2 Best Movies to Watch by Ding Xiaoying

With the premise, Amidst a Snowstorm of Love seemed to be a sports-related romance, albeit taking place in a snowy location. It’s a familiar story, with a discouraged athlete finding inspiration for their craft again through romance, and it’s a story that works. But in the first few episodes, Amidst a Snowstorm of Love feels more focused on the snowstorm romance rather than the character’s personal journeys with regards to their sport. To their credit, this is a great excuse for some of the most cozy looking outfits on screen (is this a clothing ad?), and Leo Wu and Zhao Jin Mai are so, so beautiful in their puffy coats, but it feels like the billiards are irrelevant to the story, as they make no mention of it until the second episode. Maybe they should have gone for a more relevant winter sport, so that we can see them in even more cozy coats?

Genre: Drama

Actor: Chen Jingke, Dai Si, Ding Xiaoying, Dong Zifan, Hai Ling, Leo Wu, Wang Jiaxuan, Wang Xingyue, Zhao Jinmai

Director: Bo Yu, Tien Jen Huang

Based on the novel by Zhu Yi, Hidden Love has the same aesthetic sensibilities as Yi’s other adaptation When I Fly Towards You. However, due to certain characterizations, the series doesn’t have the same charm. While it’s totally understandable for Sang Zhi to crush on her older brother’s cute best friend, the age difference feels uncomfortable as Zhi is in high school and Jiaxu is a college student. Jiaxu keeps his behavior platonic, but every consideration and kindness Jiaxu does for Zhi is undermined by the fact Jiaxu is aware of Zhi’s crush. Because of this, it’s hard to root for their later adult relationship.

Genre: Drama

Actor: Chen Zheyuan, Ding Xiaoying, Victor Ma, Zhang Baijia, Zhao Lusi

Director: Li Qing-Rong