Love Designer (2020)

I havent finished the whole drama. It aint finished airing yet. Nonetheless i’d like to make a review.prolly edit later if i find something new...

the recycled cliche everyone isnt fond of but present in this story**
- the male lead is of course a ceo of a company
- usual obstacle filled series. they are presented with problems episode per episode
- the female lead worked hard for her so called dream
-stubborn female lead
- there’s always a rich or influential female, an actress this time, who plots against the female lead because she has one sided love for the male lead
- a villain who hates the ceo plots against him & his company
- too kind that they forgive betrayalS (yes, plural)
- the voice they used for the male lead sounds like he has phlegm stuck in his throat
-drag.. its a good drama that couldve been better in 24-ish episodes. it starts getting boring at 20ish episode.

What i appreciate abt the drama**
- it depicts adult romance more realistically. In the real world, couples doesn't only kiss, hold hand & hug each other. they flirt & make out with each other, they affectionately & passionately kiss each other & yes they sleep together. they dont just stare at each other & kiss like two fishes who bump with each other.. It was shown in this drama
-lovers fight. Mature way.
-the chemistry of the characters. I know there’s been rumor abt johnny goin on since he appeared in Addicted Heroine but i dont care, thats his personal matter. Johnny & Dilreba’s chemistry is so natural, the way They held each other is so natural, the way they stare at each other & kiss each other if i didnt know better i think its real. At least based on my own ‘personal’ experience . It seems natural.. It made me hold on to the drama til now (ep 35)
-unlike other ceo’s who are poker face & walks around with bunch of secretaries, he looks quite normal & laid back sporting the Ducati & other expensive big-bikes in his leather jacket
-no rich snobby parents, just the regular asian parents signing up for dates
- u will have a friend that will have to move to a far away place & you will be sad abt it but its not the end of the world. its good that they didnt highly dramatized this part
- I love Qin Qing. We all need a friend like her. Although a lot is hating her because of WuSan, i just love the fact that she is rather rational than emotional
- Dilreba. She is one hell of a hot woman. I cant stop staring at her face. All the casts are pretty

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Started strong, fell flat on its face

Ahh how the mighty have fallen. This show had so much potential, but it dragged way too much. Plus, the product placements became way too unbearable. I wanted hotpot almost every episode, damn it.

The acting was good. Of course it is. Johnny was spectacular as usual.

I wanted to smack Dilraba's mom here. So freaking hard. Oh my god. Tell me i'm not the only one.

Music was average to below average. Nothing outstanding. Videography was okay except some weird angles. I never forgave that one shot where Johnny's jaw literally disappeared and his face went straight down his neck. An ugly shot, I tell you.

Not rewatching. Don't recommend

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Starts off addicting...

As many have mentioned, this drama was drawn out for TOO long. It starts off quite addicting with our FL getting cheated on and walking barefoot, for who knows how long... and bumping into our ML.

It starts off addicting, and remains addicting because our two leads. They have great chemistry, and so many hot kissing scenes. But the remaining of the drama ends as a let down due to the draggy plots and extra-ness with our side characters. Like, did we really need to see Qin Qing and Wu San go back and forth at the marriage certificate office. -_-

By the time the drama ended, I was GLAD. I love Dili but whoever books her projects, they need help. Some of her projects are GREAT but this one fell short.

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All about the feels

This show is all about the feels. :) The OTP is just so amazing together. Sure, there is the cliché love-hate beginning but it is the growth that hooks you. I have to say, as their love grows, the show will grow on you (or you'd have dropped this by then). The writer took their time to explore the many phases of falling in and out of love and how love grows and matures. It starts with the attraction, then a spark. Infatuation, longing and obsession all got explored in a mature way. Ultimately, the show took us beyond the typical total episodes minus one "will they, won't they" formula and allowed us to watch their characters grow while in love.
BTW, I like Dilraba so much more in this drama than Pretty Li Hui Zhen. She gets to play a mature woman with strong character and great personality. Some might say a bit naïve but she is trusting and will not say a bad word about anyone. She has so much chemistry with the ML it is swoon worthy in most scenes after their confession. They just behave so naturally around each other. I would believe it if someone tells me they are dating in RL. I would ship them in an instant. Their interaction is so natural. From the teasing to casual touching, it does not feel scripted which is an achievement in a c-drama where the odd awkward kiss is the norm.
The OTP carried the show. The main plot is ok, very heavy on the scheming and make the fashion industry looks a bit grim (maybe it is all true! LOL). Certain scenes are almost contemplative. Thoughts and ideas are expressed by the characters like snippet of life lessons. The 2OTP is good but the 2ML lacks that natural charm that Johnny has in spades. It does allow the writers to explore other aspect of love and loving though. My one negative are the moms. Boy, did the meddling moms get a run for their money, not 1 but 3! Why all the moms are so one dimensional and controlling? I get they want to get some angsts happening but not all moms are like that, surely? They all have their redemption at some point but it is very monotonal.
Two minor gripes, so much PPL and they are everywhere and a couple of minor plots seemed to disappear into the ether and then got a quick scene in the last episode. To bring some closures? In conclusion, if you want big dramas, explosive plot twists and suspense galore, go watch something else, if you want to see two mature, stubborn and charismatic people fall heavily in love (for realsies) and live through a slice of their lives with them then pull up a chair. You will get your romantic fill.

