Single by 30 (2016) User Reviews

a gem of a youtube series

[chickenjackson · 8/10 · 18 December 2019]

This easily bingeable series has the classic complicatedness of a friendship that skates the line of lovers like "When Harry Met Sally", the heartbreakingly bad timing of Ross and Rachel in "Friends", the tension of being unable to speak what one really feels like almost ALL asian dramas, and the challenges of navigating the modern dating scene while figuring out what to do with one's life like "Master of None".

although i wish the male protagonist (Harry Shum from "Glee" fame) was more vocal about his feelings (to be fair, this was an issue for me when I was younger) it's an honest portrayal of the flaws of people that come up in a relationship. Kina Grannis shines as the charming female protagonist with commitment issues (proving yet again that singer-songwriters can make magnetic actresses). I recommend this series not just to support the telling of stories with an asian-american slant but because it has somehow managed to stick with me in the way only stories with characters that draw you in can.

To The Heart, To The Point

[vze2363v · 10/10 · 24 December 2016]

Wong Fu Productions, long known for it's ability to touch the heart of it's viewing public, delivers in spades with "Single By 30."

Harry Shum Jr. embodies the male lead who after an unexpected failed relationship finds himself forced to re-assess where he's allowed his life to go. Kina Grannis' character shows us no matter how well- planned you think your life is, the relationships you were exposed to as a child speak depths about your ability to find true happiness.

Wong Fu's gift is being able to show the public how complex life and relationships can be. Those who may have never been exposed to a healthy relationship or had parents who pushed responsibility over finding happiness in life can glean a thread from this series as they watch our lovers try to figure it out for themselves.

To not see the beauty of Wong Fu's message is to lack empathy for people struggling to grow. Tears will flow and hopefully "Single By 30" will help you support others on their path to finding true love.

Beautiful and touching

[howsta · 10/10 · 10 August 2018]

In a world saturated with Hollywood money tree blockbusters that lack original ideas, and sequels and prequels churned out solely for the purpose of making more money, it is refreshing to find a light-hearted, touching, funny and heart-warming series with a well-written storyline.

I enjoyed the diversity of the cast and the roles they played in the series, breaking away from that typical white-male supremacy stereotype that Hollywood tries to cram down your throat. The acting is great, and Kina Grannis adds a nice emotional touch to her character through her music and expressions.

Some of the minor characters could use a little more depth, although understandably, the spotlight is cast on the main characters, which are well-developed and takes viewers on an emotional journey.

Overall, I very much enjoyed this series and I hope to see more creative work from the producer in the mainstream.

Major yikes. Please read? lol

[lauravu-79375 · 1/10 · 9 June 2020]

Okay so...where to begin. In short, this was probably the worst show I have ever watched...and that hurts to say, because WongFu has beautiful short films, and I have been a fan for a long time.

Here's the longer explanation:

The main plot is simply frustrating...I really hope kids are not watching this. Who makes "just for funsies" pacts to get married if they're still single by 30??? Furthermore, why are we just going to accept the "friends with benefits but not really because I can have guy friends, but I'll have issues with you having girl friends". Johanna has major toxic traits. She has commitment issues. She is hypercritical. She is jealous, but if the other party does the exact same thing she does, she will be livid and then move down her list of hoes. She expects Peter to know what she wants when she herself has no idea what she wants. It was already a big NOPE and eye roll from me when she broke the ONE AND ONLY request Peter made, which was to be honest. Homegirl couldn't delete her ex's number, even though Peter did. And then she lied to him to say she did...They go on to create dating apps and decided to choose each other's dates. When things went well with Peter and his date...Johanna is hurt. Like bro. Wasn't this what you wanted? You wanted to create this pact to help and motivate each other to get out there and date. Another NOPE moment from me was when her ex called and she decided to meet up with him, since she was jealous of Peter and his successful date, Sarah. So Johanna goes and dresses UP UP for a "casual meet up" with her ex...please realize that if Peter ever did that...she would've cried a river. Then during the meetup, her ex's finance aka Johanna's ex-best friend (yes it's complicated...but you shouldn't be surprised, since Johanna is complicated lol) showed up, and she was thrown off...like sis why are you shook that the man's future wife came? And they ended up asked Johanna to sing at their wedding so there's that lol. Operation hoe didn't work. So homegirl intoxicates herself to minimize the pain, and calls her "best friend" (I have a whole other rant on guys and girls calling themselves best friends, when we all know it really isn't like that...99.9% of the time) and asks if they can meet up. Peter is currently at Sarah's house, meeting her friends, so he thought it was a brilliant idea to invite Johanna to this party she has no business in being at. (If I have time, I'll rant about homeboy's character later). Johanna is drunk and is ruining the party, and then Peter decides to take her home, while Sarah is like bro really? Just call her an Uber. Basically in the end, he chose Johanna over Sarah, so later she breaks up with him. Johanna's next attempt of being an unfair CHILD was when she asked Peter to accompany her to the wedding. She tried convincing him by saying "dude you're a single guy at a wedding...it'll be a great time". Then what happens? YOU GUESSED IT. He meets single girls and talks to them, and she gets jealous. EYE ROLL. SIS IT WAS YOUR IDEA. Then, after Johanna acting toxic and whatever, her and Peter somehow confess their feelings for each other, and hook up that night. Then the following days and weeks, they move in together, etc. One random day, Johanna goes to get drinks with a guy co-worker and Peter is confused and slightly jealous, and Johanna is annoyed...bro let's be real...he does this and you'll be sobbing. So eventually Peter asks the dreaded question (by societal standards), "what are we?" and Johanna couldn't define it...homegirl. Y'all both like each other...hooked up...are living together...can't see each other dating anyone else...WHAT DO YA MEAN YOU DON'T KNOW THE STATUS OF THE RELATIONSHIP lol. Later on in the show, Peter's mom basically tells him Sarah is better, since she's YAKNOW...GROWN AND KNOWS WHAT SHE WANTS (more to say about her character later if I have time).

Okay y'all I just realized, but there's way too many issues I have with Johanna, so I'll just spare the rest of the details.

In conclusion, if you are looking for a film that has an impact on your life...for the better, this ain't it sis. I don't think I have ever ever ever ever written a review before, so this speaks volumes. On the flip side, of you are "bored" and just want to WASTE TIME, I say go for it, since Mark and Chloe's comic relief scenes make up for the awful storyline of the main characters.

Yikes. That's all I have. Have a wonderful day!

The two most frustratingly annoying characters I have ever watched

[jtravelstheworld · 1/10 · 24 October 2016]

This series centres on the two most frustratingly annoying characters I have ever watched. He lacks any sense of direction or assertiveness. She is constantly neurotic and moody. They both symbolise everything that is wrong with modern dating. They are shallow, vapid characters and each create constant problems for themselves in their own lives.

He simply does not have balls or characteristics that women actually find appealing with someone. She is insensitive and hurtful to other's feelings and lacks moral integrity, continually sabotaging every relationship that could actually be genuine in her life yet tries to blame everyone else.

This series is seriously horrible. AVOID.