Only for Love

Takes the cold executive trope too far for too long

8.5/10 is my rating.This is a 2023 Chinese romantic drama with 36, 45 minute episodes.

First I provide a unique synopsis then review.

Synopsis

As a reporter Zheng Shu Yi (Bai Lui) has a specialized and unique writing angle as a writer for a financial news publication. She is highly capable and career driven and her goal is to get enough headline articles that she can pursue digital platforming the publications to pull her magazine into the modern era. When the opportunity arises to land an exclusive with a young CEO who is rising in the financial investment world, it is the perfect chance to get a headline. Everyone is curious to know more about the cold but exceptional Shi-Yan (Dylan Wang). In fact Shu Yi’s arch rival, who is equally ambitious, is so determined to land the interview she even cheats in an attempt to get the exclusive. But Shi-Yan was more intrigued by Shu-Yi’s outline than her rivals so she still lands the interview. Once in his realm, Shu Yi decides she likes the handsome Shi Yan for more than just an interview subject, Can the determined journalist melt the heart of the cold young CEO?

Review

If you like the cold chief executive officer (CEO) trope then this is definitely a solid addition to that category. Overall I liked it. I recommend it for anyone that is fans of either lead or supporting actors as they all act their roles very well. If you like cold executives, romance and/or want a slice of the financial reporting or technological investment realms, you would find this interesting. There were some aspects that were not really interesting to me and some frustrating slow spots. It is not one I would rewatch in the immediate future, with so many choices available. I found the length of time he was “cold” and the parts about financial investments, tedious.

Spoilers

I think they take the cold executive trope a bit too far in this one. He is not just cold to her but I think his behavior borders on abusive. When she is trying to connect with him, if she doesn’t say exactly what he wants her to say, when and how he wants her to say it, he walks away or kicks her out. He says he does not like to talk business on his personal time and will shut her down even if she is doing it as a common interest to carry the conversation. And that would be one thing, but he seems to break the “do not mix business and personal” any time he feels like it. He doesn’t even say what she did that he didn’t like, he just shuts her out emotionally and often literally. His friends and family even find him difficult to deal with.

Usually by three fourths of the way through the series, the ice cube CEO has thawed and is now all warm and fuzzy, at least to the main girl. In his case, other than the briefest thaw before getting break up mad at her, he remained cold until the last few episodes. Which, to me, was entirely too long.

Okay so she approached him originally to get the story. So what? She is a reporter it is what she does. But she was using him to get back at the cheaters? I felt like they decided to twist it that way later because that was not a motivation she revealed in any of her abundant internal dialogues early on. But still, he should not have been so hung up on why she approached him originally, but where they went from there. I thought the level of cold shoulder she got from that was over the top. Then several commented later that he let her off easy. She was so heart broken she landed in the hospital multiple times, that is not letting anyone off easy. And I dd nit think she did anything so horrible to him to deserve his cold shoulder, yet again, anyway. Supposedly he still loved her but had no problem seeing how he was completely devastating her emotionally.

The second guy in this I thought was her perfect match. He noticed when she was sad and did everything to cheer her up. He let her talk work whenever, and even helped her find new opportunities. Through his actions and words he indicated how wonderful he thought she was. He was smart, handsome, successful and extremely kind to the main girl. She was happy and laughed a lot when she was with 2nd guy, so of course she liked the absolute opposite guy. I was disappointed he did not at least get someone else wonderful.

Other reviewers said her best friend gave her terrible advice and, early on, I disagreed. She gave great advice on how to catch his interest. But I found they were right later when she was advising on how to save her relationship. Continue to lie and deceive him until he is so in love with you he easily forgives? Main girl should have known better. In the book on being petty and holding a grudge (pretending such thing exists) there would be a picture of him. They never explained what made him so he assumed the worst in relationships but that definitely characterizes his reactions. Deceiving him was absolutely the worst thing with him and anyone that knew him well would know that. So the friend’s advice was so far from right with him. It was frustrating she kept following the friend’s advice and kept hiding things. Main girl should have known him well enough by then to know he would not forgive being deceived easily.

