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 projects, 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’s acting was rather disappointing. Disliking a character isn’t a bad thing if it’s 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.
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 were seamless, 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.
Han Ting’s character I found quite interesting. He’s extremely disciplined, never allowing his emotions to cloud his judgment and it's due to this that has helped him be successful. He’s not someone who wears his heart on his sleeves. Instead, he communicates through subtle actions and carefully chosen words. This is evident when he takes a second longer to think about what he says next to Ji Xing. Although his words on the surface appear harsh, there’s warmth and care behind them. What makes Han Ting compelling is that his restraint isn’t coldness, it’s self control. He’s deeply principled and protective, particularly when it comes to Ji Xing. Rather than expressing care through overt affection, he shows it by offering support behind the scenes and through blunt words. His protectiveness often emerges in moments of tension, where his physical presence and quiet intensity signal concern more than power. Han Ting also struggles with emotional vulnerability and is extremely cautious. When he does allow emotion to surface, it feels impactful. His growth comes not from changing who he is, but from learning to let others see what’s already there.
Ji Xing’s character, however, 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 wasn’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. Although the advice he gave was harsh, he was simply telling her the hard truth.
The conflict between Ji Xing and Han Ting became even more apparent in a crisis involving a surgery related protest. Han Ting compensated the husband who was causing a scene, and Ji Xing disliked this and was upset that he intervened. Han Ting explained that negative attention benefits no one and that standing there arguing wouldn’t solve anything. Of course, Ji Xing believed she knew best. Honestly, Han Ting had the patience of a saint. I can understand why the writers made Ji Xing so stubborn, but I guess they have the heavily expansive this trait since it's one of the traits Han Ting likes about her, but give me a break.
Han Ting’s patience and support toward a startup were 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, giving honest advice, encouraging her to find solutions, or connecting her with the right people, demonstrating remarkable 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 wouldn’t 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.
The biggest issue was the stark contrast between Ji Xing and Han Ting’s business philosophies, which led to constant conflict. While Han Ting was able to separate emotion from work, Ji Xing couldn’t. She treated her employees like family, which made it difficult for her to set clear boundaries. Because of this, a former coworker she once considered family ended up betraying her. What frustrated me most was her saying, “I wouldn’t do that.” Okay, maybe you wouldn’t, but you’re also an inexperienced entrepreneur who needed Han Ting’s guidance to get where you are. If Han Ting operated the way Ji Xing wanted, letting emotion dictate his decisions, he would’ve lost his position long ago. Han Ting’s upbringing was designed to prepare him for life as a CEO; he doesn’t make decisions without reason. I feel like Ji Xing should’ve shown him more compassion.
Ji Xing also asked Han Ting, “Would you destroy my company if I got in your way?” and he answered, “No, I wouldn’t.” Yet she went ahead and betrayed him. Yes, she didn’t know the full story, so I can grant her some grace, but she had already asked him and received an answer. Look at everything he’s done for her. Do you really think he would have set her up for failure? The fact that she went ahead and acted against him shows a lack of trust, which is an issue in itself. Of course, Han Ting had to step in to save her company. She was still mad at him afterward, saying he should’ve told her. I wanted to shake her.
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 equipment from. The company wanted Ji Xing to introduce them to Han Ting because she had implied a close relationship with him. 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, signals his restrained emotions. Typically calm and composed, Han Ting’s subtle gesture hints at an internal shift. His dialogue reinforces this contrast. He 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 there’s 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 emphasizes the tension, suggesting emotional exposure beneath his composed exterior. This scene was beautifully executed. Han Ting also leans into Ji Xing’s personal space. On a surface level, it appears as if he’s being intimidating, but in actuality he’s trying to protect her.
The second memorable scene is their argument. It’s 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, the business was on the verge of collapse, and Han Ting’s investment 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.
Kira Shi as Zeng Di was intriguing, though the styling didn’t help. Zeng Di was meant to be close in age to Han Ting, but it didn’t look that way. I initially thought she was his mother or aunt. That said, Kira Shi portrayed the character well, coming across as calculated and manipulative. I disliked her character. Several times Han Ting made it clear he wasn’t interested, but she kept insisting they were meant to be.
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 Su Zhi Zhou never tried to change Li Li 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 on his own. I don’t feel the need to rewatch the full drama, but I’ll revisit certain scenes.
