Waaaaaaaaaaaa! Love episode 23 and 24. Finally getting together and just them catching up on giving Quanquan a baby brother or sister? Oh wait it’s the interest being paid for buying Be Agile. 🥰😂
This pairing is very natural in every way and it should be like that because this is their third pairing. 😃 I’m definitely watching the Once We Get Married after this. ☺️
@agdr03
Yes, this is a super natural couple. There are loads of couple moments and sweet kisses to enjoy. However When We Get Married is not as well made as The Love You Give Me.
What’s the name of the 3rd show they were in together?
@GB, thank you for that clip. I’ve started it but haven’t finished it. ☺️ I like Xin Qi’s mooney-eyed look. 🙈😁
I agree about the FL defending herself and not the ML coming from somewhere to defend her. He deserved that beating.
@Welmaris, thank you for the tidbit about Quanquan being a 5 year old more likely. He’s just perfect for his role. ☺️
I actually think that Xin Qi, Min Hui and Quanquan all sound the same especially when they whinge or make those cute childlike voice. 😁
@Kate, bff is definitely pretty. Sometimes a little bit more than our Min Hui. 😄
Thanks for the info on bff’s boyfriend’s current drama. I’m moving to Once We Get Married after this one ends. ☺️
If I can put together all of Xin Qi, Min Hui and Quanquan scenes together, I’ll watch it over and over again. 🥰
I noticed the actual novel of The Love You Give Me as shown in episode 23 and 24. I wonder of it’s available online. 😃
@GB, it’s Novoland: The Castle In The Sky 2. It’s their first drama then OWWGM. 😊
@GB, I’ll probably just go with the flow if I watch OWGM especially coming from a really made one like this one. 😃
Ohhh this is news re the Novoland drama…!
I like XQ’s moonie-eyed looks too and the way he imitates Quan Quan’s high-pitched appealing comments!
I actually like him best when he is being masterful and strategic and taking care of things… That is when he is most attractive, albeit less cute!
I adore all the behind the scenes plotting and XQ’s moments of instant jealousy!
Irritating third romance plot with irritating girl and hapless Dr.
The whole thing is so obnoxiously one side.
She hounds him. He tolerates her.
She decides to push him towards his true love – without discussing it with him. He, for some strange reason, realises that he has feelings for her.
But too late she has decided – again all this is going on in her head – to walk away, block him etc
Now in Ep 24 we have him stumbling after her carrying books in a bookshop – presumably as punishment for not having succumbed to her bombarding him with attention as a busy doctor at a hotel.
She is immature and spoiled. I assume her girlishness is intended to soften his stern and reasonable exterior and connect with the romantic hero beneath.
Not a favourite plot-line.
*at a hospital*
In short, this is implausible.
@Kate, I agree the third couple is a disastrous relationship. But at least ZiZhu’s one-sided persistence opened Dr. Zhou’s eyes to his own attitudes toward Min Hui.
@Welmaris…Good point!
Waaaaa! Hi! 😃
I’m very satisfied with how this drama ended. 😍 I couldn’t have asked for a better ending. We have our happy family with Quanquan requesting for a baby sister even with his baby brother probably just being at 2-3 months old (just guessing). 😄
I wasn’t sure about the scene at the top of the building but it probably meant to say that they’ve overcome their trials especially with XinQi’s heart operation.
I had tears with the hospital scene (typical). 😢I thought that was done nicely.
This is by far my favourite family of the year in a drama. It’s got a cute kid, lots and lots of kisses 😍😍😍 and just two people loving each other again.
Sooooooo, I went to watch and finished Once When We Got Married. 😱😂 It’s got more kisses. Winning! 😍
But even though it’s true what @GB said that it’s not as nicely made, I still like that the couple really showed their support and loyalty to each other whatever happens. The editing was off too because of the scene in Milan. One minute the board decided that Yin Sichen will stay as president and then after that they’re in Milan. 😂
Anyway I thought it was funny too that he said they haven’t had any honeymoon. Far out! They had a lot of bedroom scenes. 😂
Anyway if there’s a fourth drama for this pairing, I’m in! ☺️
Isn’t Quanquan the cutest? 🥰
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CsIDNLahY7u/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
@agdr03 Oh dear me, he’s just the cutest. That child knows how to work it for the camera and still be his natural self. Adorable! 😍 🤗 🤭 😆
Speaking of that child actor being his natural self, I wish they didn’t bleach and perm his hair. In my opinion he’s too young to be put through those processes with all those chemicals. It makes me think of poor Shirley Temple and the agony she was put through to get those signature ringlets.
@Welmaris, I didn’t even noticed it. I thought maybe that’s his natural hair and color.
Maybe they just curled it with a curler before the shoot? 😬
I hadn’t noticed either… he looks better less curly more wavy!
