How Dare You!?

Enjoyable But Could Have Been Better

I quite enjoyed the series overall though I wouldn't call it a favourite in the transmigration genre. But there is a lot to love about it.

Firstly, the leads are incredible! The FL is stunning and she is a strong, graceful, charming woman with a good head on her shoulders. She is the brains behind the collaboration of the leads. ML is the executioner. He is strong yet gentle, brave and understanding and trusts the FL which is what makes their dynamic work so well. He trusts her even before she trusts him. More than their romance, I enjoyed their chemistry and banter.

Secondly, the other characters. I loved the SFL and Mr Bai the most. The scholars were nice too. It's always great when secondary and supporting characters bring life to the drama. I also liked the physician but sadly his role was small.

Third, the plot. No drama can succeed on acting alone. If the plot is weak, it all falls apart. The story of How Dare You has a good flow and never gets boring. There is also mystery about certain characters which helped kept me interested in the story. Fortunately we don't really have a misunderstanding and breakup trope or at least not really. Whatever happens is resolved almost immediately.

Fourth, I got emotional in certain parts and I feel the ML conveyed them really well.

I enjoyed the drama OST too. It suited the scenes a lot.

Where it failed to hit the mark:
I expected this to be more comedic than it is. The title also makes you think it will be more funny than serious. It starts off funny but gets a bit more dramatic and serious 7 - 10 episodes in. There is light comedy here and there to make you smile but no laughs from my end.

The action sequences. Usually the leads are involved in the fighting and action scenes as much as the side characters but that's not the case in this drama. Though I didn't mind the leads not fighting at alll, I felt the action scenes itself were kind of average or overly dramatic. And I'm a sucker for a good action sequence so this mattered to me.

The SML was okay. I don't feel much for him which isn't a good thing.

The ending. It was quite abrupt and tbh I didn't understand what happened at all until I read some explanations. I don't really like when directors expect you to fall back on the source to fill in your gaps. But I also understand why they did it that way. Since it involves censorship, I can't call it bad storytelling. Still... they could have compensated in other ways so it was disappoiinting.

Introducing a character late and then the twist. I'm not sure the twist was needed.

Romance. Though the leads' chemistry is great, the romance is okay. You won't find much of it since there is a lot of planning and scheming going on. Since everything was good, I didn't care too much so I'm mentioning this last. As romance can be huge for some viewers, I thought I would point this out.

To sum up, How Dare You is quite enjoyable but it also leaves you wanting a bit more.

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Acting of all actress and actors are amazing but drama's story line is predictable

I decided to watch this drama because of all the hyped I saw on social media like X and Instagram. After watching it, I found it quite funny, similar to other time travel dramas. What sets it apart, though, is the female lead's stunning visuals she is truly captivating. The male lead’s acting is also equally impressive.

While the plot is somewhat predictable given the time travel trope, the standout for me is definitely the acting. From the silly and comedic moments to the serious and heartbreaking scenes, every actor in this drama delivered a fantastic performance.

Interestingly, the drama didn't need heavy promotion because it was already popular as a donghua and a short drama. Both Wang Churan and Cheng Lei have received high praise from donghua fans for their portrayals. It’s a solid watch for anyone who appreciates great acting and beautiful cinematography.

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Where Humor Meets Palace Intrigue

I didn’t expect to come away from this drama with such a strong impression, but I have to admit - it’s excellent! I’m very pleasantly surprised by how much it held my attention. It is an easy and enjoyable watch, even though it includes dramatic moments and unexpected plot twists. I’m not a fan of overly exaggerated comedy, but here the amount of humor is just right - enough to make you laugh and keep you wanting to watch more. The ML is wonderful and does an outstanding job portraying a "mad, tyrannical emperor". The FL is surprisingly interesting, and the supporting characters are vivid and memorable. Altogether, it creates a charming story with remarkable depth.

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This ain't your grandma's transmigration story!!

This is such a fun take on a transmigration story. I thought I knew what I was in for but it kept me on my toes. I've never seen such fun chemistry before.

Wang Churan and Cheng Lei are absolutely amazing together. They're best friends but they don't fully trust each other. They're obsessed with each other while using each other. This parallel is also reflected in the story. We get hilarious scenes, followed by scary scenarios, and then tragic outcomes.

This drama got it all, but there are times I wish that the story had held on to one emotion for a little longer, like dragging out the angst would have been good. Or keeping Dan in his tyrant mood for an episode or half. I feel like that would have connected with me more as a viewer.

