wattpad as a drama but not exactly done well..
Unfortunately once again Esther Yu's character is the same cutesy childish like vibes...honestly every drama i hope she takes on something new but....I feel like in historical dramas its still okay like Love Game was really good but somehow in modern dramas its hard to watch...Ok that aside I thought of watching for Heyu and also cause i saw many spoilers for their chemistry online. The plot is really average but the drama is made for a visual feast. The biker/racer guy with a cute girl kind of vibes. But yea even with the visuals I soon got bored of the characters.
They get together in ep 15 but it feels like the director just decided to put all the sweet moments in 2eps, like cliche scenes after cliche scenes. I guess if you are a fan of the actors it is cute to watch!
I dont have much comments on any of the side characters no one was interesting...
Her fits are nice but seemed very unrealistic. Her motive to give up a life in canada and suddenly stay with her bro was also a bit...? cause at that time its not like she was dying in love with him...
anyway not my style so dropping...
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Esther is so beautiful in every single scene. I really can't stop looking at her because she looks so stunning in this show. But she is not just a pretty face; her acting is also very amazing and feels so real. She brings so much charm to her character, making the story feel alive. You can really feel her emotions in every part of the drama. She is truly a great actress who makes this show very special to watch.
And can we talk about how handsome Heyu is? He has such a strong screen presence and his acting is top-notch. He perfectly captures his character's emotions, making it impossible not to fall for him. The chemistry between Esther and Heyu is just perfect. Both of them are not only good-looking but also very talented actors.
If you are looking for a great drama with amazing visuals and great acting, you must watch this. My long wait was not wasted at all!
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A Light and Enjoyable Watch
The story is light and fun to follow. The OST is nice to listen to, and the visuals are beautiful—I really like the color tone of the cinematography. The actors did a great job, and the chemistry between Jiang Mu and Jin Chao is strong, it makes you smile without realizing it.Jiang Mu is cute and adorable, but she also has a cool side. She’s a navigator, knows a lot about cars, can do taekwondo, drives a pink truck, drifts, dances, sings, and even cooks. She’s truly a multi-talented female character.
I hope Esther Yu is always happy, continues to be successful, and is surrounded by kind people and good days.
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The swoony romance made me forgive a lot
The romance in this drama took me by surprise by how swoonworthy it was. The episodes 1 to 16 were simply amazing with some of the most butterflies inducing scenes I have seen in dramaland. I will definitely remember it for a long time. I must admit that the second part of the series was less good with some noble idiocy trope that I wish could have been avoided. However, even if this is one of my pet peeve, I had much more leniency for the main lead that I would usually have...Proof that I was completely smitten by He Yu. Indeed, I totally fell under the actor's charm.I am not sure that I would have loved as much the main lead as a character if he would have been played by a less charming actor, the role was reaĺly swoony but also kinda reckless and selfish, even when doing things to "protect" the heroine. He did understand stuff by the end and still was amazing in many romantics scenes but still, I know that I would have probably nitpicked much more usually. The combo of fighter / car racer / obsessed gege was definitely the winning combination to make me forgive everything.
I would recommend this to people that are looking for a swoony romance and that do not mind noble idiocy.
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Great Chemistry but its still incest
From the initial trailer of the drama, we might think he is walking toxic red flag baiting as well as mentally torturing her (I have not read the book)but in reality is one of the greenest flag in the cdramas I have watched. He does not say no to her. Lets her do whatever she wants and protects/saves her when she gets into trouble. He does not control her or stops her from doing stuff.It would have been great if they were childhood sweethearts/neighbors but no. Jin Zhao was adopted by the dad when Jiang Mu's mom was still pregnant with her. They both grew up as siblings. He even asked her when did she realize he was not her blood brother implying it was not common knowledge that they were not related. They could have changed some parts of the story like they do with time travel / transmigration dramas. Otherwise it should have been open knowledge that they were not related i.e. from the beginning itself the parents should have stitched into the kids brains that they were not brother and sister. They could have pulled a 'Go Ahead'.
And for the FL's clips, I liked two of them only because it matched with her outfit. Rest all were a horror show. One of the clips in my view looked like an upside down cockroach. At first I did not like Esther Yu's acting because of this forced cuteness. I personally hated her but then I watched 'A Journey to You'. She was Awesome in that. Her best work yet! I honestly think it should stop taking such extra cute roles for a while.
For the FL and ML chemistry, it was fire!!! We could feel the yearning through the screens!! I had to block out the incest part in order to enjoy those scenes.
