Speed and Love

The weird trope and clichés aren't for me...

Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao, who is an adopted son, were raised as siblings until their parents got a divorce when Mu was 10 and Zhao in his early to mid teenage years. This background alone was enough for me to raise my eyebrows but I still gave it a chance since they were technically separated until Mu was 20, but still, it was weird. Jin Zhao basically raised her too since he's been taking care of her since she was a baby, and it was just weird to me that they made it seem like he's been yearning for her ever since they got separated when they were younger, like, a teenager liking a 10 year-old just doesn't seem right to me. The difference with how they treat each other after they were reunited was kind of crazy to me, bc it seemed like they weren't "siblings" at one point, they already had some sexual tension going on, again, weird.

I decided to just turn off my brain and ignore the part that has been bothering me so I kept watching. Everything was fine and they were actually cute and sexy when they started dating until... the accident and the breakup, things became messy after that. Like okay, I get why Jin Zhao had to send Mu away bc he wasn't sure if he could still stand up or walk so he didn't want to hold her back. But it only took him like 6 months or a year to walk normally again, I don't get why he cut off all contact with her, and everyone else basically covered up for him, which is such a crappy and selfish thing to do bc Mu was hurting for 6 years missing him. If she didn't go back to China and found his coffee shop by coincidence, then she would've continued living without knowing anything. I also hated how his friend, Sanlai, lied that her dog went missing and she was so heartbroken about it bc she wanted to bring it with her overseas 'cause she can't be by Zhao's side, but no he didn't tell her that the dog was with Zhao and just let her cry about it, Jin Zhao basically stole her dog and even renamed it. There was also the coffee shop which seemed sweet at first, but if you think about it, he established it all by himself and just gave it to her like a piece of candy, when all she wanted was to put up a shop TOGETHER.

The lack of self-respect that Jiang Mu had made me go crazy, bc she basically had to beg Jin Zhao to let her stay by his side even though she did nothing wrong because she was left out of the loop and everyone lied to her for years. I hated Jin Zhao's reason that he didn't want to hold her back, he didn't want to make her suffer blah blah, like dude, she still suffered anyway, for 6 years bc she wanted YOU, she wanted to be by YOUR SIDE all this time. He didn't even apologize enough for hiding and lying from her and making everyone else lie for him, she forgave him too easily and was desperate to get back together with him even though he's pushed her away so many times, that's just foolishness disguised as love. She also forgave the friends too easily like nothing happened.

I thought the main conflict of this drama would be the mom being against them bc they were like siblings, but no, the problem was solved in just one episode and Jin Zhao didn't even get to talk much, he just cut off the plant for her and then ta-dah it's all okay now.

Whatever, maybe I'm just not the target audience for this drama, maybe I just don't see the world through rose-colored lens.

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This drama is quite hard for me to rate. On one hand the acting by the main leads is top. Yes, Esther's voice is ever so controversial, but I feel she has done her best acting to date here. She has many epic moments with -for the cdrama genre-a surprising amount of emotional impact. The ML did well, took me a few epis to realize he is the ML from My Secret Boy. When the production team allowed him to be the bad boy, he really delivered.

On the other hand though, the story is on the bad side of mediocre, or rather it's just plain bad. Even if we ignore the ridiculousness of the specifics pertaining to the underground racing theme -which is super hard to do, because OH MY GAWD- , even then it would be difficult to not see how outlandish the plots are. ML's goals, his older "friend's" goals, alternative uses of supercars and the list of ridiculous could go on and on and on..
(We can safely assume the most people watching this show know nothing about car physics or racing & thus we can pretend the drama takes place in a parallel universe where the laws of physics are different. )

The forced separation in this one is one of the worst I seem to recall*. Sure, the fluff following after is enjoyable enough, but the finale is weird too, for instance FL's mom has gotten a complete rewrite. I'm sure the drama's defenders would say that she always loved ML, but felt immense guilt & that's why she acted like she has throughout the show, but I'm not buying it. In my opinion the writer had no idea how to wrap up the show, so after procrastination they wrapped up the mom & ML's relationship in a way that is almost as bad as a 30 minute shouting match would've been & I hate those quite a bit too.
I have questions actually, did they cut a ton of footage from the planned ending? Like what happened to FL's dad & his family?

*Scratch that, Sniper Butterfly has not happened that long ago :P

The color filter in the early episodes made me think of the NFS:UG games. It's a bit weird, but not bad weird.

