“I’m telling you—don’t get any ideas about me.”His words are cold, but his heart falls even faster.
"Ordinary" Life and "Poor" Husband is an English-language urban romance short drama that tells an unexpectedly addictive story with a light, effortless touch. It blends classic tropes like CEO romance and hidden identity, yet never feels over-the-top or greasy. Carol, a food delivery worker drowning in debt, agrees to marry Nigel—a man who appears completely broke—in exchange for money. What she doesn’t know is that Nigel is actually a top-tier CEO deliberately playing poor. Instead of cheap melodrama, the drama leans into emotional push-and-pull and subtle testing of feelings. If you love romances where characters pretend to be indifferent while quietly falling hard, this one is dangerously binge-worthy.
A marriage that begins with two strangers is compelling not because of the identity twist itself, but because of how emotions shift through hesitation, misunderstanding, and quiet closeness.
Carol is the kind of female lead who softens your heart the moment she appears. She works as a part-time delivery driver, chased by debt, yet never loses her kindness. Standing up for an elderly man at a bun shop is instinctive for her. Agreeing to marriage for $200,000 isn’t opportunism—it’s a rational choice made when life backs her into a corner.
She understands the weight of money, which makes her cautious with emotions. With Nigel, Carol doesn’t demand love or security. She offers an IOU, her word, and patience. Her emotional strength lies not in dramatic breakdowns, but in that quiet, resolute line: “I’m willing.” She chooses dignity even in hardship—and that restraint makes her increasingly heartbreaking to watch.
Nigel’s complexity begins the moment he chooses to pretend he’s poor. As the heir to Denton’s wealthiest family, he’s long been guarded about money and relationships. Pressured by his grandfather, he hides his identity both to protect himself and to push Carol away.
But the longer they live together, the more he realizes he has underestimated her sincerity and boundaries. His arc—from emotional distance, to reluctant softness, to inner conflict—unfolds slowly and convincingly. Nigel isn’t a typical cold CEO; he’s someone trapped by past experiences. The real question isn’t whether he loves Carol, but when he’ll dare to tell the truth—because once he does, he loses his last shield.
Much of Nigel’s emotional struggle comes from his family. His grandfather, the driving force behind everything, appears overbearing but is laser-focused on finding the “right” partner for his grandson. He’s both matchmaker and pressure source.
Nigel’s mother and her social circle represent another world entirely—status, power, and the danger of exposure. This family network explains why Nigel hides his identity and fuels Carol’s growing suspicions. The family wants a “suitable match,” but the true test of this marriage begins when the truth comes out: will they still stand on the same side?

The story begins with a small act of kindness. Carol helps an elderly man being harassed at a bun shop, only to be pulled into a carefully arranged blind date. To repay her late mother’s medical debts, she rationally agrees to a $200,000 marriage. Under pressure from his grandfather, Nigel hides his CEO identity and enters the relationship as a “poor husband.”
The marriage happens fast, but feelings grow quietly through everyday life. Misunderstandings, testing, and soft-hearted moments coexist, warming the story with light comedy while planting the ticking bomb of an inevitable reveal. Honestly, I’m already waiting for the next twist—if you’re curious, go watch the full "Ordinary" Life and "Poor" Husband now.
Everything starts with one brave moment at a bun shop. Carol’s kindness pushes her straight into Nigel’s carefully controlled life. A humiliated elderly man, a derailed blind date, and a male lead determined to play poor all collide in Episode 1. It opens lightly but plants the identity bomb with precision—simple on the surface, surprisingly layered underneath.
A debt collector’s call rips away the rom-com filter and exposes harsh reality. The $200,000 dowry becomes a blunt price tag on marriage. Nigel tests and misjudges her motives with biting sarcasm, while Carol makes a calm but decisive choice. Episode 3 pushes emotions to their peak and marks the true takeoff of this contract-marriage romance.
I clicked into "Ordinary" Life and "Poor" Husband casually, never expecting to be pulled in so quickly. The pacing is light but never shallow, using the “fake poor husband + contract marriage” setup to capture real-life texture. Carol’s restraint and kindness, paired with Nigel’s line, “Don’t get any ideas about me,” instantly ground the characters.
The frequent close-up shots highlight subtle expressions, letting emotions flow naturally without forced melodrama. Watching this after a long workday, I was unexpectedly comforted—it’s a reminder that sincerity and kindness still matter, even in the messiest situations.

[ENG DUB] From Chance Encounter to Cherished Bride tells the story of Moon Shawn, who accidentally stumbles into elite society while escaping a blind date, and ends up marrying powerful heir Salem Lachlan. What looks like a romantic accident is actually a dual hidden identity battle—Salem conceals his influence, while Moon hides her genius. As truths surface, trust and jealousy spiral together, delivering fast emotional reversals and a classic sweet-then-explosive arc.
Chaotic, Charming, and Forever Mine follows Alicia Bennett, who assumes another woman’s identity to save her father and is dragged into a dangerous marriage. By day, she’s a capable assistant; by night, a “stranger” in her husband’s bed. Here, hidden identity is survival, not romance. Power, desire, and lies escalate until the final reveal detonates both love and betrayal at once.
If you want to watch "Ordinary" Life and "Poor" Husband for free, you can check GoodShorts (GS), which offers access to officially released episodes. GS has a wide short-drama library and makes it easy to sample the story before committing to the full series.
Unlike typical CEO romances that rush toward identity reveals for instant payoff, this drama focuses on everyday interactions. Nigel’s “playing poor” feels like emotional armor, while Carol’s decisions are driven by real-world pressure rather than blind romance. This grounded storytelling makes the emotional progression feel more genuine and relatable.
If you enjoy hidden identity + contract marriage tropes without excessive melodrama, this series is well worth watching. It avoids piling on clichés and instead lets emotions build through ordinary moments. Carol’s restraint and Nigel’s cautious testing make the relationship feel natural and increasingly engaging.
In the episodes released so far, Carol and Nigel are bound by a contract marriage, but their emotional ending remains open. Their growing closeness feels real, yet trust hasn’t fully formed. The story clearly prioritizes one question: when the truth is revealed, will they still choose each other?


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