Love's Ambition

And Yet, We Loved..

Love’s Ambition works so well as a story about love, loss and second chances.. I think, because it feels like two love stories in one.. The first is about how Xu Yan and Shen Hao Ming meet, get to know each other, fall in love and self destruct.. The second is about how they find their way back to each other after that and also find their true selves.. The business aspect of the drama, well I would call it the most weakly written part of the show.. Anyway, I loved how the drama showed what both of them lost after they separated and why it mattered that they found each other again..

The main leads of the drama aren’t your usual 'green' characters.. Both are grey, shady even and the ML in the first half leans a bit more toward the darker side as we saw when the big reveal takes place.. They both have their flaws, but his are a bit too much at times.. He is one sneaky, manipulative man.. The FL isn’t exactly a saint either, the first 10 minutes of the drama give us a glimpse into the roots of her problems and the lengths she will go to protect her new identity, life and future.. Whatever her reasons, she is building her life on lies and sooner or later, it has to fall apart for her to truly start over and find real happiness.. The same goes for the ML, his beliefs, image and cunning nature all needs to break down for him to find himself and become worthy of her..

“A life built on lies..
I tried my best to make it a fortress..
But how can there ever be a castle on sand??”

Before I say anything else, I have to mention this, Zhao Lusi’s acting is on another level.. She nails the emotional and crying scenes every single time.. It’s so convincing that you can almost feel her pain.. It’s not really the writing that makes you empathize with her, it’s her raw, agonizing performance that draws it out of you.. It truly was a showcase of great acting.. Her character was better crafted than the ML’s.. She was clear about who she was from the very beginning and we never once doubted her love for him or the reasons behind what she did.. And Zhao Lusi carried the character with such effortless perfection..

And William Chan truly deserves credit for portraying a character who is unlikeable, sympathetic, pathetic and pitiful, all at the same time in the first half, yet somehow still manages to win our love and support in the second..

I think this is something the drama actually got right.. They first showed the ML as a good guy, a green flag, absolutely in love with the FL, for a good 10 to 12 episodes.. Then out of nowhere, he turns into a manipulative man.. And guess what?? The writer changes his mind again, suddenly, he truly loves her but just doesn’t know how to express it.. So this cold, brooding, cunning man becomes a jealous, insecure mess in the second half of the drama.. But the reason it worked for me was because his character didn’t feel inconsistent.. Even as he became that jealous man, he still stayed true to his earlier personality.. Cunning, shrewd and composed, but this time, he showed his love more openly, even through all the whining and interference in her life..

I honestly think the ML could have salvaged everything if he had just handled it better.. When she found out about his child, if he truly loved her, they could have talked it out, found a solution and saved their marriage.. And I genuinely believe she would have forgiven him, because she really did love him.. Instead, he goes on a rant and acts like an absolute jerk, even though he is the one who did and hid things that were far worse.. I mean, he literally had two chances, the girl herself went to him, apologized and told him she loved him and he still couldn’t climb down from his high horse.. What a waste..

The supporting cast was good, but there were no standout performances.. Honestly, apart from the two leads, there wasn’t much for anyone else to work with.. What’s up with all these other characters?? They have almost zero personality, not even Wan Peng.. No wonder the performances ended up feeling shallow..

After seeing her past scenes, I honestly wished she wouldn’t forgive her parents.. Even revenge would have felt justified.. But at the very least, she shouldn’t have forgiven them.. Not even in the last ten minutes of the drama just to wrap things up neatly.. But well, they got their happy ending anyway..

There’s been some talk about how she completely forgets her dream of becoming a news anchor.. But the way I see it, she wanted that job not because it was her true passion but because it represented everything she thought she needed to feel whole.. Respect, control and a version of herself untethered from her painful past.. For someone whose early life was marked by helplessness, becoming a news anchor was her way of taking back control of her own narrative.. But after the breakup, she no longer needs that kind of validation.. She has already been exposed, hurt and stripped of her perfect image.. In other words, she stops chasing recognition and starts building something real.. She is no longer running from her past.. She is building a future with full awareness of who she is and what she has been through.. So while it may seem like she forgets her dream, it’s more like she outgrows it..

