New drama flips the startup dream

Picture this improbable scenario: a young man is ruthlessly fired without receiving any compensation. Just as he braces himself for the grind of job hunting, he receives a surprising invitation from an angel investment firm.

His assignment is to achieve one seemingly absurd goal: to start a company and make sure it continually loses money. The bigger the company's losses, the larger his bonus.

This is the premise of No Pain No Gain, a workplace-themed drama that began streaming on Tencent Video on Saturday.

Adapted from writer Qingshan Quzui's novel Kui Cheng Shoufu Cong Youxi Kaishi (Becoming the Richest Man from Developing a Game), the 26-episode series stars Peng Yuchang as the protagonist who navigates this bizarre experiment.

Told through a comedic lens, the show resonates with urban youth grappling with workplace pressure — often through ironic twists.

For instance, the protagonist enforces a series of rules designed to avoid turning a profit, from banning overtime to abolishing KPIs and offering salaries far above market rates.

Ironically, these policies spark passion and loyalty in his employees. Feeling trusted and well-paid, they propel the company toward unexpected success — transforming the boss' loss-making plan into a profitable enterprise.

Though unable to explain his true predicament, the protagonist becomes a conscientious boss in his employees' eyes, an industry-recognized business prodigy, while his company grows into the wealthiest conglomerate in the region.

Now one of the most popular dramas online, the series has amassed over 3 billion views from the released episodes, as well as related topics, and short videos on major social platforms such as Sina Weibo, according to industry tracker Maoyan Pro.