Truly a MASTERPIECE✨ and the BEST way to finish the year
I don't even know where to start.I started this just to pass some time, but man, was I in for a RIDE.
Let me just start off with my new reason for living, simultaneously the bane of my existence-- HE YU. He is not just fine. I've seen some of his other works before, but in this one, he is just utterly... STUNNING. Magnetic. Irresistibly captivating😮💨. The producers and cameramen deserve a raise because the way the camera caught all his best angles and slow motion/close-ups? A cinematic masterpiece 👏🏻 Even qualities I highly dislike in men, he can somehow make appealing-- a mullet, the scar under his eye, his slight cleft chin, even his freaking SWEAT. Like, no way was I ovulating the whole time the drama aired LOL but he was just otherworldly attractive. 🥵🤤 And seeing all the behind the scenes of him actually driving his car? Unbelievable.
Okay, I digress.
The storyline itself sounded interesting enough to get me to start, though I'm not a fan of the Culpa Mia parallel where step siblings get together. In this one, they aren't even legally step siblings though, so that clarification really helped clear the air on their potential future relationship. I quite liked the drama starting off with them reuniting after a long break, with flashbacks aded here and there. I think if it started off with them as kids, it would NOT have had the same impact at all. It's the vagueness of how close they were as children, and whether or not they kept in touch til they became adults, that adds to the tension and curiosity as the episodes progress.
Side characters are always so crucial to a good storytelling, because you learn to form different opinions of different characters who help build the plot in their own ways, good or bad. Speed and Love had such an amazing set of side characters. Mike Angelo was such a nice addition to the cast, not just because of the nostalgic vibes he gives from his previous drama with Esther as the two leads, but he gives an almost mysterious vibe where you're unsure whether or not he'd be the villain. Watch to find out hehe. Otherwise, the friend group and even some others like Wan Qing may not have had a lot of screen time, but they gave such strong impact that you can't help but wish the drama were longer just so they could appear more.
Another small factor that I found really interesting and not something I see in many Chinese dramas, is how they filmed a LOT of episodes overseas. This one was in Thailand, and I just thought it brought such an interesting setting and ambience that filming in a set can't bring. The authenticity was nice, though they did noticeably dub a lot of the Thai dialogue. I have yet to watch their variety show spinoff Thai is Sweet, but that's because I feel like finishing that will really mean I'm saying goodbye, which I don't think I'm ready to do yet🥲
And finally, our leads and their chemistry🧪hahah
Esther Yu is such an adorable actress, with her bubbly🥰 character really giving a strong impression in all the dramas she stars in. Because of how strong her character is, she is both positively and negatively criticized in all her works, but I quite liked her in this one. She does have the naive girl persona, but it fits her character as the younger sister, and there is a considerable change after the time skip in her maturity. If I had to choose one thing that did bother me, it would maybe be how she pouts😗 a lot when kissing her male partners, so it may seem like she's not immersing herself into a romantic scene. But regardless, her crying scenes were quite emotional and I think her performance was great. Back to our male lead😅 He Yu, like I said, was truly the scene stealer. Sorry to everyone else, but his character was the PERFECT "bad boy is not really bad and actually cares for those he loves" with the almost-rugged look as a car mechanic, and then the complete flip when he races oh my goodness. Even later on in the drama when they're a bit older, his style completely changes, and he's still SO ATTRACTIVE in a cleaner smart-boy look... though preference-wise I surprisingly found the former more charismatic and appealing. BOTH WORK THOUGH hahaha 👏🏻bravo. UGH this character will be SO SO HARD to beat in the future.
Their chemistry grows at the most PERFECT pace. They obviously aren't that close in the beginning, but as they spend more time together you can literally see how important one sees the other, and the small acts of affection even before they get together are sweeter than honey🍯 And when they do get together? Just more perfectness.
The soundtrack was also perfect. A different song for a different vibe, and matching the tension. Especially paired with the camera zooming in on details like clenched hands, or capturing angles in such mesmerizing ways.
THIS DRAMA JUST GAVE ME THE FEELS IN EVERY SINGLE EPISODE. Trust me and give this a go. I'll probably rewatch this 30 times before I die. Can't believe it's already over😭
Was this review helpful to you?
