My favorite is definitely Zheng Beichen. His jealousy, ambition, longing and manipulation is very refreshing, like every human being who is sometimes influenced by their negative emotion and in the end destroyed them. I like how the author wrote him, like even though he's bad, but he still has conscience and sadness. His bad ending is well deserved, but I wish the author wrote his condition after the Weibo confession thing

What I like most is that Ran Ling always thought about how to make things better for Lu Yiyao. Not to say that he was smart when he refused Lu Yiyao the first time, but it was completely understandable. Many may confuse love with affection, let alone such complex topics as finding your own organization. Ran Lin's refusal saved him from a worse outcome where Lu Yiyao was actually wrong. And it f*cking feels so good. This is also the time for Lu Yiyao to understand himself. MS has thought about everything in this regard, which is good. It’s sad that he had to restrain himself during his “friendship” with ML. But, um, thanks for at least he's not as s*upid as he could be.

When MC was just a junior actor who didn't know what to do when the cameras were on him and appeared fake/scheming on TV, felt very real. Only he knew that he didn't have bad intentions inside, but his tacit agreement and inner guilt/conflict was very well done! Also his initial awkwardness on camera for the first episode of the travel show and inner conflict (should he go greet people etc.) and it being misinterpreted by netizens/antifans/etc. all super relateable.

My favorite was that phone call they had, where they gave each other acting advice. And that their first film on the set, ML (despite being more popular than the MC) realized he could learn a lot from the MC. It's not a unilateral, ML is the top of the entertainment industry and best actor/richest guy/most powerful guy either. And that's super realistic.

chose a different path from the MC.

Also loved that the ML couldn't just "cover the sky with one hand" like MLs from typical showbiz novels. Even when he entered the entertainment industry as a boss, he still had to learn from his elders and it wasn't like those hilarious showdowns where 40-60 yr old businessmen are begging for 25 yr old ML's attention (like in other novels).

Even the persistent villain (forgot his name, the other top idol in the company) mostly just had some snide remarks and posted some SUS news. Nothing like how other novels have them sabotaging the set or trying to hire assassins...

they didn't publicize their relationship, as what MC said to ML's parents. This is actually very realistic

good friends to becoming bad friends, this is really real. Even the consequences of the 'villains' are not exaggerated, as some can even be redeemed - maybe, just like ZBC who in the end exited the industry despite all his efforts just to reach the top. It has to be said that too much is bad, because ZBC became too ambitious that it burned him. Though his ending is not bad and is even realistic compared to the other showbiz danmei novels that I read which is too 'cool' (guilty since I actually also enjoy this 🤣).

MC is mistaken as ML's fan in their first encounter. ML takes a photo with MC and MC's manager uses the mistake to ride on ML's fame. MC does feel bad about the situation but he's just a little star with no clout.

Later they end up in a variety show together and ML comes to know MC. Their bygones are bygones and they become friends. MC liked ML first but never intended to confess. However, ML gets a clue and indirectly rejects MC but later discovers his affection for MC and woos him.

They end up together with ML deciding to quit acting to open his own entertainment company. MC signs up with ML's company after his contract expired with his old agency.

SPOILER...

MC and ML date for two years before they consummate their relationship. At the end of the novel, ML proposes to MC.