Speed and Love

Love Isn’t Just About the Chase; It’s the Sacrifice

Watching "Speed and Love (2025)" felt like witnessing a high-speed collision between a "Silent Protector" lost in his own darkness and the "Unwavering Light" that refused to let him go home alone. From the very first episode, I was hooked by how cool the Thailand setting looked and the crazy chemistry between the leads. Over 29 episodes, the show gives you a mix of intense romance and deep emotions that feels a lot more real and mature.

★STORYLINE ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
Speed and Love is about a street racer participating in underground, illegal races for money and to move up the rank in the Alliance named Jin Zhao and the deep connection he shares with Mumu. The show takes place in the fast-paced world of car racing, but the real heart of the story is their relationship. It follows them as they deal with the pressures of his career and the challenges of staying together. It’s a story about not giving up on the person you love, showing that even when life moves fast, having someone to lean on is what really matters.

★The ZHAO & MU RELATIONSHIP ( Not blood-related )
Before we start, its crucial to clarify that they share absolutely no blood relation; their connection is rooted in a deep family friendship rather than biology. JZ is actually the son of Mumu’s father’s closest friend. After a series of tragic events left JZ without a stable home, he was taken in by the Jiang family and raised alongside Mumu. This 'pseudo-sibling' dynamic is what makes their transition into lovers so intense—he wasn't just a boy next door; he was her protector, her teacher, and her constant shadow during their formative years. Because he felt a sense of duty to her parents (his benefactors) and a deep-seated need to protect Mu Mu's innocence, Jin Zhao’s struggle is doubled. He isn't just fighting his feelings for a woman; he’s fighting the guilt of 'corrupting' the sibling-like bond they were raised with, making his eventual surrender to his love for her all the more powerful and earned.


★CHARACTERS ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
1. JIN ZHAO (ML) - The "Silent Protector" Man
- JZ is the classic 'tough on the outside, soft for her' lead. Having had it rough since childhood due to a toxic adopted mother, he grew up believing he was 'bad luck' to everyone. He became a hardened, silent man because, for years, silence was his only shield. The trauma of being abandoned and fighting for survival on the gritty streets of Thailand turned his protective nature into a defensive shell. He stopped being 'gentle' because the world was never gentle to him. By the time Mumu finds him, he has buried that sweet version of himself under layers of scars. He pushes her away not because he’s forgotten her, but because he’s terrified that letting her in will expose how broken he feels inside. Yet, beneath it all, his heart never stopped beating for her. He’s the guy who would crash a car before letting a hair on her head be touched.

- His love isn’t about flashy words or grand promises; it’s entirely built on what he does for Mumu. Since they were kids, his life has revolved around making her path easier, even if it meant he had to walk through the thorns himself. Whether it was protecting her from their parents' high expectations or disappearing for six years just so she wouldn't have to be a "caregiver" at twenty, his love is the ultimate sacrifice. He is the type of man who will stand in the rain just to make sure she stays dry, and even when he’s at his lowest, his first thought is always: "Is she okay? Is she happy?"


2. JIANG MU (FL) - The "Unwavering Devotion" Woman 
- If Jin Zhao is the shield that protects her, Mumu is the light that refuses to go out. Her love for him is incredibly loyal and brave. No matter how many times Jin Zhao tries to push her away or acts cold to "protect" her from his dark world, she just doesn't budge. She sees right through his tough-guy act to the lonely boy she grew up with. She’s not just a bystander either; she literally steps into his world, becoming his navigator on the racing track and his emotional anchor off it. She’s the person who proves that no matter how fast he runs, she’ll always be right there beside him, refusing to let him face the world alone.

- Mumu is the real savior of their relationship. While Jin Zhao is the protective force, it is Mumu’s unwavering love and quiet devotion that ultimately saved them. Her devotion is the glue of the series; her choice to stay committed and her inability to simply 'move on' is what bridged the gap between them. If she hadn't been so steadfast in her love, the story would have ended very differently. We owe that happy ending entirely to her strength and her refusal to give up on what they had.


★The REALITY OF JIN ZHAO'S SILENCE ( 6yrs Separation Arc ) ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
- To truly understand why Jin Zhao stayed away, we have to move past the "drama lens" and look at the brutal reality of physical and mental trauma. For a man who grew up poor, his body was his only strength, his pride, and his means of survival, and losing his strength through disability meant losing his identity. Having been told for a decade by a toxic adopted mother that he was "bad luck" and "burden", his silence wasn't "noble idiocy"—it was the desperate act of a man who thought he was "trash" trying to keep a "diamond" from being stained.

- He didn't want her pity, and he certainly didn't want her to abandon her aerospace dreams or her family reconciliation to become a full-time caregiver at such a young age. In the real world, the long, painful process of rehabilitation breaks even the strongest families. He made a decision to ensure she didn't have to spend a lifetime martyring her potential for a man who didn't even know if he could stand on his own two feet. It wasn't about a lack of trust in Mumu; it was a total lack of faith in himself. 

- He didn't "ghost" her out of a lack of trust; he left because he loved her enough to let her become a successful, independent woman who could eventually choose him from a position of power, rather than staying with him out of a sense of obligation. It wasn't "noble idiocy"—it was a realistic, heartbreaking sacrifice made by a man who had nothing left to give but her freedom. 


★PROS ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
1. Cinematography : One of the standout features of the drama is its incredible production value.

2. Electric Chemistry - It’s not just "cute"; it’s intense and magnetic. Whether they are arguing or just looking at each other, the tension is so thick you can practically feel it. The best part of this drama is definitely the chemistry between the leads.