In some of the later episodes, the plot felt a little flat. There was a lot of talking and random scenarios that didn't really add anything to the existing story. I think this is a series that would have done better if it was a bit shorter? Also, I did read about the book ending and wish they had gone that direction instead of what we got. It would have elevated the series significantly imho.

Light Snow, Deep Ink by Jiang Dunhao is a banger song.

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Might contain spoilers

I really love this series (the novel, live action as well as the donghua). I have read the original novel a few years back titled "This is ridiculous" and I must say that the revelation for Xiahou Dan being transmigrated since he was young was expressed brilliantly compared to the live action where they put it as epilogue per episode. I also find the ending unsatisfactory. The novel dived deeply into their life after they went back to the modern times and Xie Yong Er's pov after going back to her original world was also seen in the novel.

I know that the series don't have much time to put all those details but if someone watching the show haven't read the og novel, then there will be a lot of questions or gaps in the story (e.g. Prince Duan having false hope inside his dungeon and his ending, Xie Yonger's fate, Wanyin and Xiahou Dan's future both in the book and in modern times)

But overall, I still give this a 9/10 rating. Cheng Lei really embodies Xiahou Dan's character. He looks so much like the animated version especially with his hair down. It was such an iconic look in the donghua and he was able replicate it. Also, the other actors and actresses gave justice to their roles. I liked their acting and portrayal. So even though the storytelling/plot is lacking, the actors still gave it justice.

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A remarkable turnaround ...

so I have watched couple of episodes from the animated series and wished they will do a live action version , yet when i watched the first episodes I couldn't bring myself to keep watching , still I gave it a chance and glad I did .

In the beginning you think it is gonna be a bunch of funny scenes without an actual plot but it get a great turnaround after xu yao's death, you begin to see that isn't gonna be as written in the book and as yu wayin predictions.

this was great on so many levels music , costumes , acting yet I can't tell if the actor who did prince duan did a great job or not like he is a villian to forget , not a strong antagonist for me , he did some bad deeds but the whole series he was only plotting and whenever he tried to carry out his plan it failed and it wasn't even due to wanyin's knowledge of the book because everything deviated from the book , it was like Dan was always one step ahead , yet actor did a really go job in making me hate his character .

xie yong er 's death was so rushed like she dead and they gave her a 2 or 3 minutes and that is it and it wasn't mentioned again except briefly , I wished she and cuihua would have met in the real world .

I hoped they would give zhang san and cuihua more screen time when they returned to the real world.

empress dowager kept saying she hated Dan's father , we later found she was from Qiang, wished we got more background on that like how she ended in Xia was a marriage alliance , a hostage ??

when it came to dramatic scenes this series delivered , was it perfect NO but nonetheless it was great and deserves to give it a go.

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MOST COMEDY- ACTION DRAMA

My First Serious Review.
I watch the drama using iqiyi.
The 4k frame really help the visual of this drama.
The OST is good but the IQIYI did not hide the translation of drama, it disturb me so much.
The acting is good, but lack impact in the beginning of the story. The middle part of story is interesting. But the end is so satisfying for me.
The actor and actress also have a good chemistry and vibes. This help the interactions of the lead become more interesting. The second lead also have a good story although she died before story end.
The other character also have some interesting story and interaction with the main lead.

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Drama that actually dares to entertain...

How Dare You, also known as This Is Ridiculous, is one of those dramas that knows it is a little over the top and just runs with it. And honestly, that is part of its charm. It does not pretend to be deep political philosophy. It is here to entertain, poke fun, and serve romance with a side of sass.
The story kicks off with a strong female lead who does not sit quietly in a corner waiting to be rescued. She talks back. She questions. She dares. The male lead is not your typical cold stone statue either. He has layers. At first, you might think, here we go again, arrogant man meets bold woman. But slowly the dynamic shifts. There is banter, tension, and actual growth. That is what makes it fun to watch. The romance builds through clashes, misunderstandings, and those classic moments where pride almost ruins everything.

The cast does a solid job. The leads carry the drama well, especially in emotional scenes. They manage to balance comedy and sincerity without making it feel forced. Supporting characters add color instead of just filling space. Some are dramatic, some are chaotic, and some are surprisingly wise. It never feels empty around the main couple.
Production wise, it looks polished. The sets are well designed, especially the palace and noble house scenes. Nothing looks cheap or rushed. The cinematography is clean, and the lighting in romantic scenes gives that soft glow without turning everyone into a candle. It feels high quality but not flashy for the sake of it.

