My Boss

The Love Story of a Handsome Divorce Advocate

Abuse, infidelity, divorce and fighting over inheritance are the colors in this drama which is an adaptation of the web novel "What Comes Around Goes Around" (你也有今天) by Ye Fei Ran (叶斐然). Exciting! Ye Fei Ran successfully mixed his romantic drama with articles in the marriage law, including loopholes that can be used to win a lawsuit.

The casting is also clever. The seven advocates are beautiful and handsome. Typical Chinese drama. 😊😊 Their acting is very capable, and most importantly: The two main actors managed to provide adorable chemistry!

Romantic scenes intertwine with hilarious behavior, including Tan Li Min who plays Qian Heng's mother, and He Wen Jun who plays lawyer Bao Rui.

Unfortunately, screenwriter Li Jing Ling was so engrossed in concocting casting and scenes that she failed to compose the story as a whole. The puzzles are scattered, don't connect, and don't complement each other.

Like the story of Cheng Yao who still has an older sister named Cheng Xi and intact parents. They only appear before scenes that cause friction. Cheng Xi suddenly appears to entrust a puppy that Qian Heng doesn't like.

Cheng Yao's parents suddenly appeared at Cheng Yao and Qian Heng's rental house. And coincidentally they caught Qian Heng on a date planned by Cheng Yao and Qian Heng's mother.

They appear without a prologue that they are a close-knit family like families in eastern culture.

Another hole is the scene of proving family relationships with a DNA Paternity Test which seems easy. The fact is, it's not that simple.

No wonder the Chinese drama "My Boss" only got a rating of 8.0 on Mydramalist. The numbers are actually quite good. Perhaps the audience appreciates the difficulty of novel writers and screenwriters in presenting drama in dealing with divorce cases, complete with legal regulations.

Hehehe, imagine Chen Xing Xu as lawyer Qian Heng memorizing chapter and verse completely. If you make a mistake, a real lawyer will sue you. 😀😀

So, eniwei baswei…. Chinese drama "My Boss" is recommended to enjoy. Just don't think about imitating.😊😊
The next review can be read at https://www.maria-g-soemitro.com/2024/02/my-boss-cerita-cinta-advokat-ganteng.html

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Just not my cup of tea

As much as I love Chen Xingxu I don't feel like wasting my time here. It was a sweet and light hearted romcom but the type thats more on the cheesy side. I could've sat through this during my teenage years but NOT now.

CXX's character was making me cringe so badly. At first it was cute but once the misunderstandings started piling up I could not sit through it. I think they have decent chemistry though.

I like how the lawyer portion of thet stories were quite interesting and how she cares about her job. I enjoyed the side characters plot but nothing about this drama stands out that much imo.

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The most irritating FL ever

Things I loved

1 That it was related to law and to a boss and a new layer and also the living together trope. I love all these things and was excited to start this series.

2 The 2 FL. What a beautiful and subtle actress. I was interested in her story as well.

3 The 2 ML. What a decent character and I was really invested in the relationship between the second couple. I was glad it ended well.

Things I liked

1 The ML as an actor. But and that's a big "but" here he played someone I didn't like at all. A pity since he became one of my favorite actors after Love Between Lines.

2 The other lawyers. I thought they wee all decent people and there was also some humor when thy interacted so that's a plus.

Things I disliked

The lack of chemistry between the leads. When you see Love Between Lines and My Page in the 90s you understand that here there was no chemistry at all. I blame the female lead and the way the characters were written

Things I hated

1 The ex of the 2FL. What a stupid, Machiavellian character. Every time he appeared I wanted to smack him. I'm happy he paid some price in the end although it wasn't enough.

2 The ML character. Not the actor, but the character. At first I thought it would be the cold and softhearted CEO I like and don't mind even if I saw the character a million times. But what bothered me as the series advanced was that he had some beliefs and that he tried to impose them on the FL. It wasn't funny after a while to talk about how she should eat, talk, behave etc. One of the most irritating male characters I've ever seen. He never redeemed himself for this kind of behavior. HI don't mind his lawyer beliefs but his personal ones. I can't imagine who in their right mind would accept to listen to someone tell them how to live under the cover of being together and love each other. That wasn't love, it was toxic and not warm or sweet or anything. There were some good moments but really not that many. I dare say I felt like he didn't like playing with her. Either it was the director who didn't know how to do his job or the ML disliked the FL.