3. The OST - It is top-tier; these tracks don't just play in the background—they breathe with the scenes and act as the unspoken inner monologue of the characters.
- "Away" by R.E.D Zhou Luoxi (Alyce): I am completely obsessed with this one and have had it on loop. It perfectly captures the hollow ache of the six-year separation—it’s the sound of a heart trying to find its way back home.
- "Would You Like That" (Male & Female Versions): Both versions by Xu Zhaohao and Jin Yinling bring a beautiful duality to the romance, echoing the "Day and Night" (ZhaoMu) connection.
- "Outside the Orbit" by Yan An: This track feels like the pulse of the racing world, high-energy yet tinged with the longing that defines the entire series.

4. The Growth of Mumu: Watching her transform from a sheltered 20 year old little girl into an independent woman was satisfying. She didn’t just wait to be saved; she became the person who saved the relationship. 


★CONS ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
The "Pseudo-Sibling" Setup, even though they aren't blood-related, some viewers might find it uncomfortable. It takes a few episodes to get used to the shift in their dynamic. In the first few episodes, Mumu begins the story with a very youthful, almost childlike energy—which might be polarizing at first—but this makes her eventual transformation into Jin Zhao's 'navigator' and emotional anchor even more rewarding. So stick with it—she matures a lot! I personally loved her acting and voice both .


★FAV SCENES ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
- JZ hugging Mumu infront of everyone after that car fight scene when she told him she's cold (Ep 3)
- JZ bringing napkins for Mumu and rubbing her belly to lessen the cramps (Ep 4)
- Mumu kicking the lighter from JZ's hand (Ep 5)
- JZ preparing breakfast for mumu and taking her to the school 
- JZ blushing and smiling sweetly whenever Mumu acts cutesy or throws tantrum
- JZ drying mumu's hair (Ep 11)
- all the car race scenes and fight scenes
- JZ carrying Mumu on his back up three flights of stairs. Upon reaching her room, he gently placed her bare feet atop his own and walked her inside ( Ep 13 ) 
- JZ and Mumu holding hands secretly after their first kiss (ep 15) 
- whenever JZ leans down to talk with Mumu
- love how JZ cups Mumu’s head every time they hug
- JZ making Mumu sit on his lap to have her help him with the t-shirt (Ep 15) 
- ALL kiss scenes 🤭 ( especially the first official drunk kiss (Ep15), the Coffee kiss ☕(Ep15), the strawberry kiss (Ep16) and the Garage kiss (Ep16) where they covered the dog's eye with a towel just to get some privacy lol )
- the sun and moon reunion scene
- Mumu giving nose peck to JZ (Ep27)


★FAV DIALOGUE ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
⤷ Mumu - After all these years, I still haven’t forgotten you. After all these years of drifting and crossing paths with others, I still only love you 𓍢🌷͙֒
⤷ Jin Zhao - Looking at her tear-reddened eyes, I wanted so badly to hold her, but I couldn't. I only want her to be happy, even if that happiness doesn't include me .
⤷ My dream is for you to always be happy ~ 💗⃝🌕

★OVERALL ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
The chemistry is definitely the best part. You can really feel the tension between them as they go from being childhood friends to having a "forbidden" adult relationship. Whether they are hanging out in a garage or just sharing a quiet moment in the heat of Thailand, the pull between them is undeniable. If you like leads who have a lot of "spark," you won't be disappointed.
Whether you're here for He Yu’s incredible transformation, the beautiful Thai scenery, or the heart-wrenching OST, this drama is a journey worth taking.

➠ Recommended if ....
- If you love a hero who shows love through "Acts of Service" (like drying her hair or protecting her from the rain).
- If you enjoy a "Hardened ML x Healer FL" dynamic.
- If you appreciate a female lead who is the "Pursuer" and refuses to let the hero self-destruct.

➠ Skip if ...
- If "pseudo-sibling" romances make you feel awkward
- If  sensitive to "Baby Voice" acting (tho it gets better after Mumu's character growth)
- If you prefer "Words of Affirmation" over a Silent Lead (Jin Zhao shows love, but he rarely speaks it).


I want to leave you with a thought :- If you were 23-24 years old, facing a lifetime of disability and poverty and you don't even know if you could be able to stand on your own two feet again, while your partner is only 19-20 yrs old, would you really drag the person you love into that trenches with you, or would you give them the chance to fly?
We judge Jin Zhao’s coldness, & call it noble idiocy but we don't see the man underneath—the man who was so utterly broken that he felt he had no right to be loved. In his mind, he had lost everything. He had no money, no strength, and no hope to offer. The only gift he had left in his trembling hands was her exit. He broke his own heart to ensure she wouldn't spend her best years fading away in the shadow of his pain. He didn't just walk away; he gave her the only thing he had left to give: her freedom.

Last but not the least, don't let the 'noble idiocy' debate stop you from watching—look deeper into Jin Zhao's heart, and you'll find one of the most realistic portrayals of sacrificial love in recent years.

✶⋆.˚ Because in the end, the greatest act of love isn't just holding on; it’s having the courage to become the ghost in someone else’s life so that they might finally live in the sun .


To everyone who journeyed through these 29 episodes (and this review) with me - Thank you for reading! In a world that moves too fast, I hope you find a love that makes you want to slow down and stay a while....𓍢🌷͙֒ 💕⃝🕊️

Read More

Wholesome, Fluffy Heartwarming Romance Story

This drama has Hidden Love vibes. Such amazing chemistry with the leads and a beautiful, sweet love story that starts from childhood friendship to adult budding love. It's so cute and heartwarming watching this little love grow between the two leads. The kind of love story that touches your heart and you find yourself rooting for them with each episode. The subtle glances at each other, the slight "accidental" touches, and cute teasing were so cute to watch.