Here he is having fun while shooting with the rest of the cast – you sense they were a filming family don’t you?
https://www.tionghoa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Tionghoa-Org-Wang-Ziqi-Bagikan-Potret-Saat-Syuting-Dengan-Lawan-Mainnya-Di-Drama-The-Love-You-Give-Me-1.jpeg
ps there is a short clip on Youtube of the little actor crying because he misses his cast mates.
He must have loved all the fun and attention and having an extended family. It will be hard to come down to earth after all that.
I wonder if the producers will try to do a sequel????
I am certainly up for another drama with our ML and FL. I enjoyed the ‘prequel’ too.
@Kate, I’m quite sold on this Wang-Wang couple too. They have the most natural skinship, loads of kisses, heaps of ‘dates’ in their shows. Somehow they never look awkward together.
Wang Zi Qi seems quite new to dramaland. His earliest work might have been in 2013, but he’s only been busy since 2021. Wang Yu Wen has a longer filmography although she’s one year younger at 26.
I’m with you @GB and @Kate on another Wang-Wang drama. I really love this pair. 🥰
I might try their first drama together too. 😊
@Kate, I can imagine Quanquan missing his TLYGM family. I’m sure they gave him much love and attention while filming. ☺️
Hi all, I am taking a slight detour because this show popped up on Viki:
https://www.viki.com/tv/38912c-unforgettable-love
It doesn’t look as good from the outset as our Quanquan + Wang-Wang spectacular.
It does have the FL from ‘The River runs through it’ who is almost the spitting image of the K-drama FL in ‘Business Proposal’. It has a cute kid who is not – intitially – as appealing as our (haha) Quanquan… The leading male character is a little wooden – although I have seen the actor do a great job in ‘Find Yourself’ so this may be down to the writing.
However, if any of you are desperate for further ‘have child’ meet-cute dramas … it may be worth giving a spin. I have watched around 25 mins so am no great expert on it. The FL has a good EQ and is also in research it would seem – so some parallels with ‘The Love that You Give’.
Of course, it may simply be too soon to accept a new child character and romantic coupling! Haha
I think I may continue to watch a few more episodes having started out of pure curiosity… there are some cute moments between the young lad and the FL.
He doesn’t speak but uses word cards to communicate. He also screams when he is unhappy. The ML is clueless as a parent. There has been some type of trauma in the past. All will become clear.
She is a child psychologist by trade and meets the little boy in a hotel lobby.
Hi @Kate! ☺️
I’ve watched this drama and yes the little boy here is cute as well.
I enjoyed it just probably not as much as The Love You Give Me. But still there are cute moments for the couple so hopefully you’ll enjoy it too. 😃
Hi @agdr03,
Yes – absolutely agreed – it’s not in the same league as The Love You Give Me.
I am still enjoying – it’s a nice very light interlude.
@Kate, it is very light and from memory there’s only another couple there? Not like TLYGM where there’s 3. 😃
@agdr03 – I think there may be 3… based on the opening credits. The main couple, the bffs of our main couple and then the nice child psychologist seems to meet someone too! Is it a new trend? hahaha
It does feel a bit paint by numbers predictable and the ML’s character doesn’t quite work for me. Who is this person? I think it is the writing that is a bit slap dash.
But I now, of course, want to know how it all works out!
@Kate, I watched Unforgettable Love awhile back and enjoyed it enough to finish it. That says something, because these days I have no qualms about dropping dramas that I find unappealing for one reason or another, even if they’re popular with other viewers. What drew me to Unforgettable Love at first was the accidental dad angle: the little boy becomes the ward of someone who had no intention of being a father. It has shades of Jane Eyre, with the FL being drawn into the life of the ML due to the ML’s relationship with an unexpected ward. But I am not giving away any spoilers for Unforgettable Love when I say it doesn’t have a crazy ex-wife locked in the attic.
@Welmaris – I like the Jane Eyre comparison!
No crazy ex-wife. Tick. Interfering intended brides are the closest you’ll get.
I did a crazy thing and very quick fast forwarding last night took me to the end before going back to the middle again. The back story actually makes sense of the blind spots/eccentricities of the ML…I do think his role could have been far better written. For me, the character came and went a bit. Sometimes he was just an ordinary guy with a girl. Sometimes, he was back (mentally) in his ivory castle, highly protective world and unable to connect very well at all.
Thankfully, the emerging back story of why he is the way he is – adds context and colour and genuine dramatic and emotional tension to the story and allows his character to resonate in more natural ways. I was drawn in to the plot as it thickened! That, of course, is true of Jane Eyre come to think of it!
Miles Wei played a very understated but effective character (a kind of 3rd male lead) in ‘Find Yourself’ which starred Victoria Song and Song Weilong. He played that role so well – with nuance and intelligence – that I am not surprised he was given lead roles later.