I found all of the “business talk” boring. Financial investment in technological companies just was not that intriguing. Reporting was more interesting but all the investment speak was a yawn fest. And it just made the main guy look less capable.

The side couples’ romances were all super heart warming and they spent just the right amount of time on them. I thought the triple wedding idea was great.

I know people love when the couples spend seconds to minutes just gazing at each other but it is not my favorite. I have never seen anyone do that in real life.

#OnlyForLove

#DylanWang

#BaiLiu

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Great acting and chemistry

I recommend giving this drama a chance despite its flaws. I gave it a nine because yes it's not perfect, but I had a really nice time watching it.
The chemistry between the lead was really amazing and left me hoping for more collabs between Wang Hedi and Bai Lu! The characters and couples were really cute. (Except maybe the couple formed by the best friend and the cousin, they didn't do anything for me, they were quite meh...)
If you're looking for a fast paced narrative, this is not for you as some subplots get dragged sometimes, I'm not sure I like the way this was directed 100% but the actors make it worth it cause they're real good. And apart from amazing chemistry they're also quite funny. Also, it's really worth watching if you're looking for fluff and sparkles ! You just have to make it past the (ok I admit - kinda boring) angsty bit in the middle and then you good !

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Light Heart Drama to watch for the Leads

I like this drama and of course Bai Lu's is always and will play the funny employee (comedic role) this is about the third drama she's in that she dates a CEO. I would like for her to pick different dramas with different roles in the future. Her acting is best suited for other roles that we have past seen in the last couple of years. I kind of didn't like how they wrote her character. But I'm watching it for Dylan. Dylan's acting has improved little by little. I'm glad that we get to see him play a CEO and his character is the cool type. Like what they say "perfect man." They have about the one of the best on screen chemistry.

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Drama for giggles and relaxing end of the day with cute green flag ML and ambitious FL

The best modern drama. ML is green flag, charming, normal, smart, and full of cute little scenes. FL is driven, ambitious, smart, fun. Plot is so fun, makes you giggle, and relaxing. There are 5 couples, and each ave fun story of their own.

Now, more detailed review (don't read if minor spoilers could alternate your experience)

+
+ ML is green flag, fun, cute towards family and FL, decisive and wise in business. Wang Hedi great again. Nerdy cute which goes with the character.
+ Niece is a very cute character that brings fun dynamics with ML , but also at work with FL.
+ FL, Bai Lu is great as usual.

-
- FL for someone who we should believe is so good with words that she is praised over and over again she is really bad at other conversations, networking, and relationships. Someone should have written her dialogues better. She has a vocabulary and relationships navigation of 1st year student at literature
- The relationship with professor and niece - she shouldn't have begged that man for 10 episodes. too long, That relationship had much more potential and could have contributed to the story more if he wasn't too aloof. Its like trying to seduce a wall.

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Good Acting, Muddled Storyline

So, overall I liked this drama. It is definitely kinda campy and at times silly, but the main leads had good chemistry together and everyone did great with the acting. My biggest issues were the constant miscommunication and refusing to just talk honestly with each other, especially as the FL and ML's relationship developed. At one point as the FL asked for the 10th time if she should tell the truth, I was literally yelling at my computer "YES!"

I also felt that the motivations and emotions of the characters weren't shown very clearly. I was confused for most of the middle third of the show why the 2 of the 3 couples were acting the way they were. Which could definitely just be my own thick skull, but I found it wasnt until each character flat out explained why they were acting a fool that I finally understood.😂 I think if maybe they condensed the middle episodes in like half, it would have felt less frustrating, especially since one of my biggest pet peeves is when there's relationship drama just because characters aren't having a simple conversation with each other. And this drama dragged that out for a LOT longer than I think it needed to.

