Cute Programmer (2021)

Would have been better to end at 24 episodes

First off, I’m not a big fan of FLs who worship, adore and crush on MLs right from the beginning of the drama. I feel FL is instantly put at a disadvantage in the relationship, especially with the MLs who are Abominable Snowmen a.k.a. cold, indifferent jerks. Unlike Korean's Snowmen, Chinese ones never seem to melt enough to make me love them. So, right off the bat, I wasn't thrilled with the story line. But that's just me. If you don't mind this kind of FL, then that's not a negative.

Also, this drama seems to shine positive light on FL’s perseverance in pursing this guy. Uh, yeah, perseverance is a good thing, but I’ve seen too many C-dramas where love rivals, ex-girlfriends, etc. can’t seem to let go/give up/go away/get a life no matter how many times ML tells them he’s not interested or how many times he’s outright rude to them so I’m not sure I like the message that’s being conveyed. We've got enough psycho chicks in these dramas; we don't need to create real ones in real life. Sometimes, no, a lot of times perseverance is not enough to make someone fall in love with you, which we’ve seen over and over in C-drama love rivals.

MC had their cute moments, but honestly, I preferred Lu Jingwen, even if he was a playboy. I liked his teasing nature. What can I say? I just love rascals…as long as they get reformed and stick to one lady, which most do in these dramas, if they happen to be the ML.

As far as story and set go, at times, I wondered if ML had stepped out of Lucky’s First Romance into Cute Programmer because 1) it’s the gaming industry again and 2) the office space looked suspiciously like the office space in Lucky’s First Romance. Even some of ML’s attire looked like it came from that drama. That being said, I preferred Bai Lu’s character to Lu Li's. She was alright, but the adoration thing immediately made me dislike her character, which isn’t the actress’s fault.

And as always, I've got to mention the costume! Where do these Chinese costume designers come up with these outfits? Ok, FL is pregnant. She didn’t suddenly become a pilgrim (that ugly black dress with the white collar that was far too big on her even if they added padding for the pregnancy) and she suddenly didn’t become 80 years old! And what’s up with that blue sweater whose sleeves look like a shredded tissue? I can’t believe people pay money for such clothing!

Overall, it’s an alright drama if you don’t mind the hero worship nonsense. She does at least make him chase her and suffer emotional distress in the final episodes. Her coldness helped make up for the earlier worship although she suddenly lost any of her former cheerfulness to behave like a sedated nun....or pilgrim.

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This drama will cause you some frustration but you will also have a good laugh.

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!


I give this a 5/10.
Even though the ml was trash in the beginning, he was treated poorly during the rest of this drama. Was guilt tripped and obligated to marry the fl, then gets indirectly sexual harassed by the fl while he is drunk and ends up having intercourse with her, without his consent. Not only that, but she just runs away and whenever he tried to communicate with her, she said "it's no use" and refused to explain herself. She then gets pregnant, involves herself with another guy and when the ml tries to win her back, she lies about everything, that the second ml is the father, that they are dating and so on. At least both of them had some sort of a character development in the end, but still doesn't pay off, all the things the fl did and no one even decided to give her the blame. If it was the other way around, everyone would be hating on the male lead instead. Plus the relationship between the sister's ml and the best friend was so rushed in the last two episodes, to the point it looked so superficial. They shouldn't have let one of the most important side couples to the end. But well, at least they all had a good ending, and there where many scenes where I had a good laugh and that's what matters.

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Girl chases after a jerk mostly ...

I have mixed feelings about this drama. The beginning was tolerable, because it’s the cute naïve girl that has a crush on the good looking guy who runs his own company. It was a cute secret crush / office troupe. I didn’t even mind the ugly boy wig the FL wore.

I’ve seen a lot of Xing Zhao Lin’s dramas, all of The Eternal Love series (1,2,3) and Lucky’s first love. I’m not a true fan of his acting style, but he is sure nice to look at. Also, it does seem he’s trying, I mean, I did get a tear here and there from him.

