Bad Guy My Boss – Series Review & Episode Guide

Elyes is a young and handsome CEO of a successful organization, Burtun Group. He's a perfectionist with strict standards. Elyes frequently yells at employees for mistakes, tardiness, or failing to meet his high expectations. Many staff members quit because they couldn't tolerate his harsh attitude. Despite his toughness, Elyes offers generous pay. Those who can endure his grumpiness enjoy a stable job with excellent benefits.

Pat is Elyes's dedicated secretary. When he first started, he was clumsy and often got yelled at. After five years, he has become a reliable assistant who knows everything about his employer. From managing appointments to handling administrative duties, Pat is Elyes's right-hand man. His responsibilities extend beyond the office. He's also Elyes's driver and even acts as a waiter during confidential dinner meetings. Elyes depends on Pat for everything.

Elyes is a notorious playboy who indulges in frequent one-night stands with different men. Pat is responsible for arranging these encounters, booking hotels, and driving Elyes to his destinations. Sometimes, Pat waits outside in the car while Elyes enjoys dinner with his dates. Other times, when Elyes changes his mind, Pat is tasked with cancelling plans at the last minute. Frustrated with these personal errands, Pat has asked Elyes to cut back on his reckless lifestyle. However, Elyes continues his carefree habits.

Elyes has been spending a lot of time with Kim, his latest conquest. They have dinner, head to a hotel, and indulge in steamy flings, leaving Pat agitated. Secretly, Pat harbours a crush on his employer, a feeling he has tried to suppress. Beneath Elyes's tough exterior, Pat has glimpsed a surprisingly sweet side. Once upon a time, Elyes treated him with kindness. However, watching Elyes and Kim grow closer fills Pat with heartache. Knowing a relationship with his boss is impossible, he considers quitting and finding another job. His friends encourage him to move on.

Elyes discovers that Pat wants to quit his job, which alarms him. He doesn't want to lose his best employee. In response, Elyes begins paying closer attention to Pat's needs. Since Elyes notices his secretary's heavy workload, he gives Pat time off to relax. Elyes also invites him to fancy dinners, going as far as booking entire restaurants for their private meals. Pat enjoys the special attention of his boss, feeling more valued than ever. However, his heartache lingers as Elyes and Kim continue to grow closer. Pat remains conflicted about whether to stay or quit his job.

I had low expectations for Bad Guy My Boss. The series warns us in the title that the main character is a villain, so I braced myself for a problematic BL drama with a toxic workplace romance. The lead doesn't become horrible right away. The first episode focuses on him charming his secretary, so he's on his best behaviour. However, he only seems suave when everything goes his way. If someone dares to challenge him, this egomaniac quickly drops his facade and shows his true colours.

True to the series title, the boss behaves horribly. Elyes is arrogant, rude, and on a constant power trip. He abuses his authority at work to control what his assistant does in his personal life. He micromanages Pat's every move, ordering him around like an errand boy. Fetch me a coffee! Give me a ride! I feel bad for Pat, who must obey his employer's commands and has no autonomy. The series tries to frame their interactions as romantic, but I find the power dynamic off-putting. Elyes doesn't care he violates professional boundaries. Nobody keeps the CEO in check, even when he harasses his workers.

Besides being a terrible boss, Elyes is a toxic lover. Early on, he hooks up with guys to rile up Pat. Yet, Elyes acts jealous if it's the other way around. Pat can't have a functional social life since Elyes gets petty, paranoid, and possessive when anyone comes between them. Elyes is also aggravating due to his inconsistent behaviour. One moment, he's a control freak. Next, he suddenly showers his lover with affection. Since Elyes keeps going hot and cold, his kind moments don't feel genuine. The series tries redeeming him, but I don't buy his phony good-guy act.

The writing is garbage. Every love triangle feels pointless, wasting episodes on rivals who exist solely to stir up tedious conflicts. I also can't stand the secondary couples. Teeranai and Fei Long treat their lovers even worse than Elyes does. The series glorifies power imbalances in relationships, where one partner dominates the other instead of respecting them as equals. Beyond the annoying romances, the workplace drama spirals into over-the-top absurdity. From abductions to murder attempts, the series abandons all realism and turns into a ridiculous mess.

Despite his handsomeness, Elyes's rotten personality makes him less attractive. The performer (James) struggles with certain expressions. When trying to glower, he resembles Scooby-Doo's confused face. At least the cast is comfortable with affection and has plenty of steamy encounters. I appreciate seeing different combinations of characters hook up with each other. My favourite pairing is Elyes and Kim, who fulfill the eye candy quota. Kim's actor (Zax) always caught my attention in past dramas, so I thank Bad Guy My Boss for giving this hottie a BL role.

Since the plot is a lost cause and the romances feel problematic, I can only look forward to the sex scenes. With a cast of good-looking guys, seeing them strip or make out is a treat. However, even the smut loses its appeal after a while. Despite the generous amount of skinship, the physical intimacy still isn't hot enough to make up for the awful narrative. Midway through the series, I ran out of patience. The story had nothing meaningful to say, so watching the remaining episodes became unbearable. I was so over Bad Guy My Boss and desperately wanted this crap to end.