Road to Success

Underrated drama of 2026, A found family

Road to success is a drama that I've come to love. I didn't have big expectations or anticipation in the beginning when I first heard of this drama last year. I watched it when it was released and didn't expect to love it as much as I did.

Road to Success is a drama that depicts healing, trauma and coming-of-age stories. It has many storylines that could at least pique your curiosity, but the problem is that with many, the storylines are bound to get wrapped up quickly and badly. Such as the mysterious person who dragged the team back together in the beginning. It gets its focus for a few episodes but then completely goes forgotten; then it was only addressed by the time the 2nd half came around. We never actually get to learn whether Wen Chengye's dad accepts him as a part of the soccer team and how he's treating him after that. The thing is that we never do get to learn if LWX's parents have accepted her decision; they only get chased away by Wang Fa's dad.

Also, we never did get much focus on LWX's perpetrator who caused her to drop out. The main lead rather found the person easily then took him down. They forget about it to focus on the students' storyline, then they finally decide to wrap it up by the end and it doesn't leave much emotional impact because it happens too fast and easily. It shows that 32 episodes may not have been enough, it also kinda shows during the ending as well.

Besides that, I really did love the message this drama was incorporating about mental health, women's rights, and coming-of-age struggles as a teenager. We don't talk enough about just how much we struggle with our mental health, especially when it's women's mental health. How easy and damaging it is for one single rumour to ruin a woman's life. In the drama, the court scene really stood out to me when the female lead finally dares to face her perpetrator. She referenced a case of a female student in university who graduated and dyed her hair pink for graduation. She received a lot of hate from Chinese netizens simply because they deemed her hair to be unruly and improper.

I find it funny just how they timed it perfectly with the World Cup lol and ended at the same time the World Cup did.

I really came to love how LWX was there for her students, so I kinda wish I had an adult like her in my life haha. I really loved LWX's character, because she wasn't afraid to still live, to not give up. She stood up for her students and became the adult they needed in that moment. The found family trope really touches my heart, honestly.

I loved how Wang Fa became the safety net that will catch LWX no matter how many times she tries to fall. The chemistry between them was really cute and natural; sadly, we didn't get to see much of it due to how the romance was sidelined for the majority of the drama, being like the 3rd most important plot.

I found it interesting how Esther once revealed that her acting coach told her to choose characters more like herself, and I can definitely see the resemblance between her and LWX; it breaks my heart knowing that she faced such hate that made her probably feel a lot of negative emotion like LWX did. Im glad, honestly, because she really is venturing out more from the script her ex-company made her choose, and I hope it showcases more of her acting range through these projects and helps her grow.

When it comes to the acting, it wasn't bad. Esther delivered a nice performance, and so did Chen Jingke, but I gotta say CJK's lips really distracted me, like not romantically; it felt like he was meowing sometimes lol. One of the problems I had with this drama in the beginning was how I felt like I was seeing Esther Yu and not exactly LWX sometimes. I guess it's due to the styling that made me feel like I was watching Esther Yu.

Really such a beautiful found family story about healing and coming of age. I found it cute as well how Esther reunited with her former bandmate Chloe Xie in this drama and they are childhood friends in the story, not to mention how Esther's name, Yu Shuxin and Lin Wanxing both have the word star in them, which I found was a cute coincidence as well.

I gotta say that Victor Ma really nails these comedic characters so well! He was so funny lol. Whenever they were snacking in the beginning, I got so jealous and hungry lol; it looked so delicious as well. I gotta say, with the amount of times Esther promoted the Wakuku dolls, I think in this drama it made me tempted to also get one lol.

I would recommend checking this out if you want a more emotion-driven plot, but it's understandable why people would find it boring and not to their taste.

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So excited to watch this drama and I so wanted to like it. But by episode 26… it was just a miss for me. I’m not sure what the director was trying to do… a soccer drama but with very little soccer and actual coaching. We were given passive coaches that stood silently on the sidelines as the camera panned and captured their intense gazes and reflective moments about life. The FL who was so filled with energy and passion for these players never cheered for them during a game. How does that make sense? I would think she would be going crazy, cheering and yelling, especially when one of her “babies” got hurt on the field. But instead we got FL and ML standing next to each other in silence, with their “intense” looks of worry as the boys got beat up out there.

Too many parts of the drama was under developed that it made the drama seem very contrived and surface level. Before I start on the FL and how unnatural it felt watching her snack when clearly it was to make snacking look cute instead of her actually being hungry … I’ll stop. I don’t want to get too negative and I know actors can only do their best with what they are given.

