Fake It Till You Make It (2023)

Not Disappointed

I watched this drama based on a review, and I have to say that I was not disappointed. Aside from being written from a very mature, adult perspective give, the story dealt with a lot of issues in regards to work, health ;physical and mental), and interpersonal relationships with family, friends, colleagues and romance.

There wasn’t a lot of typical drama cheese in the romance story line, it was very well done. The female and male protagonists had equal billing, and they were portrayed beautifully.

There is a lot of business interaction on both sides, and that too was well scripted. This was pivotal for both of the protagonists and it attributed a lot to their outlook on relationships.

This was a refreshing drama, and I will be watching it again.

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Sweet, Realistic, and Mature

This drama felt so much different than the bubbly, passive dramas that often come of out China. The FL wasn't flat, and was a mature adult who was able to make her own decisions. She was strong, but laid-back when she wanted to be. I also love the FL's sister, and her story. She was able to overcome things herself. The only thing I didn't like much was the inclusion of things that felt unnecessary. Some side plots felt useless, and didn't build much character (however, they were still interesting to watch!) All in all, it was a great drama with pretty good directing, acting, and dialouge. It was natural, intimate, and sweet.

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When love is continuous

This show is one of the most mature and thoughtful romances I've ever seen. The interactions with the leads are full of chemistry. It's not like a fire that quickly burns out, but it's a consistent simmer that seems to never fade. The leads have so much care for each as they go from strangers to friends to lovers to partners for the future. There's some sort of magic that the two hold. The dialogue is extremely well written, emotional, and their conversations and feelings are communicated so well throughout the entire series. It's not very often that you watch a fictional romance and it feels more than a 2D storyline. This series felt like a 4D piece of someone's life. Their story doesn't end with the last episode, it's a continuous story just as life is a continuous story.

I'd like to end my review with some of the lines used in the proposal scene. I've never cried at such scenes as they typically feel cheesy, overdramatic, and feel like a finale to what should be the start to a new chapter. Rather than the show end with a proposal, it ended with them going out for a midnight dinner talking like normal. Their normalcy is a form of love and that's what its magical.

"Love is not a noun, it's a verb."

"Romance isn't about actions, it's about us."

"Falling in love with you is a continuous process."

"Do you want to build a world that belongs to us?"

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Mature love story with big-city ambitions

"Fake It Till You Make It" is series about corporate people, who try to find balance between work and personal life. Realistic work backround make me feel like I was watching normal people in their daily life.

Main thread is romance between main leads, who are ambitious and hard-working, but lonely people. Their story is slow and uncontrived (it could happen in real life). They are resonable and don't act like children. They know their values and don't manipulate each other. Tang Ying is strong and independent woman, she wouldn't drop out her real-life accomplishements for a man. It'so cool, I hope in the future we would see more FL like her.

It is mature story with slow pace, it's stable and doesn't jump to conclusions. Every character have backstory and reasons for their bahaviour and action. This procedure shows viewesr that we don't know what other person is going throw and our judgement may be wrong.

Great script and directing. Good acting from whole cast. Enjoyable music. On point number of episodes, they don't drag out or rush too fast. Story not for everyone (slow and mature romance, lack of childish behaviour). I like this drama and recommend it, if you're looking for plot like this.

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Why did i didn’t know this was so good.

Why did i didn’t know this was so good. Chemistry ✅ Highly charged banter ✅ balance of immature naïveté + matured resolution of issues ✅.

Being in the same profession, id say the pressure of competition, absence of work life balance, & the emotional/ mental breakdown is all too real. That scene where the FL’s former senior/ supervising lawyer was crying in the hospital and still trying to work? That happened to me too. I was just so tired. Tired but there’s this nagging guilt that if i don’t do it, no one will... my team will suffer. And this voice in my head saying you cant slack off. Thankfully, iv since learned to value my health & time better. So i guess that relatability is a factor to me immensely enjoying this.

