Reviews

Never ending misunderstanding & mixed up identities. Not recommended

I remembered coming across this title when I was preparing for a reddit post of my favourite Guo Yu Xin dramas. I purposely skip this drama after watching first two minutes. So today I decided to watch it in full because I am exploring Chen Tian Xiao's work for another reddit post. This drama isn't worth recommending.

What I liked:
1. Styling - Guo Yu Xin wore pretty clothes. I really liked her in that pink blush dress. Chen Tian Xiao had good outfits too. He even managed to show off his muscular body.
2. FL characterisation - She was smart & likeable.
3. Supporting characters - I liked FL's best friend & ML's friend.

What I disliked:
1. Misunderstanding - This trope was stretched to the max. There wouldn't be any misunderstanding if either one of them had checked their marriage certificate. I increased speed until almost the end because the story was draggy.
2. Antagonists - The amount of injustice faced by FL qas astonishing. From her step-sis and work rival to ML's delusional pursuer, they were really out to get her. I felt like they didn't get retribution.
3. Romance - Clearly underdeveloped. There wasn't even a proper kiss.
4. Identities - Hidden & stolen identities were liberally used in this drama. It was exhausting.
5. ML characterisation - For a rich CEO, he was stupid.

Favourite scene
When FL's work rival presented her CV to ML at the selection of ML's executive assistant

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Proof that (university) romcom’s can still workk!

Every time I think I’ve had enough of the university romance series, Thailand proves me wrong. Since Khemjira, Domundi have really stepped up their game!

Coming into this series, I was fully expecting to be underwhelmed and was just using it to placate my boredom. However, only one episode in, I realised that this show was not that.

THE STORY:

Although the plot on paper sounds so uninspired, I love that Duang and Qinn’s personalities match their behaviour, which I believe is one of the most important aspects of series like these, with pretty simple, character-focused stories.
Plainly the plot is ‘guy sees a cute guy, flits with him, and they get together’. However, the way it’s presented on screen is so enjoyable and genuine. Dang is a passionate and genuine lover who is flirting with a guy he truly likes. I also love that we see Duang’s feeling develop from initial attraction to genuine love. Similarly, Qinn’s character was well written. He takes Duang’s pursuit of him seriously and considers important factors that may determine their compatibility. This makes all the different stages of the series so enjoyable as you see a clear plot and character development.

I also love the balance between cute funny scenes, and more serious and mature moments.

ACTING/CAST:

The casting of this series for the main couple was perfection. I don’t remember the last time I watched a similar relationship dynamic to the one in DWY, but all I know is that it’s now my favourite. The actors portrayed their character so well, that I have been enamoured by the series since I started it. i loved how they showed a significant level of emotional maturity whilst still maintaining the energy of young university students.


Rewatch value: I would rewatch this show 100x over due to its simplicity and sweetness.


Warning: TeeTeePor occupied my attention so much that I honestly paid no attention to the other couples and have not much idea what was going on there, so I won’t necessarily be addressing them.

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My boss, it's a drama i watched after 2 years of its airing. I actually took this up after watching Cheng Xing Xu's LOVE BETWEEN THE LINES this year (2026)
I just wanted to watch more of him started ,MY BOSS . I know I'm late for the review.

So about my boss, its fun. It's silly. CCX was amazing. He was aloof in the first half but the second half was fun fun fun. Qian Heng was leading the drama.

I like that it was law coded.
The characters at the firm were sooo good.
Most of the charcaters were postive.
There's no mean evilvseconfmd eoman wanting the ML. Thanks god.
The parents were so good.
Wu Jun and the Cheng Xi's part was okayish for me. It was nice to see her after NEW LIFE BEGINS, MY JOURNEY TO YOU etc.
Deng Ming was such a bastard. But, thats okay bro was hilarious. Lol

And on the other side, the female lead Zhang Ruonan that is Cheng Yao appeared very fun and bubbly initially but by the end of the drama she matured so much that she looked cold while Qian Heng had become all sunshike sunshine. So, i kinda felt off there.
Ofcourse, I understand she grew so much has a lawyer, she had setbacks, he had tough times, but i don't know she seemed off and only crying messing stuffs in the second half.

