Forever Love (2025)

Women in Men's Fields: Toxic CEO edition

The best Toxic CEO FL romance I've ever watched. If you want some good and thorough role reversal with a possessive and unyielding FL and a reluctant ML being taken advantage of, then this drama is perfect for you!

TL;DR: A fantastic role-reversed CEO drama with sizzling intimacy and chemistry that sadly loses its solid plot in the second half and ends rushed.

The Good:
• Dynamic - As I said, this is a very role-reversed CEO romance that commits to the trope in ways others wouldn't dare. In every way, FL is a toxic, possessive CEO who chases the object of her affection relentlessly, even if that means manipulating him to get her way. If you want to watch role-reversed forceful kisses, this is the drama. WOW! (Special mention to the car scene and the pool playing scene. I'll be rewatching those often).
• Leads - FL is such a badass red flag in the best way! Very forward, bold, and shameless, oftentimes treading into noncon territory with her affections, but extremely protective. I also liked that her character did more than just pursue ML; she ran her company and fought her POS family, too! As for ML, perfectly bratty and cute at the same time. He takes a while to come around, but it makes sense for his character and the story. He's loyal, caring, and gentle, a good contrast to FL's fiery persona without letting her always get her way. Both characters were surprisingly complex for a vertical minidrama.
• Chemistry - So good! The leads had good banter and were comfortable with each other, making their steamy scenes extra hot. There were lots of kisses and intimate scenes that were straight up 🔥🔥🔥
• Acting - Pretty dang good across the board! The FL dominated more than just ML; every scene she was in was elevated. She effortlessly and very believably portrayed the badass CEO. ML also stood his own despite his more subdued character. Both really convinced me of their roles!
• Supporting cast - Surprisingly competent acting from most supporting roles. Even very secondary characters had screen presence and seemed like they acted before.
• No bait-and-switch - In the sea of dramas that start off a certain way and then pull a 180, this one does not! The drama commits to role reversed CEO romance and delivers on it until the very end. FL doesn't lose her strength or power later in the drama, and ML doesn't suddenly become dominant and powerful for no reason.

The Okay:
• Plot - Started out pretty good for the kinda drama that it is. Melodramatic and silly, but still grounded enough to actually sell you on the story being told. Things were set up and then brought up again, so it felt fluid. Sadly, as the plot progressed, certain arcs faded into the abyss and were kinda forgotten. The main plot suffered from this too, dragging a particular misunderstanding surprisingly long to the point that once it was resolved, it felt rushed and unnatural.
• Amnesia plot - Won't go into details because it's a bit spoiler-y, but as far as amnesia plots go, this one was quite tasteful in its execution. Maybe it's because it gave me a lot of angsty romance moments between the leads that I liked it more, but I thought the way ML was struggling with his feelings vs his memories was interesting. I just wish they had done more with it.
• Love triangle - Fun and refreshing at first, with it being F/M/F in a not cringe way, but it dragged on unnecessarily long for seemingly no reason. Made the romance feel strained, especially at the midpoint.
• Overall quality - Of the better-looking vertical dramas. Camera work was pretty, lighting was good, sets and props were good. All of it was serviceable.

The Bad:
• SFL - Underutilized and ambiguous character. She is just kinda there for most of the drama, only an obstacle by proxy but with no agency of her own. Everything about her is so vague that I just felt irritated seeing her on screen.
• Ending - VERY rushed. They kinda resolved everything in the last couple of minutes with hella plot conveniences and flashbacks, and then called it.
• Sudden switch - Due to the previously mentioned love triangle and dragged misunderstanding, ML makes a sudden switch halfway through the drama that feels very unnatural. He completely changes his perspective and opinion with very little set-up for it.

Notable scenes:
- When FL pulls ML into the car and tries to get them caught in the act.
- When FL forces ML to play pool with her.

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Frustrating tale of amnesiac ML & domineering FL

I watched this drama because of Xue Zi Qi. I loved her performance & chemistry with Fang Zheng Nan in their collab drama. I got a feeling her character in this drama would be domineering so I had some expectations of the drama. Unfortunately they were not met.

What I liked:
1. Styling - Xue Zi Qi looked damn gorgeous in red / burgundy pant suits. She also wore beautiful outfits.
2. FL characterisation - I liked that she was smart & capable. She proved to be a worthy heiress.
3. Supporting characters - I liked FL's friend, grandfather, ML's uncle & aunt.
4. Action - I liked that FL can fight baddies. Enjoyed the action scenes a lot.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - It was sad that ML only showed interest in way past the 1 hour mark. There was too much push / resistance from ML and FL was very aggressive in her pursuits for ML's affections. I didn't like that she was willing to settle - she said she didn't mind being ML's mistress. I felt like FL was chasing nostalgia rather than accept ML's change of heart / behaviour.
2. ML characterisation - He was bland.
3. Antagonist - FL's rival took advantage of ML's amnesia to pose as his girlfriend.

Favourite scene
When ML was proactive in making out

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