Oh how I wanted to like this show. It started off strong, a bit whacky and over the top but had a certain je ne sais quoi. It started the fourth wall breaking from ep.1 which suggested some fun, insightful touches. There were definitely some funny moments in the early part (the hypnosis scene was a classic). There was little fluff though. It had very adult themes and the unicorns were locked in their stables most of the time. This is definitely a melodrama but with funny moments. The production value appear to be high as well. Main characters are well dressed, dare we say, stylish. No cheap set to be seen, hooray!

The main actors were good looking, especially the ML. The OTP had good chemistry and appropriate skinship. There is no mistaking the relationship between the FL (Cai Huan Zhen) and the 2FL (Hao Sheng Nan). They were the worst frenemies. They were always catty to each other and tried to one-up each other at every opportunity. We soon find out that they were the best of friends in senior high school but during their college years, they became the worst enemies because of some misunderstanding over a male college senior.

That's ok, a bit tropey but dramaland is built upon such tropes. The problem in this case is that there were just so many misunderstandings, lies, manipulations and failure to communicate that it was wearisome within the first few episodes. The show kept telling us that this was all due to their pride and inability to admit their mistakes. Fair enough, I agree that that can be a problem in real life too but this show suffered from a plague of this affliction. All I can think of when they finally got to the pivotal wedding scene at the end of ep.2 was "this is not going to end well".

Due to this heavy handedness, I began to dislike many of the characters very early on. All we saw were their nasty behaviours and how they tortured themselves as well as people around them. That is a bad thing. A drama need protagonists as well as antagonists. When you don't really care about the main characters, you lost the key motivation to keep watching the show. It is a fine line when a show can be seen as draggy. In all honesty, I was sorely tempted to drop the show at several points along the way but I hanged in there because the show did have its moments but it was a close call at times.

Things do improve about mid point. The OTP was reasonably stable after they managed to communicate more openly (after many frustrating failed attempts and bucket of tears) and even had some sweet moments. Then they introduced the 2ML (Jiang Qian Yue aka THE college senior). OMG, I'm sorry but he was a completely douchebag. His older brother was even worse. The plot went for a swim in the muddy pool of sleazy tropes with them. Of course that took the OTP off the rails and down a cliff but unlike most dramas, where the 2/3OTP would step up and lighten the mood or at least distract us. We just have more angst and bad behaviours from all involved. The problem is that the 2FL and the 2ML pairing just didn't gel (unless it was another dastardly plot twist), I cannot ship them. That subplot was pretty flimsy and self serving. Nevertheless, the 2ML maintained his feelings for the 2FL was genuine to the bitter end, just like his secret crush on her for 10 years. Not buying it, not feeling it, not at all. By then, Illogical plot holes abound in the show so it was just another whatever moment.

But wait, there is more! The writer pulled the Noble Idiot card on the OTP as well and we had the mandatory breakup. I have said it before and I'll say it again, why writers insist that breaking up with someone who truly loved you is the best way to bring them happiness, success and peace of mind. Really?!

And drumroll please . . . my pet peeve taunted me throughout this show. Putting aside the frenemy shenanigans, all the bad deeds went unpunished. Attempted rape, slander/libel, invasion of privacy, inflicting actual bodily harm all received no sanctions. Yes, I get that this is an adult drama and not a fairy tale but this is one heck of a dystopian world they lived in.

Not all characters were unlikeable, the ML turned out to be a flawed character but very loyal and had a heart of gold. The FL was a flawed character but tough and strong willed, she will grow on you (in time, I hope). The FL's parents were loveable but their were like caricatures especially the mum but at least they were nice and sweet and didn't trying to harm anyone. The ML's parents were kind of funny in the beginning but it just became sad after a few episodes of constant bickering, especially when you learnt that they have been like that for years. It also made their reconciliation in the end felt rushed and undercooked.
The ending was over the top and it would be sweet if the storyline supported it. Just watch the café scene before finale and hear what she said to the ML and then watch the last few minutes, you will see what I mean. It just didn't make sense. Damn those unicorns, they are getting restless.

I'm sorry that this turned into a bit of a rant but this show just worn me out. It tried to stir our emotions but most of the time I just felt annoyed or dumbfounded. Episode 13 was the best one in my book because the characters finally voiced my frustrations in their own dialogues. They actually called each other out and say what is wrong with them. Is it a realistic portrayal of modern relationships? I hope not. It had its good moments that kept you watching but most of the show was mired in a swamp of its own making.

Acting were good but it is a tough gig. I particularly felt for Joanne Tseng. OST was fine. Rewatch is no thank you, unless they added zombies.