My other big issue was with Yu Yue and Qin Shi Yue. Their relationship felt very forced and honestly weird. Normally I don't have an issue with age gaps in a relationship, but they felt mismatched as a couple and more big brother/little sister-ish. I understand what the writers were going for, but I just didn't quite buy that relationship.

Overall, I think I would still rewatch it, and I did finish it in less than a week because it did have some really nice moments and aspects to it. I don't think it'll be one of my absolute favorite shows though.

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I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed this despite its (many) flaws! Despite all the nonsensical and frustrating aspects, I was still eagerly awaiting each new episode.

I wouldn't consider myself a Bai Lu fan, but she was just so playful and charming when her character Shu Yi was flirting shamelessly with Dylan Wang's Shi Yan. Dylan Wang felt miscast because he didn't pull off the CEO aura and his expressions were sometimes lacking, but he does have a pretty face and he looked good with Bai Lu.

But I had too many issues with the plot and characters. Shu Yi was (supposedly) an intelligent, insightful, and hardworking journalist, but it seemed like 100% of her work was focused on Shi Yan and his company, and when it was time to get serious about her relationship with Shi Yan, she totally failed at communicating. Even after her friend Yu You explained how her actions were coming across, she still didn't change her behavior! It was like she was too used to being the center of attention and spoiled by others to understand how to communicate and apologize.

It was delightful when Shi Yue came into the picture and I cackled every time she was trying to help Shi Yan or be his spy. It was nice to see a lovable rich girl for once, but my one complaint is that I didn't like how her romantic storyline was developed. She became a relentless, obsessed stalker after one extremely brief encounter?! I wish she'd been given room to grow and mature before a romance developed and I didn't like her love interest's sudden 360-degree turn either. I'm not saying they weren't cute together, I'm just saying I didn't like how the progression was written.

And then there's Guan Ji and Bi Ruo Shan, who had a setup I loved and so much chemistry! Friends with benefits who fall in love! I even understand why initially they would be hesitant to take a chance and open up their hearts, but they just looked depressed separately for far too long. Especially while Bi Ruo Shan was giving Shu Yi the worst advice on the planet. There were too other minor couples that were very pleasant though, which showed the writers WERE capable of writing mature relationships with good communication!

My last complaint is Yi Yang, whose entire character was unnecessary, or at least the romantic aspect was completely unnecessary. He literally came out of nowhere just to create opportunities for Shi Yan to get jealous??? The actor who plays him was great though and I'll be keeping an eye out for him.

It's been too long since I watched this so I probably had other complaints but this is what I remembered most clearly. But like I said, I still found this immensely entertaining and have no regrets about watching it.

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Watch this of course for Bai Lu & Dylan Wang. And I'm not disappointed. Haha... Yes, after read many review here, I realize this drama have many problem. But however I still really like the chemistry between Dylan & Bai Lu.

This drama tell story of 3 main couple & 4 side couple. And almost all of the relationship stories kinda unhealthy in their own way. The most healthy above 7 story maybe only 2, 1 main couple & 1 side couple...

1st couple. Our ML & FL
Shi Yan (SYa) and Shu Yi (SY). Start with the wrong foot, leading to misunderstanding & hiding the truth. Haha... Start with SY get closer to SYa with the purpose of her carrier & revenge against her ex-boyfriend. Her ex-boyfriend, Yue Xing Zhou (XZ), broke up with her to be with niece of SYa. So with the mind to show off to XZ, SY get closser to SYa. Of course you can't forever hide the evil-smelling, soon or later we can smell it... And when SYa finally know about that 'little secret', SY not instantly confess & ask for forgiveness, but still try to hide it. The consequences between got caught & confess is so clear here.

2nd main couple. Guan Ji (GJ) and Bi Ruo Shan (RS)
The playboy & playgirl. Both have fair share of naughty & affraid of commitment. But GJ more honest to himself & his feeling. And in the end, he is the one that take the first step into the relationship.