Overall, it’s a stunning drama with a great, great soundtrack and despite my issues with the pacing, it never drags on too long.. No matter how uneven the writing gets, Zhao Lusi’s acting remains superb, with William Chan doing his best to keep up.. Not that it’s his fault, she is just that good.. My favorite part of the drama comes after their separation, the angst, the workplace dramas, the role playing.. Basically everything this " almost divorced " couple does.. I only wish they had cut down the business subplot a bit, because the comedy in the middle phase was so good and deserved more time and honestly I could have done with less of the business stuff.. I am giving it a nine.. I love myself a happy ending and Love’s Ambition gave me one..

Read More

Love’s Ambition: When Dreams Collide with Destiny

🎯 What’s Good
✅Zhao Lusi’s Performance & Screen Presence- Her portrayal of Xu Yan feels genuine; you can sense her inner pain and quiet determination.
✅Plot & Emotional Complexity- The storyline isn’t just romance. There’s a lot going on: family issues, lies, class differences, identity, and rebuilding after betrayal. The conflicts feel more layered than “just misunderstandings.” Xu Yan’s background (neglect, struggle, having to build herself) adds weight.
✅Character growth — Xu Yan’s journey feels earned; you really see her evolve through heartbreak and ambition.
✅Visuals, Style, Costume, & Ambience- Big plus here — the styling is very strong. Outfits, hair, makeup, settings all seem well-thought-out, often reflecting Xu Yan’s mood or what she’s hiding / presenting publicly. Scenes are aesthetically pleasing.
✅Strong Reception & Buzz- The drama is doing well in popularity metrics and is being talked about a lot on social media. Even with little promotion before release, it’s broken some records. So it has momentum, which often helps carry a show even when it has flaws.
⚠️ What’s Less Strong / Mixed
❌Romantic chemistry is subtle — If you like intense “spark” energy, this one might feel too restrained at times.
❌Pacing can drag — Emotional moments sometimes get stretched out, making it hard to stay fully immersed.
❌Tone is quite heavy — There’s more melancholy and internal struggle than lighthearted or “feel-good” scenes.
❌Limited warmth early on — The first few episodes are more about setup and tension than genuine emotional connection.
💭 My Take: Is It Worth It?
I think Love’s Ambition is definitely worth giving a try if you like dramas with character depth, emotional stakes, fashion and style, and a romance that builds rather than being instant. It might not be perfect (and parts of it are slower or more restrained than “full-spark romance”), but it delivers a lot in terms of visuals, atmosphere, and personal growth.
If you enjoy slow-burn emotional stories with strong character depth and a touch of elegance, Love’s Ambition is worth sticking with. But if you prefer romances that instantly pull your heartstrings and make you feel every beat from the start — this might test your patience a little. 😅

Read More

Great premise, engaging first half - incongruous second half

The premise of this drama was very promising; I went into it expecting a really good show. The first 18 episodes or so were very engaging.
In the first half of the show, we get great character exposition and story arc; the female lead's childhood is explored and gives insight into her current actions and how she is insecure and just wants to be loved for herself. The male lead's character is also explored; he's a successful businessman from a wealthy family. The lies and deceit the two engage in with each other before getting married unravel soon after their marriage up to the point where the female lead files for divorce. The story is amazing up to this point. After this the story fell apart in my opinion; comedic elements were introduced which came off as desperate and forced, the drama felt completely different in the second arc and the emotional depth from the first half was reduced to clumsy comedy where the male lead tries to get the female lead back in ways that seem completely out of character for him.
Side plots are thrown in which just create more incredible silliness and incongruity.

I was disappointed that the male lead didn't get the chance to really find out how his wife grew up; a conversation with grandma would have added depth to their reconciliation, An honest conversation between husband and wife would have also made their reconciliation more meaningful.