3 The FL. Oh God. What can I say for this actress and her character? A disaster would be accurate. At first I loved her. I thought she was beautiful and charming and the beginning was strong enough to make root for her. Then the downhill started. She can't act other than as the robotic clueless female and it never changed. She never learned to stand for herself until the very last episode. I didn't like her spineless character who every time she said I'm sorry and I apologize and I'll do whatever you want. What the heck? I never labeled a FL as a pushover because I can accept a lot of the humor and the dynamism and the chemistry is there. but there was none of these. She continued to be stupid and to behave like a ten years old. The fact that she can't act sealed the deal. Now I drop her other series I was looking forward because I can't stand her. If you are more than 25 don't act like 10 unless you are talented enough to bring the laughs or the cuteness like Esther Yu. Here the actress blew it and made me mad.

4 The writing of the characters. I never want to watch another series from this screenwriter. He created two toxic and appalling main characters. I gave it four only for the second couple and the coworkers.

5 The mistress case and the way the FL acted. She may had a point about the adultery and the other woman but why the heck did she think it was right to not give to the little boy what he deserved from his father. Crazy thinking. I was shocked and that's when I stared hating her. She thought it was right for a little infant to pay for the adults mistakes just because her sister has been cheated. Despicable.

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I Highly Recommend!

This drama delivers an outstanding viewing experience, thanks to the superb performances from the entire cast. Chen Xing Xu and Zhang Rou Nan share incredible chemistry, making their on-screen relationship feel natural and engaging. Their acting brings depth and charm to the story, making it even more enjoyable to watch.

The plot itself is a delightful mix of sweetness, humor, and excitement. Whether through witty dialogue, heartwarming moments, or thrilling sequences, It keep me entertained from start to finish. OST are all good too.

For anyone looking for a fun and engaging C-drama, this is a must-watch! I highly recommend it.

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Entertaining supporting Cast and a mild law office romance! Easygoing Binge-watch!

Unlike most dramas, this one actually picks up and gets better in the second half.
The best part of the drama is the support cast, although not fleshed out enough, FML's three colleagues are simply unique and adorable in their own personalities. Same for Attorney Wu, wow what an impeccably calm and tempered guy, he totally deserves to be a board member in a law firm!! CP's parents are also funny as well. I just love that they are all written with just the right amount of humorous elements!!
ML has many gotcha endearing moments, he plays the serious professional well, I prefer this version of him over the sappy in love character he becomes after confessing love towards the FML. Put him in a power suit and let all the dapper oozing do the talking :D !! FML seems so delicate but her character is strong & talented., first half her acting was not very strong (watch her in The First Frost for her improved acting chops!)
Overall not a lot of depth in the CP and low chemistry, but it was decent enough for us to get invested in the relationship and appreciate how their storyline and the supporting cast is able to bolster the overall office drama setting and keep it moving forward. The focus on law and significance of the responsibility of being an ethical lawyer is well depicted.

Due to all these bonus reasons, I am adding +0.5 to make it a perfect 8.
Don't expect fireworks but be ready to find yourself cruising through episodes after a while.
It was okay at get go but i was able to watch it without getting bored most of the time, easygoing binge!

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Sweet Law-Rom series with Chen Xing Xu in ML & Zhang Ruo Nan in FL.

Meeting between 1 junior lawyer and an experienced and famous lawyer in Family Law, during the rental of an apartment. The ML is cold, hyper rational and the FL, warm and cheerful (but not stupid). She will join the ML firm.
=> Slow taming (very very slow => skipped 17-22) and 2gether in episode 23.

PROS:
+ a great CL, talented, with very natural interactions and chemistry. I really like Chen Xing Xu and I appreciate that the FL character is smart, strong, not at all a "damzell in distress".
+ an excellent cast, with well-developed, endearing 2ary characters (especially the Team).
+ the storyline is realistic, and the pace is correct (except in the evolution of the Main Romance).