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THIS HAS TO BE HANDSDOWN THE BEST SHOW I'VE SEEN IN A VERY VERY VERY LONG TIME

My favourite shows are usually not romantic ones but oh my god, what a journey these 14 hours have been, I don't even know where to start.

Let's first start with two things that made me start this show so late because of the comments I keep seeing here. Now this is my opinion (to which you do not have to agree) and I feel it important to mention this so that people get another perspective on the multitude of opposing opinions in the comments section here.

1. The business aspect. I 100% disagree with all the comments here which claim that the business aspect is not understandable. They do not get into the intricacies of it for the most part. I can't recall anywhere they went into the details of the law or the financial models. All they show are some scenes like client negotiations and whatever (without the actual content). I don't understand the harsh criticism of that in terms of its understandability. If the criticism was more on the point of having it all together, then it's a different argument (one that I again disagree with). But being too difficult to comprehend is just not true! What actually happens is that they show a lot of business world settings but let's be honest what did you expect from a show focused on how two workaholics (for lack of a better word and to keep it brief) fall in love? They've shown adult work-life bang on, right as it is. And as someone who's been working in the corporate, it is 1000% correct depiction of the struggles of today's youngsters who juggle work in this competitive world alongside their social lives. And we're talking about corporate lawyers and investment bankers, what did you expect if not 0 work-life balance and lots of work?? And I do not for once think that they have overdone it at any point. I feel all of that is very important to build the story as they have.

2. All the hate the sister (Xin Zi) gets. Yes, she's immature and maybe aspiring for something you don't, but come on it's her life and her wish. You cannot judge her for wanting to be a homemaker and enjoy the money the husband brings home. Not everybody wants to be in a corporate job and that's okay. We really need to be more accepting of the differences in people instead of being so judgemental. She is literally the person who has the MOST CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT on this show and I'm all for it. Love it!

What I love about this show is that they have shown such beautiful stories for all the characters and not just the leads: Wang YuSu, Da Wang, Han, Richard, Meiling and Xin Zi. They show the struggles (whether in love, life, or work) they face and the impact it has on people, how they deal with it and so on. Yes, it might be a little preachy for some, but I did not find it to be so even once. Plus, there is such fantastic chemistry between our two leads that I just can't explain how much I loved this mature, more relatable and adult couple. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy that high school and college romance my fair bit but this was just so much more exciting and fun for me. Like, after such a long time I was getting butterflies when the lead pair had their scenes. Love it!

I like how they show the character development of all three main characters here. For Xin Zi, we see her grow so much in her approach to relationships. Yes, her outlook might be wrong but we see how she learns from her mistakes and improves. That's life. You make mistakes and learn. This is something I've loved about this show. All the characters have been very human-like and relatable, not a fantasy. I was so happy for Xin Zi when she found her partner in Xia Tian after all the stalkerish abuse she went through with Jia Bai. Similarly, we see our lead couple also grow. Especially for Tang Ying, how she discovers her identity vis-a-vis her work and wants is amazing. I'm so happy she slowly learnt to prioritise her health while managing her work to be the strong independent woman she is. Also, the ML is such a green flag and has been such a support. I mean both of them supported each other, but being a career woman, I could not stop swooning over Xi Zuan's support to TY. Even he grows so much in his character, love it.

I'm so glad they did not try to add unnecessary episodes and tropes because that would've just spoiled this otherwise perfect show. You do not feel it's less (though I could do with more romantic scenes between the lead couple, but we already have enough and more given to us). It's not dragged on for no reason. It's perfect. And, after such a long time, I came across a perfect OST! I love it!

The show has a great story, brilliant acting, amazing OST and everything just goes so well altogether. This is going to be something I will always recommend to my friends and others. I hope you enjoy this show just as much as I did.

Something I'm going to take away from this show as a fellow lawyer is something Xin Zi said in the last episode: "why think so much". It's important to enjoy the present. Cheers to that!

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Wonderful from beginning to end.