I watched the first 18 episodes in two sittings then it took me 2 weeks to finish the drama after that, that tells you how the two halves of the show are like night and day.

I will give credit to Zhao Lusi and William Chan for their acting, although Lusi seemed a bit haunted and sad throughout, there was a subdued element to her performance, not sure if it's her interpretation of the character or spillover from real life events.
William Chan should get more lead roles; he's a bit stiff but I think with more prominent roles he will get better. The two worked well together.

Music is catchy.

In an ideal setting I would score 8.5 for the first half of the drama then 0.5 for the second half and that only for the last 30 minutes of the final episode.
Overall, based on my review I give this show a 5/10.

Read More

Waste of talant and screentime

This drama starts off pretty interesting, with secrets, deceit, ambition, horrible parants. Rich vs poor, lies vs truth... etc. Most of the characters are okay, some even really good those first bunch of episodes and I dare say it even strts off as a retty easy binge.


But then comes the never ending propaganda, educational series of boring business twists that do not make much sense and are either dragged out to all eternity (or at least it feels like it) or rushed.... a 25 episode build up wrapped up with three words that just passed by in a flash.

So basically cut the episode to 15-20 focus on one story and not a bunch of I must amke it on my own stuff, plus, minus... and it could have been an 8 or even 8,5 but I just cant ignore the later episodes never ending mumbo jumbo. So basically if you choose to watch this ID say stop somewhere around episode 20 and you will be fine.... .

Read More

Just Going Thru the Motions

I'm oddly conflicted on how to review this series. It has all the components of being a good series yet something just felt off about it. While I like the main actors and have seen most of their work (William Chan and Zhao Lusi) they just seemed to be going through the motions in this series. As a couple they completely lacked chemistry. And Zhao Lusi seemed like she lost her spark and charisma. I believe she was filming this series right before her personal life went into turmoil with the hospitalization for her medical and mental breakdown. She looked so miserable and unhealthy in this series it was very distracting and sad to watch.

The Good:
- The lead actors are two of my favorites: William Chan and Zhao Lusi
- The 2nd couple stole the show, they were more fun and genuine to watch. The 2nd lead actress who played the sister Qiao Lin was my favorite character.
- The kid brother/son (Hao Chen) did very well for a child actor. I also saw him in The Story of Pearl Girl, he's a natural.

The Bad:
- Started out strong, then fizzled out and got draggy.
- Lead couple had no chemistry. When Hao Ming tried to win back Xu Yan's love, it was borderline corny and forced.
- The voice dubbing for the ML (William Chan) did not fit him at all, very distracting
- Xu Yan the FL (Zhao Lusi) seemed like she lost her spark in this series. Just going through the motions like a zombie
- The wardrobe was over the top, trying too hard to be couture. It makes sense for the uber wealthy families. But the when Xu Yan lost her luxurious life and started their own business with her sister Qiao Lin, they had nothing and struggled financially. But the wardrobe and styling for them and their friends/coworkers did not portray that. Even when Xu Yan spent extended periods of time in the village with her grandmother, she was overly dressed for the scenes. It felt out of place.
- The business dealing with the Russian guy was absurd. Why would a powerful real estate investor put so much emphasis on another couple's relationship. The couples retreat scenes were ridiculous.


I skipped through a lot of this series. Won't be watching it again. As another reviewer stated, it's watchable but not memorable.

Read More

Started, stayed and finished just for Zhao Lusi!

