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The first thing that comes to my mind after watching all 40 episodes of My Bargain Queen is that it’s too long. Many of the episodes are unnecessary. I think the whole series would have been better paced if the producers had cut it down to 10 episodes. For example, it makes no sense to introduce Xia Qan’s father for a few episodes and then have him leave her life again. Like Sunshine Of My Life and Love Designer, you’ll have to be prepared for a long-drawn-out patch after a good start.
The plot itself is nothing new. It has the flavor of lovers-turned-enemies with a smart and handsome CEO falling for a professional negotiator, each wanting a different outcome for the initial deal. The good thing is that he’s not the cold, emotionless CEO like in Unforgettable Love and The Trick Of Life And Love. At least My Bargain Queen moves away from those tropical climes. Aside from the romance, the show also has a business aspect to it, which means it’s more mature than your typical rom-com.
Romance Explodes
If you’re into romantic dramas, I don’t think My Bargain Queen is a good choice. This is because the romance seems to fade away in the next 10-15 episodes after the two couples move in together. It’s a bit of a letdown for me in the middle of the show where the main couple’s relationship is concerned. They are not as lovable as the couple in Forever And Ever, nor as likable as Qiao Qing Qing and Yu Tu in You Are My Glory.
I find Zhe Ning and Xia Qian’s relationship to be simple. But it is also closer to the truth, without the hype and exaggeration. They have their sweet moments, but nothing is over the top. The downside of this story is that their relationship doesn’t leave a lasting impression when the series ends.
With the main couple’s love being pretty stable for the majority of the story, the focus also shifts to the other side to fill out the 40 episodes. This is another potential pitfall that My Bargain Queen is concerned about.
The couple may not be very happy
There are two couples in this drama. Shuang Shuang and He Bo are a couple with a big age gap between them. While the age difference may not be a problem, I'm just not sure if the audience will be able to feel any chemistry between them. Plus, He Bo starts out as a villain, and Shuang Shuang betrays Xia Qian to help him at one point. So, this couple story might not be one that the audience will feel invested in, although it depends on your taste in age gap romances.
The other couple is Ning Meng and Zhi Jun. Ning Meng is a really annoying character in the drama. So, I doubt anyone will root for this couple. Since this couple is unlikely to appeal to most audiences, this will end up being the attraction of their story, especially when they occupy the majority of the screen time as the story progresses.
Lead Chemistry
Personally, I think Wu Jin Yan has better chemistry with Johnny Huang in Something Just Like This than Kenny Lin in My Bargain Queen. Her personalities in both films are similar. So if you enjoyed watching her in Something Just Like This, which is a business drama, then you will also like her in My Bargain Queen. Wu Jin Yan portrays the bravery and spirit of Xia Qian very well.
Kenny Lin’s Zhe Ning, on the other hand, has a calmer and more cautious personality. When you put your thumbs together, the chemistry doesn’t feel explosive. It’s good enough for a business-romance, but nothing great enough to make the romance a memorable one for me by the time I get to the end. Same goes for the couple. So I wonder if they did it right, because with better chemistry, this could have been a more enjoyable show.
My Verdict - Watchable with a Few Skips
I think My Bargain Queen is one of those dramas that you can watch with a few skips. For example, you can skip one of the couple's stories if you find them uninspired. It's really boring if you've watched all 40 episodes from start to finish. That's why the pacing could have been better if the production team didn't unnecessarily drag out the story.
While the plot isn't particularly unique, this is watchable for those who like a balance of romance and business. It's also good if you like multiple couples in one drama. There are some annoying characters and some sad moments, but nothing too tense or melodramatic. The romance is more mature, and a big plus is that the main couple doesn’t have trust issues and fight like crazy. However, the kissing isn’t the sweet kind, even though the couple is mature, which is not what you’d expect in Love Is Sweet. So if you’re into a lot of romance, this might not be for you.