On a whole, it was better than what I expected it to be.
I think it was a good drama despite the flaws and stuff.
It's a happy ending but not very impressing. It happens and just ends.
I wish they had given more to the end.

So it's a solid 8.5
The ost were good.
I guess 2 of them are the ones i have been listening lately on spotify.

So, its a good watch. The office Romance part is crazy . The friendship between Qian Heng and Wu Jun is also interesting to watch.


NOW, WATCH WATCH WATCH.
IT'S GOOD.

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Chasing feelings, one step at a time

I really liked the dynamic between Duang and Qin right from the start. Duang is open, persistent, and a bit chaotic in his feelings, while Qin comes off as distant and hard to read, and that contrast makes their relationship naturally engaging.
The whole “chasing someone who doesn’t quite know what to do with you” could have been repetitive, but here it feels light and even a bit refreshing, especially once they’re forced to spend time together through the stage performance. You can slowly see Qin soften, and that shift is what makes their connection work. It’s not a dramatic or intense romance, but more something that grows through presence and familiarity. I also really enjoyed the overall vibe, it’s a small weekly dose of energy that’s just easy to watch. I do wish we had seen more of the other friends, because their dynamic added a lot and it felt like there was more to explore there.

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Not Just Good, But One of the Best

If you are looking for:
- a simple but heartfelt romance with emotional depth
- charming leads with excellent chemistry
- polished execution and pleasing aesthetics
- intimate scenes that feel both sensual and emotionally grounded
then this series may be for you!

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Things I like
=============
(1) The Creative Direction
This series has many strengths: pleasing visuals, an endearing cast, a consistent musical identity, and, of course, a main couple with undeniable chemistry. TeeTee Wanpichit is especially charming as Duang, bringing so much warmth and energy to the role that it becomes easy to stay invested from start to finish. Por Suppakarn also gives Qin a strong presence, making him compelling even in his quieter and more guarded moments.

But if I had to give one special shoutout, it would go to director Nathawat Piyanonpong. A series like this may look simple on paper, but making a straightforward love story feel this engaging requires both vision and execution. The emotional beats land, the romantic progression feels natural, and the series never loses its charm. Without strong direction, a plot like this could have easily felt ordinary. Instead, it feels assured, intentional, and consistently enjoyable.

(2) Qin’s Growth
For a while, I found myself wondering why the series was titled Duang With You. By the final episode, the answer becomes very clear. The title is not just about Duang being physically by Qin’s side, but about how deeply Duang changes Qin’s emotional world.

This works especially well because of the contrast with similar moments in the earlier episodes. By the finale, Qin’s happiness feels open, genuine, and closely tied to Duang’s presence. He is no longer the cold, guarded person who chose distance and emotional restraint. Instead, he becomes someone capable of vulnerability, honesty, and mutual love. Por Suppakarn does an excellent job portraying this growth, especially in the crying scenes, because Qin is not simply written as a cold male lead. He is a character shaped by pain and a difficult past, and that gives the role much more depth when he finally allows himself to feel and receive love.

(3) The Intimacy
For a series that feels this heartwarming and straightforward, I honestly expected the intimate scenes to be fairly basic or brief. That was clearly not the case. The scenes here are thoughtfully choreographed and shot, and what makes them even stronger is that they are not there just for visual appeal. They carry emotional weight too.

What I especially appreciated is how the intimacy feels tied to the characters and their relationship. These scenes are sensual, but they also feel tender, vulnerable, and believable for two young people who are fully opening themselves to one another. Because of that, they come across as meaningful rather than merely decorative, which makes them all the more effective.

============================
Things I wish were different
============================
(1) More Depth for Qin’s Parents
It is honestly hard for me to pick major complaints about this series, but if I had to nitpick, this would probably be my biggest one. Qin’s parents felt like the weakest part of the storytelling for me. With their limited screen time, both characters came across as too similar, and because they almost always appeared together and mirrored each other’s reactions, they ended up feeling less like two distinct people and more like a single narrative force.

