This review may contain spoilers
THIS HAS TO BE HANDSDOWN THE BEST SHOW I'VE SEEN IN A VERY VERY VERY LONG TIME
My favourite shows are usually not romantic ones but oh my god, what a journey these 14 hours have been, I don't even know where to start.Let's first start with two things that made me start this show so late because of the comments I keep seeing here. Now this is my opinion (to which you do not have to agree) and I feel it important to mention this so that people get another perspective on the multitude of opposing opinions in the comments section here.
1. The business aspect. I 100% disagree with all the comments here which claim that the business aspect is not understandable. They do not get into the intricacies of it for the most part. I can't recall anywhere they went into the details of the law or the financial models. All they show are some scenes like client negotiations and whatever (without the actual content). I don't understand the harsh criticism of that in terms of its understandability. If the criticism was more on the point of having it all together, then it's a different argument (one that I again disagree with). But being too difficult to comprehend is just not true! What actually happens is that they show a lot of business world settings but let's be honest what did you expect from a show focused on how two workaholics (for lack of a better word and to keep it brief) fall in love? They've shown adult work-life bang on, right as it is. And as someone who's been working in the corporate, it is 1000% correct depiction of the struggles of today's youngsters who juggle work in this competitive world alongside their social lives. And we're talking about corporate lawyers and investment bankers, what did you expect if not 0 work-life balance and lots of work?? And I do not for once think that they have overdone it at any point. I feel all of that is very important to build the story as they have.
2. All the hate the sister (Xin Zi) gets. Yes, she's immature and maybe aspiring for something you don't, but come on it's her life and her wish. You cannot judge her for wanting to be a homemaker and enjoy the money the husband brings home. Not everybody wants to be in a corporate job and that's okay. We really need to be more accepting of the differences in people instead of being so judgemental. She is literally the person who has the MOST CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT on this show and I'm all for it. Love it!
What I love about this show is that they have shown such beautiful stories for all the characters and not just the leads: Wang YuSu, Da Wang, Han, Richard, Meiling and Xin Zi. They show the struggles (whether in love, life, or work) they face and the impact it has on people, how they deal with it and so on. Yes, it might be a little preachy for some, but I did not find it to be so even once. Plus, there is such fantastic chemistry between our two leads that I just can't explain how much I loved this mature, more relatable and adult couple. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy that high school and college romance my fair bit but this was just so much more exciting and fun for me. Like, after such a long time I was getting butterflies when the lead pair had their scenes. Love it!
I like how they show the character development of all three main characters here. For Xin Zi, we see her grow so much in her approach to relationships. Yes, her outlook might be wrong but we see how she learns from her mistakes and improves. That's life. You make mistakes and learn. This is something I've loved about this show. All the characters have been very human-like and relatable, not a fantasy. I was so happy for Xin Zi when she found her partner in Xia Tian after all the stalkerish abuse she went through with Jia Bai. Similarly, we see our lead couple also grow. Especially for Tang Ying, how she discovers her identity vis-a-vis her work and wants is amazing. I'm so happy she slowly learnt to prioritise her health while managing her work to be the strong independent woman she is. Also, the ML is such a green flag and has been such a support. I mean both of them supported each other, but being a career woman, I could not stop swooning over Xi Zuan's support to TY. Even he grows so much in his character, love it.
I'm so glad they did not try to add unnecessary episodes and tropes because that would've just spoiled this otherwise perfect show. You do not feel it's less (though I could do with more romantic scenes between the lead couple, but we already have enough and more given to us). It's not dragged on for no reason. It's perfect. And, after such a long time, I came across a perfect OST! I love it!
The show has a great story, brilliant acting, amazing OST and everything just goes so well altogether. This is going to be something I will always recommend to my friends and others. I hope you enjoy this show just as much as I did.
Something I'm going to take away from this show as a fellow lawyer is something Xin Zi said in the last episode: "why think so much". It's important to enjoy the present. Cheers to that!
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Figuring out as we go along
Central business district (CBD) - a place where people come, meet, and go.In CBD, we talk ambitions, we talk schedules, we talk business. As CBD folks
(1) juggle through various demands of bosses, clients, parents and colleagues,
(2) keep up with (or ignore) trends and assumed social expectations,
(3) battle with conflicting desires at different phases of life, there is little to no energy left for dreams, relationships and rests.
Every characters have various fake "masks" CBD folks would be familiar with.
(1) Tang Ying's 躺平 "tang ping" boss is a worker who have lost all work motivation after decades of high stress lifestyle that broke her health. Translation: The western equivalent social trend to "Tang Ping" are quiet quitters.
