I came in w/o context expecting a cute drama like Love is Sweet and kind of half-slept through all the episodes because there was not much going on, until I realized what the drama strived to focus on: the characters.

Usually dramas take you on a rollercoaster - there are defined plot points. Right after they finish one plot point, they move on to the next, and the characters act within those boundaries. It's not quite like that here. It feels more like a character study, and the episodes revolve around the bonds formed from it.

They managed to nail organic interactions in an unrealistic premise (cohabitation from the most bizarre scenario, among other things)!

The characters are all flawed, but I think very rarely does modern cdrama attempt to tackle these types without playing it safe with slapstick comedy/tropes/perfect characters, or overdoing how deep it is/being pretentious, so it's a treat seeing something different.

Also I absolutely adore the casting. Many dramas tend to go for a certain appearance (ex. all cast members either have the mature look, or all look young), but this one showcases a variety of different people both in the workplace and outside. As someone who's more similar to Shen Yue than Bai Lu, I feel seen lol, especially in her scenes in her company where half embody the corporate look, while half look like interns even if they're not. This is what reality is like.

That's all you need to know unless you're like "okay so if it's not all about the plot, give me a rundown on these characters so I know what to expect??":

Gu Yi and Daiwen meet at the comedy club. He's there at his psych's suggestion to step out of his boundaries due to repressed trauma/emotions. Gu Yi moonlights as a comedian after her corporate job, as an outlet to her work stress. They get off on the wrong foot, but become friends once they sort it out.

They are youthful in appearance so it feels very pure/natural as Gu Yi treats him like a genuine person/friend, completely unbothered by his professional achievements and background. She's a very simple girl (** please don't be offended bc I too am a simple girl and can relate, literally life should be simple idk why ppl complicate things, anyway--) - she has genuine aspirations, works hard, isn't paid enough, yet doesn't see the point in bending to corporate expectations and pours her remaining time into stand-up comedy as self-medicated therapy. Very innocent, idealistic, and unapologetic.

Her friend Yu Le from the comedy club, though older, is also simple and their dynamic is great as they are similar at heart.

Daiwen, though young, is troubled, closed off, and upfront about it, but has a good heart. He's had trauma and is proactively seeking help for it. He actually understands things she doesn't - such as the intricacies of balancing relationship dynamics especially in the workplace, and he knows where the line exists when it comes to burdening someone, or reciprocating favors. However, he can't decipher his own emotions. Because he struggles to navigate anything deeper than surface-level relationships, he keeps everyone at arm's length because he sees himself as defective and doesn't want to trouble anyone.

Xing Xin, their mutual friend who is also Yu Le's love interest, is from a prominent background and is suffocated by expectations. She's chained to expectations and yearns to break free - as a result, she is stressed about the bigger picture and also contrasts Yu Le's character.

The characters are all very self-aware of their own traits. And in Gu Yi and Daiwen's case, blind to their shortcomings. This drama is primarily about two characters who are willing to step out of their boundaries to make something work, even if they have several missteps along the way.

Gu Yi seems self-serving, but because she's simple, curious, and just doesn't know when to knock it off, she's able to wake Daiwen from his suppressed emotions and memories, and pull him out of a dark place. She simply doesn't believe that things should be complicated.

This is something no one else in Daiwen's life has done for him. Because he's always been surrounded by peers similar in background, who are aware of the complexities of give and take, and see the line he's drawn, they leave him alone even though he's lonely. Most are careful to not overstep boundaries unless they see a return on investment (ex. Qingya, his boss/sponsor that he feels indebted to).

So far, it's been focusing on Daiwen's struggles with the support of his friends, but not so much Gu Yi's story. I'm guessing once he is able to reconcile his past, we'll see him able to help Gu Yi through her own.

Anyway I'm excited to see where it goes!! Instead of thinking "where is the plot headed??", I now am thinking "how will this character act/react? how have they changed from the beginning?". So if you head in with this mindset, it'll be a more interesting watch!