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Great
Finding love but not with who you think. If you don't speak up because you don't know if you like them. By then too late. They don't say it all because they already know what is being implied. And that goes for us. She had her heart in a place that was not in her relationship he had a heartbreak that brought in security issues. Then the other had to confess his feelings at a inopportune time. But not knowing the end and good that she actually became Director. And her friend got over her cheating boyfriend and the other woman became friends. We can learn to love.Was this review helpful to you?
NOT THE TYPICAL C-DRAMA FEMALE LEAD
This drama really flips the script on the usual toxic relationship dynamic. The ML is so irritating. Some of his insults are so over the top they almost feel like comedy. But this kind of dysfunctional premise is too common in c-dramas. The boss is always a Grinch who treats the FL like trash, only to turn into a big softie by the end.The difference here is that the FL isn’t having it. She’s strong, vocal, and completely independent. She refuses to let the ML walk all over her. It almost feels like the writers made him unbearable just to show how great she is. That’s what really hooked me, the FL’s journey to success and autonomy. It’s so refreshing to see a female lead who stands up for herself instead of just taking the abuse.
If you’re tired of the same old passive FLs, this one is definitely worth a watch!
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As for Lu Ji Ming, his character is so overly rude and unpleasant in the beginning that it's took some time to root for the blossoming feelings between him and Ning Meng. Thankfully, this drama is not centered around a romance between them, and he experiences a lot of growth as well. His friend Ceng Yu Hang brings a lot of humor to the drama and made me laugh out loud several times. I'm also so glad they didn't make Xu Si Tian one of those annoying second leads who won't give up on the male lead. Very pleasantly surprised by her character!
Not quite sure I'd rewatch this but I enjoyed it.
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Perfect
Everything of the drama was just perfect the only thing which was disappointing me they had no episodes of their togetherness . I really wanted to see their chemistry . First time very different story of boss and his assistance .I understood that the story was about how to chase our dreams ,never give up type attitude ,firm determination .But I think every story is incomplete without love story that's why the drama end with their love story . Main male lead character was tough but hesitate at the time of confessing his feelings , so after accept of his proposal, so how he will takes his love story futher . This I wanted to see but drama was end after his confession of love accepted with the sweet kiss.I really wants this drama has second season ." After marriage still master of our own "...
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Chemistry (loyalty) speaks louder ?
Best c-drama of 2022.Lin Gengxin and 7 Tan brings out a very natural portrayal of a boss and a secy. Their acting were phenomenal in this drama. They had got a very lovable chemistry even though they express less towards each other. All the other supporting cast were outstanding in their given roles. Ending ost was really soft and melancholic in tune, i really loved it so much🥰
Acting; 10/10
Romance: 10/10 (you don't see much but you feel it)
Story: 10/10
Rating must be above 8.5 atleast, this seems underrated.
Conclusion : A must watch drama for all drama lovers. Very motivating and lovely. I have no interest in investment or anything like that but this drama really is a gem and it sparkles.
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My second actor crush - It would be a 10 if only it had a decent kiss or some truly romantic scenes
Things I loved:1 The male lead actor. Gorgeous and such a good actor. He doesn't have the beauty of Ji Chang Wook, but I had an equal crush on him. He's more mature, more rugged, but as much talented and handsome.
2 Mrs. Shi. I don't think I've ever liked a secondary character more than her. This is what every employer should aspire to and every woman and man. Not only the character was great, but the actress also was stunning and played the role to perfection. she was believable as the thoughtful, smart and kind CEO. Her kindness was visible in her expression and her whole demeanor. I truly loved her.
3 The setting of the story. I loved that it was a field I'm interested in and it doesn't disappoint.
4 The second couple. Both great actors and great characters. At first I thought the second female lead would be the rival and disliked her a lot. But once she changed, I loved her more and more. I loved their relationship with the male lead. Their friendship felt genuine and moving. I think from all the second couples I've seen this is my favorite.
