I AM THE SECRET IN YOUR HEART (夏日的檸檬草) (2024)

Genre: Drama/Romance
Director: Lai Meng Jie
Cast: Moon Lee, Tsao Yu Ning, SHOU, Lin Mei Shiu, Fan Guang Yao, Alice Lee, Sean Ben, Peggy Tseng, Mario, Andy Huang, Chen Xuan, Porima Cheng, Ying-Ru Chen, Nina Ye, TimeKilla
Runtime: 1 hr 52 min
Rating: PG13 (Some Coarse Language)
Released By: mm2 Entertainment
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 19 September 2024

Synopsis: In school, everyone sees Xiaoxia (played by Moon Lee) and her sweetheart Yuzu (played by SHOU) as a couple. Only Xiaoxia knows that her heart has long been occupied by the transfer student Cheng Yih (played by Tsao Yu Ning). Cheng Yih is every girl's favorite. He has excellent grades, and he is talented and good at fighting. Xiaoxia, who has poor grades, is determined to get with Cheng Yih! She tries all the standard methods to make him like her but they all fail. The seemingly indifferent Cheng Yih actually hides secret feelings for Xiaoxia in his heart. Yuzu, who has stood by Xiaoxia since their childhood, strictly guards against anyone who wants to get close to his sweetheart. This summer, a first love fragrant like lemongrass between the three begins...

Movie Review:

There’s obviously a market for romantic movies like this one directed by Lai Meng Jie, which is why they are still being made – despite the fact they do not add anything new or interesting go the genre. We don’t mean it in a bad way, because the 112 minute movie does bring back some sweet memories when we were young and carefree, when the biggest worry of the day was trying to figure out how to get your crush’s attention.

The movie doesn’t make much effort in building up an inventive plot development. In present day, Xiaoxia (a wide eyed and likeable Moon Lee) is getting ready for a friend’s wedding, and she looks wistful when informed that a guy from her past will be attending. You know this is going to be a tale of how a boy and girl almost get together, and how circumstances are going to keep them apart. The only thing left to find out is, what series of events caused them to be kept separated, and whether there is going to be a happy ending before the end credits roll.

We are brought back to Xiaoxia’s school days, where she is known to be often hanging out with Yuzu (SHOU) – there’s a cute segment explaining how Yuzu’s name came about. Yuzu is the type of guy in school who doesn’t do well in studies, pulls pranks in the classroom, but you can totally count on to be loyal friend. The character is perfectly played by Taiwanese singer and rapper SHOU, whose real name is Lou Jun Shuo. Exuding bad boy vibes, Yuzu will go the ends of the earth for Xiaoxia in the name of friendship. While they aren’t officially a couple (Xiaoxia doesn’t see romance blossoming), Yuzu is obviously in love with the girl.

Then along comes Cheng Yih (played by another good looker Tsao Yu Ning), who makes Xiaoxia go gaga with his boyish charm. To add some depth to the character, there is also a personal past which Cheng Yih isn’t too keen to talk about. He has a dog whom he loves very much, and stays with his grandparents. His grandmother has dementia, and some screen time is dedicated to exploring how the condition affects relationships.

Meanwhile, Xiaoxia continues to be smitten by Cheng Yih, while poor Yuzu can only look on from the side. If you ask us, Yuzu will make a more interesting boyfriend. But this is clearly not about us, because the movie goes on to play out different situations for the three characters to be entangled in a high school romance that may make fans of the genre smile.

The story develops in a predictable manner, and there aren’t really any real stakes that you will be emotionally invested in – probably because you know the picture perfect scenes unfolding on the big screen are only made possible by young and good looking stars. Again, this is not a bad thing if the two hours in the theatre make you reminisce about a past that may have faded in your memory.

Movie Rating:

(Fans of the genre will smile and fondly remember the high school romance they had)

Review by John Li