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A Journey That Felt Like Home

Road to Success was an unexpected 10/10 for me. Before it aired, I barely kept up with any updates or promotions. I started it solely because of Esther Yu. By the end, I found myself completely attached to every character and every step of their journey.

This is, without a doubt, my favorite Esther Yu modern drama. Lin Wanxing was such a refreshing character—responsible, caring, emotionally mature, and the heart of the entire team. She wasn't just supporting them, she was the light that kept everyone moving forward.

This was also my first Chen Jingke drama, and he genuinely impressed me. He fit the role of Wang Fa perfectly. Calm, dependable, and inspiring without trying too hard, he embodied everything you'd hope to see in a coach.

The boys completely stole my heart too. Each of them had their own personality, struggles, and growth, making the team feel like a real family instead of just a group of side characters. Wen Chengye was my personal favorite (even though I loved all of them).

One character I absolutely couldn't stand was Xiang Zi. He was an absolute psycho, and every time he appeared on screen, he made my blood boil.

One of my favorite moments in the drama was Xingxing's courtroom speech. It was powerful, emotional, and incredibly delivered. I also appreciated how the director wasn't afraid to address certain issues in that scene. It gave the drama much more depth and made its message even more meaningful.

More than the romance or the football itself, this drama was about growth, dreams, friendship, and finding people who believe in you. Watching them overcome setbacks and celebrate every small victory made me feel like I was right there alongside them. By the finale, it honestly felt like I had gone through the journey with my own little family, watching them shine brighter and brighter.

Road to Success is warm, comforting, inspiring, and full of heart. It's one of those dramas that quietly stays with you long after it ends, and I couldn't have asked for a better surprise.

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Road to Success: The Warmest Place I'll Always Call Home ❤️

«"Not far beyond the narrow road, you will finally see the light." 🌙⚽️»

There are dramas you enjoy, dramas you admire, and then there are dramas that quietly become a part of your life.
Road to Success became my home.
It's so hard to say goodbye. I wasn't ready to let this drama go, which is why I waited until the very last day of its broadcast before writing this review.

As a novel reader, I already knew this story had the potential to be something special. A female-centered story about psychology, healing, youth, friendship, sports, self-discovery, and a mature slow-burn romance? It sounded like everything I could ever ask for.
But even then, the drama still managed to exceed every expectation I had.

Watching Yu Shuxin again after such a long time genuinely felt like finally coming home after being away for years. It felt comforting, peaceful, warm, and complete. Somehow, this drama gave me exactly what I didn't realize I needed.

And by the time the finale arrived, I realized something.
This wasn't just my favorite modern Yu Shuxin drama anymore.
It had become my favorite drama of hers, period.

*A Story That Is So Much More Than Football*

Before watching, I understood why many people were hesitant. A football-themed drama doesn't immediately sound appealing to everyone.
But that's the biggest misconception about Road to Success.
Football is never the destination.
It's simply the path that brings broken people together.
This drama beautifully blends sports, psychology, healing, friendship, coming-of-age, school life, mystery, family, and romance into one incredibly cohesive story.

The pacing is excellent from beginning to end. Every episode keeps moving naturally without feeling rushed. The comedy lands perfectly, the emotional moments hit incredibly hard, and the suspense quietly keeps you wanting more.
It constantly balances laughter and tears.

One moment you're laughing because Lin Wanxing somehow ends up taking care of eleven chaotic football boys (plus their equally stubborn coach).
The next moment you're crying because you finally understand why she smiles so much.

*Lin Wanxing — One of the Best Female Characters I've Ever Seen*

Lin Wanxing instantly became my favorite female character.
She isn't written to be perfect.
She isn't written to save the world.
She's simply someone who keeps choosing to live despite having every reason to give up.

She was a top student.
A brilliant researcher.
Someone who published multiple SCI papers.
Someone whose future seemed limitless.

Then everything was taken away.
False accusations.
Rumors.
Depression.
Dropping out of university.
Parents who couldn't believe her.
Grandparents who loved her more than anything, yet passed away before she could properly say goodbye.
And still...
She kept moving forward.

One of my favorite scenes will always be when she quietly says,
"Because I cheated."
She smiles as though it's nothing.
Yet her eyes carry years of pain.
That single line tells you everything about who Lin Wanxing really is.
She chose to save herself.
She chose to stay alive.
And little by little, she learned how to live again.
That's what makes her beautiful.
She became the adult every child in this story desperately needed because she herself once needed someone like that.
To me, Lin Wanxing represents every student carrying invisible pain.
She saw them because she had once been them.

