You know that feeling when you start a drama and just know you’re going to lose sleep over it? That's the 2020 hit Love Is Sweet. It’s been years since it first aired on iQIYI, but honestly, the "Love Is Sweet Chinese drama" craze hasn't really died down. If anything, it’s become the blueprint. Most modern C-dramas try to replicate that specific lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry between Luo Yunxi and Bai Lu, but they usually fall short.
It’s not just about pretty people in nice suits. It’s about the "enemies-to-lovers" trope done with actual teeth.
What Actually Happens in Love Is Sweet
Jiang Jun is a girl with a literal allergy to tears. Not a metaphorical one—she actually breaks out in hives and can faint if she cries. It’s a wild premise, right? But the drama makes it work. After her father passes away, she joins MH, a top-tier investment banking firm, to fulfill his dying wish. This isn't some fluffy "slice of life" office. It’s a shark tank.
Then enters Yuan Shuai.
He’s the "uncrowned king" of MH, played by Luo Yunxi with this perfect mix of arrogance and hidden desperation. He and Jiang Jun were childhood friends, but he wasn't the "knight in shining armor" type. He was the kid who bullied her to "toughen her up" so she wouldn't cry and trigger her allergy. When they reunite at MH, he tries to kick her out of the company. Not because he hates her, but because he thinks the industry will kill her.
It’s toxic? Maybe a little at the start. But the growth is what makes people stay.
The Chemistry That Ruined Other Dramas
Luo Yunxi and Bai Lu. Let's talk about them.
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Usually, in C-dramas, the lead couple stays in this "will-they-won-t-they" limbo for 30 episodes, and then we get one chaste peck on the cheek. Love Is Sweet threw that playbook out the window. Their chemistry is explosive. It’s the kind of screen presence that felt so real people were convinced they were dating in real life.
Luo Yunxi, who usually plays these tragic, ethereal figures in "xianxia" (fantasy) dramas like Ashes of Love, showed he could be a modern leading man. He’s sharp. He’s funny. His micro-expressions when Jiang Jun finally stands up to him are gold.
Bai Lu is equally impressive. Jiang Jun isn't a "Mary Sue." She’s smart, she’s resourceful, and she doesn't just let Yuan Shuai steamroll her. When they finally get together around episode 21, the drama doesn't get boring. In fact, it gets better. We get to see them navigate a high-stakes professional world as a power couple.
Why the Investment Banking Setting Actually Matters
Most office dramas use the workplace as a backdrop for flirting. Love Is Sweet actually spends time on the deals. You see the late nights, the cutthroat competition, and the ethical dilemmas of IPOs and mergers. It adds weight to the story. When Yuan Shuai is framed or when Jiang Jun faces a professional crisis, it feels like the stakes are high. It's not just "oh no, I spilled coffee on my boss." It's "if this deal fails, people lose their jobs."
Breaking Down the "Allergy to Tears" Plot Device
Some people find the tear allergy ridiculous. I get it. It sounds like something out of a fanfiction from 2005. However, in the context of the drama, it serves a huge purpose. It forces Jiang Jun to be emotionally resilient. She can't afford to be a victim.
It also heightens the tension. Every time something sad happens, the stakes aren't just emotional—they're physical. Yuan Shuai’s protective nature, while overbearing, stems from seeing her nearly die from a crying fit when they were kids. It’s a unique way to handle the "protective male lead" trope without making the female lead feel weak.
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The Second Lead Syndrome (Or Lack Thereof)
Du Lei, played by Gao Hanyu, is the rival. He’s sophisticated, dark, and also a genius in the financial world. Usually, the second male lead is just there to be a nuisance. Du Lei is different. He’s a tragic figure, trapped in a cold, calculating family dynamic. His attraction to Jiang Jun feels earned because she represents the warmth he’s never had.
But here’s the thing: you never actually want her to end up with him.
The bond between Yuan Shuai and Jiang Jun is too deep. The show handles the love triangle with a surprising amount of maturity. There are no petty misunderstandings that last for ten episodes. People talk. They confront each other. It’s refreshing.
Why You Should Rewatch It in 2026
The production value holds up. The fashion is incredible—the coats alone are worth a mention. But more than that, it captures a sense of "adult" romance that is often missing in the current landscape of C-dramas. It’s stylish. It’s fast-paced.
If you’re tired of "slow burn" shows where nothing happens, this is your antidote.
- Total Episodes: 36
- Where to Watch: iQIYI, WeTV, or Viki (availability varies by region)
- Genre: Workplace, Comedy, Romance
Actionable Steps for New Viewers
If you're diving into the Love Is Sweet Chinese drama world for the first time, keep these tips in mind to get the most out of the experience.
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Don't skip the childhood flashbacks. It’s tempting to want to get back to the adult bickering, but the flashbacks explain why Yuan Shuai acts the way he does. It’s the foundation of their entire relationship.
Pay attention to the side couple. Qiao Na and Han Xu provide a nice contrast to the main leads. The show does a great job of fleshing out the supporting cast so the world feels lived-in.
Prepare for the "fluff" in the final third. Many dramas drag toward the end, but Love Is Sweet leans into the sweetness (as the title suggests). If you like "domestic" moments and seeing a couple actually be a couple, you’re in for a treat.
Check out "Till The End of The Moon" next. If you finish this and find yourself obsessed with the chemistry between Luo Yunxi and Bai Lu, they reunited for this massive fantasy epic. It’s much darker, but that same spark is there.
The reality is that this drama changed the game for iQIYI’s "Sweet On" series. It proved that you could have a high-flying professional setting and a deeply emotional romance without sacrificing one for the other. It’s a masterclass in pacing and casting.
To start watching, simply head to your preferred streaming platform and search for the title. Most platforms offer the first few episodes for free, which is usually enough to get anyone hooked on the MH office drama and Yuan Shuai's smug, yet somehow endearing, smirk.