A Perfect C-Drama to End the Year
This C-drama truly stands out as one of the best ways to end the year, offering a captivating blend of strong storytelling, emotional depth, and remarkable performances from its cast. From the very first episode, it manages to pull you into its world with a sense of warmth, sincerity, and charm that only a few dramas genuinely achieve. What makes this series so memorable is not just its plot, but the way each character feels alive, layered, and relatable. The writers have clearly put effort into crafting a story that balances romance, friendship, growth, and conflict without ever feeling overwhelming or forced.One of the most impressive aspects of this drama is its ability to maintain a consistent pace throughout. The storyline never drags, yet it doesn’t rush important emotional moments. Each episode builds upon the last, slowly deepening the bonds between characters while revealing new layers of their personalities. The character development is beautifully handled—no one feels flat, and every action has purpose. Whether it’s the main couple’s evolving relationship or the supporting characters’ individual journeys, every thread contributes meaningfully to the larger narrative.
Was this review helpful to you?
From Daydream to Drama
Speed and Love follows the lives of two siblings whose paths split early and collide again years later. Jiang Mu, affectionately called Mu Mu, grows up sheltered and adored, while her brilliant older brother Jin Zhao, affectionately called Zhao Zhao, is forced to grow up fast. When Mu Mu is nine, their parents’ divorce sends Jin Zhao and their father to Thailand, effectively severing the bond between the siblings and placing them on two very different life tracks. Years later, Mu Mu learns a life-altering truth: Jin Zhao is adopted. Determined to reconnect, she travels to Thailand alone, only to discover that the elegant, gentle boy she once knew has transformed into a rough-edged young man shaped by street life, underground racing, and boxing. His world is fast, dangerous, and wildly unfamiliar to her.Instead of backing away, Mu Mu steps forward. With her natural warmth, empathy, and quiet determination, she gradually integrates into Jin Zhao’s life and their father’s new family. As Jin Zhao’s co-pilot and emotional anchor, Mu Mu becomes his perfect navigator, both on the road and in life. Seeing him trapped in a cycle of danger and self-destruction, she resolves to pull him out and bring him home. Fate, however, has other plans. An accident separates them once more, forcing Mu Mu to shoulder responsibility for the family while carrying forward their shared aerospace dream. Years later, after graduation, Mu Mu returns to China, where destiny gives the siblings one final reunion in Nanjing—this time as changed adults, shaped by love, loss, and longing.
Let’s get one thing out of the way first: the chemistry is chemistry-ing. From the very beginning, Speed and Love thrives on its leads’ electric dynamic. The cute, heart-fluttering moments between Mu Mu and Jin Zhao were plentiful and dangerously addictive. Every smile, lingering glance, and quiet moment felt intentional, making it impossible not to root for them. Add in a surprisingly lovable ensemble cast, and the drama quickly becomes something you emotionally settle into. Visually and stylistically, the drama delivers. The fighting choreography and racing scenes were exciting and well-shot, giving Jin Zhao’s world an edge that contrasted nicely with Mu Mu’s softer presence. Costume, makeup, and hair were consistently on point, and I especially loved how the outfits subtly evolved to reflect different phases of the characters’ lives. Thailand-era Jin Zhao and China-era Jin Zhao almost feel like two different brands of masculinity, each with their own charm and appeal.
What makes this contrast even more compelling is why Jin Zhao feels so different in these two phases of his life. Growing up poor, his body was his only asset, his pride, and his means of survival. In Thailand, Jin Zhao’s sense of masculinity was rooted in physicality through racing, fighting, and endurance. When the accident took that away from him, it did not just leave him injured. It stripped him of his identity. Losing his strength meant losing the one thing he believed made him worthy, which explains both his physical and emotional withdrawal and why he chose to leave Mu Mu for six years. In his mind, he had become something broken and unfit to stand beside someone as pure and promising as her. What makes Jin Zhao’s character arc especially satisfying is how he rebuilds himself afterward. In China, he forms a new identity through intellect and stability by continuing his studies, opening a café, and creating a future that no longer relies on brute strength. His masculinity shifts from body to mind, from survival to purpose. Thailand Jin Zhao was defined by what his body could endure, while China Jin Zhao is defined by what his mind and heart can sustain. Once you see this shift, his choices feel less frustrating and far more tragic.
