Creative, smart, humorous and refreshing alternative to romantic dramas
This series was so enjoyable that I felt compelled to write a review and share my excitement about discovering such an addictive show. I looked forward to every episode.The story captures many elements of modern work culture, corporate strategy, and different types of relationships, all woven into a funny and creative storyline. It also serves as a refreshing alternative to the many romance-focused dramas, offering something different while still keeping the storytelling engaging.
I also enjoyed how the series showcases modern China, including its innovative architecture and technology.
The casting is excellent, and the lead actor does a superb job expressing his character’s perspective throughout the series. It really makes you cheer for the average person who is simply trying to make it big in the world—or even just to make a living.
The music isn’t the series’ main selling point, so it doesn’t affect my overall rating. Every other aspect of the show has made me a huge fan.
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Fell off towards the end
Premise is hilarious; it was funny to watch nothing go according to plan for our main character in the first half of the show. The second half kind of fell off. I think what made the second half weak was that it became too serious: trying to present a greater meaning to a completely ridiculous situation. It's easier to overlook the plot holes when it's just a comedy; but when you start getting serious, the plot holes are harder to ignore.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A Resplendent Utopia of Satire Comedy
Truth to be told, I totally have no slightest idea of this drama’s existence until I personally see Tencent’s February watchlist on Weibo. I tried every single endeavor to absorb myself in the OG source, to no avail as I’m not that overzealous of spending a generous amount of time to complete the whole 2000 chapters in one go. Nevertheless, the drama still gives me a memorable experience and I must say it’s one of the most meticulous drama ever produced in C-drama land. Let’s get down and see my take on it, shall we?Disclaimer: As I’d said in the comment section before, I have no single penny to pay for neither express package nor VIP subscription, which means I have to wait the illegal sites to upload those videos. Per this day, I’ve only watched until ep 21 and will be waiting for the rest of the episodes in the following days. But I’ve decided to write this review while I’m having a ton of spare time (it’s Chinese New Year LMFAO).
The story is centered around the freshly-sacked corporate worker Pei Qian, who was a game designer in his previous company, Fuhui. He was kicked out because of writing a self-help guide for fellow workers on how to fighting for their rights in a ruthless working place. After being made redundant for several days, Pei Qian is suddenly invited to be a CEO for a startup company under the financial aid of the enigmatic billionaire Mr. Sima. However, there is a special clause where Pei Qian must make sure his company is going bankrupt so that he can earn some remuneration for himself. Thinking that losing money is as easy as a piece of cake, he establishes Tengda Corporation in a whim and recruits slackers and job-losers instead of high-end professionals. Joining his comrade are his goofy BFF Ma Yang, the unknowingly hardworking novelist and screenwriter Huang Sibo, the couch potato Bao Xu, the eccentric coder Lv Mingliang, the cat lover Li Yada, the clumsy yet kind-hearted accountant Hao Qiong, the intellectual and stubborn-as-a-mule chaebol heiress Lin Wan, the no-nonsense special assistant Xin Hailu, the wacky frenemy and Fuhui’s heir Li Shi, and more on the go. Nonetheless, things never go according to Pei Qian’s wish as Tengda’s income keeps shooting up in every sector including gaming, internet café, private restaurant, fitness center, web novel platform, film production, and real estate business (through Sibo’s lover Hu Yue’s effort by creating a vlog to promote the Four Wall Apartment). Despite knowing that he won’t get a lot of money as he expects, he feels proud for his workers who have all worked hard to prove their worth to him even when he demands nothing from them.
So, “No Pain No Gain” becomes the maiden avant-garde in C-drama world to utilize satire comedy as a means to convey a deeper emotional message related to our daily life, which involves the grueling vicissitudes of life, the rat race within every single blue-collar worker (visibly shown in SkyFire Studio arc), and the delight of watching the employees wholeheartedly devoting their time to please their boss. Furthermore, “No Pain No Gain” isn’t afraid to embrace the cruel reality of life, which has been avoided by most dramas, to connect more seamlessly with the watchers young and old alike. At first, it’s all about comedy, laughter, joyous moment of the life. But, as the drama keeps rumbling on and on, it starts to lean more to a melancholic phase as we see how Pei Qian is portrayed as an ordinary person with a little money to fend for himself (which he spends for his apartment mortgage), instead of a ruthless domineering CEO we’ve always seen in mini dramas before.
