Ban Shu Lao Gong (2025)

Spice up our Love

So, this is clearly meant for a public who want more "pro-like" verticals. It doesn't have the usual format limitations, feels very mature, the vibe is very "trendy urban romance" à la Sex and the City for working women : there is a cute, supporting bestie instead of a green tea, the fashion is on point, even the sets feel less bling and more effortless luxury than other vertical romances about big shots. The plot could be an arc of a trendy horizontal show, girl is tired of her husband being on autopilot in bed and they spend the drama trying to understand each other better and spice things up. The stakes are low, it's slice-of-life with no makjang-y twists or scream/slap fests. Make no mistake : I love my soapy, cheesy verticals with 57 twists, all the tropes, wall slams and forced kisses, but once in a while a more subdued one is welcome. Wang Kai Mu and Xu Zhen Zhen are mini/micro veterans with an impressive CV, and they deliver. Do try it even if verticals are not your usual favored romance format.

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Wang Kaimu best film in 2025

I though Wang Kaimu in Secretary Qiu was his peak in 2025 and I COMPLETELY WRONG.

Everything in this drama was *chef kiss* MASTERPIECE. Xu Zhenzhen surprised me with her inner voice that not cringe and her character is so adorable. The plot on the vertical drama view is the best despite minor flaw that we can forgive it. It giving Sex and the City vibe.

The plot is quite fast compare to other same theme drama with mature conversation that realistic on real life (How ML have same exact sex position for more than year lmao). The romance growth for stranger with marriage arrangement to become dependent for each other is natural without any force chemistry. I like how the couple solve the problem with proper conversation (FL wants to divorce ML because found her secretary lipstick on his coat while ML tried to defend his right by checking the CCTV and fired the secretary, ML jealousy of FL coworker, etc) Wang Kaimu- Xu Zhenzhen chemistry is like river flow-natural and not being force sweetness. The supporting character aka FL best friend are biggest helper to clueless FL and ML about love (and sex).

I like how ML backstory of being robotic and how to overcome his trauma with FL. While FL tried to understand ML more better without siding her main priority as human being.

One of the best vertical drama in 2025. I am not even kidding with that statement. I will recommended to anyone who passed 18 years old, even not c-drama enjoyer can enjoy this.

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This drama frustrated me because FL had many thoughts about her husband but never said them out loud

This drama received a lot of love in sub-reddit CShortDramas so I watched it out of curiosity. I must say that I did not enjoy this drama as much as others. I think the intimate scenes covered the flaws of this drama. I had watched Xu Zhen Zhen in mini dramas but never found her acting that impressive and same case here. There are plenty vertical drama actresses who can outperformed Xu Zhen Zhen if any of them were given this role but then again, the acting wasn't the only problem.

What I liked:
1. Romance - Good steamy scenes (which is why this drama was talked about so much on reddit). ML's love language is act of service.
2. Supporting characters - Wan Wan was a good friend for dispensing advice to clueless FL. I also liked that FL's parents were astute observers. I liked Ji Jun Liang's scenes even though there were only a few.
3. Editing - Beautifully shot intimate scenes.
4. Ending - She was finally honest with her feelings for ML in the final 3 minutes.
5. Styling - Great outfits worn by the leads and supporting cast.

What I disliked:
1. Pacing - I increased speed in most parts of the drama because the pacing was too slow.
2. Communication - The first act started off good with scenes that show the problem between couple - two emotionally distant people married to each other and did not communicate unless in bed. Then I became disinterested because the push dynamics were too much with genuine pull dynamics (excluding intimate scenes) coming in at halfway mark after the icy barrier slowly thawed. FL had many thoughts about her husband but never said them out loud - it was frustrating.
3. Jealousy - FL's cousin was horrible for judging FL & trying to get to ML's company through connections rather than through merit.
4. Main characters - I couldn't relate to any of the two because I found them unlikeable. FL was too accommodating for my liking. She had many thoughts but just gave in to her husband's demands without having a dialogue with him.