That said, the Thailand setting itself was… questionable. The city often looked overly staged, almost theatrical, which broke immersion at times. Supporting characters also felt oddly out of place, with an overwhelming number of Western extras when Thai or more Asian-looking characters would have made the setting feel more authentic. There were also noticeable technical hiccups, like the camera slip in episode 10 during Lin Sui and Mu Mu's drifting lesson, and unnecessary lighting movements in certain scenes (looking at you, garage scenes). The editing didn’t always help either, with obvious skips that made the story flow feel jumpy.
Story-wise, let’s be honest: this drama is basically a y/n daydream turned live-action. One of Speed and Love’s biggest strengths lies in how perfectly Esther and He Yu embody two completely contrasting vibes, bringing Mu Mu and Jin Zhao to life. Much like Mu Mu, Esther feels like a ray of sunshine, radiating purity, innocence, youth, and quiet resilience. In contrast, He Yu mirrors Jin Zhao’s aloof, bad boy, street-hardened masculinity with effortless ease. This sharp contrast is exactly what hooks viewers, especially hopeless romantics who live for the bad boy good girl dynamic. It creates that addictive tension that keeps you watching episode after episode. Their personalities clash in the most delicious way, and the slow-burn pursuit in Thailand was peak tension. Both characters yearned deeply, just in different ways, and their love felt passionate, almost combustible. I found myself cheering Mu Mu on more than once, mentally yelling, “YES, YOU GO GIRL, GET YOUR MAN.” The romantic payoff? Worth it. Episode 15 was unbearably cute, with tension so thick it practically filled the room. The kissing scenes were filled with longing, desire, and raw emotion.
That is also why, personally, the latter half of the drama did not give me the same adrenaline-pumping fangirl energy as the first half. When Jin Zhao’s personality shifted from dangerous bad boy to more golden retriever energy, some of that edge was inevitably lost. I will admit, I came for the bad boy good girl trope. Still, I stayed because beneath the change, Jin Zhao remained hungry, aloof, and devastatingly soft only for Mu Mu, which kept their romance emotionally satisfying. Episode 26, right before that moment, deserves special mention. The push-and-pull, the hunger, the barely contained passion—absolutely feral. That pre-boom-boom scene rivals some of the best in recent C-dramas (yes, even that Wei Shao and Man Man scene).
However, the drama does stumble when you look too closely. Jin Zhao being in Mu Mu’s life since before she was born makes the romance slightly uncomfortable if you overthink it. Despite not being blood-related, the fact that they’ve been in each other’s lives since day zero makes them feel like siblings—but oh well. This is definitely a “don’t dissect too hard” kind of show, though ironically, dissecting individual scenes actually deepens your understanding of the characters’ emotional states. Mixed signals, but we move. Some creative choices were simply unnecessary. The bathtub scene felt random and incomplete, likely a casualty of censorship. Instead of enhancing intimacy, it felt awkward and out of place and would have been better cut entirely. The ending also felt rushed. After reuniting following a six-year separation, Jin Zhao is shown struggling physically, only to magically recover within two months and sprint like nothing ever happened. For a modern drama, that was a glaring realism issue. And for a story filled with nonstop yearning and timeless love, we really deserved a proper wedding celebration at the end.
One thing the drama absolutely nailed was its OST usage. Every track felt purposeful and iconic. You could practically predict the emotional tone of a scene based on which OST started playing—whether it was yearning, passion, ambition, or romance. Few dramas manage to assign musical identities to emotional beats this clearly, and Speed and Love deserves credit for that.