For the acting department, I want to say that all of the casts’ performances are laudable especially for Peng Yuchang. It’s been a while since I last saw him in “The Outcast/I Am Nobody”, but he still has the similar charm as back then, being able to embody Pei Qian’s character flawlessly as well as portraying his micro-expressions to the point of exceed expectation. I’m looking forward to his new drama “Wan Gu Zui Qiang Zong” too. As for Jelly Lin, I’m not sure what to say, but I suppose her acting as Lin Wan is kind of lacking a bit or perhaps the forced romance vibes makes me troubled. The rest of the casts do an absolutely good job and I’m surprised to see several names as supporting characters as well (namely Wu Junting, Chang Long, and He Ruixian).
OSTs, background settings, costumes are mesmerizing and depict the urban life of China accurately, to the point that I have no more complaints to yap about.
Overall, it’s a big 10/10 for me. It’s such a shame that “No Pain No Gain” is a super-duper underrated hidden gem buried beneath those high-profile dramas. I hope that one day, it can gain a strong foothold in the C-drama world and be the best of the best. I’m not sure if this drama is your cup of tea or not but do try several episodes if you’re that curious. I bet you’re going to be hooked sooner or later. Okay, time to end my review here, good luck and happy watching!!! Happy Chinese New Year in advance too!!!
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A feel good story but sometimes too farfetched
Now going into this I had no idea what this was except it had high rating.Well the first episode explains the premise which was this guy is recruited to run a company and he has to lose money to win in life and so he ventures into this running a game development company.
The problems I have
- Story is flat
- The competing company fell apart and it wasn't one of those corporate battles/drama
- The character development of the main lead is dry
- The angle they come from to show running a company not like a tyrant is nice but farfetched
- The solutions are farfetched and how the team wins
Honestly, I didn't binge this and I just slow burned it as a side series because I expected nothing but winning. The thing with this series is it is like if god was on earth and there was no big problems that god cannot solve which is why I didn't enjoy it all that much but I did give it a 7.5 only because I feel like if you need something not so serious you can watch this and just cruise.
In fact the entire series I felt like calling it flat is more like saying you cruise through the story.
I would have loved to see a mix of comedy and suspense like if they did things like
- Focus on just game development industry and real world issues
- Only one antagonist which is a competing company
- Quicker main lead character development where he decides he'll lose so his people can win
- Less casting because there's way too much and due to this the main cast is diluted
- Tinge of love-y dove-y between a male and female lead in the work place but no kiss scene maybe a end hand hold
I would really like a show that felt like we "employees" could watch and be like yea f that CEO type of person. I never felt that way watching this but I really wanted to feel that way so maybe that's why I'm disappointed.
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reluctant hero takes center stage
This drama has topped my list as one of my favorite stories that have come out in recent years. With relatable comedy, quick witted dialogue, and likeable characters this show carries itself through with laughter at its core and life lessons genuinely expressed. A fun and silly take on the reluctant hero that is out to make money for himself but ends up creating a village around himself that gives back sincerity. In a world of bosses only looking for profit Pei Qian becomes the boss that cares for his employees and forms a formidable team of misfits to rival the biggest companies; all by accident.Pei Qian is the type of main character that is easy to watch and root for. He is funny and relatable in the way that makes him feel realistic. The people around him are often the most ridiculous characters but every one of them grow on you as the watcher really quickly. This is the type of show that brings you joy by watching and leaves a lasting impression on occasion with its unexpected life lessons. In an effort to do the opposite of what is 'profitable' Pei Qian often ends up creating an innovative way to give others exactly what they didn't know they needed. From a game that tests your sanity but makes you ponder where you spend your time to a gym that instead of forcing body image and insecurity creates a place for rest and recharge. His wacky ideas become innovation and often have the opposite effect he was wanting but for his employees he becomes this revered and approachable person that is their protector and safe haven.
This silly show is fun and heartwarming and I highly recommend it. My only complaints are in the latter episodes that slow down the pace but it is necessary for the growth of Pei Qian's character. That and the FORCED romantic story line that is completely unnecessary.
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Losing Money to be a Tycoon
Well, since I’m the first one here, let me be the guiding light as someone who has read the manhua, watched the donghua, and read all 1,674 chapters of the light novel.Let’s start with what’s different and what’s straight-up bad.
