Drama Review: Here We Meet Again

Here We Meet Again (三分野)

Main Cast & Synopsis

Xiang Yuan (Wu Qian) enters into an agreement with her grandfather to save Velin, Donghe Group’s Xi’an branch, from bankruptcy within a year. However, Xiang Yuan is unprepared to encounter her former high school crush, Xu Yan Shi (Vin Zhang), who now leads the technical group at Velin. As they are forced to collaborate, Xiang Yuan and Xu Yan Shi rekindle their feelings while Xiang Yuan focuses on rescuing Velin and Xu Yan Shi pursues his dreams.

Wu Qian, known for her role in the beloved 2020 youth romance drama “Skate Into Love,” portrays Xiang Yuan, the granddaughter of Donghe Group. Tired of her grandfather Situ Mingtian’s persistent pressure to go on blind dates and find a life partner, Xiang Yuan strikes a deal with him. She agrees to save their Xi’an branch from bankruptcy within a year, on the condition that he stops meddling in her love life. The catch is that she must conceal her true identity and experience life as an ordinary person. However, Xiang Yuan is granted three opportunities to seek assistance from her grandfather.

Upon arriving in Xi’an, Xiang Yuan unexpectedly encounters Xu Yan Shi, who happens to work at Velin. As they become colleagues, Xiang Yuan strives to let go of her resentment towards him, only to find herself falling for him once again. Despite her reputation as a carefree and wealthy girl, Xiang Yuan embarks on a journey at Velin where she works diligently to achieve her goal, aided by Xu Yan Shi’s support.

Zhang Bin Bin, the leading man from “The King’s Woman” and “Rattan,” portrays Xu Yan Shi, the leader of Velin’s technical group. Despite not being rich, Xu Yan Shi was always the intelligent child while growing up. However, due to his soft-hearted nature and growing up with a father who made him sacrifice many things in life, Xu Yan Shi’s progress at Velin was limited. Nevertheless, he holds a special place in the hearts of his team members, and his rational decision-making earns him respect among his peers. When Xiang Yuan joins his team, he guides her in understanding the business world. As a result of Xiang Yuan’s appearance, Xu Yan Shi’s passion is reignited, motivating him to strive for a successful career and become a man deserving of her.

Character Breakdown

Velin – Xi’an Branch of Donghe Group

• Huang De Yi as Gao Leng (technical group team member)
• Zhao Heng (赵恒) as Shi Tian You (technical group team member)
• Wang Zheng Rui (王铮睿) as You Zhi (technical group team member)
• Liu Wei Ting  (刘玮婷) as Lin Qing Qing (technical group team member)
• Sun Yu Fan (孙羽凡) as Zhang Jun (technical group team member)
• Xia Ruo Yan as Chen Shu
• Fu Jia as Li Chi (technical group team member)
• Li Yi Xiao as Li Qin
• Zhang Xi Lin as Li Yong Biao
• Shi Qing Yan as Ying Yin Yin

People around Xu Yan Shi

• Lu Yu Hao as Xu Cheng Li (little brother)
• Li Yuan Yuan as Chen Shan (recruited Xu Yan Shi into Velin)
• Zhou Pu as Lin Kai Rui (boss at Kaisheng)
• Zhu Ling Wu as Ye Si Qing (co-worker at Kaisheng)
• Gao Sen as Bi Yuntao (co-worker at Kaisheng)
• Hou Rui Xiang as Wang Qing Yi / Lao Qing (college friend & competition teammate)
• Hao Ming Qi as Gao En Bao / Lao Gui (college friend)
• Yang Jun Yu (杨峻宇) as Zhang Yi / Lao Yi (college friend)
• Guo Kai Min as Liang Qin (professor/mentor)

People around Xiang Yuan

• Cui Li Ya as Xu Yuan (best friend)
• Li Li Qun as Situ Ming Tian (grandpa and CEO of Donghe Group)
• Liang Da Wei as Lu Dong (lives in same apartment complex and likes Xiang Yuan)
• Xu Le Tong as Xiang Jia Yuan (brother)
• Yang Yu Cheng as Lai Feibai / Xiao Bai (Situ Ming Tian’s right hand man)
• ?? as Xu Yan Cheng (child)

Questions and Answers: Plot of “Here We Meet Again”

heavy spoilers ahead

Why did Xu Yan Shi and Xiang Yuan drift apart when they were young?

Xiang Yuan relentlessly pursued Xu Yan Shi during their high school years. As Xiang Yuan’s birthday approached, she invited Xu Yan Shi to her party. Initially, he agreed to attend, but when his father encountered financial difficulties, they had to relocate urgently. Feeling Xu Yan Shi’s indifference to not wanting to attend her birthday, Xiang Yuan, was deeply hurt her. Since then, Xiang Yuan has never forgiven him for shutting her out and breaking her heart.

