La vida racional (2021)

Heartwarming

OVERALL
This drama is bringing the older woman/younger man storyline to a new level and I love it. Watch if 1) you're looking for a capable FL and a sweet ML, 2) you want lots of cute OTP scenes, 3) you dig work drama. Avoid if 1) you don't like any of the above, 2) you're looking for great chemistry or smexy scenes, and 3) you like meaty characters.

THE STORY
Recently C-dramas have been generous with the older woman/younger man storyline: Love Scenery, My Fated Boy, and now this one. Out of all I've seen, The Rational Life does the best job at dealing with that theme. FL isn't acting younger than her age to make ML more masculine, and there's more realistic drama surrounding the age difference too (which is necessary with this kind of plot). It's also cool how they went out there and pushed the age gap to 12 years!!!

The Good
- ML and FL are not the super cliché C-drama leads. She's not childish and immature, he's not cold and domineering. None of them depend on the other either. They're both capable adults who complement each other nicely.
- The secondary couples (there're 2) are actually interesting and worth watching. The characters are also quite likable. Not cartoony, dumb, loud. Perfectly normal and likable.
- The ML and FL's moms are just so cute (especially ML's)!

The Bad
- ML and FL lack a bit of depth. It looks like the drama wants to give them some at the start, but eventually it all goes down the drain. A bit of a waste, because there isn't much character development (or relationship development, for that matter). The best character is FL's mom, and that's because she's the most developed (and undergoes the most change).
- Now, this point is entirely subjective, but as someone who doesn't care too much about work drama, I find that there's WAY too much of it. They could have cut down and given more meat to their characters.
- Some of the OTP scenes are reaaallyyy cute, but some of them are reallyyy cringe and awkward. It's not always satisfying to watch. Overall, the "falling in love" part is much better written and produced than the "being in love and a couple" part.

THE ACTING
Quite good, but there is zero chemistry between the leads. In some dramas it's fine because it doesn't interfere too much with the drama experience, but in this one you can really feel it, which sucks a bit.

THE MUSIC
Bad haha Not terrible, but bad.

REWATCH VALUE
Not very high, but it doesn't mean the drama wasn't worth it. I just think it's one of those one-timers. It doesn't have the 'umph' factor (something gripping) that would make me want to watch it again.

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Enjoyable and light drama, yet too dominant office plot and near too perfect main characters

I came across this drama on Netflix and found it quite enjoyable to watch. Yet, it didn’t fully convince me or intrigue me with anything unparalleled, it was a rather smooth storyline so you could already expect where things will lead to.

Aspects which I liked:

For people who just started their career or are within the midst of it, there will be something in the drama you can relate to. Whether it’s obstacles in women’s careers, financial independency, pursuing a stable job vs a career path with more uncertainty or not knowing what you want in life, you can find all those topics in the drama. The main messages are also linked to this, as in Ziyan’s story: she got lost and forgot about what she truly wants but eventually gets back her self-esteem and path in life (“At our age, we should understand that not everyone can see the view at the top. What if we’re the ship that ran aground? Then we just rest until the next wave comes.”) Or Su Yang who believes you can only be happy and live life when you’re established, but then realizes that having the support of people you can trust actually makes you stronger and helps you to believe in yourself. Of course, there’s also the “pride from the achievements of your own honest hard work and growth” aspect. In the end, Ruoxin earns her spot at the top without playing dirty tactics and not ridiculing those losing their power. In addition, though related to societal norms, I liked the way the mothers analyze how they raised their children and what matters to them as mothers. The friendship between the mothers was a nice side benefit. And overall, I liked that the relationships between the main characters were supportive and sincere, everyone was pulling in the same direction. Also, all the couples were very likable.