The drama was really angsty in the sense, there is a lot of the FL chasing after the ML. It’s almost 20 episodes of watching the girl drool and fawn over the ML who doesn’t treat her with kindness at all. He’s not a horrible character, but he chooses to omit certain things from the FL which could 100% clear up misunderstandings, but he rather “hurt” her and “protect” her than reveal his true intentions. It’s truly a difficult drama to watch.

The misunderstandings in the drama is probably the main focus and theme of the show. So if you like that kind of C drama style (very different from the slow slice of life, I am use to), then this is the drama for you.

I did LOVE the secondary characters. I loved the Best Friend and her childhood “brother”, I wished they had just as much camera time as the main leads.

The ML and FL did have great chemistry and I loved the way the actress dressed and her hair and makeup was very adult with thick eye liner and colorful outfits. I couldn’t believe she is 30! She looks like she is in her early twenties. I like her acting style and presence, but her character did no justice for her. I couldn’t stand how much of a pushover she was.

The last 10 episodes were my favorite because the pacing changed and I felt like I was getting all of my justice I was seeking! There were still very frustrating moments because that is the writing style, but I’m not sure I could have finished the series had it not been the last parts.

Overall, watch it if you like typical C drama rom-coms with angsty plot with typical misunderstandings and crazy ex-girlfriend.

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A Lot of People Say This Is A Bad Drama But…

There are a lot of people out there criticizing the characters and plot of this drama, but I honestly don’t get why. If you have watched this drama, you most definitely know it’s name: “Cute Programmer”. This drama is exactly what it says in the title- it’s a lighthearted and fluffy drama, perfect for when you need that balance after you’ve just finished an emotional or heavy drama. Although the storyline can be a bit outrageous or confusing sometimes, with the many misunderstandings and conflict that happened throughout it, “Cute Programmer” still has a good foundation. I believe that with adjustments in the script and plot, this drama will definitely improve.

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I looovveeee iiiittt

At first the thought that this drama is confusing but I enjoy it

First let speak about Xing Zhao Lin he is an extremely talented actor and he pull up every single seen in the drama and it wasn’t boring at all

Bambi was so robotic at the first episode adk if it because of the character her self or what but in last episodes she did a really great job and I was touched by the fact that she turn 💯 present stronger and I am in love with her character in the last episodes

The second couple they were extremely lovely and I love how the boy was nice to the lule and i wished that I could try his coffee 😂 and the girls tho OMG she was loud but funny at the same time

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I thoroughly enjoyed it

I laughed and cried my eyes out throughout the drama.

I would like to say it’s my first drama watching ZXD acting but I’m definitely not new to XZL so I know acting wouldn’t fail in this one. But ZXD too, didn’t let
mw down, I don’t know why I kept focusing on how expressive her eyes were (to the point where I see that she’s wearing contacts) like how every end on the episode they end with a “teaching” I think the drama heavily teaches us about love and life which many other dramas do too ( totally appreciate it); I think the casts all did very well!

The storyline was good, the episodes weren’t too rushed. And to those who said that the title can’t be related… friends you guys can tell that the ML/FL is pretty cute right? And they are programmers. Game programmers to be exact.

And yes, I saw many reviews saying Lu Li is a doormat. This i totally disagree with. She did it for love and dreams guys..( please watch it again) and tbh, it wasn’t even to the point where she’s a doormat (I don’t even feel so!) Some drama FL have it worse?!

But anyway, I was hoping the had a sort of epilogue cause I was totally looking forward for some after knowing she’s carrying (yknow what). But alls good! I’m happy with the drama and now I’m off to the next one! Cheers to less sleep!


Ps I think the OST is pretty cute too! They included programming words in the lyrics (does this tie to the titles now?)

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Honest Review !

