Speed and Love

Definitely an overrated show

This was definitely... an experience. I started this drama with lots of expectation because throughout the episodes' release I came across good reviews and some praise about it, but it did disappointed me, unfortunately. For this review, I want to break the show into two moments: pre and post-time skip.

I already want to state that the drama is very well produced and has a beautiful visual aspect to it. The soundtrack also rocks. The main problem is that the pre-time skip is really silly and childish. Like, they really tried to sell the mature aspect of the show, but it feels like you're watching a high school drama instead.

Starting with the FL, whose only personality trait is being cute. Really, I've seen other dramas with Esther Yu and I usually like her bubbly characters, but I missed something more in this one. In the first few episodes, they tried to give her some traits (like the subtle knowldge in mechanics and the black belt in taekwondo), but those just dissapear into thin air and she just keeps being treated like a child by everyone around her. Mind you, she's already 20 years old at this point.

Now about the ML. I thought he was very cool at the beginning. He's hot, caring, book smart AND street smart and he only has eyes for the FL (since he was a child). However, at some point after they start dating, he begins to act like he carries the world on his shoulders. He doesn't tell her ANYTHING about his struggles, in a way that, everything she comes to know about his whereabouts, she knows through a third party.
The accident arc was insufferable to watch and his actions were ridiculous. He ghosted her for 6 YEARS, claiming that he didn't want to be a burden to her, since he was crippled and vulnerable. So he made all of their friends and family lie to her, saying that they had no idea where he was, so that she would stop contacting him. I hate when characters act like they know what’s better for their partners and don’t allow them to make their own choices (and that’s the case here).

The action scenes are good and the racing theme was also cool, but that's it. After some time it becomes quite repetitive.

Now about the post time-skip: 6 years. REALLY? But, I guess we should be thankful for that, since the drama becomes better afterwards IF you ignore the ML’s actions. The FL spends about 2 or 3 episodes trying to get closer to him after their separation, while he pushes her away. Despite all that, I really enjoyed the ending, and what they did to the characters, especially the secondary ones, who were really cool since the beginning. The FL also changes a bit and becomes slightly more interesting and mature.

Overall, the romance carries the whole drama. The leads are very passionate about each other and they have great romantic scenes. Their kisses feel real and you can feel how much they yearn for each other. I liked that they were equally thirsty, which is very unusual for a Chinese drama. After the time-skip, FL was not shy at all. When they get back together, she literally gets on top of him and starts kissing him all over. I think that’s very realistic. It is very annoying when they portray girls who are always scared and hesitant about intimacy, to the point where it feels unrequited. That is why I get it why some people loved the show and ignored the other aspects.
However, everything else feels average and overrated. They could've cut at least 5 episodes without any problem. I confess that I was hesitant about watching this drama at first because I'm not into the adoptive siblings trope, but you easily get over it after a couple episodes. Especially because they don't have sibling energy after they become adults. I mean, he has always liked her, and on episode 2 my girl was already SCANNING him head to toe.

If you don't care about the plot and only want to watch some romance, you might enjoy this one. But if you are kind of picky (like me), you will feel bothered by the aspects I mentioned.

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the chemistry is why we watch

I loved the chemistry between the two leads but ngl the whole sibling thing did feel a lil unsettling to me the whole time esp bc it kept being referenced lol 😭 I find that part unrelatable but I looked past it bc the visual aesthetics were so beautiful in the overall production + the leads were great actors. Especially He Yu. I want to see more of his work in the future 🔥

I think it’s pretty obvious there were tons of plot holes, that really pissed me off, but it’s really rare to come by a perfect drama these days. I also really dislike the forced troupe of separation. It doesn’t need to be in every single drama imo. I hate how he ghosted her after the car accident like that just seemed a bit unrealistic to me. He was obviously operating from a place of low self worth. But you know after we get past this and we get our happy ending, it’s whatever haha. I’d prob give this an 8/10 in the end.

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a roller coaster..loved It!!

this drama is made up of 3 parts and each provides a specific vibe you can enjoy.

at the very beginning I was laughing my ass off cause the drama was so cringe I couldn't take it seriously.

these 2 almost "step brothers" are separated during childhood and end up having different lives never really leaving each other's heart.
once grown up they reunite and find out their bond wasn't a "familiar" one but a sexy one.

the first episodes feel like a standard "step bro" porn video. I kid you not. they thirst over each other even thou the FL finds out the are not blood related literally at the airport on the way to meet her Step bro for the first time after years.

maybe it's just me but it was so cringe I laughed for episodes.

after this part we get into the core of the drama which has a more "fast and fury vibes".

if you were there for the first "f&f" movies you know what I'm talking about. neon lights, hot girls, illegal racing , the whole "family" spiel.. It was really enjoyable and a bit nostalgic.

the third part is a complete romantic drama.
we put aside the adrenaline and dive into grieve, love. suffering.

this drama has something for everyone.

this drama is super enjoyable up until the 20th episode. I get that they have to explain how things developed, what happened in those 5 years the protagonists were apart but it dragged for so long. I skipped like crazy. so many flashbacks, so many long scenes, they film the actors walking in the Sunshine for minutes at the time....

the best part of the show is the main male lead. man can this guy act. he was good and I mean...Gooooood

esther yu? I love her but I see her limits as an actress. so far I watched like 3 dramas with her as a main lead and she always ends playing the naive, clumsy, awkward girl. I don't know if she is being type casted or if this is her range.

please watch it and enjoy.

