Cuo Liao (2023)

Overbearing CEO Trope With a Twist

OK, I may be biased here with my rating since I love the chemistry between Bailu and Dylan, and their visuals. I will gladly watch them stare at each other with background music playing any time...lol. Also, the journey to love for Shu Yue and Yu Yao added a lot of good flavor to the show.

Eps 31 - 36 plus the bonus clip of 36.5 were satisfying and romantic. There were lots of kisses and skinship; the leads did not disappoint in that aspect. That made the 4-5 previous episodes of prolonged misunderstandings/miscommunication forgettable for me. The starting episodes until ep 26 were also very entertaining.

I watched with the full expectation and anticipation that it would be about the "domineering CEO trope," and Dylan did so well with that character. Love how overbearing and arrogant Shi Yan was even when he showed love and affection to the FL.

Luckily, the show did not make the FL character naive, overly enthusiastic, bubbly, and kind of dumb like the usual ones in such CEO shows. I did have a love-hate feeling for Bailu's FL character, though. Shu Yi was smart, sharp, and sassy in her professional life but totally clueless about her personal life. It didn't help that she kept listening to her friend, Shan Shan, who was the worst relationship guru ever! Still, most of the FL's actions and thought processes were relatable and quite realistic. Many of us often back away and assume the worst immediately, but unfortunately, in her case, the show dragged on too long for most viewers. Also, the show did not make the FL grovel enough, the ML should have gotten many more apologies and more appreciation from the FL.

The second couple's path to their relationship was so fun to watch, and honestly, the ML's niece, Shi Yue, was the MVP. She was the youngest, but her approach and pursuit of her man were well done, and she was often the catalyst that helped Shi Yan and Shu Yi move forward with their relationship. Shen Yu Jie shone as Shi Yue, and she was gorgeous throughout the show. Miles Wei was awesome as the dorky professor who ultimately could not resist the lovely Shi Yue.

We could have done away with the third couple - their push-pull dynamic became annoying to watch, and it was the same friend of the FL that was just so wishy-washy. I think that the female character was not written well. There's only so much Jiang Pei Yao could do, and she looked beautiful playing this disastrous character, which I did not like much throughout the show.

Love the outfits in this show - especially the leads and Shu Yue. Very branded, though, so I can only dream - haha!

Overall, I did enjoy this drama, and I had fun reading and commenting along with others. There was a lot of venting and frustration, but somehow, many of us continued on. I was addicted because of the cast and the fact that I do actually like the domineering CEO trope when it is done with a twist.

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