Dazzling

One word: "Princess" (ifukuk)

Alright, so we’re four episodes into Dazzling (耀眼), and honestly, it feels like MangoTV crafted this show just for folks who are all about that yearning, emotional healing, and those slow-burn seaside romances. You’ve got Guan Xiaotong’s character, Qing Ye, who tumbles from her big-city life into the dusty little town of Zhazhating after her family kind of falls apart. And right from the get-go, it’s clear she’s not just adjusting — no, she’s like a whirlwind shaking up everyone’s carefully miserable existence, especially that quiet island boy, Xing Wu (played by Li Yunrui). You know the type, right? He looks like he’s always just a moment away from either throwing a punch or falling head over heels.

The first four episodes really nail that balance between youthful warmth and deeper emotional themes. Take, for example, Qing Ye sleeping behind that thin curtain while Xing Wu is fixing things on the other side. There’s this awkward tension between them, mixed with subtle class differences, and the way she starts to see through his tough exterior — it all feels so real, you know? Not like it was just slapped together.

What’s got everyone hooked already? The chemistry! They barely say anything outright, but every glance, every moment of silence, every little act of care — it’s like they’re shouting. Episode 4 really digs into how Xing Wu softens around Qing Ye, and that whole “I can change his path” vibe? Yeah, it's practically a warning that this drama is gearing up to hit us right in the feels. Also idk why but him calling her 'princess' in the first two eps, got me giggling bro....like Gongju, ahhhhhhh

Visually, it’s stunning too — those warm island sunsets, the sticky summer vibes, and the nostalgic cinematography really bring it all together. It reminds me of other healing youth dramas like When I Fly Towards You, but with a bit more melancholy and emotional repression thrown in for good measure.

And you know what? Even with just four episodes out, it hasn’t felt slow or draggy at all. The character dynamics are doing all the heavy lifting. Right now, Dazzling’s biggest strength is its restraint. The romance isn’t rushed, the angst isn’t over the top, and it totally trusts the audience to soak in those little moments that make first love feel so achingly beautiful.

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Comfort watch of small town life and Leads with good chemistry

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

“Dazzling” is a feel-good drama set in a beautiful and friendly seaside town. The drama is easy to watch, and won’t really raise your blood pressure much. The story is actually quite simple. High school student, Qing Ye, was forced to leave Beijing and moved to a rural town due a family emergency. She needs to get used to living a simple life and say goodbye to her spoiled, comfortable life in Beijing. There, she met the greenest of the green flags, Xing Wu, who has his own struggles.

Plot:
The plot is simple and quite predictable. This could be a comfort watch for you, or it could be a boring one because you can guess what’s going to happen next from a mile away. The pacing is OK, but it was a little slower in the middle. My biggest problem with the plot is that the debt problem seems to disappear abruptly, to make way for a happier life. Given how they struggled early on, I didn’t think the business could pay off all that debt with ML going back to school. But we gotta move on to go back to high school, so I guess the loan sharks need to step back. I also don’t think this drama really needs 30 episodes. Additionally, it could have been executed better if they had reduced the high school days episodes, and given the present-day timeline more time. “Dazzling” seems like a healing/feel-good slice-of-life drama, instead of a romantic comedy.

Romance
Guan Xiao Tong and Li Yun Rui have really good chemistry. I enjoyed their scenes together from beginning to the end. This is a slow-burn romance, even though you know they have feelings for each other. But drama veterans know Chinese dramas don’t let high school kids really date during high school days. That’s why, I was not surprised we have to wait till they become adults to see some action. Having said that, there are plenty of longing looks and shy sneaky glances throughout the drama, especially from our green flag male lead, Xing Wu. They have a lot of fun and quiet moments. Their conversations are filled with high school banter, yet mature words to deal with life's struggles. Xing Wu is quiet with his love but his actions speak VERY loudly. I quite enjoy the progression of their relationship from strangers not liking each other, to family, friends, and lovers. I do wish I could see their happy, dating moments sooner and witness more of those delicious and passionate kisses.

