How Dare You!?

Huge Thank you for How dare you! this drama

First of all i would like to say i started to like Cheng lei’s acting skills so much, he is really cute when he is acting little bit playful and also he is good for playing role of Emperor and shouting etc. This is my first impression seeing Wang churan acting, i love her too, her beauty, acting skills too. Second of all i haven’t watching Hu yixuan acting in dramas for quiet long time which i saw her playing in “unforgettable love” and “river runs through it” and this time i felt like she become skinnier than i remember and became prettier. I just love seeing her cute smiles. Xie yong’er this role fits her so well, her makeup style was stunning too. Also i want to say Tang xiaotian acting skills making me surprised because i only saw him playing kind support roles before, this time i can feel that he literally proved that he can act really well. Applause for acting the villian Xiahou Bo. Finally my main point is that this drama healed me from “my page in 90s” because even tho its ending was relieving but still left a huge trauma of transmigrating dramas, but then right after watching MPI90s, HWDY! drama was released and today i finished it, i am fully satisfied by the ending, i want to thank the screenwriter, director👍👍👍

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This is fine, but…

Having loved the Donghua S1 counterpart when I first watched it, I, by and large, enjoyed the live-action adaptation, which follows most of the iconic scenes faithfully. However, the humor and pacing of this adaptation somehow didn’t translate quite as well for me.

Look, I get it.

The live-action series and the Donghua can—and should—be viewed separately, and we shouldn’t compare them. So with that in mind, I’m setting those comparisons aside to focus purely on how this live-action adaptation stands up on its own.

First, the positives:

Wang Churan’s visuals. In terms of personality, I don’t think she carries the female lead’s bubbly energy all that well. But boy, is she easy on the eyes. I can accept this version of Yu Wan Yin / Wang Cui Hua, though—she’s a bit more reserved, but still very much an action-oriented lead who takes matters into her own hands.

The casting of Xie Yong Er. I quite like her character in this. A number of her scenes really captured my attention, whether it was due to the actress’s performance or the way the scenes were written in this live adaptation. I have a personal bias toward the characterization of Yu Wan Yin / Wang Cui Hua, so the fact that Xie Yong Er managed to steal my focus—at times even more than the female lead—is quite telling.

The changes for Bei Shu. It was a bit surprising to see their deviation and creativity here, but I have no major complaints; the humor they injected works for me.

Now comes the not so positives part and why I dropped it:

The lack of chemistry for the main couple. While they follow the key scenes and script faithfully, I just don’t feel engaged in the romance between Xia Hou Dun and Yu Wan Yin. I think Ryan did a good enough job—especially compared to his work in other series— but chemistry is either there or it isn’t, and I’m just not feeling it here. In a romance idol period drama, that lack of chemistry is a major sticking point.

There’s a specific key scene they changed (right before I ultimately dropped the show) that was clearly intended to highlight Yu Wan Yin’s "virtue." In doing so, they completely bypassed her agency —the very trait that actually makes her interesting —in favor of making her look saintly.

Even setting aside any comparison to the Donghua counterpart, I’ve never been a fan of main characters written to be overly virtuous. It feels forced, and more importantly, it strips away the nuance of their actual personality. When you choose "saintliness" over a character’s own calculated actions, the story loses the exact thing that makes a lead worth watching.

They also added unnecessary humor scenes for the side characters that didn’t land well. It feels like a cheap writing trick to rely on making other characters the butt of a joke just to prop up the lead. This doesn't make me like the protagonist more, it just makes the character dynamics feel unbalanced. Ultimately, these filler scenes only served to highlight the pacing issues.

I went into this hoping to see the story stand on its own, but the pacing issues and the neutered character development made it hard to stick with. To me, it doesn’t actually matter whether a series chooses to adapt the source material faithfully or strike out in a new direction. What matters is whether the result works. Unfortunately, in this case, the lack of chemistry and a lead who lacks some agency made it impossible for me to stay invested. It’s a visual treat, sure, but it just isn't the show for me.

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From Chaos to Complexity: An Unexpectedly Deep Journey

* [My rewritten review after completing the drama]

After watching the trailer of How Dare You a few months ago, I was waiting so impatiently for this drama to air. 😭✨ From the very first glimpse, I felt like it was going to be hilarious. Even though comedy is not really my cup of tea, I was extremely curious to see how Chang Lei and Wang Churan would handle funny characters — and most importantly, how their chemistry would burn on screen. 🔥

I just completed the drama and honestly, it has not disappointed me. 🙌 I haven’t read the original novel or watched the donghua adaptation, so I’m experiencing the story purely through the drama itself. That actually helps me enjoy it without comparisons.