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Draggy towards a happy ending

Title should've been Love of Irrational Beings. Spent almost half the show watching draggy scenes of irrational people go through the motion of falling in love.

Starting with the FL's bestie; what's with her attitude towards relationships? Like it's should come with expiration date, end it before it expires...

Or the FL's irrational choice to choose to work for the ML's nemesis over and over again. Or the ML's decision to push the FL towards her dreams, even if it meant pushing her to work for his nemesis, it's sweet but a little to much..

Anyway actors were ok, OST too. And it has a happy ending so it's all good. Rewatch, not likely though.

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Maybe watch only 1st and last episode?

It started out amusing and interesting. Unfortunately, after a few episodes came the pain. Pain of disappointment and frustration. To go into details would be too much trouble. Only this much: The pithy entrepreneur lets himself be beaten down. He responds to attacks from business rivals with love, even though he is almost ruined.

For long stretches, the romance was gone and we found ourselves in a chick flick. Women's problems and women's problems. And women's problems. Then parental problems, marginal problems, a tiring merry-go-round also with plenty of marginal characters, while the FL and ML often make themselves invisible.

Johnny Huang and Dilraba, whom I saw for the first time in a drama, were good and a small salvation of this waste of lifetime. Whereas unfortunately the wonderful Dilraba had to play a dubious unsolidary character. But that is probably seen differently by the author, but how? Johnny was just great!

The author has probably also processed plenty of their own generational conflicts, it is really torture to have to watch this crap.

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Watch it for the lead chemistry!

I started watching Love Designer for its business elements and attractive cast - it didn't always deliver, but it was a decent watch.

The good points:
- The FL/ML chemistry is really really hot. I don't remember the last time I found a pair so good and easy-going together. It was like watching a real couple spending time together!
- The sister Luo Luo's character was so adorable
- Good visuals especially around Shanghai and fashion
- The business part in the beginning was quite interesting, especially around China's funding landscape and copyright issues. But the business part almost disappeared after the midway point?

The bad points:
- The story dragged oh-way-too-much! This could have ended in episode 22 and noone would have complained!
- Too many unnecessary characters and plot points added after the halfway point for no reason
- Too many parents creating trouble - what's with all these meddling moms?
- Johnny's strong entrepreneur character became... too soft and lost his personality towards the end

Overall, decent but nothing great. Could be something to watch if you are in the mood for a fluffy, light romance with some business elements.

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This is it. It took awhile for me to finish the whole drama. I was hooked by this drama, the 20 episodes of this drama were totally exciting, then the remaining 25 episodes were totally dragging me. Bear with me, I loved Johnny Huang's character here so as withbthe other casts especially Chen Dong and Shen Pei Pei ( their chemistry was awesome).
This drama should be at least 24 episodes only. Thus, having 45 episodes was already unbearable. There were draggy parts already after episode 20.
To the director, at least he should lessen the number of episodes to keep us (audience) on track.
Indeed, I was disappointed of the ending of the story of the tv host ( shen pei pei) & the banker ( chen dong)- their story was very raw.
Well, i'll rate this drama as 7/10. If you are curious of the three points, then you must watch this drama. Jiayou!

