Based on the Japanese shōjo manga, The Devil Does Exist (悪魔で候) written by Mitsuba Takanashi (高梨みつば). There are no other versions of this drama.
Plot
Qi Yue finally summons the courage to give a love letter to her crush, Sang Yuan Yi. But as fate would have it, Yuan Yi doesn’t see or hear her. Instead, Qi Yue accidentally confessed to none other than the school’s most infamous “bad boy,” Jiang Meng (Ah Meng). Ah Meng instantly likes Qi Yue and, true to his reputation as the devil, blackmails Qi Yue into being his personal servant. Qi Yue slowly starts to fall for Ah Meng, when she realizes that despite his devilish reputation (and cruel façade), he actually has a good heart. The problem? Ah Meng’s father (the school’s principal) and Qi Yue’s mother are getting married–and Ah Meng and Qi Yue are becoming step-siblings.
Main Characters
- Qi Yue (齊悅), nicknamed Xiao Yue (小悅), is the female lead. She tries to make and keep everyone happy, even if that means sacrificing her own happiness. She optimistically believes that there are no bad people in the world, but rather bad actions are just an inability to communicate. She is kind and forgives others easily. Played by Rainie Yang (楊丞琳).
- Jiang Meng (江猛), nicknamed Ah Meng (阿猛), is the male lead. He has a reputation for being a devil, but he’s just really misunderstood. He has an extremely mature (and cynical) outlook on the world, and is loyal and protective of his friends. He’s a talented guitar player and artist, an amazing basketball player, and a good fighter. Played by Mike He (賀軍翔).
- Sang Yuan Yi (尚源伊) is the supporting male. He is Mr. Perfect: nice, sensitive, encouraging, and of course handsome and athletic. There are only a few scenes in which he shows more “human” emotions like jealousy and rage. He’s the capitan of the school’s basketball team. Played by Kingone Wang (王傳一).
Favorite Minor Characters
- I found myself really drawn to Yuan Chuan Rang (袁川 讓), nicknamed Ah Rang (阿讓). Ah Rang is Ah Meng’s little brother and a very complicated character. On the surface, it seems like he hates Ah Meng and wants to destroy him, but really, Ah Rang admires and desperately wants his older brother’s love and attention. Played by Figaro Zeng (曾少宗).
- I also grew to really like Xin Li Xiang (辛莉香). At first, she seemed like a mean girl–pathetically and hopelessly clinging on to a one-sided love for Ah Meng. But it was pretty cool to see her softer side (well relatively). She was also the only girl in Ah Meng’s group of friends, and she really “held her own.” Played by Ivy Fan (范筱梵).
Music (OST)
- Other Featured Songs: 理想情人 (Ideal Lover) – 楊丞琳 (Rainie Yang), 一秒的安慰 (A Moment’s Consolation) – 黃義達 (Yida Huang), Set Me Free – 黃義達 (Yida Huang), 月亮代表我的心 (The Moon Represents My Heart) – 陶喆 (David Tao), 黯然銷魂 (Deeply Grieved) – 特大號樂團 (XL), 美麗的回憶 (Beautiful Memory) – 特大號樂團 (XL)
- Overall: Great soundtrack! The “bad boy” rock songs fit with Ah Meng’s image, and the sweeter songs fit more with Qi Yue’s image. Ambiguous has become a sort of Taiwanese pop culture shorthand to describe any kind of ambiguous (unofficial/uncertain) romantic relationship.
Entertainment Review
The plot (incest between step siblings) is ridiculous; Mike He’s expressions range from extremely hot/seductive to extremely creepy (because he’s the devil?); and the parents have over the top (manga-like) personalities. All of that being said, Kingone, Mike He, and Rainie Yang are a power trio with unbelievable chemistry. I was glued to my screen throughout the entire drama, because I felt invested in the characters and their development (and relationships). All of the subplots were engaging as well.
Language
Level: Upper Intermediate to Advanced
Topics: school, basketball, art, etc.
Note: High entertainment value, but moderate learning value. Mike He has the quintessential Taiwanese guy accent (just listen to him say 時候) and for some reason it really seems to come out in this drama—so listen out for it.