After watching so many angst, torturing dramas this drama is a refreshing watch. It has it's moments, but the romance and the cute scenes really heal your heart. You have a cute sweet "little siter" FL that is genuine and a protective, attentive ML who realizes his love for her and devotes his whole attention to her. They were meant to be from the start.

If you're looking for a sweet WHOLESOME and heartwarming childhood to adulthood type romance, this is it! I binged watched this so fast. I'm so sad that I finished it.

Amazing acting, performance and production from crew. Really good chemistry between main leads. Good plot and storyline, nothing messy or draggy. 100% worth the watch and even a re-watch.

**Note: I know people complain about Ether's voice but it's her voice, she can't help it. If anything I think it's cute and matches her character. I used to get put off by it too but it has since grown on me! Love Ether and He Yu! ♥

Read More

At Different Paces, The Sun And Moon Share One Sky

"Speed and Love" is a modern romance that holds a familiarity of a book you can’t put down — the kind that quietly pulls you in until you realize you’re completely immersed. With its cinematic production and visually striking moments, the drama often leaves you wanting to replay scenes just to relive the emotions they evoke. It beautifully balances thrill, humor, and heart-fluttering tenderness, capturing the essence of a love shaped by shared history in a way that feels both exhilarating and sincere.

Yet, once you set aside the rose-colored glasses, the story reveals something far more layered, a quiet depth that extends beyond fleeting excitement or surface-level romance. It suggests that love isn’t found when the gear shifts into fast mode, nor in the adrenaline that fuels every reckless turn. Instead, it lives in the choice to slow down... to ease off the accelerator, to savor the quiet moments without coming to a full stop. It doesn’t need a map, because the heart already knows its way home.

STORYLINE₊ ⊹❅
The drama centers on Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao, who once grew up together as step-siblings before being separated by their parents’ divorce. Years later, they reunite, and their connection gradually deepens into something more. While this premise could have felt uncomfortable or difficult to watch, the story handles it with care by clearly establishing the true nature of their relationship from the very beginning. As a result, their bond feels less like a taboo romance and more like that of childhood sweethearts finding their way back to one another.

The story opens with the reunion of the two leads, now marked by distance, unspoken emotions, and lingering secrets. What immediately draws attention is the dynamic between Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao, a mix of familiarity and tension that makes their interactions quietly compelling and sets the tone for the emotional journey ahead. Every exchange between them feels charged, amplifying even the smallest gestures: a lingering glance, a fleeting word, a restrained reaction. These subtle moments convey a longing that is both tender and contained, a closeness that feels just within reach yet painfully distant, making the early stages of the drama especially affecting.

As the narrative progresses, the contrast between Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao becomes increasingly evident — one living with ease, the other constantly on edge. It is within this contrast that the true roots of their romance take hold. The way their relationship was made to unfold slowly, delicately, and with intention created a magnetic pull, one that lifts the heart and lingers after each scene. Though their love carries the flutter of a first romance and an intense, lingering passion, it is ultimately grounded in emotional awareness and quiet understanding. Beneath the tender moments lies a deeper resonance: a sense of truly seeing and knowing one another, which elevates their connection beyond fleeting affection and gives it lasting depth.

While the first half of the drama brims with heart-stirring sweetness, the latter half descends into emotional turmoil with the onset of the six-year separation arc. This shift, in particular, resonated with me the most. Though it may not appeal to everyone, it is precisely this portion of the story that left the strongest impression. What stood out was how, despite the distance and uncertainty that defined those years apart, the bond between Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao never wavered. With no promises made and no reassurances to cling to, they continued to live their lives in parallel, separated by circumstance, yet unwavering in their devotion.

In a reality shaped by countless choices and diverging paths, they chose each other in silence, holding on not to certainty, but to the quiet conviction of their hearts. Their relationship does not survive in spite of the difficulties they face; instead, those struggles are what shape, deepen, and ultimately prove their love. The obstacles they endure become the very reason their bond grows stronger, not something that threatens to break it. It is within their separation, their restraint, and their unwavering faith in one another that their connection truly deepens. This is what gives their story its emotional weight, a love that endures without guarantees, rooted in trust, longing, and an unspoken understanding that transcends time and distance.

Beyond the leads’ dynamic, the drama also shines through its action elements. The inclusion of fight sequences and racing scenes adds an extra layer of excitement, at times reminiscent of Fast & Furious. These moments enhance the overall viewing experience, adding momentum and intensity while allowing viewers to become even more immersed in the story. The only aspect I wished had been handled better was the execution of certain transitions and cuts, as a few scenes felt slightly abrupt or underdeveloped. That said, the storyline remained impactful overall, and these minor shortcomings did little to reduce the story’s overall weight.

CHARACTERS & ACTING₊ ⊹❅
He Yu as Jin Zhao | Brandy
Jin Zhao is a character who stands apart from the typical male leads often seen in modern c-dramas. While he may initially appear to fit the familiar “bad boy” mold, his portrayal carries a depth that feels refreshingly different. Beneath the rough edges and rebellious exterior lies a character shaped by circumstance rather than choice. He is not merely defined by attitude or bravado, but by the weight of responsibility he carried from a young age. Though he grew up as Jiang Mu’s dependable older stepbrother, Jin Zhao was, at his core, just a boy forced to mature far too early. As he grew older and became known as “Brandy” in Manshi, his image evolved into that of someone fearless and untouchable, someone constantly living on the edge. Yet beneath that hardened exterior was a young man who had spent his life suppressing vulnerability, never allowing himself the comfort of weakness. This emotional restraint was not born from pride, but from survival.

