Master Of My Own Review

I didn’t have a good impression of Master Of My Own (请叫我总监) from a trailer that I happened to chance upon before I started watching the very first episode. This is because I couldn’t sense the chemistry between the leads. Being a romance drama, that should be a red flag. Nevertheless, the pull of watching another Seven Tan drama is too strong and I gave in. So, how did it go for me? Did I enjoy it? My Master Of My Own review below will reveal more about this Chinese drama and whether it deserves a high rating.

My rating: 8/10
Episodes: 32
Type: Business, Romance
Aired: April 2022
Images Credit: Youku Twitter

The Cast Of Master Of My Own

• Kenny Lin Geng Xin as Lu Ji Ming
• Seven Tan Song Yun as Ning Meng
• Su Xin as Zeng Yu Hang
• Wang Xiu Zhu as Xu Si Tian
• Gong Bei Bi as Shi Ying
• Wang Li Na as Yang Xiao Yang
• Yuan Man as Qiu Jun Lin
• Liu Chang as Su Wei Ran
• Liu En Jia as You Qi
• Michelle Bai Bing as Han Yi Meng
• Li Hong Tao as Lu Tian Xing

Main Characters

Lu Ji Ming

Lu Ji Ming is the founder and Chairman of Joint Capital which is one of the most successful capital investment firms in Shanghai. He is a tough and hot-tempered boss who will scold his staff when things don’t go his way. He is brutal and frank with a meanness that makes him insensitive but he is above pettiness and underhanded tactics.

Ning Meng

Ning Meng is Lu Ji Ming’s secretary of 3 years. She has a calming influence on her boss due to her ability to anticipate his wants to defuse his anger. She is smart and efficient as a subordinate but is also frustrated by Lu Ji Ming’s insensitivity and unreasonable demands. Ning Meng is also an observant and hardworking person.

Supporting Characters

Zeng Yu Hang

Yu Hang is Lu Ji Ming’s old friend and an occasional investor in the latter’s projects. He understands his friend well and is used to his hot-tempered ways. Yu Hang is an easy-going man.

Xu Si Tian / Tian Tian

Tian Tian is an investor who comes from a rich family and has a working partnership with Joint Capital. Her friendship with Lu Ji Ming and Zeng Yu Hang dates back to their younger days. She has feelings for Lu Ji Ming but he finds her annoying. Tian Tian is a willful woman who is used to a luxurious life.

Shi Ying

Shi Ying is the CEO of Eaglestone which is a capital investment firm as well as Joint Capital’s strategic partner. She and Tian Tian are friends as they were MBA course mates. Shi Ying is a pleasant and approachable boss who likes to encourage her staff to learn and take on challenges.

Yang Xiao Yang

Xiao Yang is Ning Meng’s colleague and friend at Joint Capital. She is the backup secretary for Lu Ji Ming when Ning Meng is not around.

Qiu Jun Lin

Qiu Jun Lin is an Investment Director at Joint Capital and reports to Lu Ji Ming. He heads one of the 2 Project Departments with the other director being Ren Peng Fei. Qiu Jun Lin is a petty man who tends to keep grudges.

Su Wei Ran

Su Wei Ran is Ning Meng’s senior at university. She has a crush on him back then. Su Wei Ran now works for an international venture capital firm and has just been sent back to China to head the Shanghai branch. He appears as a nice man and a gentleman.

You Qi

You Qi is Ning Meng’s best friend and confidant since their university days. She is in a long-term relationship with He Yue Lan who is a manager at Renning Insurance.

Han Yi Meng

Yi Meng is Lu Ji Ming’s childhood friend whom he has feelings for. She is slightly older and used to take care of him when they were neighbors during their younger days. She has just returned home after spending years abroad for studies and work as an artist.

Lu Tian Xing

Lu Tian Xing is Lu Ji Ming’s father. He is a stubborn and bad-tempered man like his son. Hence, they don’t get along well although they quietly care about each other. Lu Tian Xing is also a major shareholder of Qinhe.

Synopsis

Ning Meng is the secretary to Lu Ji Ming who runs an investment firm called Joint Capital. 3 years ago, she applied for an analyst position at the firm but was persuaded to be the boss’ secretary instead because no one else could stand Lu Ji Ming’s personality. The understanding was it would be a temporary position until a permanent secretary is found.

