Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Only for Love on Viki, which brought us one of the most popular Chinese romance dramas of 2023!
Only for Love aired from September 2023 to November 2023 and became available for streaming on Viki, Apple TV, and other platforms. Starring Dylan Wang and Bai Lu, this urban romantic comedy delivers 36 episodes of workplace romance, financial intrigue, and emotional tension. With episodes running approximately 45 minutes each, this series is based on the novel “Cuo Liao” and takes place in the high-stakes world of financial journalism and business investments.
The series follows Zheng Shu Yi, a brilliant and hard-working 25-year-old reporter who hopes to write the front-page article of the Financial Vision magazine, and her complicated relationship with CEO Shi Yan. What starts as a professional interview evolves into a cat-and-mouse game of attraction, misunderstandings, and eventual love that captivated audiences throughout its run.
Hard-working reporter for one of China’s leading financial newspapers
Zheng Shu Yi is a hard-working reporter for one of China’s leading financial newspapers. Shi Yan, the businessman, is looking to make a series of investments. When Shu Yi scores the interview of a lifetime with CEO Shi Yan, it sparks into something more than just a professional relationship. The story becomes a character-driven drama with campy humor and titillating romance as their working relationship develops.
The twist comes when Shu Yi has just caught her boyfriend cheating on her with a girl she mistook for Shi Yan’s niece. Her boyfriend breaks up with her for the girl who promised to help him with his career. With her pride shaken, Shu Yi decides to flirt with Shi Yan, seemingly to get back at her ex-boyfriend, but this decision leads to unexpected consequences and genuine feelings.
Zheng Shu Yi: The Ambitious Reporter
Bai Lu delivers a compelling performance as Zheng Shu Yi, the ambitious reporter driven by her passion for uncovering compelling stories and her sharp instinct for news. Her character is pretty, brilliant, and determined to succeed in the competitive world of financial journalism. Shu Yi’s journey from seeking professional success to navigating complex romantic feelings is portrayed with both vulnerability and strength.
What makes Shu Yi particularly engaging is her intelligence and determination, even when her personal life becomes complicated. She’s not afraid to take risks in her career, and her interactions with Shi Yan showcase both her professional competence and her emotional depth.
Shi Yan: The Mysterious CEO
Dylan Wang shines as Shi Yan, the successful businessman who works 24/7 growing his business and has become quite successful while distancing himself from emotional attachments. His character brings both mystery and intensity to the series, creating an intriguing dynamic with Shu Yi’s more open and ambitious personality.
Bai Lu and Dylan Wang are giving masterpiece performances in this intelligently written cat and mouse game of love. Their chemistry drives the series, with their contrasting personalities creating both tension and attraction that keeps viewers invested in their relationship development.
The Supporting Cast: Yu You and Beyond
The series features Yu You, a gentle professor and Shi Yan’s friend, played by Miles Wei. Shu Yi initially develops a crush on Yu You, which adds another layer of complexity to the romantic dynamics. The supporting characters shine throughout the series, adding depth to the main storyline and providing additional romantic subplots that enhance the overall narrative.
Success on Viki
Only for Love became the most popular Chinese drama on Viki in 2023, proving that viewers have a strong appetite for well-executed CEO romance stories. The series showcased the financial world of modern China while delivering the romantic tension and emotional payoffs that fans of the genre expect. While some critics noted Dylan Wang’s need to improve his acting delivery, particularly in emotional scenes, the undeniable chemistry between the leads and the engaging workplace setting made it a standout addition to Viki’s Chinese drama catalog. The show’s success demonstrated that classic romance tropes, when executed with charismatic leads and an interesting professional backdrop, can still capture global audiences and generate significant viewer engagement.
If you love CEO romance dramas with workplace dynamics and passionate chemistry, Only for Love is the perfect series to binge on Viki. This drama will have you rooting for Shu Yi and Shi Yan as they navigate the complex world of business and love.
A captivating CEO romance that combines financial journalism with passionate chemistry, delivering classic C-drama romance tropes with modern workplace dynamics.
Series Details:
- Number of Episodes: 36
- Platform: Viki (also available on Apple TV and other platforms)
- Rating: 7.6/10 (IMDb)
- Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama, Workplace
- Protagonists: Bai Lu (Zheng Shu Yi), Dylan Wang (Shi Yan)
- Antagonists: Workplace rivals, ex-boyfriend, competitive business environment