This review may contain spoilers
An Uneven Story with Standout Side Characters
I randomly came across a video edit of this drama and decided to give it a shot. I’ve seen Tan Song Yun’s past work in Go Ahead and Whirlwind Girl, so I figured I wouldn’t be disappointed. This role, however, was different from her previous projects. Tan Song Yun excels in comedic roles, and I genuinely enjoyed them.
Xu Kai as Han Ting was a pleasant surprise. This was the first drama I’d seen him in, and he delivered a strong, natural performance. His expressions worked seamlessly, and CEO roles seem to suit him perfectly. The stylist did a terrific job as well. I also noticed his demeanor; he moved with the poise and confidence of someone from a wealthy background.
Ji Xing’s character, on the other hand, was difficult to connect with. She came across as overly arrogant, particularly during the investment negotiation with Han Ting. She spoke as if she were in a position to dictate terms, when in reality, she didn't. In the real world, investors wouldn’t entertain a measly startup with nothing but an idea especially with her terms. Han Ting repeatedly had to humble her.
Han Ting’s patience and support toward a startup was striking. If a random person had approached him with the same proposal, he probably wouldn’t have bothered. Since Ji Xing was his first love and it was clear he still had feelings for her, he stepped in. Time and time again, he helped her, either by giving her honest advice, encouraging her to find solutions, or connecting her with the right people, demonstrating compassion and patience.
Early on, Han Ting gave Ji Xing multiple opportunities to accept his help. He offered her a job at his company, where she could have developed her idea with extensive resources, but she refused, wanting to prove herself. Later, when her company was on the verge of collapse, he offered to invest, and again she declined. It wasn’t until Su Zhi Zhou pointed out that the company would not survive without outside funding that she finally confronted reality. For some reason, she kept believing a better offer would magically appear. For a character meant to be compassionate, intelligent, and selfless, Ji Xing didn’t act that way. Instead, her pride and ego repeatedly clouded her judgment. With a small team working tirelessly alongside her, facing uncertainty over their jobs, her behavior was even less excusable.
Two scenes in particular stood out. The first occurs when Han Ting speaks privately with Ji Xing after overhearing her conversation with a company they were buying an equipment from. The company had wanted Ji Xing to introduce them to Han Ting because she had implied a close relationship with Han Ting. Tension builds even before the confrontation on the staircase. The camera’s close focus on Han Ting’s hand resting on the cup, particularly the slow rub of the rim with his finger, serves as a visual cue to his restrained emotions. Typically calm and composed, Han Ting’s subtle gesture signals an internal shift. His dialogue reinforces this contrast. Han Ting begins warmly, asking who Ji Xing was having a meal with and whether they were the ones she purchased the equipment from. The casual softness makes the emotional turn even more impactful. Then you see a slight hesitation before he asks, “My name, was it useful?” his expression shifts from warmth to quiet disappointment. Later, when he unbuttons his suit jacket, the camera’s focus the tension, suggesting emotional exposure beneath his composed exterior. This scene was beautifully executed.
The second memorable scene is their argument. It’s rather difficult to watch, as Ji Xing’s tantrum is one of the most bizarre performances I’ve seen. She insists that the company is hers because she invested time and effort. While true, her business was on the verge of collapse, and Han Ting’s investment is what saved it. As the argument unfolds, she claims she should make all the decisions because it’s her company. Han Ting responds that while she has authority, she first needs capital, which she doesn’t have. Ji Xing then says, “I lived here long and have been with you for so long. Even if I didn’t yield anything, I worked hard for you. You're so generous, you wouldn’t be so precise.” This line triggers the subsequent events and is pivotal to the story, at least in my opinion.
Tan Song Yun’s acting in these emotional scenes was disappointing. Disliking a character isn’t a bad thing if it was intentional, but her performance felt forced, and I struggled to understand what she was trying to convey. In scenes that didn’t require strong emotion, she performed fine I guess. Tan Song Yun as Ji Xing, made me question her acting range. I was somewhat disappointed because in Go Ahead, she handled emotional scenes exceptionally well.
Kira Shi as Zeng Di was intriguing, though the styling didn’t help. Zeng Di was meant to be someone close in age as Han Ting, but it didn't look it. I thought she was his mother or aunt. That said, Kira Shi portrayed the character well, coming across as calculated and manipulative.
The supporting cast was the drama’s strongest element. I particularly enjoyed Su Zhi Zhou and Li Li’s dynamic. Su Zhi Zhou brought humor to every scene, while Li Li remained confident and straightforward. I liked that he never tried to change her and practically worshipped the ground she walked on. Their relationship felt balanced, supportive, and self assured.
I also appreciated Lu Lin Jia, Han Ting’s uncle, and his grandaunt, Lu Jin Jia’s mother. Their interactions with Han Ting added warmth and humor. Han Ting’s dynamic with his assistant was another highlight; competent assistants make CEO characters more compelling, and this relationship was handled well.