The OST doesn't have much of an impact, but decided to rate the Music as a 10, because there are 2 tunes that I really liked.

Despite everything I said so far, there are moments when this show really works as a vibe drama, but most of it is not that unfortunately. The filming in Thailand really helped a lot, since at the very least -largely thanks to that- this is a rather lively drama, at least compared to what usually comes from China & that's why I decided to go for a 7 as my final score and not potentially much lower.

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The ML's Controlled Hunger Is the Plot

<< Male Lead >>

Let’s start with the ML, because wow... he absolutely blew my expectations through the roof.

He was a complete nobody in my eyes before this. Not a heartthrob at first glance. Not the second. Not even after several glances. But the moment he starts moving in this role, everything shifts to a whole new level. My gosh, he’s genuinely thirsty. You can feel his hunger. And yet, what makes it so compelling is how tightly he controls it.

I couldn’t help comparing him to the ML in Amidst a Snowstorm of Love. That character was supposed to be calm, restrained and self-disciplined, yet he felt perpetually “in heat” whenever the FL appeared. Honestly, that ML should come take lessons in what real self-restraint looks like from this one.

Here, the thirst is everywhere... in his eyes, his presence, his body language, but there’s always restraint. He carries himself with a casual chill, yet you can sense a quiet self-control in the air he breathes. He’s absolutely perfect for this role.

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<< Female Lead >>

As for the FL… I’ll be honest that I’ve never been especially fond of her. Ever since Youth With You Season 2, I’ve struggled to tolerate her deliberately cutesy voice. I was genuinely surprised by how popular she became after the show, landing FL roles one after another.

She still comes across as a bit pretentious to me, but I have to admit I was impressed by her in A Romance of the Little Forest and in this show as well. (In A Romance of the Little Forest, the chemistry was there, but the story wasn't. It isn't wort watching unless you skip straight to the leads' scenes.)

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<< Acting >>

I honestly can’t say who acts better. While I don’t find the FL’s character particularly convincing as someone a man would fall head over heels for, the ML completely sells it. He makes me believe, without question, that he is utterly gone for her.

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<< Story >>

Now, outside of the leads’ chemistry (the credit goes to ML:FL at about 65:35) and the steamy love scenes, there really isn’t much story to talk about.

I skipped a lot. Mostly fast-forwarded straight to the scenes with the two leads together. And I didn’t miss anything essential to understanding the plot.

This is very much a drama worth rewatching for that light-headed, dizzy feeling the love scenes give you, not for the story itself.

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<< Setting >>

The setting is Thailand, and the rivers, local communities and cultural scenery are visually appealing. But the overall vibe feels nostalgic. Some people might love that atmosphere. I didn’t. It feels old, not in a classic way, but in a low-maintenance, slightly dated kind of way.

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In short: This drama is right for you if you're for the ML’s controlled hunger and the leads' electric chemistry, but don’t expect a story that can glue you down.

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ML is hot in the garage! Great performance!

This show mistakes obsession for romance. Jiang Mu exists only to orbit Jin Zhao, erasing herself while he “lives” by accomplishing her dreams — yet he isn’t truly living either, since he’s chasing a life not his own. Six years pass, bad things happen, but neither grows; the show glorifies silence, waiting, and avoidance as love. Jin Zhao ghosts, hides injuries, and faces no consequences, while Jiang Mu’s devotion is romanticised despite her stagnation.

Esther’s baby-voice and expressionless performance turns what should be vulnerability into a caricature, making emotional immaturity unbearable. She hasn’t fully developed the nuances that distinguish a good actor from a great one, understandable given her experience.

The screenwriter leans on tired c-drama tropes — noble sacrifice, prolonged separation, silent suffering — and calls it depth. By the end, the “romance” is just two people stuck in each other’s dreams, never truly living, never truly growing. It’s arrested development with a soundtrack.

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At Different Paces, The Sun And Moon Share One Sky

"Speed and Love" is a modern romance that holds a familiarity of a book you can’t put down — the kind that quietly pulls you in until you realize you’re completely immersed. With its cinematic production and visually striking moments, the drama often leaves you wanting to replay scenes just to relive the emotions they evoke. It beautifully balances thrill, humor, and heart-fluttering tenderness, capturing the essence of a love shaped by shared history in a way that feels both exhilarating and sincere.

