She and Her Perfect Husband (2022)

More Legal/Business Talk than Romance - Decent but not Great.

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25 (extra 0.25 for Xu Kai's emotional eyes) - Spoilers about the ending at the end of the review.

Many were expecting the broadcast of this drama, and I wasn’t one of them. I like Xu Kai and Yang Mi, but not a fan of older woman/younger man tropes, so I was waiting for reviews to come in before I decide to watch “She and Her Perfect Husband”. Lowering my expectations did help with me enjoying this drama.


Plot - This drama is a lot more business-focused than I originally thought. The conversations about legal and investment dealings might bore some viewers. I usually am fine with a business drama, but I still find this a little too much talking in a conference room instead of seeing legal/business dealings in action. Romance is folded into the overall business talk, since without the law firm promotion limitations for women, there won’t be a fake relationship between the main leads. This drama tries to talk about workplace inequality and treatment for women, and I appreciate it. But I don’t see why our female lead tries so hard to be a partner to make changes, when the firm’s initial ideals and purpose have changed. All the talk by the CEO about how good the firm is, is not shown through actions by management.

Main Romance - Surprisingly, there aren’t that many scenes of the two main leads together in the first half of the show. That’s when they first met and developed a marriage contract, but somehow the business side of things overshadows the interactions of the leads. Xu Kai and Yang Mi have good chemistry and I enjoy their bantering and conversations about their ideals. This couple for the most part really has honest conversations. The confession scene is a little underwhelming. It’s awkwardly cute but I was expecting more. Once they officially started dating, there are more sweet scenes in the middle part of the drama. I was initially worried that Yang Mi would look a lot older than Xu Kai and the romance would not be to my taste. Fortunately, I enjoy the scenes that they have together.

Secondary Romance - Li Ze Feng looks really good as Tao Jun Hui (2ML), just the hair is a little too ‘tall’ for my taste :D But his lack-of romance with Wu Fei (2FL) is really noticeable, and I guess that’s the whole point to it. Wu Fei calling Tao Juo Hui “Uncle” as a term of endearment every so often doesn’t help with the big age and maturity gap. On the other hand, Tao Jun Hui and Qin Shi (FL) have really good chemistry. I can totally see them together and there’s really no comparison between Qin Shi and Wu Fei.

Other Romance - Most annoying romance ever. I think I skip the majority of the scenes between Ren Mei Mei (FL’s BFF) and Qin Wen Yu (FL’s second brother). If I were Mei Mei, I would have divorce that jerk years ago. Their scenes only serve the purpose to describe Qin Shi’s view on marriage. Other than that, these two characters don’t really need to exist.

Acting - The overall acting of the whole cast is not bad. But the veterans definitely outshine the younger generation.. As a fan of Xu Kai, I am so glad he’s not in another cold-on-the-outside role. Yang Hua is still a more introverted character but at least he’s adorable and sweet. When the drama focuses on his background story, you can see his more emotional acting through his big beautiful eyes. That’s what I have been missing from his dramas lately. I am also glad that he’s not being dubbed. He might need some work but it’s not too bad. Yang Mi is Yang Mi. She’s the queen. She’s sassy and bossy as the hotshot lawyer, yet at home she’s a totally different person. Her real voice bothered me at times since it’s so girly. So when she’s whining, especially to the boss lady, it’s a little irritating. Speaking of the boss lady, that woman is amazing. I can’t tell if I should trust her words or not. Her fake smile (when the drama calls for it) is so fake that I can see her mind churning out schemes after schemes.


*spoilers*

Ending - The last few episodes have been criticized for the leads acting out of character. I can see why people said that as the leads have been honest and open with their feelings throughout the drama. For them not to talk much in the last episodes, it could be frustrating. From my point of view, the breakup is necessary and veteran watchers know that it’s coming. It’s not the first time we see a contract relationship breakup for the exact same reason. I can understand ML’s intention and agree with his action. If you want a real marriage, you need to end the old one to start off fresh. I just think he did not communicate his intention for the breakup clearly enough to FL. As for FL, throughout the whole drama, we’ve been told she doesn’t believe in marriage. The breakup allows her to think clearly about what she really wants. I just wish the writing of this part is a little better. You can do all that, breakup, giving FL time to think, etc, but should have done that a little sooner and not dragged that out. It doesn’t make sense that they were apart for 7 months, and then ML suddenly shows up at the apartment across from FL’s, opens his arms and then all is well?? Why wait 7 months? No communication at all for 7 months? What was the point in leaving her when you came right back to her? I thought he was waiting for her to make the first move?


