Take the Young Man under the Year

Plenty of physical intimacy but no emotional depth

Jiejie/older woman-younger man romance is my favourite trope. I appreciate that there are plenty of vertical dramas that cover this trope. Both Meng Na and Ye Hao Ran have acted in jiejie romance before so I had high expectations. However I was disappointed by the time I completed this drama.

If you want to watch better jiejie romance by these leads, look for either "Define Your Style" starring Meng Na & Liang Si Wei or "Wei Nian Ci Sheng" starring Ye Hao Ran & Sheng Yi Jie. Alternatively search for "Fake Love" starring Bai Yan & Feng Xiang Kun. That's my personal favourite jiejie romance from vertical dramaland.

What I liked:
1. Supporting characters - I really liked FL's brother as I thought his protectiveness was realistic. Grandpa was likeable.
2. Styling - I really liked ML's styling from hair & accessories to clothes and shoes. He looked very hip for someone in top management.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - Plenty of kissing and they got along well sexually but there was no emotional depth between ML & FL. It is frustrating that they never voiced out their feelings until the last 10 minutes of this drama. This drama is 2.5 hours long! I also disliked that FL was the one doing the most heavy lifting in the relationship.
2. ML characterisation - Feng Ling was insecure IMHO. I disliked his inner monologue about his feelings for his wife.
3. FL characterisation - There was a glimpse of FL at work but overall I was disappointed that most scenes of FL were related to her relationship with ML. It was as though her existence in this drama is to support ML's journey of romantic love.
4. Duration - This drama was too long for a simple, lack of communication romance. I fast-forwarded once I reached 1 hour 45 minute mark.

Favourite scene
FL took initiative on their first night as husband and wife

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This was such a fun and refreshing jiejie/arranged marriage romance. I loved the role reversal — the FL is the cool, confident CEO, and Meng Na fit the character perfectly. Ye Hao Ran was adorable as the innocent puppy ML… though honestly more like a green tea puppy with how he secretly picked fights with rivals whenever she wasn’t watching 😂 Their chemistry was great, and there were plenty of satisfying kisses.

The supporting cast made everything even better. The grandpa was supportive and hilarious, with such a sweet relationship with his grandson. The butler was endlessly funny 😂 And the SFL was surprisingly lovable — she basically fell in love with the FL instead and spent half her time protecting the ML from other girls just to keep him for the FL. Queen behavior.

The story itself is unique. It’s an older woman–younger man setup where the FL is richer and more powerful, and her little brother being the ML’s best friend made everything even funnier 😂 Meng Na has played strong women before, but here she’s fully domineering, while the ML is carefree and genuinely acting his age. Hao Ran nailed the “little wifey” vibe — especially during those moments when he’d call her a “scumbag” in his head, then immediately realize he was acting like the wife while she acted like the husband 😂😂😂

The ML, the FL’s younger brother, and their spoiled-but-harmless rich-kid friend group were all hilarious. And the way the MCs set the SML’s girlfriends up with another guy had me laughing 😂

After watching the second version, I liked it even more because the couple felt even more natural. Overall, this drama is way too cute, much funnier than typical short C-dramas, full of kisses, and completely free of toxic mess. Just a strong wife taming her playful puppy husband, and a sweet happy ending. 😊

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