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Speed and Love don't mix

I'll start with...Speed and Love just don't mix. Once the action, pretty cars and dreamy Thai setting was gone so was most of my attention.

They had the tools and the cast to make a better story but the first half they focused on the action, rather than consistency with the plot. Then the 2nd half they did a 180* and focused solely on the lead's emotional journeys. As a viewer, I never recovered from the whiplash. I guess reading the novel would help here but the drama as a stand alone story was frustrating. My main beef being that it takes the whole show for Jin Zhao to learn how to respect and trust Jiang Mu enough to allow her into his life. He also has no problem asking their family and friends to lie to her face...for years! And they all agree to it. Both of her parents are terrible people as well. Her father ignored her for years, became a drunk, and really only took an interest in Jin Zhao's life. Her mother hid the fact that Jin Zhao had been trying to call her when they were children when they separated. And then hid her illness from her until the most inconvenient time to reveal it arose. I was unimpressed with how manipulative, needy and unrealistic Jiang Mu's character was in the beginning. But after Jin Zhao's accident she grew on me. Mostly because I felt bad for her. Almost everyone in her life lied to her and never took her seriously, including the man she loved. But bless her heart, she forgave every single one of them.

The side characters were interactive scenery at best. No one really gets their own separate story and I was fine with that. I really liked San Lai as a brother type for MuMu until he agreed to lie to her for Jin Zhao. I liked Lin Sui too. I want him to make me a drink out of his Ferrari 😂 then give me a ride. NaNa, Wan Qing , Feng Zi and the other racing people didn't get enough screen time for me to care about them. Both of MuMu's step parents and step sister were sweet though.

But at least where my mind wasn't pleased, my eyes were. The physical chemistry between Yu Shu Xin and He Yu was electric. Whenever they were in the same room it was fireworks and butterflies.

And as a car enthusiast I enjoyed that part of the first half. They did their research and most of what Jin Zhao, Lin Sui and Jin Qiang said wasn't complete nonsense.

The acting also wasn't bad. If you're not a fan of YSX's babyish characters she's pretty toned down here and did well in the emotional scenes. And for playing a man of few words, He Yu managed to make me tear up a few times. That intense stare of his gives me chills...in a good way.

Happy to be done. I highly doubt I would ever rewatch this but if I did I would stop at ep 19 for sure.

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High-Speed Romance, Unstoppable Chemistry!!

Get ready for laughter and giggles if you're planning to watch this! 🤭

I honestly haven’t enjoyed a Chinese drama this much in a very long time. Speed and Love completely stole my heart.

Character:
Jiang Mu’s love for Jin Zhao is unconditional. When it comes to the safety of the man she loves, she would do absolutely anything. She might seem immature on the outside, but her actions speak louder than words.

Jin Zhou, on the other hand, appears cold and restrained, but if you pay attention to the details: his small smiles, his gentle reactions, the way he softens around Jiang Mu, you can see just how deeply he cares. Even after years of separation, he never loved anyone else. From beginning to end, it was always Jiang Mu. And for her, it was always him. Their chemistry is intense without being loud. It gives you butterflies!!

Story: I really like the story overall, but I can’t get past the fact that Jin Zhou let MuMu search for him for six years. I tried my best to ignore it, but I couldn’t. If you truly love someone, you don’t ghost them for six years. I understand that he believed he was doing what was best for her, but he should have at least given her the choice on whether to end things or hold on. Men like this do exist, and that’s realistic. That's why I give the story a 9.5 because the result was MuMu’s deep sadness, which made it hard for me to fully accept his actions.

Visuals:
This drama made He Yu look unbelievably attractive. Honestly, he’s more handsome here than in any clips I’ve seen of him before, even though this was my first time watching one of his dramas. Speed and Love introduced me to him, and I truly hope to see him in more roles as a cool, composed male lead.

This drama also introduced me to Esther Yu, and I genuinely don’t care about the criticism surrounding her. She portrayed Jiang Mu perfectly. Her styling was beautiful, every outfit suited her character, and she herself is absolutely gorgeous.

