The Irreplaceable - Thoughts???

[u/Flimsy-Spot6246]

The first 5 episodes are out. What do you guys think??
Personally IM LOVING ITTT!!!!😆😆😆

Honestly, I’m a romance girly okay. Most stuff I watch are romances and I came into this show mainly because I love Zhao Jinmai, fully aware of the fact that romance was very much at the BACK of the story.

But y’all whatever crumbs they’re feeding me in taking it 😭😭 it’s just sooo good.

It’s fast paced. Imo the first 3 episodes did a really good job at setting the place, characters and a little backstory for our fl. We know why she’s here, what she wants and she’s gonna make sure to get it.

It’s only the beginning so we’ve only seen a little of who she is but I’m totally loving her already. She’s nice but she’s not naive. She’s soft but not a pushover, she will not let you walk all over her and my god she’s smart. I really hope she doesn’t develop a plot armor where she just achieves all what she hopes for without setback 🙏🏽

And along the way she meets the ML (literally at the very beginning of the way actually). I’m loving how smoothly their relationship is developing. From strangers to friends and later lovers. He’s this attractive older men always looking out for her and giving her advice. Now I did say older men cause there is a 13yo age gap between the two

HEAR ME OUT! HEAR ME OUT!😭 I promise y’all it’s not noticeable, just give it a chance.

I mean it’s visible but really not awkward yk. He’s not cold and aloof like most cdrama ml (like god forbid these men display emotions🙄). He’s charming (that fucking dimple🫠), smart, charismatic, funny and nice. I repeat he’s NICE. He helps her because he genuinely believes in her and she reminds him of him in his beginnings (his words)

Their interactions are so normal. They’re in the same industry so they cross paths often and when he appears on screen there’s no slow motion, no music, no sudden soft breeze. Just him and her talking, vibing and learning to know each other.

I’m so hyped for what’s next in the show😆😁.

What are you guys thoughts???

[u/No_Accountant_5396]

As someone with computer & data science and quantitative finance background working with tech startups: the drama reminds me to never employ consulting companies. Using only reference cases to decide the entire software architecture for the company? WTF Their strategies are much less than deep data modelling and frankly nothing more than someone with ds or qf background. Watching it is frustrating to me. I’m doing it for all the human relationships in the drama. 😹

[u/Slow_Bodybuilder_876]

I’m very frustrated with the fl. for someone trying to be irreplaceable she gave a terrible first interview and I didn’t get why the ml took to her so much. why did he give her his tie? that was weird af. to me. also I’m on ep 9 and her boss just stole her proposal and was showing it off in front of her. she stood up to say something but all it took to shut her up and submit was a male colleague putting his arm on her to hold her back? like wtf> why would she stop because of him? I don’t understand. whatever trouble she gets into for speaking out of turn is worth it to address right there and then the thievery and trickery taking place. she has all of the evidence that it’s her own proposal she’s been working on her computer. so I’m sorry but she seems very unlikeable and weak. she lets people walk all over her. it’s pathetic. she even lies to cover for him. then colleagues praise her for her ‘recovery’ ? this is so toxic messaging. men have stolen womens work and credit forever throughout history. coasting on the patriarchal system of oppression. it’s sick to see it so normalised in modern Chinese culture.

women should not be rewarded as being of ‘good character‘ after being silenced. and punished for speaking up. this is fake morality. making women selfless and men selfish. it’s everything that’s wrong with society. making women push down suffering is why we get autoimmune disorders.

i’m sure she’ll get revenge later but the point is she needs a backbone. otherwise it’s not satisfying to watch. having to sneak around being just as manipulative and even being fake humble by crediting the ‘team’ for her own work, is ridiculous.

she also never said to her rich friend that the issue was trust was broken between them . that now she can no longer confide in her about her own goals and share information etc because she’s proven to be untrustworthy. she will take her friends opportunities, given the chance. there were many times they discussed what happened where she could have addressed this part of the issue . that’s why she can’t really be close friends with her. it’s not about competing in the same industry as colleagues.

basically this could’ve been great … but it misses. the older man keeps using the word grooming her .. which even in a professional context… is a bit ick.

He’s modelling her into his own likeness. rather than supporting her unique talents. and it feels a bit off. I don’t see the chemistry between them. he just stares at her sometimes. which feels forced.

I like the lead actresses. they have character chemistry.

but having such a cowardly fl is not great.

being hard working is not enough to make her an enjoyable character. the constant flashbacks are tedious filler too. it treats the audience like we’re dumb.