*Yu Shuxin's Best Performance*

I've always loved Yu Shuxin as an actress.
But Road to Success made me admire her on an entirely different level.
This is easily the most mature performance of her career.
Her narration feels incredibly soothing.
Her voice control has improved tremendously.
Her micro-expressions say more than dialogue ever could.
Every subtle movement, every smile hiding sadness, every pause before speaking—it all feels incredibly natural.
Nothing is overdone.
Everything feels lived in.
I later learned the cast spent time taking acting classes together before filming, and honestly, it shows.
Not just Yu Shuxin, but the entire cast feels wonderfully connected.
The chemistry between everyone feels effortless.

*An Ensemble Done Right*

One concern many people had was whether such a large ensemble would overshadow the female lead.
It doesn't.
Not even once.
Lin Wanxing remains the emotional center of the entire story.
She is the thread connecting every character.
Every student's growth somehow leads back to her.
Every relationship develops naturally because of her presence.
Even the football boys, who all have very distinct personalities, become incredibly memorable.
By the end, I realized I somehow remembered every single one of them.
That's surprisingly rare.

*A Mature Romance That Respects Its Characters*

One of my biggest worries before watching was whether the drama would simplify the beautiful relationship between Lin Wanxing and Wang Fa from the novel.
Thankfully...
It didn't.
Their relationship develops slowly.
Naturally.
Without relying on unnecessary misunderstandings or overused tropes like childhood connections or love at first sight.
Instead, it gives us two emotionally mature adults learning to trust each other.
They communicate.
They support one another.
They grow together.
They're never portrayed as magically healing each other.
Instead, they simply stay beside each other while each continues healing themselves.
That feels infinitely more realistic.
Yu Shuxin proves once again why people always praise her chemistry with her co-stars.
She somehow makes every relationship feel genuine.

*Direction, Cinematography & Production*

One of this drama's biggest strengths is its direction.
The director previously worked with Yu Shuxin on Ski Into Love, but I think Road to Success showcases her strengths even more.
The cinematography is beautiful without feeling excessive.
The camera work during football matches makes every game exciting, even for viewers who know absolutely nothing about football.
The editing keeps the story flowing smoothly, balancing emotional scenes, comedy, sports, and suspense effortlessly.
Nothing ever feels boring.
The production also deserves praise for hiring a professional psychological consultant to ensure the psychological themes, theories, and sensitive topics were portrayed responsibly.
That level of care is something I deeply respect.

*A Soundtrack That Stays With You*

The soundtrack deserves special recognition.
I've been replaying it for weeks.
Every song fits the emotions of the story perfectly and somehow manages to make every important scene even more unforgettable.
The only thing I missed was hearing a Yu Shuxin OST, something many of her dramas usually have.
Even so, the music as a whole became one of my favorite drama soundtracks this year.

*More Than Just A Drama*

Maybe I love this drama so much because it arrived during one of the hardest periods of my life.
Lin Wanxing accompanied me.
She cried with me.
She comforted me.
She reminded me that moving forward doesn't always mean running.
Sometimes surviving one more day is already enough.

When she says,
"Only we can define ourselves."
I immediately thought about Yu Shuxin herself.
Ironically, only a few months after filming this drama, she experienced many of the same misunderstandings, accusations, and judgments that Lin Wanxing faced.
That makes this role feel even more meaningful.
I truly hope this drama healed not only its audience, but also Yu Shuxin herself.

*Final Thoughts*

Road to Success deserves so much more recognition than simply being called "the football drama."
It is a healing drama.
A coming-of-age drama.
A psychological drama.
A sports drama.
A mystery drama.
A romance.
A story about choosing to keep living.
Most importantly, it's a story about hope.

The story begins with Lin Wanxing losing her dream.
It ends with her walking confidently toward it again.
Not as someone's wife.
Not as someone's savior.
Simply as herself.
And I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful ending.

No matter what the ratings, popularity, or numbers say, I genuinely believe quality will always outlast temporary hype.
Road to Success may have started as a small IP that many people underestimated, but it proved that sincerity, strong storytelling, and unforgettable characters will always find their audience.

