Slow burning idealist romance
I've watched many kdramas and this is the first cdrama that I've finished. The others I tried were full of overacting and cringey characters that I couldn't watch. I feel like cdrama fans must be much more critical than kdrama fans. The rating for this show is currently 7.9 while some sub-par kdramas are rated at 8.7 or higher.This slow-burn of a romance drama balanced with corporate politics has a modern feel to it. Our heroine played by Qin Lan, is a near-perfect person. Intelligent, rational, thoughtful, and poised no matter what comes her way. Although it can be hard to buy in to such a perfect character, her very natural acting brings it to life and she's very enjoyable to watch as Shen Ruo Xin. Dylan Wang as Qi Xiao is also an idealist archetype, but with a earnest and straightforward nature, and he pulls it off too. Their romance is mature, sweet, and calm.
The balance between the main leads and the supporting characters is well done. They grow their interconnections in smooth ways, and you get to know them quite well. I really enjoyed the innocent sweet relationship between Su Yang and Si Jia. And I absolutely loved the energetic, confident, and fearless Zi Yan as Ruo Xin's best friend. The two had such great chemistry as BFFs.
Some might call this drama flat or boring. I think it could have used a few more dramatic plot challenges, and the ones it did have could have brought more variation to the tone. However, I feel the script was very well written, almost as if it was capturing real life interactions, without cutting any lines out. If you are in the mood for following interesting and well-written dialogue, you will enjoy this and it won't seem boring.
This drama is filled with idealist representations of people. The maturity in the relationships and the smooth way in which the characters interact with each other and form relationships that go beyond isolating the main leads from the supporting characters is well done. The production values are beautiful. And the calm, mature feel of the show makes it really enjoyable. I'm so glad I watched this and now I'm off to find more cdramas like it!
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Unimpressive Story Line and Acting
I really, really hate myself for watching the entire series, all 35 episodes - basically became torture after watching about 7-8 of them. I kept hoping for some type of shift in the story line and it never happened. Typical family and friend relationships for this type of drama - blah, blah and blah.I have to say, I'm shocked at all the positive reviews and I've only read on that was a realistic evaluation of the series. I watched the about 17 episodes before I started to fast forward, a lot, just to get through the program.
Let me start with saying the FL is a fantastic actress whom I've seen before in other rolls. However, she should have skipped this one - she should have a heart to heart with her manager about placing her in these types of rolls!!! In the beginning of the series, they portray her as this super tough and intelligent women climbing the company latter, however, in essence she turns out to be soft, caring and vulnerable women that needs the help of a 22 year old punk out of college - not a good look for women.
The ML bordered on being creepy in his pursuit of his boss - almost to the point of being a stalker. And, low and behold, nobody in the office noticed him hounding her every minute of the day. His facial expressions were extremely exaggerated and his acting was subpar in my opinion. He should go back to a acting couch and hone his skills a little more before he takes on any more big projects.
And, the actors who played her boss, Mr. Xu, is an excellent actor whom I've also seen before. This series was way below anything he should have ever entertained and shouldn't have participate - I don't care how much $$$ was involved..
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This review may contain spoilers
So high review but it wasn't 10/10
Story was great and there relationship from start to end was Great tooThey wasted lot of time on her BOSS. 20 episodes, trying to make her cindrella and then got denied..
Real flirting started from 21
Relationship started at 27 episode out of 35
Other then her childhood divorced sweetheart there was no villian
she did not let him even kiss her,
She did not introduced him to her friends herself he went there and she has to....
She was smart enough to understand YUTAO was a scambeg but she keep in touch with him and let him manipulate there relationship.
FL Asked him to kept that from her mother but he went on to tell her
He look down on FL and insulted her
But she just accepted all that because he is her childhood sweetheart ? Ugly look sweetheart.
She don't ask her mother who told her about how is her boyfriend ?
At least a SLAP he deserves from FL.
In e 34
I did not get it why she even accepted yutao call and even going to meet that lowlife, if she have that much free time then she should spend that with her boyfriend then a lowlife...
