Amidst a Snowstorm of Love: A slow-burn Chinese drama that grows into a bonfire of comfort

Snowstorms usually mean sheets of snow whirling around. You can’t see clearly; it’s all white. You’re almost swept away in the cold and icy chill of it all. You don’t see it as gentle snowdrops.

But that’s exactly what Amidst a Snowstorm Of Love wants you to believe. Sometimes, you just don't know when you're walking through a storm. They could just take place within us, slowly and painstakingly, and somehow still leave us feeling more alive than we had before.

In this quiet, soulful Chinese drama, starring Leo Wu and Zhao Jin Mai, that has left its fans divided, we witness a story with languid pacing and unhurried storytelling. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, people might find their patience and tolerance sorely tested. But, if you can wait, and enjoy the breeze of 25+ episodes, then this story might be what you need. There’s a lot that’s left in the unsaid and unspoken in the first few episodes, and it hits you only later.

Like a little snowflake, and then some.

The tale, with a charming nod to sports—billiards, no less—follows Yin Guo, a professional player stranded in a snowstorm. She encounters Lin Yi-yang, a former billiards star, who has his reasons for retiring early from the sport. You know what happens next; it’s not rocket science: Yes, she will be the one to help him find the spark again. He is quite annoying at points, we'll be honest. Brace yourself.

The story’s old, but the sweetness is fresh, and there’s fun in watching the couple form a relationship, awkwardly at first, and then becoming what Gen Z lingo would say, OTP (one true pairing, yes don’t sigh). The beauty of the show lies in their chemistry, and they never manage to lose their spark even after becoming a couple, something that most stories struggle with. There’s heart and soul in every detail, from the glances, to the yearning and the nuances of their facial expressions. Be warned, it’s a very, very slow burn: But it’s worth the wait.

The side characters round off the show. There’s the cheery, supportive bestie Wei Wei, the one you would always want by your side. He’s the true-blue best friend, cheering people on, and shedding happy tears in their victory. One of the fan-favourities was Jiang-yang---come on, there’s always something irresistible about the fictional cold person, who actually has a heart of gold.

Moreover, there’s just something so magical about wintry aesthetics. Combine it with a heartwarming OST, and you can just watch this show when you’re feeling in a particularly pensive, thoughtful mood.

Amidst a Snowstorm of Love is quietly heartwarming—like a cosy bonfire on a winter night. It might lull you to sleep now and then, but you’ll wake up with a gentle warmth that stays.