This review may contain spoilers
Their love story was fascinating, their professional lives not so much
Found this drama while looking for Chinese dramas with mature love stories.What I like
1) Elvis Han is very handsome. There is a scene where he wore a white tshirt and hung out with Tang Ying at the kitchen. He was hot!
2) 14 episodes only
3) Tang Ying and Xu Zi Quan's first encounter was cute. A proper meet-cute! I also like that they started out as friends then later progressed as lovers.
4) The camping trip
What I dislike
1) I struggled with pacing of the story. An episode in a typical Chinese drama lasts 45 minutes but in this series, each episode is up to 1 hour.
2) Their professional lives were interesting at first but halfway through the series, I feel like "work conflicts" were created to keep viewers engaged. I got bored and disinterested and I feel that their careers were not seriously threatened.
3) I find Lin Xin Zi's story especially when she was with the creepy boyfriend doesn't align with mature love story theme that this drama represents.
4) I feel disconnected from Tang Ying and Xu Zi Quan's love story. Often times, mature women in Chinese and Korean dramas are portrayed as serious and non-sensical all the time. Wish I could see Tang Ying's softer and playful side.
Favourite scene
When Tang Ying invited the girl who couldn't accept Xu Zi Quan's rejection, to come to their apartment and gave a stern warning about harassing her man.
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Best Chinese Drama in 2023
Best Chinese Drama in 2023 And all time best drama in my list !!!Unexpectedly Excellent well-written scripts & solid sharp dialogues ,, all leading actors’ acting are so naturally portrayed and perfect.
Especially main lead actor and actress are full of chemistry and best CP.
This is a drama without cheesy cliche plots.
All plots are so realistic and relatable with our real working environment.
Memorable dialogues are as below:
“..Love is not a noun, it is a verb…”
“So walk your own path.
Not according to the written script.
Throw away the script and struggle to find your own life.
It is okay to fail. It is okay to take the wrong road.
Live freely. Isn’t that the most stylish thing?”
There are many good dialogues and plots about relationships and our working life……..
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This review may contain spoilers
Storia carina, peccato per i sottotitoli.
Esattamente quello che dice il trailer. La serie di per se mi è piaciuta molto, mi sono piaciute le storie d'amore che si intersecano con questa vita lavorativa che sembra larger than life e dove ad un certo punto il tuo motto può solo essere "Fake It Till You Make It", fingi finché non ce la fai. Insomma, quello che voglio dire è che questa è il mio tipo di serie, è piaciuta l'ambiantzione, la chimica dei protagonisti, le loro storie, insomma, molto bella e merita, se non fosse che su YT, dove la ho vista non mi funzionavano ne i sottotitoli, ne ogni tanto l'audio, quindi un po' ha perso. Però se si vuole vedere qualcosa che parla al noi in burnoit, questo è la serie che fa per voi.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I thought that with only 14 episodes, I could blow through this without a hitch. But I was wrong. The drama started out strong; I especially loved the flirty friendship between the main couple. Elvis Han has the suave financier down pat, while Elvira Han oozes smarts and sexiness as the hardworking, no-nonsense lawyer. And oh, the sizzling chemistry between Tang Ying and Zi Quan really lit up the screen. But that’s about it. Because when both are at work, they’re being played by their colleagues, supervisors, and both seem to work on projects that failed (through no fault of their own, but by the machinations or neglect of other people). Setbacks are inevitable, as they are part of life, and it’s how you overcome these obstacles thrown your way that counts. The show imparts more than a few nuggets of wisdom, but by the 10th life lesson, it became too preachy.
The drama also introduces so many random characters, but none of them really fully fleshed out. Most are one-dimensional, like the bratty sister whom I cannot stand, and her cringey boyfriend. She only became interesting towards the end when she ditched her possessive BF and moved in with a younger guy (her landlord). I feel the drama brought in all these randos just to prove a point, like the sugar daddy equates women with useless barns or the socialite who sinks her teeth on Zi Quan once she learns he’s no longer single. The main leads used a lot of these side characters as teachable moments, especially when they aim their gaze at the audience. But mostly, I was so bored to death that I couldn’t fake liking it.
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The Daily Grind With A Side of Romance
If you prefer mature, character-driven storytelling, Fake It Till You Make is a good watch! It takes a sharp look at what it takes to survive the modern corporate grind and find connection in a hyper-competitive city. However, be warned that although there is a lot of chemistry between the leads, this drama spends much more time in the boardroom than the bedroom.What I Liked:
Multidimensional Women: The real heart of this show belongs to the women. From the female lead to her boss and her sister-cousin, every woman gets a textured, layered, and interesting character arc. They do the heavy lifting of self-discovery while navigating corporate pressure. The men often feel like typical male archetypes, their roles are either mirrors or obstacles for the women to grow from.