Now let us talk about the costumes. The wardrobe team clearly understood the assignment. The female lead’s outfits are elegant but practical, fitting her personality. The embroidery and fabric choices give that classic historical drama feel without going overboard. The male lead’s robes are structured and sharp, matching his status and character growth. You can tell effort went into making each look meaningful, not random.
The OST quietly does its job. It is not the type where you instantly add every song to your playlist, but it fits the mood. The background music lifts emotional scenes and softens romantic moments. When tension rises, the music follows. It supports the story rather than overpowering it.

As for relationships, this drama actually shows something refreshing. Yes, there are break ups, misunderstandings, and moments where you want to shout at the screen. But when they come back together, it is through communication and personal change, not just dramatic declarations. That is what makes it feel healthier than many other dramas. Love here is not just obsession. It is learning to respect and stand beside each other.
The ending ties things up in a satisfying way. It does not drag endlessly, and it does not leave you confused. It gives closure, growth, and a sense that the characters earned their happiness. Not perfect. There are a few loopholes and convenient plot turns, but nothing that ruins the ride.

Overall, How Dare You is witty, dramatic, and surprisingly heartfelt. It knows when to laugh at itself and when to get serious. It is not flawless, but it is done right. For me, this is an excellent drama.

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Serving: Coherent Storyline, tightly-woven plot, Mischievous Leads & FL who's 100% Beauty & Brains

"Smooth talkers often disguise themselves as someone loyal and virtuous. Those who are truly honest and sincere may be clumsy with words, but they act with integrity." - Xu Yao

Before anything else, let me just declare that what made this show thoroughly entertaining and compelling was not the modern-era gags and references, but the consistent, progressive writing that carried the story from the beginning to its conclusion.

I mean... yes, the comic-like transitions, chibi animations, and modern gimmicks were a lot of fun, and I immensely enjoyed them. However, as the story progressed and those scenes were constantly served up, they started to feel bland. I began feeling cloyed just thinking they might shove them in our faces for the rest of the show. Having them for the first two episodes was entertaining, but by the 3rd time, it became concerning enough that it actually bothered me. That is why I was truly delighted and relieved when they toned it down in the 4th episode, shifting the focus toward the pressing issues and central conflicts. It saved the show from an early demise by preventing the story from dragging, keeping viewers thrilled for what was coming next.

I really appreciate that they didn't overutilize the modern-age trope and instead spent just enough time on it to catch the audience's attention and build hype before proceeding to the actual conflicts of the story. I'm glad they were aware of their limitations and weren't shameless in exploiting those elements. If they hadn't been so disciplined, this show wouldn't have earned such a strong reputation and high ratings among casual viewers.

Another praiseworthy aspect of this show was its tight storyline and coherent plot. The scheming and conflicts are well-calculated and truly brought so much fun and excitement to the show. I love how the plots were laid out carefully in accordance with the lead's strategy. And although the main conflict of the story seemingly rendered the protagonists helpless and in a dire situation towards the climax, I like that they had contingency plans which made the situation manageable.

I admit the multiverse within confused me for quite some time; however, it was not to the point where it bothered me. Because the story explains itself as it progresses—like how typical plots unfold. It instead encouraged me to focus more on the show by reading the subtitles diligently in order to fully comprehend the story.

I also want to note that they did a brilliant job with Bei Shu's cause of death. He was set up as the world's strongest, so it was only reasonable that the only person who could defeat him was himself—because no one among the antagonist force could ever measure up to him. It was such a smart move because I wouldn't have accepted it if he had been captured and then defeated by a number of fodder soldiers. There is just no way they could have done so under the story's given circumstances.

In terms of the ending, I’d say it was executed satisfyingly. It’s well-paced, climactic, and features a happy ending, even after they wake up from the illusion or exit the dream they were in.

I also have to acknowledge the savory chemistry between our leads. I love how their minds are so perfectly aligned, as if they share the same logic. I’m especially impressed by the FL (Yu Wanyin); I really look up to her for being so rational and understanding, even during those mind-boggling, conflicting scenes that typically cause a rift between leads. The main reason they avoid those typical misunderstandings is her maturity; she is the epitome of making smart decisions under pressure. I also just love it when the ML (Xiaohou Dan) reaches for the hem of her dress, tugging it gently to ask for attention or forgiveness.