3rd main couple Yu You (YY) and Qin Shi Yue (SYu)
Story of young woman and an older guy. The initiative SYu get block a few time by YY, that feel he is a little bit too old for SYu & think SYu at first chase him only for fun & nothing serious. But overtime YY finally feel a little bit missed when SYu suddenly dissappear from his daily life. That's when he finally realize his own feeling for SYu.

4th Yue Xingzhou and Qin Lezhi
The story of the EX. From the first their relationship already scream problem. The rich girl that proactive with someone boyfriend. And turn out in the end this rich girl still hide very dark & twisted secrets...

5th Guan Xiang Cheng and Tang Yi.
6th Shi Wenguang and Song Le Lan
The secret couple. Well this 2 couple basicly have the same story line. The couple that have reason to hide their relationship from the world. The diff only 1 is married & the other is not.

7th Chen Sheng and Kong Nan
The most healthy relationships in the whole groups. Meeting because of work & just get interested with each other & start the relationship. We don't get more from this couple...

Ok that's basically the introduction of our couple. Now the other ploblem that arise in the drama.
- Why in the first place GJ & RS must hide their relationship never really told. How come best friend that always share every problem suddenly so secretive about her own relationship. Even when RS struggles with her own feelings, she never once told SY about it...
- Yeah a little stupid advice that RS told SY about hiding the truth from SYa in the first place.
- The funny litte fact that man always ask for forgiveness. When SYa ask his assistant what he do if his GF angry, he can instantly answered. But how SY so confuse how to ask SYa forgiveness.... And how in the end YY give her direction where her mistake actually is....

What i like:
+ the chemistry between Bai Lu & Dylan Wang.
+ to see other character of Miles Wei. I usually watch him as arogant boss like SYa here, but in here I can see him as soft & gentle man.

Overall I still really like this drama.

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awkward camera angles and unrealistic relationship? yet good chemistry

The chemistry between dylan wang and bailu in this drama was there. Only disappointments were definitely the very terrible camera angles and unrealistic relationship between the couple. Honestly i don't get the part why she said she wanted to pursue him (like was it because of revenge or what?) but i just watched through the show ignoring the flaws because their chemistry was already there. Their acting was quite decent. OST was good esp the theme song and others too. Honestly, i only watched this since I'm a fan of both bailu and wang hedi. I found it weird how the last episode just presented the marriage of the side characters and not the main leads. Eventually the main leads marriage were thrown into special ep instead. Honestly speaking, some people might miss out on it so I just wished production team could've chosen to insert the main leads marriage in the end of ep 36 instead of side couple. This drama is definitely cringy but honestly no regrets watching all 36 eps.

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A jilted financial journalist met with a handsome, young CEO and their road to happiness together.

Plot/Story
The story evolved around three young entrepeneurs, considered as the Three Musketeers, who were planning to work together in the new start-up business venture for investment: Shi Yan from Mingyu Yunchuang as the leader, Guan Ji from the Guan Industry, and Professor Yu You who was recruited by Shi Yan. Their new alliance was being featured by a financial journalist, who conducted series of in-depth interviews and analysis for her Financial news' company lead by Chief Editor Tang Yi. Tang Yi's staff writers included Shu Yi, a young, talented individual who has sharp and detailed reporting and analysis, and a rival Xu Yuling. Shu Yi also had a close friend named Bi Roushan, who worked for a different news outlet - Sanjiang Enterprise. She had interest with the young Guan Ji.
Aside from the love journey of the main female character Shu Yi, there were also three others who had their own romantic story in this drama series - Shu Yi's friend Roushan (Shan shan), her boss Tang Yi, and her work's new intern Shuyue (Yue yue).
As an object for Shu Yi's interest, Shi Yan appeared to be a little bit cold, bossy, stern and reserved at the beginning after the confession from Shu Yi. He also had competition from Professor Yu who was initially helped by Shu Yi's own mother; as well as from a young, brash but smart and over-confident Yi Yang, who previously managed to steal Professor Bruce from the coalition developed by Shi Yan.
Despite of some setback that occured during the courtship between the two leading characters, Shu Yi managed to set her heart as she manouvered through the challenges both at work and her own personal affection to Shi Yan since she lied her eyes on him.