Characters
The strength of this drama is the characters in this small town. They women are strong and lovely! The whole cast is such a lovely bunch and they make me want to spend a week of vacation there. I love Aunty Li Lan Fang. She has a dead beat husband, but she lives her life in such open optimism. Grandma is also a national treasure. It’s no wonder Xing Qu grew up to be such a great guy, being showered with love by these two women in his life. The friendship between the 3 aunties is also lovely to see. They are so fun and I love them teasing each other. As for our leads, Xing Wu is a little too perfect and dreamy. How can a guy who has gone through such hardships be still so upstanding, loyal, protective, rational, mature, caring and just an all-around great guy? Luckily, I don’t find him to be boring. Li Yun Rui did a fantastic job, but I do have to say there’s no way he looks like a high school student. Guan Xiao Tong also was great as Qing Ye. Qing Ye was so insufferable in the first few episodes as this spoiled princess. But it’s understandable given the circumstances. She has also grown to be a very lovely independent woman. It is a little sad to see how both main leads have to grow up so fast and be so mature at such a young age. The friend group is supportive and fun.

Production
I was going to complain about the music in this drama, because there was a scene early on where the leads were arguing and happy music started playing loudly. But after that moment, I started to like the songs and found the lyrics to be quite appropriate in subsequent scenes. Now I have several songs on my Spotify playlist. They do have a few songs that they play quite often, even though I like them. I love the scenery of the sea, the beach, the light tower and the rural town. Even the simple house that the leads live in feels so homey and comfortable. I can imagine life in that small house.

“Dazzling” is a comfort watch and an easy binge for me. It does slow down a little bit in the middle but not slow enough for me to feel bored. I love all the characters in this drama and I root for all of them. It’s lovely to take a peek into this small town life. The leads have great chemistry and the acting is good. It might not surprise you with twists and turns, but there are enough moments to cheer you up and make you smile.



Drama Completed: 6/19/2026 Review #695

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It had its potential but could not reach it due to its incoherence

I love the slow burn with leads taking years to form the bond before they kiss unlike others i have seen complaining here in MDL and viki. But this drama fumbles a lot.
The characters are all very real, very normal. Individually all of their journey is so satisfying. But when you combine them all it still does not give a coherent enjoyable flow, equation and chemistry. It also becomes repetitive at one point and some of the characters just pop out of nowhere and then leave out of nowhere.
And their forced separation with no contact did not make sense whatsoever. It sounds romantic on paper but it does not feel romantic because the reason they give just does not fit in with the characters. When they have already agreed they willl move forward then there was no need to cut the ties. And then their reunion was too lacklustre. Overall I did not know what to make of it.
The last few episodes were sort of confusing too. So the ML has been visiting his village and has not cut ties like FL but he still did not know that Cao Ping who he himself had set up with his classmate's father's business is now his manager or that Cao Ping is helping others just like he used to . It felt as if he had been abroad all this while which was not the case. Yes he worked hard and all that but sstill him being extremely clueless did not fit in.

Overall I still could not stop watching because the location, the village and the characters and their story I could not leave midway but at the same time I was not really interested too . It was just there hanging in between.

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A gentle romance that truly sparkles

Dazzling was one of those dramas that had me intrigued long before I pressed play. The premise sounded promising, and with Li Yun Rui leading the cast, expectations were naturally high. Thankfully, unlike some of his more recent projects, this drama delivers exactly the kind of heartfelt storytelling that reminds you why you fell in love with the genre in the first place.

What makes Dazzling so appealing is its sincerity. At its core, it is a tender coming-of-age romance about first love, ambition, and two young people navigating the uncertainties of adulthood without losing sight of their dreams or their capacity to love. The story unfolds with warmth and patience, allowing its characters to grow naturally rather than forcing dramatic twists for the sake of spectacle.

The performances across the board are wonderfully understated and believable. The FL, in particular, was a revelation. This was my first time watching the actress, yet she completely won me over with a remarkably layered and emotionally rich performance. Even more impressive was her chemistry with Li Yun Rui, which was absolutely off the charts and made every stage of their relationship feel authentic and deeply engaging. In addition, Xing Wu’s relationship with his family, especially his mother and grandmother, adds emotional depth to the narrative, while his kindness, loyalty, and remarkable patience make him one of the most endearing MLs I have encountered this year.

