This review may contain spoilers
I will be the Outlier - I Did not like it
My rating of the two episodes I watched 2/10.
I don't drop many series but I had to drop this one. First, the plot is extremely simple. It is relying very heavily on the trope of the evil boss. Bully childhood friend who actually liked the girl. Frenemies. Destiny. Just a lot of tired tropes. I know sword like eyebrows were a thing not even all that long ago but it was a bit distracting that all the male lead characters had these eyebrows I could not ignore. Being literally allergic to tears is a really hard sell. If they had tied it in as maybe some kind of mixed physical and psychological disease maybe. And the accidental kiss was one of those super ridiculous and unbelievable scenarios where if your lips came together like that it wouldn't be sensual it would hurt. Pancake kiss. That goes on forever. I would have had to get a subscription to watch the latter episodes as it wasn't available on virtually every other platform and I didn't care enough about it in those first two episodes to be willing to pay for it. Too cheesy and just not my cup of tea.
Synopsis:
Love is Sweet (also known as Half Honey Half Hurt) is a 2020 Chinese romantic comedy drama blending workplace rivalry, childhood sweethearts, and heartfelt romance. It has a mix of fluffy romance, steamy chemistry, office politics, and emotional layers—perfect for fans of sweet, enemies-to-lovers vibes with a touch of corporate drama.
Total Episodes: 36
Runtime per Episode: Approximately 45 minutes
Major Characters
Yuan Shuai (Luo Yunxi) — The sharp, undefeated "God of War" in investment banking at MH firm. A seemingly arrogant and teasing boss, he's actually a secretly devoted childhood friend who's harbored a 10-year crush on the female lead. He "bullied" her as kids to toughen her up due to her rare tear allergy, but he's soft and protective underneath—switching from professional wolf to adorable boyfriend mode once feelings surface.
Jiang Jun (played by Bai Lu) — A bright, idealistic young woman with dual master's degrees in economics and psychology. She leaves her philanthropy job to join the cutthroat MH investment firm to honor her late father's wish. Empathetic, resilient, and high-EQ, she navigates office schemes and rivalry with sharp judgment. She's allergic to tears (a unique vulnerability), often seen as soft but proves strong and clever, turning from "rookie" to powerhouse.
Du Lei (played by Gao Hanyu) — Yuan Shuai's intense rival from rival firm GE, excelling in investment banking, car racing, and (initially) romance pursuits. Scarred by a tough past, he's calculating and willing to bend rules for success, but he develops genuine feelings that complicate his schemes.
Xu Li (played by Xiao Yan) — Jiang Jun's loyal, justice-driven best friend who works at a convenience store. She's bubbly, prioritizes love over career, and boldly pursues her crush, bringing light-hearted energy and strong friendship support to the main story.
Li Xiaochuan (played by Riley Wang) — Yuan Shuai's tech-genius cousin and app developer. Serious, hardworking, and hilariously oblivious to romance at first, he slowly warms up thanks to Xu Li's persistence, creating one of the drama's sweetest secondary couples.
Qiao Na (played by Zhao Yuanyuan) — The perfectionist vice president at MH, a "female God of War" who demands excellence. She has unrequited feelings for Yuan Shuai but handles them maturely, adding depth to the workplace dynamics.
Linda (played by An Weiling) — A powerful executive director at GE with her own ambitions and insomnia struggles. She plays a key antagonistic role in the corporate intrigue, often prioritizing self-interest in the high-stakes investment world.
I don't drop many series but I had to drop this one. First, the plot is extremely simple. It is relying very heavily on the trope of the evil boss. Bully childhood friend who actually liked the girl. Frenemies. Destiny. Just a lot of tired tropes. I know sword like eyebrows were a thing not even all that long ago but it was a bit distracting that all the male lead characters had these eyebrows I could not ignore. Being literally allergic to tears is a really hard sell. If they had tied it in as maybe some kind of mixed physical and psychological disease maybe. And the accidental kiss was one of those super ridiculous and unbelievable scenarios where if your lips came together like that it wouldn't be sensual it would hurt. Pancake kiss. That goes on forever. I would have had to get a subscription to watch the latter episodes as it wasn't available on virtually every other platform and I didn't care enough about it in those first two episodes to be willing to pay for it. Too cheesy and just not my cup of tea.
Synopsis:
Love is Sweet (also known as Half Honey Half Hurt) is a 2020 Chinese romantic comedy drama blending workplace rivalry, childhood sweethearts, and heartfelt romance. It has a mix of fluffy romance, steamy chemistry, office politics, and emotional layers—perfect for fans of sweet, enemies-to-lovers vibes with a touch of corporate drama.
Total Episodes: 36
Runtime per Episode: Approximately 45 minutes
Major Characters
Yuan Shuai (Luo Yunxi) — The sharp, undefeated "God of War" in investment banking at MH firm. A seemingly arrogant and teasing boss, he's actually a secretly devoted childhood friend who's harbored a 10-year crush on the female lead. He "bullied" her as kids to toughen her up due to her rare tear allergy, but he's soft and protective underneath—switching from professional wolf to adorable boyfriend mode once feelings surface.
Jiang Jun (played by Bai Lu) — A bright, idealistic young woman with dual master's degrees in economics and psychology. She leaves her philanthropy job to join the cutthroat MH investment firm to honor her late father's wish. Empathetic, resilient, and high-EQ, she navigates office schemes and rivalry with sharp judgment. She's allergic to tears (a unique vulnerability), often seen as soft but proves strong and clever, turning from "rookie" to powerhouse.
Du Lei (played by Gao Hanyu) — Yuan Shuai's intense rival from rival firm GE, excelling in investment banking, car racing, and (initially) romance pursuits. Scarred by a tough past, he's calculating and willing to bend rules for success, but he develops genuine feelings that complicate his schemes.
Xu Li (played by Xiao Yan) — Jiang Jun's loyal, justice-driven best friend who works at a convenience store. She's bubbly, prioritizes love over career, and boldly pursues her crush, bringing light-hearted energy and strong friendship support to the main story.
Li Xiaochuan (played by Riley Wang) — Yuan Shuai's tech-genius cousin and app developer. Serious, hardworking, and hilariously oblivious to romance at first, he slowly warms up thanks to Xu Li's persistence, creating one of the drama's sweetest secondary couples.
Qiao Na (played by Zhao Yuanyuan) — The perfectionist vice president at MH, a "female God of War" who demands excellence. She has unrequited feelings for Yuan Shuai but handles them maturely, adding depth to the workplace dynamics.
Linda (played by An Weiling) — A powerful executive director at GE with her own ambitions and insomnia struggles. She plays a key antagonistic role in the corporate intrigue, often prioritizing self-interest in the high-stakes investment world.
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