Must Spend the Villain’s Money Before He Goes Bankrupt Chapter 156 Discussion

The MC, an experienced director in his own world, transmigrates into the body of a typical cannon-fodder character of the same name and profession who's being kept by the super wealthy, attractive, and powerful CEO ML. The moment the MC switches over, the previously indifferent ML's interest flips from 0 to 100, so going in, my expectations were already low on the romance front.

The story focuses more on the MC building his career while lavishly using the ML's money. It's heartening to see the MC fund and support other people's dreams, even if he doesn't believe it'll profit him, and it only seems right that it comes back to benefit the MC. But it's disappointing how the other transmigrations in the story are just casually mentioned, used to make make MC money or boost his reputation, then discarded even though their stories could've been such an interesting addition. The multiple transmigrations aspect was entirely unnecessary considering how little it was used. There are also noticeable inconsistencies and contradictions in general.

Despite its flaws, the story still does have it's emotional and tearjerking moments, though it can be a hit or miss. I especially liked how the MC empowered people to achieve their dreams.

As mentioned by other reviewers, the MCs career becomes somewhat formulaic despite the interesting elements and insights about the entertainment industry sprinkled in. The usual cycle is: some scandal happens while filming and elicits online uproar --> the MC and the movie end up criticized with netizens not having hope about the film being good --> the MC stirs the pot to attract more negative publicity and stir netizens' curiosity --> the film ends up being a success --> MC gains praise and money --> rinse and repeat. Even after the MC gains fame, the cycle inexplicably doesn't change and the netizens still doubt how good it'll be.

Another thing that doesn't make sense is the original protagonist couple of the novel the MC transmigrated into. Before the MC could even look at them, they decide to try and make his life difficult purely because he's the ML's lover, despite the ML also having done nothing wrong to them so far. How are they convincing as protagonists that the original novel's readers rooted for? Not to mention that the protagonist!ML literally beats and ab*ses the protagonist!MC. I get that making the original protagonists of the novel into the villains is a common trope but come on, they have to have at least a couple of redeeming capabilities for it to be believable that they're protagonists. If you want to know how their story goes:

Spoiler

Thankfully, the protagonist!MC does leave the rotten protagonist!ML, gets some character development (if you can call him suddenly switching personalities that), gets some payback, and seems to be heading towards a successful career of his own.

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As for the romance, even thought the MC and ML are in a contractual relationship when they start liking each other, I like how they don't actually get together until the contract is gone. The MC is especially aware that an unequal relationship can't truly bring them happiness. But all of that becomes moot because the MC is still anxious about displeasing the ML and tiptoes around him even after there's no contract. For example:

Spoiler

The MC once literally has to beg to leave the hospital after his fever is cured, but the ML doesn't allow it until the MC is made to prove he's okay by sleeping with the ML. Say what you will but that doesn't seem like genuine care about the MC's health to me.

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Moreover, I still can't believe how little repercussions the ML faced for:

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deceiving the original host, and later the MC, so he could continue keeping them as a clueless heart donor to pay a debt. I don't agree with the MC's logic that his body's previous owner was the one who faced the injustice so it doesn't affect the MC as much. It's like he thinks being with a mu*derer is okay as long as they didn't intend to mu*der you specifically. WTF? The intent and lack of morality doesn't change!

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They do have their sweet and supportive moments. But I don't find it funny, like the story thinks I should, how the MC has to grit his teeth every time and endure sleeping with the ML, with the ML very typically being eager himself while not caring about the MC's discomfort or lack of enthusiasm. Like with most subpar BL romances, it's repeatedly brought up as a joke. For me personally, that takes away any good feelings I have about the romance. I expected better after seeing how sweet the ML could be and how fun some of their interactions were, but I guess I should know better by now.

Character wise, the ML is the typical cold and ruthless CEO who only softens for the MC. The MC is the typical capable and eloquent man who always loses his brain cells with the ML. If the MC teases the ML, the ML will always end up having the last laugh. There's not much in terms of originality or flavor regarding any of the characters or their dynamics.

All in all, it's a very typical entertainment industry themed BL with the usual unequal power dynamics in the relationship, the usual telling instead of showing, the usual mixed bag of unique and cliché elements, the usual one dimensional and forgettable characters, and the usual face-slapping. Since what enjoyment I was getting has faded, I'm considering dropping it even though the ending is close.