Visually, the drama is equally enchanting. The coastal town setting, thoughtful costume design, and meticulous attention to detail create a lived-in world that feels both comforting and beautiful. The lavender fields, in particular, provide some truly memorable imagery and enhance the drama’s gentle, dreamlike atmosphere.

By the time the final episode ended, I was left with something increasingly rare: complete satisfaction. Dazzling is the kind of series that leaves you smiling, and in many ways that is the highest compliment I can give it. We watch dramas for entertainment, comfort, and a brief escape from reality, and Dazzling offers all three in abundance. Without question, it ranks among the very best dramas I have watched this year, and it is one I can easily see myself revisiting in the future.

Highly recommended.

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Very healing/comforting!

I honestly don't even know where to begin with this drama. At first, I started it for Li Yunrui, who is one of my favorite actors. But I honestly loved the entire cast and ensemble of characters. (LOVED seeing Bian Tian Yang in this drama, as he was in Generation to Generation and also When I Fly Towards You. Absolutely adored his character, Hao Cheng, in this drama as well). This drama honestly feels like one huge hug and as if a warm blanket is being draped over your shoulders.

While the pace of this drama is definitely a bit slow, especially throughout the first few episodes, it is so worth it! The gradual development of Qing Ye's character, for example, was so great to see. At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to love her character, as she comes off as very spoiled and bratty, especially when she first arrives in Zhazhating. I didn't love how she treated Xing Wu's mother, nor how she continuously complained about her living conditions. It wasn't what she was used to, sure, but I just didn't love the way she went about it. However, as the drama goes on, you see how Qing Ye slowly starts to adapt to her new environment and how she starts to warm up to the residents of the small coastal village. We see her go from absolutely hating ZhaZhaTing and wanting absolutely nothing to do with it to being reluctant to leave.

She grows attached to the residents, especially her new friends and of course, Xing Wu. The residents of this small coastal village are so lovable (well, most of them) and I just love how they eventually dote on Qing Ye, especially Teacher Zhu, Shanxi, and Ma Yu Fen. I loved the three aunties' friendship and how their support for one another never faltered, not even for one second.

Qing Ye is someone who, in my opinion, had clear goals when she had first arrived to Zhazhating, but after spending more and more time there, her goals suddenly begin to become a bit unclear. I absolutely loved how her character develops, as she learns to become more appreciative of the smaller and simpler things in life, and that even the smallest moments in life can be quite memorable. I absolutely adore her character, and I love that she marches forward and goes after what she wants in her career and for her future, even if her father doesn't necessarily approve.

Speaking of her father, I really disliked him throughout this entire drama, especially when he forced her to go back to Beijing with him and thought that her attachment to Zhazhating was ridiculous. He was so selfish and didn't care what Qing Ye thought. He really only did what he thought was best, and it didn't matter what Qing Ye thought. I loved that Qing Ye didn't back down on her decision to not study abroad and instead apply to a local university in Beijing. She goes on to work at a prestigious company and even spearheads a lot of her own projects there. She becomes successful in her own right, and her intelligence, determination, and hard-working nature really shine through.

As for Xing Wu, I honestly felt so much for him. He is someone who is carrying so many burdens on his shoulders, even at a young age. It was heartbreaking to learn about his past trauma and how his dad was a horrible person who physically abused his mother and verbally abused him as well. It was also heartbreaking to learn about how he had so much going for him when he was in high school, had a dream to become a pilot, and was extremely talented and intelligent. But, everything went downhill when his father gambled off all the money that his mother had. I absolutely despised his father and how much trouble that he caused for them. Xing Wu may appear to be cold and "rebellious," but he actually has a heart of gold and will do anything to protect the ones he loves. He tries to lessen his mother's burdens and works extremely hard every single day, even if he is extremely exhausted and doesn't take care of himself that well. Xing Wu, even at a young age, tries to take on everything by himself and tries to appear strong for both his mother and grandmother. Xing Wu, at his core, is a protector and a provider. He does everything he can to make life more bearable for those he cares about.