Yet, once you set aside the rose-colored glasses, the story reveals something far more layered, a quiet depth that extends beyond fleeting excitement or surface-level romance. It suggests that love isn’t found when the gear shifts into fast mode, nor in the adrenaline that fuels every reckless turn. Instead, it lives in the choice to slow down... to ease off the accelerator, to savor the quiet moments without coming to a full stop. It doesn’t need a map, because the heart already knows its way home.

STORYLINE₊ ⊹❅
The drama centers on Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao, who once grew up together as step-siblings before being separated by their parents’ divorce. Years later, they reunite, and their connection gradually deepens into something more. While this premise could have felt uncomfortable or difficult to watch, the story handles it with care by clearly establishing the true nature of their relationship from the very beginning. As a result, their bond feels less like a taboo romance and more like that of childhood sweethearts finding their way back to one another.

The story opens with the reunion of the two leads, now marked by distance, unspoken emotions, and lingering secrets. What immediately draws attention is the dynamic between Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao, a mix of familiarity and tension that makes their interactions quietly compelling and sets the tone for the emotional journey ahead. Every exchange between them feels charged, amplifying even the smallest gestures: a lingering glance, a fleeting word, a restrained reaction. These subtle moments convey a longing that is both tender and contained, a closeness that feels just within reach yet painfully distant, making the early stages of the drama especially affecting.

As the narrative progresses, the contrast between Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao becomes increasingly evident — one living with ease, the other constantly on edge. It is within this contrast that the true roots of their romance take hold. The way their relationship was made to unfold slowly, delicately, and with intention created a magnetic pull, one that lifts the heart and lingers after each scene. Though their love carries the flutter of a first romance and an intense, lingering passion, it is ultimately grounded in emotional awareness and quiet understanding. Beneath the tender moments lies a deeper resonance: a sense of truly seeing and knowing one another, which elevates their connection beyond fleeting affection and gives it lasting depth.

While the first half of the drama brims with heart-stirring sweetness, the latter half descends into emotional turmoil with the onset of the six-year separation arc. This shift, in particular, resonated with me the most. Though it may not appeal to everyone, it is precisely this portion of the story that left the strongest impression. What stood out was how, despite the distance and uncertainty that defined those years apart, the bond between Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao never wavered. With no promises made and no reassurances to cling to, they continued to live their lives in parallel, separated by circumstance, yet unwavering in their devotion.

In a reality shaped by countless choices and diverging paths, they chose each other in silence, holding on not to certainty, but to the quiet conviction of their hearts. Their relationship does not survive in spite of the difficulties they face; instead, those struggles are what shape, deepen, and ultimately prove their love. The obstacles they endure become the very reason their bond grows stronger, not something that threatens to break it. It is within their separation, their restraint, and their unwavering faith in one another that their connection truly deepens. This is what gives their story its emotional weight, a love that endures without guarantees, rooted in trust, longing, and an unspoken understanding that transcends time and distance.

Beyond the leads’ dynamic, the drama also shines through its action elements. The inclusion of fight sequences and racing scenes adds an extra layer of excitement, at times reminiscent of Fast & Furious. These moments enhance the overall viewing experience, adding momentum and intensity while allowing viewers to become even more immersed in the story. The only aspect I wished had been handled better was the execution of certain transitions and cuts, as a few scenes felt slightly abrupt or underdeveloped. That said, the storyline remained impactful overall, and these minor shortcomings did little to reduce the story’s overall weight.

CHARACTERS & ACTING₊ ⊹❅
He Yu as Jin Zhao | Brandy
Jin Zhao is a character who stands apart from the typical male leads often seen in modern c-dramas. While he may initially appear to fit the familiar “bad boy” mold, his portrayal carries a depth that feels refreshingly different. Beneath the rough edges and rebellious exterior lies a character shaped by circumstance rather than choice. He is not merely defined by attitude or bravado, but by the weight of responsibility he carried from a young age. Though he grew up as Jiang Mu’s dependable older stepbrother, Jin Zhao was, at his core, just a boy forced to mature far too early. As he grew older and became known as “Brandy” in Manshi, his image evolved into that of someone fearless and untouchable, someone constantly living on the edge. Yet beneath that hardened exterior was a young man who had spent his life suppressing vulnerability, never allowing himself the comfort of weakness. This emotional restraint was not born from pride, but from survival.