5 The team in the male lead's company. Those who stayed with him were all great characters.
6 The secretary. her interactions with the male lead were so cute. I loved that in the end she'll have her happy ending. Song was also a great character even though he wasn't often on screen.
7 I loved the partner of his father. Such a wise and kind woman. I loved how she treated the male lead and how their relationship was portrayed.
8 The cinematography. Gorgeous views of Shanghai.
9 The heroine's parents. What a funny, warm, caring and wise couple. The family dynamic was great to watch.
10 I want to add separately how much I loved the friendship between the male lead and the second male lead. Their friendship was so good to watch. It was fun and at the same time moving how they interacted depending of the situation.
11 I loved the witty dialogue between the main leads especially in the first half when there were so many witty exchanges. It slowed down later and that displeased me. I don't know why they can't keep things on the same lever when it comes to the identity of a show. They can make the characters evolve without necessary change what makes the charm of a show.
12 How capable and smart the heroine was.
13 That it's the drama I laughed the most spontaneously in some of the dialogues.
Things I disliked:
1 The father story. They could choose another way to go. To me that was heartbreaking for the male hero and he never had closure even though they tried.
2 Something futile and just for fun. The way he coiffed his hair sometimes. It seemed so unkempt and so not him.
3 The main lead actress. I know many will dislike what I say, and I'm not proud to say it either, but although she's pretty, she's not attractive to me and I don't think she was a good match for the actor. I never stopped imagining someone else like Bai Lu in her place. I know it's not fair and she's a talented actress, no doubt about this, but because I didn't find her attractive enough for the male lead, there was no romantic chemistry between them. I even felt like the actress didn't know how to play the romantic scenes well. She was great while she sparred with him, but I've never felt like she cared about her boyfriend or the male lead romantically. I get that they focused on the business side of the story and how she fulfilled her dreams, but it's a miss in my opinion not to give is more romance. Anyway the 10 is for the male lead and some witty dialogues, but not for the actress unfortunately.
4 I didn't care about the friend from the past. She wasn't a bad character, just underwhelming for me and not necessary at all. She didn't contribute anything to the story. It could be great without her.
4 The non communication between the father and the male lead. I know it was meant to show that he struggled in life as well, but I would like another resolution as I said before.
5 The best friend of the female led. Her character irked me. Yes her boyfriend turned out to be a scumbag but what the heck was she doing living the life of a lazy person who only wanted someone to dot on her. Despicable and I hate that kind of women. She's supposedly changed and the hint of romance between her and the factory owner was great, but it doesn't redeem her for being such a leech before and excuse her behavior because he promised her to take care of her. What the heck?
Things I hated:
1 The lack of any romantic scenes. Really? You write such a good script and you have a great actor as male lead and you don't think it would add to the enjoinment to add some romantic moments between them? Real romantic moments where both leads were present and could witness each others feelings grow. We were robbed as viewers of watching their romance grow. I wanted to lower my rating just for that but then the male lead was so good I couldn't.
2 The boyfriend of the female lead. The moment he appeared I disliked the actor so much that he could be a great character and I'd never warm on him. Like at first sight, there's have at first sight. That's what happened to me when he appeared on my screen. Not only I don't like his appearance, but he also made me think of someone I'd never like to meet in my life. It's weird how our feelings work.
Of course the character he played didn't help changing my first impression. I hated his character more than anything and I didn't feel the smallest kind feeling and understanding about him. He chose to do what he did and he wasn0t redeemed because he did the right thing i n the end. He hit her so there will never be any redemption for him. he should have treated whatever problems he had before ruining other people's lives. Despicable character, unattractive actor. Comparing him and the boyfriend of the best friend who mislead the main couple, I'd still have more understanding for the boyfriend of the best friend of the heroine.
3 The last episode. Although I loved seeing everyone and it was fun to see how they evolved and where they are now, how the heck do you spend so much time on the scumbag? Who cares what happens to him? Give us the result in one minute and move to the main couple or anyone else for that matter. That was a big failure and I don't get why they did it. They could have wrapped up this story in the previous episode. We didn't need the musings of that stupid character.
