Nosso Lugar Secreto (2019)

Life-Changing, Life-Learning

Dear viewer, I've never seen anything like this show. I'd particularly not even like to describe it as simply a "show" or "drama". To me, It is much more personal, like a documentary of these people and how they've lived their lives. There is nothing unrealistic about it, everything is intentional and has a purpose for these people. I don't even know where to begin in talking about it, but I did make an account simply to discuss my absolute desire for this show to be known as what it is: a pure work of art about real life people. Usually, when I'm watching something there's always a fence of good or bad, and choosing sides but in this documentary there's none of that. It's just telling you a story of how things happen because people grow. People grow from hurt, from pain, from everything. It hurts me because I relate to this show a little too much but that's because I'm human. I went into this a bit discouraged from romance, and life in general but it has brought more life into me. It's made me realize, life is deep and serious but it's also very lighthearted at times and especially beautiful despite the pain it can give. It not only touches on dating but family, friends, death, work-life balance, personal aspirations, marriage, and simple human behavior regarding relationships. We know we've not perfect as people, yet we expect others to be for us. It's taught me a lot, and I've never dated anyone before. But it's taught me so much about the expectations of a relationship, how to balance, communication, and the costs of it. Life isn't perfect on this current earth but we, as humans, can learn to live it together. Everything about this show is beautiful, from the characters you can't help but be frustrated at at times, to the dialogue, scenery, and simply real raw emotions. I don't know what the directors or actors were thinking when they created this absolute masterpiece of a show but it's caused wonder in my life. I would like to thank them for that. At first, I wasn't so sure about the couple but it made me think, who am I to approve or disapprove when it's not my relationship? If they're good together and if it's what God wants then what am I to say anything? I realized as a viewer I shouldn't have these opinions about these such things when I don't know these peoples' feelings or what they're going through. Each character has they're own sins, problems, but also love they harbor for one another. I loved everything about this show, even as I wanted to critique it, I couldn't because this was their life and as a person watching, I shouldn't meddle. I'd like to say thank-you for creating and making this show. It was absolutely a star, and I cherish it. I pray and hope their lives will continue on despite the harships, and so will mine. Thank you. Don't forget to watch the 3 specials. I really disliked how I saw the ending in the TV show without watching the 3 specials first and got really really frustrated & sad, so make sure to do that, that's honestly why I didn't vote it 10 stars because it needed that to be know first. But, seriously, watch this. Xue Tong, Bailin, QiQi, Xiaotang, I grew alongside with them and can only wish them the best. They were people to me and not everyone has this so called "happy ending" with feelings, but it's not even about that, it's about pursuing what's right and meant for you. I learned about love through this show. I'll miss how kind MuChenghe was to Xue Tong despite their internal turmoils, I'll miss Bailin and QiQi's friendship, and Xiaotang's guarded personality. Please give this a watch + the three specials if you believe in what I say. Every single person in this made it worth watching. It was a journey and I ended up in the right place. The star went back home after all, voyager 1 has finally left, and we've all matured! <3

Leia Mais

Slow paced but nice

College life. Dorm life. Friendship. First love, heartbreaks and family relationships. Choosing a career path. Age gap…

If you’re looking for these themes then give this drama a watch. The story is a slow burn but gives enough feels to resonate with each character. The side stories took up a lot of exposure but I guess this is common in Chinese dramas. The ending is surprising but not at all disappointing. Plus, there’s the three special episodes to satisfy you if you want to see second chances and the end of a love triangle.

I love how Chinese university life has been highlighted in this drama and I find it very interesting. The actors acted out quite well too given that the characters they portrayed were very diverse and scenese required them to show dynamic emotions.

Leia Mais

This is a fine slice of life drama. The drama brings about the conflicts and decisions of the characters as they grow through their college years into adulthood. From the four female roommates and their significant others, the drama explores human sensitivities showing their emotional strengths and weaknesses as they experience love, intellectual and emotional challenges, and the process of life changing events. The drama develops slowly and realistically, presenting conflicts of connection, interests, and values among the different relationships (family, faculty and students, friends, and lovers). The cast did a good job bringing their characters to life, the lead couple had good chemistry but their romantic scenes lacked enthusiasm and energy and their separation went too long (through about 4 episodes) without any interaction and the end came abruptly . Still, it is a good drama to watch while waiting for a great one to come. Enjoy it!

Leia Mais

Great drama-go watch the extra episodes.

Since I want to watch more Cdramas I watched this and was pleasantly surprised. I enjoy a slice of life drama and this truly felt like a students slice of life. It was slow and steady and built the relationships and the friendships quiete well. When I finished the episodes on Netflix, I felt that something was off - I was left a bit disappointed because there were many many loose threads. Come to find out there are 3 extra episodes that tie the story up nicely- before finding these episodes I would've been disappointed in the time I spent watching the drama - but the extra episodes really made me enjoy the show even more.

Leia Mais

This is a story worth watching

I definitely think it can be a bit slow and hard to get into during the first few episodes, but after that it's so good. You really don't know what to expect with this story, it is so much more raw and heartfelt than it appears to be. I really liked the main character, and the story didn't feel so unrealistic that it took me out of the immersion. I would watch this again for sure. I watched this a long time ago so I do not remember the exact things that I disliked about it, but I know there weren't many things to dislike. Maybe the pacing could be off in some areas, but other than that I only have good things to say. If you enjoy stories set in the university environment, this is a perfect show for you.