I enjoyed this drama, but I don't completely buy the male lead's redemption arc. I understand, for the purpose of the storyline and genre, that he needed to appear changed and that he realised the error of his ways. I felt the music/soundtrack played a huge part in portraying this and giving the audience clues about how we should feel. However, if you strip that all away, his 180 was too abrupt and not entirely earned. Perhaps it was because his portrayal of the domineering, manipulative CEO archetype was so good. He came across as so callous and cold in episode 14, and coupled with Xu Yan's subsequent heartbreak/ breakdown, it made his character unforgivable if I'm honest. It all seemed too 'real'. I think this is where Kdramas often have the edge - these scenarios are usually played out with a 'manhwa lens', so you know from the start that the ML is a red flag (think What's Wrong with Secretary Kim/ When the Phone Rings, etc.). In Love Ambition, Shen Haoming seems so genuine at first, but then his true persona rears its vicious, ugly head. And then we're just supposed to believe he changes again.

Of course, Zhao Lusi has this magical quality of selling the trauma and betrayal, like she's truly lived it. Her crying scenes are always so raw and overflowing with emotion. In similar dramas, you don't usually portray scenes like this unless you really want the audience to hate the male character, whom usually then becomes the pathetic second lead whilst the ML swoops in and helps to heal the FL. Nevertheless, I do love how Xu Yan then became stronger, more confident and independent.

I agree that Xu Yan's lies about her background were bad and she essentially committed fraud. However, she didn't fabricate this lie until after they were already together (therefore, she did not lie to him from the start/to be with him). Yet he manipulated her from the very beginning - he wanted to see how far she would go and even took pleasure or amusement from it. Her emotions were genuine and sincere (which ultimately helped him to realise what he had lost). EVERYTHING she did was for him: whether to help him succeed or to enable her to be accepted by those around him. His lies were deceitful and only served to help him: to mask his true, calculating nature.

I think it could have worked IF they hadn't gone so far with the betrayal in episode 14 AND if the redemption arc had focused mostly on HIM doing everything to serve her, not for any gain, not for forgiveness, but simply because she deserved it. As it was, I actually hated the storyline where she had to help him (once again) with the business deal. It could have worked if that had come later, perhaps. Ultimately, I enjoyed the drama but only because I'm a huge fan of Zhao Lusi. It left a bitter taste, and it was one of the few times I would have been happy for a drama not to end with the quintessentially 'happy ending'. It would have worked just as well, if not better, as a story of self-realisation, overcoming trauma and betrayal, and achieving your own success with your strong, female-centric team.

Read More

Yet again, another missed opportunity for dramaland

6.25/10
The plot was interesting, with a psychological aspect that was both realistic and courageous. The characters' gray areas were not only relevant but also refreshing.

The acting was good, but could have been better and deeper. It lacked a lot of maturity and spirituality.
However, I think this is zls's best performance. Wc's acting was more interesting than usual, but still rather superficial.
The rest of the cast was quite good, without delivering performances that made the cut.

The chemistry definitely the cp works quite well. They're cute, there were intense moments between them, they were natural, but we didn't get the chance to see a deeper chemistry between them, due to the flaws in the acting and the lack of scenes that could've help display more depth.

The pacing wasn't frustrating, but at times, especially during the second part, several scenes were completely uninteresting. Matter of fact, I think the whole second part of the dram ruined it. It was very disappointing.

The second couple's story was boring.

In my opinion, the writing was the drama's major flaw. The ideas were good, but the execution could have been more impactful, stronger, and more gripping.
After episode 18, the fl and ml have lowkey new personalities out if nowhere, without us being able to witness the progression of these changes, which is quite annoying and makes the drama lose its seriousness.

Many elements were missing that would have allowed us to realize the intensity of the characters' backgrounds and feelings.


The drama was in the beginning very entertaining. Too bad, it got generic and boring during the 2nd part.
It could've been easily better, they truly missed a good opportunity...

Read More

In a League of its Own

There are so many wonderful and beautiful moments in this drama. One of the most effective lines for me began in EP 2 where the female lead, played by Zhao Lusi, says, "Only by staying on the starting line will I get the chance to run." How incredible is this, especially when we see Xu Yan constantly being pulled and pushed off the starting line to make way for someone else. She just wants a chance to Shine Brilliantly.

I love how this drama doesn't dump Xu Yan's backstory all at once. We watch it woven into many scenes, the build up both impactful and memorable. We become entangled in the FL's scheming rooting for her and nervous as hell she may get discovered.