In the end, Speed and Love knows exactly what it wants to be: a fast-paced, emotionally charged romance driven by yearning, passion, and contrast. It isn’t perfect. It’s messy in places, rushed toward the end, and occasionally indulgent in fantasy. But its strength lies in its vibe, its leads, and the way it makes you feel. Sometimes, that’s more than enough. This is an easy-to-watch, kind of cliché drama that makes you fangirl, giggle, cry, laugh, and yearn. If the pseudo-siblings angle doesn’t make you uncomfortable, this drama is definitely recommended!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Absolute rubbish of a drama
The story beings with a girl who goes to see her long lost “brother”. And immediately starts lusting after him. The first off putting aspect about the drama, from there onwards everything went downhill. The fuelling of delusions among young or stupid audiences is something cdramas have been aiming for and unsurprisingly it’s working. Lots of people justifying jiang mu placing her entire life around a man, and doing everything to satisfy him, will never sit well with me.But again cdrama fans are divided into two groups, the sensible ones who aren’t afraid to call out complete nonsense like speed and love and the empty headed ones who don’t care about the message a drama is spreading, as long as it satisfies their delusions and hallucinations.
The latter group makes up 90% of speed and love viewers.
Was this review helpful to you?
Romance is on top! great chemistry and lovely story
I watched it with deep pleasure and I'm sure all those who don't get hung up on the smallest details (although they have provided a lot of details here) and select the drama by genre that they prefer to watch, will undoubtedly agree with me that this is an amazing drama! Initially, it is clear that the drama is in the format of a wattpad story. It's not about deep-deep meaning, although there are moments where the viewer should think. How many years were lost because one decided for the other what would be best for him. A clear example of the problem when there are misunderstandings in a relationship.There's plenty of romance! I've never experienced such emotions when watching a drama, when you smile and giggle, get embarrassed and can't take your eyes off the screen in order to enjoy that spark between the characters! The attraction, tension and chemistry between Esther and He Yu is just crazy! They look incredibly harmonious together and when you watch bts the chemistry sparkles even more!
Many people criticize Esther's acting, saying that she overplays, but it's also about her character Mu, she's so cheerful and she's not afraid to express emotions. If you don't accept this style of behavior, then it's better to skip this drama, why underestimate it?
He Yu is a real discovery at the end of the year! So charismatic and attractive! I just melted from his smile, body, attitude to Mu, his racing skills and many more! And also his outfits.. He looked incredibly stylish! In his racing and fighting eras he undoubtedly looked the best, but in cute and gentle outfits while his cafe owner era, he was also extremely handsome! And what sensual eyes he has! You look into them and feel all the pain of his character! He's 100% the best aspect of this drama!
No wonder I've been waiting for this drama for sooo long! It exceeded all my expectations! I enjoyed every episode! I admired the racing scenes - the production is a masterpiece! He Yu also performed them on his own, which is admirable! The overall picture is incredibly beautiful! Definitely falls into my favs dramas! China ate with its hits this year!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
ummm
bruh they literally grew up and referred to eachother as siblings... no.yes they are not biological but when u grow up with someone and referred to them as a sibling then its really really weird if u catch feelings for them... espically is you guys have a sibling relationship. So when she stopped calling him brother and he got excited that really really icked me outtttt........
Also the whole gang, racing and underground boxing just felt soo sloppy like it was just so unrealistic the fights felt too edited and despite having lots of action scenes each felt sooo comical.
Also love our girl, female lead, but why does she naturally have driving abilities, magically has a black belt in karate and being knowledgeable in mechinc despite acting and being helpless before mentioned. Like every interesting characteristic she had was pushed into her just needing to be saved by her handsome brother who is actually not her brother cause no same blood...
ewww I was just reminded of the scene when he introduced her as his gf despite literally calling eachother siblingss 😬😬😬😬
Extra info, female lead is literally freshly adult so him liking her is also really really weird.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Great Chemistry, Bad Writing
This show might be a hit for a lot of people… but it just wasn’t for me. It was so hyped, and I ended up having really mixed feelings. There were things I genuinely loved, and other things that completely turned me off.First, the good: the chemistry was INSANE. Like seriously, the chemistry carried this show on its back. The romance hit, and the spicy scenes? Super well done. He Yu specifically… wow. He ate that role up. I honestly loved him so much and I’m excited to watch anything he does next. For me, he was the show.