Aspects I didn’t like:

I think the central character, Ruoxin, is lacking a bit human touch. Of course, she has some setbacks, but they are mainly related to bad luck, stress and office politics than something that can be traced back to her. Other than that, she always does a fantastic job, always has a diplomatic and sharp answer at hand, gives precise commands in a blink, and always has a solution to tackle things efficiently. I cannot count how many times she was praised as capable and outstanding in the series. Why does a strong female character need to be presented like an iron lady? I cannot help but compare her to the female lead in “Find yourself”, which I found way more believable. I think it’s only natural that you doubt yourself sometimes and that you don’t always know what’s right (at least from my understanding, perfectionist people doubt themselves the most). There will also be days when you can’t work that productively, a task you’re not good at, or a situation that renders you dumbfounded. In the end, Ruoxin learns how to open up a little, but other than that, she remains stiff, not only in terms of personality but also in her body language. And it’s not only her, Xu Minjie, Lisa and Qi Xiao are equally near too perfect characters. I get that Qi Xiao is determined, hard-working and reliable. But isn’t he like the perfect boyfriend – smart, handsome, always caring, always doing his utmost and succeeding in it, and always understanding how other people feel? He’s even that good at cooking and diversified in his recipes that he can make dishes reminding Ruoxin of her childhood. Well, it’s a drama series after all.

Another aspect I didn’t like was that the office plot was too dominant. I get that the main stage of the series is the office and that it’s about a career-driven woman. But watching the trailer didn’t give me the impression that it’s a series about office work on electric cars. I almost felt like I was working there. And is it really necessary to constantly work overtime and be available 24/7 for your boss to deserve to be called capable and hard-working? Apart from eating out and Ruoxin’s fascination about astronomy, what else have we learned about the private life of the main characters? I think that “Find yourself” was more multi-dimensional in this aspect and outlines the societal linkages of the characters in a more holistic way. And while the characters in “Find yourself” were going through understandable struggles of a relationship with an age gap (family, colleagues, neighbors etc), in “The Rational Life” you’re left with a happily ever after and never get to the point where they need to work on their relationship (it only gives a glimpse when Qi Xiao prepares for the design contest). Moreover, the kissing scenes in “The Rational Life” felt unnatural – a little bit more passion wouldn’t have hurt the drama. And finally, something which I normally wouldn’t bother to point out, but I found it funny that they were emphasizing so much the environmental aspect of their electric cars, while neglecting that the product life cycle of electric cars isn’t 100% clean (and it depends on the energy source) plus they were always carrying around plastic bags and take away in plastic packaging.

All in all, the series is sweet and enjoyable, maybe it even motivates you to work harder for your career since it was almost like an advertisement for hard work, but other than that, there’s not more to it.

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"Rational Life"! Will it be a good watch or downright ugly?

I finally finished it.
Except for the horror genre, it was a rollercoaster ride of all the emotions that can be felt while watching a drama.
The first ten episodes are captivating.
I became so engrossed that I binge-watched the first ten episodes that I forgot how quickly time passed.....
But from episode 11 to 21, I was so bored that I became frustrated wondering how long it would take them to realise they love each other.
Surprisingly, it began to improve again with the next episode.
& I felt a strong desire to end this show.
It gets even better near the end.....
Episodes 32 and 33 are two of my favourites.
I was happy, angry at times, annoyed at times, felt the sadness as well as regrets of their mothers from their pasts, felt butterflies from heart-fluttering scenes, laughed my ass off at times, as well as cried a bucket at the end of it.
In a nutshell, it was a wonderful journey.
Based on the first half of the show, I'm sure most viewers will drop it.
I was also considering putting it "on hold."
Nonetheless, I forced myself to go for it.
But as I managed to secure closer to the end, I realised that all of the boring parts from the first half were necessary for all of the emotional scenes and heart-fluttering moments at the end.
So I'm writing this review because I'm glad I forced myself to wrap up it.
So I'd also advise trying to force yourself towards the end.
You will not be sorry later.
More importantly, don't forget to watch the special three episodes.

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Pleasantly surprised

I went into this drama thinking it would be slow and boring but I really wanted to watch this new series with Dylan Wang. The storyline is very similar to the Korean drama Something in the Rain. But I enjoyed this one so much more, I was constantly eager to watch the next episode. And I was able to binge it in 2.5 days.
Meteor Garden was one of my first introductions into Chinese dramas. And it was a breath of fresh air to watch such a different character portrayed by Dylan Wang in A Rational Life. He was sweet, kind, and just overall a good person with nothing wrong with his personality. The complete opposite of his crazy over-the-top character in Meteor Garden. His acting has definitely improved. Although I have not watched his other historical Chinese dramas yet.