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Rewatching this beautiful lead couple chemistry and romance

This is one of my favorite dramas… I am rewatching for a 3rd time the romance and cute bickering plus ML affection for the FL… Both ML and FL are independent and strong… However, FL need to speak up to her mom and get her out of her business instead of hiding… She is a grown independent woman….. it wasn’t fair to the ML but eventually she woke up…. I like the story line of a designer and competition…. ML and FL handled the antagonist well… ML never disrespected FL but tried to protect her even when she wanted to be independent… second couple was a little annoying… I like FL friendship with second FL , her relationship with her nephew & father…. Most of all how adorable she was with ML… FL classmate needed to realize he is too late…… Her mom was too controlling and ML friend wasn’t totally loyal by giving antagonist information on ML and FL … however, I like that ML was smart and loyal … he knew what he wanted and who he wanted..❤️ I can’t stop rewatching their romantic scenes and I love episode 12 when ML sets the antagonist straight about his feeling for FL which erased all FL doubts about her being his girlfriend and that he was interested in her instead…. Love their chemistry ? This drama is one of my favorites that I have rewatch 3times…. ML & FL are top attractive actors with steamy chemistry and perfect kiss and affectionate scenes… not too many angst just some misunderstandings and too many controlling parents situations. Also, second couple had too much screen time… sometimes lead friend was too overbearing but couldn’t handle her own relationship effectively…2ML was too weak in begging 2FL. Main couple need another drama together… I could rewatch them all day…. No love triangles because ML and FL was clear to the so call angst that tried to cause problems with lead couple but didn’t get the opportunity to succeed because they resolved it quickly with the help of ML little sister and FL nephew who I enjoyed…

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IF I FUCKING HEAR THAT RINGTONE ONE MORE FUCKING TIME—

I'm only writing this review for two things: the fucking ringtone and Mr. Pussy-Ass-Bitch.

If I hear that fucking ringtone one more fucking time, I may just go murder someone. It's rage-inducing. Not everyone has the same fucking ringtone. Especially one so funky. I don't know where it came from, and I don't want to know. I just want to never hear it again.

Mr. Pussy-Ass-Bitch deserves a slap. Yes, I'm talking about Zuo Yu Lin. Never be with a guy that can't stand up for you. Especially if he tells you he loves you. A soft boi who only knows how to bow to his unreasonable, overbearing and exhausting mother is not a man you want. Get you an ALPHA CHAD. Better than a soft boi who only knows how to go, "yes, mom". EXHAUSTING.

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Give it a try!

The story was rather draggy, and some of the characters annoy me so much that I started skipping their scenes. They could have prevented some of the conflicts. I don't know if it was just me but when I go from one episode to another, I felt like I just missed a whole chunk of the storyline? Some of the underlying stories are also not told? I kind of wish they do not cut out some of the scenes. It made the whole drama feel like something was missing.

Johnny Huang and Dilreba's chemistry and acting were on point! All their actions look so natural and real! Also, their character developments were also really awesome! This is probably one of the few if not the only drama where there is proper communication between the main couple, and no cliche misunderstanding. I hope I can see Johnny Huang and Dilreba in the same drama again in the future.

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Nice and relaxing romcom

I started watching this drama for Johnny. I loved him in Addicted. Also tried to watch Love’s Knot (for him), but it didn’t work for me – only his workout sessions kept me for several eps, though.

In this drama, his character and acting are not as addictive as in the mentioned BL drama. He does convince me, though. Nice chemistry with Dilraba.

I saw Dilraba in Eternal Love. Hated the her clingy character, but her acting is ok-ish. I like her in Love Designer, but still kind of ~ish. As the ML tells her – she needs to bring some life into her character; there are sparks in her acting, but rarely seen.

Other than that, it is a romantic comedy – you will have spurned and vengeful second love interests, business rivals and matchmaking parents. Still a fairly good romcom – not even for Johnny was I able to watch Love’s Knot, while I am very much enjoying this one.

My hope is that the main leads will remain sincere in their speech until the final episode. I like that they are open and honest with each other, I like that they take into consideration each other’s words. Insults and bad jokes are cause for hurt and getting upset, but trying to grow each other – even with harsh words – it’s not. I believe this is what I like most about this romcom. Yes, some arrogance, some hidden feelings, maybe a relationship a bit cold and etc., but so far, a mature and normal one.

I absolutely love Luo Luo, but the other characters are kind of forgettable. Also stereotypes, but well.. it is a romcom.

I also work to get over Dilraba’s lack of expressing her feelings most of the time. Having Johnny around helps me, since he is quite intense. And handsome. And well built. And those steamy kisses.

Decreased the story points, since I remembered the excessive product placement.

Too early to talk about rewatch… Even though I might rewatch really soon episode 14.

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