Because Qin’s trauma is such an important part of his character, I wish the series had spent a little more time exploring the parents’ perspectives in a more layered way. In the end, much of the emotional weight of that storyline was carried by the two main actors rather than by the writing around the parents themselves. Even the maid (May God bless her) left a stronger impression in the early childhood scenes.

(2) The OST
The music in this series suits the tone well, so this is not really a complaint about quality as much as variety. I just wish the OST had been a little more experimental at times. Since Qin is a jazz student, and since the series gave us that lovely music showcase scene where Por Suppakarn sang jazz so well, I found myself hoping the soundtrack would lean further into that side of his character.

Because of that setup, I was expecting a bit more jazz influence, or at least more genre variation across the series. Instead, the overall musical style stayed fairly consistent throughout, aside from a few scenes. It still worked, but I think the soundtrack could have added even more personality if it had taken a few more risks.

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Best scenes
===========
1. Post-basketball match (Episode 6)
For me, this is one of the standout scenes of the entire series, and also the moment where TeeTee Wanpichit truly shines as an actor. Within a relatively short span of time, he is asked to carry multiple emotional shifts, and he does so very well. We see the affectionate and devoted Duang that the audience has already grown attached to, but this scene adds so much more on top of that: concern, frustration, hurt, helplessness, and finally relief.

What makes this scene so strong is how naturally those emotions build into one another. It never feels exaggerated, and that is why it hits so hard. By the time Qin apologizes and begins to reciprocate Duang’s feelings more clearly, the emotional payoff feels fully earned. This is also the point where the relationship starts to move beyond one-sided affection and into something more mutual and balanced. For that reason, this scene is not only emotionally effective, but also one of the most important turning points in the series.

2. Bye bye teddy bear (Episode 8)
These young actors can really act. The tears of relief that Duang sheds after Qin chooses him are the kind of moment that stays with you. It is tender, heartbreaking, and impactful all at once. For me, this is one of those scenes that will still be remembered long after the series ends.

=========
Takeaways
=========
The base formula that this series follows is not exactly unique. In fact, there have already been many series built on similar settings and storylines. What makes Duang With You special is the execution and the passion that can be felt throughout all 12 episodes. The two leads are incredibly charming and do a wonderful job embodying the characters from the source material.

The ironic part is that the original novel is called Not The Best, But Still Good, and yet this adaptation may well be one of the best series in the genre so far.

I wish nothing but continued success for the actors, the director, and the entire team behind this series. Everyone involved clearly brought a great deal of effort and heart into this work, and I hope that passion opens the door to even more success and opportunities in the future. I truly look forward to seeing more great things from them.

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Good but boring

See, the weird part is that there's no actual problem with this series but it's just way too quiet, too calm, making it boring and hard to get through the eps (It felt like the GL 'Us' n funny enough I rated both series similarly). So for this 2x speed is definitely needed.

This is definitely FK's weakest series.. I'm only disappointed because cats r just so them and I LOVE both FK and cats.. Wish it was more interesting, but it just isn't.. Maybe next time 🫡

I think this series is worth watching, because it's not bad, it's just boring, cute but boring.. It really has the FirstKhao vibe but maybe it's Lynx's awkward character? He can't express his love for Tiger that easily, lowkey he's insecure in a way?. He definitely changed a lot tho. The first episodes made me think it's gonna be more fun than this. Watch for FirstKhao if u want, It's the enough amount of fun and cute, just don't expect too much.

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pls 3rd collaboration ? ?

nakakakilig talaga subrang ganda 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰😍😍😍😍😍🥰🥰🥰🥰😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰😍😍😍😍😍😍🥰🥰🥰😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

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pls 3rd collaboration pls ? zhao jinmai at zhang lingerie...

kung bibigyan k ng pagkakataon babaguhin mo ba ng dating sitwasyon or ndi..subrang ganda ng princess royal na si li rong at pei wenxuan🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

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The wind up was longer than I wanted but it really was worth it

So many episodes of unrequited love! It almost lost me, honestly. And Qin was actually pretty mean about it at times. I say that both as a warning and as encouragement to stick with it, because it really does pay off.

