Chinese Drama: Boss & Me

Chinese dramas usually have the talent of senselessly stretching out a show for no apparent reason, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out this is not the case for this 34-episode drama. Boss & Me or Shan Shan Comes to Eat is a delightful Chinese drama starring Zhao Li Ying as the title character Xue Shan Shan and Zhang Han as her hero, Feng Teng. As side characters are Zheng Qi (Huang Ming), Feng Teng's best friend and art director and Yuan Li Shu (Li Cheng Yuan) as Feng Teng's childhood friend and Xue Shan Shan's rival.

In this drama there is no senseless amnesia, no evil parents against the poor girl marrying their son, no accidents and no drama tropes designed to make us roll our eyes and click away. Instead this show has a mature couple with real problems. A couple that communicates and is not afraid to be vulnerable and open to each other. This is especially true for Shan Shan who is made vulnerable to Feng Teng and the many co-workers and friends who don't believe she's good enough for him.

Shan Shan is a poor girl from Hainan newly arrived in Shanghai after obtaining a job at the prestigious conglomerate, Feng Teng. Through an incident her boss' sister, Feng Yue (Zhang Yang Guo Er), ends up becoming indebted to her and sends her lunch to work as payment. This causes a massive sensation at work and unfortunately Shan Shan is someone who likes to fade into the background.

In one of her bouts of isolation at the company's rooftop she catches Feng Teng's attention (he can see her from his office, but she can't see him) as he watches her stuff her face adorably and endeavors to get her to come to him.

Feng Teng stalking watching Shan Shan

The drama focuses on their relationship and Shan Shan's insecurities which lie in the gap between their social class, education, and wealth. Usually this conflict is exacerbated by evil rich parents, but this drama shows how most of us would feel if we were dating handsome rich men. Why me? Why am I so special? Why doesn't he date her? Shan Shan's struggle to answer these questions and live up to certain expectations is what makes this drama special and different. There's nothing I appreciate more than a Candy looking character finding her own self-worth. Feng Teng's supportiveness and emotional maturity doesn't hurt any and breaks all drama stereotypes of the rich jerk. He may be stoic and sarcastic but it is always clear how much he loves Shan Shan and how much he's willing to give hell to people who say otherwise.

Despite its emotional and realistic rendition of the poor girl rich guy scenario, the show doesn't take itself too seriously. Shan Shan's  hilarious cartoonish renditions of her day dreams, Feng Teng's deadpan humor and Zheng Qi's playful ribbing make this drama addictive and charming in its own right.

So watch for the humor, this adorable couple and the character development that sees a young accounting assistant from nowhere town become an independent, hardworking and talented young woman who becomes unexpectedly successful in life and love.

Side Notes

* This drama was based on an Internet novel
* I love when they say Xue Shan Shan!
* The kisses were amazing (no Park Shin Hye kisses here!)
* The fashion in this drama was great and it was reported Zhang Han bought most of it with his own     money (cha-ching!)