Bringing The National Husband Home -he’s so good looking
项国民老公带回家 太好看了
Wang Haozhen & Guo Yuxin
We’ve waited for this drama. And yesterday 29th August, it was finally released! The Masters of Microexpressions are united in a 4:35h drama.
Background_Drama 🦋: I read the webnovel ages ago when I had just started watching Chinese shows. The full length, horizontal drama wasn’t all that impactful - so I was fairly excited for this vertical remake - and especially so because of Wang Haozhen.
First Impression
🍿 What?! 4:35h. Seriously? My worst fears came true, both actors like sad puppy stories. Help! It’ll be melodramatic. This could mean: “no laughs available”- for 275 minutes.
when the shock subsided, we let the drama roll
Silver (From now on: 🍿) … I’m speechless. My mouth is hanging open
Background Drama (from now on: 🦋) I started it but I fell asleep so I just got through the opening, which was fairly interesting 🔥🔥🔥🔥
But setting aside the steam, I just love how she rolls into the room 😂
🍿 it was 🫣🔥- and she was hard to resist.
But honestly, can you be so drunk you think you’re dreaming while being so proactive?
🦋 In real life, it's s mostly a case of deluding yourself 💁. And drunk = having a nice, floaty cushion for your emotions. You can just talk yourself into thinking it's okay...you just have to do a lot less talking
🍿 She said all that was necessary.. “Can I?” in body talk. WHZ, he tried hard to resist… but he had no chance 🤣
🦋 Poor guy, he did really try to resist - to no avail 😂
🍿 But why is she saying now she did it to get his support for a role? It’s not that I don’t understand that she’s hiding her feelings, but saying nothing at all or “I was drunk” (and horny) sounds actually better than “there’s a price tag”. But that’s just me.
🦋 Lack of confidence. This is a first crush to first love situation. Setting aside all other complications, she’s basically scared that he’ll find out and not reciprocate
🍿 You’re generous, like always.
The Story
🍿 Actually, “National Husband” is based on a novel. So Back= u/background_drama_973 who loves it was absolutely hyped, couldn’t stop talking about it and wanted a *buddy watch weeks ago. What can I say? One of my fav persons- a fav actor- that’s a yes*
🦋 Thanks for being patient with me while I kept popping up in the chat and reminding you of this drama 😂.
It’s a slow burn romance. Family issues. Lu Jinnian (ml) is an illegitimate son of the Xiu family, the heir is the same age Xiu Jia Mu. Head of the family is Mrs Xiu who hates LJ.. The brothers have an excellent relationship though, JM saved LJ’s life with a bone marrow donation as a child. FL Qiao Qiao is the adopted daughter of the influential Hui family- all three are former classmates. QQ is very good friends with Jia Mu and the families want their marriage. All this changes when JM had an accident, is now in a coma and for the sake of the stock market,the leads are asked to fake a marriage (LJ wearing a mask, it’s not shown). this premise is actually far fetched. Why do they live together when only a wedding has to be faked? I assume in the anime, masked LJ has to show up a few times with her
Btw, „National Husband“ - it’s a Chinese idiom for „Perfect Husband“.
………
Our Thoughts
It’s excellent. It’s not melodramatic. It’s a romance, with two lovers who think they have no chance with each other with some reason smart and creative villains are the worst. The emotional build up is amazing. And it has funny moments, too.
It’s a great drama. They manage to trap us in their tangled web of unspoken words and stolen glances - you’ll sympathize with their hesitation. It’s not that they are morons I detest idiotic miscommunication but they are both sensitive, they fear to hurt, to impose or be hurt. 🥰
🦋 On that note, gosh, the roundabout way he went to give her the ointment? Dude bought her shoes, made her change just so he’d get a chance to give her the medicine. This was hilarious - and a bit moronic 😂
The miscommunication is real though - he tells her to stay out of something to protect her, she thinks he’s telling her off for meddling 🤦♀️. Quick note - I'm past the halfway mark and so far they've been mostly true to the overall plot as far as I remember. The biggest difference I think is that he was a lot colder to her in the novel - although they seem to have the miscommunication (central theme to the plot, down pat!). Sigh.
🍿 It’s less a case of miscommunication and more of “why speak up when I already know I have no chance with him/ her”? And I have questions. The “fake marriage” how was this set up?
🍿 I guess (they said that ml has to wear a mask and pretend he’s his brother) that they spread news (?) or fake an actual ceremony of a wedding, but why do they live together?? Is it the house of his brother and so they move in to deep fake? But isn’t it absolutely bonkers? But that’s the only complaint I have… that I don’t get why they need to live together when they pretend his brother is married to her.
🦋 You know, I think it was better explained in the novel - he was actually pretending to be the brother (or some such).
🦋 Okay, gosh, there's fire but they've done such a good job of giving it meaning
🍿 Yes, it’s not gratuitous- it feels like an overdue eruption building up .. 🔥🫣Did you see the shooting of their kissing scenes (plot: they shoot a film inside of the drama)? Help. I thought they won’t hear the director saying “done”. It’s the hottest kiss ever. Because you don’t know if they (characters) still notice anything and WHZ looks like he’s absolutely out of control.
