- Drama Title: No Pain No Gain
- Also Known As: 年少有为, Losing the Richest Man Starts with the Game , Nian Shao You Wei , The Poor Winner , The Richest Poor Guy , Young and Promising
- Director: Zhao Qi Chen, Liu Wen Yang
- Cast: Peng Yu Chang, Lin Yun, Liu Guan Lin
- Screenwriter: Ding Lu, Ji Sang Rou
- Genres: Comedy, Drama
- Number of Episodes: 26
- Date of Release: January 31, 2026
- Original Network: Tencent Video
- Where to Watch: We TV, Tencent Video
- Adapted from the web novel “Losing Money to Be a Tycoon” by Qing Shan Qu Zui
Dear readers, lately I’ve been craving Chinese food. And that’s all because I saw He Rui Xian in this drama. So, I took a little peek at Delicacies Destiny, her 2022 drama. That drama is a full inspiration for gorgeous Chinese dishes, and I managed to convince myself that I could cook at least one Chinese dish.
After some thought, I made Kung Pao Chicken. The presentation was top-notch, with a glossy sauce and red chilies. But the taste? Actually, it seemed that the dishes made a detour through my Indonesian kitchen.
Not too bad, but there’s definitely an identity crisis happening there. Now I realized that I can cook something that looks exactly like Chinese food, just don’t ask what it actually tastes like…. 😁
Well, enough with the rambling. Let’s get to the business. This is the No Pain, No Gain drama review. Happy reading!
No Pain No Gain Drama Review
The Synopsis
After being fired from his job, Pei Qian thought that his life had hit rock bottom. But then, out of nowhere, a mysterious tycoon approached him with a strange offer. The tycoon is willing to fund him to start a company. But there was one condition, Pei Qian must lose money. The bigger the loss was, the bigger his bonus was.
Thinking that the offer was feasible, Pei Qian accepted it. He gathered a group of unreliable misfits and started his own plan. His strategy to lose money was simple. He raised the employees’ salaries, extended the holidays, forbade them from doing overtime, and invested in projects that looked completely ridiculous. That way, every project was guaranteed to be a failure.
However, Pei Qian never thought that the plan would fail. One by one, every launched project became a success. The employees worked hard and stayed loyal. The company grew bigger, and the profit increased.
Only he led a miserable life with a meager salary. With no way to escape, Pei Qian kept looking for new methods and new investments that were likely to fail, hoping that one day he can finally turn the tide. Can he do it?
The Review
Dear readers, I found this drama by chance while I was scrolling my We TV app. I was immediately attracted to it because of Peng Yu Chang. For those who unfamiliar with him, I suggest you watch I Am Nobody and I Am Nobody 2: Showdown Between Yin & Yang.
Those dramas were fantasy, so they might be a little absurd, but I am sure you’ll enjoy them. I’ve written the review for I Am Nobody drama, you can find it on this website.
No Pain No Gain is an adaptation of the web novel “Losing Money to Be a Tycoon” by Qing Shan Qu Zui. I had never read this kind of novel before, because I am such a romance junkie. I mainly read romance.
I watch romance. That’s my comfort zone. But I still wanted to fulfil my goal of watching more varied drama genres in 2026. So, I gave this drama a try, and I didn’t regret it.
No Pain No Gain offered a non-mainstream story that only happens in the Cdramaland. I mean, who would build a money-losing company? Everyone wants a profitable business. At a glance, I didn’t see anything special about this drama. It looked simple. But it turned out to be the first hidden gem I found in 2026.
The story centred on Pei Qian, who built a startup and strived for his own benefits so he could afford to buy a new apartment for his parents. But although his company becomes success and all his employees had high salary and lots of bonuses and benefits, Pei Qian’s salary was just a meagre 5,000 yuan. It was definitely not enough to buy the apartment he wanted.