In everything he did, Jin Zhao presented strength, composure, and control, masking the weight he carried within. His life had taught him to endure silently, and in doing so, he learned to rely only on himself. It is precisely this contrast, between his hardened exterior and his unspoken fragility, that makes his character so compelling. Amid all the chaos and danger surrounding him, Jiang Mu remained his one constant, the only place where he could feel safe, understood, and at ease. She was not just someone he loved, but his refuge...the quiet warmth he had been searching for all along. Jin Zhao had always cherished Jiang Mu as though she were something impossibly precious, a fragile gem too rare to be handled carelessly, a masterpiece meant to be admired from afar. To him, she was like the moon itself: radiant in the dark sky, luminous and beautiful, yet distant enough that he dared not reach for her too boldly. He never wanted to be the cloud that dimmed her light. Instead, he chose to stand beneath it, protecting her even if it meant remaining in the shadows.

Though his choices may have appeared selfish or wrong, they were born from a place of fierce love and self-sacrifice. He took away her right to choose not because he doubted her, but because he believed the weight of his world was never meant to rest on her shoulders. Standing at the edge of an uncertain future, with no stability or safety to offer, he could not bear the thought of dragging her into the chaos he was navigating. So he chose to shoulder the pain alone, to carry the burden quietly, believing that loving her meant shielding her, even if it meant breaking his own heart. Jin Zhao loved Jiang Mu not only deeply, but wholly. He loved her in all her layers, in every detail that made her who she was. His love was not loud or possessive; it was reverent, knowing, and profoundly selfless. It embodied the truth that to truly love someone is to see them fully, to understand their light, their fears, their worth, and to choose them even from afar.

This was my first time watching He Yu’s work, and I was genuinely taken by surprise by how exceptionally well he embodied the role of Jin Zhao. The character felt as though it had been written specifically for him. While his striking presence certainly adds to the appeal, what truly stood out was the depth of his performance. From his aura and subtle micro-expressions to his soft, gentle speaking voice which is a rarity among many C-drama actors known for deeper, more rugged tones, he brought something uniquely captivating to the screen. He Yu possesses a remarkable ability to convey emotion through the smallest details. His expressions, body language, and line delivery carried an emotional weight that felt natural and deeply resonant with the character. It was evident how much intention and care he put into portraying Jin Zhao, making every scene feel authentic and lived-in. His dedication extended beyond performance alone; his effort in learning to race and his involvement in shaping his character’s style further demonstrated his commitment to the role. Altogether, He Yu delivered a performance that was both nuanced and compelling. His portrayal not only elevated the character but also left a lasting impression, marking him as a truly promising actor whose work deserves recognition and attention.

Esther Yu as Jiang Mu
Jiang Mu is a character who, at first glance, appears to embody sunshine and softness. In her early years, she may come across as naive, sheltered, or even childlike, but what makes her truly compelling is the depth that lies beneath that gentle exterior. The warmth and innocence she displays are not traits she offers freely to everyone; they are reserved almost exclusively for Jin Zhao. Beneath her softness exists a quiet strength and emotional maturity that often goes unnoticed. While her innocence may initially seem excessive or overly idealized, something that even gave me pause in the early episodes, the more the story unfolds, the clearer her true nature becomes. What appears as childishness is, in fact, a conscious vulnerability. Her gentleness is not weakness, but choice. She allows herself to be soft only with Jin Zhao, not out of dependency or infatuation, but because with him, she feels safe enough to lower her guard.

In doing so, Jiang Mu reveals her deepest form of strength. She lays herself bare not to be protected, but to offer protection in return — to give Jin Zhao a place of warmth, comfort, and emotional refuge. It is through this quiet act of trust that her character truly shines. Her love is not loud or demanding, but deeply intentional, rooted in empathy and understanding. In allowing herself to be seen by him, she becomes his safe harbor, proving that gentleness, when paired with emotional courage, can be one of the most powerful forces of all.

While Jiang Mu was deeply hurt by Jin Zhao’s choice to protect her by pushing her away, she could have easily turned her heart elsewhere. She had every reason to do so, every justification to walk away. Yet she didn’t. For her, love had always pointed in only one direction...toward Jin Zhao. Her devotion was unwavering, not born from blind attachment, but from quiet certainty. She loved him not in spite of the pain, but with the understanding of it. What makes Jiang Mu remarkable is that her love was never passive. She, too, was someone who chose to protect. Where Jin Zhao shielded her from harm, she became his anchor. In moments when the world felt uncertain and the future unclear, she was the one who offered steadiness and reassurance. As she once expressed, she was never his weakness, she was his navigation. Through her presence, Jin Zhao found direction, warmth, and a sense of safety he had never known before. In loving him, she became his refuge, just as he had always been hers.

Esther Yu delivered a commendable performance in this drama, but it was during the Nanjing arc that she truly stood out. This portion of the story highlighted her strongest acting to date, showcasing a noticeable growth in emotional depth and control compared to her previous works. Jiang Mu proved to be a role that allowed her to step beyond her usual range and fully explore the character’s inner complexity. Her performance reflected a deeper understanding of her character, and it was clear how much care and effort she invested, making her portrayal both compelling and deserving of praise.

OSTs₊ ⊹❅
This drama features one of the most memorable OSTs i’ve come across, one that I deeply resonated with. The OSTs were beautifully composed, and the background music was thoughtfully chosen to enhance each moment rather than simply accompany it. Every track felt purposeful, amplifying the emotional weight of key scenes and elevating the overall viewing experience. Even after finishing the drama, I find myself returning to them.