Yu Shuxin didn't choose the safest project.
She chose the bravest one.
And because of that, she gave us one of the strongest performances of her career.
Thank you, Yu Shuxin.
Thank you, Lin Wanxing.
Thank you, Road to Success.
I'll never forget the summer of 2026.
Whenever life becomes too difficult, I know exactly where to return.
My home will always be waiting.

⭐ 10/10 — A masterpiece that quietly heals your heart while reminding you that there is always light waiting beyond the narrow road.

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A Straight Road to Success -- with little to no obstacle

Where do I even start...hashdpas

Road to Success is one of those dramas that feels like a fantasy about the journey toward success with little to no obstacle. At first, it presents itself as a slice-of-life sports drama, but as the story progresses, it gradually introduces mystery, coming-of-age themes, romance, and even psychological heeling. By the time you reach the end, you'll realize that the series attempts to tackle all of these genres at once. While this ambitious blend becomes one of the drama's defining charms, it also ends up being its greatest weakness.

On the bright side, the series does an impressive job of balancing its many genres without completely losing its sense of direction. Rather than treating romance, sports, suspense, coming-of-age, and psychological healing as separate storylines, it weaves them together so that each element naturally complements the others. The emotional moments strengthen the sports narrative, the suspense adds intrigue without overshadowing the characters, and the romance develops alongside the characters' personal growth instead of dominating the plot. At the heart of the story is a strong cast of chaeracters, each with distinct personalities, motivations, and meaningful development that extends beyond the two leads. Their individual struggles and relationships make the world feel lived-in, while the teamwork and friendships among the students provide warmth, humor, and emotional sincerity. This interconnected approach gives the series a cohesive identity, allowing its themes of perseverance, healing, and self-discovery to resonate throughout the story.

Esther Yu and Chen Jing also deliver strong performances. Esther Yu makes the most of her role, convincingly portraying both her character's cheerful charm and emotional vulnerability. Chen Jing brings a quiet intensity to his performance, expressing his character's emotions with subtlety and sincerity. Together, they share an effortless chemistry that makes their interactions feel natural and engaging. Whether they're sharing lighthearted moments, navigating emotional conflicts, or gradually developing their relationship, the two leads provide the emotional foundation that keeps the series grounded.

However, the drama's biggest flaw lies in its pacing. The storytelling feels overly compressed, condensing many plotlines into their essential story beats instead of allowing them to unfold naturally. As a result, many scenes lose their emotional progression and narrative buildup because the moments that should connect them are either rushed or skipped entirely. While the story continues to move forward, it rarely pauses long enough to let its biggest emotional moments fully resonate. Because of this, the series never delivers a truly standout or unforgettable scene that leaves you wanting to revisit it after it ends.

This is especially noticeable in how the series handles its different genres. Although it successfully blends romance, sports, and suspense into a single narrative, it never fully commits to any one of them. It gives you just enough romance to become invested, just enough suspense to spark your curiosity, and just enough sports action to build excitement—only to shift its focus to something else before any of those elements can fully reach their potential. As a result, many emotional moments and character arcs feel less impactful than they could have been, not because they lack meaning, but because they aren't given enough time to breathe.

In the end, Road to Success feels less like a drama that confidently embraces its many genres and more like one that's constantly moving from one idea to the next before any of them can fully blossom. It's an enjoyable series with a heartfelt cast, strong performances, and meaningful themes, but its ambition ultimately becomes both its greatest strength and its greatest limitation.

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Highly recommended! Road to Success

The cast is soooooo!! They're so handsome and talented the way they act is full of emotions! I always finished drama after it air or all episodes are out but this one I cannot control myself to watch it everyday! 😞
I usually pride myself on my self-control when it comes to watching dramas. My golden rule has always been to wait until a series fully finishes airing so I can binge-watch all the episodes at my own pace. But Road to Success completely shattered that rule. I honestly cannot control myself—I find myself counting down the hours and tuning in every single day the moment a new episode drops on iQIYI!
The biggest reason this drama is so utterly addictive is the phenomenal cast and the unique direction by Lee Ching Jung. She has this magical way of capturing intense, raw, and full-of-emotion moments that tug at your heartstrings, making the everyday struggles of the characters feel so deeply personal. The leads are incredibly handsome and beautiful, but it’s their immense talent that truly holds you captive.
Esther Yu delivers such a brilliant, refreshing performance as Lin Wanxing, the sharp psychology PhD student who unexpectedly finds herself managing sports equipment at Hongjing No. 8 High School. Watching her interact with Chen Jingke, who plays the mysterious, brooding former British football coach Wang Fa, is pure gold. Their chemistry is electric—the perfect blend of her playful psychological tricks and his strict, stoic demeanor. They don't just deliver lines; they make you feel every ounce of their hidden baggage, healing, and slow-burn romance.
Beyond the main romance, the underdog football team completely steals the show. The emotional rollercoaster of watching these bottom-ranked students fight through intense Gaokao (college entrance exam) pressure while chasing their athletic dreams is incredibly motivational. It strikes the perfect balance between high-stakes sports tension and deeply moving, human moments. Every episode leaves you desperate to see them overcome their next hurdle, which is exactly why my plan to wait for the finale completely failed. If you want a drama with a gorgeous cast, stellar acting, and a storyline that makes you care about every single character, Road to Success is an absolute must-watch. Just be prepared to lose all your self-control!