Favourite scene
When FL told a doctor friend that ML knew her better than him

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Favorite Vertical CDrama to date

Have watched about 20 past year and gave up... fell in to this one by accident and disclovered ML. Fell in love with both characters and will also check out FL's other work. Best written by far, and acted, after watching 4 more of his vert's (given unique looks and acting ability. This is the only one of his I'm rating so far as stands out: stories not that unique for C/K dramas but the story details are and for vert., such as how one event changed ML's life course, and there are more supporting characters that usual and they are filled out not bland or charactures. Liked the mutual respect aspect and humor too and that FL had her own life, career, after arranged marriage, and was not years younger waif (exact never shared). Story would be rated higher if had a few flashbacks of one hour pre-wedding meeting and/or initial moving in period.

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From Awkward Beginnings to Heart-Melting Love

Ban Shu Lao Gong is such a gem — a mature, beautifully written drama with believable, heartfelt performances. The male lead is incredibly loving, and the female lead is truly sweet and endearing. Their best friend is a delight as well!

This story focuses on a married couple rediscovering intimacy, communication, and love. Their honesty with each other is refreshing, and watching them grow together is genuinely captivating. It’s the perfect show for a cozy romantic drama night — no slapping, no toxic exes, no kidnappings, and no unnecessary angst. Just healthy relationships, supportive parents, and cool friends.

Wang Kaimu absolutely shines in this role. His character carries emotional scars from his past, especially related to his mother, which make him fear love. The female lead becomes the light in his life, turning his quiet, dull world into an emotional roller coaster. They complete each other beautifully.

The drama is slightly bolder than typical C-dramas, but the intimate scenes are tastefully executed — nothing cringey, just genuine chemistry. The story remains focused on the couple without dragging in irrelevant subplots like cheating or abuse. It’s wonderfully written and directed, and I’m glad Wang Kaimu chose this script. I’d honestly enjoy watching multiple remakes of this story with equally good casting.

The only downside: the casting of the female lead’s parents. They looked too young for their roles, which slightly disrupted the realism for me. Because of this minor flaw, I’m giving it a 9.5/10 instead of a perfect score.

Overall, Ban Shu Lao Gong is an excellent, mature, and emotionally rich drama — absolutely worth watching! ❤️✨

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Por mais dramas assim!

Para quem estava intoxicada de tantos dramas chineses verticais tóxicos e tive até que cortar todo tipo de enredo para ver se melhorava minha saúde mental, posso dizer com toda certeza…
São dramas assim que devem ser feitos! 2 horas e 29 minutos de um relacionamento sendo construído lentamente em um casamento arranjado. Sem toxidade, sem família abusiva, sem chá-verde, sem 2ML/2FL insuportáveis ou pseudo-noiva aparecendo.
Me deparei com alguns patrocinados ao longo do dia de ontem e hoje, até que resolvi dar uma chance por ser Wang Kaimu (o último que eu havia assistido nesse detox também tinha sido dele) e nossa, assisti dando risada a maior parte do tempo. a Zhen Zhen foi ótima em seu papel, assim como o Kaimu.
O relacionamento, iniciado por um casamento arranjado, era apenas sexo, sem diálogos neste 1 ano de convivência, mas ao começar a ver a FL retrucando escondido e até mesmo na cena onde ela pede o divórcio por causa do batom, acho que fez o ML perceber que, apesar da esposa nunca expor seus pensamentos e ele também não, os dois pensavam diariamente as coisas. Gostei de ver a mudança dos dois, foi gostoso e engraçado ver a evolução dos dois personagens. Adorei a amiga da FL, ela era engraçada, mas gostei que o foco era muito o casal.
Apesar de ter uma prima invejosa, o ML percebeu e acompanhou a FL e ela logo desapareceu.
Achei o final um pouco cortado, ao ficar longe porque realmente estava apaixonado, quando voltou, logo acabou.
A minha cena favorita foi: a FL escapando do ML após a noite de sexo diferente no chuveiro e ele a questionando por mensagem kkkkkkkkkk

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