Other Random Observations:
1. Love the conversations between ML and his dad. Dad gives the best advice.
2. FL’s outfits to work seem to be too flashy for a law firm.
3. A lot of product placements - I guess they need money to pay for FL’s wardrobe.
4. The songs are nice but quite repetitive after a while.
5. A few annoying characters but bearable.
6. I don't think the steamy kiss tag should apply here. Just because they are not fish kisses, it doesn't mean they are steamy kisses. I think Yang Mi needs to exert a little more effort for it to qualify for that tag.




Completed: 1/30/2023

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She and Her Perfect Husband + Perfect Leeches

Yang Mi and Xu Kai’s acting, chemistry and styling was sizzling hot! Perfect casting with two of the hottest trending actors. It kinda reminded me of You are My Glory with the super popular Dilraba and Yang Yang. But this show fell down because of the script and character development.

It’s like there are only 5 fully developed characters - Qin Shi, Yang Hua, Yao Yao, Yang Hua’s bff and Li Dai.

In real life, most people are not all bad and not all good. Apart from the four listed - the rest of the characters are all so one dimensional. Seriously did they sub these characters to be written by interns? The supporting characters are almost comedic and trope-y!!!

Qin Shi is all I want to be as a 女强人 (power woman). Smart, beautiful, high EQ (she can adapt to situations quickly and take on a cutesy or tigress persona as needed) and confident as hell. But seriously she’s surrounded by a bunch of sycophants. No wonder she’s so messed up in her personal life. Her parents suck, her big older brother seems nice and stable but why does his wife appear like the housekeeper, the second brother is like the epitome of a leech, her boss is toxic, even her bff is not that great.

Yang Hua is also multi dimensional even though he has a stone cold face most of the time. I love how he supported Qin Shi behind the scenes and secretly throughout the time even when she didn’t know.

I read a few reviews before, during and after watching the show. Many people say skip eps 35 to 40 (until last 10 min of show) if you want to see the happy ending.

Actually, I get why they needed to separate. Qin Shi needed to sort her own complex complicated feelings out. Yao Hua’s love for her was enduring. He was not confused. She was. So maybe she did need the time to sort herself out. I think those episodes also allowed her time to grow and develop. But I feel not enough. And I wished their reunion could have lasted one more episode.

All in all, the chemistry between the leads made this show worth watching but will it ever reach cult status like You are my Glory? No.

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So is a life a long exam and marriage an elective?

Here goes my first review of 2023~ wasn’t this such an anticipated and hyped up drama? I think viewers were mostly disappointed due to the high expectations they had for the show. But don’t let those reviews deter you cos despite its flaws, objectively speaking, it’s a really good show! Minus the hasty and weird wrap up which I’m sure everyone docked points for…

I came here for the leads and in my opinion they had amazing chemistry despite the age gap. Very mature acting that didn’t disappoint! In general, Yang Hua is a very mature character. His support and demeanour in the household is refreshing for a younger male lead. He’s so wise a book can be made from all his quotes — aren’t they so relatable? I love how he understands our FL better than she understands herself. Though it started to go awry when they started this weird bout of lack of communication at the last part. That was frustrating to watch and honestly just felt out of place. That aside, Xu kai and yang mi did a really great job as usual. It’s always a pleasure to see XK on screen hehe

The supporting characters and cases carried the show and gave it its substance. 10/10 on this aspect!! Except the 2nd brother? Who the hell gave him a happy ending?

Also… did anyone else feel like there were TMOPB Easter eggs?? Yang Hua? The way Qin Shi fiddles with items and they way she taps her fingers? No? Just me? Ok

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I want my own Yang Hua!

She and Her Perfect Husband (2022)

First completed drama for 2023!

Likes
1. The relationship between Qin Shi and Yang Hua. I loved them so much. They may have started out with a fake relationship, but they supported and complemented each other that the age gap wasn't even an issue. Where can I find my own Yang Hua? He was almost perfect! Yang Mi was gorgeous and Xu Kai is too cute!! Need to look for more Xu Kai dramas 🥰
2. Every fake marriage trope needs to end before their real relationship begins. That's why I didn't mind that they broke up on eps 36-40. Qin Si mostly had the upperhand in the relationship, so it was just right that she should be the one who realizes what she lost. Although I liked that that they got back together, I wish it was Qin Shi who made the grand gesture to bring him back. And even at the end, they never said "i love you" to each otherand they didn't remarry. But that's alright. Just like what Yang Hua said, they dont need to get married, as long as they can be together forever and ever.
3. I thought Li Dai was going to be the b.tchy villain but I also liked her a lot! Wished that they just opened their own female lawyer studio. Their combo will be lethal!
4. I was expecting to hate Tao Junhui but I actually liked him too. It's just that he wasn't able to protect Qin Shi that time and now he missed his timing since Yang Hua is already in Qin Shi's life. I can't believe that he would like a spoiled and spiteful girl like Wu Fei, I thought he deserved better. But ending looks like Wu Fei also grew up a little and is now ready to be more mature and work earnestly and not just rely on her daddy's money.
5. Let's not forget Yang Hua's best friend who is funny and great help to the couple.
6. I loved the ost but couldn' find the songs on Spotify.