In EP 4, I cried halfway through, especially when she confronts her father's decision to keep her from taking the entrance exam. Once again, she is pushed off the starting line to make room for her sister. Her crying was gut-wrenching. Zhao Lusi doesn't just shed a few tears, she sobs, hiccups, and can barely catch her breath trying to get her point across. This was such a phenomenal performance.

Episode by episode, the flow between serious situations and humor is seamless. Both Zhao Lusi and William Chan are beautiful together. Whether they are deceiving each other (and themselves), being brutally honest, divorcing, reconciling, groveling (mostly on Mr. Shen's part), half in their cups, or madly and deeply in love, their chemistry explodes into breathtaking fireworks. They give their characters life, not just with lines, but with heartfelt emotions.

I also appreciate how problems are resolved quickly and scenes don't get stuck on filler conversations. Every moment builds upon the other. There are twists are turns, just like life. There is an element of unpredictability that keeps you guessing on what's going to happen next.

I would also give a standing ovation to the OST. Both the beginning and ending scores are perfect for this drama.

Overall, Love's Ambition is a marvelously crafted drama that will remain in a league of its on for a long time. Every episode delivers intense conflict, sharp dialogue, brilliant humor, and stellar performances, with no weak links in storytelling or execution. Congratulations to the cast, crew, and production on delivering one of the best dramas of 2025.

Note: Those who have only watched the trailers and are writing reviews for this drama based on the trailers, are doing a great disservice to the drama, the actors, the crew, and the production.

Read More

A different drama, but not as good as critics say

The plot is original for the first 15 episodes! After that, the story mixes a lot of events that don’t really make sense and might confuse the audience. The relationship between the ML & her sister wasn’t deep enough! A lot of emotions that weren’t explained and didn’t succeed to convince me! Same with the ML… a lot of slow paced moments to teach us some lessons in life.. but did the drama succeed to do so? I don’t think so! Zhao Lusi did an amazing job and was very beautiful but the plot made her character sometimes out of realistic emotions. The woman who spent years running after the ML, the aunt of the boy, suddenly repents in the last episode and tells the truth out of nowhere and the truth about the child was unnecessary! The ex of the sister scheme was messy and also unnecessary ! I believe that the drama was way too long for what the plot delivered and unfortunately by fast forwarding a lot of scenes I was able to go through it and finish it! I have it a 7 for the effort to do something different, the very good performance of the FL & the child… not sure if William was the best choice for this character though.

Read More

Two lovebirds who need therapy, not a divorce, but I'm rooting anyway

This show had no business being this good. It’s the story of Xu Yan and Shen Hao Ming — a couple whose chemistry has no right to be that intense. The kind of tension that makes breathing optional.

Xu Yan is bruised, messy, but fiercely ambitious. Shen Hao Ming is methodical, composed, manipulative; there’s an eerie calm to him that makes you wonder what dark secrets hide under that perfectly tailored, gentleman-esque exterior. Xu Yan loves him despite knowing the difference in their status. His family’s reluctance to accept her pushes her to lie about her family background just to fit in.

He’s flawless — at least on the surface — the dream man of half the city. But behind that charm is a man so afraid to lose control that he’d rather destroy love than risk vulnerability. For every lie she told thinking she was in control, he was always two steps ahead. Their relationship was built on illusions, and when the truth finally explodes, it’s too late: she loves him but can’t be believed; he loves her but is too good at pretending he doesn’t. Yet love doesn’t ask for permission — it lingers, bruised but unbroken.

The way he degraded her, thinking money and status could cage her forever — and then that priceless look on his face when she hit him with the divorce agreement? Cinematic gold. I lived for that moment. She reclaimed her dignity, turned down everything he’d given her, and started over on her own terms. That’s when the push-and-pull began — when he realized he needed her far more than she ever needed him. The gentleness, the unspoken longing, the way he finally learns to trust her — only for her to no longer know what’s real...