In everything he did, Jin Zhao presented strength, composure, and control, masking the weight he carried within. His life had taught him to endure silently, and in doing so, he learned to rely only on himself. It is precisely this contrast, between his hardened exterior and his unspoken fragility, that makes his character so compelling. Amid all the chaos and danger surrounding him, Jiang Mu remained his one constant, the only place where he could feel safe, understood, and at ease. She was not just someone he loved, but his refuge...the quiet warmth he had been searching for all along. Jin Zhao had always cherished Jiang Mu as though she were something impossibly precious, a fragile gem too rare to be handled carelessly, a masterpiece meant to be admired from afar. To him, she was like the moon itself: radiant in the dark sky, luminous and beautiful, yet distant enough that he dared not reach for her too boldly. He never wanted to be the cloud that dimmed her light. Instead, he chose to stand beneath it, protecting her even if it meant remaining in the shadows.

Though his choices may have appeared selfish or wrong, they were born from a place of fierce love and self-sacrifice. He took away her right to choose not because he doubted her, but because he believed the weight of his world was never meant to rest on her shoulders. Standing at the edge of an uncertain future, with no stability or safety to offer, he could not bear the thought of dragging her into the chaos he was navigating. So he chose to shoulder the pain alone, to carry the burden quietly, believing that loving her meant shielding her, even if it meant breaking his own heart. Jin Zhao loved Jiang Mu not only deeply, but wholly. He loved her in all her layers, in every detail that made her who she was. His love was not loud or possessive; it was reverent, knowing, and profoundly selfless. It embodied the truth that to truly love someone is to see them fully, to understand their light, their fears, their worth, and to choose them even from afar.

This was my first time watching He Yu’s work, and I was genuinely taken by surprise by how exceptionally well he embodied the role of Jin Zhao. The character felt as though it had been written specifically for him. While his striking presence certainly adds to the appeal, what truly stood out was the depth of his performance. From his aura and subtle micro-expressions to his soft, gentle speaking voice which is a rarity among many C-drama actors known for deeper, more rugged tones, he brought something uniquely captivating to the screen. He Yu possesses a remarkable ability to convey emotion through the smallest details. His expressions, body language, and line delivery carried an emotional weight that felt natural and deeply resonant with the character. It was evident how much intention and care he put into portraying Jin Zhao, making every scene feel authentic and lived-in. His dedication extended beyond performance alone; his effort in learning to race and his involvement in shaping his character’s style further demonstrated his commitment to the role. Altogether, He Yu delivered a performance that was both nuanced and compelling. His portrayal not only elevated the character but also left a lasting impression, marking him as a truly promising actor whose work deserves recognition and attention.

Esther Yu as Jiang Mu
Jiang Mu is a character who, at first glance, appears to embody sunshine and softness. In her early years, she may come across as naive, sheltered, or even childlike, but what makes her truly compelling is the depth that lies beneath that gentle exterior. The warmth and innocence she displays are not traits she offers freely to everyone; they are reserved almost exclusively for Jin Zhao. Beneath her softness exists a quiet strength and emotional maturity that often goes unnoticed. While her innocence may initially seem excessive or overly idealized, something that even gave me pause in the early episodes, the more the story unfolds, the clearer her true nature becomes. What appears as childishness is, in fact, a conscious vulnerability. Her gentleness is not weakness, but choice. She allows herself to be soft only with Jin Zhao, not out of dependency or infatuation, but because with him, she feels safe enough to lower her guard.

In doing so, Jiang Mu reveals her deepest form of strength. She lays herself bare not to be protected, but to offer protection in return — to give Jin Zhao a place of warmth, comfort, and emotional refuge. It is through this quiet act of trust that her character truly shines. Her love is not loud or demanding, but deeply intentional, rooted in empathy and understanding. In allowing herself to be seen by him, she becomes his safe harbor, proving that gentleness, when paired with emotional courage, can be one of the most powerful forces of all.

While Jiang Mu was deeply hurt by Jin Zhao’s choice to protect her by pushing her away, she could have easily turned her heart elsewhere. She had every reason to do so, every justification to walk away. Yet she didn’t. For her, love had always pointed in only one direction...toward Jin Zhao. Her devotion was unwavering, not born from blind attachment, but from quiet certainty. She loved him not in spite of the pain, but with the understanding of it. What makes Jiang Mu remarkable is that her love was never passive. She, too, was someone who chose to protect. Where Jin Zhao shielded her from harm, she became his anchor. In moments when the world felt uncertain and the future unclear, she was the one who offered steadiness and reassurance. As she once expressed, she was never his weakness, she was his navigation. Through her presence, Jin Zhao found direction, warmth, and a sense of safety he had never known before. In loving him, she became his refuge, just as he had always been hers.