OST is on repeat !
Honestly if the incest part was changed, I would have given it a 10/10 . But its a maximum 8 from my side.
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Saint Valentine watch
Fun fact that I managed to finish the last episode on Saint Valentine's day. It that very happy ending that let me smile during the whole episode :) Now, this is a one -time watch show but it is worth it. Absolutely loved the ML and the potrayal by the actor ( first time seeing him). He was so good that managed to convince watching the whole show till the end. The scenes in Thailand were beautiful and was so refreshing to see a glipse of a country that I have never visited. The racing, fights again great and the ML OMG, had to mention again his great performance. Now , the bad part was that it shoudl have been shorter like 20 ep are enough and why OH why are you allowing the rediculous narrative that a girl that is 20 years old acts like she is 8. Like, there is nothing appealing to it , other than making her look like a moron. Which honestly, annoys me big time. Anyway, now you were prepared to know what to expect but still it is worth a watch.Was this review helpful to you?
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A truly conclusion to 2025 dramas
Speed and love brings a solid conclusion to 2025 dramas. Was it perfect? No. Was it an awesome watch? Absolutely. “Speed and Love” was just plain addicting to watch.Pros:
* Chemistry — Rarely do we see a pairing like this. Rarely do we experience chemistry at this level. I would rewind scenes that left me breathless. Every touch, every kiss (and there are MANY)—each has you holding your breath or grinning like a kid. Esther Yu and He Yu’s chemistry is just another level. I don’t know how else to do it justice
* Street racing — Okay this aspect was so freaking cool. I loved it. It had me on the edge of my seat. The race scenes were so awesome, and the undercover in the underworld aspect was thrilling.
* Characters to love — This had a great ensemble cast. In fact, I was bummed when the time jump happened and we had to say goodbye to them, proof of good writing. Plus, our leads develop excellently. I was annoyed with Jiang Mu (FL) at the beginning because of she was written so kiddish, but by the end of the drama, we have an incredibly strong and loyal FL who you just can’t help but love. As for Jin Zhao—don’t get me started. He is just one heck of a ML.
* The production — The quality here was top notch. The OST, cinematography, stunts, location in Thailand, costuming… all of it screams big budget.
Cons:
* Time jump/separation — Look, I can handle a time jump trope. But this… This almost ruined the whole show for me. Episodes 21-24 are so painfully sad and infuriating that it’s hard to process. While I understood his motivations, I was so disappointed in Jin Zhao for making Mumu wait that long without any indication of what was going on then convincing her friends and family to lie to her about him. Then when they’re back together in the same city, it’s three episodes of heartbreak.
* Jiang Mu at the beginning — (If you’re an Esther Yu fan, feel free to disregard what I’m about to say because I totally respect you opinion.) Jiang Mu in the first 10 or so episodes was rough for me to handle. Esther Yu’s “baby voice” was in full effect. Then the writers did her a disservice by throwing in some elements that almost infantilized her character. It takes a bit before we see her mature.
* Losing the racing aspect — After the time jump, we find out that all the bad guys got what they deserved… off camera. OFF CAMERA. Like what?? We didn’t even get to see much of that huge race we spent the whole show preparing for. This annoyed me big time. The racing and investigation part of this show was one of its biggest strengths. After the time jump, it’s all gone.
Overall, I did really really enjoy this. I’m not Esther Yu fan, but I will admit she impressed me in this. Her performance in the last fifteen or so episodes was just great, and I enjoyed seeing her range. Also the “sibling” aspect was handled well. Very rarely did I get the ick lol. “Speed and Love” falls prey to a meloncholy and draggy last quarter, but they do give us a happy ending, and when they’re reunite, it’s absolutely amazing and romantic and everything you’d hope to see.
I definitely recommend.
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My Kind of Cringe
This is a series solely driven by the chemistry between Esther Yu and He Yu. Go into it for just that.In Speed and Love, you won't find complex characters or even a complex story. There will be scenes that'll give you cringes. And make you scrunch up your eyes. Because why are you going on about Jin Zhao being 180 cm as a high schooler? He's not even 180 cm as an adult! Although that doesn't take away from just how attractive Jin Zhao is. He stands out among the sea of whitewashed actors with a rustic appeal. He was made for Jin Zhao's character. And also why is some random ass person saying to Jiang Mu, 'pretty lady, please sing for us'.