Dislikes
1. That it took too long for Qin Shi to resign from Cheng & Hui and realize how toxic their culture was. I almost thought she was going to accept the partner offer. I'm so happy she didn't!! Particularly Madam Tang who i always thought looked so fake.
2. The whole side story about The brother Wenyu and Meimei was boring so I skipped all those parts.
3. I wished they also showed how successful Yang Hua was to get back at all those who looked down on him for being jobless.

Rating: 8.5/10

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Eloquently Written Original Storyline with Reversed Roles

Before you feel this story is so groundbreaking, know that is it believed by the Chinese that a woman who is six years older than the guy is a perfect pairing. They are quite equal and open-minded in their thinking.

I really appreciated the original story between an older girl and younger guy. A prominent theme throughout the series was gender equality and it was interesting to watch the female lead be the breadmaker and fighter, while the guy supported the female lead's wishes and directions. It was genius and trending to make Yang Hua a stocktrader, which gave his character respect and intelligence, able to make money and have the education degree, work connections, yet stay at home. The main story was interesting to watch and had substance to it, filling about the first couple episodes, sporadically to around episode 10, then picking up again at the series halfway point at around episode 26. The side stories did not take up a major part of the episodes and were easy to watch and skip if wanted.

Another thing to draw attention to is that the female lead and casts are constantly changing outfits. We can learn fashion trends from the show and see each character's personality through their outfits.

The writers were genius in writing Li Da, by balancing her ambition while not presenting her as the stereotypically depicted antagonistic woman who is shallow and mean, without their own career and methods at life, even though they are at an even level to compete with the main characters.

In regards to pacing, I feel some cases were given too many episodes, such as the first cases, and others were blown through too quickly. The ending was very well-rounded and finished off, however it felt sudden compared to how the filler episodes spaced out progression of the plot until that point.

Qin Shi's brother and sister-in-law's romance was confusing logically and I skimmed through most of it after the initial episodes.

The exes of both leads were written beautifully in that they were moderate and not too-extreme in their pursuit of love or creating tension between the main leads. I love that Yang Hua's ex-girlfriend, Yao Yao, had her own life and maturity to realize they don't belong together anymore and not drop everything in her life to pursue him. However I feel the show writers wrote her out too quickly afterwards when that was established. How can a case go to court when the paintiff drops out?? It doesn't quite make sense, again, creating the rushed ending.

This show is a real testament to the female narrative and girl power, giving many eloquent and beautiful arguments of independence and equality from Qin Shi. The show writers did a wonderful job of writing original dialogue, paired with creating authentic characters by the commendable choice in using the actor's real voices. As a result, each character's little twitches and reactions that is natural to the actor's themselves was incorporated into their characters, separating them from the normal Chinese tv series of flat voices and robotic expressions. In this way, despite my initial hesitation of a show between Yang Mi and Xu Kai, they have grown on me and irreplaceably made the show's character's their own. (It also helps that Xu Kai doesn't act in many modern shows so his acting of this role gave a fresh impression to male leads). I immensely support the series for using all the actor's real voices, using the character's wardrobe to emulate their stories, and the original storyline with impeccable balance of a hard topic and eloquent messages written for the characters.

This show is in many ways all about balance, and the show writers exemplified it in all aspects.

Other comments:
- The depiction of a law firm is not accurate LOL (I think? Correct me if I'm wrong, but all that drama about money investments was really hilarious because this is not a business corporation despite what the writers are writing it to be)
- Lawyers can't just switch the topic of law they practice so easily (I think?)
- They barely have any court scenes LOL. Also much of a corporate lawyer's job is writing reports

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The ending was to Abrupt - She and her perfect Husband

The ending of the show was too abrupt , it's almost as if the story was incomplete. There was no understanding between the two towards the end to the point at which the audience don't know if Qin Shi had change her perception on marriage. The character had no development. James is confusing too, it was so out of character for him to act the way he did towards the end .The james we , the audience got to know throughout the series would never play the manipulative game if the out come seems to be impractical. We don't know if the characters got remarried , or how mimi and her husband got back together . The ending was rushed for no reason . Episode 40 could have had a better time jump that explains what happened properly to the characters when they were separated .