CONS:
- we are entitled to a few clichés: the girl obsessed with the ML, the cunning and sneaky rival, the ML with trauma that the FL helps him to overcome, the slightly crazy mother-in-law, etc.
- But above all, the initial bickering within the CL lasts too long. They could have advantageously shortened the series by 10 episodes.

=> Very enjoyable drama, with a CL that I would like to see again together, and a cute final wink.
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Série Law-Rom avec Chen Xing Xu en ML & Zhang Ruo Nan en FL. (๑◔‿◔๑)

Rencontre entre 1 avocate junior et un avocat chevronné et fameux en Droit de la Famille, lors de la location d'1 appartement. Le ML est froid, hyper rationnel et la FL, chaleureuse et enjouée (mais pas bête). Elle va intégrer la firme du ML.
=> Lent apprivoisement (très très lent => zappé 17-22) et 2gether dans l'épisode 23.

PROS:
+ un super CL, talentueux, avec des interactions et une alchimie très naturelles. J'aime beaucoup Chen Xing Xu et j'apprécie que le personnage de la FL soit smart, strong, pas du tout "damzell in distress".
+ un excellent cast, avec des personnages 2aires bien développés, attachants (notamment la Team).
+ la storyline est réaliste, et le rythme sans lenteur (sauf dans l'évolution de la Main Romance).

CONS:
- on a droit à qq clichés : la fille obsédée par le ML, la rivale rusée et sournoise, le ML avec trauma que la FL l'aide à surmonter, la belle-mère un peu follette, etc.
- Mais surtout, le bickering initial au sein du CL dure trop trop longtemps. Ils auraient pu raccourcir avantageusement la série de 10 épisodes.

=> Drama très agréable, avec un CL que j'aimerai revoir ensemble, et un cute clin d’œil final.

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Clean and Cutesy RomCom If You Want Something Uncomplicated

‘My Boss’ has been popping up on my Viki for the longest time, but for some reason, I just continued skipping over it. After finishing ‘Love Between Lines’ with Chen Xing Xu, I just let the algorithm feed me the next best thing with him, which was I finally clicked on ‘My Boss’ because, well, it was there and I had nothing else to watch. So here we are!

First things first: this is a cute, silly, romcom that thrives on the opposites-attract trope, packed with characters misunderstanding each other for the most of the drama and a classic cohabitation setup. The romcom vibes are STRONG here, and you’ll need to suspend your belief for almost every episode. The fun atmosphere is maintained throughout the drama—except for the last three episodes, where things took a turn.

‘My Boss’ doesn’t take itself too seriously. No time wasted on unnecessary side characters or convoluted side stories. We mostly focus on our main couple, Cheng Yao (played by Zhang Ruo Nan) and Qian Heng (played by Chen Xing Xu). There’s a side couple, but they don’t hog the screen time and the supporting female lead’s story is actually quite interesting.

The secondary couple’s role is important to the overall story, and everything ties together nicely in the end.

But honestly, the real highlight for me was the banter between Cheng Yao Qian Heng and the hilarious situations they find themselves in. Let’s just say I laughed a lot!

If you're expecting a passionate romance, though, temper your expectations. This drama doesn’t dive into physical romance much—there are a couple of moments and yes, they do kiss a few times, but overall, the story is focused on the emotional connection rather than the physical. Cheng Yao and Qian Heng are adorable together, and their romance feels believable, but I'll be upfront: Zhang Ruo Nan doesn’t have the same chemistry with Chen Xing Xu here as she does with Bai Jing Ting in ‘The First Frost.’

Now, on to some things that could use improvement. Whoever styled Cheng Yao... yikes! I get that they’re trying to showcase that she’s different from other women in the industry, but some of her hairstyles and outfits made her look downright unappealing and unattractive at times. This is an extremely outdated take on female characters in fiction. There's absolutely nothing wrong with a female lead being dressing well! It feels like the writers wanted us to focus solely on her skills rather than her looks. I can’t fault them too much for this formula, since it sells, but still—come on! I stand by my opinion. It is an outdated notion.