At the same time, though, he carries a lot of emotional baggage and bottles all of it inside. He is guarded and closed off, and doesn't want to appear "weak." He wants to be someone people can rely on. At the start of the drama, he is yet to heal from the tragic events of the past. When Qing Ye shows up, he just wants her to go home and never come back. But, as time goes on, Xing Wu slowly starts to warm up to Qing Ye and becomes very protective and starts to care deeply for her. I love how he was able to overcome his trauma and heal from it, with his loved ones by his side. That scene where he hugs Qing Ye after his house got burnt down was devastating. It was truly the first time that we see Xing Wu let his guard down completely and let out all his pent-up emotions. He finally allows himself to be comforted, and I thought that scene was both equal parts heartbreaking and also touching.

While the slow burn between Xing Wu and Qing Ye was excruciating, I absolutely loved seeing their relationship develop as time went on. That's not to say I didn't scream at my computer, begging for them to confess. I absolutely adore them together, and I honestly kind of liked that they didn't start dating until they were both adults. I think that those five years apart allowed them to really work on themselves as people and also figure out what they really want in life. I also think that it allowed them to also focus on their careers and make a name for themselves.

Their constant almost meetings did drive me nuts though, I will admit. But, it made their reunion scene all that worth waiting for. I loved that everyone in this drama got their happy ending, and the found family trope in this drama is just fantastic as well. The constant support and love of their families and other residents of Zhazhating made my heart so incredibly warm. I also loved that Shu Han and Meng Ruihang, characters that could've easily come in between Xing Wu and Qing Ye's relationship, instead were supportive in the end. I absolutely loved that! The ending of this drama was absolutely perfect, but I just wish that we got to see more of Xing Wu and Qing Ye actually being a couple. I'm still glad we got some cute moments between them though <3 The friendships in this drama were just so immaculate and absolutely adorable! I also love how resilient these characters are, because no matter how many hardships they go through, they always find a way to overcome them and come out stronger, even if the journey to get there is rough.

There's honestly so much more that I could say, but I will say one last thing: I will think about this drama for a while, and I think it's one that will stick with me forever <3 Please take me back to Zhazhating immediately!! This drama has definitely become one of my comfort cdramas for sure <3 This drama will forever hold a special place in my heart. I already miss these characters so so so so much! One of my absolute favorite dramas of the year for sure!

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romance was really good but the rest was meh

- i read the novel midway through watching cuz i couldnt deal w the one (even two) episode per day nonsense and i think they could have condensed the story better. the fire being left in kinda pmo although the scene of him crying and her being there for him was really really nice. so was xingwu's moms scene with the grandma.
- li yunrui and gao lu are phoenomenal actors. guan xiaotong left a bit to be desired but did a good job nonetheless
- that scene before she leaves was actually so good like my heart physically pained watching it
- the cut to them years later immediately getting tgth and all was pretty anticlimactic i liked the novels bit of them in college tgth before they actually got together. like no1 knowing they know each other. the blind date thing in the show was a snoozefest

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A truly beautiful healing drama

