While Here To Heart (温暖的弦) is a very popular romance melodrama, it has also attracted a fair share of criticism. The one big complaint about this production is that it is boring as the story gets dragged out unnecessarily. The other is the fact that the relationship between the main characters, Wen Nuan and Nanxian, lacks communication. They don’t know how to talk to each other to say what is in their heart and hence, misunderstandings pile up. This theme gets played out again and again until the end.
On the other hand, I have also noticed that some people absolutely love this drama. They could feel the pain that Wen Nuan and Nanxian are going through as they follow the couple’s story. So, it is pretty interesting to see the 2 very different opinions of the same drama. Perhaps the ones who love Here To Heart have a clearer understanding of the motivations of the protagonists and can relate to it.
Personally, I also found Here To Heart to be pretty boring on my first go at it. But when I watched it again, it gave me a different feel. I understood much more why the leads do what they did especially Nanxian. I skipped a lot of the second pair’s story though because THAT is boring! But for the main couple, it became much more understandable and hence, moving.
Why Nanxian Is Playing Mind Games
For many people including yours truly, the fast forward button is a gift to mankind when it comes to watching dramas. So, what do we do when we feel that the drama is getting a little monotonous? Yes, we fast forward or even skip the episode entirely. Well, if you do the same to Here To Heart, you will miss the conversations and some of them will actually give you the background as to what the characters are thinking and feeling.
Nanxian’s Game Plan
From the very beginning, we are told that Nanxian still loves Wen Nuan and he has never got her out of his mind in their 7 years apart. From his talks with his pet turtles, you can also guess what he has in mind – he wants to draw her out of her shell. He feels that she is prone to hiding and escaping from problems rather than facing them head-on based on their past experience.
However, Nanxian is not willing to pursue her or show his feelings for her. In fact, he tries very hard to make her jealous with his close relationship with Yixin. This is because he wants her to fight for him instead. Of course, Linlu’s presence also complicates matters. This forces him to keep instigating Wen Nuan to choose between them through the business deals. After all, there is always this possibility that she broke up with him because of Linlu.
The Past
On the surface, Nanxian’s psychological games seem overdone and even cruel. But through his conversations with Gao Fang, you will get a better idea of his thinking. From the flashbacks of their dating days while in university, Nanxian clearly was the proactive one in the relationship. He totally adored her and treated her like a princess. He bought her gifts and pampered her. So, when problems arose and she bolted, he felt that she didn’t know how to value their relationship as everything has come too easily for her. It is like he was dispensable. He loves her deeply and hence, the hurt cuts deeply too.
On top of that, he also has a lot of anger buried in him over her decision to break up. It was a sudden one-sided decision without reason. He pleaded with her to tell him why but she stubbornly refused. He could only guess that Linlu was the reason. So, in some ways, he was also punishing her for what she did to him because he is angry. The bullying in the elevator and purposely making her jealous are part of the manifestation of that anger. He thought he suffered more from the break up without realizing that she had it worst than him.
Therefore, Nanxian doesn’t want to commit the same mistake the second time round. He is not going to do the chasing anymore but will push Wen Nuan to make a decision and take the initiative. He thinks that only by having her fight for him that she will know how to appreciate him and the love that they have for one another. That is why a big chunk of the drama revolves around Nanxian’s mind games and the misunderstandings that result.
Why Wen Nuan Is Hesitant
The first time I watched Here To Heart, I was also wondering what is going on in Wen Nuan’s mind. She has a lot of guilt in her because she knows she has hurt Nanxian. The reason she wants to return to him after 7 years is not only because she still loves him but also because she feels that she owes him and that is something she needs to settle. But at the same time, she is also afraid to face him which is why she says Linlu is her boyfriend at the beginning of the drama.
While Nanxian uses Yixin to make her jealous in order to draw her out, Wen Nuan holds back instead because she thinks they are a couple. Yixin’s moves to give her that impression also makes her hesitant.
