I haven't seen cheating (in main couples) in c-dramas these days. Misunderstanding that FL/ML cheated and breaking up is something that is used as a trope, I agree.
I don't see break up as a trope. People break up and get back together so often in real life. In my view (stressing on this), a trope is something that doesn't often happen real life but is so often depicted in so many movies/dramas/novels.
I have a question. Has Han Ting ever fallen in love with someone else before? No right? So he is a virgin?
In the drama, we know Han Ting did not date anyone before. But not dating does not mean someone is virgin, especially in this day and age. So don't stress over this and enjoy the drama. His virginity or her virginity does not define who they are.
they'll likely break up in ep 29 or 30 and remain apart for at least several eps.
Should be about 4-5 episodes.
But it is needed. At least, in the novel I didn't feel any frustration during their break up. They communicated a lot better during that time and finally stood on equal footing when they got back together. It's not like other c-dramas or novels where misunderstandings keep piling up during the main couple's separation. We will have to see how the drama handles it.
HT invests in XingChen because of it becoming possible competition to HanHai and also as a cover for his cousin…
Han Ting had no feelings for Ji Xing in the novel. So his plan to invest in her company was to keep the competition in check. Then he saw potential in her and guided her as a teacher. A few months after she broke up with her boyfriend, he started to feel the hots for her, and she also started to feel the hots for him. They hook up, start relationship, Ji Xing finds out about Hanhai and Han Ting. She betrays him for her company, and he uses this opportunity to defeat his cousin (it all ties in). This will cause them to argue, where Ji Xing realizes Han Ting doesn't love her, but only likes her, while she had fallen in love with him. This is the main reason she couldn't be with him. Of course, after their break up, their communication improves, and we get to know Han Ting's definition of love... and that definition is everything for this story.
I don't see break up as a trope. People break up and get back together so often in real life. In my view (stressing on this), a trope is something that doesn't often happen real life but is so often depicted in so many movies/dramas/novels.
There have been people stressing over how Han Ting being a virgin and Ji Xing not being a virgin is not fair. It was ridiculous.
But it is needed. At least, in the novel I didn't feel any frustration during their break up. They communicated a lot better during that time and finally stood on equal footing when they got back together. It's not like other c-dramas or novels where misunderstandings keep piling up during the main couple's separation.
We will have to see how the drama handles it.
But yeah, this ruthlessness, unfortunately, comes with a cost.