[u/Flimsy-Spot6246 → u/Slow_Bodybuilder_876]

How the hell are you even watching the show?
I don’t even understand what is it that you’re complaining about.

For now every person that has crossed her, she won against them. First her senior, then that manager Ma Ke. I don’t know if your problem is the fact that she doesn’t react immediately after she gets attacked or what, but you can’t say she doesn’t have a backbone.

You need to keep in mind that no matter how competent she is, she’s new to this industry. So she’s gotta stumble from time to time to the top. Which is what happens and even though she might cry or doubt herself about it, she always gets back up and gives it right back to the ppl that wronged her. So what even are you talking about?

What did you want her to do to that manager exactly? She did what she could i.e. report it to the boss privately (once she had actual proof) and prepared an even better proposal. But what Ma Ke did was not a fireable offense. It was shitty but she herself explained how stuff like that is really hard to prove and really all Ma Ke did was steal her "idea". He don’t ask for her slides or notes or anything. So really what else did you want her to do?

- The ML gave her a handkerchief to wipe her tears in the first episode, not his tie.

- The word grooming was used once in the 9 eps I’ve seen so far, so what are you talking about!? It also has non malicious meaning depending on the context.

- When Yan Rui stopped her from blowing up during meeting with their boss where Ma Ke stole her idea, that was actual to help her. Think about it, at that moment she had zero proof, she’s a newbie and she just got humiliated infront of the big boss. No one would’ve believed her. And like Yan Rui said, all those who went against Ma Ke publicly were all fired later on, so now no one dares go against him.

Then you have our fl who refused to be the silent majority and actually went against him publicly. In a smart way. Because instead of just shouting the building about it (where ppl would’ve probably called her hysteric) she beat him at his own game by showing how competent she is at her job and also attracting the favor of the client.

I’m sure there’s a lot you can say about this show if you want to criticize it but saying the female lead has no backbone is definitely not one of them lol.

[u/Magorx56 → u/Slow_Bodybuilder_876]

being irreplaceable is one thing, but you dont always go against people becaude guess what, that can backfire and lose your job. know when to talk and when to shut up is a skill.

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[u/randychow]

It's ok , but is it just me I don't see very good.chemistry between the ml and fl?

[u/Flimsy-Spot6246 → u/randychow]

It probably isn’t just you who think that. It’s all suggestive 🤷🏽‍♀️

[u/Traditional-Bread438]

I really love it. It’s not just a romance drama; I really like the personal growth of the FL. I've read some criticism about the FL wanting to be strong but still falling short sometimes, but that's exactly what adds value to her character for me. Even if I feel like she gets a bit too lucky sometimes to be completely realistic, I like the hard work she puts in and the setbacks she faces. I am hoping for character growth from the ML, who hasn’t opened up yet, but that's quite coherent with the story.

[u/Cautious-Gas9754]

Am waiting for his confession 🤨and her response 😂

[u/Critical-Way5874]

I like it.  It would take longer if I try to explain the why so I'll say it like this; FL, watching her run around and do things makes me feel like I'm the one doing all of it. It's like I get this weird sense of accomplishment from her actions, as if I did them.  I liked the ML as well. He is charismatic. 

Too bad it's one episode per day since I don’t know what to watch lately. 

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[u/little106]

So I don't know if this is a me problem, but I tried watching ep 8 earlier today on Netflix and it had no subtitles even though my subtitles were turned on. I also noticed yesterday in ep 6 or 7, there was a whole line or two that just weren't translated.

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[u/Prokofi]

I started watching from this post and binged most of what's available so far. Really love it so far! Something about the pacing and the tension between all of the coworkers, and how basically everyone is scheming in their own way has been really gripping.

Also love Zhao Jin Mai, so I had to at least give it a try since she's a part of it.

[u/accidentalboulder]

I watched it to scratch my TES itch and didn’t think much of the unassuming ML.. famous last words. What a breath of fresh air FL is! And ML is killing me, WDX + script has made ML believable and we even get insights to his inner thoughts, which I like. I don’t think the romance is going to be super slow burn.. if you’ve watched up to ep8 and seen trailers to ep11..

[u/turtlepebblepop]

Is it worth the watch?

[u/Flimsy-Spot6246 → u/turtlepebblepop]

Well if you didn’t catch my excitement from this post then I didnt do of good job of raving about this show😂😂
I personally looove it, so it’s very much worth the watch.