And that was the main problem. The more prosperous Tengda became, the poorer Pei Qian became. On the contrary, if the company suffers significant losses, Pei Qian would receive a bonus equal to the company’s losses.
However, Pei Qian’s efforts to make Tengda suffer losses only made his employees more loyal to him and to the company. And because of their dedication, Tengda keeps succeeding. The employees believe that he did everything for their sake. And for that, they were deeply grateful.
All of them felt that Pei Qian could see something in them and gave them enough trust to explore their abilities. He treated them like humans instead of working machines. And this is what everyone is looking for in a job.
I’ve never seen bad intentions misunderstood as good intentions as consistently as what happened to Pei Qian. 😆
No Pain No Gain’s storytelling is so well done. The pace was steady and didn’t drag. They did a good job in cutting the end of the episode. It didn’t frustrate me, instead they make me eager to push the next episode button.
Even though this is a comedy-drama, every character was well written. They have depth and are unique, so you can immediately notice their personalities. And I love how creative the ideas were. Like chess in the middle of a shooting game?
Even though it was meant to hide the lag system, it was still an interesting idea that made me roll on the floor, laughing. Or a game where you should recite poetry to launch attacks and defeat the boss??? Boy, that was hard! 😂
During my binge watching, I was secretly hoping for a glimpse of romance between Pei Qian and Lin Wan. However, they never truly developed a romantic relationship. There was a little spark, of course, but it couldn’t be called romance. It felt more like fleeting moments between them.
I thought Lin Wan probably have some feelings for Pei Qian. But was it a genuine love or simply admiration? I couldn’t really tell. Meanwhile, Pei Qian was too busy with his own thought and ambitions to seriously consider romance.
But he did notice that a certain people (obviously the twins Sheng Wu and Sheng Xin) tried to matchmake them. In the end, the story didn’t give them enough time to develop anything. Maybe, if the director was willing to grant us five more episodes, we might see something bloom between them. 😁
Watching this drama after watching Chen Xing Xu in so many CEO roles, I must say that Pei Qian was far from the usual CEO type we’re used to. However, his knack on finding new innovations and thinking outside-the-box strategies was enough to make everyone take him seriously.
His simple way of thinking couldn’t be easily fathomed by those with more complicated minds. He might not have the intimidating aura of a typical CEO, but his ideas and confidence speak louder than any power suit ever could.
No Pain No Gain was a real enjoyment after my busy, tiring days. The story never bored me, even though the ending was a bit rushed. It was still fun to see how happy and enthusiastic the employees were, while the boss grew more frustrated every time the company got richer.
But surely Pei Qian’s life wasn’t always miserable. There were moments when he was happy, before falling into another depressed state. There was also inner conflict when he hoped that Tengda would collapse.
Yet when Pei Qian saw how optimistic and happy his friends were with their job, he still thought about their well-being. In the end, I was relieved that Pei Qian didn’t lose himself and become a full-time capitalist.
Another reason why this drama was so enjoyable is the talented cast behind it. Peng Yu Chang wasn’t the kind of striking, model-like male lead such as Yang Yang, Xiao Zhan, or Liu Yu Ning. But that was never what this role needed it.
Peng Yu Chang perfectly matched the image of an ordinary male lead. The kind who looked a little naïve at first glance, almost harmless. The type of person people might underestimate. And that’s exactly why it worked.
Because, as the story goes, you could see how layered Pei Qian’s character was. He is ridiculous, definitely funny. But also creative and unexpectedly sharp when it comes to business instinct. Peng Yu Chang delivered all of that without exaggerating it. His expressions felt natural, and his comedic timing was effortless. 👍🏻
Besides Peng Yu Chang, this drama feels like a mini reunion for a permanent resident of Cdamaland like us. I’m sure you’ll instantly recognize Liu Guan Lin (Huang Si Bo) from New Life Begins, Echo, and The Ingenious One. While Chang Long (Li Shi), also appears in New Life Begins and Romance in the Farm.