Wen Nuan’s Relationship With Wen Rou
As to why Wen Nuan refuses to tell Nanxian the reason for the break up can be traced back to her relationship with Wen Rou. 7 years ago, her immaturity caused her to make a very impulsive decision. She didn’t want to tell Nanxian then because she was obviously shocked that her sister also had feelings for her boyfriend. She was completely blindsided. But in one confrontation with Yixin, we are told that Wen Nuan did have doubts about the break up and was re-considering her decision. However, events that quickly followed changed everything and she couldn’t turn back with their fathers’ plane crash and Wen Rou’s attempted suicide.
7 years later when Nanxian asks Wen Nuan why she broke up with him, she is still keeping mum. While Wen Nuan and Wen Rou care a lot about each other, they are both treading on egg shells because of the past. Both are reluctant to re-open old wounds to talk about their feelings until halfway through the drama. Wen Nuan is afraid of hurting her sister again and hence, she keeps quiet on the reason for the break up. So, it is indeed apt that Wen Rou is the one who tells Nanxian the truth. Wen Nuan broke up and stayed silent to protect Wen Rou’s feelings.
Complex Emotions
If you see Wen Nuan and Nanxian’s story as a simple romance where they simply miss each other and reunite, then chances are you won’t enjoy this drama one bit. Here To Heart is not your typical romance drama like Mr. Honesty or You Are My Destiny. You need to get the underlying issues faced by the couple before you can better appreciate the story.
Basically, Here To Heart is not only about true love but also guilt, anger, jealousy, and regret. Wen Nuan and Nanxian’s relationship is a complex web of emotions and Janine Chang and Hans Zhang were able to portray that very well with their brilliant chemistry. But you really need to pay attention to the dialogues to truly understand the motivations of the characters. Then only Here To Heart can move you emotionally just as many people have found it to be.
Image Credit: Tencent
The very first time I watched a Korean TV stories was K2 and I kinda liked it… I’ve been hearing from my siblings that they love to watch Korean TV dramas and movies… So, one night I was off from work and nothing to do and decided to watch international films and I begin to select a Korean TV ? Movie… And end up watching Here To Heart, it was an exciting time for me to watch because suddenly I begin to like the characters of the said episode until I watched it everytime Im free from work… Watching it, like I can relate… to the stories… The whole truth is I fell in love with the characters and the stories…
Although, there are episodes that I felt it’s boring, I begun to tell myself, Why did the director do it that way, why not do this way, well that’s only in my mind and im sure others are in titled to their opinions…well, somehow,I was satisfied on what I have watched during my free time from work,so in the future I should say,I will be watching Korean TV stories and movies too,so I will add it to the list of the International TV show,films or movies that I gonna watch from now on..
More power to you guys who made it possible for those Korean actors and actresses,esp.to the writers and directors of this entire episodes. The whole episode has a whole package of entertainment, that’s what I noticed, as adding a slight comedies in words from other secondary characters…
Lastly, I admired Hans Zhang who is a handsome actor and Janine Chun,a beautiful actress as they gave more life and meaning às they portrayed their role to their acting abílies in every episode they are involved which made the stories believable and yet gave suspenseful to the next drama…then the drama became heavy …
This is excellent for me because particularly of the selected location settings too, the views of the locations were perfect for lovers..
Good job, well done..
Sincerely saying hello to the koreans…
This is a Chinese Drama…
I don’t understand after 46. EPISODes could’ed see them get married. Big let down thier. I waited as long as they did. ☹️
I love it as well and just want to see the ending love ML & FL they are brilliant together ❤️
After reviewing this tv shows ím watching,Im very very sorry, I was referring to this chinese tv shows, it may sound embarrassing but im referring to this chinese tv dramas, I was thinking of korean TV shows too but the most thing scenario is I love this Here to Heart tv drama, im not sure if it’s chinese or korean,now I know it’s chinese<I apologized if I mentioned Korean TV show<I was just confused.. my apologies if I wrote korean but im referring to the chinese tv drama show … I hope thére will be part 2 of Here to Heart… Maybe a film or a movie with the 2 main characters who are Hans Zhang and Janine Chun…Again, My apologies, it’s my mistake if I mentioned Korean instead of Chinese tv dramas, I hope im forgiven for my confusion in my prevíous comments>.im çorrecting my earlier comments on this second comments.
