The Wife with an Agenda (2025)

Brilliantly written revenge story about two sisters with strong performances from the cast

This drama went on my radar when I started fancying Zhao Ting Yi after watching him in Nanny, Don't Flee! I finally got around to watching the drama last weekend and wow, I was very impressed by the quality of this drama.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - She was tactical, confident and sassy and I loved it! She gave off this siren vibe with her attitude and penchant for red dresses. I also liked seeing the character growth.
2. Writing - Damn, I loved these lines 'Ambition isn't bad but does your competence match your ambition?' and 'I dressed for myself not for a man'! That clapback scene with bored, rich housewives was brilliant. The dialogue about class difference when FL & ML were in the car. Another highlight is the hospital scene when the secret was unveiled to ML.
3. Romance - I liked that FL chased ML with a string of dates that teased their age difference. There were good kisses but no steamy scenes. Well I saw them as "life partners" supporting each other's needs. Mature relationship.
4. ML characterisation - New money but he always remembered his humble beginnings which I liked a lot. He was an astute observer, noticing something amiss with FL but never pushed her to tell him until she was ready. He was also very patient - gosh imagine having to deal with bratty manchild.
5. Acting - Great performances by Deng Ling Shu, Zhao Ting Yi, Jiang Wu Han, Huang Xing Rao and Yu Xiang Ying. I did, however, wish Deng Ling Shu to up the ante during two scenes: the conversation about class difference when they were in the car, and the hospital scene when the secret was out.
6. Revenge arc - FL's revenge plan was well thought out. However for me, it was great to see main character having conflicted feelings after revenge plan was successfully executed. She started to see ML more than just a tool.
7. Family - This is the core theme of the drama from FL and SFL tumultuous relationship to FL's sickly mother and ML's rotten son. I liked that different dynamics were explored in this drama.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - SFL was insecure, manipulative and ungrateful. I couldn't believe she was willing to do such things to her adopted family who treated her well. SML (ML's son) was greedy and moronic. The type of person who thought he could get away with this just because his father was wealthy and influential.

Favourite scene
The hospital scene when the secret was accidentally unveiled to ML

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