Hi DuLaLa (2016)

FRUSTRATING and ANNOYING wimpy ML

The last sentence of the synopsis: Can Lala defend her career and her marriage from her new archenemy?
The answer is NO!
This drama is the frustrating journey of a woman loosing everything because she married a spineless wimpy mommys sweet little boy.
The ML is portrayed as one of the worst mommys boys that I have ever seen. No matter what his mommy tells him to do, no matter what she says, no matter how she degrades, insults and abuses the FL he does absolutely NOTHING!
He is supposed to be a grown up man, an HR manager(!) but he acts like a two year old 99% of the drama. He is literally speechless, whenever mommy gives him instructions and he follows them without even considering for a moment, who he hurts and if there are any consequences. Character development: absolutely none.
The FL divorces, but she is no better than him. Whenever her former MIL comes to her to insult, degrade and abuse her some more, she shuts up and lets that woman walk all over her. Character development: zero.
The third party, the mistress is the typical psycho SFL, nothing new, nothing to see, nothing to care about, not even a tiny little bit of character, just there to get pregnant and separate the leads - the writers of c dramas really do not need to put any work on the SFL, they can simply take the same script as in the millions of dramas before.
So, I was frustrated with the FL, annoyed with the ML and his mother and not entertained by the SFL.
Two stars for the actors, the rest was not even worth my time.

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I ponder quite awhile to decide a fair rating.
If you love family dramas with good cast and dont mind meddlesome mom in law. This is a good cup of tea
If you love romantic dramas of the fluffy or light hearted type u need to reconsider.
I consider a long while whether to watch or not aft readin sypnopsis because i hated third party home wreckers. But i still gave in aft watching glimpses of the drama on tv. Stephy Qi's Du la la just really draws me in. A good actress and i love her character too. She's someone who found her love and committed to starting her marriage life with husband Wang wei and juggle her career in HR. She's respectful of her mom in law but try not to be a push over. I m sold on her chemistry with her onscreen husband. Their interactions are realistic. Husband and wife who are comfortable with each other, communicate, support each other and some good natured jabs too. Once in awhile Wang wei does something romantic too. Like a match made in heaven.
Trouble comes with his mum's student, also a long time family friend who insinuated herself into their lives. My tolerance for this "xiao san" aka third party, is really low and she had a lot of screen time. Because shes also La la's rival at work.
Honestly this drama i watch 30 to 35% of total running time because i couldnt stomach the mom in law and the 3rd party. Although i must say early on i admire how La la and Wang wei worked hard for their relationship. She had insticts and was frank with her husband on this. I also love that Wang wei never jump to conclusions when the ex boyfriend appear. He had a mature conversation asking for her explanation. Ep 38 when they sat down to address how to handle their problems were also very mature n nice.
#Small spoiler-
Their marriage to me was very realistic. Initially they can overcome the meddlesome mother but when the 3rd party purposefully drives a wedge in plus difficulties at work causes too much stress and eventually a rift and loss of trust.. The break up was eventual.
##
Love the ost played at the end of the episode. I thk its sung by Stephy Qi herself.

7.5 is my generous score because as usual like most C dramas it suffered mid series problem of dragging out problems and angst. Means i skip alot.
The ending *minor spoiler alert* although wrapped up well wasnt satisfying enough.. I felt the 2 otps need another 5mins of screentime together.

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