Leia Mais

I absolutely adored this show. I must thank Netflix for bringing this beautiful show on because otherwise I would’ve never known about it.

Firstly the drama is a slice of life. It felt quite realistic and the pace is slow but satisfying.
Each character was endearing and relatable. portrayed. The actors all did an amazing job. From the four friends, we can all find someone who is most like us since their personalities are so varied.

With many Chinese dramas I’ve noted they follow the infamous trope of arrogant lead leads. Here the male lead was so pleasant and soft spoken. He seemed pure at heart albeit some flaws but that only made him more humane and relatable. The chemistry between the leads was subtle but unique.
I never felt the age difference with the leads as a hindrance or disadvantage to development of romantic relationship. I felt both characters brought the best of each other and they were soul mates.

Usually I seldom care about plots of supporting characters but in this drama I found myself caring for them just as much I did for the leads. The drama definitely had some subtle surprises in store. Whilst I didn’t agree with some, it did not disappoint me enough to even contemplate dropping the drama. And I’m the queen of dropping dramas, if I can say so myself.

For those loving dramas with romance, this is definitely one to go for. I wholeheartedly recommend this. I truly hope the cast achieves greater success because they were all very talented. I will end my review here.

Leia Mais

A good university series, relatively realistic

Romance between 1 foreign language student and 1 doctoral student / replacement teacher. The series deals with the university life of a group of 4 friends from the same dormitory, in a fairly realistic way.

PROS:
+ slice-of-life where everything doesn't go well: lover of a married man, ex-lovers who can't be together, good reasons for a break-up, etc.
+ the characters are complex, tortured, endearing, and the actors bring them to life with great talent.
+ Fairly well-written story (except the last part which contains quite a few inconsistencies).

CONS:
- Friends of the ML don't know the rule "no drop of alcohol for an alcoholic in withdrawal"? The relationship with alcohol seems complex in China...
- The last episodes are too long (3-4 episodes without the ML)
=> skip 21->23
- Ending which leaves a taste of unfinished business...
+ Fortunately there are 3 special episodes because the ending of the drama is too abrupt!!

*************************************************************************
Romance entre 1 étudiante en langues et 1 doctorant / prof remplaçant. La série traite de la vie universitaire d'un groupe de 4 amies du même dortoir, de façon assez réaliste.

PROS:
+ slice-of-life où tout ne se passe pas bien : lover d'un homme marié, ex-lovers qui ne peuvent pas être ensemble, bonnes raisons de break-up, etc.
+ les personnages sont complexes, torturés, attachants, et les acteurs leur donnent vie avec beaucoup de talent.
+ Story assez bien écrite (sauf la dernière partie qui comporte pas mal d'incohérences).

CONS:
- Les amis du ML ne connaissent pas la règle "aucune goutte d'alcool pour un alcoolique en sevrage" ? Le rapport à l'alcool semble complexe en Chine ...
- Les derniers épisodes sont trop logs (3-4 épisodes sans le ML)
=> skip 21->23
- Ending qui laisse un gout d'inachevé...
+ Heureusement qu'il y a les 3 épisodes spéciaux car la ending du drama est trop abrupte !!

Leia Mais

Overall, this show was good. It's super cliché but it's also unique in its own way. My favourite part about the show was how it showed people with ordinary lives. They didn't try to perfect the cast, and I thought that it was their best feature. I would've given this a 10, but some details aren't too great.

For example, I'm going to start with the ending. DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED IT YET!
So. Xue Tong chose Mu ChengheThe ending...was weird, in some ways. I'd always shipped her with Sir Mu but when they broke up, he was gone for 3-4 episodes...then miraculously shows up, AND Xue Tong chooses him?! It's too good to be true. I felt really bad for Liu Qi because he did cheer her up when Chen Yan died. Anyhoo, I felt like the ending was too inadequate.

I also thought that Xue Tong's friend Ba Lin was in a toxic relationship with her boyfriend. I felt disgusted and shameful about how she treated him.

This is an amazing tv series, but if the producers want to make it better, I suggest they focus on 1 couple instead of all the other support characters.

Leia Mais

Toxic relationship& red flags

Although the character development of the FL and her 3 friends is really beautiful to see throughout the series ( bailin story was a bit annoying but the ending is graceful for her :) ) I am really disappointed in the story.

It would have been perfect if the ML and FL story actually ended when the ML left before coming back by the end of the series.

I feel the Fl needed to fully move on from this guy as he has been a great lesson to her.

We have no clue what happened to make the ML deserve the FL and see them married all of a sudden in the last minute of the series.

The SML had many chances to showcase and present the Fl with a healthy relationship. The show took the time to develop their relationship , I feel bad for the SML. The scene after death of a friend was really well done and how the SML even knew the Xue tong better than Mu were great elements. I thought the show was really about personal growth and lessons from past relationships. -but it ended up being a sucker for love story cliché

Her heart belonging to the ML by the end of the show was not realistically shown. Was she just waiting for him to apologize? Why did the show not encourage a more healthy development for the ML? Or for the Ml to own up to his toxic traits?

While the main love story development leaves me in disappointment, I did enjoy some of it, especially in the beginning where the FL is navigating life and her first romantic relationship.

Leia Mais