😂 From Comedy Chaos to Political Depth

At the beginning, I expected pure comedy — chaotic humor, exaggerated situations, lighthearted fun. The first episodes even had moments that made me laugh awkwardly (yes, that “how are you” line caught me off guard 😭).

But after episode three, the tone gradually shifted. What started as a seemingly light transmigration drama slowly unfolded into something much deeper.

The second half? It became a real palace political drama.

Transmigration itself isn’t new in historical dramas, but this drama brought novelty in execution. The plot development, the layered foreshadowing, and the structural payoff were surprisingly solid. Some moments felt slightly strange in pacing, but when the foreshadowing was revealed, everything clicked. That “ohhh” realization feeling was rare and satisfying.

For example, small details like Xie Yong’er and the jasmine motif didn’t feel random. They were carefully planted hints. Even minor characters — from Xu Yao to the scholars — had clear ambitions and narrative completeness. Their motivations were expressed with clarity. I haven’t seen such passionate, era-consistent dialogue in a long time.

One of the most satisfying parts for me is the dynamic between the male lead and female lead. 🥹 They work together. They plan together. They survive together. There’s a mutual understanding between them that feels very refreshing. They are not plotting against each other — they are plotting side by side to protect themselves and improve the kingdom. That partnership feels mature and balanced.

💖✨The Couple - Partnership and Romance

The ML–FL dynamic was honestly one of the most satisfying parts for me. 🥹 They don’t scheme against each other — they strategize side by side. They plan together, survive together, and genuinely try to improve the kingdom together. That partnership feels mature, balanced, and so refreshing for a C-drama couple.

The FL is incredibly sharp and strategic. 🧠✨ She observes, calculates, and acts — she doesn’t wait to be saved. I love that energy.

And the ML… he lived through years of loneliness and manipulation after transmigrating so young. When he met her, everything changed. 😭 Even while hiding his true situation, he loved her wholeheartedly. He barely worried about himself — her safety always came first. That kind of quiet, selfless love really hits. 💔

At first, their chemistry felt more like allies than lovers. But as the story progressed? It started to burn. 🔥 Watching them grow from survival partners into something deeper — through subtle glances and unspoken protection — was lovely.

🌸 Wang Churan — Unexpectedly Perfect

I had watched her some dramas before. But her acting there wasn't that special to me.

But here? She is stunning. Absolutely stunning.

Her beauty is almost unreal — especially in the male disguise scene in the tavern. How can she look that good even dressed as a man? And when she pouts slightly? Too cute.

But beyond visuals, she brought brightness and warmth to the role. She felt lively, intelligent, and emotionally sincere. I genuinely couldn’t imagine anyone else playing this character.

👁️ Chang Lei — The Eyes That Act

Now my favorite part.

After watching My Journey to You in 2024, I waited more than a year to see Chang Lei portray a character whose eyes carry that same raw emotional depth again.

And finally, I saw it.

His eyes in this drama do the acting on their own.

Sometimes they are filled with laughter.
Sometimes they are terrifying in tyrant mode.
Sometimes they are full of loneliness and pain.
Sometimes they soften with love.

I don’t even need to categorize the emotion — it just reaches me. It hits directly.

Dan lived in loneliness for years. Manipulated. Poisoned. Used like a puppet. And yet when he met her, his world shifted. Even when he couldn’t let her go, even when he hid truths from her, his concern was always about her safety. That silent, restrained affection hurt in the best way.

At first, I didn’t see intense romantic chemistry. It felt more like allies. But as the story progressed, their chemistry slowly ignited. That slow burn made it even more satisfying.

His performance here proves again that he can be comedic, dark, vulnerable, and authoritative — all through subtle control. I truly missed seeing that depth.

💔 The Ending… and My Regret

Now, about the ending. honestly… I wanted more. Where was CEO Zhang? I wanted modern company scenes, not just reunion-on-the-subway vibes. The emotional build-up was so high, and suddenly it cut. I felt like some aftermath scenes were missing.

It’s not about comparing or dragging anything down. I just genuinely feel that if the production had slightly more episodes — maybe four or six more — the pacing in the final stretch wouldn’t have felt rushed.

Still, despite some regrets, it remains a very faithful adaptation with impressive acting and detailed presentation. Knowing the novel beforehand actually made me more critical, but it also allowed me to appreciate how certain textual descriptions were transformed into visual storytelling.