It’s ok. No worries about the mistake. It’s understandable that international viewers might get confused between Korean and Chinese dramas. Add in Taiwanese and Hong Kong productions, there would be even greater confusion. So, don’t worry about it! 🙂
Thank you for this opportunity as I am about to explode! Here to Heart is one of the most silly stories ever. It is excruciatingly painful. No one can speak plainly. To begin with the main couple were perfect and perfectly suited but because the sister showed some interest , Wen Nuan crucifies an innocent Zhao Nanxian imperilling him psychologically -which could have jeopardised his education and life chances. The relationship with her sister is that of two automatons. No one is honest, no one had courage. It is a show of pitiful women devoid of character and even an iota of personality. You do not sacrifice the love of your life, your mate and partner for such a pathetic reason denying them an explanation. This is, I hope, a character assassination of Chinese womanhood. Are they this calculating? Cold? Unable to show warmth? Compassion? They don’t seem to posses any spontaneity , sexual desire or life. And they cannot kiss – it is painful to watch. This series makes me wonder how any Chinese people have children – I know they do so some of them must know how to love bravely and passionately. I will watch to the end just to see how these two awkward people – embarrassingly so people ever manage to get together . Probably by remote control !
Normally I truly appreciate Chinese productions, particularly the historic, mythology , fantasy , history productions. The sets are extravagant, beautiful in the extreme , costumes out of this world , actors stunningly beautiful and plots fascinating in their imagination. This series was so disappointing.
Apparently you missed the whole theme behind this drama: communication matters. This is what despite his hurt, the ML tries to coax back the FL by making her communicate and express instead of keeping things bottled up and making wrong assumptions.
I think you are totally wrong when you opposed the most wonderful drama “Here to heart”. I just finished watching it & started to revise it again. I disagree with most of you who wrote negative comments because you just wanted to view your everyday normal kinds of series based on your cultures, such as “ I Iove you & I hate you. life is challenging in so many ways, so we should see it in different angles. Wen Nuan explained herself that she was not matured & did mistake. Besides because of three measure accidents she lost some of her memories. Her boyfriend, her father’s death & her sister was trying to kill herself. When it comes Zhan Nanxian, he never known that she had a memory problem. Everything he did ever since his separation from her was building the way to gain her back by giving her space & freedom, so she can comes back to him willingly. 1st of all the real drama Addicts never checks what the end of it. 2nd of all we should enjoy what we see instead of trying to be screen writers. I’ve seen narrow minded audiences who criticized producers writers & directors. Don’t judge the book by the cover. When you finished the whole story you will understand it & love it. I’ve watched numerous dramas of Turkish, Koreans & Chinese. I stopped watching the Turkish drama bcoz of so much plots. I’m so happy with k-dramas &
c-dramas. I hope you will see things in different angles.
So boring and so slow, this is millenium but they lack of communication in relationship, it’s very frustrating for viewers after 10 episodes still cannot understand why the couple broke up. Unlike Korean drama, it was clear, straight to the points, and their fashion (clothes) are the top. I cannot stand Wen Nuan is a top executive but his pants are too short for him and he never wore shocks, it did not look elegant. Korean drama is much better on this area. They also don’t drag the story too long to get to the point.
I love the movie Here to Heart. Wen Naun & Zhan Nanxian is the idea couple. I only wished that Wen Naun’s character had a little more stand up for herself, especially when it came to Yixin. In my opinion it portrayed Wen Naun as weak. Looking for wedding gowns (no). I didn’t understand why the line wasn’t drawn where saying NO is ok.
I understand the idea of Nanxian wanting Wen Naun to fight for the relationship, but I found that hard to do when he had Yixin under his arm. Wen Naun thinks they are in a relationship & respectfully why would she approach.
What is wrong with Chinese people, if two people are in love they did not show it, and letting another person take your man is ridiculous. And what is wrong with wen Nuan acting like she didn’t care about Nanxium having a baby with another woman. And going gown shopping is another thing I couldn’t understand. This series turn me off. American woman don’t act like this I give this dries a thumb down👎🏽