Excellent
Such a clever plot acting impeccable Zhao at her best she is such a gifted actress she brings so much emotion to every scene always believable and William Chan really good too such a good pairing. This should get awards its that good Many of plots seem t be variations on reach other this was inventive very cleverly crafted .Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The time and money you paid for we tv is so worth it.
The story of the drama is good especially the acting actress. I'm always thinking about what will happen next in the story, especially since I've only watched ep 11..I'm expecting the intense tears that will happen to me.haha..The story is really good, especially the actors are great actors. Lusi's acting seems natural. She is 100% the best actress.Was this review helpful to you?
Must Watch
From the moment Love’s Ambition begins, it’s clear this isn’t your average romance drama. It’s a mix of intrigue, style, emotional tension—and Zhao Lusi stands front and center, delivering a performance that feels both powerful and deeply human. Xu Yan is many things—ambitious, wounded, clever, guarded—and Lusi captures all those shades.All actors do their part really well. The editing is good, OST is fab, and thankfully it ends properly (other dramas pls take note)
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Team Divorce or Team Marriage?
At first, I questioned the title. Ambition? For love?? That pairing felt odd to me — I’ve always thought of love as unconditional. But after watching the first few episodes, it all started to make sense. The title is actually perfect. There only a few episodes out, so this will be an ongoing review as I continue watching.Let me start by saying: this series hooked me immediately. I ended up staying up late just to binge as many episodes as I could in one evening. Honestly, I started watching because of the beautiful Rosy Zhao Lusi and the handsome William Chan — they’re a stunning duo. Lately, I’ve been skipping reading synopses and just diving in, so I had no idea what to expect going in. But, as always, Lusi picked a strong role — her character is cunning, determined, and incredibly compelling.
The story starts with her fighting her way through life — without loving and doting parents, without a safety net — pursuing love and a career. And when she finally meets the man who makes her feel something, you can’t help but understand why she so determined to get married to Shen Hao Ming.
I’m up to episode 18, and honestly, I’m loving every moment. It feels like a classic scheming costume drama (which I love!) but set in modern times, making everything feel more relatable and grounded.
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What I’m Loving So Far:
• Her Style: From outfits to makeup to hairstyles, everything is coordinated and flawless. I read that in real life she graduated with a degree in fashion design – I’m sure she made use of those skills in this series!!!
• The Romance: There’s a dark, slow-burn romance with real push and pull. It keeps you guessing and waiting for the next twist.
• Her Integrity: Even though she has ambitious goals, I love that she’s genuine. She values the relationships she builds (the younger brother/son, the grandma who had Alzheimer, her in-laws who eventually she learn to love, etc.) and doesn’t take anything for granted. She’s methodical, strategic, but not cold. She owns up to what she did wrong.
• The Power Dynamic: I knew something was off — with a guy that rich, he had to know about her background. But I love that she didn’t use him in a manipulative way. She genuinely loved him and simply used the opportunity to better herself. She worked hard and deserves to be loved by an equally ambitious man.
• Subverting Tropes: This isn’t your typical “rich guy rescues poor girl” storyline. It’s deeper than that, and I’m here for it.
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So far, it’s a solid 8/10, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
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You never know what you had until it's gone
Shen Hao Ming was so hard to study at one point it seemed he didnt know what Xu Yan was up to and then and some points he did. I really liked how the writers played with our minds. I don't blame Xu Yan for what she did when leaving her family behind and it took a long time for them to finally realize what they did.Xu Yan was very smart too coming up with all these stories and despite all that she loved him but he couldnt see pass all she did.
Fast forward to her leaving, he finally started to realized that he actually liked her and loved her. I am am glad his family wasn't too much in his personal life like that and even got to like Xu Yan even after the truth came out.
I am glad they found their way back to each other and I was hoping they were going to announce their little bundle of joy but that didnt happen (just my wish for the happy ending).
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Love Ambition: From Lies to Love
Love AmbitionWow. This show has the perfect balance of love, heartbreak, drama, and comedy. The main actor, Willan Chen, I have not seen anywhere and I think he is a pretty good actor. Though after finding out the 13 year age gap , I was concerned it would be weird but his character, Shen Hao Ming, was executed well . He is good at showing diversion of emotions and makes you believe what he portrays . I also have never seen Zhao Lu Si, play a “sneaky and deceiving” role, but I honestly enjoyed it. The plot was great, thought a bit confusing if you aren’t paying attention well. To be honest I did stop watching half way through, but the thought of not finishing another show got to me and I’m really glad that I didn’t go back to finish it. When you feel the show getting a little boring, they bring you back in with tension and more drama. Some characters are annoying but they are just playing the part really well since that’s the point. I also felt that some parts of the story was inconsistent. Overall, It’s been a while since I liked a Chinese show, but this one won me over and this show was not hard to get into. 9/10
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One of the best C drama for 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed watching this drama. Zhao Lusi's acting is top notch in this drama and she deserves to win an award for her stellar acting in this show. The script is so well written, but what is wonderful is her chemistry with William Chan in this drama. One of the BEST CDRAMA in 2025! The depth of emotions, the wonderfully written script, makes it worthwhile watching.Was this review helpful to you?