The last three episodes were a bit of a downer for me. The characters kind of drifted apart, which wasn’t quite a breakup—more like a break. I get Cheng Yao wanting some space, but those episodes slowed the show’s funky pace significantly. I don’t have the problem with the idea the writers were trying to convey through their separation. I do understand if you are trying to stand on your own 2 feet and you’re over wearing boyfriend is trying to make decisions for you. it’s definitely necessary to put some space between each other. But I think the way the situation was delivered to the viewer made it boring. The drama lost its spark for the duration of that separation.
It recovers toward the end and the final episode was a nice wrap-up to watch. It was just a tad anticlimactic the way everything was presented to us before the final episode and how things fizzled out—mainly due to Cheng Yao's insecurity. Honestly, if she dressed better, she might not have felt so insecure! Sorry, but I said what I said. Wearing nice clothes and having your hair done properly makes a big difference in woman’s overall wellbeing.

That said, these little quirks didn’t overly affect my score because I still had plenty of fun watching the drama. I just hoped that this drama would not be like the rest of the C-dramas where toward the end they all get all teary-eyed after two thirds of romcom. The story was interesting and well-written. Writers didn’t squander time on side stories(I was so happy parents did not get any independent scenes and only appeared when the lead characters were the picture), and the business setting was just enough for us to grasp that this was a drama set against a legal backdrop. Plus, I absolutely loved the vibe of their apartment scenes and the night cityscape scenery. Very pretty!

Overall, I think this will be a great drama for someone looking for something uncomplicated—just pure laughs and a typical, clean C-drama romcom.

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A Gentle, Uplifting Drama That Blossoms at Its Own Pace and Far Outshines Its Reputation

My Boss is one of those romcoms that quietly wins you over before you even realize how deeply you’ve settled into its rhythm. It doesn’t chase shock value, it doesn’t force conflict, and it never tries to be bigger than it is. Instead, it leans into sincerity, charm, and genuinely well-drawn characters — and for me, that made it unforgettable.

A lot of viewer criticism circles around the male lead’s personality in the beginning: the overbearing CEO trope, the bluntness, the impossible standards. But what many dismiss as “unlikable” is actually the starting point of one of the more thoughtful arcs I’ve seen in a modern Chinese romcom. He doesn’t just soften because he falls in love; he grows because he’s confronted with someone who challenges his worldview, mirrors his flaws back to him, and still treats him with honesty. His 180° flip doesn’t feel cheap — it feels earned, and grounded in the right reasons. As it turns out, he has some VERY admirable qualities beneath the rough edges.

And the female lead? She’s an absolute delight — adorable, principled, and with a Lucille Ball–esque knack for physical comedy, but done in the cutest and most relaxed way. She brings warmth, honesty, and a groundedness that balances the ML beautifully. One of the things that makes My Boss feel so refreshing is how it treats her workplace storyline with real respect. We actually get to see her career growth in a realistic, grounded way. She doesn’t compromise her values or who she is, even when challenged, but she learns to strategize, adapt, and advocate for herself. Watching her gain confidence and step into her own authority was deeply satisfying; by the end, she’s not just a romcom heroine — she’s a legitimately boss in her own right, and she earns it in a believable, rewarding way.

And I absolutely have to highlight the side characters. In so many workplace romcoms — even ones I adore like Secretary Kim — the supporting cast can feel like clutter. My Boss is the rare exception where every single side character is genuinely adorable. They’re hilarious without being overbearing, warm without being saccharine, and each one adds something meaningful to the story rather than distracting from it. Some of them ended up being my favorite characters of the entire series. I didn’t dread a single subplot; I looked forward to all of them.

It’s a light show with a good amount of fluff, but it also addresses workplace and life topics with surprising clarity. It never gets too heavy, but it doesn’t stay superficial either — it finds that perfect middle ground where you feel good watching it, yet still walk away with something meaningful.

There were a few moments that dragged a bit writing-wise, but overall, the show was completely worthwhile. And the ending? One of the most satisfying I’ve seen. No rushed finale, no abrupt tonal shift — just a warm, realistic, well-earned conclusion that ties everything together well.

I watched this while sick and recovering from surgery, and it was the perfect companion — soothing, funny, engaging, and uplifting. It kept my mind off the pain, and honestly, it lifted my spirits in a way I didn’t expect. I have already rewatched it multiple times since.