This is the type of drama that I consider to be on a league of their own because they cannot be compared to other stories going around on streaming sites and cable tv. It was wonderful from beginning to end, with a cohesive narrative and characters whose development actual made sense when you take in consideration past decisions and present time dilemmas.

One of the things I loved the most about Fake It Till You Make It is that every supportive character that shows up in, doesn't only exist in order to push the story forward for our leads but each of them have a life of their own and we actually get to see it. We experience their lives as much as we experience what the leads are going through. That's honestly incredible to watch because it makes the world building infinite and the houses, work places, cafés and bars, feel lived in. Each of these people are the lead of their own life.

Because of this aspect, I had to take the show slower than I usually binge watch such a short drama. That's because the experiences and situations the characters find themselves in, personal or professional, felt at times incredibly real. Too real as I have been in those spaces before so I could fully understand the frustrations of a personal relationship not working out, being look over by superiors at work or feeling like you are going nowhere in life, inevitably comparing yourself to others. Learning that to live freely means understanding each person has a different journey that cannot be compared with yours it's a difficult task. What works for you, may not be the right choice for others and viceversa. The diversity of paths life can take you can be confusing and I think Fake It Till You Make It managed to portrayed perfectly.

My favourite thing about the drama was how the leads showed moments of growth in every single episode. Sometimes at a slower pace than in other moments, at one point one of them is growing faster than the other and there's a moment of decision to grow together or let go. I loved it.

This is honestly a perfect drama that I can't recommend enough.

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The best contemporary story of urban life in China

The best contemporary story of urban life in China. Real characters, adult relationships, lovely music, breathtaking shots of Beijing and an amazing close up of ugliness of business side of life (corporate scheming!). A poignant review of various social issues so common all over the world, incl. gender, economic and generational gaps, with smart, but vulnerable men and women, downplayed in the way that delivers without making you feel like you are watching propaganda. Instead, we get to watch from a hidden place how China has changed in the past 25 years and experience with the characters a small slice of life that this existence carries for us. Excellent casting. Great directing and editing. I loved cinematography as it fed into my longing for the real China, the one I experienced in person and not via silly cdramas. Comparable only to My Liberation Notes and Go Ahead.

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Figuring out as we go along

Central business district (CBD) - a place where people come, meet, and go.

In CBD, we talk ambitions, we talk schedules, we talk business. As CBD folks
(1) juggle through various demands of bosses, clients, parents and colleagues,
(2) keep up with (or ignore) trends and assumed social expectations,
(3) battle with conflicting desires at different phases of life, there is little to no energy left for dreams, relationships and rests.

Every characters have various fake "masks" CBD folks would be familiar with.
(1) Tang Ying's 躺平 "tang ping" boss is a worker who have lost all work motivation after decades of high stress lifestyle that broke her health. Translation: The western equivalent social trend to "Tang Ping" are quiet quitters.
(2) Tang Ying's cringey client, Liu Mei Ling, is a lonely woman who wants to maintain her happy marriage bubble.
(3) Tang Ying's materialistic younger cousin, Xin Zi, is a young 20's who thought that successful and good enough man can provide her a stable life she wants.

Enter our main character, Tang Ying, a seemingly professional elite lawyer who had it all. But 1 episode in, all her fatigue looks, polite smiles and "yeses" on phones break this bubble. Indeed, the life of a true blue working class.

Her meeting with Xu Zi Quan, an investment banker who works nearby her workplace is a series of coincidences that unexpectedly turns to something more. I love the pacing of how they develop their relationship - the push and pull, the tango, the cautious (and kinda fun) testing. I love their individuality, and emotional stability - they are no prince charming nor damsel in distress. They have their life priorities and similar outlook that remains consistent and in tact throughout the stories - sure, Tang Ying and Xu Zi Quan are attracted to each other and enjoy each other's company, but they also have deadlines and demanding stakeholders to take care of first.

None of them were chasing for marriage or forever. They just happen to connect and enjoy the flirting, one interaction after another, until they decide to take the leap.