This isn’t just a love story; it’s a war between pride and vulnerability where both sides lose, and somehow you still cheer. "Love’s Ambition" is smart without being cold, romantic without being naive. Xu Yan and Shen Hao Ming are the kind of couple who make you scream “just kiss already” and “please get therapy” in the same breath. When they’re pretending to be in love for business deals, it almost hurts how real it feels — because deep down, they never stopped choosing each other, even when pride got in the way. Every interaction feels like a negotiation between desire and damage. You can’t even tell if they’re flirting, fighting, or foreclosing emotional debt. The tension is so thick you could cut it with Xu Yan’s divorce papers.

By episode 26, I was smiling through tears and yelling at the screen like it could hear me. Their love has evolved from calculated to cautious, from performance to something painfully sincere. They’ve broken each other, rebuilt each other, and now everyone around them sees it — even his mother, who caught them kissing and basically turned into the head of their fan club — yet they’re the last to admit it, still busy overthinking.

That’s what makes "Love’s Ambition" so addictive: it’s not about perfect love, it’s about messy love that survives anyway. It’s funny, infuriating, and tender all at once, the kind of show that leaves you yelling at the screen, smiling through tears, and believing in second chances right before reminding you how badly the first ones can burn.

I'll reserve the last 0,5 for the ending. If it's a happy one then it's an easy 10. If not (which I dread), this masterpiece keeps its very solid 9.5

⚠️ UPDATE _______________________________________________________________

HAPPY ENDING ! I won in life ☺️

Read More

Unmasking the Hidden Truth : Ambition, Deception, and the cost of Redemption & Second Chances

When popular broadcast anchor Xu Yan (Zhao Lusi) married the urban elite Shen Haoming, they were the public picture of a perfect power couple. But their union was built on a careful, polished lie—a mask Xu Yan wore to survive her controlling husband's high-society world. Love's Ambition is not about how they fell in love; it's about the explosive, must-see moment she tears that mask off and walks away, forcing the elite, controlling husband to confront his own deception. Zhao Lusi doesn't just act in this drama; she delivers a career-defining, raw performance, complete with an iconic, non-repeating wardrobe, that demands attention from the very first frame. If you thought you knew Zhao Lusi, this performance will redefine her as one of the most compelling dramatic forces on screen today. This phenomenal lead performance didn't just meet expectations—it absolutely blew them away, making this show a highly satisfying watch.

✦ What the Story is About
The drama centers on Xu Yan, a highly popular broadcast anchor, and Shen Haoming, an urban elite, who appear to be the perfect power couple. However, their marriage is built on complicated foundations. Due to her difficult background, Xu Yan carefully crafted a "polished" personal history to integrate into Shen Haoming's upper-class world. Shen Haoming enters the marriage believing he can control Xu Yan, thinking her lower standing makes her compliant. The story is a high-stakes, dramatic pursuit where personal ambitions collide with hidden truths. When conflicts arise and the dynamic of control becomes unbearable, Xu Yan breaks free, leaving Shen Haoming without looking back. This shocking separation forces Shen Haoming to realize that he genuinely fell deeply in love with the real Xu Yan beneath the mask, leading him on a determined path to win her back and uncover their true selves.

✦ Sharp Pacing and The Slow Burn of Chemistry
What makes "Love's Ambition" highly engaging is its sharp pacing. Unlike many slow-burn urban dramas, this show dives quickly into the intricacies of the fake marriage, allowing the major conflict (the separation) to happen early. This structural choice shifts the focus away from light romance and toward the high-stakes emotional drama of rebuilding a life and pursuing genuine love. The "chemistry" between the leads is subtle and reserved, which some viewers might find underwhelming, but in the context of two guarded people wearing professional masks, it feels deliberate. The show asks the audience to wait for the connection until the characters are ready to be authentic, making the eventual emotional breakthrough highly anticipated.

