Hello again, buddies! I finally found some time to talk to you about a lovely series I watched recently. Yes, I didn’t have time to write about it, but I definitely had time to watch it twice in a row! So, let’s not lose any more time and talk about See Your Love!
See Your Love (2024)
Country: Taiwan (Co-produced with Japan)
Episodes: 13 (25’ each)
Genres: Romance
My Rating: 9.5/10
Casting
- Raiden Lin as Yang Zi Xiang / “Sean”
- Jin Yun as Jiang Shao Peng
- Lin Chia Yo as Cheng Feng Jie / “Johnathan”
- Lin Yung Chieh as Wang Xin Jia
Plot
The plot of this series is simple. Zi Xiang is the son of a rich man who sends him on a business trip to Taiwan, but he has zero willingness to work. Life isn’t easy for him there, because someone is after him. As he tries to escape, a deaf boy, Shao Peng, saves him. Zi Xiang learns that Shao Peng is looking for a job, and after an accident, he hires him to take care of him.
A decision that changed both of their lives.
Characters
Shao Peng is a strong and determined person who always hides his worries behind a smile. He’s deaf, but not everyone around him is comfortable with that. He struggles to find a job even though he has the knowledge and capability, but he keeps being optimistic. He’s a caring person who doesn’t judge people’s actions — instead, he always tries to understand the reason behind them.
On the other hand, Zi Xiang feels very weak at almost everything and finds comfort only through art. Truth is, he’s a fast learner and very smart. Until now, he thought that everyone who approached him had an agenda, and it was hard for him to accept that someone could genuinely care for him. That’s why he often acts impulsively, not realizing how his actions affect others. Zi Xiang may seem tough, but he’s such a lovely human being with a big heart and puppy eyes. Just pat his head and give him food and he’s all yours!
Both of them, for different reasons, believed that if they got into a relationship, they’d only be a burden to the other person and wouldn’t be able to protect them if needed. Little did they know…
When their two worlds collide, it’s pure magic.
Their Relationship
Zi Xiang admires Shao Peng a lot. He was amazed at how Shao Peng faced his struggles and inspired him to face his own. (“If you can face it, how can I run away?”) His insecurities vanish when they’re together. Without even realizing it, he made progress with his insomnia and was able to sleep in Shao Peng’s arms. He didn’t hesitate to learn sign language, because, as he said, “It’s your language.”
Shao Peng couldn’t literally hear him, yet he was the only one who truly listened to Zi Xiang with loyalty and understanding.
Their relationship is healthy, built on mutual respect and admiration. They helped each other grow and gain confidence. When they’re together, they can just be themselves. No need to fake a smile or do something they don’t want to do. Their love is unconditional.
Their scenes were so caring and heartwarming. Sometimes, I even felt shy just by watching them! Their relationship is also very realistic. I loved how, at first, they were so shy and slowly became more comfortable with each other. And those damn looks, like nothing else existed… that was my endgame.
Second Couple
Feng Jie and Xin Jia are a couple with not many scenes, but with excellent chemistry and cute moments. Feng Jie is a teaser and Xin Jia the perfect victim for his craziness. Their storyline was a bit cliché, but they made it stand out.
I think they exaggerated a bit with the “wanting to kill each other” part though — it always made me think, “What if something goes wrong?”
Also, I’m really glad there wasn’t any (spoiler alert) rape scene between them when Xin Jia was drunk. I have to admit I was anxious about it, and honestly, I enjoyed their relationship much more on my second watch.
Story
The storyline is simple, with no unnecessary drama. The series just “pretends” to have a little drama (like the evil cousin, the fiancée, or their parents), but at the same time, it addresses very realistic issues, like the struggle of finding a job, the pressure of following a path your parents choose for you, dealing with people who blame you for your weaknesses, and parents who make mistakes.
Friendship
Shu He is Shao Peng’s childhood friend, who could’ve become something more. I’m glad the series addressed that relationship. She made a huge mistake when, in a moment of panic, she blamed Shao Peng’s deafness for her situation. Shao Peng continued to be her friend, but after that incident, he never crossed the friendship line again.
He was clearly traumatized by her, and it affected all his relationships after. They never talked it through, but she knows she lost the right to be more than a friend. She’s even lucky he kept her in his life at all.
Parents
As mentioned above, one of the key themes is the impact of parents on their children’s lives, and how their actions can make their kids feel trapped.
Shao Peng always thought his parents tried to shape him in their image. The truth is, they were just trying to help him be independent and not feel left behind, but they had no idea how much pressure they put on him. The hospital scene where they discuss this is powerful and deeply meaningful.
Zi Xiang’s father was extremely controlling and raised him like a soldier to take over the family business, believing that was best for him. But in doing so, he robbed him of many childhood experiences and most importantly, his free will. Watching Zi Xiang grow, stand his ground, and follow his own path made me really proud of him.
What I liked
I loved how the series highlighted the importance of a healthy relationship and how we should love someone for who they are, without expecting them to change.
“Being unable to hear is not a flaw. It’s a part of who you are. The Shao Peng I know and like is just who you are.”
“Me too. I like you just as you are.”
Shao Peng thought he didn’t deserve help, believing he’d be a burden. Zi Xiang also felt useless and incapable of helping others.
The lesson I learned from this series is that no matter our situation, everyone deserves help and should feel free to ask for it.
The hospital scene where Zi Xiang fights with Shao Peng shows his desperation to make him see it wasn’t his fault he didn’t hear his mother collapsing. There are simply some things he can’t do — and that’s okay. Everyone has their weaknesses. He tries to tell him he doesn’t have to prove he doesn’t need anyone.
“Your strength doesn’t mean you can’t be vulnerable or you can’t rely on others. You can rely on me. I won’t laugh at you, because I’m weaker…”
(Damn you, boy, for my tears.)
Things I would change
I wish Shao Peng’s parents had communicated more using sign language, especially in scenes where he couldn’t read their lips. I found it a bit rude that they spoke in front of him without signing, even when the conversation wasn’t directed at him.
Also, I loved Jin Yun — no doubt about that. And the chemistry with Raiden Lin was perfect.
BUT… why not cast an actual deaf actor? I find it sad that they didn’t give the opportunity to a deaf person to portray Shao Peng, especially since the series focuses on the struggles of a deaf person trying to find a job.
Conclusion
I loved how much thought they put into the little things. For example, the way Shao Peng’s thoughts were shown through text, with no background sound and without voice-over, added real depth.
It’s a series that’s cute and serious at the same time. Okay, there are some cliché scenes here and there, but they serve the plot, which grows more interesting and deeper with each episode.
The show is full of meaningful scenes that made me emotional and I could quote them for hours. Is it normal that I just can’t seem to move on from this series?
But… “what is normal, anyway?”
If you watch the series or if you’ve already watched it, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. If you liked it, check out the video I made with some of my favorite scenes from the main couple. And if you liked this review, feel free to subscribe for more!
Thanks for reading,
Utaku.