Duang is earnest and genuinely sweet. I wasn’t fully on board with his fixation on Qin at first, but I came around. And once they decide to actually figure things out, they commit (as did I). There are still obstacles, but they’re not drawn out or overly contrived. It settles into a story about two men falling in love, which I appreciated.

The intimate scenes are fire—and not just for the obvious reasons. There’s actual dialogue, and something about the delivery and what they were saying made those moments land in a deeper way. The actors felt comfortable with each other, and the staging, especially in the final episode, was incredibly effective. It was intimate without feeling gratuitous, and it did a great job showing how close the characters had become.

I also liked how the second couple developed. Their progression felt natural, and I found myself invested in their story as well. The friend group added a lot of warmth overall.

Definitely worth pushing through the early episodes for me.

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Wow.. pat myself on the back for finally finishing..

Sweet bb geezus.. ughh.. ok hear me out. I actually dropped this show on episode 3 cuz i was just bored out of my mind. Also i couldnt get past the 2 FLs way of talking on the show.. the slow, breathy voice.. i get it theyre supposed to be seductive fox demons.. but it was a bit too much for me.. it made me lose interest and distracted me from the storyline.. But then my conscience wouldn't let me go since I've watched and liked alot of shows directed by Guo Jingming. So after fighting with myself and my friends.. i decided to pick it up again.. i grinded through the first 12 eps.. then the story started getting interesting.. as the eps continued the story became watchable and why i ended up giving it an 8 rating.. lets talk about the plus.. if you've ever watched any of Guo Jingmings shows he usually casts the same actors/actresses and theyre all beautiful and the cinematography is always jaw dropping.. soundtracks are perfectly paired to set the mood.. his shows always depict these friendships and bonds amongst his characters that are just so meaningful and make you wanna go and hug your best friend.. and as his usual he will make you ugly cry throughout the episodes.. the only con here is it started boring for me but once i got over the 10th ep mark.. the story got better for me.. Would I recommend it? Sure. Just give it some patience. Would I rewatch it? Mmm.. maybe.. 💜

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Just wonderful. Great acting, great plot, so fun and heartwarming. Don't miss it.

Things I adored

1 The plot. I'm not a fan of going back and change things plots because most times than not they start well to fail after a while and become nonsensical. Here it has been done so well it's believable and therefore much more impactful. I just fell in love with the concept and the way it was developed.

2 The father of the FL. His journey and his relationship with the FL and his family altogether made me cry more than once. It also made me laugh and yearn for my family. One of the best family dynamics I've ever seen. I wish I could start the drama again and re-experience everything I experienced while watching their family scenes. I wish he could be there until the end.

3 The FL. What a great actress. I never thought when I watched her profile that she could be that great. To be honest I think that she is the best Chinese actress based on this drama. I'm not sure yet how she'll fair with other dramas, this is the only one I watched her in but she was perfection. The difference between her younger self and the present self was done so well and she made it seem effortless. What surpassed me even more is that I never expected her to be that beautiful. Don't get me wrong, she's not unattractive, but at first I thought of her like any decent looking average actress. At the end of the drama and after watching her laugh, cry, be mischievous, be kind, be tough, be heartbroken, be in love, I found her gorgeous.
I adored every scene she was in. She was so natural it felt like she didn't act. Her chemistry with everyone was perfect. Her family, her friends, the ML, the 2ML. I've never seen that to be honest. I also adored her character. She was smart, tough, kind, but also with faults and clueless, therefore relatable. One of the best characters in a rom com, period. Oh, and I adored that she broke the 4th wall. Many don't like that in movies or series, but when it's well-done I love it. Here it was perfect. The actress delivered it with such talent I was looking forward to it.

4 The brother of the FL. What a great character and his relationship with the FL was perfect. It reminded me of my relationship with my brothers. The teasing, the love, the bond. The actor did a great job and made me connect with his character, with his struggles, his joys, his entire arc. I also loved his romantic relationship and the relationship he had with the ML. I'll be looking for other dramas with him.

