Hidden Love

I watched 'Hidden Love' for the second time. This Chinese drama portrays various forms of love: romantic love between a woman and a man, parental love, sibling love, and friendship. What drew me in was the story of a woman growing in love with her man and fighting for their relationship, creating a beautiful love story.

The Story

Hidden Love follows the story of a young girl named Sang Zhi, who falls for her brother's friend, Duan Jiaxu. She's only 14 when she meets him, and he assists her with school troubles. At 17, she realizes she's in love with him, despite their 5-year age gap. Zhizhi keeps her secret love hidden, writing her feelings on "lucky stars" and placing them in a milk bottle given by Jaixu. She knows he cares for her, but the problem is, he also cares for other girls. She's confused about her emotions, thinking he sees her as a younger sister or a child.

Jaixu, a kind person, faces overwhelming debts due to his father's involvement in a fatal hit-and-run accident. He jumps out of a window and falls into a coma. His mother also passes away due to their hardships. Despite these challenges, Jaixu remains determined to finish his education and become a game developer.

After graduation, Jaixu returns to his hometown in Yihe. When Zhizhi hears that Jaixu has a "girlfriend," she bravely travels alone to Yihe to see him in person. She disguises herself to meet her "online crush." Her family and Jaixu are worried for her safety. At the airport, she is devastated when Jaixu arrives with a female companion whom she mistakes as his girlfriend. She returns home and decides to forget Jaixu. She focuses on her studies and never returns the text messages of Jaixu, who keeps sending her gifts on special occasions.

Zhizhi pursues her dream of enrolling in Yihe University, a dream she conceived when she was infatuated with Jaixu. Eventually, they meet again, and she rekindles her romantic feelings for him. She is elated when she learns that Jaixu does not have a girlfriend.

As they grow closer, their friendship blossoms into romance. Jaixu confesses to her that he doesn’t want to be just her “brother” and expresses his desire for her to be his “girlfriend.” She does not accept him right away and asks him to woo her to see if she also has feelings for him. Eventually, she accepts him on his birthday. They are sweet as a couple, especially since this relationship is new to both of them. Her brother, Sang Yan, discovers their relationship and initially gets upset about the age gap and his concern for her. However, he eventually supports them when he sees how much they care for each other.

When Sang Zhi's parents learn about their relationship, they worry about Zhizhi's future with Jaixu. They know Jaixu is a good person, but his complicated family situation and personal problems might cause unhappiness to their daughter in the future. Jiaxu promises them that he will consider their concerns.

When Zhizhi learns that her parents met Jaixu, she explains to them that she knows about Jaixu's situation and is determined to support him. She wishes her parents wouldn't prejudge him because what happened to his family wasn't his choice. She also tells them that if they don't have faith in Jaixu, they should at least trust her, their daughter, as she will fight for their relationship.

Jaixu returns to Yihe. Soon after, Zhizhi follows him. At the airport, she expresses her concern that he might abandon her because of her parents' worries. She reveals to him that when she pursued him at Yihe in her younger years, she just wanted to meet him and there was no "online crush." She shows him two lucky stars where she wrote about falling in love with him and wanting to share his burdens. Jianxu explains to her that he returned to Yihe to settle everything for their future.

He resigns from his job and relocates to Nanwu, Zhizhi’s hometown, to start a business. His former employers help him with his startup. He is supported by his friends. He is preparing a future for Zhizhi, who is completing her studies. He wants her parents to know that he is sincere about her and is investing in their future.

At her graduation, Jaixu proposes to her in the presence of her family and friends as witnesses to their love, and she accepts him.

Some Thoughts

I think the story is about the commitment of the woman who pursued her dreams in order to build a happy and meaningful life with the man she loves, growing to love him, standing up for him, and overcoming obstacles for him, including clarifying her confused emotions towards him. It is a coming-to-age romantic drama where an adolescent transitions into an adult as she stands with the man she loves, balancing romance and studies.

The story portrays the various facets of love – romantic love, filial love, sibling love, and friendship.

In romantic love, love is not always straightforward; it can be confusing, challenging, and filled with uncertainties.

Zhizhi’s unwavering support for Jaixu, despite his difficult circumstances, illustrates the power of understanding and standing by your partner during their toughest times. Love is not just about happy moments but also about being there for each other during struggles.

Both Zhizhi and Jaixu demonstrate determination and persistence in their relationship. Despite obstacles, misunderstandings, and parental concerns, they persistently work towards their love, showing that enduring love requires effort and commitment from both parties.

Open communication and trust are vital in any relationship. Zhizhi’s honesty about her feelings and Jaixu’s sincerity in addressing her concerns emphasize the importance of clear communication and trust between partners.

The story highlights the significance of family acceptance and support in a romantic relationship. While parental concerns are natural, Zhizhi’s efforts to make her parents understand and accept Jaixu demonstrate the importance of family harmony in a relationship.

Both Zhizhi and Jaixu grow individually and as a couple throughout the story. They support each other’s dreams and aspirations, showing that a healthy relationship encourages personal growth and self-discovery.

The public proposal at Zhizhi’s graduation signifies the importance of expressing love openly and proudly. It emphasizes that love should be celebrated and shared with the world, especially when both partners are sure of their commitment to each other.

Hidden Love teaches us that love is a journey that requires understanding, support, communication, and determination. It's about accepting the complexities and challenges that come with it and working together to overcome them, all while fostering personal and mutual growth.