OVERALL IMPRESSION₊ ⊹❅
In the end, Speed and Love reminds us that love isn’t about arriving first or moving at the world’s relentless pace. Like the sun and the moon, its lovers exist in different moments of time—day and night, motion and pause, yet are never truly apart because they share the same sky. In a world that rushes forward and forgets how to yearn, this drama holds space for the quiet beauty of a love that still chooses to wait. It is a powerful reminder that while little in this world may be absolute, there can still be one person who chooses to love...steadfastly, through every single day and every single night.

FAVE SCENES₊ ⊹❅
- Jin Zhao comforting Jiang Mu when she was in pain due to her cramps
- All of Jin Zhao's fighting and race car scenes
- New Year's piggyback scene
- Jiang Mu's drifting confession and Jin Zhao's reply to her confession
- Lin Sui and Jin Zhao's moments especially the market scene
- San Lai's advice to Jin Zhao
- All the kiss scenes
- After 6 years separation, Jiang Mu explaining to Jin Zhao about the sun and moon on episode 25

˖ . ݁❅𝜗𝜚❅. ݁₊

"The Sun and Moon alternate. Even natural laws aren't absolute, let alone people. The sun shines by day, and the moon by night. The sun and moon shine together, and will never be apart." — Jiang Mu

Read More

When Speed left the chat, love is what left to pump the gear

The story is simple AF. It's about two homosapiens who are not a blood-related brother-sister duo but were raised like one. But as the dramaland suggests, "no way male and female can be friends." This also applies to "not blood-related, so brother, who? Sister who?" this followed the same path as you can imagine it should.

The FL is your typical grown ass woman acting like a child 24/7 and the ML who's as same age as the actress plays a older brother role who miraculously look same aged to me but the screenwriters refused to think otherwise. FL can't do shit, not a single thing (oh she can talk back and trick people haha) but ML is her knight in shinning armor. He can cook, race, wrestle, take care of children and doesn't complain a thing! What a wonderful pushover material for FL. The way he pampers her, fr it makes me jealous lol.

Basically, you know what's going to happen from the beginning, but you still watch it for the fluttering interactions, thrilling lovefest and pretty cinematography. But if you ask me, honestly, it was such a snooze fest, full of clichés and no depth. Other than the two big Cs, i.e. Cinematography and Chemistry, it's basically an empty expensive water bottle. Most of the storyline is filler, the rest of the story could have finished within 10–12 episodes, but no, they dragged it to 29 damn episodes. Not worth the hassle. And last but not the least, people might find it charming, but I find MLs who act tough, hiding all the pain, ghost the FL and says "it's better for you this way" REALLY ANNOYING! So the whole nonsensical crap was just testing my patience, but thanks to their chemistry and He Yu, I made it to the end.

Acting wise, He Yu's acting was good, very convincing and professional. Esther Yu was...not bad but not good either. Personally, I find her baby voice, cute acting very annoying. But when she "acts" like an adult it feels natural, which means she can. So there's something definitely wrong with the cutesy act. Hope she realizes and changes it soon.

Overall, surely give it a try. If you love stunning cinematography, fluff and mainly grumpy ML x sunshine FL type of dramas, then this could be your favorite thing. Also if you like He Yu a little too much like me, hehe! ><

Read More

Its not for the mature audience.

I believe those who are excited about this drama are of a young age group cause i am at episode 17 and i don't know what we are working towards.I am just pushing through the drama to see where the story line takes me.I am a girls girl but the female lead in this one is just a let down for me, apart from being with the guy does she not have aspirations for her own life,her character is abit too much for me...For starters,she left China for the guy... refused to go to Canada to further her studies for the guy, staying in Thailand for the guy.Then she goes further and asks the guy what she should study after she has finished her language course.In all honestly why does her life have to revolve around a guy who has a plan/s surrounding his life despite some of them being dangerous.The guy is book smart were it not for extenuating circumstances he would have gone to college,now we get to see him being street smart....he has his own garage while helping out at the restaurant and on a mission to bring down a smuggling syndicate.We clearly see he has a life and has been managing well without her in his life.Enters female lead with her nonsensical worries...hope he is not selling drugs!! Who is that person he is meeting? Why is he doing underground fighting? Why is he street racing? Sees a suspicious person the 'brother' met starts following him.What is wrong with this lady...Let us not forget she had the brains to say she can take care of him is he agrees to go back with her in China to their old house.She hasn't finished her studies,does not have a career neither have we seen her interest in any money making activity.Her only redeeming aspects is that she is a really good driver and i like her outfits,other than that her cute...naive persona does not add value to the male main character,she is too meddlesome for his own good....ooh yeah,even his friends have become her friends🤦🏽‍♀️

Read More

All u need to know abt this drama is under this review!!

I really enjoyed watching speed nd love. The story pulled me in right away, it's not just abt racing, but abt how love nd personal growth can be tested by circumstances.


In the first part we saw the main leads meeting after such a long time of being separated due to the female lead parents divorce. Mumu was young innocent nd jin zhao being a father to her by caring nd protecting her til their relationship gradually began to transform frm being like siblings (w no blood ties ofc) to lovers.


Then in the second part they faced another separation because of jin zhao health issue after the car accident when he was carrying out his task he kept her away frm him so that he wouldn't be a burden on her nd let her focuses on her mom nd her future so she can meet a proper guy, nd as a result of all this we saw a change in her personality, she became more serious nd mature.


