Oh My Boss (Thai) Review: An Office Romance Infused With Tropes But No Plot

Craving a pure, concentrated romance drama full of tropes you enjoy watching? Then you have arrived at the right post. “Oh My Boss” is an atrociously clichéd romantic drama brimming with love and romance.

It has a smoking hawt male lead and a gorgeous female lead working together as a boss and secretary and falling for (and over) each other in the most typical office romance style.

I chanced upon this drama while looking for the Japanese show, “Oh My Boss! Love Not Included”. And even though I am over this genre, I did not mind watching this show as it was quite entertaining even through its clear and obvious flaws. 🤣🤣 Also, it is available for free on YouTube then why not give it a try? 

Before you proceed let me tell you that this is a Thai drama and watching a Thai drama requires you to adjust your perception a little because what you consider unacceptable and wrong may be romanticized and even glorified in a Thai drama. For example, if you see a guy forcibly carry a woman over his shoulder and confine her to a room then try not to feel agitated as it is completely normal and acceptable in Thai dramas.

Don’t worry this show does not have any serious violence against women. I usually ensure not to watch dramas that normalize or romanticize physical violence. I’m just warning beforehand in case you are completely new to Thai dramas and wish to explore more after watching this show.      

Oh My Boss (2021) (14 Episodes)

Noom Nim (Mook Worranit Thawornwong) worked hard to learn Japanese and has finally landed a job with an advertising company. To celebrate she goes to a bar with her friends where she meets Akitsuki Koji (Luke Ishikawa Plowden). They are instantly attracted to each other but they hardly get along. After some misunderstanding, their evening ends on a pleasant note and Koji expects Nim to call him back. Sadly, she loses his number and never calls him back.

When she joins work, she is shocked to learn that Koji is her new boss. Fearing his bad reaction to her betrayal, she tries to keep her distance from him but Koji is not one to give up easily.

I enjoyed watching “Oh My Boss” because…

…there was no plot whatsoever, just romantic scenes one after the other.😂😂😂  Now I know that is a major drawback for this show but the only reason I sat through it all was that I was stressed for real and I needed something to distract me and this show helped me with it. In fact, its ludicrous script even made me laugh at times. 😂😂😂

So, the show starts with Noom Nim who is a simple girl working hard to complete her studies while dreaming of living a beautiful life with an amazing partner in the future. She secures a job as a Japanese translator with an advertising agency. A few weeks before the commencement of her new job, she goes to a pub with her friends to have a good time.

In the pub, she happens to meet a handsome stranger Akitsuki Koji who happens to be Japanese. Koji has eyes only for Noom Nim but she is too shy to take things further so she bails out on him. But Koji is persistent to the point that makes poor Noom Nim uncomfortable. What ensues is a misunderstanding followed by a quick revelation of the truth. The evening ends with Koji kissing Noom Nim and handing her his card asking her to call him.

Noom Nim wants to talk to Koji but is unable to do so as she loses his card. A few weeks later, she joins her new company and is surprised to learn that Koji is her boss.

 

Even though she joins as a translator, Koji appoints her as his secretary so she can be at his beck and call throughout the day. Noom Nim hopes that Koji has forgotten about their kiss but he hasn’t. Right from her first day, he evades her personal space on the pretext of helping her and tries to get as close as he can to her.

As a viewer, you may squirm in your seat witnessing workplace harassment but hold your horses, this is a Thai drama and yaha sab chalta hain (anything is acceptable). Also, Noom Nim does not look uncomfy so just put up with it.

Hereafter, all that happens is a series of misunderstandings, petty fights, and quick makeups. We have some evil co-workers who scheme against Noom Nim, an evil client who has a bad eye on Noom Nim, and then a sexy business partner who behaves as if Koji belongs to her (he does owe her a lot though).

Similarly, Koji has a shady past that makes him vulnerable and Noom Nim is there to support him through it all. Noom Nim does not have a great family life and he is there for her when she needs him the most. Basically, this affair has everything you probably have seen before. If you are okay with the premise then you will probably enjoy this drama.  

 

But that is all there is to this show. Don’t expect anything more or anything less.

You want a devastatingly handsome male lead, you get it.

You want your female lead to be naïve and innocent, you get it.  

You want fluffy romance with arresting visuals, you get it.

You want your leads to fall (literally) in love, you get it.

 

You want the male lead to sneak a kiss, you get it.

You want the male lead to ditch a sexy girl for the plain and sweet female lead, you get it.

You ask for it, you get it all except an engaging plot. The show relies on the lead couple’s chemistry, which is reasonably good. That’s all folks!

I did NOT LIKE “Oh My Boss” because…

…of the bad acting by both the male and female lead. The main leads Mook Worranit Thawornwong and Luke Ishikawa Plowden are the strengths and weaknesses of this show. Good is their gorgeous visuals and bad is their poor acting.

Luke looks like a dream boyfriend but his limited acting skill is a rude wake-up call. From what I got to know through his YouTube videos, he is quite a new and inexperienced actor which is evident in the show. Hopefully, he will work on his acting because he is perfect for the role of a vulnerable, adorable boyfriend. There are a ton of scenes that can make your heart flutter but his tepid acting keeps his scenes from rising to the level of extreme adoration.  

Coming to Mook, I felt that she was relatively better but could do better. With the right director, I feel her performance can improve a manifold. In a lot of scenes, it looked like she tried to make up for Luke’s lack of experience. Her efforts were evident and much appreciated. 

…the show is supposed to be an office drama but the characters show absolutely no professionalism.

<<Spoiler>> For instance, Noom Nim is hired as a translator but is immediately made to work as the boss’ secretary without even asking her. She has no experience or skills as a secretary but is still hired for the position.

Even though Nim is Koji’s secretary she participates in client meetings. She makes presentations and shares ideas in client meetings. Now tell me, which secretary does such multi-tasking?

A big client named Mark is known for his bad ways with women. When he asks the creative team to send Koji’s secretary Nim to him with some files, the team obliges despite knowing of his bad reputation.     

Sadly, Mark molests Nim and she still has to work for him. What’s worse is that he confronts her asking why she is avoiding him as if he did something unforgivable. Huh?? Since when did molestation become a casual thing? What’s unbearable is seeing Nim getting close to Mark (the molester) only to make Koji jealous. Ewwkss!!    

The supposed villain of the story Rena wants Koji to break up with Nim, so at an office party, in front of the whole office, she starts making out with Koji only to spite Nim. Since when did bosses start doing such stuff in front of their employees?? Such unprofessional behavior. Ugh!

Employees are laid off at the whim of the boss and are called back to work again when her mood is better.  🤣🤣🤣🤣 Anything!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣  

I had to remind myself that this is a Thai drama and I shouldn’t take it so seriously and neither should you. <<Spoilers>>

 

“Oh My Boss” is fluffy romance meant for entertainment and nothing more. Go into it without any expectations except that of abundant romance and alluring visuals of our leads.

I give “Oh My Boss” 2 out of 5 rating. Watch it when you are up for some lame office romance with a super sexy boss but sans plot.

 

Image Courtesy: YouTube/GMMTV

 

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