Esther Yu delivered a commendable performance in this drama, but it was during the Nanjing arc that she truly stood out. This portion of the story highlighted her strongest acting to date, showcasing a noticeable growth in emotional depth and control compared to her previous works. Jiang Mu proved to be a role that allowed her to step beyond her usual range and fully explore the character’s inner complexity. Her performance reflected a deeper understanding of her character, and it was clear how much care and effort she invested, making her portrayal both compelling and deserving of praise.

OSTs₊ ⊹❅
This drama features one of the most memorable OSTs i’ve come across, one that I deeply resonated with. The OSTs were beautifully composed, and the background music was thoughtfully chosen to enhance each moment rather than simply accompany it. Every track felt purposeful, amplifying the emotional weight of key scenes and elevating the overall viewing experience. Even after finishing the drama, I find myself returning to them.

OVERALL IMPRESSION₊ ⊹❅
In the end, Speed and Love reminds us that love isn’t about arriving first or moving at the world’s relentless pace. Like the sun and the moon, its lovers exist in different moments of time—day and night, motion and pause, yet are never truly apart because they share the same sky. In a world that rushes forward and forgets how to yearn, this drama holds space for the quiet beauty of a love that still chooses to wait. It is a powerful reminder that while little in this world may be absolute, there can still be one person who chooses to love...steadfastly, through every single day and every single night.

FAVE SCENES₊ ⊹❅
- Jin Zhao comforting Jiang Mu when she was in pain due to her cramps
- All of Jin Zhao's fighting and race car scenes
- New Year's piggyback scene
- Jiang Mu's drifting confession and Jin Zhao's reply to her confession
- Lin Sui and Jin Zhao's moments especially the market scene
- San Lai's advice to Jin Zhao
- All the kiss scenes
- After 6 years separation, Jiang Mu explaining to Jin Zhao about the sun and moon on episode 25

˖ . ݁❅𝜗𝜚❅. ݁₊

"The Sun and Moon alternate. Even natural laws aren't absolute, let alone people. The sun shines by day, and the moon by night. The sun and moon shine together, and will never be apart." — Jiang Mu

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THE STORY IS SPICY, AND THE DELIVERY IS DAMN HOT!

This drama is LIT. But don't be fooled by the hype, this isn't a one size fits all crowd-pleaser. It's a love-it-or-hate-it.

You will have a bad time with this drama if:
*You're uncomfortable with pseudo-incest dramas
*You can't stand FL's babydoll brand of coquettishness
*You go in with high expectations that this is going to be some kind of Lighter & Princess or Amidst A Snowstorm Of Love

You will have a good time with this if:
*You go into it knowing that you're watching basically a pimped out on steroids version of a short-length c-drama scorcher.
* Your standards are "I hope it's at least as good as Embrace In The Dark Night"
* You like it when your dramas play up the "dark ML/ light FL" dynamic

If this sounds like your scene, then this is what you will get:

DARK FIRE DONE RIGHT. This is the most clutch point you need to know about this drama.... it has a kinky side. If you can't handle taboo/dark/forbidden/morally gray stuff, you gonna dislike this show. ML and FL are not blood related. But he fed her her first bottle when she was a baby, they show a flashback scene of it. Mkay. And that's the basic foundational dynamic. He played an outsized role in raising her for the first half of her life. Now that the two of them are of-age, they are semi-cohabitating alone together, and their father is ambivalent about it. He probably wanted to see them get together from the time she was born. There's a scene where ML goes to her parent-day at school. It's like that.

Now add another layer: They take it to the next level with the innocent/badboy dynamics here. They dress her up in barettes and little girl dresses and corsets and frills with porcelain perfect skin and she does the babydoll thing. They put him in black hoodies, old ripped up metallica tees, leather, black raver pants, and he almost never cracks a smile or loses his cool.

Not only that, but seen through a green-flag lens, he's allowing his attraction to her to drag her down into a life full of risks and crime and danger, throw away her future education and career prospects, and tie her down without any real way of supporting her. And he's practically her brother.

If all of that bothers you, this is not your drama. For some of us, this dynamic is completely lit. And we don't get enough of our kind of romance stories. You green flaggers have so many dramas to choose from, we don't. Our romance stories always have to do so much extra to make it past censors and find a good script and get funding. Well this one's for us, not for you! We like it DARK!

Now that the green-flaggers have been scared off, let me just say to everyone still interested even after all that: Waaaahhhhhh they nailed it!!!

