A girl wants to restart her life and meets three men.
Notable Actors/Actresses
戀戀小酒窩
[Ep1] Lu Zhi Yi sucks Tang Shuang Li's chest to save her ~~ Okay, I shouldn't leave it at that. Something "poisonous" bit her and he was sucking out the poison.
Notable Actors/Actresses
Chen Yi Han: Tang Shuang Li
Xu Kai Xin: Lu Zhi Yi
Yang Shi Ze: He Qiao Sheng
Li Jia Hao: He Qi Zhan
Director
Chinese Title
戀戀小酒窩
Network: iQIYI
Story & Characters
A programming genius, Tang Shuang Li, is back in the country. She has no job, no money, no house, no friends, and no lover. Life can't be worse. Actually, she never had much of a life to begin with. This girl was so caged up in her IT career in America, she never experienced life. She doesn't know about bubble tea, nail salons, drinking games, etc. The atrocity! This drama is about her reliving her life. That's why she begins the drama experiencing life at its peak – literally. She partakes in every extreme sport you can think of (e,g, parachuting, bungee jumping, etc.).
Lu Zhi Yi is the CEO of Tianzhuo. By chance he meets Tang Shuang Li while he too was engaging in extreme sports to relieve his stress. Actually, these two have another connection that run way back to grade school. He used to be chubby and she used to protect him. He recognizes her but she doesn't. Tang Shuang Li applies to be his company's secretary but he thinks she's a spy from a rival company. Oh, and he's also got a Voldemort smile.
He Qiao Sheng is the CEO of Chaoyue, Tianzhuo's rival company. It stays confusing whether he approaches Tang Shuang Li purely out of love or interest for his company. They are university alumni and she did have a crush on him.
Ye Lin is He Qiao Sheng's sidekick, Chaoyue's vice president. Their relationship is semi-romantic semi-business. She keeps him at a distance because he keeps her at a distance. It's a complicated game of love. Despite looking like she has everything in perfect control, she’s at his whim because it’s He Qiao Sheng who’s not returning her feelings. .
He Qi Zhan is He Qiao Sheng's younger brother. He is a software engineer working for Lu Zhi Yi. He hates his brother and prefers Lu Zhi Yi. He also becomes Tang Shuang Li's housemate after she barges into his home claiming it belongs to her grandmother. Eventually, these two become the best of friends. He Qi Zhan and Tang Shuang Li's friendship makes me envious that there can be such a nice straight guy without any intentions.
Zhao Meng Di works at the front desk with Tang Shuang Li. She has a dream to be a vlogger. He Qi Zhan happens to have the skills of a photographer. As she hangs out more with He Qi Zhan, she starts to fall in love with him.
The Couples:
- Tang Shaung Li and Lu Zhi Yi
- He Qiao Sheng and Ye Lin
- He Qi Zhan and Zhao Meng Di
Mini Recaps
Lazy recaps on highlights I remembered to make notes of.
Lu Zhi Yi picks up Tang Shuang Li’s journal. He gets an inkling she might be the girl from his elementary school. However, he’s unrecognizable now because he’s no longer chubby and he changed his name.
[Ep2] He Qi Zhan helps Tang Shuang Li get a front desk job at Tianzhuo (Lu Zhi Yi’s company).
[Ep3]
[Ep4] Tang Shuang Li's late father had told her "dimples" mean that the face is lacking a part and so when people have dimples, their smile is extra sweet because of it's imperfect beauty – just like life. Therefore the title is actually "In Love With Your Imperfection"
Lu Zhi Yi makes Tang Shuang Li his personal secretary. She’s got a desk in a small corner of his room where she’s completely visible to him. He bullies her but Tang Shuang Li is too efficient to be bullied. I guess he’s still a kid at heart and enjoys messing with the girl he likes.
[Ep5] Tang Shuang Li’s ex’s wife makes a scene and embarrasses Tang Shuang Li (she did nothing wrong unless dating someone who was single counts). The man who shows up to comfort her is Lu Zhi Yi. He’s got no tissue and offers his clothes to wipe her tears. It’s a semi-hug that’s semi-romantic until she blows her snot in his shirt. She twists her ankle and can’t wear her heels anymore. He piggybacks her to his car. Then when he drops her off at home, he lends her his socks to walk in. It’s romantic on screen but when I think about having to wear someone else’s worn sock in real life, I shudder.
