Best start to the year 2024!
Probably the best modern c-drama of January 2024! Do give it a try for the main leads chemistry!It is a wholesome mixture of funny, fluffy, cute, funny and romantic at the same time. It is not overly cringe at all. The female lead is smart, cute and kind, and most importantly she is NOT a Love Brainer... she knows how to separate her relationship with her work, which makes it stand out from others. She doesn't need her man to protect her always.
Male lead on the other hand is rude and unsympathetic at the beginning but as the story progress he turns out to be the most caring and kind boyfriend who would do anything to protect her girl.
Oh and how can I forget the people who make this drama so damn funny, Wu Jun (ML's friend) and ML's mum had me every time it was their scene. Plus ML's mum is the best Mother-in-law out of all c-dramas, she is the cutest lol!
Edited- This drama had so much potential till episode 30 but lost all its momentum after that. My expectations were not met by the ending... to much happened that too in a short span of time. The writers did an amazing job till ep 30 but after that it got bad and worse! Overall it is still a good drama for light watch
Overall a very good drama to watch if you are looking for something light and cute but not cringe... It's a Must Watch!
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Good Romance Drama
This is just idol romance drama.I am smiling while I am watching this drama.
Although it is old typical idol romance drama, some of plot lines and characters are quite okay. Both main lead actor and actress are quite fine in acting skills and good in chemistry and their chemistry is so lovely and sweet!!
The main reason I watched this drama is because of main lead actor, who I know actor from goodbye princess drama.
Although he looks older than his age, he is good at acting and quite confident on screen.
It may be due to he started acting on drama since 3 years old.
I enjoyed and keep smiling while watching this!!
At the last 5 episodes, the plots are shown different perspectives of female and male characters which is good!! They show independent women character who is working as professional career, is quite well and respectfully..
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When My Boss and Beliefs Collide
This drama brought a refreshing balance to slow burn romances. The FL was young but not weak. She might be naive in romance but not standards nor boundaries. The ML was brilliant in strength as a boss and mentor yet soft when important. The nuisances within office relations, social norms and relational hesitation were relatable and heartfelt. The SFL as an antagonist was short lived but handled awesomely by the ML and SML. The supporting cast was very good at keeping the flow of the storyline. The growth with the FL was conveyed well. Even when the leads had conflict, you could still feel the 'heart' in it all. The unveiling of the 'bad eggs' was right on time and a twist that was enjoyable. The ML continued to grow in emotional intelligence which made the ending scenes cheer worthy. This series has a slow pace but is solid and worth the watch.Was this review helpful to you?
It makes me smile every episode
Although it is a typical idol romance drama and quite old, I find that the plot lines and characters are decent. The lead actor and actress are both good at acting and have great chemistry, which makes their on-screen relationship so lovely and sweet.The main reason I started watching this drama is because of Chen Xingxu, who I know from the dramas "Goodbye Princess" and "Fall in Love". Despite his older appearance, he is confident on screen and quite talented at acting. He is also very handsome, which may be due to the fact that he started acting at a young age.
I enjoyed watching this drama and found myself smiling throughout. In the last five episodes, the plot has shown different perspectives of both female and male characters, which I found quite interesting. The female character is portrayed as independent and successful in her professional career, which I found quite respectable.
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Chinese Writers need to create better material and stronger female leads.