I also hated that the main leads had only 5 minutes, really five minutes, to decide to be together. What is wrong with the writers and the director? How on earth is this satisfactory for everyone who watched 32episodes and invested their time on the series? And of course there's declaration of love, there's no tenderness, nothing cute or romantic. Such a let down, I almost cried. I was waiting for that last episode, hoping they would have the time to talk about their feelings. Unbelievable and so frustrating.
4 I hated the way the female lead dressed. She didn't look elegant at all. More like a child who played a grown up. Her clothes were too similar and too bland. She could be professional and at the same time elegant. Everyone else was best dressed and I loved the male lead's style. Her character was the only one to wear such uninspiring clothes. I don't get why. Same thing for her hair. They should use someone who could make her look pretty because the truth is she's pretty enough, but the clothes, and the high heels that didn't suit her at all, and the hair didn't do her any favors.
5 I can't get past the supposed kiss. It was teased and never delivered. What the heck was that? We saw them just touch the lips accidentally and they kept talking about a kiss. What kiss? Where was that kiss? It was beyond ridiculous to describe this as a kiss and it irked me a lot. I felt cheated as a viewer. And I felt both leads behaved stupidly for something that didn't even happen. That scene was so unnatural, so cringe. Not funny, not romantic, not anything other than ridiculous. And then we had to wait until the last minute to see them kiss for two seconds. Great! Good job, no one ever said.
6 I hated that the female lead had to think about breaking up with that stupid boyfriend. He hit her and she took time to send him packing. Really? Not only that but we never saw her being attached to him, so why the heck would she hesitate to make a decision about their relationship? I would get if they were together for years and it was the first time and she was surprised etc. etc. But there was no reason for her to think about it. She should have pushed him in front of a car. Sorry, I'm just so mad about that. I want the heroines to be like we should be and not like we are as women. I get the verbal sparring because leads because you can talk back and the level can be equal. You can have sharp and witty exchanges without abusing the other person. but hit someone is nowhere acceptable, so it just made me dislike the heroine who's supposed to grow and be a smart woman.
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satisfy screenplay writer
I was very much surprised!!! without any romantic scene or intimacy, the story able to tie us , keep following everyday till the last episode.. Each episode well composed . The cast was good enough to make us stick on it.. Showing a strong Female lead inspires. Well done to the screenplay writer. The writing makes us involved which each character .. since FL and ML is my favorite , i knew they will nailed the character., especially Kenny... OMG. he look handsome . Seven Tan , keep on moulding her acting skill in each of her serial. Anyhow, overall in was a good show. Thanks Mr. Director , to gave such a warm drama... Really love it.Was this review helpful to you?
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Amazing Story of Self Actualisation and Character progression
This drama had my favourite features...a strong FL who believes in herself and is undaunted by adverse circumstances, a ML who is cold and arrogant but changes to total mush later on, supportive parents, sismance in workplace ( not easy to find it) and an ending which makes me happy and well assured that things do turn out for the best. Of course, Kenny Lin and Seven Tan were the stars of the show but the side characters had quite a bit of contribution in increasing the appeal of the drama. i never had even one boring moment with this drama and enjoyed it thoroughlyWas this review helpful to you?
Female Lead Saves The CEO
I wanted to watch this drama because both of the leads are in my top 10 actors that I admire. When it first started, I quickly started to love the FL because Tan Song Yun was strong, smart and great charisma. I like how she stay calm when her boss would try to insult her. But I could not understand that her boss is the character that she would end up with. As a women I would never feel love for someone who insult me or belittle me and disrespected me. I can see him giving her orders at work and being tough but not the way he treated her and disrespected her. Maybe I demand more of my boss. Lin Geng Xin, he was spoil and arrogant and just because he was good at his job and was talented, to me he just like belittling people underneath him. The story was good and it even got better as she starts dating and becomes a great investor. Her boyfriend did leave me with suspicion, especially when he became angry. The FL had to save the CEO and his family. That is so good to say. But then came the ending and it left me with a sad look. I already had lost a bet because I said they would kiss by episode 30. The first touch of lips did not count that was not a kiss. I figure that the writer would give them 2 episode to really show romance between them and falling in love but no. 2 cold ducks that kiss and END. No sorry, that was not good for me. The actor performance was great and I like the story line except the end.Was this review helpful to you?