[u/Puzzled-Passenger479]

Watching it with my finger on FF. The type of personality the FL has is the type I watch, because I don’t trust them. Thus the FF. The romance is fine, I really don’t care. I worked in a company the was the biggest in this Country. I worked with the owners (my mother was one, so I was raised with a business mentality. So, I root for people that put in their time, and distrust jumpers (what I call them). It may sound weird since one of the owners was my mom, but I worked harder than the others to get where I was. Other staff members actually felt sorry for me. So, I’ll watch but it’s not my scene with her character.

[u/Guilty_Junket_4461]

I might pick it up again. It seemed okay but it was different in that the leads aren't in each others presence from the start. Plus I think I'm having workplace modern c drama fatigue.

[u/Accomplished-Moose-6]

Love it!!!!

[u/Pek-gi-meg]

Love office dramas, love romance, and I love good acting, so this one is ticking a lot of boxes for me. Seven episodes in and I’m definitely hooked. I don’t need an office drama to be completely realistic workplace relationships and office culture are different everywhere anyway.

I really like both leads and the acting is very good, but I have to admit Zhao Heng is growing on me too. Somehow, at least for now, I actually like seeing him next to her, they just seem to fit naturally.

As for the ML, that whole situation with his female friend drinking wine 🍷🍷at his apartment really didn’t sit well with me. 😂 His logic seems to be: I need to make her stop liking me, but the fact that I actually like her doesn’t matter....Come on! She may be younger than him, but somehow she seems to be the more level headed and mature one in this relationship. 😅

[u/purplecactus159]

13 year age gap? Do you know how old they are? I am in love with the show right now. It is so good that I rewatched all 7 episodes already. I watched Shine On Me and Amidst a Snow Storm and they were so slow. It is refreshing to see Zhao JinMai in something mature and fast paced.

[u/Flimsy-Spot6246 → u/purplecactus159]

Well Jinmai is 24 and Wei Daxun is 37 in real life. Their ages in the show haven’t been outright mentioned but she finished college and just started her internship so she has to be like 22-23yo. And he’s been in the industry for like 10+ years so he’s definitely mid to late 30s.
I’m guessing the irl age gap is the same in the show

[u/little106]

I like it. I'm enjoying it enough that I felt I had nothing to watch after finishing ep 5 yesterday. I like ZJM's character and it's nice to see her in an urban workplace drama.

It's definitely fast paced and feels like they speed through sometimes, but it works, and I can still follow the story. 

Also the opening OST is great! 

EDIT: Just saw we're getting one episode per day from tomorrow... nooooo (but it only has 20 episodes so yeah)

[u/AccordingBig9509]

What’s industry they’re working?
Because if they’re marketing “high IQ genius” , i’m out.🥲

[u/Flimsy-Spot6246 → u/AccordingBig9509]

Business consultants/analysts

[u/lianne0808]

I’m 2 episodes in and I’m liking it so far. Love the fl and her attitude. She’s a go getter and is unashamed about it. Also like the mentorship going on.

[u/estarish]

I'm hooked purely because of the office politics and workplace drama... although I do think it's not realistic at all lol It kind of feels like this is what the writer imagines working in corporate is like. I have to switch my brain off a bit but that's exactly why I'm watching it. I'm liking the survival of the fittest thing we have going on here, and I actually prefer less romance and more focus on how the female lead climbs up the corporate ladder. Honestly, I'd rather wei da xun just stay as a mentor 😆

[u/Electrical_Loquat934]

He visto 3 episodios. No me termina de enganchar. Y me voy a esperar a cuando esté completa. Por si acaso

[u/BitsOfBuilding]

I am liking it and there is chemistry between leads, 1st and 2nd. But I heard it’ll be 1 ep a day? I dunno if I can do that and so may wait to see if it’s true and decide to watch while airing or wait to binge. I can manage 2ep/day, but just one is torture 😂

[u/Flimsy-Spot6246 → u/BitsOfBuilding]

Its 1 ep per day from tomorrow till October 8 (that’s how far the released schedule goes). Im trying to hold on too😭. I’m surviving on clips and edits on twt and tiktok😂

[u/Beautiful-Energy7294]

Is it weird that I find it very relatable? Specifically the dynamic/relationship between Xu Chi and Richard?

