Love 020

Looking for your next C-drama to binge-watch? Well, then you have to check out "Love 020." Blending romance with the exciting world of online gaming, this series, also known as "A Slight Smile is Charming," offers more than just a love story—it's a refreshing take on modern relationships that plays out both in the virtual and real worlds. Before you hit play, it's helpful to understand what makes "Love 020" one of the most watched Chinese modern dramas (with over 25.2 billion views), so whether you're a seasoned drama fan or a new viewer, here's everything you need to know before watching. If you're ready, let's dive in!

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First off, what is "Love 020" about?

Well, the drama follows Xiao Nai (played by actor Yang Yang), a 4th-year computer science college student who is not only good at school and sports but is even the president of a game company, named "Zhi Yi Technology." He first notices Bei Wei Wei, a 2nd-year computer science student who dreams of being a game designer, while she is playing an online multiplayer game named "A Chinese Ghost Story." The only female player in the top rankings, Bei Wei Wei, played by actress Zheng Shuang, intrigues Xiao Nai (who is the top player in the game), and he decides to pursue her both in the virtual world and in real life. As the story unfolds, Xiao Nai becomes Bei Wei Wei's virtual husband in the game so that they can join couples in in-game competitions, which leads to their eventual real-life romance.

​Both online and offline, Xiao Nai and Bei Wei Wei's relationship develops through a series of sweet and funny interactions, as "Love 020" (or "A Slight Smile is Charming") is characterized by its light-hearted tone and Yang Yang and Zheng Shuang's chemistry. The drama also follows Bei Wei Wei's best friend, Zhao Exri, who falls for another student, named Cao Guang, in the game —as well as a cast of other characters like Meng Yiran, a pretty girl at school who has a crush on Xiao Nai, and Zhen Shaoxiang, who was Bei Wei Wei's virtual husband in the game before leaving her when he thinks that she might be ugly in real life, among others. As the plot unfolds, you'll be taken on a rollercoaster of emotions, with the dynamics of the story keeping you on the edge of your seat!

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Why You Need to Watch Love 020

In addition to the drama's fun storyline and clever writing, "Love 020" (or "A Slight Smile is Charming") is a breath of fresh air if you're looking for a lighthearted romance that skips all the heavy tension and angst typical of many modern love story dramas. Instead, the story of “Love 020” centers around a sweet romance that is consistently feel-good and fun. Unlike some dramas that focus on relationships overcoming their toxicity, the connection between Xiao Nai and Bei Wei Wei is built on mutual respect and admiration, which feels both genuine and uplifting. So, if you're craving a show that is both really exciting and fun to watch but is also touching and will make you believe in love, then I can't recommend "Love 020" enough! One of the most interesting parts of "Love 020" is its unique setting, which mixes the online gaming world with real life—the way that the drama smoothly moves between these two worlds will keep you invested and intrigued, especially as you watch Xiao Nai and Wei Wei navigate their romance both online and in real life. Also, the characters in "Love 020" are super relatable. Endearing to watch from start to finish, Bei Wei Wei and Xiao Nai are, throughout the drama, intelligent and likable people who have amazing chemistry (plus, if you love dramas that show supportive friendships, then you will find exactly what you're looking for in "Love 020”). Lastly, "Love 020" has a refreshingly positive take on online relationships, and the drama does a good job of showing how the connections that form virtually can be just as genuine and meaningful as offline relationships. With its high production quality, beautiful visuals, and fun glimpses into Chinese university life, "Love 020" lives up to the hype!

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​Overall thoughts on the drama 

Ranking first in ratings (even hitting a viewership rating of over 1%, which is incredibly high given China's population) and being the most searched and discussed topic as it was being released, "Love 020" is one of the most famous C-Dramas—and I can understand why! With the title directly translating to "A Slight Smile is Charming," "Love 020" was based on a novel of the same name. As a drama, this story captivated me with its upbeat take on romance and the intertwining of the virtual and real worlds, especially as Yang Yang and Zheng Shuang bring a unique charm to their characters, Xiao Nai and Bei Wei Wei, making their on-screen chemistry really believable. Plus, Xiao Nai’s initial attraction to Bei Wei Wei’s gaming skills rather than what she looks like sets a unique tone for their relationship, putting the focus on intelligence and capability rather than surface-level traits—which I thought was really nice to see in a youth drama. As I mentioned before, I really liked how this drama has a real focus on a supportive and respectful relationship, especially as the development of Xiao Nai and Bei Wei Wei's relationship throughout the drama felt natural and organic, with each character bringing out the best in the other. Overall, I found the characters’ dynamics to be refreshing, making "Love O2O" one of the standout C-Dramas that I've watched recently

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​Outro

 So, diving into "Love 020" (or "A Slight Smile is Charming"), it's clear why this Chinese drama has charmed fans around the world. With its refreshing blend of romance and online gaming, the drama offers a unique and modern take on relationships that flourish both in virtual and real-life settings. The chemistry between Xiao Nai and Bei Wei Wei, played by Yang Yang and Zheng Shuang, the relatable characters, and the lighthearted, feel-good story all contribute to an engaging and heartwarming watching experience. Who is your favorite character in the drama? What is another show that fans of "Love 020" should tune into?