Yes, FL is doing babydoll. But the way she does it here is ***justified by the script***, and feels genuine compared to many other FL's who try to do babydoll and fail. Her EQ is high. She is often quiet, shy, or demure. But she is very clever, and often her silence is her shield. She uses it to stop and think things out carefully on her own before she acts. She also has a precocious, brave, independent side. She is unafraid in many situations: She unflinchingly navigates during car chases and she takes it upon herself to learn to drive racecars, she jumps in to melees and kicks bad guys' asses, she can stand alone in the center of a crowd of intimidating people in an unfamiliar situation and keep her cool no problem. Without asking anyone's permission, she enrolls herself in school, and she insists on getting her way when something is important to her. She is actually a strong personality. That's why she can *afford* to act so soft and sweet and innocent. She is NOT a doormat, and she is NOT infantile or helpless.

ML is stoic, protective, secretive, and is tortured by a constant low-grade guilt that comes from knowing that having a thing for the girl you fed bottles to as an infant is basically deviant. Yet that guilt is always wrestling in his mind with another part of him that is fierce and unapologetic in his desire for her. And he is a total shitkicker. He's always banged up, bruised up, covered in dirt, sweat or blood.

It goes so much harder and darker than Hidden Love, and with NO groomy aftertaste.

EXCELLENT FASHION. The hair. The clothes. The shoes. The makeup. The sets. The way they portray Thailand. The color palatte. The dialogue. The extras. The cars. The people involved in creating the aesthetics for this show really had their shit together. Coture + thrift store = HOT. There is always a contrast and a seamless melding between rich and poor, having everything and having nothing. It feels authentic. Everything has it's own beauty. Extras and side characters are treated right by stylists, and full justice is done for the script.

CARS! I love how the topic of the drama is not treated as just a pretext for romance and fight scenes. It's treated like it's an important part of the story. This makes cars sexy and interesting, and gets you so involved with the racing scenes in a way that reminds me of Days of Thunder, F&F, or Rush. And yet it is still a *romance*. It doesn't look like some male person's testosterone and car fanaticism muscled out the softer and more romantic side of the story. It's a completely seamless blend of both.

This drama kicks the sh*t out of Fast and Furious, Need for Speed, and Mia Culpa. It also kicks the sh*t out of almost every other badboy ML romance out there, and in this sense, just as far as 'ultimate badboy' characters go, ranks among some of the best with stories like SOPK, WDBTD, EITDN, LOTEOD, MLM, and TTEOTM.

Now there is just one true caveat: This is one of those dramas that peters out at the 2/3 mark and ends in a whimper and not a bang. Is there a time-skip, are there montage scenes, does it drag, does the chemistry fade, do ML and FL stop getting screentime together, are there misunderstandings, do the clothes start to look stupid, do they juuust miss eachother 15 times before they reunite... yes. All the things. So expect to spend the first 2/3 of the drama enthralled, and the last third yelling at the characters and just generally being bummed that it stopped being awesome. But honestly. WORTH IT for the first 2/3 alone, the tradeoff is that you just have to tolerate the last eps to finish it. And it's not thaaat bad, but it's not what we signed up for when we started is all.

Started off as a 10, one point off for not recognizing that the last section of the drama needed a total creative overhaul because they wanted to give me angst, but all I got was eyeroll and exasperated sigh.

9/10

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All u need to know abt this drama is under this review!!

I really enjoyed watching speed nd love. The story pulled me in right away, it's not just abt racing, but abt how love nd personal growth can be tested by circumstances.


In the first part we saw the main leads meeting after such a long time of being separated due to the female lead parents divorce. Mumu was young innocent nd jin zhao being a father to her by caring nd protecting her til their relationship gradually began to transform frm being like siblings (w no blood ties ofc) to lovers.


Then in the second part they faced another separation because of jin zhao health issue after the car accident when he was carrying out his task he kept her away frm him so that he wouldn't be a burden on her nd let her focuses on her mom nd her future so she can meet a proper guy, nd as a result of all this we saw a change in her personality, she became more serious nd mature.


After her mom recovered nd her health improved, she decided to return to her hometown to see him again. There, she began to investigate his life : what had become of him, what he was doing, nd why he had distanced himself frm her because he didn't tell her abt his health so as not to scare her. And yeah finally she knows everything nd they revived their relationship again.


Then the acting frm the leads was excellent, they made the emotions believable without overdoing it. And their chemistry was sooo strong, whether they were playful or serious u could feel the connection.