Lin Yun, whom we love in A Dream of Splendor and Les Belles, plays Lin Wan here. He Rui Xian (the one from Delicacies Destiny and the reason behind my miserable Kung Pao Chicken) played the special assistant, Xin Hai Lu.
Then we have Wu Jun Ting, the cutie who played Lv Ming Liang. You could also watch him in Moonlit Reunion, You Are My Lover Friend, and Will Love in Spring. And lastly, Ye Zu Xin. He played the overly ambitious Zhou Mu Yan, who, in another drama, The Vendetta of An, was a loyal general.
In the end, what made this drama special wasn’t just the absurd system or the ironic business concept. It was the heart behind it. Pei Qian wanted to fail, yet he accidentally created a healthy workplace. He aimed to lose money, yet he builds loyalty. He chased profit for himself, but he ended up giving others confidence and dignity.
And maybe that’s why the story stayed with me. Beneath all the comedy and ridiculous situations, it quietly asked a simple question. What if success is not measured by money, but by the lives you change along the way?
The Story-This Could Be Your Dream Job
This drama could be a dream of a 9-to-5 warrior who lives on caffeine, tired with deadlines, and cries in the office bathroom at least once every month.
Pei Qian was fired because he wrote Fuhui Job-Security Survival Manual, a book that helps Fuhui employees to survive workplace politics and internal conflict. For some people, the book was just a collection of rants about his job and the company.
Surely this book caused a stir in the company. Ironically, the same book was also the reason why he met Mr. Si Ma and ultimately ended up being the founder of Tengda.
With a new goal in his life, Pei Qian starts thinking about how to run a loss-making company. He splurged the money on a fully equipped office, big salaries, an office tour, and team-building gatherings. He focused on spending capital money, using employee well being as the excuse.
He forced everyone to leave work early, hoping that it would lower efficiency. He launched simple and cheap games that he thought no one would play. Pei Qian didn’t know that his so-called “failure strategy” bought him employees’ loyalty as well as the customers’ happiness.
Who wouldn’t want a company that pays well, forces you to clock out on time, and even scolds you for doing overtime? Who could resist a boss who genuinely cares about your well-being? Even if he did have his own agenda, he still pays you well, gives you the independence and space to grow, and treats you like a human being instead of a machine?
And which consumer would refuse a good and cheap game with no add-ons or require high tech gadgets to play? This is a good bargain that everybody is looking for. 👍🏻
At first glance, business is usually about profit, strategy, numbers, and efficiency. The “human aspect” is always secondary. A boss who said, “If we lose money, I’ll take responsibility, as Pei Qian did, creates a psychological safety.
When employees feel protected, they work better. They take initiative. They become loyal. Then the productivity rises, and the innovation happens. And in the long run, that actually leads to profit.
That fantasy workspace is exactly what makes No Pain No Gain so satisfying to watch. Nowadays, it is hard to find a company that allows a balanced life. Sometimes you have to juggle between deadlines and sleep. Sometimes you juggle a main job and part-time work just to pay the mortgage or afford a decent meal every day.
And even without realizing it, Pei Qian had a special way of convincing people about their strength. He threw them into projects and expected them to fail. Ironically, that expectation sounded like trust. And trust can wake something up inside a person.
When someone sees strength in you before you see it yourself, it changes everything. That’s what happened to Ma Yang. He’s just an average guy, not too smart or too foolish either. He used to manage a fruit stall.
But when he realized how much he gained by following Pei Qian, he did everything he could to help him. He bought piles of books (some completely irrelevant for the job, but let’s forgive him) just to become a little smarter and more useful.
Meanwhile, Tengda’ stood out with its work-life balanced culture; Sky Fire is the opposite. This company was led by Zhou Mu Yan, an ambitious boss who only seeks profits and success.
Sky Fire runs on a brutal 9-9-6 schedule. If you work there, you should accept that 11.30 PM is still a normal working hour. You might as well bring your own toothbrush, sleeping bag, blanket, and buy your own cup noodle. Having too many ideas can be dangerous, and disagreeing with the boss might cost you your job.