Let me just mention how extremely proud and fascinated I am of Tang Xiaotian here. I have never seen him act as a villain before, so it was really refreshing to see him play one. It was a new feeling for me, and even though I can't say I like him taking on this kind of role (because he will always look kind and gentle to me), I'd say that he did a considerably impressive job on this one. Now, I'm stuck in between wanting him to remain the kind 2nd lead who always gives way to the ML, or an unapologetic antagonist who schemes his way to a ruthless victory. Geez. Haha!

And oh, before I even forget: kudos to the styling team of this show. Gosh! Wang Churan was fucking glowing each and every moment I saw her. From the head accessories to the makeup and dresses, they nailed it so hard I fell even more in love with her. I know it’s weird and totally opposite of the glam and glitters I mentioned above, but my most fave look of her is definitely the assassin look she has when rescuing the ML. Her holding a gun and dressed in black rendered me speechless—she is so badass and attractive.

To finally wrap this up, I just want to mention that my favorite and probably the most hilarious scene of all was in episode 22. When the Empress Dowager was in that wheelchair—paralyzed and unable to move or speak—but she still had to maintain a dignified posture, so Eunuch An tried so hard, multiple times, to keep her head straight, but it kept falling no matter what. I was dying of laughter. it was such a satisfying, well-deserved scene.

P.S. Let me just say it here. The "How are you? I'm fine, thank you! And you?" line becomes cringier and increasingly gross the more they use it. ><

Story - 9.5, I keep looking back on the story and my time watching it, and I must say that I had a good time. I would have given it a lower rating if they had shamelessly fed us modern-day antics continuously, but they did not. I appreciate that they kept those at bay and only incorporated such scenes during the less serious moments, and not during the conflict scenes. Loving the revolver handgun, though!

Acting/Cast - 10, What a set of brilliant actors and actresses! I love both of the leads, Cheng Lei and Wang Churan, but what made this show even more enjoyable were the second leads, Hu Yixuan and Tang Xiaotian. All of them did an amazing job with their character execution.

Music  - 9.5, I'm actually not a big fan of the overall musical feel of this drama, but I would say that I find the songs quite fun to listen to. I love the slow and romantic ballads, but the ending song in particular is what made an impression on me. It reminded me of the Hamtaro OST. Cute!

Rewatch Value - 9.5, Definitely a rewatch-worthy. It's one of those dramas that kept its sanity and shamelessness in check, so each scene felt just right and wasn't exaggerated.

Overall - 9.5, I was planning to give it a 9.0, but I can't really find a justifiable reason to do so. The story was well-written—the plots are interconnected and were never confusing. Plus, they kept all the absurdities at bay. Not to mention that we got such highly compatible leads and a lovable 2nd FL. I'm extremely satisfied with this show.

IF you find my review helpful please let me know.

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It's a very eventful drama. I was pleasantly surprised by its storyline. From the very beginning, it was a pleasure to watch, and I laughed at every moment. Towards the middle, the plot shifted from positive to dramatic, which was expected. There were so many intrigues and their resolutions, and so many people close to Wan Yin and Xiahou Dan who couldn't be protected. You get worried about everyone and look forward to watching the episodes every day.
The acting is outstanding! Cheng Lei and Chu Ran are definitely the strongest cast match! They both bring their characters to life in a delightful way, making the drama a pleasure to watch.
I highly recommend it to everyone!

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A Perfect Match Made in Drama Heaven – Ryan Cheng and Yu Ran Shine!

From the very first episode, I couldn't contain my excitement for "How Dare You!?"—and it absolutely delivered! Ryan Cheng and Yu Ran are simply perfect together. As someone who has watched many of their dramas individually, seeing them together here is everything I hoped for and more.

Ryan Cheng's eyes are incredibly expressive—truly versatile, shifting moods with such nuance that you feel every emotion alongside his character. Yu Ran matches him beat for beat, portraying her role with equal depth and authenticity. Their chemistry is magnetic and makes every scene they share worth savoring.

This drama had me counting down the minutes between episodes. Every moment was worth the wait. And the ending? It surprised me completely—in the best way! It wrapped up beautifully, though I'm now desperately hoping for a second season or perhaps a special episode showing where they end up in a different setting. I'm just not ready to let these characters go!

If you haven't watched "How Dare You!?" yet, do yourself a favor and start immediately. This is how you do a drama right!

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