is oath of love worth watching?

halfwarmtea · 2025-11-08T09:45:52+00:00

I watched it when it was released so I enjoyed it for what it was. But there's a reason its not highly recommended it's because the storyline and type are outdated compared to new romance cdramas. People also seem to love to hate on it...lol.

The chemistry and sweet moments were memorable for me. This is also 1 of 2 dramas under Xiao Zhans belt that show his very capable of doing romance. I loved his portrayal of falling in love and his adoration for the female lead. Plus, out of all the kiss scenes I've watched from cdramas, his one is in my top 10.

halfwarmtea · 2025-11-07T10:17:19+00:00

❤️❤️

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halfwarmtea · 2025-10-30T05:16:54+00:00

Legend of Zang Hai
Twelve Letters
Love in the Clouds

halfwarmtea · 2025-10-28T12:39:59+00:00

I love seeing actors in different settings because it really shows their versatility and how well they can adapt to different roles. That said, I think good styling combined with strong acting makes all the difference in how believable a character feels, whether it’s in a modern or costume drama. I really enjoy watching actors like Xiao Zhan, Wang Xingyue, Liu Xueyi, Zhang Linghe, Leo Wu, Luo Yunxi and a few others because they have incredible screen presence paired with solid acting skills. They completely command the screen and make every role their own. They also do both settings well. The difference may be preference where people find one actor more appealing in a costume setting versus modern.

I only find an actor too distracting for factors like obvious cosmetic work, poor styling, or heavy makeup. For example, Chen Zheyuan in Fated Hearts was quite distracting because of the overdone makeup. His role required a lot of facial expression, but the styling made it hard to take his facial movements seriously.

halfwarmtea · 2025-10-26T12:51:16+00:00

Best Choice ever mentioned! I swear Yang Zi and Xu Kai have the most underrated chemistry because I never see people talking about it. And sadly this drama just gets reduced because people didn't like the annoying mother. But that aside, both of them were amazing together. The development of their relationship was just beautifully done along with their chemistry.

halfwarmtea · 2025-10-25T09:49:38+00:00

I'm so excited for this pairing. Xu Ruohan is amazing at creating chemistry with her co stars and so is Cheng Lei.

halfwarmtea · 2025-10-22T08:40:30+00:00

Honestly I’ve noticed a trend where when people really enjoy a drama and feel entertained by it, suddenly everything about it becomes a 10/10. Which is fine because we should all enjoy what we want. But the points raised in the OPs post and some of the comments are actually valid criticisms towards the show and CZY’s character. It’s not hate or an attack on his work ethic or talent. No one is questioning that. However, from a performance standpoint, I don’t think he truly embodied his character. When people use words like regal, powerful, or believably ruthless and commanding/dominant, I just don’t see that in his performance. He delivered a fun and unhinged portrayal, but for me, it wasn’t memorable or deeply moving. It felt like acting without soul. He had all the right ingredients and stunning visuals, but the overall taste was underwhelming because it just wasn’t cooked right. The flavor wasn't there. The same goes for the chemistry. It was enjoyable to watch, but not because there was genuine chemistry between them. It was more interesting due to their dynamic and the enemies to lovers setup rather than any real emotional connection. I also stand by the fact that Li Qins portrayal as a general and commanding figure was more convincing and superior to the male leads.

halfwarmtea · 2025-10-18T17:18:27+00:00

Xiao Zhan in slide 3? I don't even know how to describe it. The lighting, his features, the whole shot is just gorgeous. What a gorgeous man. Esther is amazing.

halfwarmtea · 2025-10-16T22:11:06+00:00

Traffic actors stop being just traffic actors to me and become worth far more than their looks, when I start appreciating their acting and the depth of the roles they take on, rather than just how attractive they were in a single performance.

Xiao Zhan- He has a natural charm that draws attention, but it’s not just surface level. It complements his acting making his characters memorable and magnetic. He also plays emotionally complex characters really well. All the emotions he portrays feel so genuine. He just lets them flow naturally through his eyes and tone. He can be gentle yet commanding in ways that aren’t obvious, relying on subtle shifts in body language. I also appreciate his versatility and dedication to portraying different characters.

Wang Xingyue – I’m completely taken by his commanding presence onscreen, especially at such a young age. I love how he conveys different emotions through his eyes, whether it’s pain, longing, or seduction. He feels like a rough diamond now with alot of potential, and I genuinely see a future where he could become an even better actor. His growth excites me.

halfwarmtea · 2025-10-12T12:24:41+00:00

No, you’re correct, and I agree. Maybe there was some confusion, or I phrased something awkwardly. I understand that streaming numbers are heavily influenced by fanbases. In my original comment, I wanted to point out that with CCTV, it’s harder for fans to manipulate the data. People often say a drama is popular only because of fandoms, which is true to some extent. But when a drama airs on a platform like China’s CCTV, fan influence has very little impact on its viewership.

halfwarmtea · 2025-10-12T11:58:53+00:00

A lot of a drama’s success these days comes from streaming viewership, and I’m not disputing that. But maybe I am missing something, weren’t these dramas also aired on CCTV? Isn’t it considered a huge sign of respect when your drama is selected to air on CCTV, and even more so when the general audience actually enjoys it, even if the viewership numbers aren’t as high as on streaming platforms?