Overall, Xu Kai carried much of the series. I don’t feel the need to rewatch the full drama, but I’ll revisit certain scenes.
Xu Kai as Han Ting was a pleasant surprise. This was the first drama I’d seen him in, and he delivered a strong, natural performance. His expressions worked seamlessly, and CEO roles seem to suit him perfectly. The stylist did a terrific job as well. I also noticed his demeanor; he moved with the poise and confidence of someone from a wealthy background.
Ji Xing’s character, on the other hand, was difficult to connect with. She came across as overly arrogant, particularly during the investment negotiation with Han Ting. She spoke as if she were in a position to dictate terms, when in reality, she didn't. In the real world, investors wouldn’t entertain a measly startup with nothing but an idea especially with her terms. Han Ting repeatedly had to humble her.
Han Ting’s patience and support toward a startup was striking. If a random person had approached him with the same proposal, he probably wouldn’t have bothered. Since Ji Xing was his first love and it was clear he still had feelings for her, he stepped in. Time and time again, he helped her, either by giving her honest advice, encouraging her to find solutions, or connecting her with the right people, demonstrating compassion and patience.
Early on, Han Ting gave Ji Xing multiple opportunities to accept his help. He offered her a job at his company, where she could have developed her idea with extensive resources, but she refused, wanting to prove herself. Later, when her company was on the verge of collapse, he offered to invest, and again she declined. It wasn’t until Su Zhi Zhou pointed out that the company would not survive without outside funding that she finally confronted reality. For some reason, she kept believing a better offer would magically appear. For a character meant to be compassionate, intelligent, and selfless, Ji Xing didn’t act that way. Instead, her pride and ego repeatedly clouded her judgment. With a small team working tirelessly alongside her, facing uncertainty over their jobs, her behavior was even less excusable.
Two scenes in particular stood out. The first occurs when Han Ting speaks privately with Ji Xing after overhearing her conversation with a company they were buying an equipment from. The company had wanted Ji Xing to introduce them to Han Ting because she had implied a close relationship with Han Ting. Tension builds even before the confrontation on the staircase. The camera’s close focus on Han Ting’s hand resting on the cup, particularly the slow rub of the rim with his finger, serves as a visual cue to his restrained emotions. Typically calm and composed, Han Ting’s subtle gesture signals an internal shift. His dialogue reinforces this contrast. Han Ting begins warmly, asking who Ji Xing was having a meal with and whether they were the ones she purchased the equipment from. The casual softness makes the emotional turn even more impactful. Then you see a slight hesitation before he asks, “My name, was it useful?” his expression shifts from warmth to quiet disappointment. Later, when he unbuttons his suit jacket, the camera’s focus the tension, suggesting emotional exposure beneath his composed exterior. This scene was beautifully executed.
The second memorable scene is their argument. It’s rather difficult to watch, as Ji Xing’s tantrum is one of the most bizarre performances I’ve seen. She insists that the company is hers because she invested time and effort. While true, her business was on the verge of collapse, and Han Ting’s investment is what saved it. As the argument unfolds, she claims she should make all the decisions because it’s her company. Han Ting responds that while she has authority, she first needs capital, which she doesn’t have. Ji Xing then says, “I lived here long and have been with you for so long. Even if I didn’t yield anything, I worked hard for you. You're so generous, you wouldn’t be so precise.” This line triggers the subsequent events and is pivotal to the story, at least in my opinion.
Tan Song Yun’s acting in these emotional scenes was disappointing. Disliking a character isn’t a bad thing if it was intentional, but her performance felt forced, and I struggled to understand what she was trying to convey. In scenes that didn’t require strong emotion, she performed fine I guess. Tan Song Yun as Ji Xing, made me question her acting range. I was somewhat disappointed because in Go Ahead, she handled emotional scenes exceptionally well.
Kira Shi as Zeng Di was intriguing, though the styling didn’t help. Zeng Di was meant to be someone close in age as Han Ting, but it didn't look it. I thought she was his mother or aunt. That said, Kira Shi portrayed the character well, coming across as calculated and manipulative.
The supporting cast was the drama’s strongest element. I particularly enjoyed Su Zhi Zhou and Li Li’s dynamic. Su Zhi Zhou brought humor to every scene, while Li Li remained confident and straightforward. I liked that he never tried to change her and practically worshipped the ground she walked on. Their relationship felt balanced, supportive, and self assured.
I also appreciated Lu Lin Jia, Han Ting’s uncle, and his grandaunt, Lu Jin Jia’s mother. Their interactions with Han Ting added warmth and humor. Han Ting’s dynamic with his assistant was another highlight; competent assistants make CEO characters more compelling, and this relationship was handled well.
Overall, Xu Kai carried much of the series. I don’t feel the need to rewatch the full drama, but I’ll revisit certain scenes.
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