GU YU TAO DESERVES A HARD SLAP
Boring for 20 Episodes
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It a joy and a pleasure to watch it
I have been a Dylan Wang's fan since Meteor Garden, after Evernight 2 and waiting for his new incoming dramas.This drama treat some important issues in China nowadays, women independence, the thing that there is nothing wrong with relationships between a 30s female and a young man, also family and old tradition matters.
The lead actress is exquisite on her acting. She has been a fantastic discovery. She along Didi, he plays a lovely, kind and loyal guy.
One more time, Dylan shows his awesome skill on acting, I'm proud.
The rest of the cast did great too. Totally is the drama to re watch it and enjoy it over and over again.
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This review may contain spoilers
A beautiful and realistic portrayal of (romantic) relationships in life
Such an amazing drama, with such a beautiful portrayal of romantic relationships through different stages. It also realistically portrayed the hardships people go through in current society. I liked how they showed the character finding and choosing their own happiness, just as we strife to do every day.The casting was perfect. Each actor performed their role very well and the main couple just melted my heart with their sweetness.
Though this drama didn't have any big highs or lows that kept me at the edge of your seat, it flowed naturally like a real story would. I wouldn't recommend this drama to people who want to take their mind of things, as this drama does go into some serious societal issues. However for people for people who enjoy who enjoy slice of dramas this is a great pick.
Overall it was a very nice watch. I'm going to miss seeing these characters on my screen. 8/10.
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This review may contain spoilers
"The Rational Life" is a well-written and well-acted drama that covers office politics, sabotage, and sexual discrimination with a budding romance winding its way throughout.The first two-thirds of the of the series was well-paced and held my attention completely. The last third featured excellent character development, but was slow at moments.
Notably, the working partnership between Shen Ruo Xin and Qi Xiao was dynamic & exciting. The dialogue was cracking, the chemistry was off the charts, and you had the feeling that you were really seeing two people fall for each other while dealing with realistic workplace issues.
Unfortunately, the romance overwhelmed later episodes as the couple faced pointless obstacles and they (yawn) talked their way out of them. The couple didn't really "do" anything together once Xiao left Zenpro. This was a shame because their interactions while working on the common project of establishing the electric car business were what made the show so compelling.
Dylan Wang is not the best actor, but he has a ton of charisma and was extremely convincing as mature 20-something Qi Xiao falling in love with his 30-something boss.
Chen Peng Wan Li who played Su Yang moped his way through the entire series but had a shining moment in the scene with his parents. It's a shame his back story wasn't better developed because he showed he had the chops to carry some of the show.
Watching the friendship develop between Zhou Yi Lan (Ruo Xin's mother) and Du Li Ting (Xiao's mother) was delightful. Both actresses gave beautiful, heartwarming performances as the sometimes infuriating but mostly lovable matriarchs.
The slower pacing of the last third as well as some missed opportunities and overdone story lines - Xu & Gu love interests why? - lead me to rate this series 8.5/10.
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Healthy relationships
A good balance between workplace drama, slice-of-life, family and romance.The relationships portrayed, both family, friends and coworkers, are realistic and develops well, supporting the storyarchs and pace of the drama.
Acting was strong from pretty much everyone. Dylan Wang mastered the portrayal of a young person with sincere feelings well, and I must say the actress playing FL’s mum impressed me.
The “opposite age difference” is shown in a very realistic way, and I particularly liked how they addressed the concerns and obstacles through the views of different people around them.
The supporting characters’ stories did develop on their own archs, without being too dominating. They could have dropped some of it and made the drama shorter, as they were not really essential to the story, but those scenes didn’t feel like a total waste of time either.
All in all, this is a good drama to watch if you like more mature, healthy relationships.
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She looks perfect from the outside but she's actually lonely
Normal thing when people think a lady age 30+ has perfect career and she MUST marry to complete her traditional Asian value. So much burden she carries by herself until he came...The ML character looks young and inexperienced but he's actually a righteous and responsible person, with great sense of humour, lights up her world.