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Ouch! That hurt!

It starts promisingly, as a series for adults. But then it becomes one-sidedly about the cause of women, emancipation, and all the rest. Men are secondary, bad, evil, irresponsible, or uptight, like the ML and everyone circles around the great career women.
It turns out, the FL really doesn't need a man. Not even the submissive slave ML who is camouflaged as the "Perfect Husband". So what does this the series want to tell us?

The sneaky 2nd ML, has felt more action time with the FL than the ML, why doesn't he have the lead role? FL and he are a perfect fit in their coldness of feeling and with their pathetic shared past.
This ex-boyfriend of FL, Jun Hui, who is admired as a "good man" throughout, who watches a rape while filming, is the constant nuisance to the main characters' relationship.
The poor, hasty ending is in keeping with the general level of the story, 2 minutes of sweet talk at the end must be enough for anything. Does the writer lack the empathy to fabricate a reasonable happy ending? She has given more time to the assaults of the 2nd ML against the FL.
Too bad for the wonderful leading actress Yang Mi, too bad for Xu Kai, who always has to look down in intimidation.
It was not worth it. Is there no supervisor or editors to correct the biggest bullshit of the authors?

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Do not hesitate because of rating

I just finished the drama and I love it more now, than when I started. I am so glad I did not dropped it just because it rated at only 8.0 on Mydramalist. I continue just because of the wonderful casts and my beliefs in them delivering their best. It didn’t disappoint. The acting were superb, the dialogues were engaging and at times captivating, the story was interesting and satisfying.
Sure it has some flaws in the last few episodes, where some scenes seemed jumpy and some matters were not properly explained. But the whole story makes up for the small imperfections. Congratulations to the production house and its crew for an excellent drama.
While I do love Yang Hua & Qin Shi together, I actually secretly don’t mind if Qin Shi ended up with Tao Junhui. LZF is excellent as TJ. His uncomfortableness every single time YH name was brought up by whoever are just so well done. TJ and QS interactions with each other were just next level, its like they understood each other beyond the spoken words.
But of course YH and QS are the ultimate couple, who wouldn’t want a partner like that, who supports you not only at home but at work too. YH unconditional love is just what a person like QS needs.
I love the bosses Chen & Hui, both their kindness and meanness. Li Dai to me is annoying. She seeks too much help in her work from others. Qin Shi is always the better lawyer than her, but her character adds flavor to the story so I can live with that, just like all the family and office members.
Its so unfair and sad that the drama rating is not higher than 8 .

Can we have a two hour movie please to satisfy our unfulfilled desires to watch more of YH & QS ? ;)

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good point of view....watch it with open mind and clear concept on such situation...

kudos to writer it may be against my wish as I watch the in the dramaland for the ending but I do agree if it's base on real life.
especially with todays circumstances and influences. I agree with the ending 80% of this situation will really end up like the writers opinion the rest of the 20% is divided into happy ending and life move in with bitterness.
I do love the actors and the chemistry is awesome.....
I waited for nth time for this to watch....I was hesitant at first but throw away the hesitancy and watch it with clear and open mind.
by the way does this show reflect much on working environment in their country....if it is...its freaking hard to survive in the real word.
thumbs up and cheers to everyday working life..

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Good story but bad ending.

I really like the story up to the 39th episode.
I like how they revealed all the law cases and how everyone grow. I really like the chemistry between Yang Hua and Qin Shi, they really depend on each other.
But I really don't like how the ending goes. Like why and how Qin Shi suddenly hugging Yang Hua and accept him without questioning where have he been and what did he do those 7 months. I don't get the closure to why they reconcile.
On the other hand, Yang Hua seemed childish when he heard the convo between Qin Shi and Tao Junhui (when Tao Junhui got drunk). Can't he asked and confront Qin Shi about either she love him or not and did the marriage just a burden for her?
Well I know that somehow they'll get a happy ending. But isn't the ending seemed rushed? Or is it just me?
For me, this drama could be a better drama if the ending didn't rushed and we get the closure that we need.
It's really a good drama but with a bad ending or I could say a rushed ending. But if you like the drama that ML is younger that FL, you'll like this drama. But don't make such expectation.
Do I wanna rewatch it? Well I don't think so.

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