I also really enjoyed the friendship aspect and the racing side of the drama. It gave major Fast & Furious vibes, and overall the concept had a lot of potential.
Honestly the whole story felt like a Wattpad dream: bad boy / darker male lead, super cute and spoiled girl, intense obsession-level romance, and lots of drama with “I love her but I can’t be with her” energy. The vibes were there.
BUT… the biggest issue for me was the writing and execution. It felt sloppy, messy, and sometimes just straight up dumb. There were so many noticeable mistakes and continuity errors that it kept pulling me out of the story. One second something is happening, the next second it’s like they forgot what they filmed.
Even the time jump didn’t make sense — the whole six-year jump was badly handled.
And don’t even get me started on the male lead’s injury… sometimes he’s walking, sometimes on crutches, sometimes in a wheelchair, sometimes totally fine. It was honestly confusing and inconsistent. And the way he disappeared for years just didn’t feel believable based on how quickly he recovered. It didn’t add up.
Now the part that really ruined it for me: the female lead. I have nothing against Esther, but I’m honestly tired of this same type of role for her. She can act — I liked her in My Journey to You when she had a more serious vibe — but here she was written as overly childish and spoiled, and it got annoying fast.
What bothered me most is that even after the six-year jump… she didn’t really grow. She stayed the same immature, cringe character and I just couldn’t connect with her. I get that cute/fluffy characters are popular in Chinese dramas, but for me it was way too much.
The only reason I kept going was because the male lead clearly loved her exactly as she was — spoiled and all — and that dynamic worked for him, which I respected. But as a viewer, I was just irritated half the time.
One more thing I actually loved: Drunk’s character. He was so interesting and I wish we saw more of him. I didn’t expect him to become friends with the male lead either, but that friendship ended up being one of the best parts of the show. I thought we were getting a love triangle, but nope — and honestly I’m glad, because it would’ve been messier than it already was.
Overall, this drama had potential, and the chemistry + romance were strong… but the plot and writing were just too weak for me. A lot of things happened too conveniently, and some storylines (like the mom) felt like a switch flipped overnight.
So yeah — if you’re watching for a fluffy Wattpad-style romance with racing vibes, strong chemistry and spicy scenes, you’ll probably enjoy it. But if you want something with a solid plot and good development… this is not it.
I can totally see why people love it, but for me personally? Not my cup of tea.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
It's so bad... but so good? What sorcery is this?
It's a typical romcom cdrama but with a STRONG Thai flavor. The "vibe" kinda reminds me of the Thai drama "Pit Babe," but Speed and Love is much more mild (even though it tries to be a tad bit risqué at times).Let me start by saying, He Yu is absolutely stunning. When I saw him I was like, "Who is this guy?" Then, after a quick bio check, I realized he featured in "Dashing Youth," but somehow I can't remember him? Anyway, I'll never forget who he is after watching Speed and Love. And my god, the chemistry between him and Esther Yu was electric (by cdrama standards, that is).
Speaking of Esther Yu, I want to start by saying (for the thousandth time, lol) that I LOVED her performance in "Love between Fairy and Devil." I thought the role matched her strengths as an actress really well. But... after watching a few of her other shows, including "Love Game in Eastern Fantasy" and "My Journey to You," I'm still convinced that she isn't a particularly versatile actress. Whenever she's placed in a serious role, she resorts to a type of "wooden" performance style and never quite seems to be immersed in the role. To counteract this, she sometimes slips out of character back into her main (and most successful) persona, which is the extra bubbly, innocent, almost childish character that embodies a specific Chinese trope (particularly when it comes to their taste in women). Anyway, that's basically what happened in Speed and Love. She slips out of character a few episodes in and embodies the pouty, irrational, child-like persona, which made the romance aspect seem less mature and feel a bit clumsy, almost? I'm used to watching cdramas, so I was able to tolerate it... but as someone who also watches Thai dramas, it really felt like Speed and Love missed some major opportunities to push the envelope in the spicy department (which is the show's main appeal, obviously). The storyline is weak, but judging by the 8.5 rating, people clearly don't mind! Like most romcoms these days, the show starts off strong and then fizzles out midway. So don't expect consistency. But it's worth a weekend binge with snacks. 7.5/10
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Addictive AF!
