There is some deception involved in the poster of this series. You may think that it's almost entirely about a young man, who adopts a second identity, in order to win the heart of the young woman he loves. This is only the case for about half of the series.
Fall in Love With Me tells the story of a advertising industry mastermind, who feels that he has lost his vision and creativity. Lu Tian-Hsing inadvertently meets Tao Le-Si on his way to a presentation. After the presentation, rather than be bombarded by the press, he slips out in a makeshift disguise and comes across Tao Le-Si's own small team in the middle of shooting a commercial. Tao Le-Si's team believes that he's the actor who is sent over to help. Lu Tian-Hsing not only finds himself enamored with the creative process of the company, but also with Tao Le-Si herself, who is the CEO of OZ Advertising, a small company originally founded by her deceased older brother.
Lu Tian-Hsing takes time off from his own company, SkyRider Advertising, in order to work for OZ and help the nearly-failed company, re-establish itself. He does this by transforming himself and creating the false identity of Xiao-Zu. Of course, OZ's staff is quickly impressed by Xiao-Zu's ideas which immediately lead to successes for the fledgling company. No one, however, is more impressed than Tao Le-Si who sees the same vision in Xiao-Zu that her brother had.
Lu Tian-Hsing not only transforms his physical appearance, but his personality as well. AS Lu Tian-Hsing, he is gruff, rude, and condescending. However, he is also extremely confident, and teaches others through empowerment, even if his methods are a bit questionable. As Xiao-Zu, he is kind, shy, compassionate, and supportive. Of course, Tao Le-Si falls in love with Xiao-Zu, not knowing that he's really Lu Tian-Hsing, the arrogant CEO of Skyrider whom she despises.
Anyone who has ever watched this type of formula (because there have been quite a few) will easily see the pitfalls and even the outcome of what will take place between these two characters. This only covers the first half of the series as Lu Tian-Hsing realizes that his disguise is too good, and he needs Tao Le-Si to fall in love with Lu Tian-Hsing, and not Xiao-Zu.
The second half has to do with the vicious and depraved family circle of Lu Tian-Hsing's adoptive family.
Step-brother Lance is the COO of Skyrider, and he only has dreams of destroying OZ Advertising (a company he views as a threat) and helping his sister, Huan Huan marry the only man she's ever loved: Lu Tian- Hsing. This the plot behind the second half of the series. How is Lu Tian-Hsing supposed to win the love of Tao Le-Si and keep OZ Advertising intact with his rich and powerful family doing everything that they can to destroy OZ as well as the love between Lu Tian-Hsing and Tao Le-Si.
The second act of the series is far darker and more intense than the first half, which is mostly light, fun, and very sweet.
The acting in this series is pretty much first rate. My only issue was with Beatrice Fang (Huan Huan) who sounds like an 8-year-old girl when she speaks. After a time, the whiny, pouting, screaming personality becomes grating and very one-dimensional.
Virtually all of the characters have flaws. However, the rock of the series is Tao Le-Si, whose power it is to believe in people and have faith, even with those who abuse her. Over time, we see her grow in strength and confidence. Much of this is due to Lu Tian-Hsing's help. He doesn't pity her. Instead, he urges her to be strong. In the end, we even wonder if Lu Tian-Hsing is worthy of her love.
My biggest issue with this series was the end. I'm all for happy endings where everything works out. I'm not for contrived endings where the depraved characters are suddenly and miraculously transformed with little-no explanation for the resurrection. In this way, the ending feels rushed and barely plausible. Additional scenes between Huan Huan and Lu Xian-Hsing as well as between Lu Xian-Hsing and Auntie Li should have been utilized to help make the viewer believe that the ending, not only worked, but was very much plausible. Unfortunately, we don't get that.
The dual-identity also didn't work entirely well for me either. You'll wonder why Xiao-Zu can be so sweet and loving to Tao Le-Si, but Lu Xian-Hsing lacks that ability initially. Granted, he's "acting" as Xiao-Zu, but his feelings aren't fake. So, why is it that Lu Xian- Hsing is unable to tap those feelings? It makes no sense. Instead, we see Lu Xian-Hsing constantly grabbing Tao Le-Si by the arm and hauling her off while he loses his temper soon after because she's not complying with his wishes.
Overall, the series is enjoyable despite the flaws. You'll have to get used to some very immature and unloving characters along the way in Huan Huan, Lance, and Auntie Li. Ultimately, I found myself rooting for Tao Le-Si more than anyone else, including Lu Xian-Hsing. Tao Le-Si proves that love does, indeed, conquer all.