However, 3 years later, Ning Meng is still stuck being his secretary. Lu Ji Ming finds her to be just perfect for the position and repeatedly turns down her request for a transfer to the investment division. His excuse is that she is not cut out to be in the investment field and would never succeed. He keeps belittling her ambition to be an investment executive with the hope that she will remain as his secretary.

Feeling frustrated over his lack of support and insensitivity, Ning Meng is driven to quit and joins another investment firm where her talent is appreciated. Under the guidance of her new boss, Ning Meng begins to reach her potential. Her new found confidence and appearance inevitably surprises Lu Ji Ming.

Master Of My Own Ending (Spoilers Alert!)

Master Of My Own has a happy ending. Ning Meng and Lu Ji Ming end up together in the last few minutes of Episode 32. This is a year after they started another investment firm together following the dissolution of Joint Capital in Episode 27. Lu Ji Ming had to fold up Joint Capital because it had incurred a large amount of borrowings that it couldn’t repay. The borrowings were taken to buy up shares in his father’s company, Qinhe, which was being annexed through a collusion of a few parties including He Yue Lan and Lu Ji Ming’s business rivals.

Lu Ji Ming thought he could repay the borrowings by liquidating his private stock placements. But the price of the shares collapsed which put him into financial difficulties. The person who circulated the fake news to cause the price collapse was Su Wei Ran who was jealous of Lu Ji Ming. In the end, Lu Ji Ming and Ning Meng got the evidence of the collusion. He Yue Lan and the parties involved were arrested in Episode 31. They had no proof to accuse Su Wei Ran but he turned himself in after Ning Meng advised him to be the good person he used to be.

In that one year, Ning Meng and Lu Ji Ming worked to put L&M Capital on a firm footing with the support from people that they had helped in the past. The last few scenes show them celebrating the firm’s first anniversary. Tian Tian and Yu Hang announce their engagement. Xiao Song confesses his feelings to Xiao Yang who agrees to be his girlfriend. Shi Ying attends with her boyfriend and informs them of her pregnancy. Lu Ji Ming finally expresses his feelings to Ning Meng and they become a couple.

When Did Ning Meng And Lu Ji Ming Get Together?

Ning Meng accidentally kisses Lu Ji Ming in Episode 14 when she trips on a beer bottle and falls on top of him. They have been drinking at the end of a working trip and talking about their childhood experiences. The accidental kiss causes awkwardness between them. So, Lu Ji Ming reminds Ning Meng not to fall for him as he only sees her as a good friend in Episode 15. Moreover, already he has someone else in mind. Ning Meng also tells him that she admires Su Wei Ran in return.

With both of them being unwilling to admit their feelings for each other, they go on to get entangled with someone else. But Lu Ji Ming starts to get jealous when Ning Meng seems to be getting closer to her senior. He confesses his feelings to her in Episode 22 after finding out that she has just started a relationship with Su Wei Ran. But she rejects him as he is one step too late. They agree to be friends in Episode 23 after Lu Ji Ming comes to her aid in an altercation with some thugs.

When Lu Ji Ming becomes broke after trying to defend Qinhe from being annexed in Episode 27 and 28, Ning Meng comforts him. She encourages him to get back on his feet after his father dies from a heart attack due to the stress of losing Qinhe. Ning Meng then quits her job at Eaglestone with her boss’ blessings to help Lu Ji Ming set up L&M Capital to restart his business in Episode 30. Lu Ji Ming confesses to Ning Meng and asks to be together at the end of Episode 32 on the first anniversary of L&M Capital’s establishment. They share a kiss then.

Is There A Love Triangle?

Tian Tian has been in love with Lu Ji Ming for a long time but he only cares for her as a friend. He is very direct and stern with her which tend to hurt her feelings although he means well. After one such scolding from Lu Ji Ming, Tian Tian decides to strike him off as her love interest in Episode 10.

Lu Ji Ming has been carrying a torch for Yi Meng since they were teenagers. She returns home in Episode 16 after spending years abroad following a breakup with her long-term boyfriend. Ning Meng learns of Yi Meng’s position in Lu Ji Ming’s life in Episode 17 from Yu Hang. She is disappointed as her feelings for him has begun to take root and tries to maintain a strictly professional relationship with him.