Comedy:
While the drama leans more toward sweetness than comedy, I found myself laughing surprisingly often. Jin Zhou and Jiang Mu’s interactions are unintentionally funny, and supporting characters, especially San Lai, add so much charm and lightness to the story.

Culture:
Don’t let the beginning of episode 1 confuse you. It may trick viewers into thinking the leads are siblings or step-siblings, but they are not related at all. For those familiar with Asian culture, Jiang Mu's calling Jin Zhou “older brother” makes perfect sense. It’s a respectful term used for older men you’re close to: friends, cousins, or someone you admire. While many people misunderstand this, culturally it’s completely normal and even endearing.

Music:
My favorite OSTs from this drama are “Outside the Orbit” and “I’m Determined.” Outside the Orbit fits perfectly during Jin Zhou’s racing scenes, amplifying the intensity and adrenaline. I’m Determined carries a quiet sadness that perfectly reflects Jiang Mu’s yearning after she meets him again. Both songs elevate the emotional impact of the story beautifully.

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This drama is very interesting and the best of the year !!!

I like Yu Shuxin very much💞🤍🫶. The character jiang mu played at Yu Shuxin was interesting and inspiring. She was a bright, optimistic young girl with big dreams. However, after a life-changing incident, jiang mu grew older, stronger, and kept his spirit and courage intact. Yu shuxin succeeded in playing your jiang emotions so well, it makes the audience feel connected to her character. She managed to show the change in character of jiang from its initial soft to stronger and independent.

And for the Speed and Love drama has a light and interesting story making the audience can not stop watching. Chemistry between Jiang Mu (Yu Shuxin) and Jin Zhao (He Yu) is very strong, drives me crazy! They managed to show the feelings of the sincere love and make the audience feel like being experiencing their love journey. In addition, the plot is interesting and not too heavy makes this drama greatly entertaining. Overall, Speed and Love is a very very interesting and entertaining drama. Anyway this drama is very best and will be a favorite that is required to watch!

I hope Yu Shuxin can continue to grow as an actress and show the incredible acting ability in various roles in diverse diversions. And i hope more more love her and affection and can maintain her health and have enough rest time. I love you so much and i always support Yu Shuxin🥰💞🤍❤️

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acting

Speed and Love is a refreshing drama that perfectly blends romance, ambition, and personal growth. The story follows characters who chase their dreams at high speed while slowly learning the true meaning of love and trust. What makes this drama special is how it balances exciting moments with emotional depth.
The chemistry between the main characters feels natural and heartfelt, making their relationship easy to root for. Their struggles both in love and in achieving their goals are portrayed realistically, which helps the audience connect with them on a deeper level. The pacing of the drama is engaging, keeping viewers interested without feeling rushed.
In addition, the cinematography and soundtrack add strong emotional impact to key scenes, making the story even more memorable. Overall, Speed and Love is an inspiring and enjoyable drama that shows how love can grow even in the middle of competition and pressure. It is highly recommended for viewers who enjoy romantic dramas with meaningful life lessons.

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A beautiful love story with sizzling chemistry

This show is about the leads' love story and personal growth, through and through, with no distracting subplots and second leads. The main leads are perfectly casted; the supporting characters are strong; the cinematography is dreamlike; the OSTs add weight to all the emotional moments. This is a show I'll rewatch over and over again.

The main selling point of the show is the lead's chemistry, which is consistent from Ep.1-29. While the show is poorly edited, it doesn't detract from the essence of the story

The Thailand arc reels you in with gratuitous scenes of veeeery strong chemistry and high-adrenaline racing + boxing scenes, shot with a flurry of colorful lights layered against the humid nights.

The Nanjing arc is where the leads really showcase their acting chops. Esther and He Yu really impressed me here and brought my initial rating of the show from an 8.5 (exciting watch but not special) to a 10.0 (probably my favorite drama of all time).

Despite their 6-year separation, during that time, they continued living for each other and lived how the other would've wanted to live. The title's literal translation is "Dual Tracks", and during their separation, it really did feel like they were driving on parallel tracks, in hopes of meeting each other again one day. Jin Zhao crawled his way out of death's door and worked his way up to be the person Mumu has always seen him as since they were kids (a law-abiding, intelligent, successful individual), and opened up a coffee shop Mumu dreamt about having while they were in Thailand. Mumu did well with her studies, saw the world as Jin Zhao wanted her to when they broke up, and pursued astronomy, a subject Jin Zhao loved before life's tragedies took that chance from him.

The characters were always consistently expressing their love for each other -- Jin Zhao prioritizes Mumu over everything, even himself, and remembers all her small quirks. Mumu always took the first step to figure out Jin Zhao and fight for their love, bringing a sense of security and unconditional love to him (which he has always lacked given his upbringing)

Jin Zhao and Jiang Mu were beautifully crafted, nuanced characters and the show had a lot of positive themes as well -- but this review is getting too long :)

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