FL and ML have so much much natural chemistry and the plots and scripts are make sense. 100% office life with all its challenges + family and romantic issues.
It's heartwarming but no cheesy taste. Very recommended
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One of the most beautiful and memorable story
Just finished watching this series today, damn I really loved it I feel kinda empty now am done with it. The female lead character is the most lovable person have ever seen in a drama, if such a person exist in real life she would definitely be my role model. This drama would be one of the best Chinese drama have watched. It was a roller coaster of different emotions, I genuinely cried during the sad part, and I smiled also during the good part. I look forward to this writer new dramas he/she definitely deserves an award for this drama, I also look forward to the female lead and the male lead dramas. I loved the second couples too. I really wished it did not end. I feel sad the characters ain't real but fictional, I feel sad I won't get to see them more. I would recommend this to everyone who gets to read my review.Was this review helpful to you?
A pleasant suprise.
As always my score is based on the enjoyment l received watchingthis drama, I have no skills as a reviewer but I must say I am a fan of slower developing shows, it gives time for the characters to be well defined in the earlier episodes by which time we are accepting them as a part of our viewing life; this drama is a good example.
The ML's executed their roles exceedingly well and were totally believable. The story line was believable and an enjoyable part of the overall story. The OST was pleasing and for the most part fitted well with the story line. The characters I felt were well developed and whilst I am not a resident of China provided a realistic view of the interactions between families, business colleagues and friends .
As you may have gathered I enjoyed this as much as "Go Ahead and PYHOMS " both of which captivated me.
Worth rewatching some time in the future.
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A heartfelt rom-com that hits you right in the feels
As someone who is closer to 30 than she is 20, on the cusp of what society views as my last years of "female youth", I found The Rational Life to be very relatable and fun to watch. The drama is a realistic portrayal and intersection of the aspirations, worries and frustrations of life in a big city for women trying to pave their own way in their life and career, bright-eyed university graduates grasping for their foothold in the world and ageing parents wanting what they truly think is best for their kids. It explores the perspectives of three different generations, their views on career, marriage, having children and what it means to be happy, and what it takes to meet in the middle.Dylan Wang (as Qi Xiao) and Qin Lan (as Shen Ruo Xin) are exceptional in their acting and super cute in this drama. Their chemistry is very natural and befitting of their relationship which develops throughout the show. Their banter is what I live for.
I also love the supporting cast and each of their individual stories. Each character was well written and alive - they had their own motivations and concerns and didn't just exist for the main couple. Pan Hong (as Shen Ruo Xin's mum) is truly captivating and frightening at the same time - there were times where I couldn't decide if I hated her but in the end I understood her burden as a single mother.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed watching The Rational Life and give it a 8.5/10 but will add a bonus 0.5 points for Dylan Wang's acting, emotional confessions and general adorableness (so 9/10 in total). Never thought I'll be attracted to a guy that is several years younger than me (nor did Shen Ruo Xin haha) but Dylan Wang was truly outstanding in this role. I guess The Rational Life teaches us that love is irrational but it somehow it all just makes sense.
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Dramatically realistic.
This drama has all the components of every typical office drama; the mean boss, the mean rival, office rival and of course the dirty office tricks used against the main leads. But somehow even when it sounded cliche, the story line does make you roll eyes.Both Dylan and QL did a great job bringing out their character but the chemistry was a bit lacking. Don’t expect to see a lot of knight in shining armor scenes or even kiss scenes, there won’t be a lot of it. But if you’re in it for the strong independent woman vibes, then go ahead, start episode 1.
I think this drama is made for those who enjoy realistic kind of story, you’d definitely come out with another little outlook in life after watching this as the lines are so inspirational. Really teaches you the importance of good communication. There were barely any annoying misunderstandings, proving a drama can actually go without those.
I’d usually skip a lot when it comes to work or office scenes, but this time, I barely did and it was quiet satisfying when the main leads actually overcomes the dirty old tricks from the rival.
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