5 The ML. He was perfect in his role. Do I find him particularly handsome? No. Did I like his haircut? Definitely not and I took my time to start the drama because of this. But what a great job he did that he made me forget haircut and everything after only one episode. His chemistry with the FL was unparalleled. Their banter, their friendship, their romance, everything was perfection. I couldn't have enough. this is the first drama I watch with him and have no idea how he fairs in other dramas but here he was absolutely perfect.
He was great as the college student in love, as the cold boss in present days, as everything actually. He impressed me and I rarely say that if ever. This was one of the best couples I've ever seen. I loved his character as well. So loyal, romantic, funny, driven. what else can you ask? Nothing.

6 The last scene, the one from their future. It was the scene I needed to make it absolutely perfect and they delivered even in that. Thank you all for such a great drama.

7 The humor. I have to make a separate entry about this because it's the first time I enjoyed so much the humor in a series that wasn't even pure comedy. It was so well done and between all characters that I enjoyed every minute of this. between the man leads, between friends, between the families.

Things I loved

1 The parents of the ML. They were a great couple although I regret we didn't see them a lot. I loved their relationship but also how they were with their son. Loving, supporting, and they made me laugh quite a lot.

2 That it was about lawyers. I love dramas with lawyers but usually they get boring after sometime or they fail at some level, usually relationship-wise. To be fair here the lawyer thing wasn't the focus, but still. It was a big part and I loved that and how they had principles and fought the good fight. We need that more than ever.

3 The 2FL. She was beautiful and talented. I connected with her in many cases, but there was something I didn't get. The music thing. Until the end I'm not sure what was going on. I also would have preferred her relationship with the 2ML was more developed in present day. Most of what we saw was in the past. It was good, but not enough.

4 The 2 ML. I could have hate him. He created enough problems for the main couple and he was a big part of the FL's life. But I didn't hate him. His arc was so well done that I felt for him more than anything else. I did get why he turned the way he did, and I'm happy with the ending. I loved his relationship with the FL, it felt real and I could relate to both. I also loved his relationship with the ML. That also was well done. The whole drama is a study of how to write good and relatable characters and fall in love with them even when you're not supposed to. The actor also did a good job to portray a nuanced character.

5 The 3Fl, Zi Xin. To be honest, I don't like the actress much, and I can't imagine her as a main lead. I imagine her as the villain more, and I was ready to dislike her in this drama as much as I disliked in her in other dramas. But once again her arc was well done and you can't help but like her and want her to succeed. This is what makes this drama perfect, that there's nothing to truly dislike.

6 The mother of the FL. I loved the actress and how well she embodied her role as the lovable spouse as well as the understanding and supportive mother of two smart and sassy children. Great job.

Things I disliked

1 I can only think of one. The music thing with the 2FL. I'm not sure what was the joke. I know I must be dense but what did they say? Could or couldn't she sing? Confusing and to be honest, not that funny after a while. Luckily it didn't take too much time, but it was still annoying.

Things I hated

1 The true villains, but this is also something that adds to the perfection of this drama. I hated the abused woman arc and of course the stupid CEO who was a bit of a caricature villain to be fair, but well, she wasn't a big part of the story so I can overcome this.