Please note that this series can be watched on Netflix and it is spread out over 32 episodes.
Fall in Love With Me tells the story of a advertising industry mastermind, who feels that he has lost his vision and creativity. Lu Tian-Hsing inadvertently meets Tao Le-Si on his way to a presentation. After the presentation, rather than be bombarded by the press, he slips out in a makeshift disguise and comes across Tao Le-Si's own small team in the middle of shooting a commercial. Tao Le-Si's team believes that he's the actor who is sent over to help. Lu Tian-Hsing not only finds himself enamored with the creative process of the company, but also with Tao Le-Si herself, who is the CEO of OZ Advertising, a small company originally founded by her deceased older brother.
Lu Tian-Hsing takes time off from his own company, SkyRider Advertising, in order to work for OZ and help the nearly-failed company, re-establish itself. He does this by transforming himself and creating the false identity of Xiao-Zu. Of course, OZ's staff is quickly impressed by Xiao-Zu's ideas which immediately lead to successes for the fledgling company. No one, however, is more impressed than Tao Le-Si who sees the same vision in Xiao-Zu that her brother had.
Lu Tian-Hsing not only transforms his physical appearance, but his personality as well. AS Lu Tian-Hsing, he is gruff, rude, and condescending. However, he is also extremely confident, and teaches others through empowerment, even if his methods are a bit questionable. As Xiao-Zu, he is kind, shy, compassionate, and supportive. Of course, Tao Le-Si falls in love with Xiao-Zu, not knowing that he's really Lu Tian-Hsing, the arrogant CEO of Skyrider whom she despises.
Anyone who has ever watched this type of formula (because there have been quite a few) will easily see the pitfalls and even the outcome of what will take place between these two characters. This only covers the first half of the series as Lu Tian-Hsing realizes that his disguise is too good, and he needs Tao Le-Si to fall in love with Lu Tian-Hsing, and not Xiao-Zu.
The second half has to do with the vicious and depraved family circle of Lu Tian-Hsing's adoptive family.
Step-brother Lance is the COO of Skyrider, and he only has dreams of destroying OZ Advertising (a company he views as a threat) and helping his sister, Huan Huan marry the only man she's ever loved: Lu Tian- Hsing. This the plot behind the second half of the series. How is Lu Tian-Hsing supposed to win the love of Tao Le-Si and keep OZ Advertising intact with his rich and powerful family doing everything that they can to destroy OZ as well as the love between Lu Tian-Hsing and Tao Le-Si.
The second act of the series is far darker and more intense than the first half, which is mostly light, fun, and very sweet.
The acting in this series is pretty much first rate. My only issue was with Beatrice Fang (Huan Huan) who sounds like an 8-year-old girl when she speaks. After a time, the whiny, pouting, screaming personality becomes grating and very one-dimensional.
Virtually all of the characters have flaws. However, the rock of the series is Tao Le-Si, whose power it is to believe in people and have faith, even with those who abuse her. Over time, we see her grow in strength and confidence. Much of this is due to Lu Tian-Hsing's help. He doesn't pity her. Instead, he urges her to be strong. In the end, we even wonder if Lu Tian-Hsing is worthy of her love.
My biggest issue with this series was the end. I'm all for happy endings where everything works out. I'm not for contrived endings where the depraved characters are suddenly and miraculously transformed with little-no explanation for the resurrection. In this way, the ending feels rushed and barely plausible. Additional scenes between Huan Huan and Lu Xian-Hsing as well as between Lu Xian-Hsing and Auntie Li should have been utilized to help make the viewer believe that the ending, not only worked, but was very much plausible. Unfortunately, we don't get that.
The dual-identity also didn't work entirely well for me either. You'll wonder why Xiao-Zu can be so sweet and loving to Tao Le-Si, but Lu Xian-Hsing lacks that ability initially. Granted, he's "acting" as Xiao-Zu, but his feelings aren't fake. So, why is it that Lu Xian- Hsing is unable to tap those feelings? It makes no sense. Instead, we see Lu Xian-Hsing constantly grabbing Tao Le-Si by the arm and hauling her off while he loses his temper soon after because she's not complying with his wishes.
Overall, the series is enjoyable despite the flaws. You'll have to get used to some very immature and unloving characters along the way in Huan Huan, Lance, and Auntie Li. Ultimately, I found myself rooting for Tao Le-Si more than anyone else, including Lu Xian-Hsing. Tao Le-Si proves that love does, indeed, conquer all.
Please note that this series can be watched on Netflix and it is spread out over 32 episodes.