Tang Ying’s Professional Growth: Her character arc is satisfying. Seeing her find her voice by setting hard boundaries, taking time off to recover from a stress-induced health crisis, and choosing to work smarter, not harder, was incredibly empowering.
The Chemistry & The Finale Turnaround: The physical and verbal chemistry between the leads is off the charts. The "playboy" male lead can be frustrating at times with his reluctance to set boundaries and settle down, he redeems himself in the final episode. Seeing him step up, slow down, be vulnerable, and genuinely take care of her is what makes the final episode incredibly swoony. Be warned that he is not a complete green flag and he has his reasons, but we do see a satisfying character arc from him.
What Didn't Work As Well
Too Much Office, Not Enough Romance: My biggest criticism is that the show is overly focused on boardroom meetings and workplace logistics. Because of the heavy corporate clutter, we only get glimpses into their actual relationship. With chemistry this good, we deserved fewer work meetings and more screen time dedicated to their dynamic. But when they were together, those scenes were golden.
The Commitment Question: Despite the gorgeous finale, this relationship can feel much more like a fun, playful "for now" situationship driven by chemistry and a shared fear of being alone, rather than a reliable, long-term lifetime commitment. He is definitely difficult to resist and knows it. This man has rizz!!
Final Thoughts
A refreshing, highly aesthetic, and mature watch that cuts out typical, cheesy romance tropes. Come for the incredible push-and-pull chemistry, stay for the brilliant female character developments!
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Para quem não curte muito dramas com tema forte de negócio talvez essa não seja uma boa escolha
O romance existe, mas é bem slow burn, então se prepare para ter paciência. O bom é que os personagens principais flertam muito, então é bem gostosinho de acompanhar o desenvolvimento da relação deles. Os personagens não são bons nem ruins, todo mundo tem seu lado negativo e positivo. A trilha sonora é muito boa, combinou demais, e tudo é muito bem feitinho. Me irritou um pouco a prima/irmã da FL, ela é muito esnobe e gananciosa, apesar de eu gostar que ela pega os caras todos e não tá nem aí. Foi bom ter uma representatividade de personagem feminina atacante.Was this review helpful to you?
Amazing OTP! So much chemistry!
The OTP were what made the series for me. I loved watching their love story play out, going from acquaintances to friends to lovers. Their chemistry was fire!My second favorite parts of the show were the FLs relationships with her sister and her 'bosses,' especially the second one.
The rest wasn't bad. I just wasn't too big on all the work bits. I wouldn't have minded less of those bits and more ML/FL scenes.
Overall, I'd recommend giving it a try. Watch 2/3 episodes and see what you think before deciding whether to continue or drop. It's worth a shot.
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This review may contain spoilers
a mature romance slice of life typo
i'll be quick in this review, cuz i don't think i have to much to say or complain about, lolok. this is a really good series, but only for slight-and-slow-romance office-trope lovers. if you like to see action and things happening fast, "fake it till you make it" it's not your choice right now.
we have a excellent chemistry between the main couple and a interessing sexual tension happening during the drama. not to metion the realistic way things develop between them; It's actually more believable the way it happened, normally, I can't believe people fall in love so quickly like they do in most dramas I watch.
in this series we have two grown adults discovering together what means to really love and accept someone, so you'll be frustrated, angry, sad, excited and happy at the same time, cuz i think this is what really means to be in love with someone. people are not just one thing.
i loved to watch them flirting, i miss this in dramas sooo much; i miss the tension, touches and the moments "before" they got finally together, you know? and "fake it till you make it" delivered that to me.
the office part was a little bit boring sometimes, but this is normal. despite not being able to understand most of what it means, I still managed to have fun
The others characters were interesting, I liked that there was no such thing as "good people and bad people", everyone has a negative and positive side. although, tbh, I was irritated with the FL's cousin the entire series, she is very snobbish and spoiled.
ok, that's it. my verdict is that it is a good cdrama, with an interesting romance and great production, but it may bore those who enjoy quick development and big plots.
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A Masterclass in Modern Hustle, Healing, and Hard Truths
The Ultimate Antidote to Adulting Burnout: Why This Slow-Burn Gem is a Must-WatchIf you are feeling completely exhausted by the daily corporate grind, please do yourself a favor and go watch Fake It Till You Make It. This drama is an absolute breath of fresh air. It perfectly captures how so many of us run ourselves ragged chasing our goals, only to hit wall after wall. But its core message is so beautiful: with a little patience and perseverance, you will find your path. It reminds us that obstacles aren’t always failures, sometimes, they are just tough life lessons we need to grow.