Also is Esther Yu a voice actress? Her 'swaadee ka' with the birds was just so perfect! As the story progressed and Jiang Mu grew up, Esther changed her voice to reflect the Jiang Mu's progress from a over grown baby to someone who can cook for herself.
To watch and enjoy this one, just shut off your brain and vibe. Because then you'll get a drama-focused entirely on the leads. No second male lead or female lead. The two live in a world composed entirely of each other. I love how Jiang Mu is so forthcoming with her love and desire for Jin Zhao.
Sure, there's a forced separation track. But Jin Zhao's reason is in line with how his character treats Jiang Mu. As a kid. And hence, in line with how he makes decisions for her. The story does start to feel boring after the characters move to Nanjing.
I liked the aesthetic of Thailand. The places looked lived in as compared to the perfection of Nanjing. The chipped paint, etc added to the viewing experience.
Also, I just thought of the two characters as childhood sweethearts rather than as siblings. It helps because the characters around them don't regard them as siblings as well. I mean, when one of the characters saw the leads making out. He wasn't disgusted. I don't understand why the writers didn't just turn them into childhood sweathearts. Why bother with the sibling aspect.
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This is "a He Yu showcase" - and I am absolutely not complaining
I just finished Speed and Love and I’m giving it a 7.5/10 — and honestly a big part of that score goes to He Yu and the Thailand filming locations.Not even trying to be biased here but He Yu seriously carried the emotional core of this drama. His acting felt so natural, restrained, and quietly intense — like the way he looked at the female lead, the pauses before he spoke, the subtle heartbreak expressions… excuse me sir?? why are you acting like this is a prestige drama role.
The Thailand locations were also such a highlight for me. The atmosphere felt fresher than typical city-based romance dramas, and visually it added a softer, more emotional layer to the storytelling. Big bonus points from me there.
Now about FL — I don't hate the person but the female lead’s character writing here was honestly frustrating. Some decisions made me want to pause the episode and yell at my screen like “WHY are you doing this???!!!!!!” Meanwhile He Yu was out there delivering his lines with his acting like he was in a completely different tier of drama.
Also… lowkey the storyline does feel like something straight out of a 15-year-old Wattpad reader’s dream romance (lol) — very soft, very dramatic, very idealized love energy. If that’s your vibe, you’ll probably enjoy it even more (but not me, sorry).
So overall for me:
* He Yu = emotional backbone of the entire show
* His performance = sincere, layered, and very convincing
* Thailand setting = major visual bonus
* Romance tone = very Wattpad-coded teenage dream romance (lol)
* FL character arc = the biggest struggle point
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He Yu Shines, but the Execution Falters
The Standout: He YuAs a first-time viewer of He Yu, I was pleasantly surprised. He carried the drama with a grounded performance, proving he’s a leading man to watch.
The Lead: Esther Yu
I gave this a chance despite dropping Moonlight years ago after a few episodes, but the "baby" voice and expressions were still cringey and unnecessary. She looks young enough to play 19 without the exaggerated acting, though the director likely shares the blame for that vision. The scenes of her dancing and performing felt totally out of place.
The Story: Missed Potential
The "sibling" dynamic felt forced..they should have just been childhood housemates. After the accident, the story became predictable and lost its edge. It’s also pure idol drama logic that he became incredibly wealthy in just a few years of zero contact (pure CEO trope). I wish the show had focused more on their adult growth and trauma instead of rushing into an "instant marriage" after eight years apart.
Final Verdict
It delivered exactly what I expected: a basic, fun watch. I’m not disappointed, and I'll definitely be following He Yu’s future work.
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A sizzling ride with a very bumpy road
I went into Speed and Love with very high energy. And for a good while, the drama absolutely delivered. Fast cars, nighttime Bangkok vibes, underground boxing, sizzling chemistry… and that mix of danger and romance? A clichéd bad boy meets good girl scenario? Sign me up! The first half of the drama was pure mindless fun, and honestly… I was addicted.What immediately won me over was the aesthetic. Bangkok at night looked gorgeous, the racing scenes had real energy. And Jin Zhao living and working in a garage was just my kind of vibe. This drama knows how to look good~!
Then there’s the romance. Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao’s chemistry is undeniable. Their shared past, the unspoken feelings and the slow build of intimacy made every lingering look feel so intense! I loved how protective Jin Zhao was, how Jiang Mu gained confidence and became proactive… They had so many soft moments. I was giggling and kicking my feet. Episodes 1–15 are exciting, spicy and mindless fun in all the right ways.
