Xu Ni Bu Er Zhi Chen

👍 I really enjoyed the role reversal in this drama. I love dominant female leads, FL is a CEO, especially when she takes the initiative. I even liked how she kidnapped the ML lol! The couple’s chemistry is great, and I loved all their scenes together. I really liked how the male lead was even willing to lose his dignity just to stay with the female lead.

👎 What I didn’t like was the ML being portrayed as a bit dumb he didn’t even realize he was being manipulated until the very end. I also disliked how the ML’s family supported the second FL despite knowing her past. The separation between the leads was given too little screen time, so the transition felt rushed and unnatural.

The FL was strong and bold in the first half, but her character seemed weaker in the second half. As for the ML, he went from poor to rich, but he showed no real growth in terms of strength or intelligence he was just as passive before and after.

👉 Overall, though, it’s a good drama. The couple has great chemistry, and most of the screen time is filled with teasing and romance. The FL’s character, as a role reversal of the typical Asian CEO ML trope, was a refreshing and successful twist in my opinion.

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This drama with reversed gender role was a letdown. I didn't buy their romance

I came across this drama on subreddit CShortDramas and was intrigued by FL because reviewer said FL was domineering. Since this drama was available on iQIYI and I needed to utilise my subscription, I decided to watch this afternoon. Drama didn't quite meet my expectations.

What I liked:
1. Acting - I really liked their acting as their individual characters and as a couple. Wang Yun Yun and Wang Kai Mu had good chemistry. I was moved by their performances in one or two scenes.
2. Supporting characters - FL's Vice President turned out to be a nice guy.
3. FL characterisation - I had mixed feelings about her character. I liked that she was goal-oriented and generous with charity work. I also liked that she never talked bad about Gu Ling Ling.
4. Hopsitalisation - It was sweet to see their relationship grew when FL was hospitalised for her injury.
5. Styling - I liked FL's outfits because they gave off "money & power" vibes. Wang Kai Mu looked good in the blue suit.
6. Intimacy - I liked the bathtub scene.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - I disliked FL's pursuit of ML. To me, she treated him as a commodity. That attitude of "I have the means to get whatever I want and I want him". ML was so resistant at the start that I didn't buy that he genuinely fell in love with her. She saved him from an attack so when he started to question his feelings for FL, it seemed more like gratitude not love. Overall, this drama had too many "push dynamics" so the relationship felt forced, to me.
2. Antagonists - Gu Ling Ling was annoying brat. I hated her for playing a victim. Her brother & uncle were despicable too. Too bad brother got jailed because Gu Ling Ling's arc was draggy & boring. I was hoping the brother sought revenge.
3. Writing - For a 82 episode series, this drama felt "underdeveloped" & "unsatisfying". I wish there was a few episodes of ML connecting with his biological family, working to establish himself as Young Master Pei and reflecting on his relationship with FL & Gu family.
4. ML characterisation - His character felt very two-dimensional to me. I disliked that he didn't believe when the staircase incident happened.

Favourite scene
They spent quality time together when FL was hospitalised

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