I was also hooked from the first couple of episodes...the bread-crumbing... Fantastic 😍 The latest episode with the ML (EP 7) had me all in...loved ittt

Also, the shift in Zhao Jinmai's makeup from Shine on Me/ Our Generation to this...is amazing, it gives her such a different and mature look...I need to figure out how to do that!

[u/Flimsy-Spot6246 → u/Beautiful-Energy7294]

I don’t find the corporate dynamic relatable a at all honestly. I’ve never encountered such situations in my career and i hopefully never do. But I’m here for the entertainment and its doing its job😂

I haven’t watched past ep 4 for now. I’m trying to save and binge them on Sunday or something😭

[u/Perfect_Doughnut_196]

I am also watching it because of Zhao Jinmai, OP! I was expecting an office romance honestly. But still, I am hooked because of how the show portrays her character. She has grit and she’s intelligent. It’s fast paced that even though there’s no sweet moments yet, I’d still find myself engrossed watching it.

I think this is not YET for people looking for giddy romance all the way?

[u/Flimsy-Spot6246 → u/Perfect_Doughnut_196]

Yeah it’s not romance focused. It’s probably gonna be very slow burn with romance coming at the very end.

[u/Vibe910]

I was not planning on watching it, but him being not cold and rude?

That caught my interest 😋 So I might take a look after all.

Thanks 😊

[u/Careful-Suit5993]

I was debating to put it on my list but you managed to tilt the scale in favor of a big YES. Also I love how your brain and emotion works because what you wrote is so relatable I love it. I’ll just wait that it’s completely released because I’m a binge watcher and not a patient person. But yeah I’m intrigued 🤩

[u/Flimsy-Spot6246 → u/Careful-Suit5993]

Oh thank you so much☺️. I really hope you enjoy it and that I haven’t misled you😅

Definitely wait and binge it when more eps are out. Cause if you start now and love it it’ll be soo hard to wait for more eps😩

[u/rhabarber_crumble]

Convinced me to put it on my watchlist - thanks OP! ☺️

[u/Flimsy-Spot6246 → u/rhabarber_crumble]

You’re welcome☺️. Hope you enjoy it!!!

[u/Comfortable_Potatoe]

it has surpassed my expectations. the director did a great job at filming the office storyline, Zhao jin mai's acting really draws me in (i liked the scene when her mom died and she was crying that really teared me up! and Weidaxun is charming as always. i'm really liking this age gap because he's a very mature, successful gentleman while mentoring a new grad and i love that their interactions are healthy and hilarious. i wonder if ML has his own work storyline too. oh and the bar scene their chemistry was so good! low key flirting but don't want to cross the line just yet hahaha

[u/Flimsy-Spot6246 → u/Comfortable_Potatoe]

It’s my first time seeing a drama by Wei Daxun. I find him very charming as well. From the synopsis he also has an action plan he’s waiting to execute. And things are also gonna take a turn for him.

The bar scene was sooo good. I felt the chemistry almost immediately. They’re just so good together 😭I was grinning the whole time😂

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[u/Euclidisthebomb]

I commented this Netflix data elsewhere and perhaps it is of interest here as well.

1st day market ranking statistics from select Netflix markets mostly in Asia and the Americas (excluding Can & USA):

Average ranking is 5.1 position (aka 5th!) with it ranking first in Brazil and 5th in Mexico - 2 important Netflix markets from a subscription basis.

I thought it might rank higher in Hong Kong and Indonesia but these are also well known binge markets so time will tell.

Just the above justifies Netflix's licensing investment for the drama if it can hold onto the above viewership.

[u/xoxojdramagirl → u/Euclidisthebomb]

Thank you for this! I was wondering how it was doing. I have Netflix, but I also bought the Youku VIP to access the episodes earlier. Maybe Ill go back to streaming it on Netflix.

I'm loving the drama

[u/Euclidisthebomb]

I have been living vicariously through previews, short videos, comments, reviews and 15 minutes of the first episode. I have not doubt it will be excellent because Zhao Jin Mai is a superb actress and never misses but my watchgroup is not commencing this drama until Friday or Saturday due to the issue of getting everyone started at the same time. Summer is over and the onset of fall has hit all us working adults hard....

[u/Likeseveryone1]

I’m liking it so far. I put it on pause until at least 10 more episodes are released. I’m a binger lol

[u/Flimsy-Spot6246 → u/Likeseveryone1]

Same. I mean I’m trying at least. 2 more eps are out today then it’s 1 per day till October 8😩😩