Okay. What I would like to say first is that this drama is a actually a good reference for what to expect when you’re working in the “professional” workspace for the first time. It be corporate, an internship, a 9 to 5 in manufacturing, or what have you. Because sometimes one may experience the downsides, such as “politicking”, gaslighting, a hostile workplace environment, a lot of swept-under-the-rug conspiracies, and straight up mean and manipulative bosses and managers. No, that is not something one should always expect, but based on my experience as a young professional, “Love in a Loop” felt so real in that regard.

Therefore, I’ll say that this drama was actually a lot deeper than it paints itself to be. Despite Mr. Bai’s isms at the beginning; coming off as dislikable, mean, and ruthless you start to realize as the show goes on that his ways had a reason behind them. Were some of the reasons the absolute best reasons, NO. Yet, there was one quote by him that really stuck with me: “A director’s job isn’t about telling others what to do. It’s all about motivating your workers to get the job done.” So, maybe a director is like being a coach for a sports team.

Mr. Bai isn’t likable in the beginning. His voice is obnoxious, and you want to keep checking back on here to see if he really is the male lead…but that’s what makes Bai Ke’s performance noteworthy. He gives you what the summary describes the boss as: rude and narcissistic. Then the drama starts to unfold and you start to see that there is more to him, and that he’s actually attractive. You might even get sucked into believing that HuoHuo might even have better qualities than him, but when Mr. Bai was up against HuoHuo, you start to realize that a person isn’t simply defined by “best”, “ideal”, or “better”. They’re defined by who they are within and how they make those you define as “good” feel. So, when Luduo (who I refer to as Duo) started to see the good in him and root for him, you started to see why. The more she fell for him, I started to like him even more.

Of course there were parts in the drama that made me roll my eyes and question the writers in terms of characters’ actions…But I don’t rate dramas based off of things like inconsistencies, a bad hairdo, or even a lack of skinship and kissing. I rate based off of how it made me feel and if the main leads end up together in a satisfying way. And “Love in the Loop” made me feel happy, I watched all of it in three days. Some said the show made them laugh, cry, and all that jazz. For me, it made me smile, sigh in annoyance, laugh, and realize that even though you can’t change time, you can always grow as a person and look for change to make those around you’s lives better. Even now, I’m at a point in my life where I wish a time loop could occur for me. But “Love in a Loop” made me see that even if I had a time loop to help me, I’d still go through all the emotions and feelings of turmoil that come with life regardless. Sure, I could declare my love for the one that got away, but maybe it still wasn’t meant to be.

In the end, I found myself rooting for Duo and Mr. Bai to end up together. Throughout the drama Duo is steadfast in her love for Mr. Bai. Mr. Bai returns her feelings, but he isn’t able to communicate them as effectively, until…well, you’ll see. It’s a nice twist actually.

At one point, subordinate becomes superior and superior becomes subordinate, but the leads realize that through that switch they start to understand each other. Duo starts to see that Mr. Bai was a true professional, although severely rough around the edges, hehe. Mr Bai starts to see that Duo was a true gem despite the obstacles that came with having a domineering superior/boss. I liked how Duo and Mr. Bai lifted each other up. Even though Duo and HuoHuo came off as the “better match” there was never that drastic growth that Duo and Mr. Bai encouraged from each other. Duo sought Mr. Bai’s guidance and Mr. Bai looked to Duo to help him become a better person. As their relationship blossomed I started to notice how much Duo loved talking to him and responding to his words and critiques. She allowed herself to fall for him. Then I started to take notice of how much Mr. Bai subconsciously gravitated towards her warm and caring aura; willing to let her help him and team up with him. All in all, they helped and encouraged each other through and through. HamsterGoose is the ship name I think Jr. Bai would’ve coined for the pair, since he mentioned he shipped them. I also appreciated Mr. Bai’s silent support he gave Duo, and his ability to take a step back when needed.

I now even understand that Time Loops can be used as a soulmate trope.

The side characters were interesting too. Jr. Bai was a cutie, and Steve was hilarious.

I recommend solely for the leads, other characters, romance, and 1st and 3rd act.