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this is worth watching

Ah, my sincere apologies for the mix-up! You were referring to the brand new 2026 release, **The Epoch of Miyu (蜜语纪)**, which just started airing. Let me give you the correct breakdown for this highly anticipated modern drama.
### Official Poster
*(Note: As this is a brand new release, poster links may fluctuate, but it officially features the leads set against a sleek, modern hotel backdrop).*
### Drama Details
* **Main Cast:**
* **Zhu Zhu** as Xu Miyu
* **Wallace Chung (Chung Hon-leung)** as Ji Feng
* **Li Meng** as Lu Zhenzhen
* **Jing Chao** as Nie Yucheng
* **MyDramaList (MDL) Rating:** **8.0/10** *(Based on early viewer reviews; this is currently airing as of April 2026)*
* **Platform Availability:**
* **iQIYI:** Yes (Airing)
* **WeTV (Tencent):** Yes (Airing)
* **Youku:** No
* **MangoTV:** No
* **Netflix:** No
### Synopsis
Adapted from the web novel *Mi Yu Ji* (蜜语纪) by Hong Jiu, the story follows Xu Miyu, a woman whose "perfect" marriage comes crashing down on her 10th anniversary when she discovers her husband's betrayal. Realizing she has spent the last decade compromising and completely losing her own identity to her marriage, she makes the difficult choice to file for divorce and start from absolute zero.
Hitting rock bottom, Miyu takes a job as a guest room cleaner at the prestigious Si Wei (Purong) Hotel. There, she unexpectedly crosses paths with Ji Feng, a former acquaintance and her first love, who has just arrived as the hotel's new General Manager. As they face high-stakes corporate warfare and workplace challenges together, their dynamic shifts from professional support to a deep, mature romance. Side by side, they rebuild their lives and work to transform the hotel into a soaring Shanghai landmark.
### Analysis: Should You Watch It?
**Why it’s a Must-Watch:**
* **Mature Adult Romance:** This isn't a fluffy idol drama. The leads are grown adults with real emotional baggage. The tension between Zhu Zhu and Wallace Chung is built on mutual respect and challenges, making their dynamic refreshingly mature and grounded.
* **Feminist Reclamation:** Miyu’s journey is incredibly cathartic. It is not a story about being "saved" by a rich CEO, but rather about a woman unlearning a lifetime of self-erasure, finding her footing, and reclaiming her career and identity piece by piece.
* **Cultural Depth:** The show tackles heavy, realistic themes regarding the immense societal pressures on Chinese women, filial piety, and the heavy burden of "gratitude debt" within families.
**Why it’s Not Worth It:**
* **Frustrating Early Episodes:** The first few episodes can be a tough watch because the betrayal and the people surrounding Miyu initially are highly toxic. If you don't enjoy the "infuriating cheating spouse" trope, the setup might test your patience.
* **Length:** At 38 episodes, it is on the longer side for a modern workplace drama, which means the corporate politics and hotel management storylines might drag in the middle before reaching the climax.
### **Overall Rating: 8.0/10**
A deeply satisfying watch if you enjoy mature, character-driven stories about second chances and women finding their inner steel after hitting rock bottom.

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A heart-felt celebration of love and growth

I think this is one of the best shows I've ever watched.

But first, I'd like to touch on a point I keep seeing about Duang's character; he is not "cringey" lol. I've seen people dismiss his character as childish because of his exaggerated declarations of love and his light-hearted design. But I think that reaction says more about our discomfort with emotional openness than about the character himself. He is unapologetically transparent about his feelings: he admits his affection towards Qin openly, shows up consistently, and never hides his devotion. Not only that, but he himself acknowledges that his behavior is heightened because of love. He exaggerates not out of immaturity, but as a deliberate choice to pursue and support the person he cares about. I want people to look beyond the surface when talking about him, because he is the one who never fails to show up, who provides stability and encouragement when it matters most. In a culture that often prizes stoicism and romanticizes "cold" characters, Duang, who wears his heart on his sleeve, can feel uncomfortable to watch. But that discomfort doesn’t mean he lacks depth. It's more your issue than his.

MOVING ON, this series had me giddy and kicking my feet the entire time. Watching Duang pursue Qin was both hilarious and heartwarming because his love is pure, but also so determined that giving up simply isn’t an option (and importantly, Qin’s consent is always respected). Their dynamic has you rooting for Duang all the time amongst the nervous anticipation, the joy of small gestures, the humor of awkward moments, and the tenderness of genuine connection. From a broader perspective I think this series depicts the FEELING of first love and the romance of youth.

Both leads undergo meaningful growth throughout the series. Duang learns to express his love in ways that Qin can accept, but also, his journey isn’t about BECOMING consistent, it’s about showing that his consistency has depth beyond romance. What evolves is how others, especially his father, come to see that commitment. Duang’s simplicity, following his heart without elaborate reasoning, can be misunderstood as a lack of seriousness. But he learns to show up in more ways than one. Qin, meanwhile, discovers that love isn’t something that holds you back, it’s something that propels you forward and makes you a braver version of yourself. He is able to take the decision to solve his conflict with his own parents, but he is able to do so at Duang's insistence and he is able to do so because he trusts Duang wholeheartedly. Initially he remains wary of Duang's affections, but slowly comes to fall for him, and also learns to showcase his own love in reciprocal ways.