But then… the drama hit the brakes. Hard.
Once the undercover anti-smuggling plot and noble idiocy trope kicked in, the storytelling started to fall apart for me. Maybe I should have continued to switch off my brain completely, but that just didn't work so well anymore. Scene transitions became more choppy, timelines confusing, and emotional scenes kind of rushed.
I had high hopes for a truly gripping angst arc. I was so ready for it… but it all felt flat and frustrating instead. I have to say that the noble idiocy trope just isn’t working for me.
The biggest disappointment was how the drama handled their separation and reunion in the second half.
I do understand that Jin Zhao is deeply traumatized after everything he’s been through, and his fear of becoming a burden makes sense… but to that extreme extent!? I’m flabbergasted. And not in a good way. Shutting Jiang Mu out completely, denying her the chance to communicate properly and to make her own decisions, and letting even her family and friends (!!!) lie to her for SO MANY YEARS crossed a line for me. It made the angst feel forced, dragged out and unnecessarily cruel.
And after they reunite by pure chance, Jiang Mu’s anger and her hurt feelings barely had space to exist. She quickly slips back into chasing him and making the first move again and again. Seriousness and light-hearted comedy vibes often bounced back and forth too much for me here. By the time they are back together, I wasn’t swooning, I was tired…
That said, the actors really did great. Esther Yu and He Yu delivered nice emotional performances, especially during crying and confrontation scenes. And I did appreciate that the final few episodes leaned back into warmth and healing... wholesome hugs, forgiveness, growth, and Jin Zhao finally facing his fears. Nevertheless, I couldn't find the spark from the first half of the drama anymore. The storytelling and characters lost me.
The ending also felt underwhelming. The pacing was off, the focus strange. Why so little time on the actual couple and their wedding? Censorship, why?
Final thoughts:
Speed and Love started as a ridiculously fun, stylish, chemistry-filled ride that I couldn’t stop watching. Unfortunately, it lost its way in the second half with messy writing and frustrating tropes that dragged on for too long. After everything the early episodes made me feel, the payoff just didn’t hit as hard as it should have. But I’m still kind of generous with my rating and try to keep all the things in mind that I really enjoyed.
[finished watching on 22 December 2025]
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The tension and angst killed me
Production:- The aesthetics, colors, and cinematography in Thailand are amazing. Its giving Tokyo Drift.
- Impeccable wardrobe and styling for all the characters. Esther Yu wardrobe never disappoints.
- I adore the OST.
Plot
- The plot is nothing special. The drama focused more on its characters and their interactions.
- Zhao and mom’s whole interaction wasn’t shown in the book. It was the most heartwarming part of the show so Im glad it was added. Seeing Zhao plead and be accepted 💚
Chemistry:
- The romance is pure intensity and sexual tension. I give most of the credit to HeYu for this. Man knows how to make tension out of thin air.
- The book was a lot more adult. After their first time, Jin Zhao initiated sex whenever he was alone with her. Im shook.
“The soundproofing here is excellent. No need to hold back.”
“Some traditions shouldn’t be broken. A woman doesn’t take the lead her first time.”
Characters:
- Zhao is such an acts of service guy. He provides princess treatment and spoils her rotten. But he keeps making decisions on her behalf. He didn’t even grovel for ghosting our princess for 6 yrs and never making an attempt to reach out. Like why is she the one chasing you again sir?
- The burden of making the first move ALWAYS fell on Mu’s shoulders. She initiates all the clinging, flirty remarks, love confessions and skinship. Her efforts alone started and rekindled their romantic relationship. Without her trying, their story might have never progressed past yearning stage. The real green flag.
- Sin Lai is an amazing friend. My shaylaa
“Why are your shoelaces always untied?”
“Im afraid if I squat down and tie them, no one will wait for me”
- Ngl, I expected the father’s role to play a bigger part in the story. Wasn’t a very impactful presence.
- Lin Sui also felt like such a randomly written character that served no purpose. He wasn’t the villain nor the love rival we initially thought. His role is basically be the rich guy offering Zhao help at random moments.
Casting:
- Everyone was SO HOT 🔥.
- HeYu has great yearner/ bedroom eyes. His stares and little smiles make me melt. Perfect for a role like this. My pick for standout actor this entire drama.
- Esther has a good mix of baddie and cutesy diva princess. Mu’s styles and personality actually matches hers irl.
- Mike Angelo’s chemistry with Esther IRL is so much fun and makes for such a funny third wheel.
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