After her mom recovered nd her health improved, she decided to return to her hometown to see him again. There, she began to investigate his life : what had become of him, what he was doing, nd why he had distanced himself frm her because he didn't tell her abt his health so as not to scare her. And yeah finally she knows everything nd they revived their relationship again.


Then the acting frm the leads was excellent, they made the emotions believable without overdoing it. And their chemistry was sooo strong, whether they were playful or serious u could feel the connection.


So overall, it's a drama that mixes excitement w heartfelt emotion nd am glad i watched it.

Read More

Longing, Love & Friendship

Despite being set against a fast-paced backdrop of street racing and prize fighting, the heart of “Speed and Love” isn’t thrill-seeking but rather the relationships that last through life’s ups and downs — family, true friends, the unconditional love of “two hearts, defying wind and rain together, resisting a broken life.”

The emotional stakes pull you in from episode 1, where a pampered young woman (Esther Yu) travels to Thailand to reunite with her estranged father and the boy she grew up with (He Yu), who’s now almost unrecognizable. Her former top-student, doting “brother” is now caught in a dangerous lifestyle of illegal car racing and underground boxing matches.

It’s their first time meeting as adults and sets the stage for their rollercoaster of a journey together: from their first encounter, where you could cut the tension and unsaid words hanging in the air with a knife; to their magnetic attraction, flirting, and jealousy; to acknowledging that their feelings for each other are more than just childhood fondness and overcoming many obstacles to being together.

In the other roles I’ve seen them in, Esther Yu and He Yu both play rather “cute” characters (see “A Romance of the Little Forest” and “My Fated Boy” as examples). Here they’re playing more complex roles and deliver impressive performances on all fronts — emotional intensity, chemistry, non-verbal acting (expressions, eye contact, body language). It’s the leads’ performances and screen presence that make some implausible circumstances and hard-to-understand character behavior still absorbing to watch unfold.

Esther Yu often portrays bubbly, child-like characters (and does it well — roles that could be annoying in other hands are somehow adorable in hers) but the way she plays Jiang Mu, especially in emotionally intense moments, makes it clear that she can excel in dramatic roles as well as comic ones.

Despite his baby face, He Yu delivers a mature performance as Jin Zhao, a resilient young man who hasn’t had an easy life. Even though his character makes questionable choices at times, you never doubt his feelings because they’re written all over his face — longing, adoration, restraint, despair, disappointment. His gaze and microexpressions give his “bad boy” character some unexpected depth and help viewers understand Jin Zhao’s thoughts even though he’s the type to keep them to himself.

Another standout role is Fei Qi Ming’s portrayal of San Lai, the male lead’s best buddy — a happy-go-lucky guy with a big heart. He’s one of those rare friends who’s there through thick and thin and gives good advice even if it’s hard to hear. Male friendship may not get as much screen time in dramas as female friendship, but it’s heartwarming to see the dynamic between Jin Zhao’s closest friends (including a rival-turned-friend played by Mike Angelo) who support him during his lowest moments.

To sum up, there’s a lot that’s unique about this drama — the setting (Thailand), the look (kind of a stylized, 80s vibe in the beginning, especially the neon-lit night scenes), the action sequences (even as someone who doesn’t gravitate toward that genre, the fighting is exciting and looks real).

Aside from some abrupt transitions and plot points that aren’t explained fully (perhaps scenes that were edited out to trim down the number of episodes?), the pacing is good, the plot doesn’t drag, and the ending is a happy one.

Looking beyond the sizzling chemistry of the leads, the story shows imperfect people learning to be better versions of themselves and navigating real-world struggles like broken families, alcoholism, and seemingly hopeless medical diagnoses. This realism, paired with the show’s talented cast and stylish production values, hooks you with a flashy first half and keeps you on edge with an emotionally gripping second half for an all-around captivating (and very bingeable) viewing experience.

Read More

THE STORY IS SPICY, AND THE DELIVERY IS DAMN HOT!

This drama is LIT. But don't be fooled by the hype, this isn't a one size fits all crowd-pleaser. It's a love-it-or-hate-it.

You will have a bad time with this drama if:
*You're uncomfortable with pseudo-incest dramas
*You can't stand FL's babydoll brand of coquettishness
*You go in with high expectations that this is going to be some kind of Lighter & Princess or Amidst A Snowstorm Of Love

You will have a good time with this if:
*You go into it knowing that you're watching basically a pimped out on steroids version of a short-length c-drama scorcher.
* Your standards are "I hope it's at least as good as Embrace In The Dark Night"
* You like it when your dramas play up the "dark ML/ light FL" dynamic

If this sounds like your scene, then this is what you will get:

DARK FIRE DONE RIGHT. This is the most clutch point you need to know about this drama.... it has a kinky side. If you can't handle taboo/dark/forbidden/morally gray stuff, you gonna dislike this show. ML and FL are not blood related. But he fed her her first bottle when she was a baby, they show a flashback scene of it. Mkay. And that's the basic foundational dynamic. He played an outsized role in raising her for the first half of her life. Now that the two of them are of-age, they are semi-cohabitating alone together, and their father is ambivalent about it. He probably wanted to see them get together from the time she was born. There's a scene where ML goes to her parent-day at school. It's like that.

Now add another layer: They take it to the next level with the innocent/badboy dynamics here. They dress her up in barettes and little girl dresses and corsets and frills with porcelain perfect skin and she does the babydoll thing. They put him in black hoodies, old ripped up metallica tees, leather, black raver pants, and he almost never cracks a smile or loses his cool.

Not only that, but seen through a green-flag lens, he's allowing his attraction to her to drag her down into a life full of risks and crime and danger, throw away her future education and career prospects, and tie her down without any real way of supporting her. And he's practically her brother.

