The central characters are creative director Loan Niem and junior employee Thuong Chi Dao. Their relationship develops through workplace friction, contrasting personalities and periods of separation rather than romantic encounters alone.
The article credits restrained performances, costumes and lighting with helping define the characters. Distinct color palettes also separate personal spaces from the workplace and reinforce the differences between those environments.
However, the series has drawn criticism over its depiction of advertising work and departures from the original novel. These reactions suggest that its popularity has been accompanied by debate about the story's credibility rather than unanimous approval from viewers.