Yu Hang tells Yi Meng about Lu Ji Ming’s feelings for her in Episode 19. Lu Ji Ming did confess to her when he was a teenager but Yi Meng saw him as a kid then. Now, she wants to give their relationship a try. He is taken aback and couldn’t feel the happiness as expected but decides to give each other time to adjust to the change in Episode 20. Moreover, he feels he should stand by her when she is facing difficulties just like how she stood by him years ago when his parents divorced.

However, Yi Meng could sense that Lu Ji Ming is not truly happy being with her. So, she tells him that he should not feel obligated to be with her in Episode 21. They agree that they should move on as they can’t go back to the past. Yi Meng advises Lu Ji Ming to be true to his heart before leaving the country in Episode 22.

Ning Meng’s Crush

Ning Meng had a crush on Su Wei Ran while in university and gave him a love note hidden in a CD pack back then. He didn’t notice it all these years until You Qi gives him a hint about Ning Meng’s feelings in Episode 19. He had a girlfriend back then but they broke up after the girl left him for a rich guy. After learning Ning Meng’s past feelings for him, he asks her if she still feels the same now as he wants to pursue her.

However, Ning Meng feels that they need time to discover how they really feel about each other first and tells him so in Episode 20. In Episode 22, Su Wei Ran confesses his feelings again and asks Ning Meng to be his girlfriend. She honestly tells him that she isn’t ready as she has just put her feelings for Lu Ji Ming behind her but he assures her that he doesn’t mind. Hence, she agrees to his request and they become a couple. But she is not completely immersed in the relationship and avoids his kiss in Episode 23.

Ning Meng decides to break up with Su Wei Ran in Episode 28 after he slaps her during a quarrel. He is suspicious of her relationship with Lu Ji Ming. As there is no trust in the relationship and Su Wei Ran still seems to be affected by the betrayal of his ex-girlfriend in the past, Ning Meng feels that the timing isn’t right for them to pursue a relationship. Hence, she chooses to walk away.

Side Couples

Tian Tian begins to appreciate Yu Hang’s concern and support for her after she decides to let go of Lu Ji Ming in Episode 10. Yu Hang wants to confess his feelings then but she fell asleep instead after a bout of drinking. She furtively touches his hand during a camping trip to encourage him to hold hers in Episode 11 and they got together then. They announce their relationship to Lu Ji Ming and Ning Meng in Episode 14 and their engagement in Episode 32.

You Qi and He Yue Lan have been in a relationship since their university days. He seems to be a loving boyfriend who constantly indulges her. But when he misleads Ning Meng on a deal to provide support for Lu Ji Ming, it riles up You Qi since Ning Meng is her best friend. This causes He Yue Lan to ask for a breakup in Episode 26. Subsequently, they find out that he has been cheating on You Qi with Quan Ru Ru who is already pregnant. Tricking Ning Meng is simply part of a plan to create an excuse for a breakup.

He Yue Lan is arrested in Episode 31 after he colluded with others to annex Qinhe on behalf of another company. You Qi, who has learned to stand on her own two feet, visits him in prison. She has gotten over him and the visit is a closure for her. She also knows that Quan Ru Ru has been two-timing He Yue Lan and the baby isn’t his but chooses to keep mum.

Master Of My Own Review – Little Romance!

If you are going to watch Master Of My Own for the romance, stop! This is certainly not a romance drama. At the very least, it is not the typical fluffy and sweet office romance drama like Love Is Sweet or even Dine With Love. The story focuses on the female protagonist as she goes through various challenges to achieve her dream of becoming an investment manager. it is her journey that the viewers are witnessing with romance being interwoven into the story in a mild rather than blatant way.

Hence, this is not a title that you would look for if you want lots of cuddles, kisses, and sweet whisperings of love. If you expect a full-blown romance, this would be a big bore because the screen time is mainly taken up by the protagonists’ work matters. I would say Master Of My Own is more suitable for mature viewers who can relate to the problems of a working woman in both her private and professional life. It has similarities with The Ideal City but without the business complexities. It is also not a drama that you would immediately take a liking to because the male lead is a real turn-off in the first half of the story.

A Prideful Male Lead (Spoilers Alert!)

The main male character in Master Of My Own is a bad-tempered, arrogant, and insensitive jerk. While most dramas will try to project a likable protagonist to attract viewers, Lu Ji Ming is a complete opposite. You will probably abhor him and his condescending ways. You might also be put off with the way he treats the female lead, Ning Meng. This will go on for about half the drama and thus, it is easy to see why some viewers will end up dropping this after a few episodes.