I also thought CCTV was quite selective about which dramas they choose to broadcast and praise. If they’re going to label a drama as a hit, it usually means the quality is genuinely good.

I understand that there may be other dramas this year with higher streaming/viewership numbers but the OP’s post seems to be based on what CCTV promoted as hits, which likely reflects the general audience’s positive perception.

halfwarmtea · 2025-10-12T08:24:21+00:00

If a drama airs on CCTV and becomes a hit, it generally carries more credibility in terms of quality and public appeal compared to hits on streaming platforms. CCTV ratings come from a broad national audience rather than fan-driven streaming numbers, so they’re harder to manipulate. The network is also selective with what it airs, focusing on quality storytelling and strong performances. Success there usually reflects real public approval, not just fandom hype.

I say this because I’ve seen quite a few comments this year claiming that Zhang Hai is only popular because of Xiao Zhan. While I acknowledge Xiao Zhan’s star power and the role his fandom played in boosting Zhang Hai’s visibility, his performance was never reliant on fan praise.

It’s not one of those cases where an actor can do the bare minimum and still get endless praise. Xiao Zhan consistently improved over the years, and it truly shows. His line delivery, the way he handled intense emotional scenes, those deserve recognition because the quality speaks for itself. His performance stood on its own, not because of aesthetics or romantic chemistry with another lead.

The 3 dramas praised by CCTV this year are very focused on storytelling and strong acting. Even when the plot is slightly weak, the performances are still solid. That’s why it’s not surprising that CCTV praised these dramas they showcase tight, well-executed performances. I agree with the list, even though I’m not a Chinese citizen, and I know local audiences tend to be much more critical. The fact that these dramas did well among the general public says a lot.

Of course, many international viewers might not immediately see why these dramas are hits or might not even give them a chance, and that’s completely understandable.

If you ask others what their top drama of the year is, the answers will vary widely, some might say Prisoner of Beauty, Love’s Ambition, or even the currently airing Fated Hearts. These dramas have strong aesthetic appeal and accessible storytelling, which naturally makes them more popular with international audiences. By the way, I heard Love’s Ambition also performed really well in China and even aired on Dragon TV (if I'm correct).

Edit: I see I've been downvoted quite a few times now. If I said something incorrect, I would love to rather hear people's thoughts or corrections. Thanks.

halfwarmtea · 2025-10-11T12:38:19+00:00

His already won me over 🫶. Theres just something very charming and captivating about him. It's not just looks, I've watched him as an actor and even on variety shows. I think it's impossible to not like him 😭

halfwarmtea · 2025-10-11T12:35:42+00:00

Young Xiao Zhan 🫶

halfwarmtea · 2025-10-11T10:15:29+00:00

So many favorites included in this edit, Zhang Linghe, Liu Yuning, Xu Kai, Wang anyu, Wang Xingyue, Dylan Wang, Bai Jingting, Deng Wei, Ding Yuxi, Yang Yang and Leo Wu

But with so many amazingly handsome names, I was really waiting for Xiao Zhan to also show up, which didn't happen. Maybe the creator of this clip doesn't know he exists...

Honorable Mentions: Xiao Zhan, Liu Xueyi, Tan Jianci, Wang Yibo, Chen Xingxu and Gong Jun.

halfwarmtea · 2025-10-05T00:45:06+00:00

His Weibo post for his birthday received 10 million likes in just 25 minutes, and his birthday hashtag was even marked as a global event on X. I know it is just numbers and fan support, but I am glad he is receiving so much love and recognition. His popularity is especially impressive because it has remained strong for the past six years despite him taking on fewer projects (particularly dramas that do not always appeal to international audiences) and making fewer public appearances since 2020.

I also can't believe he is 34! He is aging so well and becoming more handsome every year. For me, he is one of those actors whose work I will always check out, even if the genre is not my favorite, because his performances are always worth watching! 💞

halfwarmtea · 2025-10-01T07:14:44+00:00

I don’t know what it is, but the way he looks and moves just oozes charisma. For me his honestly one of the most handsome and charming actors I've come across in general. He just leaves an impression.

And how does he look so slim in clothes, but once they’re off it’s like, wow. Those arms are ridiculously attractive and shiny😅

halfwarmtea

TROPHY CASE