Cast/Characters
Cast
Actress Bai Lu played as Shu Yi, the female leading character; while as Dylan Wang played as Shi Yan, the main male character. The other two main male characterswho were part of the " Three Musketeers" were Guan Ji, played by Liu Ding Qin, and Professor Yu You, played by Miles Wei. Old Guan and Chief Editor Tang Yi were played by actor Nie Yuan and actress Zeng Li, respectively. They were both known in the film industry. Bi Roushan was played by actress Jiang Pei Yao, and the role of new intern Qin Shuyue was by Shen Yu Jie. Journalist Xu Yuling was played by actress An Yue Xi, and Mr Yi Yang by actor Daniel Zhou.
As expected, Bai Lu is a fine, pretty actress for the role. She has the charm which captivated her audiences. I also like Zeng Li as a mature, gracious actress, as well as beautiful.
Characters
The main characters were slow in recognizing their attractions towards each other. There appeared to be too many mis-understandings between their actions, which could be caused by career obligation (Shu Yi), or just simply being too bossy and had power (Shi Yan).
I do not like Mr. Yi Yang's character in the drama set. I was upset to watch some of the episodes where Shu Yi did not reject from the start of the advances made by Yi Yang; although I understood from Shu Yi's point of view as she went through her darkest moments in her relationship with Shi Yan. Personally, I would think that this drama series could have my higher average rating by at least a half point: but as I reviewed and scored each episodes by their contents (according to story, casts, characters, music, rewatch values and scenes/filmography); Episodes 27 through 30 had my lower ratings due to my dis-satisfaction of the story/ plot, hence bringing down the overall rating.

Music
This drama movie series have beautiful music with the "Passer-by" theme song and one of my favourites. This song is very soothing and created dramatic auras around the movie and on the romance between the two main characters. Other songs were also pleasant to hear, including "For U", ending theme song "Lemon soda/ sparkling water", "Don't tell/ say", " The smell of winds/ The flavour of clouds", and "Divine/ Destined".

Rewatch Value
One would typically want to revisit some of the episodes, or rewatch the whole series in order to catch the details of the movie story, or to catch some of the beautiful moments, or beautiful photography offered by this film. There were romantic and/ or funny moments which we would like to watch over and over again. With the attractive personalities, or beautiful scenes of this film, rewatching of the movie becomes essential while enjoyable.

Scenery/Filmography
Outstanding filmography of the drama shots, including the night photography with good lighting techniques, scenes during rainfall, etc.
This film has parades of fashionable and trendy dresses worn by both the female and male roles of the drama.
There was beautiful scenery and shots at the horse stable and horse riding events.
Fine bokehs on scenes of the night shots and with the good background lightings.

Personal Comments
- This drama has a parade of fashion and trendy women dresses particularly geared towards teenagers and younger women.
- Many different nice dresses and styles which worn by Shu Yi. She looks extremely beautiful when she wore flowing dresses that show her slender body and her femininity. In Episode 21, she wore that beautiful red dress. However, although it may be the trend nowadays for young people, I do not like the dresses that she worn with military/sailor styles, short skirts and chuncky, black military shoes. It may just be my personal taste.
- Shu Yi's boss (Zeng Li) is very beautiful. She is charming and gracious.
- I did not approve of Shu Yi's character in the beginning when she ignored the new intern Qin Shuyue. She should have been more helpful.
- I like the dramatic views when Shu Yi was waiting and holding an umbrella in the heavy rain, or when she got drenched and found out about his old boy friend.
- Funny moments between Shu Yi and Roushan in Episode 6, when Roushan gave a gesture with her hands, urging Shu Yi to seize the moment and "smashed" together with Shi Yan.
- Magic expression of Shu Yi and eye contacts between Shi Yan and her when they were close together.

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