What I appreciate most is the show's profound emotional maturity. It gently calls us out on our own self-absorption. When we are drowning in our own problems, it is so easy to judge the people around us. This drama holds up a mirror and reminds us that everyone is fighting a hidden battle. Instead of rushing to pass judgment, it champions the power of open communication and empathy.
The main romance is a total elite-tier slow burn, but the side plots are just as stellar. The female lead’s sister has a fascinating love life that actually drives the narrative forward rather than serving as boring filler. Her journey delivers a fantastic reality check on modern romance: love isn't a rigid checklist of wealth or status. It is a mutual, living connection where two people genuinely complement each other's flaws. It is a grounded, slice-of-life masterpiece that takes its time, but every single second is worth it!
Acting: 🌟 4.5/5 – Every single cast member understood the assignment. They delivered incredibly grounded, natural performances that made the characters feel like real people you'd pass on the street.
Romantic Chemistry: 🌟 5/5 – The flirty, mature tension between the leads is completely off the charts! The male lead (Chen Xingxu) is an absolute chemistry magnet who elevates every scene he is in.
Storyline: 🌟 4.5/5 – Deeply relatable, tightly written, and refreshingly realistic. It successfully avoids overly dramatic soap opera tropes in favor of genuine human growth.
OST (Original Soundtrack): 🌟 4/5 – Perfectly curated, atmospheric tracks that seamlessly blend into the background to enhance the chic, moody, city-dwelling vibe of the show.
Overall Vibe: 🌟 4.8/5 – A sleek, comforting, and fiercely intelligent slice-of-life drama. It feels like a warm cup of coffee after a brutal day at the office.
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Good lesson about work life balance because hard work may not worth it if one lost love and health.
"Fake It Till You Make It" is a 14-episode drama about the riches and the ordinaries as they try to co-exist in a business legal firm based in Shanghai where not everyone is genuine. They have to fake it till they make it.I greatly enjoy this drama, and Elvira Cai and Elvis Han's onscreen chemistry is great. I like their intelligence, pretentiousness, and non-committal Conversation/relationship. They are both too proud and stubborn to admit that they like each other, and they are playing pretentious games with each other and with others they are interacting with.
It is all about money talk and showing off one's possession of material things to feel accepted in the highly rich society in Shanghai. I have watched 8 episodes already and can't wait to see the last 6. I give it an 8.5 rating.
It is a good and relatable drama about hard work and is it worth it in the end? It is about work life balance because har work may not worth it in the end if one has to loose love and health.
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Prepare yourselves for a lovely time
I'll keep it short and sweet just like the drama itself. It was a lovely show with really good leads; their chemistry, their flirting it was all so lovely to watch.The plots woven with their careers were sometimes boring but it wasn't long enough to truly break the story. Above all, the characters and the events happening felt realistic therefore it was okay that the leads didn't accidentaly meet every time they went outside.
I also appreaciated their conversations. There was no room for true misunderstandings because soon after, they would actually discuss it and resolve it. Overall, a very enjoyable little treat. I also loved that it was a shorter drama and left it at a very nice point.
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This review may contain spoilers
The main romance in this drama is pretty good, so is the chill moody atmosphere, but everything is else is very strange. Review over, thanks for reading!
Since there is a minimum word count on MDL for reviews, let me elaborate a little bit what I mean by strange. For starters this show has an incredible amount of social engineering / agendas in it. These only become really jarring around e13, but they can be felt from early on. There is also the sister character, she has an incredibly hard to tolerate trashy personality (don't mean to criticize her for being promiscuous or anything like that) in the first half of the show, but then she becomes a much better person out of nowhere & gets together with a young guy, well *inserts shrug emoji* alright. Then there are a bunch of incredibly crappy people at work that also transform, getting "very well deserved" redemption arks.
The writing is also super weird in the sense that the show has several -perhaps even many- brilliantly written and really cool scenes, but these are not integrated very organically into the show, the flow of the story is just really odd. For all I know it could be that actually brilliant writers failed to properly navigate the maze of written and unwritten Chinese censorship rules & my feeling of strong dissonance is a direct result of that, I don't know. I just think that trying to justify -even malicious- authority- with all those redemption arks I mentioned earlier could also be explained by trying to please the censorship body.
Despite these issues, `Fake It Till You Make It` is still quite entertaining & most Chinese dramas with the business tag are usually far far worse than this one, because at least I never felt very annoyed in this one. Had some minor frustrations with Da Wang early on, but even that is nothing compared to what usually happens in this genre.
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