[Ep6]
[Ep7] To win a girl is to win her stomach. Lu Zhi Yi invites Tang Shuang Li over for dinner (by baiting her with her diary that he’s keeping from her). He impresses her with his culinary skills. He cooked everything expect for the cake which he purposely ordered for her. He doesn’t eat anything sweet. Ah, does he keep himself to a strict diet because he used to be fat?
[Ep6]
[Ep7] To win a girl is to win her stomach. Lu Zhi Yi invites Tang Shuang Li over for dinner (by baiting her with her diary that he’s keeping from her). He impresses her with his culinary skills. He cooked everything expect for the cake which he purposely ordered for her. He doesn’t eat anything sweet. Ah, does he keep himself to a strict diet because he used to be fat?
After the dinner, Tang Shuang Li compliments Lu Zhi Yi looks better smiling. Guess who's smiling the whole day next day? Lu Zhi Yi. Except his smile turns him into Voldemort.
[Ep8] Lu Zhi Yi misunderstands Tang Shuang Li is a company espionage for He Qiao Sheng. He's so angry, he throws away the musical dandelion globe that he meant to give Tang Shuang Li as a birthday present. The globe has the tune they played together in grade school.
While everyone is having an OT, Tang Shuang Li is having dinner with He Qiao Sheng. She feels bad and so during dinner, she's absent-minded the entire time. She hurriedly returns to the office to help the company overcome their crisis. She also picks up the dandelion globe Lu Zhi Yi threw away.
Tang Shuang Li and Lu Zhi Yi kiss in the malfunctioning elevator. She was hyperventilating; Lu Zhi Yi knew she has claustrophobia. Thus, he kissed her to give her oxygen to calm her – that’s how he explained it to He Qi Zhan.
[Ep9]
[Ep10] Lu Zhi Yi's ex-girlfriend appears in this episode; She's Gu Ling.
Lu Zhi Yi learns Tang Shuang Li is living with He Qi Zhan and this morning she was dropped off by He Qiao Sheng. Because of his jealousy, he throws a fit at her and knocks away the coffee. Tang Shuang Li stalks off to close the door so she can yell at him in his office (lol), "If I didn't do anything to anger you then please apologize to me!" In response, he throws her diary at her and tells her to leave. She's fired up. Is she a toy that he can throw away? She questions him about their kiss. Didn't it mean he didn't want her to be with He Qiao Sheng but now he's throwing her to He Qiao Sheng? He shoots her down that the kiss meant nothing like that. It was just to calm her
Tang Shuang Li: You’ve already killed a pig and now you say you're vegetarian? Translation: he already stirred her heart and now he’s retracting. Isn’t Tang Shuang Li’s way of expressing this so much better? xD It's lines like these that I stay around for this drama.
[Ep11] It seems Lu Zhi Yi truly loved Gu Ling when they dated. I shouldn't find this surprising but I just do. He liked someone else other than Tang Shuang Li!
Tang Shuang Li realizes Lu Zhi Yi is her chubby friend back in grade school. If he won't reunite with her, then she'll play his game too.
Tang Shuang Li realizes Lu Zhi Yi is her chubby friend back in grade school. If he won't reunite with her, then she'll play his game too.
In fear of actually losing Tang Shuang Li, Lu Zhi Yi apologizes by throwing paper planes to her roof. Each of them say "Tang Shuang Li, I'm Sorry". She hides in a corner and smiles at the idiot throwing paper planes at her.
The next day, she’s back in his office as his personal secretary....but that ex, Gu Ling, barges right in.
[Ep12]
[Ep13] Gu Ling is proving to be a real parasite. She broke up with Lu Zhi Yi two years ago when he desperately wanted her back. Now that she's back for him and he's moved on, she won't accept no for an answer. He Qi Zhan is against Lu Zhi Yi and Gu Ling getting back together. They were never a good fit.
He Qi Zhan: Aren’t you cold lying on the same floor? 'Lying on the floor' means falling for the same mistake.
Tang Shuang Li is mad Lu Zhi Yi because of her jealousy.
The way to Tang Shuang Li's heart is her stomach. He Qi Zhan invites Lu Zhi Yi to a house party where Lu Zhi Yi gets to cook for her. She's helping him in the kitchen. This gives him a chance to force her to listen to him that there's nothing between her and Gu Ling. Her hair is in her way and so he clips up her bangs with an office clip. Then he cups her face in his hands, smiles his Voldemort smile and compliments her for being pretty.
