Let's start with a brief introduction of the main characters. Lu Tian Xing is the CEO of Tian Ji Advertising and he's most sought after by companies to do their advertisements. Tian Ji's COO is Lance, also Tian Xing's childhood friend, a power-hungry and ambitious guy. Tian Xing is also supported by his butler, who shall be referred to as Uncle Fu. Tian Xing's role model is Tao Le Yuan, the founder of OZ Advertising. OZ Advertising is now run by Tao Le Yuan's sister, Tao Le Si (or more affectionately addressed as Tao Zi by her family and friends). Tao Zi has harboured a hatred against Tian Xing for a long time because his company often gets all the major advertisement contracts.
Tian Xing and Tao Zi meet coincidentally en route to their respective work appointments. They're held up in a traffic jam, Tian Xing right behind Tao Zi. Tian Xing had the misfortune to leave his convertible top open and a whole bottle of chalk falls right into his car from Tao Zi's lorry. And that's when the two meet (including Tian Xing pouring chalk over Tao Zi in revenge). They head off to the nearest hotel, which coincidentally is a love hotel, and take turns showering and going through certain misfortunes. They part ways, with Tian Xing not admitting his identity to Tao Zi, who recognised him.
Tian Xing arrives at a company's celebratory event and surprises everyone by announcing his decision to take a three month break from work. Lance, of course, won't let Tian Xing go and chases him (with the two other subordinates following behind). Tian Xing gives Lance the slip, with Uncle Fu's help by disguising as a regular young guy, fringe down and glass on. I must say this drama love coincidences, because guess who's just outside as Tian Xing escapes from the back entrance of the building? Tao Zi!
She's with her colleagues, getting ready to film a dog food commercial. One of Tao Zi's colleagues, Gai Xian, mistakes Tian Xing for the part-timer who was meant to help with the props. Tian Xing plays along, however, because he's interested in Tao Zi and OZ's work. Tao Zi recognises him as Lu Tian Xing, but he quickly comes up with a fake name, Xiao Lu. And, of course, the Chinese character for Xiao "Lu" is different from "Lu" Tian Xing. Tian Xing's attitude goes on a 180 degree change and he actually gets along very well with the OZ's staff. In fact, I'd venture to say he quite enjoyed helping them film the commercial.
Back home, Tian Xing is looking at the OZ business card he received from Tao Zi and a baseball with OZ's logo. We're given an insight into how an OZ baseball came into Tian Xing's possession. As a kid, Tian Xing was interested in Tao Le Yuan's commercial filming. Tao Le Yuan invited him over and told him to hold the ball for a bit. Later, young Tao Zi holds the baseball when her brother has to tend to stuff on the set. She drops the ball and Tian Xing runs off to get it. The sound of tires screeching. The full memory is revealed later, and it seems Tao Le Yuan met with an accident trying to save Tian Xing from an oncoming car. What a twisted fate, huh?
At night, Tian Xing heads over to Tao Zi's house. Why? Because he owns 30% of OZ's shares, passed down from his dad. The shares were given to Tian Xing's dad in exchange for keeping OZ afloat till Tao Zi could take over the company after her studies. It seems Tao Zi's mom and dad don't have a great opinion of Tian Xing, and I have no idea why! Tao Zi's mom chases him away with a sword when he proposes purchasing OZ (to get it out of the dire state it is in). Fat hope, son. They aren't gonna part with Tao Le Yuan's dream.
Next day, Uncle Fu prepares a surprise for Tian Xing, in the form of a fantastic wardrobe. It's not just any regular wardrobe, it has two sections. The inner section is accessed by turning a globe that's propped on a small side table next to the wardrobe. The outer section contains Lu Tian Xing's attire, while the inner section contains Xiao Lu's attire. How amazing is that? :P I would totally love to have such a wardrobe (not the clothes) any day! Uncle Fu gives Tian Xing the idea of trying to help out OZ under the guise of Xiao Lu. This way, Tian Xing can spend his three months doing something different. Smart move, eh.
Tian Xing heads over to OZ's office and offers to work for them for free. He speaks from his heart when he talks about his passion from advertising stemming from OZ's old advertisement. He also gets round to helping them with the same project his own company is bidding for. I shall add here, that he had dropped by his office for the same project but gave the responsibility of the project to Lance, and only agreed to show his face during the presentation day. So, in the end, the advertising genius Tian Xing is actually doing the work for OZ. Heh!
The day for the presentation arrives, and Tian Xing is with his colleagues. He's snooty and mean as usual to Tao Zi when OZ comes along for their presentation. Both companies present their advertisement separately and OZ won the contract. Of course they would! Tian Xing is very happy but tries hard not to show it on his face. Lance, however, is totally shocked out of his life and heads back to the office with the rest. Tian Xing makes his way back to his car. He's meant to be going for a vacation but when Tao Zi's phone call comes, he detours to OZ's office and celebrates OZ's success with them.
And what do we have? Beers, snacks and dead drunks! Which is the perfect set-up for an accidental we-slept-together scene. No, don't think too deeply, just falling asleep on each other on the sofa. When morning comes, the other colleagues are shocked to see Tao Zi asleep on top of Tian Xing. Tian Xing is awoken with a surprise by the staff (Huan Huan, Leo and Gai Xian) and leaves the office. Time for a good break, Tian Xing :P
He checks in to an awesome hotel and starts his holiday as Lu Tian Xing. Only to be interrupted much later by the arrival of the OZ staff next door. Yes, there's only one hotel in the whole place and only one other room which had to be next to Tian Xing. He's dying for some quiet but they're so excited over the project he tries his hardest not to go barging next door. But fails. He goes over next door and requests for them to tone it down. He goes back to his room and gets a call from Lance, informing him that he snatched the Galaxy Realty project from OZ using his connections. Tian Xing is pissed with Lance's interference. Tao Zi receives a call with the same information (minus the underhanded snatching, of course). Tao Zi barges into Tian Xing's room to confront him.
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I started watching this drama without even realising it was a currently airing drama. It's been bubbly so far and I'm quite enjoying the light-heartedness of it especially with the current drama in Hotel King (no pun intended).
I like how the drama started off. I have only ever watched one other Taiwanese drama before so I was not at all familiar with the actors, actresses, set styles, etc. I found Aaron Yan pretty charming as Lu Tian Xing, but I am unable to really judge his skills since he's acting in a tried-and-tested role. The type of role that can be pulled off by a guy with good looks and has the courage to act. As for Tia Li, I looked her up and found some people skeptical of her acting. I found her role refreshing because her type of character would've sucked if it had been Park Shin Hye playing it. Park Shin Hye has a way of making the female character seem more needy and underdeveloped. Tia Li seems to be doing a good job at expressing her character and I especially like the first part of the episode when she meets Tian Xing.
Since this drama is a romantic comedy, I guess most of the characters would be played relatively well. Light dramas don't really require much skilled acting because of the stereotypical nature of each character and their relationship with others.
That being said, I was quite surprised at Uncle Fu and Tian Xing's interaction. I like how they are more than just butler and master, but like a real uncle and nephew. Uncle Fu is almost like a fatherly figure who offers subtle advice to Tian Xing and is a constant rock for Tian Xing to lean on. Uncle Fu also understands Tian Xing very well, and is even a step or two ahead of Tian Xing's line of thoughts. I would love to see more of their interaction. It is really warm compared to the typical master-butler relationship.
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