When I Fly Towards You

Presentation

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Overview

Synopsis

In 2012, Su Zai Zai is starting high school. On her first day, she falls hard for her classmate, the cold and taciturn Zhang Lu Rang. Will she conquer his heart? Will Lu Rang’s behavior change with Zai Zai?

My Opinion (No Spoiler)

When I Fly Towards You drama is an absolute gem that everyone should watch. Here, you have no villain, no malice, not even an ounce of questionable behavior – just pure, heartfelt love. This coming-of-age drama beautifully portrays the relationship between two classmates who bring out the best in each other. They grow together, gently opening up about their feelings and insecurities regarding the future. The romance that blossoms between them is simply wonderful. I especially loved how Zhang Lu Rang becomes completely smitten with Zai Zai’s cuteness. But she’s so cheerful and positive that it’s difficult not to fall for her. Their love story made me giggle so much. Even the secondary characters are charming and engaging. Truly, every minute of this drama is worthwhile, so you really shouldn’t miss it! And if you’re still hesitating, here’s one more reason: it’s adapted from Zhu Yi’s novel who also wrote The First Frost and Hidden Love. So, convinced?

Analysis

• Zhang Lu Rang
  Favoritism
• Su Zai Zai
• 8 years of romance
• Gu Ran and Jiang Jia

Zhang Lu Rang: At the beginning of the drama, Zhang Lu Rang (Zhou Yi Ran) is a taciturn and very quiet teenager. He’s just been transferred, but his reputation precedes him, as rumors describe him as a handsome top student. What people ignore is that Lu Rang lacks self-esteem and self-confidence, despite his outstanding academic performance. He doesn’t talk much either nor does he know how to express his feelings. Even his best friend Gu Ran (Bian Tian Yang) can’t really decipher his moods or thoughts. However, Zhang Lu Rang goes through a real transformation thanks to Su Zai Zai (Zhang Miao Yi). Her constant devotion and admiration for him boosts his self-confidence. She believes in him more than he does, she brightens his days by making him smile and enables him to grow as a person. I think Lu Rang’s character development is the best in the drama. You can clearly see how isolated and unwell he was as a teenager, but Zai Zai turned him into a well-adjusted man with a beaming smile. Zhang Lu Rang is also extremely loyal and devoted. He only has eyes for his lover and is never swayed by others who try to break them up in college. He trusts her wholly and is on her side no matter what. Finally, I think Lu Rang is a very charming and cute character. His eyes and side smiles give away his feelings for Zai Zai, but he also knows how to talk properly though he’s a man of few words. That’s exactly what happens when he confesses his love for his crush. They are at a fun fair and Zai Zai is trying hard to create an ambiance but fails. Zhang Lu Rang takes the initiative and declares his love for her while playing a word game. Shortly after, the fireworks show starts. The timing is impeccable and the confession simply perfect.

Favoritism: Zhang Lu Rang’s low self-esteem stems from his family dynamics. His younger brother, Zhang Lu Li (Wang Jia Xuan), is a genius who’s jumped several grades. His parents worship him and brag about his academic brilliance constantly. Worse, they compare this perfect little brother with Zhang Lu Rang all the time, regretting that their other son isn’t as good. Lu Rang’s parents took the habit of belittling their eldest child and criticizing his every efforts. The poor teenager never lives up to expectations. This favoritism wedged a wall between the two brothers. Though the younger one would like to get closer to Lu Rang, the latter acts cold and distant. He doesn’t want to be blamed or scolded by their parents, as it’s often the case. Lu Li is conscious of that situation and can’t withstand it anymore. He feels like his intelligence, topped with his parents’ behavior and his own clumsy reflections, put at risk his relationship with his brother. So, he runs away which sparks a dialogue in the family and brings appeasement to everyone. Parents realize their mistakes and slowly right their wrongs. Both siblings can now enjoy equal treatment and rekindle their bond.

Su Zai Zai: Su Zai Zai is a ray of sunshine. She’s cheerful, joyful, and so positive all the time. Not going to lie, I don’t think Su Zai Zai really changes from beginning to end. But that’s fine, because her role is to help Lu Rang get out of his shell. She fell in love with him at first sight at a convenience store and has only had eyes for him since then. She fought hard to be with her crush, but her efforts eventually pay off. Zhang Lu Rang was smitten with her cuteness, her sincere heart and sweet personality. What I loved the most about Zai Zai is her determination. Once she’s set her mind on something – whether it is at love or at work, there’s no turning back. That’s exactly what happens when she decides to make Lu Rang hers or to attend the same university as him. Her grades are bad and she doesn’t appreciate studying. But she’s got an objective and won’t waver. She shows that you can get whatever you want in this world, as long as you work hard to reach it.

8 years of romance: The drama starts in 2012 with teenagers who’ve just entered high school and ends in 2020 with adults well advanced in life. Though you know from the opening (like the actual previews) that Zai Zai and Lu Rang end up together, the goal of the drama is to display their journey. For 3 years, both Lu Rang and Zai Zai have a crush on each other. It’s clearly visible that Zai Zai wants to be with her classmate because she openly expresses it. But you slowly come to realize that Lu Rang is also attracted to her. He’s just more reserved. During their time in high school, the leads use every possible occasion to meet, like sports class, military training and tutor sessions in English for Lu Rang and Math/Physics for Zai Zai. Following these 3 cute years of flirting, they finally confess their feelings at the end of high school and start attending the same university as a couple. What follows is a blooming and sane relationship in which both protagonists only have eyes for their partner. Although students get interested in Zai Zai and Lu Rang, they never budge and are only here to support each other. These hurdles are rapidly brushed away and the couple enters adult life stronger than ever. They move in together, start work and comfort each other in the moments of ups and downs. The final episodes focus on Lu Rang’s proposal, their wedding and the welcoming of a new family member. I think the proposal scene is the most romantic one I’ve seen in a drama. Ever since high school, Zai Zai has been recording on camera their moments together. Zhang Lu Rang uses these memories to express his love to his partner. It’s even more meaningful once you see the images, because many moments show that Zhang Lu Rang has had a crush on Zai Zai for a long time. The way he looks at her, the small smiles in her direction and the direct confession on screen make this simple proposal a grand milestone in the couple’s relationship. I giggled so much, as if I were the one getting married. To be honest, the drama portrays a cloudless relationship that stands the proof of time because partners have faith in each other. Trust, communication and respect truly are the pillars of their bond and love the main connector.

Gu Ran and Jiang Jia: The secondary couple of the show is on a different timeline and trajectory. Though Gu Ran and Jiang Jia (Jiang Zhi Nan) also started to have feelings for each other in high school, their relationship only blooms when they become adults. Reason is that Jiang Jia had a crush on a senior when she first met Gu Ran. The latter was supportive and hid his feelings. Later on, he tried to confess but missed his timing. He then went abroad for a time and lost his chance. However, his feelings for Jiang Jia remain pure and unchanged even years after. He misses her and so goes back to China. They reunite as adults, but struggle to decipher the other’s feelings. I think both were scared to make the first step and potentially destroy their friendship if feelings were not mutual. However, these two finally realize it’s reciprocated during a party when Jiang Jia’s friend believes Gu Ran is her boyfriend. She reveals that Jiang Jia has liked him for a long time and tried to make a move on him. Gu Ran runs to his lover and confesses everything he’s kept a secret for years. Honestly, I was rooting for this couple so much. Time and distance made it hard for them to be together, but they overcame it and finally began their relationship.