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I really liked the story

what delighted me the most is that despite the difference between the age in the drama and in real life, there was no lack of intimacy, as in some who barely had a kiss at the end, I looked at the whole drama in the shortest time, the story was very calm, and you can still develop many things for a second season, although I find it difficult, I liked the couple a lot, things that are not common to see in a society like ours, which judge more than they try to make us happy, I recommend it to anyone , I expect a second season, or at least the 3 extra episodes subtitled on Netflix. (used google translate from Portuguese)

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Woman Who Crushes Both Work and Romance (Maybe)

A rollercoaster of emotions, workplace drama, and a sprinkle of romance that had me glued to the screen (most of the time).

So picture this: you've got Shen Ruo Xin, the epitome of a career-driven woman in her thirties, navigating through the chaotic world of office politics like a boss (literally). She's smart, she's savvy, and she's not about to let anyone mess with her hustle. But let's not forget the supporting cast – from the overbearing mothers to the charming love interests, each character adds their own flavor to the mix.

Now, don't get me wrong, there were moments where I found myself checking the clock, wondering if we really needed another subplot about Ruo Xin's boss and his shenanigans. And don't even get me started on the endless parade of characters.

But when it comes to the romance department, things really start heating up around episode 21. That's when the real flirting kicks in, and let me tell you, the chemistry between Ruo Xin and her childhood sweetheart-turned-love interest is off the charts. Sure, there were a few cringe-worthy moments along the way, but hey, that's all part of the fun, right?

Now, I won't spoil the ending for you, but let's just say there were a few moments where I found myself yelling at the screen, wondering why Ruo Xin was putting up with so much nonsense from certain characters. Seriously, girl, you deserve better!

But despite its flaws, "The Rational Life" had me hooked from start to finish. It's a journey of self-discovery, love, and maybe just a little bit of office drama overload. So grab your popcorn, settle in, and get ready for a wild ride through the ups and downs of modern-day career woes and unexpected romance.

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Worth watching if you're here for nice, cosy, slow-paced drama about love

A non-trivial love story about bossy FL and cute ML who also is much younger than the leading girl. The story is wrapped around the corporate business of a car company and their business. It explores social issues such as - sexism in the workplace, pressure on "leftover women" from their parents, pressure on young married couples to have kids from their parents, and of course, pressure on couples where the guy is much younger than a girl. Although there is a lot of just everyday work-related stuff happening in this drama, it is nevertheless very interesting . I watched it from beginning to end without the desire to skip or to switch to another drama. At the same time, almost no cliffhangers (for me it's a plus, you won't spend sleepless nights binge-watching if you don't want to) and the development of the feelings of the characters is really smooth and nice. Also very realistic (no hate-to-love staff etc.)
FL s personal story is also the one I liked. She's the kind of person who is reserved and would analyse everything and it's not easy for her to give in to feelings. Therefore we find her in her 30+ alone. Luckily the guy whose character is quite opposite - cute, sensational and outgoing finds her and tries to win her heart.
There have also been quite a few funny moments and several dramatic moments (not the kind you'll be crying over but the kind you'll feel the strong feelings heroes had at that moment.
The actor's play is great, especially I did like Dylan Wang, he really has a character. Side couples and other actors are not always so great but hey, they didn't occupy too much time anyway ( I kind of thought the best ML friend and his girlfriend are kind of silly and didn't like them personally, but everyone to his taste) ///

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Amazing chemistry and stoey

Just finished it and what a refreshing change from ongoing shows I have been watching.

Just happened to run across it somehow and it's a true gem. Intelligent characters and not much fillers for once in this drama.

Doesn't have the best music but the production quality is incredible. Food actually looks like food instead of other shows that show high end food using food you can buy frozen. Settings and locations are top notch. They really spent all out in production costs for this show.