Then there’s also the mysterious Mr. Si Ma. From the beginning, I was suspicious. There’s no way someone would be willing to burn so much money without an ulterior motive. And yes, the truth is revealed later in the end.
What I love about No Pain No Gain is watching every character grow. Pei Qian initially looked like a capitalist in the making. He was driven by ambition and profit. But underneath, he had a soft and kind heart.
He was never a greedy person and was far from what I thought he was. Ma Yang, who once believed that he was a failure, ended up helping others achieve their dreams.
He found his happiness and the purpose of his life in the process. Even Xin Hai Lu, who always appears professional. In the end, wasn’t as cold and indifferent as she used to be.
And can you guess my favourite character is? It’s Ma Yang. He might look like a loser at first, but in the end, he becomes the most dependable of all. When it’s raining, he becomes the shelter that everyone needs.
In short, No Pain No Gain is a story about Pei Qian, who truly failed at… failing. 😂
The Visual-So Many Styles, So Many Surprises
Girls, if you’ve just entered your corporate era, you need to watch this drama. Xin Hai Lu’s work suits could be your inspiration. Her office wardrobe is clean, sharp, and powerful without trying too hard.
After watching her, I suddenly found myself browsing eyeglass frames because her rose gold eyeglasses were so pretty. I even googled them. They looked like Tom Ford. Of course, they were too expensive for me.
So, I tried to find a similar pair. But until I finished writing this article, I still hadn’t found the one I liked. It seems that I have to regret my high fashion flair. My taste is couture, but my wallet is bare…😂
Watching No Pain No Gain is never a boring thing to do. I love their sets have so many styles and personalities. Tengda’s office gives strong Google-style vibes. It was designed to feel playful and open with bright colors.
There’s even a fun area where the employee can play games. They can wear whatever they like and decorate their desks however they want. Imagine that kind of freedom in real life. 😍
Since Tengda’s first business line is gaming, there are many scenes inside the games. They make it look like the characters are physically inside them. My favorite part is Tengda’s first game, The Lonely Road.
A car is driving endlessly in the desert. All they need to do is finish the level. This reminded me of my first experience playing Flappy Bird. It looked easy, but somehow it drained my patience. So, yes. I could understand Qiao’s feelings at that time.
The punch line, “Congratulations, you’ve wasted eight precious hours of your life”, was a chef’s kiss. 😂
The Deserted Island Sharpshooter’s scene gave me flashbacks to several popular movies. I instantly thought about Tropic Thunder. There were also moments that felt very Hunger Games. If you watched those movies, you might recognize them.
And don’t get me started on the scene where Li Shi was forced to dismantle the M&Y café. They suddenly switched to a vertical, exaggerated short-drama style. It was so dramatic and over the top that I couldn’t stop laughing. The editing team clearly had too much fun. And honestly, so did I. 😂😂
The Characters
Pei Qian (Played by Peng Yu Chang)
Pei Qian is a kind, generous, and big-hearted man. However, he is also outspoken and straightforward. He had this habit of having an internal monologue with several versions of himself.
Although he wants to be selfish and chase his own ambitions, in the end, Pei Qian always considered others’ well-being. His dream of having lots of money wasn’t for flashy cars or wild parties. He only wants to buy a spacious apartment for his parents.
To outsiders, Pei Qian looks like an unpredictable boss with questionable decisions. But when things go wrong, he would shoulder all the blame and responsibilities on behalf of his employees.
In the business world, Pei Qian was a newborn chick. Yet, he has this knack for innovations and is blessed with outrageous luck. Everything he touches becomes money, even though he never means it to.
Lin Wan (Played by Lin Yun)
Lin Wan used to work in a game company in Xinyang called Sky Fire. She graduated from an art university in London. Lin Wan is hardworking, creative, and full of enthusiasm. She is always cheerful and could light up the mood whenever she is around.