This drama felt like watching the sun glow hot in the afternoon, then watching it set as a gust of cold air takes over. Eventually, the clouds disperse, the moon rises with stars shining brightly, and we end off with a quiet sunrise.------Overall impression------
This drama left me feeling all the shades of love. First love, longing love, true love, fated love, last love, passionate love, friendship love, etc.
From the beginning, the tone of the story felt different from all of the C-dramas I have watched. Immediately, from the colour grading, acting, relationships between characters, and even the decision to set the story in Thailand first, it felt uniquely different. I was skeptical of the dynamic between the leads due to them being “siblings,” but almost right away the drama assured me that although the characters remembered each other as brother and sister, that memory was from over ten years ago.
As much as the main leads cling to that past relationship, they cannot help but acknowledge that they are now essentially strangers getting to know each other little by little. In truth, they are simply a man and a woman falling for each other.
By the end, I felt that the story tried its best to keep the pacing intact. There were definitely creative choices that could have been better in terms of what to cut and what to keep. I do not know much about Chinese censorship standards, so I will leave it at that. Still, I am grateful to the editor, director, actors, and producer for achieving something cohesive and genuinely sweet.
-------Emotional impact---------
The moments that affected me the most were:
1. When Mumu found out about ZhaoZhao’s underground boxing match. Her facial expression genuinely surprised me and pulled me in.
2. Episode 15, and honestly every kiss scene after that.
4. ZhaoZhao’s accident and Mumu’s desperation to know whether he was okay.
5. Sad and serious scenes like ZhaoZhao and his mother-in-law
The ending felt satisfying, but I still wanted more. I needed extra scenes of their post-marriage life.
------Main couple and romance-------
The chemistry between the main leads is hard to describe. It felt like I needed to give them privacy while secretly peeking at them. It was like watching a real couple being sweet, but instead of feeling annoyed, I felt like Cupid appreciating his own work.
------Character development--------
The main characters played their parts well. This is something viewers have mixed opinions on, especially regarding Esther’s portrayal of 19 to 20-year-old Mumu. Personally, I understood her approach. Mumu was spoiled by her mother growing up, and while some viewers disliked her voice, that feels more like personal preference than an acting critique.
Her higher-pitched, small voice was used to show Mumu’s cunning side, how she uses cuteness to get ZhaoZhao and others to accommodate her. That said, there is room for refinement. Referencing performances by actors like Park Bo-young or Shin Eun-soo could have helped shape this portrayal further.
Mumu grew up accustomed to having things done for her, which explains her dependency. Over time, we see her become more independent, though her life still centers around ZhaoZhao. Her dream of astronomy was once ZhaoZhao’s dream, and she rejected many potential partners because of him.
ZhaoZhao’s character has more depth and is more thoroughly explored. His decisions toward Mumu are driven by his sense of “a man’s dignity” and the high standards he stubbornly upholds. What makes his arc satisfying is his gradual realization that it is okay to loosen that grip, to be vulnerable, and to let Mumu choose him even if he is not the “perfect” man he wants to be.
The supporting characters are not treated as accessories. San Lai, in particular, stands out as the true big brother of the story.
------Plot and pacing------
I have not read the original novel, so I cannot judge the adaptation fully. However, the editing does have issues. Some scenes could have been easily shortened to make space for others that were cut. For example, the scene where ZhaoZhao teaches San Lai how to drive was far too long and could have been reduced to a minute.
The climactic accident would have benefited from more tension in the scenes leading up to it. Showing more of the underground crime world could have increased the impact, though I understand this is not that kind of drama.
-------Themes and meaning------
I loved the consistent use of sun and moon symbolism. It made the romance feel more intentional and poetic. Ultimately, the story emphasizes that they are both human beings making a conscious choice to be together.
-------Production and atmosphere------
The cinematography was excellent. I was initially skeptical due to the production changes, but the final result deserves praise. Thailand was captured beautifully, and the contrast with China and Vancouver was handled thoughtfully, making each place feel distinct and well-represented.