You go in expecting a rom-com but leave the show inspired by the female lead in the end.
I only started watching this drama thinking it was a rom-com, but it never turned out to be that.Although I was a bit disappointed in the beginning since most of the men in show are just a**holes, however each woman in this show was impressive. Their strength to fight for their own right, ability to stand up for fellow women and following their dreams, instead of just following men was what makes this drama a good watch. I have seen the female lead in 'Go Ahead' and I really liked her then, but I completely fell in love with her in this drama wand was rooting for her during the whole whole show.
I will definitely look out for all her dramas in future.
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Could have been a great Drama.
There is a lot to like about Master of my Own, great production values, strong female lead and a story of female empowerment.....but the whole drama is destroyed by the Toxic ML character who is abusive, controlling, treats the FL like his chattel, then when she finally had enough of his constant promises of promotion to the Job she was interviewed for eventually walks out to a competing company so he makes his mission to destroy her career to force her back.No abuser like that deserves the redemption he achieved at the end, he should have ended up in prison!
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"Lemon, what happened in your childhood to make you believe people are good?”
Starting my review with a quote from another drama with a Lemon character. Lizz lemon- 30 Rock ;)Beyond 30 Rock:
Similar to 30 Rock, we have a bright eyed newbie in a corporate world having to deal with a boss who starts off as cynical, conservative, un creative, racist, arrogant, but this is where the parallels end. In 30 Rock Liz was used to humanise Jack who was not at all a nice person. This is not the case with Lu Ji Meng. He is ambitious but also conscious of the responsibilities of the investment field. He is an excellent mentor to Ning Meng and I'm glad that the romantic relationship wasn't based on her total dependence on him. His character growth was impressive- from arrogant to pitiful to humbled.
Working in the Corporate world:
This drama showed me a different side to capital markets and investment- which it goes in details with - without making it seem too wolf of wall street types- atleast that's the stereotype I have of this industry. Even though I am not in the field, I have worked in corporate and Ning Meng's experience was extremely relatable.
I liked the way they show subtle difference in work spaces that are dominated by men and workspaces that have more female workers but who are also supportive of each other. The drama is aware of these social dynamics and is able to convey it without being preachy and obvious.
On Nostalgia:
Interesting how the romantic interests of the respective leads tried to manipulate them with nostalgia. The FL was most pragmatic, she got over her childhood crush but was still easily influenced. Nostalgia is never a critical place, it's purely emotional. Goes to show how easy it can be to control someone using sentiment of the past.
Overall thoughts:
I would have preferred it to be entirely about Ning Meng's journey from secretary to director without the romance element. But I also liked her dynamic with Lu Ji Meng- felt similar to the chemistry of Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye- they're very comfortable being friends and are almost destined to end up together irrespective of the paths they choose.
I was lost in the middle when Yi Meng was introduced, felt her character was under developed compared to the rest.
Liu Chang's character was also quite two dimensional. Besides dining out and the predictable trope of a spurned lover, he didn't really add anything else.
I lived for the scenes with Shi Ying and Ning Meng, they were each others' fan girls and the chemistry was incredible. Yang Xiao as the secretary was too cute- her banter with Lu Ji Meng was pure comedy.
I haven't enjoyed a similar workplace drama since Rememberance of Things Past which also had a perfect fusion of almost documentary like detail of corporate work life along with drama and romance.
I might do a Tan Song Yun retrospective and re-watch this along with The Sword And The Brocade where she was also phenomenal
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