Back when I started watching dramas in 2018 I preferred Chinese Dramas over Korean Dramas. Now here I am in 2024 and it's hard to find good-quality Chinese Dramas. This Drama was the worst for many reasons. I absolutely HATE how mild-mannered they make FL in these dramas. The first half of the show was just the FL with no backbone being bossed around by the ML who slowly started to develop feelings for her. Even the build-up to their dating was so anti-climatic and immature. The female lead acted like an abused victim who mumbled when she spoke and never spoke up for herself. I guess she was good at her job but not really she was just passive and gave good customer service. The case from episode 15 I think it was really irritated me. It was messed up for them to interfere with the mistress, wife, and daughter. It was clear the mistress wasn't a good person and that doing the DNA test would only hurt the daughter who was the most genuine out of the situation. That situation bothered me and the fact they never corrected the error and just let the story die out like that was ugh! I also think the revenge on the sister's ex-husband was so anti-climatic it was like girl this was your big payback... I feel like if this were a Kdrama revenge would've been sweeter.I started to fast forward after a certain point and here is why It took the FL half the show to figure out the lead liked her (episode 21) and then we get to episode 26 where the ML's admirer comes back and is about to play mind games with her. The second female lead was only there for a day and threw some compliments at the FL and defended the FL in a situation she started to gain the FL's trust and with that the 2nd FL was able to convince the FL to join her team. Of course, when she switched teams the 2nd FL was able to make her feel so insecure she ended up leaving the company altogether. I just wish they would write better, stronger, and smarter female leads in Chinese dramas. The 2nd FL is always more competent than the weak mild-mannered FL. It's crazy to me that the FL was so awestruck by the 2nd FL all it took was some kind words for her to switch teams. so annoying. This drama has no re-watch value and I'd only recommend it if you like the cliche dumb FL smart ML asian drama.
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BEST CDRAMA OFFICE ROMANCE
OF COURSE I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO IT BECAUSE CHEN XINGXU IS MY FAVORITE ACTOR. HOWEVER, THE 36 EPISODES AND THE BACKGROUND THEME "LAW" SCARED ME A LITTLE. FINALLY, I DIDN'T GET BORED FOR A SINGLE SECOND! THE BEGINNING IS VERY CRACKING BECAUSE CXX IS EXPRESSIVE AND DESPITE HIS LACK OF SMILE, HE ALWAYS MANAGES TO MAKE US UNDERSTAND WHAT HE HAS IN MIND. THE DRAMA IS FUNNY, BENEVOLENT, THERE ARE CASES OF VERY INTERESTING AND ENGAGING RIGHTS. THE RHYTHM OF THE DRAMA IS GOOD. CHEN YAO IS ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE SHE IS A PERFECT GIRL THAT I SAW GROW UP FROM THE GIRL AT THE FEET OF HER BOSS TO THE INDEPENDENT GIRL WHO ASSERTS HERSELF.EVERYONE HAS BENEFITED FROM AN EVOLUTION. THE ROMANCE ARRIVES LATE BUT AS A RESULT IT IS UNCOMFOLDED. ON THE PROGRAM OF SMALL SWEET MOMENTS BUT NOTHING "HOT" THEY ARE A PERFECT AND BENEVOLENT COUPLE AND THEY COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER TO PERFECTION. I LOVED THE OST EVEN IF THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH (2/3...) I HAD A GREAT TIME AND I WILL MISS THE HUMAN WARMTH OF THE EVEN SECONDARY PROTAGONISTS BECAUSE I WAS ATTACHED TO EVERYONE. IT IS GENERALLY AN OFFICE ROMANCE WITHOUT FAIL. EXCEPT THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE THE MARRIAGE WE WERE WAITING FOR! THIS IS MY FIRST FAVORITE OF 2024!
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Ep1 - Ep 30 - 10/10, Ep 31 - 6/10, no longer interested to watch Ep 32 onwards.
Ep 1 - 30 no doubt 10/10 in all aspects, impressed and always looking forward to the next episode/s. I even watched/rewatched some episodes just to clearly understand the plot, issues, and resolutions. I was happy watching this even at work, did not bother if my boss saw me watching it while working because I can multi-task. That's how hooked and serious I am with this C-drama.Then came Ep 31 - disaster! a complete mess in the storyline. Flawed and unrealistic, a complete 360-degree turn of events with the FL portrayal, her issues, and actions are nonsense she left the ML on a one-sided love. I stopped watching this. I am no longer interested in watching the remaining episodes.