Duang's friendship trio with Jamie and Pae is remarkably well written, and remarkably well acted by North and Wave. They're so supportive, never scared to poke fun at him in funny moments, but also never fail to call him out if he does something that he shouldn't have. They're as open as him at loving him and consistently show up, and their bond reinforces the idea that love shows up in many forms. Their presence really adds depth to the story.

I did deduct one point from the story because I wish Duang’s relationship with his family had been explored more fully, as Qin’s was. His struggles with consistency and the tension with his father, who clearly had certain concerns about Duang's choices in uni, could have added another layer to his character arc. Similarly, revisiting Qin’s parents toward the end, perhaps showing them at his performance, would have been a good touch.

Finally, TeeTee and Por have given INCREDIBLE performances, and their ability to depict properly the character's growth was so well-done. I will go so far as to say a character like Duang worked only because of how brilliantly TeeTee brought his personality and traits to life. I also think that Por was able to capture the shift from hesitance to acceptance to devotion REALLY WELL, like the shift in his expressions is actually pretty crazy, you can SEE when his opinion changes. I'm looking forward to seeing both of them in future projects.

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Too many twists and turns

Starting first with the story, I get that Zhao Jing wants revenge for her daughter, and the fact that Zhang Shi Kai got no comeuppance for what he did was naturally infuriating to a mother. Resurrecting him to inflict on him what he did to her daughter, though legally wrong, is emotionally understandable. I actually like the torture scenes, but I don't think they were "enough". Sadistic sounding, but I think we need more on the vengeance side when it comes to Zhang Shi Kai.

There are also a couple of things I don't understand, and I think many people echo the same thoughts. First, the back and forth on who ratted on the girls. What is the point of throwing out all these red herrings when they don't make logical sense? Second, why attempt to absolve Zhang Shi Kai of blame by giving him a sob story? Plus those few last minute turnarounds which left more questions and not answers. Who is Pong? Who is the mastermind behind the scenes? Are they related? Are you trying to tell me there's going to be a sequel?

Do also allow me to diss the random loveliness added in the penultimate episode. What's with the sudden love interests? I did not see them coming!

On to the acting. Shu Qi was attached to the project at the very start, and she was actually offered the role of Zhao Jing. Actors of her pedigree seem to have an obsession with going against people's expectations, and she chose to play the timid housewife Wang Hui Jun instead. Under normal circumstances, I would understand. Usually what happens is that the actor sees a character that's stronger or more interesting than the lead, and they are drawn to that role instead. In this case, I don't see it. I think Wang Hui Jun has interesting aspects, because she's exacting revenge very meekly, but she still has that resilience. But ultimately the character feels more like comic relief. It could also be deliberate portrayal, but I definitely think this isn't as good a role.

After Shu Qi chose the other role, they approached Sinje Lee for Zhao Jing, and it was a brilliant choice. Given that this is the "original lead" who sets the tone for the show, they found someone with gravitas in Lee. I would say that I cannot imagine Shu to be as good in the role (though it's all hypothetical). However, I find Lee's obvious Malaysian accent surprising at the start, because I am familiar with the actor, and she used to sport a perfect Taiwanese accent when doing media duties ten, twenty years ago. They explained that the character is Malaysian, and I was like "whatever you say, man". I did read articles where she talked about this, and I think they obviously modified the character for the actor rather than the other way round. But if it's what it takes to get Sinje Lee back on screen again, why not? She's a very subdued actor, very convincing and an extremely charming presence on screen.

I also really liked seeing both female leads acting together. So even though I can't say that the young actors were terrible (they were probably pretty good), I must say that I did not want to watch their parts that much. I was dragging the progress bar to skip to the mums.

There aren't any obvious weak links really. Well, except Patrick. Though I've also seen raving praise for Chung Hsin Lin's portrayal, but I think the makeup did about 90% of the work for her.

Overall, the drama is paced as if the episodes were dropped one by one instead of all at once. The reversals appear to be because the creators wanted one revelation every episode, and it was also written like that, which is why everything seems very frivolous and illogical. But is it entertaining? I think so.

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