Love.
Hate.
A tsundere lead.
And lots of foreshadowed angst.
In the same vein as the 2013 Taiwanese boss/employee romance Just You, the Taiwanese BL “Be Loved in House: I Do” has certainly pinned down the perfect formula for a fun yet maddening fight for romance. Starring Aaron Lai and Hank Lang, Be Loved in House is the story of an overbearing director scarred by love and the rebellious employee determined to discover his boss’s weaknesses. The first two episodes of this drama opened with a bang. With a fantastic OST, fast pacing, and noticeably good acting, this BL is set to leave viewers remarkably impressed.
However, it does have its setbacks.
A bit rushed and all over the place, Be Loved in House often feels somewhat unrealistic. From the low-budget sound editing to choppy transitions and hurried plot, it left me feeling scattered and full of questions. Although the central setting for this drama is the workplace, no one ever actually seems to be working. It also seems implausible that the new director, Yu Zhen, would throw his employees out into the street on the first day and without any notice, especially considering the business’s declining condition. It would cost more to provide a housing allowance and train new employees than compromise with the current workers. So Yu Zhen’s actions toward all of his new employees are counterproductive toward his ultimate goal of saving a sinking franchise.
This brings me to all of the coincidences.
A fine coincidental thread seems to connect everyone in this drama. From the past flashback, Yu Zhen has about Shi Lei to the coffee shop owner’s past acquaintance with Yu Zhen to the way the same coffee shop owner immediately welcomes Wu Si Qi into his home. No questions asked. It all seems too easy.
Despite all of this, Be Loved in House’s good acting, obvious chemistry, and relationship potential is strongly evident. The main couple delivers the love/hate energy in a surprisingly likable manner, their unspoken attraction to each other enough to cause butterflies. Love can grow from hate, and the foundation for their future relationship has been laid.
The real draw for me, however, is Wu Si Qi. This secondary character’s sweet and shy demeanor and his acquiescent behavior left me pondering what made him that way. When Yu Zhen compliments Qi’s intelligence while speaking to Shi Lei, it piqued my interest even more. I am drawn to characters that leave me guessing. Wu Si Qi is that character for me. He’s utterly unassuming, and yet there’s something sad about him that tugs at my heartstrings. The need to know more about him is there, and it’s drawing me deeper into the rest of the drama.
Riddled with flaws but also bursting with promise, Be Loved in House has the potential to overcome what makes it weak. I look forward to what the next few episodes bring.
Rating- 3 out of 5
The BL Xpress 