This drama completely exceeded my expectations. Going into it, I expected a lighthearted summer romance, but it turned out to be so much more than that. From the plot and performances to the directing and scriptwriting, everything came together beautifully. Honestly, many of the complaints I've seen feel like they come from people who either weren't paying close attention or were expecting a completely different genre. For me, the drama had very few flaws.
One of its greatest strengths was its pacing. Nothing felt rushed, yet nothing dragged either. Every scene served a purpose, whether it was advancing the story, developing the characters, or delivering a meaningful message. The narrative unfolded naturally, making the emotional moments hit even harder.
The acting was exceptional across the board and completely immersed me in the characters' world. Although many viewers criticized GXT's performance, I personally thought she portrayed Qing Ye wonderfully. Qing Ye is a complex character—a wealthy young woman who lost her mother and grew up with a father who was either absent due to work or emotionally unavailable because of his own mistakes. As a result, she closed off her heart and came to believe that money could solve anything. Yet beneath that tough exterior, she was always kind and caring; she simply didn't know how to express it.
GXT captured those contradictions beautifully. Qing Ye was sharp-tongued, straightforward, hardworking, and showed all the qualities of a future leader. What I particularly loved was that even after she softened and opened up emotionally, she never lost the core of who she was. Around Xing Wu, she still retained that spoiled-princess attitude, throwing him judgmental looks whenever he teased her. Their dynamic remained playful and authentic while her growth felt gradual and believable. As she and Xing Wu became each other's confidants, soulmates, and eventually lovers, her walls slowly came down. If you pay attention to the details of her character and the experiences that shaped her, I think GXT's portrayal becomes much easier to appreciate.
As for Li Yunrui, he was outstanding. I've watched nearly all of his works, and I genuinely believe Xing Wu is one of his strongest performances yet. This was the first script he chose after his breakthrough success, and it proves he has a great eye for meaningful projects.
What impressed me most was how completely he transformed throughout the story. You can compare the ambitious young Xing Wu full of dreams with the burdened, debt-ridden Xing Wu later in life and immediately feel the difference. His eyes alone tell the story. His eye acting is phenomenal, conveying emotions with incredible subtlety and depth.
Another pleasant surprise was his vocal performance. The way he adjusted his voice, tone, and delivery depending on Xing Wu's age, emotions, and circumstances added another layer to the character. He could sound youthful and hopeful in one moment and mature, exhausted, or determined in another. It was incredibly satisfying to watch. His OST with GXT was also addictive to listen to. I've always appreciated that he dubs himself because it allows him to bring an even deeper understanding of his characters to the screen.
Xing Wu would not have been the unforgettable character he became without Li Yunrui's performance. Every expression felt precise and emotionally accurate. His styling throughout the drama was also excellent. As a young dreamer, he appeared innocent and full of hope; during his years of hardship, he looked rugged, strong, and weathered by life; and as an adult, you could see the maturity, calmness, and emotional growth reflected in both his appearance and demeanor. I'm still not over his smiles or his crying scenes. He truly is a remarkable actor.
The supporting cast also deserves tremendous praise. The performances from Grandma and Li Langfang, in particular, delivered some of the drama's most emotional and memorable moments. Their scenes left a lasting impact and added so much heart to the story.
The writing and directing were equally impressive. I'm genuinely glad the adaptation chose to diverge from aspects of the original novel because the result felt far more cohesive and meaningful. What could have been a story focused primarily on messy relationships and romance became a thoughtful, realistic, and emotionally resonant drama about growth, family, dreams, sacrifice, and love. The script was filled with beautiful metaphors, memorable quotes, and life lessons that stayed with me long after each episode ended.
Overall, I believe this drama deserves far more praise than it receives. It was heartfelt, beautifully crafted, and emotionally rewarding from beginning to end. I'm genuinely grateful that I got the chance to watch it, and I know it will remain one of the most memorable dramas I've seen for a long time.

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Good

I'm quite curious if Xing Wu and Qing Ye are cousins by blood bcz Xing Wu's mom said that Qing Ye's mom is her sister so i was wondering if they are cousins by blood bcs that wouldn't be appropriate right if they got together and they're cousins by blood. So i was thinking maybe his mom and her mom are like sworn sisters or what.

But, after watching just a few episodes i know that I'm gonna be obsessed in this dramaa. As far as i know, this and Speed and Love was written by the same author so I know that is gonna be a HIT one. Although, SAL and Dazzling are different tropes this gives me that same vibe like ML is poor and the FL were rich.

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Dazzling..Where Hope Refuses to Die

I came for the handsome male lead and stayed because the man is ridiculously attractive. Seriously, every time he appeared on screen looking calm, confident, and ready to solve everyone's problems, I forgot what the plot was supposed to be about. 🔥

The female lead held her own and played her role well. She was smart, capable, and thankfully not one of those heroines who spends half the drama tripping over flat ground while chasing a man who clearly needs glasses. Her performance felt natural and believable.

The story itself was engaging, but wow... can this family catch a break? Every time things started looking up, another disaster arrived. At one point I felt less like I was watching a romance and more like I was watching a survival documentary. The family took so many hits from life that I started expecting bad news every ten minutes.

One thing Chinese dramas seem to love is extremes. Either the male lead is a perfect genius billionaire CEO, top student, martial arts master, business expert, and emotionally unavailable ice prince all rolled into one, while the female lead can barely tie her own shoelaces, stumbles through life, and spends most of her time endlessly fangirling over the male lead, which can get a little exhausting.
Or the female lead is written as an unstoppable genius queen who needs nobody, has no interest in marriage or romance, and is so fiercely independent that the relationship feels sterile and transactional. Meanwhile, the poor male lead is left doing all the chasing, sacrificing, apologizing, and emotional heavy lifting.