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Slice of life, mature, wholesome cute sports drama!!

If there are people hesitating to watch this cause of Esther Yu, do not hesitate because her character in this show is nothing like her recent work. She is smart, independent mature and really the core radiance of the story. I loved her character and her relationship with all the students and Wang Fa as well. Speaking of Wang Fa, Chen Jingke did a really good job in bringing out the charisma of a soccer coach and also someone the kids can look up to in their process of development. I am glad he is getting a lot more recognition from this drama!

Wanxing and Wangfa together built such a strong team bonded with their desire to achieve their dreams and win. Of course at the start it wasn't a smooth journey but I really enjoyed the process on how Wanxing managed to ignite the ambition in her students through her psychological knowledge.

Through out the drama you can see how the kids grew into better adults and in the last few episodes both Wanxing and Wangfa felt so proud of them. Both the leads came with a back story which was handled very well. There weren't any long misunderstandings or random breakups. Wanxing and Wangfa both gave each other space and at the same time were always there to support each other.

I liked how Wangfa said "More than being my wife, I want you to be the radiant and shinning Wanxing you are". For Wanxing who has been doubting and blaming herself for years I think the writer really wrote this scene well.

The romance is slow burn but you will enjoy watching the wholesome scenes of their matches, their defeat, their victories and their hardships.

Overall, I really enjoyed this show and I hope more dramas are written this way.

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best sports drama ever - must watch !!!

This drama will forever be one of my favourites!! it's truly one of a kind! I'll miss the whole hongjing team so much!! I honestly loved Wen ChengYe, Fu Xinshu and Qin Ao so so much!!! literally will look forward to the whole casts in new dramas, so glad that new Chinese actors had opportunity to showcase their beautiful talent!! This drama is such a brand new taste, it has everything one may look for: romance, bromance, family, friendship, mental health awareness, sportsmanship, healthy couples, suspense, comedy, romcom and everything!!!

Lin Wanxing is truly the type of human I aspire to be. She’s so smart, kind, brave, honest, and understanding. I honestly loved her so much, she truly is a sunshine in their lives!

I really loved Wang Fa’s personality. He is so kind and truly one of the best male leads I’ve ever seen! The way he reassures and trusts her!!!! ahhh, be is so smart, educated, well-mannered and such a green forest. I’m so happy that Lin Wanxing and Wang Fa are both so cool and such green flags!! I really wish we could have a Season 2 of this!! 😭

I also want to honourable mention Ju Li, she is such a nice friend!! OMGEEE having a friend like her is truly some luck!! I hope Lin WanXing appreciates her more and more day by day!!! Ju Li is so amazing and literally the bestest friend one can have!!! Yu Bo was such nice add to the drama as well, him and Wang Fa are so cute!! their bromance was such nice add on!! I loved watching their bikering, friendship, work talk, comforting and overall everything!! they both truly have such an amazing friends.

I’ll miss everyone in the cast and all the characters!! Ahhh, Lin Wanxing, Wang Fa, Wen Chengye, Fu Xinshu, Qin Ao, Lin Lu, Chen Jianghe, Yu Ming, Zhang Feiyang, Feng Suo, Zheng Ren, Yu Bo, Ju Li, and Wang Tian!!

I’m genuinely going to miss Hongjing No. 8 and all of them so much. Jiayou HongJing!!

The only downside of the drama is the Lin WanXing and her grandpa's story line as well as her senior, I feel like it was too unrealistic like everything to turn out like this but honestly cant complain much since its not a suspense/crime drama but rather sportsmanship!! I still recommend watching it and I rate it 1000/10, It's so amazing and so cool!!