[Ep15] Airplane apology. After Lu Zhi Yi angers Tang Shuang Li (again), he sends paper airplanes up to her balcony to apologize. Each of them he wrote: "Tang Shuan Li, I'm sorry.”
Ye Lin gives her two cent to Tang Shuang Li. She can tell Lu Zhi Yi treats Tang Shuang Li differently. I sort of like Ye Lin and I want her to be happy.
[Ep16] Lu Zhi Yi and Tang Shuang Li kiss. More like he forced her... She grabs him back just as forcefully and butts his forehead. Despite his forehead hurting, he likes the kiss.
Lu Zhi Yi does apologize for the kiss (after he’s already done it...) and tells Tang Shuang Li she should get revenge on him. He closes in on her and wants her to take the kiss back from him...lol.
Tang Shuang Li is shy: Can I not take revenge?Lu Zhi Yi: No! If I committed a sin, you must take revenge!
Anyway, these two are pretty much official.
[Ep17] Tang Shuang Li loudly clears her throat for Lu Zhi Yi's attention. She signals him she wants a drink. Essentially, she's telling her CEO boyfriend to make her coffee. Lu Zhi Yi goes Yes ma'am.
When he's back, Lu Zhi Yi stares at his girlfriend with love dripping from his eyes. The focus of this scene should be on the very awkward secretary outside the window staring at Lu Zhi Yi staring at Tang Shuang Li.
Tang Shuang Li introduces sweetness into Lu Zhi Yi's life – literally – by giving him Ring Pops. These two are setting great examples in the office.
Then there's the awkward secretary outside... (in the very left)
Tang Shuang Li moves out of He Qi Zhan’s place. He Qi Zhan throws a fit because she decided out of the blue and he’s the last to know. I really like this friendship but in real life can this even exist?
Tang Shuang Li moves out of He Qi Zhan’s place. He Qi Zhan throws a fit because she decided out of the blue and he’s the last to know. I really like this friendship but in real life can this even exist?
[Ep18] He Qi Zhan makes a daring love confession to Meng Di! "If someone ever asks you if I love you then proudly declare it and say yes."
This gets Lu Zhi Yi thinking. Does he need to profess his love like that too?
Then Lu Zhi Yi finds himself jealous of He Qiao Sheng when Tang Shuang Li was eating with him. Tang Shuang Li had wanted to tell He Qiao Sheng the person she likes is Lu Zhi Yi but the latter pulls her away rather aggressively. They argue and he asks her just what is he to her. She doesn't know.
Tang Shuang Li: You're hot and then cold. You're far and then close. Am I a sheep that comes and goes? Ha.Lu Zhi Yi: Is that the feeling I give you?Tang Shuang Li: Yes.Lu Zhi Yi: What I do for you, you can't see? When you were misunderstood, I racked my brain to help you explain it. When you were mad, I threw paper airplanes to apologize. To approach you, I moved you into my office. Spent your birthday with you, drove you to work, stopped you from quitting. When I see you spare another guy a long glance, I'll be jealous. Is what I do still not enough?Tang Shuang Li: Not enough.He's speechless and asks her what he means to her.
Tang Shuang Li tippytoes and gives him a kiss. Now that's enough.
Oh, but Lu Zhi thinks it's not enough.
Lu Zhi Yi: Tang Shuang Li, I love you.That's the confession she's been waiting for.
[Ep20] Tang Shuang Li admits to Ye Lin she did have a crush on He Qiao Sheng back in university. His one-sided dimple reminded her of her father. But she assures Ye Lin there was never anything more between them. She liked him when he had no feelings for her and now he likes her when she already loves someone else.
He Qiao Sheng tries to separate He Qi Zhan and Meng Di. He thinks Meng Di has ulterior motives for approaching his brother.
This episode we also learn how the He brothers drifted apart. It was over a girl. Back in university, He Qi Zhan had a girl he liked but He Qiao Sheng knew she was playing his younger brother. To show his brother the girl's real personality, He Qiao Sheng used the smartest method: seduce the girl. Well. He Qi Zhan lost all faith in his brother and turned to his new love: Lu Zhi Yi. Ha! That’s why he’s closer to to Lu Zhi Yi than his brother.
[Ep22] Ye Lin leaves He Qiao Sheng a farewell love letter. She's facing her feelings even if she knows it’s a rejection. She also quits the company.