Basically, you need to have the patience to sit through the drama to understand Lu Ji Ming better and see his character growth. He is actually a good person. But he just has a bad temper and lacks patience in communicating with others especially when he is a smart guy who can’t tolerate stupidity and carelessness. The mistake he makes with Ning Meng is that he underestimated her resolve and resourcefulness to succeed in the capital investment world. He thought he was protecting her as he felt that she is too innocent for the treacherous and sneaky players in the field.

However, his good side is not made clear to the viewers in the beginning. Thus, you will see him as incredibly harsh and egoistic. But it is exactly his flaws that will make you appreciate his story as he experiences a rapid fall in his career later on while Ning Meng is on the rise. In short, Lu Ji Ming is not your typical romance drama hero who will make you swoon. He is someone you will hate before you might learn to appreciate him.

Not A Detailed Business Drama

While Master Of My Own spends a lot of time depicting Ning Meng’s professional life, it is not a complex business drama. It doesn’t dwell on the technical aspects of the deals. It shows a more humanistic side to the cases that Ning Meng is handling instead. Hence, the business side of things in the drama will seem simplistic or even too idealistic for some.

Basically, this is not a drama that you would watch for detailed business maneuverings and schemings either despite the lack of romance. It doesn’t have that excitement. The focus is more on Ning Meng’s progress and emotions as she works hard to fulfill her ambition. It is about having dreams and believing that you will succeed despite being put down.

Therefore, this should resonate with modern career-minded women with its strong female character. Ning Meng is a level-headed and hardworking person with a determination to succeed in the field that she loves. Of course, she also craves for romance but she also knows when to pull back when the timing isn’t right. That is why the romance is a really slow-burn one that is very much subdued in this drama.

Acting

Ever since I caught Seven Tan in Under The Power, I have not missed many of her dramas. I even watched Go Ahead although I have no liking for tearjerkers! There is a certain quality to her acting and she seems to have a knack in picking the right projects. Similarly, she shines as Ning Meng in Master Of My Own. The way she portrays Ning Meng as the character transforms from a secretary to an investment executive is such a pleasure to watch. There are subtle changes as she makes the necessary adjustments to the character as she becomes more confident and matured.

Kenny Lin again plays a business leader after My Bargain Queen. He portrays a more “colorful” character in Master Of My Own with all the arrogance and hot temper. I think he fits the role well with his matured look and smugness. He succeeds in making the character unlikable but his exasperated expression does help to take the edge off our annoyance at times.

Both the leads have a healthy amount of chemistry to pull off a superior-subordinate relationship with all the fireworks. I enjoyed their banter and interactions. However, I’m not so sure if their chemistry is sizzling enough as a pair of lovers when it comes to the romance. Perhaps the story itself doesn’t have a strong romantic flavor and hence, you can’t really feel the lovers vibes.

My Verdict – Boring For Some, A Gem For Others

Master Of My Own is more of a niche drama to me. It is not meant to please everyone with a romance that will give you diabetes such as You Are My Glory and Be My Princess. That is why some viewers might find this boring especially with a such an unlikeable male protagonist. The romance is almost non-existent except for some undercurrents. It doesn’t follow the typical romance drama pattern of falling in love, breakup, and reconciliation. It is a slow-burn romance with other considerations in mind rather than an impulsiveness of love being everything.

Personally, I prefer the couple’s relationship to be as such as it gives the drama a unique but more realistic feel than a fairy tale. It has the right amount of angst and character development without being melodramatic. You are basically watching a young woman’s struggles in her career and private life with friendship, family, love, betrayal, and office politics thrown into the plot. It has a matured and intelligent feel to the overall drama rather than a lightheartedness and silliness of a typical rom-com.

For this Master Of My Own review, I would give it a score of 8/10. I like it for it is different from the usual and the story is well-executed. You might hate the male lead but such people do exist in the real world. All the characters’ unique personalities and emotions are effectively fleshed out to give the story a certain level of realism. It is also inspiring if you are into dramas with strong female characters. Don’t watch this for the romance, please! This is not the drama for it. Watch it for character growth and maturity instead. That is why the male lead is projected as such in the beginning. So, give it some time for the story to grow on you.

==> Master Of My Own is available on Amazon Prime (affiliate link)