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Actors understood the assignment!

First and foremost, this drama was directed by the same woman behind ‘Hidden Love,’ so you know it will not disappoint.

What stood out to me the most in this drama, that many other commentators don’t mention: The Male Lead. Male Lead stole the show. He is a PHENOMENAL actor!! (And his character is quite literally perfect in every way.) This is in no way meant to demean the other actors, but he outshines EVERYONE in this drama. The way he acts is so subtle yet so realistic. He has such a quiet passion that reaches through the screen and tugs you in to his warm embrace. I cannot explain it, but every time he was on screen it was magnetizing. I could not look away!

Now, the drama:
This drama does not just tell the story of two people falling in love. This is also the story of several high school boys and their journey to adulthood. Do not go into this drama thinking it will be all about the main couple. It is so much more. Love love loved this one. It was so heartfelt, full of friendship and love.

Ester is much more suited to a mature role such as this one. She plays someone who takes on somewhat of a mentor/older sister role to a bunch of high school boys. Not a role I would have ever imagined for Ester, but she portrayed this character soooo well. Her journey and growth in this series was so refreshing to watch. Despite initial emotions and misunderstandings, there is clear communication between the main leads and they lean on each other when things get hard. Their relationship felt so real.

Male lead’s story was so compelling. Everything about him is. I’ve seen a lot of dramas, and I have to say his character is the single best male lead I have seen in a long time. He is the definition of a green flag. Seriously. The blueprint. He is smart, attentive, calm and caring, strong and protective, yet not overbearing. He is understanding and gentle. He is kind and intuitive and patient beyond words. I could go on forever but I must end it here.

You must watch this show with your heart. This is a show meant to be FELT, not seen.

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Some of the best psychological romantic sports drama I've ever seen.

This drama has exceeded my expectations, from visuals, to storyline, to plot twists, to every single scene, I loved the way the team developed, the way the mains got introduced, the way he fell first she fell harder, EVERY.SINGLE.SCENE. First of I want to talk about the female lead, her story was very heartbreaking (and so was the male lead but we'll get to that later), basically distrust can really hurt someone and so can rumors, they can ruin someone's life. About the male lead... poor him, traumatized of taking over a football team, and afraid of being responsible and failing for a second time, not knowing that it wasn't really his fault, it was other people's faultS, yes, many people were involved in this thing he was investigating (I'm trying not to reveal ANY spoilers cuz its best to watch it like this). Honestly, I didn't want to watch it, but my mom told me she was searching for a drama with a cute female lead and I immediately thought of Esther Yu, in every single drama even if she was the villain she was very cute (I think), and she really didn't fail. In the end, some things remain unsolved which really made me crash out just a bit, like what happened to the members of the team in detail? What about the male lead's sister's romantic life? I was so absorbed into this drama that I thought that there would be a second couple, dang that hit hard, what about the female lead's job? I hope there will be a special or a season two cuz I'm watching it. To be honest, I almost dropped it because I thought the female lead was really the person that the male lead was searching for, but thank goodness those clips convinced me, I didn't see any spoilers about her or the person, I don't even watch sad ending and I thought to myself, even if it turns out to be a bad ending I will still watch it no matter what, and look what happened. Very recommended down there will be if it is a happy ending or a sad one if you don't want to see don't see it cause it does count as a spoiler?

























It is a happy ending; the main couple end up together everything is resolved.

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This healing drama follows two people navigating their own personal and professional slumps, finding the courage to move beyond painful circumstances, and also finding love along the way.

It’s anchored by a classic underdog story about a high school boys’ soccer team that beats all the odds in pursuit of a championship win. The boys are funny and endearing, and many of them are also navigating their own struggles and heartbreaks.

The leads, Chen Jing Ke and Esther Yu, play the team’s coach and team manager. I wouldn’t say it’s a stand-out role for either of them, but both actors give heartfelt performances, and the progression of their characters’ relationship — from their battle of wits at the beginning to their professional partnership, mutual support, and growing feelings for each other — feels natural even though the romance isn’t the primary focus of the story.

It’s also nice to see Esther Yu in a role that’s a bit more mature and serious than the cute, bubbly types she often plays.

As the characters help each other face emotions like guilt, regret, and self-doubt instead of bottling them up, the series highlights the value of having community — family, friends, teachers/mentors — as a support during difficult times.

It’s a mostly feel-good series that I’d rate at an 8.5 — worth watching once for the heartwarming story and capable cast, but not a rewatch.

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