The best romances are somewhere in the middle, where both people contribute, pursue, sacrifice, and grow together. That's what makes a relationship feel real.
Maybe it's just me, but love works best when both people put in the effort. Relationships are built on mutual sacrifice, consideration, and action. One person cannot carry the entire romance while the other simply stands there looking pretty.

The supporting cast was fantastic. The family members and friends brought plenty of laughs, and Hao Cheng Gong was an absolute scene-stealer. Every time he appeared, he added charm, humour, and much-needed relief from the endless family crises.

Some situations required a very generous suspension of disbelief. Real life simply does not work that way. But that's part of the charm of dramas. Sometimes logic takes a short holiday so entertainment can clock in.

I understand why they did not officially get together until the very end. They were still teenagers for much of the story and were believed to be cousins, so it made sense for the writers to take that route. Even so, they developed a deep understanding of each other remarkably quickly, and their connection felt natural from the start.
Like many other viewers, I found myself wishing we had more time with them as an actual couple. After investing so much in their journey, it would have been nice to see their relationship explored beyond the final episodes.

What I appreciated most was how healthy their relationship felt, both when they were together and when they were apart. Despite the distance, neither of them fell into the usual drama traps of misunderstanding, mistrust, or needless jealousy. They remained faithful to what they shared, trusted each other's intentions, and stayed true to one another even when circumstances kept them apart.
There were no over-the-top confrontations, manufactured misunderstandings, or endless breakups for the sake of drama. Their bond was built on trust, respect, loyalty, and genuine understanding, which made their relationship feel refreshingly mature and believable.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Dazzling. Great story, strong performances, memorable characters, and stellar acting across the board. A few unrealistic moments and enough family suffering to last several lifetimes, but definitely worth the watch.

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good but could be better

First i will start off with the fact that the chemistry between the main leads was awesome. I felt the tension between them when she was leaving he didn't want her to leave but he couldn't do anything, especially because the dad said not to contact her again. But the plot in my opinion was pretty good but i did see a hint of similarity between this drama and speed and love. When i started i thought why would cousins date and almost dropped it but decided to watch it. It was worth the watch might be my fav drama for the summer because it was just a summer drama and was what we needed this summer. But i did have a problem with the timings. first they made the part when they were younger so long that they weren't able to show much romance and the romance just felt rushed with him meeting her dad. but the casting for this drama was awesome considering the fact that all of the cast looked really young and fit the younger role really well.

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Contradicting summary.

This drama has very cliché tropes..but they are executed in a very refreshing way!. The leads have very good and stable dynamics..there aren't any major SML or SFL even if there are ..it's very subtle and it gets sorted out...The group of friends have amazing chemistry making them look actual friends.
From the summary it looks like the drama is more focused on their adult life and their high-school life would be very subtle but the drama is totally opposite...it's 23 episodes in and they are still in High school..so, it's definitely not adult life centred. I hope they correct the summary which is giving a very different vibe what actually is happening in the drama and the summary hints that Xing Wu is the only one who has feelings but if you watch the drama you can see that both of them already have feelings for eachother in their high-school era..and I think XW's mother and grandma too ship them...so ..the summary is very contradicting to the plot happening...and if you are here for their adult life era then sorry .but it's more high-school era coded...

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Healing Drama

Why I'm enjoying Dazzling so much:
• A refreshing healing romance that feels warm, genuine, and emotionally grounded.
• The chemistry between the leads is surprisingly natural and captivating—every interaction feels effortless.
• Li Yunrui delivers a standout performance as Xing Wu, bringing both strength and tenderness to the character.
• Guan Xiaotong shines in a role that showcases vulnerability, growth, and resilience.
• Beautiful cinematography, especially the seaside scenes, creates a dreamy and comforting atmosphere.
• The story doesn't rely on exaggerated drama; instead, it focuses on connection, healing, and personal growth.
• One of the most memorable C-dramas of 2026 so far, with a couple that is easy to root for and hard to forget.

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