In the era where many people (and series) idolise "finding purpose", "chasing dreams" and "romance where women must have it all", I am glad to see a relatable contemporary dramas of people with relatable struggles that perhaps hit slightly too close to home as well as a grounded onscreen CBD partnership that I can believe happening in real life.

"Fake It Till You Make It" is a true blue, hustle bustle lives of busy professionals in CBD. We can feel the characters' pressure, anxiety, confusion under the layers of masks.

Some eventually decides to take down these masks, while some decides to push on. More importantly, none of them dwell on their past choices nor stay down after a fall or two. They regroup, and start again...until they make it.

Some of my favorite relatable quotes from FITYMI, just because
~~~
There is a phrase that suits you a lot - it's called 拧吧 (twisty - refers to someone who awkwardly makes things more complicated than it has to.)
Actually there're a lot of things, you think too much. It's better if you can keep it simpler.
The world isn't as complicated as you imagine.
But it's okay. Youth is a process of twisting. I was like that when I was 20.

~~~
Do I really want to be a lawyer? I don't know.
Between the lawyer I had in mind and my present life - the stress, anxieties, insomnia, and walking on thin ice I am facing now - which one is more authentic?

But I do know, there is nothing more absurd than talking about dreams in CBD.

People who stay here only have goals. 5 year goals, 10 year goals. Their thinking is realistic and rational, having weigh all the pros and cons. Those crazy people who wants dreams, have already escaped.

~~~
This city is still bustling, and it will not stop for anyone, just like life.
Recalling the people I met, who didn't wish to have a great head start and stay ahead?
Boss. Subordinate. Friend. Rival.
Trapping oneself in one role after another.
Say what one should say. Do what one should do. Believing that this is our life.

But they, somehow seemingly have great tacit understanding.
When they have perfected their pretense, they somehow come to one truth.

Happiness, success, and joy can't be determined by some scriptwriter. It can only be our own tangible experience.

I've met many people in this city.
And they eventually taught me, that the world is very big, bigger than what we can imagine.

So walk your own path, and not according to a written script.
Throw away the script, and struggle to find your own life. It's okay to fail. It's okay to walk the wrong path.

Live freely [at your own terms].
Isn't this classy?

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Almost made it to 9 stars**

This review is purely based on romance genres.

What an absolute hidden gem this was till ep. 9.
After that it becomes the country's marketing appeal to their 1billion plus population to relish life, slow down, find beauty in your passion and be comfortable in your own skin rather than a designer-chosen animal epidermis.

PROS:
*Delightful bickering and slow burn romance.
What a breath of fresh air to see modern, smart, independent women, dressed not in crotch-revealing skirts and bone breaking stilettoes but comfortable/fashionable attire, speaking in adult tones rather than the squeaky, baby whining sexist tones.
*This lead pair has been around for over 10-years, unfortunately I have not seen them before. They are both excellent actors, great chemistry, sizzling retorts and finally, finally they smooch.
*Can't complain about the hot looks of the ML. His character is wonderful - middle management (not an uptight, irritatingly skinny, 20-something CEO), smart, charming, goofy - the goofiness adds to the allure and reality.
* The female lead is confident, although why they make her say she is not beautiful a few times is boggling.
* The supporting females - except for the sister which we will get to, all the supporting females were excellent. Their characters were very well etched and they portrayed it wonderfully
* Story was great the first half and then there is the zen mantra on how to lead your life better than being dragged by corporate madness
* Production / camera / script - nothing was jarring, which means all is good.

CONS:
* The cousin sister : she consumes almost half the entire show and is portrayed as a selfish, shallow princess. Which is not a problem except that she dominates a show that is not about her at all.
* She has 2 romantic interludes, which are both irritating and have no chemistry, plus she is presumably very beautiful so men are crazy about her. This whole concept did not flow well with the rest of the smart, talented female cast.

I actually enjoyed this modern c-drama, especially since the historical ones put me off and it took me deep digging to find this almost-gem.

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