Amidst a Snowstorm of Love (2024)

Snowflakes of Sweetness: "Amidst A Snowstorm of Love" Radiates Romance and Brilliance

It was a true romance of the year. Watching this drama felt like reading beautiful poetry, time flew without realizing it. The show hit all the right notes.

The story, though familiar was executed uniquely. The main couple's chemistry, the foreign locations and the absence of cliches made it stand out. No ex girlfriend, no third angle, no annoying side characters, a very relaxing show for romance lovers.

- What I liked:

•Chemistry between main leads: The standout factor of the show is definitely the chemistry between Zhang Jinmai and Wu Lei. Their on screen dynamic is captivating, making it the main selling point. Scenes that might have felt cringe worthy with other actors are handled seamlessly due to their undeniable chemistry. Yin Guo and Lin Yiyang, portrayed by the duo, are unquestionably one of my top three couples in modern Chinese romance.

•Locations: Following the impressive chemistry, foreign based locations emerge as the next selling point of the show. Shot mostly in Finland, the director's skill in capturing the scenery adds an extra layer of besuty to the drama. The combination of beautiful locations and outstanding chemistry makes it clear why this drama is destined to be a hit. The foreign settings provide a unique atmosphere compared to regular modern Chinese dramas, giving it a cinematic feel with scenic beauty and visual appeal for each character. Even when the focus shifts to China after Episode 16, the chosen locations maintain a distinct charm, setting it apart from typical Chinese dramas.

•Story/Plot: While the storyline might seem familiar, its unique execution sets it apart. The absence of cliches like ex gf/bf, third angles, lead separations, annoying supporting characters and family pressures makes it stand out. The show skillfully navigates away from predictable angles.
I appreciate the shift in tone between the first and second halves. The initial half is rich in romance while the latter half delves deeper into drama with a sports genre focus, exploring the intricate dynamics of the characters relationships.

•Supporting Characters: Its worth mentioning the standout supporting characters in the show, all of whom contribute positively. There are no annoying or negative characters, instead the drama is filled with mature and non childish supporting characters. Initially i expected some characters to take a negative turn and create obstacles for the leads but im pleased to say the show proved me wrong. Each supporting character is intricately written with depth and maturity making them endearing as the show progresses. Personal favorites include Meng Xiaodong, Jiang Yang and Wu Wei who have undoubtedly won the hearts of viewers with their charming portrayals.

•Acting: The acting truly stood out with Zhang Jinmai and Wu Lei delivering performances that felt incredibly authentic. As a fan of their previous work, this show has only deepened my admiration for them. I eagerly anticipate their future projects as they have consistently impressed me. The supporting cast without exception, seamlessly brought the written characters to life.

•Direction/Cinematography/BGM Score: The direction and cinematography were impeccable creating a visually stunning drama. It felt like watching a cinematic masterpiece and the OSTs/BGM scores, especially tracks like "Perfect Performance" by Yisa Yu and "Love and Shine" by Wu Lei elevated the viewing experience to another level.

•Visuals: The scenery and the actors visuals were seriously impressive. I know we shouldnt judge solely based on looks but every character looked good and its worth noting that these actors were not just good looking but also incredibly talented.


-What I didnt like:

Honestly there isnt much that i didnt like here. However, some romantic scenes between the leads felt a bit childish. If it werent for these two actors it might have been a tad cringy, but somehow they managed to convince me otherwise. Their chemistry and acting really worked in favor of the drama.


After a long time, i came across such a feel good modern Chinese romance drama with no cliche hurdles or tracks. Everything from the beginning was fantastic and it stayed that way until the end. This show is undoubtedly a treat for romance lovers and im sure they wont get enough of it. It will remain close to my heart for the longest time and the main lead pair has secured a spot in my top 3 Chinese pairs of all time.

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screaming, squealing and swooning.

oh my god what have they laced these episodes with! simply can't stop watching them. from the very first scene, the cinematography is breathtaking. i really love the setting of the show- winter aesthetic never fails to deliver. also, shooting abroad with the snowy backdrop was legit one of the best decisions made. it doesn't feel like watching 30 episodes. everytime an episode ends it feels like it's over so soon. everything is made so well to make it look like watching an extended movie, you'll find yourself casually transition to next and next episodes on autopilot.

acting:

as expected, both Leo Wu and Zhao Jin Mai deliver standout performances. Wu Lei is the best on screen boyfriend for the year. oh boy, the way he's hopelessly in love and expresses himself with his entire being is simply adorable and incredibly sexy at the same time. he plays his character with so much nuance. man he conveys a range of emotions with just his eyes and even when he's just... there, he makes his scenes so impactful. i haven't seen many actors that have this much captivating aura tbh.

Zhao Jin Mai's acting is equally commendable. she brings grace and authenticity to her role with subtle gestures. impressed by how she delivers her dialogues being expressive and realistic at the same time. overall they complement each other so so well. best duo of the year istg.

together their chemistry is top tier. I've not found a single scene where their chemistry is below perfection, its always sizzling. their interactions elevate the entire mood, there's like an invisible magnetic pull beutween them- like every glance loaded with unspoken intensity and sparks fly. forget butterflies i get the whole damn fireworks going on. Yin Guo and Yi Yang have this chemistry that's not just seen but felt and resonates.

lovable side characters:

also it's a huge bonus that the side characters aren't boring or annoying! Jiang Yang, Meng Xiao Dong and Wu Wei in particular stood out to me for being incredible support characters that we don't usually see in dramas.

• Wu Wei has this soft aura around him who's easy going, supportive and the kinda person you can always count for being by your side. when he was genuinely happy for Yi Yang and sheds happy tears on hearing about his comeback, wow that one scene showed how much he truly values and supports his friends.

• Meng Xiao Dong is prolly my fav of them all (no surprise there). he's hot, wears suits, has this cold unapproachable aura and hot (oh i mentioned it already nvm). he's the scene stealer in this show for me.

• Jiang Yang seemed cold at first but soon turned out to be a sweet guy who also goes beyond limits for his friends. i don't think he's much appreciated but man is the one who was persistent to bring Yi Yang back to court.

• also honorable mention to Xiao Tian who we saw more in the beginning and towards the end of series and was the first shipper of main leads lol. he's got this bubbly personality that automatically makes you smile.

i could go on and on about all the characters as well but if you haven't watched yet, I'll let you witness it firsthand. I'll just say it's hard not to love the characters- mentioned or not. they all have amazing chemistry and it truly shows how close their friendship is. they've picked just the right actors for the right roles I'm so satisfied. this cast really had actors that can act well. i could also say the same about the actresses but one stood out to me in particular- the actress who played He Jia (He laoshe's daughter); she was simply excellent with her delivery and micro expressions. unfortunately she wasn't highlighted much in the series but her performance was hands down the best among anyone here.

final words:

i can't say it's perfect, this show definitely has its own flaws. i would say there are some scenes that seems to not fit in with the pacing or overdone or even unnecessary at times. also I believe some scenes (like intimate ones) were cut off due to censorship. also I'm a little disappointed with the screentime of side characters, i was hoping to see more of other couples as well. but truly it can be overlooked by everything else that made up for it- like the stellar performances, mesmerizing soundtracks, not to mention the overall aesthetics, that combine together to create a cozy atmosphere that seems like a warm hug on a cold day!! it was such fun experience watching and swooning in the comment section (shoutout to angela who couldn't keep her excitement in like many of us and was so relatable with her timely comments). bittersweet to say goodbye to this show and hoping to see the cast in future works. snowstorm may have passed but it's always in our hearts ❤️

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