Great chemistry and not too much fluff or cutesy nonsense. I think it will appeal to 18+ and less for teens.

Great story and realistic romance and difficulties in romance. Love actress who played the 2 moms.

It's a gem and definitely you will enjoy it.

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A fresh breath of air! A total GEM

Being frank enough I wasn't going to watch this cause always in dramas where the girl is elder to the boy there is always unwanted drama, but this was an exception and I can tell I was so happy to find this drama(btw I completed it in 1.5 days)

I will start from rating the drama
acting - 10 /10
chemistry - 100/10

Looking at this drama I really liked how each and every character was involved very perfectly.
From mom's of the leads to friends and colleague everyone was not unreasonable and the friends especially were very supportive and not the one who ditched or did some weird thing to make the male couple fall in trouble.
- A well set drama where it not only tells the importance of love but it also feel about how to keep calm when thing go down and not be depressed .
Its is a very up lifting drama.
You should definitely watch this
PURE GEM

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Strong Female Lead! Women not talking about men!

I enjoyed this series because it strikes all the right notes for me -- no one is extra-super special, characters are generally realistic, situations are plausible, settings are appropriate, and, best of all, everyone acts like a real person - which is a joy after seeing so many canned plots.

It passes the Bechdel test with flying colors - also a delight - women talking to other women about things other than men -- their goals, dreams, supportive friendships - it was really top notch there. As an older woman, I often have trouble suspending disbelief when the female characters are two dimensional and/or disappointing stereotypes of what men THINK women talk about or do when they don't have any men around to flirt with.

FL was brilliant in her role, and played it with great skill. What was particularly noteworthy was how her persona held up and remained consistent within realistic boundaries. That's not an easy thing to do. Got a big kick out of ML, who I kept thinking of as "Pineapple Head" (from Meteor Garden) - he got to play a well-rounded, good hearted young man and did it well. Supporting female lead was, sadly, not a well-fleshed out character -- too much "ditz" for the job she presumably had, but I thought friend of ML had some good character development and a great young lion moment with his parents.

I had to revisit the portrayal of FL's mother in my mind a time or two - in many ways at first, I thought it was badly done, however, in the latter episodes, a chance remark makes the wild mood swings and other personality oddities much more understandable. I still think it was a speck over the top, but the chance remarks tamed it. Nice to see Mom do some growing up, too. Great green jacket on Mom!

There's also an element which I have now seen in several Chinese serial stories - comeuppance within realistic boundaries. I like this -- it doesn't happen as often as we'd like to think in real life, but when it does, it happens with doorbells, not trumpets, which is how that element worked out in this show.

I recommend it and encourage you to wait through the few places where it drags in order to see a glimpse of life played lovingly and believably.

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It a joy and a pleasure to watch it

I have been a Dylan Wang's fan since Meteor Garden, after Evernight 2 and waiting for his new incoming dramas.
This drama treat some important issues in China nowadays, women independence, the thing that there is nothing wrong with relationships between a 30s female and a young man, also family and old tradition matters.
The lead actress is exquisite on her acting. She has been a fantastic discovery. She along Didi, he plays a lovely, kind and loyal guy.
One more time, Dylan shows his awesome skill on acting, I'm proud.

The rest of the cast did great too. Totally is the drama to re watch it and enjoy it over and over again.

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DEF ONE OF MY FAV CDRAMAS

So...I havent watched much cdramas as I usually watched kdramas but this is like the 6th chinese one I have watched so far and I really liked it! It's very realistic and relatable and I especially loved the main lead's characters as they're very mature and likeable that I learned a lot. The female lead had me getting a girl-crush on her cuz she's sooo admirable!! I guess that was the most refreshing thing I liked about this drama and I loved the moments she finally started having butterflies from the male lead and actually found a real love..I didn't mind the second male lead much because I dont blame him for admiring her a lot and honestly he wasnt that bad like ive seen worse SML in some kdramas...this one was pretty cool/chill. ANYWAYS i already miss the main characters and im desperately searching for any similar cdramas (that have mature leads not annoying childish ones)

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