1. The SYSTEM
In the original, Pei Qian had a system, and the system was basically the personality of Mr. Pei himself. What made it hilarious was the constant misunderstanding. The system provided him with funds, sure, but it actually made sense why Pei Qian was trying to lose money while no one else knew about it.
Now? We get this Mr. Sima nonsense. It makes everything feel cheap, outright disgusting, and lowers Pei Qian as a character.
2. Absolute control over Tengda
One of Pei Qian’s core personality traits is that he never relinquishes even an inch of control over Tengda. This is one of the spines of the novel. One of the things that made Pei Qian… Pei Qian.
Secretary Xu was an employee of Tengda. Pei Qian didn’t report to anyone. His word was absolute.
3. The “polymath” misunderstanding
Because of that absolute control and his absurd Midas touch, a massive misunderstanding arose: everyone believed Pei Qian was a polymath. This misunderstanding dragged in the employees, then subtly the entire world.
That’s how he was able to portray himself as a genius without actually trying. Remove this, and the entire illusion collapses.
4. Character origins are butchered
Lv Ming, Lin Wan, Hao Qiong, Huang Sibi, etc. — their origins and personalities are way different. Their original character traits are basically nonexistent. They feel like completely different people who just happen to share the same names.
5. Lin Wan
In the novel, she’s optimistic, capable, and actually useful. Here? The forced romance subplot is honestly killing me.
All in all, these five points summarize everything that’s different. And make no mistake: even though this looks like a “summary,” these points are the backbone of the original. Once you change them, no amount of linear storytelling can ever reach the same destination.
Now, let’s talk about what’s actually good.
1. The humor stands out, especially because the show fully commits to silliness instead of pretending to be serious.
2. The wordplay, poetry, and layered jokes are genuinely clever and make the dialogue feel smart and distinctive.
3. The writing feels refreshing and unpredictable compared to the usual formulaic dramas, and it doesn’t rely on romance to carry itself — the story and comedy do the heavy lifting.
4. It has a clear personality and tone that separates it from mainstream, crowd-pleasing shows.
5. The comedy feels intentional and confident, trusting the audience to keep up instead of over-explaining every joke.
In the end, this isn’t a bad show, but it’s not a faithful one either. It’s fun, it’s clever, and it definitely has its moments but it’s built on the wrong foundation. If you’ve never touched the original, you’ll enjoy it to no end. If you have, you’ll feel exactly where and why it went wrong, and once you see what was lost, no amount of polish can fix it.
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Peng Yu change never fails with that expression
I have tried countless comedy but when it becomes serious I totally drop it immediately. I thought it was gonna be different this time but sadly it wasn't.No one can make me laugh like peng yu cheng does, when i saw him in the poster I immediately tried this (lmao in I am nobody). The way he delivers his lines is so funny and his expression is so on point which i think what other actors lacks when acting in comedy and is hard to be immersed.
Watch it for Peng Yuchang's brilliant performance, but feel absolutely no guilt about hitting the drop button the second the tone shifts. It’s a fun ride until it isn't.
Also hated that subtle romance LOL
I recommend you to try watching this, it's such a fun watch.
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I was expecting much more
Things I loved1 The premise. I thought it was genius and that it would be perfect for some funny situations and maybe some deep thoughts.
Things I disliked
1 Everything else. Mostly the actors. I didn't connect with any of them and certainly not with the main leads. Something bothered me the whole time. Maybe the feeling that the ML wasn't happy or that I disliked toughly the FL actress. It felt like she thought she was some important character and she acted that way. I didn't find the cast endearing or funny. So at the end of the day it wasn't as good as I expected.
2 The ending. It should make me happy and it did in some way but I also felt depressed seeing the ML and his interactions with the rest of the team. His acting wasn't great anyway, one expression the whole time, but even his smile made me sad in the last episode.
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Disappointed
Won't discuss details, started superbly. Great plot, awesome ensemble. But the main character is stuck with one face/look of dejection from the middle of the series until the end. His sulking and separation spoiled it for me. Worst 3 chapter ending I've ever seen in any drama. The other actors and characters deserved so much more. He was hardly in any of the episodes at the end. Still not sure what he was doing, nor do I care by that point.Was this review helpful to you?