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From Low Expectations to Completely Hooked: A Surprisingly Brilliant Drama

I went into this drama with pretty modest expectations, but it completely caught me off guard—in the best way. The very first episode pulled me in and never really let go. The writing is sharp and witty, and the leads deliver their lines with such natural charm that every exchange feels engaging.

What really stood out to me is how layered the characters are. No one feels flat or one-note. Even the antagonists are portrayed with so much nuance that it’s hard to truly hate them—you end up appreciating the performances instead. And the chemistry between the male and female leads? Absolutely delightful. Their dynamic is playful and genuinely funny, their growth feels organic, and the romance unfolds in a way that feels earned rather than forced. It’s the kind of love story you can actually root for.

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How Dare Yo? I Do Dare!

I knew that watching this drama was going to be great. Wang Chu Ran (played Consort, then Noble Consort Yu Wan Yin / Wang Cui Hua) and Ryan Cheng (played Emperor Xiahou Dan / Zhang San), you could not go wrong. Wang Chu Ran was great, as the Emperor's Consort, the noble consort / Noble Consort. She was such a strong character and she was so kind, unless someone she cared about was in danger. She was fearless and just so brave. Xiahou Dan was the Emperor and was a weak character overall; he drew strength from You Wan Yin (his Consort / Noble Consort).

This drama was serious at times, but had many funny moments too!

Tang Xiao Tian (played Xiahou Bo), was a very dark and mysterious prince. His deceased mother was formerly a palace maid servant. He was considered illegitimate. Actress Hu Yi Xian (played Consort Xie Yong Er) and was genuinely attracted to the illegitimate prince, Xiahou Bo. He used her for information and as a bed partner. Xiahou Bo only liked himself, somewhat. consort Xie Yong Er developed into a great character and she went from being aloof to having a close relationship with Wang Chu Ran's character (Consort / Noble Consort Yu Wan Yin). When Consort Xie Yong Er and Consort / Noble Consort You Wan Yin developed such a close relationship, they became close like sisters. The two of them played together, talked with each other and ate together. Sometimes the emperor would interrupt them and get in the way. There was a time when Noble Consort Yu Wan Yin started looking out for Consort Xie Yong Er, especially after she got pregnant and was poisoned. The Noble Consort Yu Wan Yin carried Consort Xie Yong Er on her back, to the Consort's palace. The evil Empress Dowager was a killer, a schemer and a control-centric person. Near the end of the drama, it was said that she was actually from the enemy country.

All throughout this drama, was was yelling at the television that the Emperor should give his Noble Consort more power; I wanted him to make her his Empress sooner so she would not have her hands to tied; she needed more power. He made her is Empress in the last third of the drama.

The final episode of the drama was so beautiful. The Emperor Xiahou Dan was in court with all of his Ministers. Wang Chu Ran, Emperss, walked into court with the most beautiful of gowns. She walked so gracefully and was so beautiful. She left the Emperor and Minister in aw. They Emperor and Empress walked back to a place laced with flowers. As the walked around and met at the end, a beautiful huge fireworks display took place in the night sky. The Emperor slipped a very unique gold locket ring on the Empress' finger. I had to snap so photos of the Empress' red and black gown. I also took some photos of the locket ring. I showed the photos to other people and they could not believe how the beauty of Wang Chu Ran, her red / black gown and the locket ring.

Actually, the ratings of this drama went from 8.3 to 8.7 on MyDramaList. If you do not know, that is a very high rating, that is up there with shows like Guardians of the Defang. It is ahead of Legend of the Female General.

I will watch this drama, How Dare You?, again in the near future. I Do Dare!

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Fantastic Show!

This was a masterpiece from start to finish !! Cheng lei and Wang churan truly delivered an incredible performance they were perfect for this role !!
A couple where both the leads love each other equally and respected each other. Such devotion! Shoutout to Cheng lei and Wang chu ran from bringing life to these unforgettable character.'s hey had great comedic and serious acting abilities.
Wan Chu Ran played a intelligent heroine who could also be funny and playfull!
Cheng Li played Dan who was far more complex with so much various emotions were fantastic loved his eyes! Dan priorities Yan Wins safety and freedom over his own desires!

Loved all the rest of the supporting cast! Cried many tears when we lost some of our favorites! So many of them we grew to love! I felt heartbroken when any of them died that was the hardest part watching.

It was a beautiful romance, and I absolutely loved the double happy ending.
The costumes, the colors, the cinematography the OST were so beautiful!
The ending in the book was so wonderful. Loved the double happy ending!
Best ending I could ask for... of them saying "How are you?"... "Fine, thank you... and you?"
This is a must watch and rewatch!

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