Tan Song Yun’s acting was rather disappointing. Disliking a character isn’t a bad thing if it’s 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.
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 were seamless, 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.
Han Ting’s character I found quite interesting. He’s extremely disciplined, never allowing his emotions to cloud his judgment and it's due to this that has helped him be successful. He’s not someone who wears his heart on his sleeves. Instead, he communicates through subtle actions and carefully chosen words. This is evident when he takes a second longer to think about what he says next to Ji Xing. Although his words on the surface appear harsh, there’s warmth and care behind them. What makes Han Ting compelling is that his restraint isn’t coldness, it’s self control. He’s deeply principled and protective, particularly when it comes to Ji Xing. Rather than expressing care through overt affection, he shows it by offering support behind the scenes and through blunt words. His protectiveness often emerges in moments of tension, where his physical presence and quiet intensity signal concern more than power. Han Ting also struggles with emotional vulnerability and is extremely cautious. When he does allow emotion to surface, it feels impactful. His growth comes not from changing who he is, but from learning to let others see what’s already there.
Ji Xing’s character, however, 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 wasn’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. Although the advice he gave was harsh, he was simply telling her the hard truth.
The conflict between Ji Xing and Han Ting became even more apparent in a crisis involving a surgery related protest. Han Ting compensated the husband who was causing a scene, and Ji Xing disliked this and was upset that he intervened. Han Ting explained that negative attention benefits no one and that standing there arguing wouldn’t solve anything. Of course, Ji Xing believed she knew best. Honestly, Han Ting had the patience of a saint. I can understand why the writers made Ji Xing so stubborn, but I guess they have the heavily expansive this trait since it's one of the traits Han Ting likes about her, but give me a break.
Han Ting’s patience and support toward a startup were 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, giving honest advice, encouraging her to find solutions, or connecting her with the right people, demonstrating remarkable 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 wouldn’t 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.
The biggest issue was the stark contrast between Ji Xing and Han Ting’s business philosophies, which led to constant conflict. While Han Ting was able to separate emotion from work, Ji Xing couldn’t. She treated her employees like family, which made it difficult for her to set clear boundaries. Because of this, a former coworker she once considered family ended up betraying her. What frustrated me most was her saying, “I wouldn’t do that.” Okay, maybe you wouldn’t, but you’re also an inexperienced entrepreneur who needed Han Ting’s guidance to get where you are. If Han Ting operated the way Ji Xing wanted, letting emotion dictate his decisions, he would’ve lost his position long ago. Han Ting’s upbringing was designed to prepare him for life as a CEO; he doesn’t make decisions without reason. I feel like Ji Xing should’ve shown him more compassion.
Ji Xing also asked Han Ting, “Would you destroy my company if I got in your way?” and he answered, “No, I wouldn’t.” Yet she went ahead and betrayed him. Yes, she didn’t know the full story, so I can grant her some grace, but she had already asked him and received an answer. Look at everything he’s done for her. Do you really think he would have set her up for failure? The fact that she went ahead and acted against him shows a lack of trust, which is an issue in itself. Of course, Han Ting had to step in to save her company. She was still mad at him afterward, saying he should’ve told her. I wanted to shake her.
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 equipment from. The company wanted Ji Xing to introduce them to Han Ting because she had implied a close relationship with him. 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, signals his restrained emotions. Typically calm and composed, Han Ting’s subtle gesture hints at an internal shift. His dialogue reinforces this contrast. He 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 there’s 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 emphasizes the tension, suggesting emotional exposure beneath his composed exterior. This scene was beautifully executed. Han Ting also leans into Ji Xing’s personal space. On a surface level, it appears as if he’s being intimidating, but in actuality he’s trying to protect her.
The second memorable scene is their argument. It’s 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, the business was on the verge of collapse, and Han Ting’s investment 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.
Kira Shi as Zeng Di was intriguing, though the styling didn’t help. Zeng Di was meant to be close in age to Han Ting, but it didn’t look that way. I initially thought she was his mother or aunt. That said, Kira Shi portrayed the character well, coming across as calculated and manipulative. I disliked her character. Several times Han Ting made it clear he wasn’t interested, but she kept insisting they were meant to be.
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 Su Zhi Zhou never tried to change Li Li 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 on his own. I don’t feel the need to rewatch the full drama, but I’ll revisit certain scenes.
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