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a journey of independent woman's success
This review is directed towards drama watchers who get paranoid about betrayals (like me), so I'm saving you time and mentality by breaking down the characters in the drama.*BEGINNINGS*
Ning Meng (FL) is an intelligent and hard-working worker who dreams of becoming an investor. However, because of HR's urgency to find a secretary, she was given false promises to work temporarily as a secretary. Not knowing that it's been three years since she became a secretary, she decided to change her career path since being a secretary leads to nowhere in her career planning.
Lu Ji Ming (ML) is a successful investor and FL's boss. He's arrogant and selfish - it shows how he treats the people around him. He's very dependent on FL with his daily tasks and gave FL not only work-related stuff but also his personal stuff. As FL stated, she became more of a nanny than a secretary.
I hate comparing dramas, but I feel like it is necessary to point out a few details: (yup, this is a rant)
*take "What's Wrong with Secretary Kim (WWWSK)" for example:
- ML in MOMO is very unbearable to watch. Don't get me wrong, the actor is exceptionally charming and attractive, but his actions angered me throughout the drama. The writer chose a storyline where ML shows childish behaviour when falling in love. MOMO and WWWSK are similar in terms of a boss, who's very dependent on a capable secretary, and tries to convince the secretary to stay. But WWWSK is an excellent example of ML doing childish behaviour that is acceptable in some ways.
- However, MOMO's ML is very different, as they show the worst ML I have watched in drama history - even worse than Dao Ming Si. Sure, deep deep deep down, ML cares about FL in a way, but that does not excuse his toxic behaviour. Not only did he put FL in her place, aka downplayed her, but he also took the secretary job for granted.
- ML is also very misogynistic. I don't care about his upcoming character development, but his comments should not be taken lightly. This drama is the first series where I want FL not to be associated with ML anymore. I feel bad for FL becoming a doormat to her boss.
- Also, as I saw comments on VIKI, I realized many people still defend this behaviour - saying that deep down he cares for her. I don't care if he cares for her; if anyone were put in FL's position, it would scar them for life. Don't people know that, or just because he's hot, his toxicity is downplayed? My question is, what if a less-attractive male is the one who did all of that? Would people still go to defend him?
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*MID DRAMA*
As I reached half of the drama (Episode 16), ML got a slight character development, where he slowly learned how to soften his arrogant attitude. As shown in the previous episode, we got a back story of ML's traumatic childhood experience, where his dad behaves exactly like ML. It explains how ML got his toxic behaviours but doesn't excuse his current actions. The writer is trying to gain sympathy towards ML's actions; however, they still don't gain mine.
As for the side characters:
- I love ML's friend, who is the polar opposite of ML. He respects FL and also treats people nicely. I admire him for his level of patience in dealing with ML.
- I also love how Xu Si Tian got her character development. Though it doesn't show in her work ethic, at least not explicitly, I love that she befriended FL and knows how to give up her one-sided love. Unlike other annoying SFLs who dwell on a man that treats her harshly, she knows her limit and decides not to pursue it as it's not worth it. My favourite scene would be when Xu Si Tian, ML's friend, and FL go RV camping and ignore ML's calls.
- I admire FL's current boss/mentor, Shi Ying. She trains FL in a way that she hoped someone would teach her in the past. She's also empowered and changed FL's self-perception by constructing her self-confidence. Unlike FL's old boss, Shi Ying recognized FL's talents and helped her nurture those talents.
- As for right now, I am still determining the true nature of SML, but it smells fishy to me. There are no sparks in his eye, which led me to question his real intentions in approaching FL. I hope FL doesn't do anything stupid, believing in delusions that could've hurt her.
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*END/CONCLUSION*
FINAL CHARACTERS:
- We finally get to see ML's character development. Both ML and SML have character improvements. Though their personalities are somewhat intentionally polished, the memories of their past toxicity still linger in my mind.
- In the last four episodes, we can see ML was struggling, and not to be harsh, he deserves that. Humbling experience may bring a good change in his character, and I was right - through his struggles and people looking down on him, I can see that his rude and arrogant personality turned 180º.
- FL is still admirable as ever; not only is her character so inspiring, but she has also improved over time. Her struggles and challenges helped her become more mature professionally.
- However, I still had mixed feelings when FL chose to leave the company as soon as she got a promotion. On the bright side, I appreciate her loyalty and striving to be independent by starting a start-up business. At the same time, I question her real intention for leaving the company. Is it for the man she loves or her ambition to become successful on her own?
- Though SML actions are unforgivable, it's still understandable. As he got trauma from his ex-girlfriend because of betrayal, he seems to have difficulty letting go of that incident. His ending, however, seems too rushed and polished but somewhat decent.
- FL's best friend's EX-boyfriend was such trash. I changed my mind about ML becoming the worst character as he got the worst character award throughout the show. He does illegal stuff and is also a serial cheater who got his mistress pregnant. Honestly, seeing him makes me sick to my stomach and also traumatizing. I wish the director had elaborated more on his suffering and consequences. Putting him in jail is not cutting it for me.
- The most admirable character in the show is FL's boss/mentor. Seeing her supporting women is inspiring. Tbh, I wish that I had a mentor/friend like her, who I could depend on.
- Bonus: ML's ex-one-sided-love, Han Yi Meng, is also very mature. Usually, in this situation, where a person just broke up, they choose to find a rebound. I'm glad she didn't use ML as her rebound or take advantage of the situation. Once she realized ML had feelings for FL, she chose to leave and advised ML - which is such a mature move.
STORY:
- I gave it a 9/10 because of some issues. Too bad I could've given this drama a 10/10 if they had better story-writing. This drama is very slow-paced. Sure, many good dramas are slow-paced, but I feel like the climax of this drama happened in the end, especially in the last five episodes. Thus, the ending feels too rushed for me.
- As for the whole drama, I find it easy to understand, despite my inferiority with numbers and stocks.
I will end this review by mentioning the best quote in the drama:
"Whether you succeed or not is what others think of you.
Whether or not you are happy is decided by your own self."
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