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Bad script and bad acting. The flow of the story would be better if it cut to 24 episodes instead
My Boss is another romantic comedy from Chen Xing Xu. He is typecast for the same kind of role. The plot is nothing special, and it is predictable. The second CP has a better storyline than the main CP.The Synopsis: Are Cheng Yao's dreams of becoming a top lawyer about to come true? It seems so when a leading legal firm unexpectedly recruits her. Excited, she moved house so she could be near her new office. She moves in, full of hope, and soon encounters her new roommate, Qian Heng. However, a surprise awaits her on her first day at work.
Qian Heng turns out to be her direct superior at the office, and he proves to be incredibly hard to please! Her training period quickly turns into a baptism of fire, and she starts to feel he is trying to chase her out of the company. But Cheng Yao will be more easily deterred. She redoubles her efforts, determined to prove she's got what it takes. Could her zeal send this duo to harmony and even love?
My Reviews:
1.. The plot is stupid and predictable. No one would have this kind of relationship where an employee is co-living with the boss and cooking for him. She is more like a slave and/or housekeeper than an employee.
2. I have watched 17 episodes, and there is still no romance between the main CP. No onscreen chemistry between the main CP.
3. The entire cast's acting could be better, and the main CP needs to carry the drama better.
4. Zhang Ruo Nan acted stupidly as a rookie lawyer in this drama. She did a better job in RomCom's "A Date with the Future" with William Chan last year. Their onscreen chemistry is off the chart, which is non-existent in this one.
5. . Chen Xing Xu is typecast for the same boring role where he plays cold, bossy, prideful characters in modern and historical dramas. He has no range.
6. The ending is so stupid; there is no wedding. The 2nd CP, her sister, and the 2nd ML have a better and more mature relationship.
It does not need 36 episodes; the flow of the story could have been better if it had been finished in 24 episodes.
7. The misunderstandings between the main CP are boring and repetitive.
I give it a 5.5 rating for bad script and bad acting.
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my version of the best drama in early 2024
As for the storyline, it's okay, it's not long-winded and almost the same as the story in the original novel, it's really appropriate, the acting of the cast is also okay, and the OST also supports the atmosphere and is good to add to your favorite song list. This is a light drama that is a must Watched at the beginning of this year, what's more, for drama lovers with the office comedy romantic story genre, it's really recommended to watch. And it won't be boring to watch again and this drama will be included in one of my favorite drama lists for the beginning of 2024🥰😊Was this review helpful to you?
A drama that checks all its troupes boxes right down to the very last one.
Cute FL — check
Eccentric Handsome ML — check
Forceful cohabitation — check
Naive ML — check
FL has an disorder only ML can cure, he realises it, he doesn't like it but puts up with it and as a result, falls first and hard— check
He doesn't like it but will endure for her — check
Loads of 'cute' filler scene — check
FL goes all out for ML because naive FL keeps tripping— check
For god sakes everything is too cute in here — check.
LOL!!
This script was written according to a formula and it's so obvious. It's not a bad drama to watch, provided you're not looking for anything serious.
Very predictable plot so far, it's not the kind of drama one can binge watch, it's the kind one remembers they're still watching when they're not watching anything and continue from where they left off. I'll watch it slowly.
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A fun show to watch
Chen Xing Xu looks fabulous in his role as Qian Heng. The stylist did a good job on both his and Zhang Ruo Nan's outfits. They were both so visually pleasing to watch. Honestly, the entire cast was filled with beautiful people.As for the show, the plot was pretty cliche. However they tried to make it slow burn and that made it interesting to watch. The ending was satisfying and I was glad to see Cheng Xi and Wu Jun happy together. Wu Jun was such a adorable character to watch. Even when ML and FL were in the room, Wu Jun often stole the show.
While I understand the demands of the character like Cheng Yao, however I have seen Zhang Ruo Nan act better in other dramas. The character was just very agreeable and timid. There is some spark now and then that makes it from becoming boring.
The only part that I didn't much care for was woman who was interested in the ML maligned FL's reputation, and no-one actually suggested to check the camera footage. At the time the ML was away, so when he came back, FL had already resigned and then ML suddenly thought to check camera footage, because none of the other bright lawyer had the same idea. Too unbelievable. Thankfully, they didn't drag that for long and got it over with in around 3 episodes I think.