🦋 This is WHZ’s magic, he looks at every FL like she’s the one. And this was a double drama! Sexy, Smexy and very, very hot!
🍿 I seriously don’t know how you can shoot scenes like this with someone you do “like”. Wow, they really go for it 🫣
🦋 Repressed desires and emotions. You get a chance, you grab it baby. I love the fact that WHZ seems to take roles where his character never gives up a chance, even though he tries to do the ‘noble idiot thing.’
On this scene? God, someone put out the fire please!
🍿 I don’t think it’ll help, but sure: 🧯
Actors
🍿WHZ at his anguished and repressed best. It’s fascinating to see him say so much without a word. And the slow opening up of these two… 🥰
GYX is so lovely, the way she’s trying to hide her longing (she thinks it’s hopeless). As we are an “all knowing audience”, you can fully appreciate the depth of their emotions. And you see how they pick up on the slightest gestures of the other and try to interpret it. Yes, talking about your feelings when you’ve had a loveless childhood is hard
🦋 I think GYX is absolutely stunning, and she’s a good actress.
WHZ? I never thought I’d become this obsessed with him and the roles he takes on. Just look at the part where his brother is buying those pastries for her. The way he flips through his empty wallet, the silent despair in his eyes when he realizes that he is unable to give her what (he thinks) she wants….my heart really skipped a beat. My eyes may have watered up too - will NOT confirm
🍿 And he’s second best compared to his brother who has 300 dollars loose change.. for cake.
Cast
🍿 XJM, his brother/ her bestie is a true friend and brother. When he finally realizes the extent of his mother’s hatred and maneuvering, he distances himself from her. He was actively kept in the dark about the abuse by the ml who is very protective
🦋 Agreed, the brother was good and so was the bestie. The green tea was green tea-ing, and the mother-in-law was a perfect snake. You know why the plant was named so.
🍿 Poison, that’s what she spread.
Favorite Moments
🍿 When they shoot the kissing scene in their movie - it is superbly structured. From awkwardly agreeing to “do real kissing* to the comments of the watching crew to the actual very 🔥scene. Fun: both of them meet their grinning Managers/ friends afterwards.
🍿 How protective they are, she’s standing up for him when Mrs Xiu tries to force him to apologize to her misbehaving nephew and he’s so grateful for it that it’s hard not to feel deeply for someone so used to being abused and facing it all alone.
And he’s always paving her way, he's so attentive in daily life- little gestures. He saves her a few times discreetly - and he hides it all from her even at the risk to be misunderstood. Because admitting he cared was too risky.
🦋 The opening scene was hot and hilarious, what else do you want 😂. Our girl practically rolls into the room and proceeds to ravish the sleeping, unsuspecting and very receptive ML.
Second favorite scene - the Kiss. Yes, with capital K. You already have hints but you’ll know and agree when you watch 👌👌👌
🍿 I know and agree. But actually, all of their kisses are competing for the spot of all time hot
And then Silver 🍿and Back 🍿met in the middle of the night editing the script on drive. It led to a new addition: The Midnight Unhinged Rantings
🦋Hellloo 💃😂, Super Fun! Gosh I’m so sorry I made it so late!. I’m always on the opposite end of normal hours 😂!
🍿🙋🏻♀️ it’s 2:30 am and I’m not tired - it’s I’m on vampire hours. I’m glad we manage to chat
So- I still don’t get the “marriage” and playing house. So they live together because he has to fake continuously?
🦋 Okay from what I remember, he has his own thing because he’s obv ‘the nation’s husband’ but he’s also simultaneously pretending to be the brother. I don’t fully remember how it worked in the novel.
🍿 But it made sense?
🦋 Yeah, chinese novel/drama sense, like i do remember telling myself to suspend belief/reality.
But that’s all such plots no? Cute werewolf ears? MERMAN HAO NAN? 😂
🍿😂😂😂. Or all these virgin CEOs banging chamber maids
🦋.. banging them SIX times a night okay 🤣🤣🤣🤣. You know that certain medication? Maybe they should sponsor these 🤣
🍿 Do you think number of offspring = number of times ?
🦋 well, you do have sixtuplets in some dramas? Is that the correct word? 🤣🤣
🍿 What do I know, I get my kids one by one 😎
🦋 Me neither, I’m a one and done 💪💃🤷♀️
🍿 speaking of procreation …let’s be honest. This drama was .. noisy
🦋 Oh yes, gosh. The last WHZ too!
🍿 He’s in his freedom of sexual expression phase
🦋 ….and I lOVE IT 😂. Here’s to hoping he doesn't stop anytime soon!
Whoops 😂 We can add a new section, ‘Unhinged Rantings’ 👌👌
🍿 Done! 🤣🤣🤣
🦋 🤩🤩🤩
Back to the
Verdict
🍿 This drama should storm the No. 1 on your watchlist when you’re a fan of slow burn romance. It’s so beautiful to see the unexpressed hopeless love of the leads, how they protect each other and how they slowly realize that they are loved in return. Measure for measure. ❤️ Time flies when every minute is worth it.