✦ A Polished Production: OST and Supporting Cast
The overall production quality matches the high-society setting. The cinematography is clean, and the set designs feel appropriately luxurious. The Original Soundtrack (OST) is a notable highlight, featuring tracks that amplify the emotional intensity of the drama. Listeners will recognize powerful voices, including Shan Yichun (with the song "Loved Like Fireworks") and Eric Chou (contributing tracks like "Take My Time" and "Me And You"), whose songs perfectly underscore the themes of complicated love and ambition. Furthermore, the supporting cast provides solid foundations, with special recognition to Wan Peng as Qiao Lin, whose character moments offer necessary perspective and sometimes comedic relief from the main couple's intense dynamic.

✦ Raw Emotion : Xu Yan Defining Character Arcs ( I liked these powerful character driven moments )
Zhao Lusi’s ability to portray a strong, yet deeply scarred character made several scenes truly iconic:
- The Confrontation: The emotional scene where Xu Yan confronts her family, particularly her father, about the years of neglect and emotional abuse she endured. This moment brilliantly showcases Zhao Lusi's dramatic range, transforming her outward composure into raw, heart-wrenching pain.

- The Power Flip: Any moment where Xu Yan uses her intelligence and quick thinking to turn the social tables on the wealthy elite (like the scenes with her Mother-in-Law’s social circle). She is the definition of a "no-BS" woman who cleverly secures opportunities, demonstrating her character's formidable ambition.

- The Emotional Breakdown: While her emotional endurance is key, her full-blown crying scenes—where the elegant facade finally cracks—are deeply impactful, making you feel every bit of her struggle.

Zhao Lusi's acting in this drama is truly great. She manages to convey complex emotions with a natural sincerity that is instantly engaging. Her crying scenes, in particular, feel incredibly real and raw, ensuring the emotional beats of the story hit home powerfully. It’s clear that she commits fully to every character who portrays, always delivering her absolute best.

Beyond her performance, the visual presentation of her character was a genuine highlight. The styling team deserves major praise, as Lusi’s wardrobe was an absolute treat for the eyes! It felt like she didn't repeat a single outfit, and the attention to detail extended to her hair, which seemed different and beautifully styled in every single episode. This commitment to fresh, stunning aesthetics throughout the series added so much to the viewing experience.
As for the leading male actor, he was certainly okay in his role, providing solid support to the narrative. However, the true magnetic force and ambition of the show rested squarely on Lusi’s shoulders.

Overall: If you are a fan of Zhao Lusi, or just appreciate an actress who truly embodies and elevates her character with both emotional depth and dazzling style, "Love's Ambition" is a must-watch. It’s a compelling drama elevated by a career-defining turn from its leading lady.

Thank you for reading all the way to the end! ♥♥♥

Read More

Lusi's outstanding performance is somewhat elevating an otherwise weak drama.

Lusi is really shining in this, she is portraying the uneasy happiness & everything else perfectly, this is what I call 10/10 acting. (though she looks malnourished as usual if not more so) Most other things -at least outside of the high production values- are very mediocre or worse. In the first half of the drama I did not really like any of the the main characters, they were all bad apples in their own way. Objectively there is nothing wrong with that, people watch mafia movies as well, however they really dragged out the spiraling lies part, 15 episodes?! -nearly getting caught in episodical fashion- is crazy to me. I found it difficult to get through this, authentically acted or not to me it's hard to watch a relationship drama where there is so little chemistry & where both parties bring questionable motives into a marriage. Especially considering how uninteresting & predictable most of the first half is.

Then there comes the second half where most main characters get a full personality rewrite, the tigers give their stripes to the lions & now it felt like watching a completely different show. On its own the second half has quite a few decent romcom moments, but there are so many annoyances. The corporate plots are trash, the child's things are meh & the second couple's difficulties are just awful. All the while there is a tremendous amount of propaganda speak happening involving "ethnic" content. I'm usually okay with governmental agendas in cdramas, but this has been too much even for me.

Read More