Apart from that one story arc which was completely unnecessary, the show is fun to watch.
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Let’s play a game of Whack-A-Trope!
I started watching this show when it was first released. It looks alright. I got past the half way mark before I was blocked by the VVIP pay wall. I ended up watching other shows and shelved it until now. I thought I'd finish it, but to my surprise, it was quite a struggle.After giving it some thought, this is my conclusion. While the first dozen or so eps were decent if samey to many other contemporary c-dramas at least there was enough energy to push the story along. It is obvious that the show is a grab bag of tropes from the get-go.
However, once the plot is on rail and the OTP are officially, all the momentum are gone. What is left are very tropey plots and cliche gags to try to keep things moving until the bitter end.
This is not helped by poor character development. The ML is obviously the typical cold, low EQ boss and the FL is the damsel in waiting. Rather than allowing both characters to grow (up), the writer paints the ML into a corner.
The ML is now a lovesick puppy who run through all the typical dating fails. For example, he can't cook but tried his best to cook a meal for her. It was cute the first time. Not cute by the 6th time! He is constantly asking for relationship advice but totally misses the point.
This is a man who is supposed to be an intellectual giant, a peerless lawyer. He behaves like a lovesick high schooler EVERYDAY. Yes, he is a noob to love but flogging the same horse for 30 eps, is exhausting and makes him looks like a fool.
On the other hand, the FL is supposed to grow into a lawyer that is a fitting mate for the ML. I'm sure it was written in bold and probably underlined in red by the writer but what the show delivered is largely the same meek character.
The ML is overbearing and too protective. It got so bad that the FL took a break from their relationship. Bravo GF! Finally, a bit of gumption. There was a breakthrough of sort around ep.35. It was so contrived. It went from confrontation to reconciliation in a heartbeat. Then after all the flowery speech about giving her space, respect and undying love, the ML just went back to being a green-eyed monster in the next scene. It is odd how much time he is seen not doing real work. He just seems to be stuck in a loop alternatively trying to please her and annoy her.
This type of repetition is everywhere. A kiss being interrupted by a phone call is a tired tropey nowadays but in this show, I ran out of fingers trying to count the times they were interrupted if there is a mere hint of skinship.
Oh yes, speaking of skinship, there are some, but they are mechanical and lack passion. It pretty much mirrors their chemistry. It is there and they whisper sweet nothing to each other on cue, but it is not very convincing. This is further tested when the show introduces a SFL who scored the worst own goal. Least said, the better. You want to see chemistry, watch the first few eps of Amidst A Snowstorm. You won’t regret it.
It won’t be a party if we just talk about the leads. How about the tone deaf, bootlicking junior lawyer? Someone needs to have a good chat with him. Preferably in a soundproof padded cell and behind locked door.
The grand prize goes to the antagonist, He is given so much prominence. When you consider he is supposed to be the twice winner of the Golden Scale Award yet at every turn he is proven to be a C grade lawyer but an A grade douche bag, it is sending some weird message about the Chinese legal fraternity. His denouement didn’t happen until the dying minutes of ep.36. It was long time coming but it was unrewarding. He is not punished in any tangible way. His parting words are, “this isn’t over!”. Yay . . . I think.
At this point, I must call out the handful of legal cases the drama presented to us. They range from meh to sad. I don’t know the Chinese legal system, but I don’t think the writer is much more knowledgeable. Time and again, the cases are supposed to showcase the ability of the leads, but they are so contrived, it is like reading a murder mystery backwards. Scenes in the courtroom are perfunctory.
Of course, the HEA ending arrived on cue. It is fine. The last ep is total fan service, it is FINE. The 5 minutes long epilogue is the bomb!
I could have just labelled this a fluffy rom-com and move on. But somehow, this show irritates me. Maybe it is the ham-fisted use of tired tropes, the shallow witless plots or cliché moments stuck on repeat. Regardless, I had more fun writing this review than watching the show. That's a win, isn't it?
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