I genuinely don’t understand the poor reviews for this one. It has heart. It has charm. It has characters who actually grow. And it even rivals (possibly even surpassing) some of my longtime workplace romcom favorites, including What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim — which is saying something!

If you want a business romcom that’s cute and respectable, light and grounded, fluffy yet thoughtful — My Boss is absolutely worth every minute.

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Thoroughly Enjoyed this Legal Romance Drama

My Rating: 9.5/10

My Boss was exactly the kind of office romance comedy I enjoy. It combines workplace drama, romance, humor, and emotional payoff in a way that feels satisfying from beginning to end. It also uses one of my favorite romance tropes: forced co-habitation. Watching the FL (Cheng Yao) and ML (Qian Heng) go from reluctant roommates and employee versus domineering boss to something deeper was genuinely entertaining.

Another thing I loved was the emotional dynamic between the leads. The FL (Cheng Yao) slowly melts the frozen heart of the ML (Qian Heng), but the progression felt natural. She likes him first, though not in some overwhelming, obsessive way. Once the ML (Qian Heng) realizes his own feelings, however, he is completely committed. I always enjoy romances where the emotional shift is obvious once the emotionally distant lead finally falls.

One of the biggest strengths of this drama is the FL (Cheng Yao). She was not written as an overly childish, cutesy, constantly whining character. She felt young and optimistic without being immature. Her deeper, slightly raspy voice and more grounded personality made her feel like an actual person instead of an exaggerated romance heroine.

I also appreciated the way the ML (Qian Heng) was portrayed. He was masculine without crossing into the aggressive behavior that some romance dramas mistake for passion. I have seen too many C-dramas where the ML violently grabs the FL, slams her against walls, or forces kisses in ways that feel more disturbing than romantic. Thankfully, My Boss avoids that completely. The chemistry between the leads works because it feels emotionally driven instead of physically domineering.

Is the story predictable? Sure, to an extent—but I honestly do not see that as a flaw. Most romance stories follow familiar emotional beats. We usually know the ML and FL will eventually develop feelings and progress romantically. That is simply part of the genre formula, just like horror stories usually involve characters being tormented before the villain is defeated. Predictability only becomes a problem when the journey itself is boring, and I never found that to be the case here.

The acting was strong, the music fit the tone well, and the pacing of the relationship felt rewarding. I especially liked the legal case elements woven throughout the drama. They added substance to the story without overpowering the romance.

Another thing I appreciated was that the show avoided excessive slow-motion staring scenes. There were emotional pauses and romantic gazes, of course, but not to the frustrating degree that some dramas rely on. Conversations actually moved forward, and the relationship developed in ways that felt meaningful. It was also not plagued by excessive flashbacks or reviews of prior incidents.

Overall, I would absolutely recommend this drama to anyone who enjoys more traditional romance stories. It hits many of the classic romance beats people expect from the genre, but for me, that is part of the appeal. It delivers emotional payoff, strong chemistry, enjoyable humor, and a satisfying romantic journey.

Spoilers

Others have pointed this out, and I do agree that the FL (Cheng Yao) stayed oblivious to the ML’s (Qian Heng’s) feelings for a very long time. At the same time, though, I understood why. The ML (Qian Heng) was extremely harsh toward her in the beginning and repeatedly emphasized that he did not want subordinates developing feelings for him. He pushed the “strictly professional” mindset very hard, so it made sense that the FL (Cheng Yao) struggled to believe him once his feelings changed. Of course, we all knew he would eventually suffer for that attitude—and he absolutely did. Watching the ML (Qian Heng) struggle while the FL (Cheng Yao) doubted his sincerity became one of the more satisfying parts of the relationship arc. I would have expected it to take longer for Cheng Yao to trust his feelings for her because she had so much to lose if she read him wrong. Not only would maintaining that job become difficult if they had tension, but it could harm her chances of other positions as well. So she was rightfully cautious in accepting his feelings. Maybe a little bit too much as it did become frustrating when she kept blowing hot and cold. But at least there was a clear reason why she was that way.