If all of that bothers you, this is not your drama. For some of us, this dynamic is completely lit. And we don't get enough of our kind of romance stories. You green flaggers have so many dramas to choose from, we don't. Our romance stories always have to do so much extra to make it past censors and find a good script and get funding. Well this one's for us, not for you! We like it DARK!

Now that the green-flaggers have been scared off, let me just say to everyone still interested even after all that: Waaaahhhhhh they nailed it!!!

Yes, FL is doing babydoll. But the way she does it here is ***justified by the script***, and feels genuine compared to many other FL's who try to do babydoll and fail. Her EQ is high. She is often quiet, shy, or demure. But she is very clever, and often her silence is her shield. She uses it to stop and think things out carefully on her own before she acts. She also has a precocious, brave, independent side. She is unafraid in many situations: She unflinchingly navigates during car chases and she takes it upon herself to learn to drive racecars, she jumps in to melees and kicks bad guys' asses, she can stand alone in the center of a crowd of intimidating people in an unfamiliar situation and keep her cool no problem. Without asking anyone's permission, she enrolls herself in school, and she insists on getting her way when something is important to her. She is actually a strong personality. That's why she can *afford* to act so soft and sweet and innocent. She is NOT a doormat, and she is NOT infantile or helpless.

ML is stoic, protective, secretive, and is tortured by a constant low-grade guilt that comes from knowing that having a thing for the girl you fed bottles to as an infant is basically deviant. Yet that guilt is always wrestling in his mind with another part of him that is fierce and unapologetic in his desire for her. And he is a total shitkicker. He's always banged up, bruised up, covered in dirt, sweat or blood.

It goes so much harder and darker than Hidden Love, and with NO groomy aftertaste.

EXCELLENT FASHION. The hair. The clothes. The shoes. The makeup. The sets. The way they portray Thailand. The color palatte. The dialogue. The extras. The cars. The people involved in creating the aesthetics for this show really had their shit together. Coture + thrift store = HOT. There is always a contrast and a seamless melding between rich and poor, having everything and having nothing. It feels authentic. Everything has it's own beauty. Extras and side characters are treated right by stylists, and full justice is done for the script.

CARS! I love how the topic of the drama is not treated as just a pretext for romance and fight scenes. It's treated like it's an important part of the story. This makes cars sexy and interesting, and gets you so involved with the racing scenes in a way that reminds me of Days of Thunder, F&F, or Rush. And yet it is still a *romance*. It doesn't look like some male person's testosterone and car fanaticism muscled out the softer and more romantic side of the story. It's a completely seamless blend of both.

This drama kicks the sh*t out of Fast and Furious, Need for Speed, and Mia Culpa. It also kicks the sh*t out of almost every other badboy ML romance out there, and in this sense, just as far as 'ultimate badboy' characters go, ranks among some of the best with stories like SOPK, WDBTD, EITDN, LOTEOD, MLM, and TTEOTM.

Now there is just one true caveat: This is one of those dramas that peters out at the 2/3 mark and ends in a whimper and not a bang. Is there a time-skip, are there montage scenes, does it drag, does the chemistry fade, do ML and FL stop getting screentime together, are there misunderstandings, do the clothes start to look stupid, do they juuust miss eachother 15 times before they reunite... yes. All the things. So expect to spend the first 2/3 of the drama enthralled, and the last third yelling at the characters and just generally being bummed that it stopped being awesome. But honestly. WORTH IT for the first 2/3 alone, the tradeoff is that you just have to tolerate the last eps to finish it. And it's not thaaat bad, but it's not what we signed up for when we started is all.

Started off as a 10, one point off for not recognizing that the last section of the drama needed a total creative overhaul because they wanted to give me angst, but all I got was eyeroll and exasperated sigh.

9/10

Read More

An undisputed gem!

Ohh Speed and Love can words fully express how I felt about you and how you made me feel!?? Ohh silly me crying while writing this review!🥹😭

Having second thoughts about watching this drama?? Say no more, hope onto the train and watch this gem as soon as possible! Speed and Love caught my heart not only because of my love for Esther but the storyline, OST, cinematography, chemistry and all the other actors input left me without any other option but to deeply fall for it!

As someone who didn’t read the novel, watching this drama was like discovering a gold mine which other people had already started digging into but that didn’t mean I missed out on getting my fair share of enjoyment!

The storyline was one l found enjoyable and relatable. Throughout the drama, l stood by both Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao. They both had crosses to carry and for that they deserved grace rather than criticism. As you watch this drama, bear in mind that Jin Zhao is a man full of love yet he found himself entangled in a web of misfortunes. He was a man who grew up with little to no love yet he grew up to be a man full of love and that needs to be applauded. He always hoped to be a man who is responsible, one to provide for his loved ones and he never wanted to be a burden to anyone. It bruised his ego or should l say he felt as a failure if he couldn’t be a provider or shoulder to lean on towards his loved ones. The misfortunes he faced in his life left him bruised yet he tried to cover it all up while showing other people his brightest side without dimming their light! Despite the painful childhood he experienced, he chose to make it nurture him into a better man! He chose not to hold any bad intentions towards anyone🥹😭To better understand and enjoy the drama, try putting yourself in Jin Zhao’s shoes when things are being shown from his perceptive. He was a man who needed help so please cut him some slack! Honestly after seeing how Mumu’s mum treated him, l honestly don’t blame him for feeling torn and inadequate for the 6 years they were apart! He’s a responsible man who chose not to be rebellious but courteous throughout the drama! This drama is my first He Yu drama, l must say he delivered an award worthy performance from the beginning till the end. I am still in awe of how just his facial expressions without saying a single word could make me feel and understand the emotions he needed to convey!😭 That man has talent which deserves to be applauded.