This series is a fun, lighthearted watch with a pretty simple plot. The female lead has been in love with the male lead since college, and her feelings go beyond just a crush—she admires him so much that she studies the same course and tries to get a job at his company. The catch? His company doesn’t hire female programmers, so she disguises herself as a guy to get in. From there, the story follows how they eventually fall in love.

The plot is pretty common, but the chemistry between the leads and the funny moments make it enjoyable. That said, there are quite a few plot holes, unrealistic concepts, a lack of details, and parts that feel dragged out. For example, the idea of a company banning female programmers due to one past mistake is highly unrealistic and outdated. On top of that, her disguise as a guy is not convincing at all—she still looks like a girl, and the production could’ve done a better job with that. The pacing also slows down with a lot of misunderstandings, especially since the male lead doesn’t explain himself, and the female lead jumps to conclusions, which causes most of the drama between them.

The pregnancy twist could’ve been handled better too. Overall, though, it’s a decent watch and still enjoyable despite its flaws.

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Thank goodness for good looking people...

As with most Chinese Rom-Coms, you will have difficulty trying to believe the storyline. We see effeminate men in BLs all the time and we have seen some amazing women pull off a guy part in past shows. This one - not a chance. She doesn't even try. And the director - surprisingly, just doesn't care.

She has the same irritating mannerisms all the women have in these type of shows (until their amazing transformation) but, since they think she is a man - it is overlooked and forgivable. If I was a woman - I would get pissed at the double standard.

She doesn't even bother to disguise her voice. Lazy. She doesn't do anything make up wise. Lazy. She fawns over her boss - openly. Lazy and risky - especially, in Chinese society. Get someone drunk (usually, off very little alcohol to move the story along). Lazy.

Thank god for fast forward. I wanted to see if she simply makes the "man" disappear as "she" takes over or, if they discover she is a woman and miraculously forgive her for lying, committing fraud, etc. Handled okay but, I would file this one in complete escapism and don't think about all the overlooked details.

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OK drama, made better by well-developed characters and good acting

Brief synopsis:
The female protagonist Lu Li has been secretly in love with Jiang Yi Cheng for years. He is a genius programmer, now running his own company. He doesn't hire female programmers (there is an obvious story for that), so she disguises as a man and gets hired. There's twists and turns, they get married, but signs a secret marriage contract. She hopes she can make him fall for her during the duration of their contract, but obstacles appear.

The story contains a lot of well-known tropes and cliches, but at the same time I found it engaging. The main reason in my eyes being that the characters were not so one-dimensional as they are in "soap operas", but they were rather given multiple layers, making it more interesting and giving better opportunities to build a connection to us, the viewers.

They could have skipped some of the side stories, it felt a bit unnecessary with the love stories for her friend, the sister AND the coworker.
I did like both his and hers parents, though.

All in all, the script could have been better, but the acting and the well-developed characters made it well worth watching in my eyes.

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The title "cute" suffice at some point

For some reason, I like this drama in terms of its elements (not really and entirely on the storyline)

I like how there are quotes at the end.
I like how there are stages in the relationship of the main leads
I like how there are twists on the partners of the second leads
I like how it is close to reality by the time the guy made painful remarks because he is not aware or he has no romantic feelings yet.
I like the use of programming lines in the script even in the OST especially the proposal scene

It can be tried if you aim to look at other perspectives especially the programmers perspectives

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Don't put much expectations with this drama

Story started with a girl who is computer programmer ,just to meet her idol she work hard to work with her idol and she got the chance but unfortunately the company didn't need female employee so she changes herself to boy but her some habits her idol starting doubt on her and expose her identity in front of the member of the office and told her to go out of the company ,from here I expected something more but their parents came out as school friend and they did the contract marriage . And she continued to work with him .then twist arrived that his past came between them which made them separated and then he persuaded her upto 4. - 5 episodes ,then she forgave him and then they together faced some hardship and successfully passed those and then had a happy ending. I am waiting to see their child but .....
I like his sister's love story too.
But drama is a cliché.

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