So overall, it's a drama that mixes excitement w heartfelt emotion nd am glad i watched it.

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An undisputed gem!

Ohh Speed and Love can words fully express how I felt about you and how you made me feel!?? Ohh silly me crying while writing this review!🥹😭

Having second thoughts about watching this drama?? Say no more, hope onto the train and watch this gem as soon as possible! Speed and Love caught my heart not only because of my love for Esther but the storyline, OST, cinematography, chemistry and all the other actors input left me without any other option but to deeply fall for it!

As someone who didn’t read the novel, watching this drama was like discovering a gold mine which other people had already started digging into but that didn’t mean I missed out on getting my fair share of enjoyment!

The storyline was one l found enjoyable and relatable. Throughout the drama, l stood by both Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao. They both had crosses to carry and for that they deserved grace rather than criticism. As you watch this drama, bear in mind that Jin Zhao is a man full of love yet he found himself entangled in a web of misfortunes. He was a man who grew up with little to no love yet he grew up to be a man full of love and that needs to be applauded. He always hoped to be a man who is responsible, one to provide for his loved ones and he never wanted to be a burden to anyone. It bruised his ego or should l say he felt as a failure if he couldn’t be a provider or shoulder to lean on towards his loved ones. The misfortunes he faced in his life left him bruised yet he tried to cover it all up while showing other people his brightest side without dimming their light! Despite the painful childhood he experienced, he chose to make it nurture him into a better man! He chose not to hold any bad intentions towards anyone🥹😭To better understand and enjoy the drama, try putting yourself in Jin Zhao’s shoes when things are being shown from his perceptive. He was a man who needed help so please cut him some slack! Honestly after seeing how Mumu’s mum treated him, l honestly don’t blame him for feeling torn and inadequate for the 6 years they were apart! He’s a responsible man who chose not to be rebellious but courteous throughout the drama! This drama is my first He Yu drama, l must say he delivered an award worthy performance from the beginning till the end. I am still in awe of how just his facial expressions without saying a single word could make me feel and understand the emotions he needed to convey!😭 That man has talent which deserves to be applauded.

Ohh my girl Jiang Mu! You are too innocent for this world!😭 Firstly, l would like to applaud the production team for showing us a total 180 degrees of her character development. We started off the show with a very innocent, unbothered, loving and cute girlie yet we ended with a mature, loving and subtle cute lady. One thing l appreciate is she didn’t lose her lovable traits regardless of how she felt torn during moments of separation. As you watch the drama, l hope you realise that she is a cute girlie but she was never naive! Throughout the drama, we were shown that she’s the lady who would get anything and everything done as long as she put her mind to it. Esther Yu was born to be Jiang Mu and I will continue to stand by that! The cuteness and bubbliness Jin Zhao expected to see in his long lost childhood friend is exactly what Esther gave us. The outfits and styling deserve a full review of their own because they were amazing throughout the show!

An important issue l have to address is that of the female lead constantly chasing the male lead. In all honesty, l feel like that’s where some of the beauty of the drama lies. Many people hoped the male lead would at some point, aggressively pursue her but that’s not how they showed it. Truth be told, she was stupidly chasing him, she built herself first rather than being completely immersed in her love interest! As someone who would never constantly pursue a man, l stand by Mumu in this drama. This wasn’t some one-sided type of love! She wasn’t chasing after a man who wasn’t going after! She wasn’t chasing after someone who hadn’t shown her how much love he can give and the world he could provide for her! As you watch this drama, keep in mind that both Mumu and Zhao had their different ways of expressing themselves and their love for each other. Even the doctor mentioned that Zhao needed psychological help thus he needed someone to be there for him not give up on him. The only thing we were dealing with here was that Zhao had battles to fight within his mind before he could even fight for the love of his life. The fact that Mumu stayed helped him heal and realize that he too is worth loving. At the end of the day he did stand up to face Mumu’s mum which was a battle he eventually needed to fight to prove his love for Mumu!