-------Comparison and context-------
This drama did not feel like a typical C-drama. It felt slightly inspired by Wong Kar-wai films, mixed with 2000s Korean romantic films, and a hint of Taiwanese cinema.
-------Personal reflection-------
This drama felt like a gift to end 2025. It was blissful, heartfelt, and genuinely lovely to experience~
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Side note: Some viewers may dislike Esther’s voice, but it is something she grew up with and is part of the persona she shares with her fans. Disliking it is fine, but hurting or shaming someone over something that was never meant to cater to you is unjustifiable.
Was this review helpful to you?
No Speed Ok Love
I jumped into Speed and Love after seeing all the hype on MyDramaList—everyone raving about it. But honestly? I think it's me; Chinese dramas just don't do it for me.First off, the pacing is glacial. It makes sense for epics packed with info dumps and character arcs, but here? The first few episodes lay out the characters, their backgrounds, and motivations crystal clear. Yet the story drags on with endless filler—repeating the same info over and over. It got boring and repetitive fast.
Second, zero chemistry between the leads. The male lead is a solid actor; his emotions sell the genuineness of his love for her. Esther Yu's acting has improved a ton, but it's still not there. The show throws in some steamy scenes to fake sparks, but story-wise and performance-wise? Nada. And don't get me started on the male lead constantly running away from her "in the name of love"—total bullshit trope that killed it for me.
The only thing I liked about this series was the racing arc, the racing visuals, cars and technical jargon was actually good.
In the end, if you're a C-drama fan, you'll probably love it. For me? It did absolutely nothing. Skip if slow-burn repetition isn't your vibe.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
not my best
I was excited for this drama ever since the trailer came out. it's like the plot picked up it's pace and actual became interesting in the in-between episodes but definetly not in the initial and final episodes.I felt like it was always Jiang Mu who tried to pursuade Jin Zhao and I was pretty annoyed that Jin Zhao never made the first move. he'd always pull his facade of how he's not good enough for her and wants to be a better man for her bla bla.
I definitely did not expect Mike Angelo there since Esther and him worked together is my amazing boyfriend S2 and I honestly wanted them to end up together (sorry not sorry).
On the brighter side, I want to steal Jiang Mu's wardrobe. Also Jin Zhao's smile is to die for I'm not gonna lie. Wish I could've gotten to see Sanlai and Nana together
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Daring Speed in Thailand; Sputtering Love in China
Thrills and romance set in Bangkok, Thailand? Sign me up. I relished the change of scenery with the opportunity to view the dilapidated elegance of a major city. The day scenes showcased colorful waterways, and the night scenes were magical in neon. I'm not a fan of brutality, so the boxing wasn't for me (and, thankfully, was limited), but I relished the racing scenes and wouldn't have objected to more, especially if the FL were the navigator.The FL was adorable, but how could she not be when played by Esther Yu? I didn't realize until I double-checked that the continually smiling, sweet boy from My Fated Boy was He Yu, who now played a dark, dangerous, desperate man. Who knew such a cute Golden Retriever pup could transform into a snarling Pit Bull?
I was enjoying the drama (even the love triangle wasn't overly annoying) until the act of Noble Idiocy hit. I felt the momentum slow and sputter, and it never revved up after the ensuing time skip. I will begrudgingly admit that I could understand this instance of sacrifice more than most dramas, because of the FL's age. ML didn't want to take her future away when she hadn't even attended college yet, and he didn't want to saddle such a spoiled young girl with a handicapped husband.
Add a nice supporting cast and excellent music to round out my review.
Offhand remarks: I was visibly relieved when the ML got a haircut after the time skip. I had wanted to snip those uneven strands so badly! And the mother's outdoor garden in Canada in winter with tropical plants... they would all be dead after one night. Not only that, but the mother had all the doors and windows open in the house. They'd be celebrating the New Year with burst plumbing pipes and pneumonia! Canada is frigid in the dead of winter.
TL;DR: Romance and racing in beautiful Thailand, but the drama lost its momentum, sputtered, and stalled once it relocated to Nanjing, China.
Was this review helpful to you?