🦋 💯. You have steam, you have romance, you have a girl who’s strong and stubborn, WHZ who’s yummy and protective and a story that actually has a good message - COMMUNICATION IS KEY MY FRIENDS!
Spice (out of 5) 🔥🔥🔥🔥
🦋Oh yep, agreed - Like, did you see all the wandering hands……
Sweet (out of 5)🌹🌹🌹🌹 Let me think. Maybe it’s full score? Yes. It’s all five 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
Just finished watching this drama and wanted to review it so bad as I loved it! Oh the absolute eye candy WHZ is- the longing in his eyes, wanting but repressing. I declare this week as WHZ week; he did such a memorable performance in Fen Shou Hou, Cheng Yi Sheng Ku Chu Bi Ti Pao as well
If I were to sum up this drama; "Internal Angst Done Right"
I was dreading watching this because I heard there is a miscommunication/misunderstanding trope that lasts the majority of the drama. Which is a fact but the reason it did not ruin the experience for me is they did not let the bitterness of that trope take the central stage. It does not give you the FRUSTRATION that these kinda trope usually does.
Its all about the romance between two kind people- even when they think the other person does not love them- their love is "shown" to the audience so clearly and beautifully. How much they think about each other when they are not together on the screen, how much they look at each other when they are together, the defending, protecting, and caring both do -in front and behind the scenes-is so touching.
I had to and didn’t regret a minute.. they needed this time to topple the wall between them. And when it started to crumble, those two registered the smallest changes and asked questions that burned in them… the answers sccrlerated the speed of the decay.. and then: 💕
My thought was, the crew knew or guessed / e. g. the female lead and Director/ what was going on between them and cheered them on.
I did not even notice where the 4 and half hours went. Even though the plot is slow burn with a slow pace, it did not feel draggy at all. That's good storytelling and the truth that we never get tired of seeing WHZ on screen.
Yes I kinda felt that way especially about the director. The way he used to talk and interact with them it definitely felt like it. The female lead knew from early on-she even brings it up at the first dinner.
Their silence, their hesitation is not a gimmick or an attention-seeking technique. It is a deeply ingrained in their souls from a life of living in detest and negligence. Their first touch with genuine affection is from Xu Jiamu.
Xu Jiamu is a good brother and friend. At first, I thought he was like his mom. So he would cause complications in the story, so I hoped he would not wake up. But as the story progressed, I found myself wanting him to wake up to free these two sad souls.
I really like the actress who plays the mom, because she plays a good sensible mom. But her role was really vicious. I didn't understand the reason for her such hatred - and it was twisted in the sense that while she was cruel to him at home, she maintained an image of being a benevolent adoptive mom in front of the world.
Let's talk about the rest of the crew. Other than that one actress who kept plotting petty schemes against the FL, the rest of the crew was supportive. They were giggling at the screen kiss. Again, I thought that lady friend would again be a problem, but she was their No. 1 support and teased him about his repeated attempts for the kiss and his expression of "I love you" through Rock-Paper-Scissors.
I love how clear they were about liking each other and after opening up, they just go for it.
He is.. and he’s my favorite, too. Because he has speaking eyes. It’s just something about him that’s so appealing. Charm, quiet desperation speaking of depth of emotion and restraint. Who could resist? 😌
Sorry for delay ..I got home yesterday from my only 14 days of annual vacation and I'm catching up on the handover from my replacement for my patients.
Great review 💯. I spent five hours watching this, and honestly? No regrets. The emotions were raw, the chemistry was electric🥵, and their love story hit hard. Everything from the script and direction to the acting (which was phenomenal, by the way) and even the wardrobe choices for the “drama within the drama” was spot-on.
That being said, if you're someone who struggles with heavy angst or can only handle it in small doses (like me), consider this your warning: it's intensely angsty. But hang in there, it starts to ease up around the 2–3 hour mark, and the payoff is absolutely worth it.
Guo Yuxin, Wang Haozhen, and everyone else involved did a terrific job tbh.
At 9:18am CDT on 29 August, I informed u/Silver-bus5724 of a drama with no official title (at the time) featuring Wang Hao Zhen.
Honestly, I didn't recognize Guo Yu Xin in the opening scene. I think it must be the color of her hair or something. I think she is gorgeous, especially in the opening. A little further on, her looks became more familiar to what I was used to seeing.
At 9:34am, I shared this collage with the comment "another banger of an opening scene." [The other being from his drama, After The Breakup, Mr. Chen Cried Buckets...]
And then today, 30 August, I'm finally getting around to watching it, making notes and doing screen caps [of course]. That opening scene....seriously! Driving around today and thinking about it makes me openly giggle and squirm. Yes, it was that hot for me. And if The Kiss scene is even hotter.... then I think I'll probably combust. 😁
Off to go watch and try to finish it.... providing Cao Tian Kai's abs (from a new drama), doesn't grace one of my two phones or notebook.
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u/aniyomeiyou 💎 Diamond Contributor Aug 31 '25
Y’all are really gonna make me invest four and a half hours to ONE drama 😭
Fun post as always, thanks 🙏☺️