Trust Speed and love to put you through a rollercoaster of emotions! I would gladly recommend you to watch it for this! From giggling, throwing your feet in the air, leaping with joy, screaming, blushing, sobbing, and screaming, you will experience it all. I lost count of the number of times I found myself grabbing my tissues to wipe my teary eyes or the moments l had to shove myself under a blanket to giggle and blush! It’s packed with scenes in which the actors made sure to put us through the same emotions they felt while shooting this turning the drama into reality. Watching this drama till the end had to be the worst and best things l had been looking forward to! It’s too precious to let go yet to enjoyable to spark my curiosity to finish it 😭😭😭

Ummm excuse me, who decided on casting He Yu and Esther Yu!!!!! I hope their pockets never run dry because that was one of the best casting l have ever seen in Cdrama land. Before they even have intimate moments, their chemistry was already overflowing! The gazes and hot stares from He Yu meeting the innocent stares from Esther Yu could easily light up the Equatorial rainforest😂😭 The way they had me on chokehold anytime their emotions changed making sure they take me along still baffles me!

I have no complaints for any of the supporting cast!! Regardless of their limited appearances, they delivered exactly what needed to be delivered in order to make this drama a gem. Sanlai, you will forever be famous as a supportive, lovable, loving and cheerful friend! At some points he even gave uncle vibes as he always hyped Mumu while giving love life nuggets to Zhao!😂😭

Mike and Patrick’s aura deserve standing ovations! They made their appearances memorable. Jiang Mu’s dad really nailed the duality of stupidity and seriousness! Ohh Nana was such a girlie’s girl, trust me her interactions with Mumu are worth watching! The bromance un this drama is top tier! Sanlai-Zhao / Zhao-Sui / Sanlai-Zhao-Crazy Jin😭💕

However there’s no man made thing without flaws. I do wish they hadn’t lengthened the breakup time but it’s understandable considering how they tried as much as possible to follow the novel’s plot. Moreover, the long breakup time might have triggered the drama to be slow paced at some point as we became more focused on Mumu’s side of life. Regardless of this, the storyline is still enjoyable it’s only a matter of adjusting as the first half of the drama was a bit fast paced. My heart bleeds for the brutal cutting of scenes they did to Speed and love episodes. While watching the drama, you may notice unsmooth transitions between scenes or gaps in some parts of the plot. Despite its flaws, Speed and love is still an awesome drama worth sparing your time for.

The OST definitely caught me off guard! Each scene had an OST to perfectly blend with it in order to trigger all expected emotions! Ohh my girl Mumu singing The moon represents my heart holds a special place in my heart, it’s a moment I would like everyone to witness!🥹💕

The cinematography during the fighting and racing scenes is definitely unmatched! The tension they created just from the intimate scenes!!! I don’t even know if l should say either the racing scenes or the love story was the bonus because both storylines served us properly leaving no room for doubt! Ohh dear reader, dive into the pot of honey and witness a love story unlike any other! Their love story is one for the books! Despite the ups and downs they made sure to fulfill the words we had right from the beginning, “ Mumu and Zhao, the moon and sun, day and night, always together, never to be apart!” Yes, we did get a happy ending 🥹🫂💕


My biggest wish is to forget this drama so that l can rewatch it and experience all the emotions l felt initially all over again. While it was ongoing I rewatched all episodes over 6 times yet each time l was entangled in a web of emotions as if it was my first time watching it. That is just the beauty of the gem, SPEED AND LOVE!

Above everything else, the strengths of the drama undisputedly overlap the flaws! This was definitely a top tier production!! Beloved reader, even in my sleep, l would confidently recommend you to watch Speed and love!

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Pulls you in and keeps you in

I don’t have a problem with the brother/sister issue because there is none. They are not blood relatives. What woman would not want the man in her life to let her lead him and be spoiled by him? Loved the racing part of the drama when MuMu learned to drift and make the heart shape. Both main actors can cry so believably at the right scene. And he said he would beat up the bastard who treated MuMu badly so would that not mean he would have to beat himself up if he let her stay with him post car accident when he was crippled and can not even walk? Wished the wedding scene was more fun than them eloping as all their friends are hung over from the night before.

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Siblings but not really siblings....

I wanted to like Speed and Love, and the beginning had some charm, but I really couldn’t get past the main premise. The leads growing up as siblings—even though they’re not blood-related—felt uncomfortable and borderline incestuous, which overshadowed any chemistry the show tried to build. I will not deny the leads had chemistry but this girl literally saw him as her brother up until the middle of the story. I couldn't get past that.

The story lost momentum around the middle and became completely boring by the time the leads got together. I also hate the whole "I'm leaving you now because it's for your own good" trope.

The acting was fine, except for the fact that I was annoyed by Esther Yu's acting throughout the drama. She can act without a doubt, just didn't like her in this one. The production and music were competent, but the premise just ruined it for me. Overall, it was an okay drama, just not for me.

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