Tang Shuang Li’s mother is here to visit. Tang Shuang Li wanted to introduce Lu Zhi Yi to her mother but he’s busy taking care of Gu Ling who got into a car accident. Somehow He Qiao Sheng is here at his brother’s for dinner and mom gets to meet him. Mom thinks He Qiao Sheng will be a good match for Tang Shuang Li. He Qiao Sheng quickly excuses himself to call Lu Zhi Yi! He Qi Zhan also calls Lu Zhi Yi to let him know his future-mother-in-law is here. Good boys.
[Ep23]
→ To Lu Zhi Yi, “Revenge” means kissing. He kisses her lots and tells her to make sure to get her revenge on him.
→ He Qiao Sheng approves of Meng Di as his brother’s girlfriend.
→ Mom wants Tang Shuang Li back in the States. Lu Zhi Yi asks Mom to give them a month’s time to prove to her that Tang Shuang Li is better here.
[Ep24] Third Couple: Meng Di and He Qi Zhan play with some fireworks (with some kisses)
Second Couple: He Qiao Sheng guesses Ye Lin’s house combo. It’s his birthday. After she left him, he realizes who he truly loves. He grabs her in for a kiss. She resists but soon gives in. They’re a couple! Now she’s openly scrolling He Qiao Sheng’s phone and deleting all the unnecessary female numbers he has.
→ Gu Ling gets a new boyfriend.
→ Lu Zhi Yi lost the bid to He Qiao Sheng but the former gets an unexpected investment.
Main Couple: Lu Zhi Yi faints and is hospitalized. He’s unconscious from overworking! Omg! Drama pulling this trick at the last episode. But he’s okay. He wakes up. After an undisclosed amount of time, Tang Shuang Li now has long hair. He prepares a romantic event for her. He plays the piano. Tang Shuang Li sings. This was the duet they never got to complete in grade school.
Remarks
[First Impression (Ep1-11)] I wasn't very impressed in the beginning. Tang Shuang Li (FL) was a little too annoying for comfort. Also, why would she just drop everything in life and settle to be severely underemployed? What's worse is that she's not the only "unlikable" character. There's He Qiao Sheng (the manipulative second male lead) and Lu Zhi Yi (the bossy and cold CEO who bullies the girl he likes for no real reason). This is like a one-two-three punch of unlikable character tropes in one drama. But I stuck to this. It's in Episode 4 I realize what this drama is going for: seeing the beauty in imperfection. The main leads have imperfections; they are chipped characters. Like it or not, this is a story about them.
It wasn't an easy process to accept these characters. I needed an added level of tolerance (or maybe just a blind eye). It helped a lot that I knew and liked the male leads' previous projects (My Lonely Planet and Lovely Swords Girl). I grew to empathize Tang Shuang Li because of how deprived she was of a normal life. Although Lu Zhi Yi is rather explosive, he’s a good match with Tang Shuang Li who is equally volatile. The second male lead stays manipulative, though.
The one thing I instantly fell in love with is the script. Sometimes there are these really snarky lines that attracts my full attention. It’s pretty quirky and it’s pretty funny. It’s sprinkled here and there, enough to keep me engaged.
[Actors/Actresses] I can't deny I may be biased towards this because I liked their previous stuff.
[Behind the Scenes]
[Behind the Scenes]
[Ending] Happy (three couples).
Final Review
[Review] My first impression stands. I like this with its flaws. Our characters have a lot of problems. To say the least, the ML has anger management problems. Good thing the FL can be equally as explosive and we’ve got ourselves a volatile couple. The second male lead suffers a manipulative disorder syndrome. The girl he ends up with is equally cunning. The perfect match up of imperfect people. Luckily, the third couple are cute. They’re safe to like. If I were to put a nice spin on the message of this drama it’d be that the imperfect can find true love too and that type of love is extra sweet just like how dimples – imperfect features – look extra sweet. There’s beauty in imperfection. (For the record, the Drama said that about dimples, I did not call anyone’s dimples an imperfection ^^)
The actors are easy on the eye. The overall quality of the drama is decent – on the higher end of low budget dramas. With some quirky lines, this was easily binge-able (unless you really hate the characters). I like the slightly tangle-y relationship between everyone and how it all straightened out. I really like Tang Shuang Li and He Qi Zhan as housemates. I love the reveal of the three boys back in university. Or maybe I just like the actors.
Admittedly, I didn’t watch this that closely. This is something I snacked. The ingredients don’t look too great individually, but together, it’s an interesting flavour.
Random Recommendation: In Youth (2019)
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