Lin Wan was born from wealthy family and never really needed to struggle. Her father would happily arrange a position for her in his company. Yet, as an independent person, Lin Wan choose to carve out her own path and doing what she love the most, making games.
Lin Wan is brimming with ideas that can easily solve others’ problems. Yet, for Pei Qian and his failure strategy, Lin Wan is the biggest obstacle that keeps ruining his plans.
Huang Si Bo (Played by Liu Guan Lin)
Huang Si Bo is the most enthusiastic and passionate employee. He got hired by Tengda after being let go by his previous company. Huang Si Bo values efficiency and discipline.
He was the one who experienced severe culture shock after being forbidden from working overtime or being overly diligent at Tengda. He may looked like a walking contradiction in Tengda’s laidback environment, but he actually the machine that keep everyone moving.
Xin Hai Lu (Played by He Rui Xian)
Xin Hai Lu is the special assistant to Mr. Si Ma Ming. She is cold and indifferent, yet highly professional. Not only is she efficient at her job, but her appearances and the way she speaks also show how capable she is.
Xin Hai Lu’s main job was to assess Pei Qian’s business decision. Xin Hai Lu is smart and perceptive. She understands Pei Qian’s unconventional strategies even when others don’t.
Ma Yang (Played by Wang Tian Fang)
Ma Yang is the first employee of Tengda, recruited by Pei Qian. He is Pei Qian’s best buddy and used to manage a fruit stall. He considers himself a loser and a daydreamer. He is a genius in achieving nothing. However, Ma Yang is a kind hearted and loyal.
Ma Yang may not be smart, but for Pei Qian, he is a precious friend. A Watson for his Sherlock. He is genuine, humble, dedicated, and funny. He loves to argue, and the only one who could match his endless yapping is Li Shi.
Bao Xu (Played by Yao Yi Qi)
Bao Xu was the second person whom Pei Qian recruited. He used to live full time in a net café and practically became a permanent resident since graduation day. Now he worked as Tengda’s game tester.
Bao Xu used to be a simple and unambitious person. His growth came from Pei Qian’s plan to separate him from Huang Si Bo and Lv Ming Liang after they successfully launched the second game. Bao Xu remains simple, loyal, and dedicated.
Zhou Mu Yan (Played by Ye Zu Xin)
Zhou Mu Yan is the leader of Sky Fire. He is an ambitious, self-serving, manipulative and cunning. He truly looked like a shark swimming in a koi pond.
Whenever he enters the room, the employees become tense. Zhou Mu Yan is the kind of person who seems to have downloaded the “How to Be a Villain Boss” manual and really put it into practice.
Mr. Si Ma Ming (Played by Yang Xin Ming)
Mr. Si Ma Ming is the chairman of Jing Hong Company. He is a calm and calculated person. Looking harmless but actually very deep. Mr. Si Ma Ming always travels in a private jet or helicopter.
His luxurious house is located on top of an old building in an old residential area. Mr. Si Ma Ming is the one who came up with the idea of a money-losing company.
Yintang
Yintang is the company cat. He was adopted by Pei Qian from a canteen after he was bullied by some people.
The Conclusion
No Pain, No Gain is an enjoyable drama. The story is simple, but the idea feels like a breath of fresh air. Comedy is this drama’s main weapon. Beneath all the ridiculous projects and carefully planned failure strategies is a story about responsibility, friendship, loyalty, and unexpected growth.
If you’re looking for something light after a long day, No Pain, No Gain is the perfect choice. The only drawback to watching this drama is that it might make you dissatisfied with your boss and office life.
After seeing Tengda’s salaries, holidays, and no-overtime rule, returning to reality could be painful. We’ll give you a heads-up before you hit play that it’s all on you. Hope you like this No Pain, No Gain drama review. See you on another drama review post. Happy watching, dear readers!