(2) Tang Ying's cringey client, Liu Mei Ling, is a lonely woman who wants to maintain her happy marriage bubble.
(3) Tang Ying's materialistic younger cousin, Xin Zi, is a young 20's who thought that successful and good enough man can provide her a stable life she wants.
Enter our main character, Tang Ying, a seemingly professional elite lawyer who had it all. But 1 episode in, all her fatigue looks, polite smiles and "yeses" on phones break this bubble. Indeed, the life of a true blue working class.
Her meeting with Xu Zi Quan, an investment banker who works nearby her workplace is a series of coincidences that unexpectedly turns to something more. I love the pacing of how they develop their relationship - the push and pull, the tango, the cautious (and kinda fun) testing. I love their individuality, and emotional stability - they are no prince charming nor damsel in distress. They have their life priorities and similar outlook that remains consistent and in tact throughout the stories - sure, Tang Ying and Xu Zi Quan are attracted to each other and enjoy each other's company, but they also have deadlines and demanding stakeholders to take care of first.
None of them were chasing for marriage or forever. They just happen to connect and enjoy the flirting, one interaction after another, until they decide to take the leap.
In the era where many people (and series) idolise "finding purpose", "chasing dreams" and "romance where women must have it all", I am glad to see a relatable contemporary dramas of people with relatable struggles that perhaps hit slightly too close to home as well as a grounded onscreen CBD partnership that I can believe happening in real life.
"Fake It Till You Make It" is a true blue, hustle bustle lives of busy professionals in CBD. We can feel the characters' pressure, anxiety, confusion under the layers of masks.
Some eventually decides to take down these masks, while some decides to push on. More importantly, none of them dwell on their past choices nor stay down after a fall or two. They regroup, and start again...until they make it.
Some of my favorite relatable quotes from FITYMI, just because
~~~
There is a phrase that suits you a lot - it's called 拧吧 (twisty - refers to someone who awkwardly makes things more complicated than it has to.)
Actually there're a lot of things, you think too much. It's better if you can keep it simpler.
The world isn't as complicated as you imagine.
But it's okay. Youth is a process of twisting. I was like that when I was 20.
~~~
Do I really want to be a lawyer? I don't know.
Between the lawyer I had in mind and my present life - the stress, anxieties, insomnia, and walking on thin ice I am facing now - which one is more authentic?
But I do know, there is nothing more absurd than talking about dreams in CBD.
People who stay here only have goals. 5 year goals, 10 year goals. Their thinking is realistic and rational, having weigh all the pros and cons. Those crazy people who wants dreams, have already escaped.
~~~
This city is still bustling, and it will not stop for anyone, just like life.
Recalling the people I met, who didn't wish to have a great head start and stay ahead?
Boss. Subordinate. Friend. Rival.
Trapping oneself in one role after another.
Say what one should say. Do what one should do. Believing that this is our life.
But they, somehow seemingly have great tacit understanding.
When they have perfected their pretense, they somehow come to one truth.
Happiness, success, and joy can't be determined by some scriptwriter. It can only be our own tangible experience.
I've met many people in this city.
And they eventually taught me, that the world is very big, bigger than what we can imagine.
So walk your own path, and not according to a written script.
Throw away the script, and struggle to find your own life. It's okay to fail. It's okay to walk the wrong path.
Live freely [at your own terms].
Isn't this classy?
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This review may contain spoilers
Almost made it to 9 stars**
This review is purely based on romance genres.What an absolute hidden gem this was till ep. 9.
After that it becomes the country's marketing appeal to their 1billion plus population to relish life, slow down, find beauty in your passion and be comfortable in your own skin rather than a designer-chosen animal epidermis.
PROS:
*Delightful bickering and slow burn romance.
What a breath of fresh air to see modern, smart, independent women, dressed not in crotch-revealing skirts and bone breaking stilettoes but comfortable/fashionable attire, speaking in adult tones rather than the squeaky, baby whining sexist tones.
*This lead pair has been around for over 10-years, unfortunately I have not seen them before. They are both excellent actors, great chemistry, sizzling retorts and finally, finally they smooch.
*Can't complain about the hot looks of the ML. His character is wonderful - middle management (not an uptight, irritatingly skinny, 20-something CEO), smart, charming, goofy - the goofiness adds to the allure and reality.
* The female lead is confident, although why they make her say she is not beautiful a few times is boggling.