The stakes in the FL’s (Cheng Yao’s) personal life were also surprisingly serious at times. Her evil ex-brother-in-law was genuinely awful. The attempted assault scene involving her sister was disturbing and uncomfortable to watch, but it made his eventual downfall incredibly satisfying. For a while I thought the drama had abandoned that storyline, so I was happy they eventually circled back and gave him a very public and deserved takedown. She had her opportunity to defeat him court, then Qian Heng and her sister defeated him on the social stage.

One of the biggest emotional payoff moments for me was when the FL (Cheng Yao) had a client try to pressure and manipulate her, and the ML (Qian Heng) completely destroyed him without hesitation. He did not care about losing money or business opportunities—he immediately protected her. That scene was one of the most satisfying moments in the entire drama.

Let me just say "gutter oil." I saw a video on this one time and if you don't know what it is, look it up, quite horrifying really. And they don't only use it in restaurants but the food supply. Highly illegal and they don't want to get caught but still. There is this part where a rival romantic interest is trying to get him to leave and says "and you don't know this doesn't have gutter oil." It was the first time I heard this acknowledged in a drama. I was like WHAT. So, that really is a thing that they know about and "joke" about.

The dog, Megatron, also deserves special mention because that dog was unbelievably adorable. I could have watched it for the dog alone. One of my favorite scenes involved the FL’s sister recognizing that the ML (Qian Heng) was emotionally struggling and bringing him the dog as comfort. She pretended it was just because he needed to watch it, but it was clearly an act of emotional support. I loved that detail because it showed how much she understood what he was going through emotionally. And, he had been a bit stand offish with the dog when FL was watching it. But, the dog totally won him over as his emotional support buddy. That dog turned him into a dog person. So cute!

My main criticism—and the reason I cannot quite call this a perfect drama—is that I think the relationship dynamic swung too far in the opposite direction near the end. Earlier in the story, the ML (Qian Heng) held most of the emotional power. Later, it started to feel like the FL (Cheng Yao) became a little unnecessarily harsh toward him.

I also initially disliked the idea of the FL (Cheng Yao) moving to another law firm, though I understood her reasoning. She was tired of people whispering about her being “the boss’s woman” instead of recognizing her own abilities. I worried the move would put her in another toxic environment where clients or coworkers expected personal “favors.” Thankfully, the decision ultimately worked out well for her professionally.

The ending was the weakest part of the drama for me.

First, I really disliked the decision to place the wedding after the credits. If viewers did not realize there was extra content afterward, they could easily miss it entirely.

Second, I thought the wedding itself lacked romance. The FL (Cheng Yao) suddenly “finds time” to arrange the ceremony, but it felt more like an ambush than a meaningful romantic moment. She did not even wear a beautiful wedding dress. She wore a veil but was wearing jeans and a blouse I think. Which, despite the highly decorated location, made the entire scene felt oddly casual considering how emotionally invested the relationship had become.

Personally, I prefer more traditional romantic payoffs where the ML proposes, the FL accepts, and they plan a meaningful wedding together. Instead, it felt like the ML (Qian Heng) was robbed of the emotional experience of planning the wedding and seeing his bride fully prepared for that moment. I like when the ML deeply loves the FL character but not when he gets pushed around to the point of emotional neglect. And that is what it felt like. She decided when and how on the wedding, no input from him, not even letting him know and that felt very emotionally insensitive.

As if the casual nature of the wedding approach was not enough, they even briefly tried to mislead viewers with the legal-genius nephew, making it seem like he might be the child of the FL (Cheng Yao) and ML (Qian Heng). But what that revealed, in terms of the wedding, is she had to have strung him along for about seven years (her sister had to get married, go through a pregnancy and have a child about five years old). Given one of the last scenes we had before the close credits and end scene after was of him asking, again, and her not answering but kissing him. Was that a yes? Well, apparently not because he mentioned he asked many times. I did not like that. Nor find it romantic.

That said, even with my complaints about the finale, I still loved the drama overall. The chemistry was strong, the humor worked, the emotional moments landed, the legal aspects were interesting and the relationship progression remained engaging throughout almost the entire series. For me, My Boss is still one of the better office romance dramas I have watched recently.

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