Ohh my girl Jiang Mu! You are too innocent for this world!😭 Firstly, l would like to applaud the production team for showing us a total 180 degrees of her character development. We started off the show with a very innocent, unbothered, loving and cute girlie yet we ended with a mature, loving and subtle cute lady. One thing l appreciate is she didn’t lose her lovable traits regardless of how she felt torn during moments of separation. As you watch the drama, l hope you realise that she is a cute girlie but she was never naive! Throughout the drama, we were shown that she’s the lady who would get anything and everything done as long as she put her mind to it. Esther Yu was born to be Jiang Mu and I will continue to stand by that! The cuteness and bubbliness Jin Zhao expected to see in his long lost childhood friend is exactly what Esther gave us. The outfits and styling deserve a full review of their own because they were amazing throughout the show!

An important issue l have to address is that of the female lead constantly chasing the male lead. In all honesty, l feel like that’s where some of the beauty of the drama lies. Many people hoped the male lead would at some point, aggressively pursue her but that’s not how they showed it. Truth be told, she was stupidly chasing him, she built herself first rather than being completely immersed in her love interest! As someone who would never constantly pursue a man, l stand by Mumu in this drama. This wasn’t some one-sided type of love! She wasn’t chasing after a man who wasn’t going after! She wasn’t chasing after someone who hadn’t shown her how much love he can give and the world he could provide for her! As you watch this drama, keep in mind that both Mumu and Zhao had their different ways of expressing themselves and their love for each other. Even the doctor mentioned that Zhao needed psychological help thus he needed someone to be there for him not give up on him. The only thing we were dealing with here was that Zhao had battles to fight within his mind before he could even fight for the love of his life. The fact that Mumu stayed helped him heal and realize that he too is worth loving. At the end of the day he did stand up to face Mumu’s mum which was a battle he eventually needed to fight to prove his love for Mumu!

Trust Speed and love to put you through a rollercoaster of emotions! I would gladly recommend you to watch it for this! From giggling, throwing your feet in the air, leaping with joy, screaming, blushing, sobbing, and screaming, you will experience it all. I lost count of the number of times I found myself grabbing my tissues to wipe my teary eyes or the moments l had to shove myself under a blanket to giggle and blush! It’s packed with scenes in which the actors made sure to put us through the same emotions they felt while shooting this turning the drama into reality. Watching this drama till the end had to be the worst and best things l had been looking forward to! It’s too precious to let go yet to enjoyable to spark my curiosity to finish it 😭😭😭

Ummm excuse me, who decided on casting He Yu and Esther Yu!!!!! I hope their pockets never run dry because that was one of the best casting l have ever seen in Cdrama land. Before they even have intimate moments, their chemistry was already overflowing! The gazes and hot stares from He Yu meeting the innocent stares from Esther Yu could easily light up the Equatorial rainforest😂😭 The way they had me on chokehold anytime their emotions changed making sure they take me along still baffles me!

I have no complaints for any of the supporting cast!! Regardless of their limited appearances, they delivered exactly what needed to be delivered in order to make this drama a gem. Sanlai, you will forever be famous as a supportive, lovable, loving and cheerful friend! At some points he even gave uncle vibes as he always hyped Mumu while giving love life nuggets to Zhao!😂😭

Mike and Patrick’s aura deserve standing ovations! They made their appearances memorable. Jiang Mu’s dad really nailed the duality of stupidity and seriousness! Ohh Nana was such a girlie’s girl, trust me her interactions with Mumu are worth watching! The bromance un this drama is top tier! Sanlai-Zhao / Zhao-Sui / Sanlai-Zhao-Crazy Jin😭💕

However there’s no man made thing without flaws. I do wish they hadn’t lengthened the breakup time but it’s understandable considering how they tried as much as possible to follow the novel’s plot. Moreover, the long breakup time might have triggered the drama to be slow paced at some point as we became more focused on Mumu’s side of life. Regardless of this, the storyline is still enjoyable it’s only a matter of adjusting as the first half of the drama was a bit fast paced. My heart bleeds for the brutal cutting of scenes they did to Speed and love episodes. While watching the drama, you may notice unsmooth transitions between scenes or gaps in some parts of the plot. Despite its flaws, Speed and love is still an awesome drama worth sparing your time for.

The OST definitely caught me off guard! Each scene had an OST to perfectly blend with it in order to trigger all expected emotions! Ohh my girl Mumu singing The moon represents my heart holds a special place in my heart, it’s a moment I would like everyone to witness!🥹💕

The cinematography during the fighting and racing scenes is definitely unmatched! The tension they created just from the intimate scenes!!! I don’t even know if l should say either the racing scenes or the love story was the bonus because both storylines served us properly leaving no room for doubt! Ohh dear reader, dive into the pot of honey and witness a love story unlike any other! Their love story is one for the books! Despite the ups and downs they made sure to fulfill the words we had right from the beginning, “ Mumu and Zhao, the moon and sun, day and night, always together, never to be apart!” Yes, we did get a happy ending 🥹🫂💕


My biggest wish is to forget this drama so that l can rewatch it and experience all the emotions l felt initially all over again. While it was ongoing I rewatched all episodes over 6 times yet each time l was entangled in a web of emotions as if it was my first time watching it. That is just the beauty of the gem, SPEED AND LOVE!

Above everything else, the strengths of the drama undisputedly overlap the flaws! This was definitely a top tier production!! Beloved reader, even in my sleep, l would confidently recommend you to watch Speed and love!

Read More