* The supporting females - except for the sister which we will get to, all the supporting females were excellent. Their characters were very well etched and they portrayed it wonderfully
* Story was great the first half and then there is the zen mantra on how to lead your life better than being dragged by corporate madness
* Production / camera / script - nothing was jarring, which means all is good.
CONS:
* The cousin sister : she consumes almost half the entire show and is portrayed as a selfish, shallow princess. Which is not a problem except that she dominates a show that is not about her at all.
* She has 2 romantic interludes, which are both irritating and have no chemistry, plus she is presumably very beautiful so men are crazy about her. This whole concept did not flow well with the rest of the smart, talented female cast.
I actually enjoyed this modern c-drama, especially since the historical ones put me off and it took me deep digging to find this almost-gem.
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Nice and mature
I am very satisfied on watching this drama, initially I thought the FL is little odd but later when story unfolds I thought it is understandable to act like that. I won’t say this is excellent but neatly and nicely narrated, both ML and FL knows what they want as life partners, and before commitment their hesitation because of the old experiences. I do suggest this drama for the viewers and hopefully I will do watch again in 2025Was this review helpful to you?
A journey which everyone goes thru
This was not a typical Cdrama. it pleasantly surprised me that there can be such cdramas too.FL was strong, independent woman but was not perfect. she had her own share of insecurities but learnt to deal with it. what i liked is she stood for herself without bowing down too much. she also expressed and communicated her insecurities in a matured way
ML was a typical non committal playboy. Deep down even he was scared and insecured but did not display it. His actions did when he was faced with it. He also overcame it through the journey
the second lead, sister also learnt her lessons thru her journey and realised nothing is forever and take it as it comes.
overall a beautiful story, worth watching as it touches the real aspects of people and life. the star cast was amazing. the chemistry was fabulous and made of each other.
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The best contemporary romance you'll ever come across
' Fake it till you make it 'The title piqued me instantly.
The poster was compelling.
The start was catchy and intimidating.
I'm not an avid watcher of Chinese dramas, coz they lack depth more often than not and are quite superficial, but this drama blew me away.
It was so compelling, the script is adapted from a novel.
The characters were so well written, and so unique.
The plot was so engrossing, it's one of the best dramas of 2023 and certainly the best contemporary romance drama.
The actors are outstanding.
It's like everything this director wanted to do, happened with this drama.
The versatility of characters was surprising, it made you wonder often what's their purpose, each of them served and left and some people in life normally do .
The biggest plus point is that the whole drama rotates around both the leads .
Mesmerizing chemistry b/w the leads followed by modern takes on how things proceed, the dating ploy, the urban constraint, the pretentiousness of humans and how it isn't necessary.
The struggles of the workplace, the toxicity of corporate culture, and how at the end of the day everybody is still struggling despite all the cunning tactics.
With the conclusion that life is more than work.
You might think that struggle and hard work will lead you to something but it can never fulfil the void it leaves in your life.
Most dramas lose their ploy by the time they end, this one never did, infact it develops as the episodes progress to a newer perspective, it does get slow after episode 10, which I found to be the problem.
But it still deserves a 10 for bringing something new to the table.
It was a lovely experience, I hope you watch this drama and enjoy it too.
Till then ^^
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Not Just a Romance
Fake It Till You Make It turned out to be one of those rare workplace rom-coms that actually feels grown-up and real. Instead of the usual cheesy tropes, it follows two overworked professionals - Xu Ziquan, an investment banker running on caffeine and stress, and Tang Ying, a junior lawyer barely staying afloat. They meet on a plane, hit it off, become friends, and slowly evolve into something more. Their chemistry is great, but what really stands out is how they communicate like actual adults. They flirt, they banter, they argue, and then they talk it out.The show is basically 50% romance, 50% workplace chaos. The corporate setting isn’t just background noise - there’s a real sense of the pressure, burnout, and office politics that shape who these characters are. It’s surprisingly relatable and sometimes uncomfortably accurate about the whole “rat race” mentality. The side stories, especially Tang Ying’s sister Xinzi’s dating adventures, also feel grounded and add a nice contrast in how different people approach love and relationships.
What makes the drama work is the writing. The conversations are sharp, thoughtful, and honestly just fun to watch. The characters all have layers, flaws, and motivations beyond “be cute for the plot.” Add to that the stylish directing, natural visuals, charismatic acting (Elvis Han’s screen presence is no joke), and a jazzy, memorable OST, and the whole thing ends up feeling really polished.
It starts a bit slow and the business talk can be dense, but if you stick with it, you get a mature, slow-burn romance that actually earns its emotional beats. It’s not a fairy tale - it’s two adults trying to build something real while juggling messy careers and personal baggage. And it’s done so well that you might find yourself thinking about it long after it’s over.