When does Xu Yan Shi start pursuing Xiang Yuan?

Xu Yan Shi’s feelings for Xiang Yuan were evident from the early stages of the show. He attempted to confess his feelings to her in episode 10 but was rejected. Later, in episode 17, Xu Yan Shi asked Xiang Yuan to be his girlfriend over the phone, but their sweet moment was interrupted by a call disconnection.

Who is Down? When does Xiang Yuan find out that Xu Yan Shi is Down? Why did Down not meet Upping when she proposed to meet in person?

Down is Xu Yan Shi’s gaming username from his college days. During that time, Xiang Yuan and Xu Yan Shi became a couple after playing Crossfire together. However, their relationship didn’t progress further to meeting in person. In episode 18, Xiang Yuan discovered that Down is Xu Yan Shi when she escaped from the locked prop room and witnessed Xu Yan Shi announce that he is Down and was playing in place of Karma to save the event.

As their relationship developed under their online pseudonyms, Xiang Yuan desired to meet in person, but Xu Yan Shi’s responsibilities for his sick brother, Xu Cheng Li, prevented him from doing so. On the day Upping (Xiang Yuan) requested a meeting, Down (Xu Yan Shi) had to take Xu Cheng Li to the hospital. Despite showing up, he chose not to meet Xiang Yuan in the pouring rain and instead asked a stranger to hand her an umbrella. This was Xiang Yuan’s last chance she gave to Down and due to his lack of appearance, Xiang Yuan broke up with him.

It was later revealed by Xu Yan Shi to Xiang Yuan that he was upset about their lack of timing and opportunity to get close to each other in high school. When he approached Xiang Yuan as Down, he already knew it was her. However, due to his family issues, he had to step away from her again.

When does Xu Yan Shi discover Xiang Yuan’s true identity as the granddaughter of Donghe Group?

Xu Yan Shi learned about Xiang Yuan’s true identity as the granddaughter of Situ Mingtian and Donghe Group in episode 19 while eavesdropping on her conversation with her grandfather in the stairway.

When is the first kiss between Xu Yan Shi and Xiang Yuan? When does Xu Yan Shi and Xiang Yuan start dating?

Xu Yan Shi pulls Xiang Yuan away from Lu Dong and takes her into her apartment. Inside, Xu Yan Shi and Xiang Yuan share their first kiss. After resolving their misunderstandings and driving away Lu Dong, Xiang Yuan agrees to become Xu Yan Shi’s girlfriend in episode 20.

Why does Xu Yan Shi leave Velin?

Xu Yan Shi was accused of utilizing company secrets when he participated in Xingheng’s competition alongside Xiang Yuan and Lao Qing. Although Xu Yan Shi was confident in his innocence, he also used it was a way to advance his career outside of Velin to secure a stable future with Xiang Yuan.

Is there a second male lead or second female lead in “Here We Meet Again”?

There is no second male lead in “Here We Meet Again.” Lu Dong, who is Xiang Yuan’s neighbor, tries to pursue her through the show, but his pursuit is not persistent, and his character mainly serves to provoke jealousy from Xu Yan Shi. Lu Dong’s character is what motivates Xu Yan Shi to be more proactive in pursuing Xiang Yuan and becoming her boyfriend.

Another male character involved with Xiang Yuan is Feng Jun, who appears twice in the show. The first time he appears is during the Xingheng competition, and the second time is during Donghe’s dilemma.

Among the female characters around Xu Yan Shi, there is Chen Shan, who was rumored to be romantically involved with him. The only other woman who clearly shows interest in Xu Yan Shi is Zhong Ling (Dufan Xin Zhi), who was Xu Yan Shi and Xiang Yuan’s high school classmate.

Are there any side couples in “Here We Meet Again”?

The main side couple is Gao Leng and Chen Shu, who are employees at Velin. Another couple introduced towards the end of the show is Xiang Yuan’s brother, Xiang Jia Yuan, and Jiang Xiao Man (Zhang Ling Yi).

How does “Here We Meet Again” end? Is it a happy ending or sad ending?

“Here We Meet Again” concludes with a happy ending for all the couples and characters in the drama. Xu Yan Shi continues to pursue his dreams at the Institute, and Donghe Group overcomes their obstacles. After the successful launch of the Beidou System, Xu Yan Shi proposes to Xiang Yuan. Yang Pin Shan (Hao Ping) and Lu Qin are arrested for embezzlement.

One day, a little boy enters the marriage bureau to try to sell his family’s “vacant” house. Xiang Yuan rushes in, apologizes to the employee, and threatens to tell the boy’s father to punish him. The child seems indifferent to the threat, and Xiang Yuan exclaims, “Xu Yan Shi! Your child is emotionally abusing me!” The child thinks that Xiang Yuan is bluffing and trying to scare him by calling out for Xu Yan Shi.

