Zhuo Re

Brothers rivals in love and career but most importantly a strong & career-focused FL

I got to know about this drama months ago when it was released but somehow I never had the urge to watch it even though jiejie romance is my favourite trope. I decided to watch this drama last weekend. Oh wow, I was surprised by the storyline. I enjoyed this drama a lot!

What I liked:
1. Romance - Jiejie romance that started with one night stand then progressed into real love. ML was persistent in wooing FL - she was dumped by ML's older brother because she didn't have any status / connections to offer to him. I liked that there was affection between FL and ML.
2. Rivalry - Interesting twist on brother rivalry. I also liked the business rivalry arc.
3. FL characterisation - I liked that she was career-focused. Despite being dumped, she was able to focus her energy on her work - she's excellent at her job. I also liked that she was emotionally strong.
4. ML characterisation - He was smart & persistent. I liked those traits.
5. Styling - Great wardrobe. I loved FL's outfits which showcased her elegance and confidence.
6. Supporting characters - These characters were likeable: ML's friend, FL's bestie, FL's senior & FL's mother.
7. Acting - I liked the acting by the three leads but Zhang Chi caught my attention. I couldn't read his facial expressions which I took it as a positive move for this drama.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - ML's brother / SML was controlling. He wanted FL as mistress but pursued business marriage for his professional gain. I hated the aunt who was family friend to ML and his brother.
2. Ending - Errrm they bickered and that was it?

Favourite scene
FL's taking down the antagonist during a press conference

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Romance scorching but not at all burning, not even sautéing!!

The title automatically translates as "Burning" or "Scorching Heat" but there's mostly scorching without burning 😊

~~On the Romance, briefly~~
The story focuses on the power struggle in the Pei family enterprise, and the romance triangle makes no sense. The Dìdi-Jiějie relationship though it starts with an intimate scene it unfolds more platonically and without emotional coherence.

~~Characters and Emotional Journey~~
~~~aka the Unintelligible Romance~~~
Most characters have a backstory so their actions have a logical basis when it comes to the corporate power struggle. Even the dramatic twist makes sense, which is not usually the case in verticals.
BUT, let's be true, I watched this drama for the romance, if I wanted to watch a story about power and corporate intrigue I'd rewatch Michael Mann's "The Insider".
And the romance does Not deliver. Bummer for those of us who weren't inclined on watching corporate struggles.

There is a love triangle, Dìdi-FL-Gēge. A good premise.
There is a one-night-stand. A good, or heavenly, start.
And then it all goes down the drain...

The hot Dìdi-Jiějie duo is not so hot anymore. Not ever more. Dìdi is a perfect hub/puppy althroughout the story, unchanging, no emotional journey with FL whatsoever. He just likes her. Jiějie moves from distrust to trust but without any major shift in her expressions towards him.
The Gēge- FL relationship starts off with a dominating, passionate Gēge who gets abandoned by FL because his greed for power lead to her humiliation. He wants power but he also desires her badly. Good. Great.
But he doesn't do much to chase her. And he just drinks to soften the blow. Poof goes this baloon too...
And it gets much worse after the plot twist, because, after it, all of Gēge's actions towards the FL right from the start of the story make no sense anymore. That is unless the two brothers bet her while playing dice, or toyed with her heart. And if that is the explanation, then out of the window goes the Dìdi's persona, he gets a revamp with a new cruel side of him which automatically undoes all of the Dìdi-Jiějie romantic relationship we knew till now; and, hey, why would she want him after he secretly gave her such a treatment? Goodbye good vibe romance!

So, no emotional consistency when it comes to the romantic trio;
and if you're here for the power struggle just go watch the Insider for a better corporate thriller ! 😄

~~The Production~~
All aspects were on the ok slope, without memorable down-or-uphills. Logical settings, make up and costumes; mostly logical editing, cinematography and directing; uneventful music and manageable sound. Ok sounds mediocre but it does mean much in short-dramaland!😊

~~The Acting~~
All actors played decently, some were more expressive than needed while there was often a feeling of detachment acting from the leading trio (I guess it was a directing directive, as all three leads expressed it).
Actor Zhang Zhi Yi had a memorable acting presence in the resolution scene, near the end of the drama (he plays Tang Hao, Tang fūrén's brother). This scene is worth watching for his acting, though he plays a minor part in it.
I think that without his contribution the scene wouldn't have had much dramatic value.
Support cast and guest roles are many times the strong frame holding the drama up. 🙂💐💐💐

~~~My take (All in All)~~~
All in all I continued to watch because of the leading trio, if not for their charming presence (unrelated to their roles) this story wouldn't have kept me watching for long.
The plot twist brought a cute note for family ties and utter catastrophe for romance logic.
The nice acting surprise by support cast actor Zhang Zhi Yi near the end was like a reward, a kind of "Thank you for staying till now, Oh, Dearest Audience" reward.

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