Dominant Yakuza and Wimpy Corporate Slave – Series Review

Yang is a Taiwanese office worker who recently transferred to his company's Japanese branch. While he speaks and understands the language, he struggles to express himself when caught off guard. On his way to work, Yang witnesses a fight in an alley where a yakuza singlehandedly takes down a group of robbers. Yang watches in awe, thinking the gangster looks incredibly cool.

When Yang arrives at work late, his boss immediately berates him. Yang constantly struggles under a demanding supervisor who piles on too much work. He's forced to work overtime, staying late into the night. The long hours often make him miss the last train home, adding to his stress. Frustrated and overwhelmed, Yang visits a bar to vent and release steam.

After work, Yang heads to a bar and chats with the bartender about the cool yakuza he saw earlier. Despite his fascination, Yang knows getting involved with someone so dangerous is risky. He decides to keep his distance. After a few too many drinks, he leaves the bar feeling dazed. Outside, Yang unknowingly sits down next to someone. He rests his head on their shoulder and drifts off for a quick nap.

When Yang regains consciousness, he finds himself face-to-face with the yakuza. Still drunk, Yang smiles and compliments him in Mandarin. Asuma, the gangster, is confused by what he said. Yang feels embarrassed after realizing what he just did and quickly runs off. In his haste, he accidentally leaves behind his employee badge. Asuma picks it up as Yang disappears into the night.

Asuma uses a translator tool to figure out what Yang said. He realizes Yang called him handsome. Amused by the compliment, Asuma decides to return the badge. He sends a message to Yang's office, asking him to meet outside the bar again. Yang is nervous as he shows up at the destination. To his surprise, Asuma expresses romantic interest in him and suggests they meet again.

Dominant Yakuza and Wimpy Corporate Slave is a cute little BL drama. With a gangster theme, you may expect the story to be gritty. While the lead threatens bad guys and gets into occasional fights, that isn't the main focus. Instead, the story highlights the sweet interactions between two characters from very different worlds, forming an unlikely bond after crossing paths. Their relationship is so charming that I don't want to criticize this series. I prefer to write a lighthearted review and overlook any flaws.

As a Taiwanese employee working in Japan, Yang must navigate a language barrier. He speaks Japanese with others but reverts to Mandarin when alone. His foreigner status adds nuance to his character, differentiating him from a typical office worker. The other lead, Asuma, is a yakuza. While gangster BL dramas are gaining popularity, the archetype remains uncommon in stories. Dominant Yakuza and Wimpy Corporate Slave feels refreshing because both protagonists have unique traits. You're unlikely to find a "dominant yakuza" or "wimpy corporate slave" in another BL series, at least not paired together.

The two leads add to the charm of Dominant Yakuza and Wimpy Corporate Slave. Yang is portrayed by Ah Ben, a gay Taiwanese actor whose background aligns well with the character's roots. It's impressive that he learned Japanese for the role. Ah Ben plays Yang sincerely, embodying a cute and youthful office worker. His nervous expressions reveal subtle hints of vulnerability. Similarly, his co-star (Karuma) captures the suaveness of a gangster. The performer is intimidating as a scary yakuza, yet he carries a laidback confidence that makes him approachable.

Although not a big-budget production, Dominant Yakuza and Wimpy Corporate Slave exudes a stylish ambiance with its deep, saturated colours. From the atmospheric lighting to the elegant decor, the visuals always have a polished appearance. The sultry soundtrack complements the mood, pulling you deeper into the story. Likewise, the cinematography captures the action smoothly. In one scene, Asuma pulls a gun and aims it at an underling's head. The camera work and music intensify the tension, making the moment all the more gripping.

On paper, I like the quirkiness of a yakuza and an office worker starting a relationship. There's a cute subplot where Asuma encourages Yang to focus on work-life balance. However, their romance isn't persuasive. The main issue is how quickly Asuma falls in love and becomes devoted to Yang, even though they barely know each other. The intensity of his feelings seems unreasonable, given how little time they spend together. While their exchanges are sweet, they never bond deeply. Due to the limitations of a 30-minute drama, the couple is underdeveloped.

Dominant Yakuza and Wimpy Corporate Slave feels painfully short. Each episode lasts only three minutes, and the story ends in half an hour. The narrative can't become complex with so little time, leaving the plot and romance too rushed. This brevity holds back its potential. While the series is overly simple and can't measure up to sophisticated BL dramas, I still find it charming. The final scene, where the couple reunites on the rooftop, is adorable and makes me smile. I'm happy to have spent 30 minutes on a pleasant story like Dominant Yakuza and Wimpy Corporate Slave.