In that moment, Xu Yan Cheng, Xu Yan Shi’s son, hears his name being called by his father. Afraid of being scolded, he holds Xiang Yuan’s hand and sweetly asks, “Mother, did you have a hard day at work?” The family walks away hand in hand, ending “Here We Meet Again” on a happy note.

Review: Here We Meet Again

wherever you are, I can always protect you.

★★★☆☆ 3.7/5

“Here We Meet Again” is a live adaptation of the novel “Thirty Percent Wild” by Er Dong Tu Zi. The author has gained recognition for writing notable novels that have been successfully adapted into popular dramas, such as “Our Secret” starring Chen Zhe Yuan and Xu Meng Jie in 2021. The author’s next work to be released is “Bright Eyes in the Dark,” featuring Huang Jing Yu and Zhang Jing Yi.

The Good

“Here We Meet Again” achieves a good balance between dramatizing the story and sprinkling in realism when it comes to hardships, mishaps, and learning lessons. The daily lives of the main characters revolve around the business and technology sectors, but the show doesn’t overwhelm viewers with excessive technical details. It maintains an enjoyable and relatable storytelling style through the use of familiar tropes and the incorporation of both cliché and refreshing elements, adding depth and complexity to the characters.

The comedic elements provided by characters like Gao Leng and Situ Ming Tian help relieve the serious tone, especially in office settings. The bantering between Xiang Yuan and Situ Ming Tian adds warmth and humor to the show.

Xu Yan Shi, although packaged as the super smart male lead, is held back by his family background. He has shouldered responsibilities and made sacrifices due to his family’s issues, which have affected his happiness. However, upon reconnecting with Xiang Yuan, his pursuit becomes passionate and genuine. Xu Yan Shi fights for Xiang Yuan with a determination he has never shown before. What makes his love for her special is that he acts as her protector at work while allowing her to grow professionally.

A relevant theme in Xu Yan Shi’s storyline is the importance of connections. His lack of influential family connections hinders his progress, despite his intelligence and qualifications. However, his connection with Chen Shan leads him to work at Velin. In contrast, Feng Jun’s connections enable him to get away with hacking, leaving Xu Yan Shi to shoulder the blame. The show emphasizes how meaningful connections, even with smaller ones, can make a difference in one’s life. As we can see later on in the show, all of the people around Xu Yan Shi throughout the years come together to help him save Velin.

Xiang Yuan is portrayed as strong and independent, not relying on her wealth for unjust advantages. The terms she sets with her grandpa are fair, and the bet becomes a catalyst for her personal growth.

The show effectively keeps the audience invested in the relationship and careers of the main characters, even after they get together in the last third of the series. It skillfully portrays their growth, ambitions, and mutual support while maintaining a fluffy and romantic atmosphere. The chemistry between Zhang Bin Bin and Wu Qian is notable, and their portrayal of the characters’ evolving feelings is convincing. Despite some initial hesitancy from Xiang Yuan, her actions are justified given the evidence presented to her about Xu Yan Shi.

The chemistry between the lead actors is commendable, surpassing their recent works with other performers. The way they portray the dance of emotions and the expression of their feelings makes it easy for viewers to become invested and root for their relationship. The show avoids major misunderstandings and portrays Xu Yan Shi as upfront with his feelings, pushing himself to provide for Xiang Yuan and become a better man once he knows he wants her in his life.

The Bad

By no means did I dislike Wu Qian’s performance or Xiang Yuan’s character; however, compared to Xu Yan Shi, Xiang Yuan was written as a less memorable lead. While the drama allowed us to witness Xiang Yuan’s growth in the business world, it was difficult to form a strong connection with her character. We are not provided with much of her background story, and her character lacks the same level of depth and complexity as Xu Yan Shi. Xiang Yuan is portrayed as a wealthy individual with a hint of mischievous behavior, but she is never unlikable. She fights for what she wants and works hard to achieve her goals. It’s worth noting that she is not just a pretty face; she possesses intelligence and maintains a sense of righteousness despite her privileged status. However, overall, she was portrayed as “perfect” to the point where there was little unique about her story, and it failed to create a lasting impression beyond her role as the female lead. The character lacked that “special” factor that would make her stand out in one’s mind, aside from being the granddaughter of Donghe Group.

Conclusion

Here We Meet Again is a drama that manages to strike a balance between clichés and originality. It presents compelling characters with relatable struggles, showcases a well-developed romance, and incorporates humor and themes of connection. While some aspects may become less engaging over time, the overall viewing experience remains enjoyable, especially due to the chemistry between the lead actors. I would recommend this drama to those who wants to watch a contemporary romance with good chemistry.

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