This review may contain spoilers
Can someone explain the hate?
From the very first episodes, I found myself completely invested in the story. The plot moves at a steady pace, revealing just enough information to keep the suspense alive without becoming unnecessarily complicated. There are plenty of twists, shifting alliances, and emotional confrontations, but what kept me watching wasn't simply the revenge itself. It was watching how far the protagonist was willing to go in order to achieve it.
We're so used to female leads who always make the morally correct decision, even when they're supposed to be seeking revenge. Here, that's simply not the case.
Ren Susu / Fang Mulan is intelligent, manipulative, determined, and, above all, deeply flawed and I absolutely loved that. There were many moments where I completely disagreed with her choices, yet I never wanted the drama to change her. he's someone you're meant to question, sometimes even criticize. Her obsession often takes precedence over the people who genuinely care about her, and the drama never pretends otherwise.
The best example of this is her relationship with Murong Qing Yi.
I honestly lost count of how many times I wanted to reach through the screen and tell her to stop hurting him.
Poor Murong Qing Yi spends so much of the drama paying the price for decisions that aren't even his own. Again and again, he becomes collateral damage in a revenge that was never his to fight. He remains loyal, patient, and willing to stand beside her even when she gives him every reason to walk away. While I understand why she keeps making those decisions—because revenge has completely consumed her—there were several moments where the pain she inflicted on him felt almost unnecessary. It wasn't the kind of suffering that naturally came from the circumstances; it was suffering created by her inability to trust, to let go, or simply to be honest.
And yet... that's also what made their relationship so compelling.
Visually, the drama is a bit of a mixed bag.
There are scenes that look absolutely stunning, with beautiful costumes, strong cinematography, and emotional framing that elevates key moments. Then, out of nowhere, the CGI reminds you that the budget clearly had its limits. Some effects look surprisingly rough and occasionally pull you out of otherwise powerful scenes.
One thing I know I'll probably be in the minority about is the opening sequence.
I actually preferred the original AI-generated opening. I know it sparked a lot of criticism when the drama aired, but personally, I thought it fit the atmosphere much better than the replacement version. More importantly, it didn't spoil the story. The new opening uses actual scenes from later episodes, and I've never been a fan of openings that reveal moments I'm supposed to discover naturally while watching. I much preferred the original version because it created intrigue without giving anything away.
Overall, Overdo was a very enjoyable surprise. A gripping revenge plot, engaging twists, emotionally layered relationships, and, most importantly, a female lead who isn't afraid to be selfish, stubborn, and morally questionable made this a refreshing watch from beginning to end.
We're so used to female leads who always make the morally correct decision, even when they're supposed to be seeking revenge. Here, that's simply not the case.
Ren Susu / Fang Mulan is intelligent, manipulative, determined, and, above all, deeply flawed and I absolutely loved that. There were many moments where I completely disagreed with her choices, yet I never wanted the drama to change her. he's someone you're meant to question, sometimes even criticize. Her obsession often takes precedence over the people who genuinely care about her, and the drama never pretends otherwise.
The best example of this is her relationship with Murong Qing Yi.
I honestly lost count of how many times I wanted to reach through the screen and tell her to stop hurting him.
Poor Murong Qing Yi spends so much of the drama paying the price for decisions that aren't even his own. Again and again, he becomes collateral damage in a revenge that was never his to fight. He remains loyal, patient, and willing to stand beside her even when she gives him every reason to walk away. While I understand why she keeps making those decisions—because revenge has completely consumed her—there were several moments where the pain she inflicted on him felt almost unnecessary. It wasn't the kind of suffering that naturally came from the circumstances; it was suffering created by her inability to trust, to let go, or simply to be honest.
And yet... that's also what made their relationship so compelling.
Visually, the drama is a bit of a mixed bag.
There are scenes that look absolutely stunning, with beautiful costumes, strong cinematography, and emotional framing that elevates key moments. Then, out of nowhere, the CGI reminds you that the budget clearly had its limits. Some effects look surprisingly rough and occasionally pull you out of otherwise powerful scenes.
One thing I know I'll probably be in the minority about is the opening sequence.
I actually preferred the original AI-generated opening. I know it sparked a lot of criticism when the drama aired, but personally, I thought it fit the atmosphere much better than the replacement version. More importantly, it didn't spoil the story. The new opening uses actual scenes from later episodes, and I've never been a fan of openings that reveal moments I'm supposed to discover naturally while watching. I much preferred the original version because it created intrigue without giving anything away.
Overall, Overdo was a very enjoyable surprise. A gripping revenge plot, engaging twists, emotionally layered relationships, and, most importantly, a female lead who isn't afraid to be selfish, stubborn, and morally questionable made this a refreshing watch from beginning to end.
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