A genuinely refreshing and intelligent workplace romance. Recommended if you want something thoughtful, well written, and full of great chemistry.
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This review may contain spoilers
Couple Chemistry Saved This One!
The drama was just ok. Too much business-speak and meaningless interactions between characters who didn't have a lot to contribute to the main story. Just a lot of fillers. Still, the acting was pretty good - no silly, overly dramatic characters, no villains to seek revenge, just overall a fair characterization of ambitious, overworked professionals in the big city. The episodes tended to drag in places where there really was no importance to the storyline, and that time could have been better spent on the lead and side couples' relationship development and wrap up. The last episode was quite underwhelming with a lot of repetitious babble, but we still got the happy ending we deserved.The real star of this drama was the chemistry between Elvis & Elvira. While too much time was wasted on the bantering back and forth and the ambiguous exchanges at times, there is absolutely no doubt about the electricity between these two. Those soulful stares from Elvis and Elvira's response to him just sizzled. I liked the sister and her young boyfriend, but really felt sorry for the first guy with the psychological problems. He really played his part well, my heart bled for him even when I tried to see him as creepy. I also liked the love story of the pretentious client and her childhood friend, and the second boss and her guy. All-in-all, while I could have used a little more PDA all-around, the romance part scored.
OST was beautiful and added to the story.
Worth a re-watch on a lazy weekend with nothing to do and kill time. I'm a fan of Elvis Han now. I liked him in Three Kingdoms - but not near as much as in this modern-day role. Will also take a look at Elvira's work as well.
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It encompassed everything I wish all romance dramas could offer
“Maybe I think love is not a noun but a verb.” – Xu ZiquanI cannot believe I found this hidden gem two months after it was initially released.
This is a very good slice-of-life middle-aged modern C-Drama.
The chemistry of the main leads was sufficient to keep me engaged throughout the 14-episode series. Their mature and engaging dialogues held my attention and left little room for me to focus on the other supporting couples or characters in the show. To be honest, I even skipped a few of the supporting scenes just to catch more moments with the main leads. This drama predominantly delves into the professional lives of an investor and lawyer, which might make it feel a bit sluggish for those who aren't fans of this genre.
It encompassed everything I wish all romance dramas could offer. Here are few reasons:
1) A mature romance with actors in their 30s, which is a departure from the usual Chinese dramas with mature romance involving older actors.
2) Mature characters. One of the primary reasons I usually don't enjoy Chinese dramas is their tendency to feature immature characters, which I find hard to tolerate.
3) It consisted of 14 episodes, each lasting an hour, following the format more akin to K-Dramas. This format, unlike other Chinese romance dramas with a minimum of 24 episodes, avoids unnecessary filler episodes, tedious family melodrama, and annoying secondary character subplots.
I wholeheartedly recommend this to all romance enthusiasts. The chemistry between the main characters is truly exceptional. 👍🏻
P. S. This drama has turned me into a fan of Elvis Han. I'm eagerly looking forward to his future works!
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Voyeurism into an evolving deep romance
I just loved this. I found the idea of delving into a relationship, never quite knowing where it would take you but buckling up for the ride while you lived life quite realistic and beautiful. I love how this wasn't 20+ episodes although I'm pretty sure I'm going to miss watching this couple while wondering where they'll end up so I was sorry as I approached the final episodes.Brilliantly acted. Superbly written. Just beautiful...and I rarely give anything a perfect score. I hope to watch more Cdramas like this.
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adult and sexy
10 so far, might change, but actually is this a drama which captivate me.Both leads are sexy and torn. Both have to overcome their fears and need zo stop playing games.
It's exciting to watch how it develops.
Highly recommend so far.
I think the whole atmosphere of the drama is really great and the music fits well with it.
I think the drama is extremely well done, it develops very slowly, but it's still insane. Exciting, so sometimes quite unusual somehow.
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Quality over Quantity
Wow. Such a good series with matured cast and matured acting. The cast did such a good job portraying their characters. Oh and that chemistry was definitely chemistrying…. I can’t honestly say which was better, their conversations/banters or the way they look at each other, both were simply magic.I honestly wish CDramas will transition away from the baby/childlike talking FLs and ridiculous cliched/tropey filled plots and give us more matured like dramas like this. I doubt that will happen as it seems the mature plots is not popular with their targeted audiences, which is such a shame as the minority are constantly subjected to a regurgitated load of mess.
I highly recommend this drama
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