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The most complicated characters I've seen in a cdrama
When i started this drama i was kinda expecting the usual cdrama kinda drama where everyone is a green flag but there are a lot of misunderstanding for the 1st 2 eps i nearly didn't wanna watch it but then the more i watched the more interested i was.Literally there's barely any character like the grandma and the kid that are green flags. Everyone else are kinda red flags. Each character has their own flaws and complex character.
Xu Yan - insecure and lies about her marriage to marry Hao ming
Hao ming - super twisted, fakes love and marries xu yan knowing her truth
Xu yan's parents - trash they didn't deserve forgiveness but whatever
Qiao lin - older sister but always causing problems for her sister and oblivious about it
Lin Tao - looked down on Qiao Lin, blackmailed and stalked her into marriage
Fang Lie - likes her sister's boyfriend/ex and faked dna reports to be with him
Yu Ming - was in love with his girlfriend's ex (not that bad)
Shen's parents - blamed the son for having a son and never got over it, also came from a poor background but judged xu yan for the same
They're all literally the main characters and they all had soo many issues😆😆 well it's interesting give it a go. It was my 1st time watching xiao lu si play such a complex character ive only ever seen her play green flag bubbly girl but this just showed me something new. I also liked how the ML was just not a plain ceo he was soo much more to the point that i hated him😆😆 nah i hated and loved everyone😆😆
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That Type Of Pain That Helps You Grow
Honestly, this show caught me off guard. I expected another tale of wealth, power dynamics, deception - the storyline plot. Instead, Love’s Ambition it gave something else entirely. Rather than judging characters, it explored how affection can get tangled up with self-preservation; a pair deeply connected yet constantly shielding their hearts.
Xu Yan, played by Zhao Lusi, doesn’t beg for pity; instead, she falls apart with a striking grace. Witnessing her struggle to hold on as her world dissolves is truly captivating. Imperfect yet genuine this quality resonates deeply within viewers. She simply stopped fighting, though there was no outburst - just a hush. A stillness declaring her charade over.
Initially, Shen Haoming - or William Chan’s character - really got under my skin. He came across as aloof, arrogant, even a bit harsh. However, it dawns on you that his behavior stems from fear, not malice. A fear of slipping, a dread of openness. Seeing him understand his mistake - however much influence he wielded, it wouldn’t matter - felt strangely sad.
The show resonated because of its authenticity. Forget grand displays of affection - no one declared undying love. You discover growth by letting go - ceasing pretense, confronting what you’ve hidden within. It can be messy, restorative, yet undeniably real.
Honestly, it’s gorgeous to look at. How the film dwells on small things - a glimpse in glass, someone’s gaze, a beat of silence - really gets under your skin.
Zhao Lusi really delivered, didn’t she? It wasn't the typical fluffy romance role we see from her. Instead, portraying Xu Yan felt remarkably grounded – a performance so convincing it blurred the line between character yet actor. She sold the hurt - a tremor in speech, a fleeting look, a hesitation. William Chan responded in kind, forging a connection that ran deeper than attraction, something raw. The air thickens with what isn’t said.
Love’s Ambition doesn’t grab you with surprises or beautiful scenery; instead, it gently nudges a little self-examination. It gets you thinking - how often do we twist the truth for acceptance? It’s a familiar thing, holding your tongue for an easy life. The series suggests quiet can feel safe, yet true liberation arrives through speaking plainly, despite any pain.
This isn’t some fairy tale romance. Rather, it depicts folks striving for improvement, discovering that affection built on anything less than honesty feels staged.
It pulls at your heartstrings - a bit sluggish, yet completely captivating. It won’t resonate with just anyone; however, should you have known heartbreak from misplaced affection, this feels deeply true. 💔
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Simply love it
I've just finished watching this drama for the third time and it's only been available for over 6 months.I enjoyed how the story grips you right from the start and you don't want to stop but keep going. I was nervous for Xu Yan's lies to be found out in the first few episodes 😄
Honestly, the acting was so good. Zhao Lusi, William Chan and all the cast played their roles very well. And i must say this with the utmost respect; Zhao Lusi is a great actress. They way she portrayed the younger Xu Yan was amazing. Also the scene where she was crying and eating 👏 👏 and when she cleaned off her make-up (even the director was so proud Lusi could do that when others care so much about looks)
The OSTs 100/100 ❤️ All the songs are so good that i now have them on my playlist.
The only sad thing is that I wish it was on Netflix
Don't want to say more but i would highly recommend this drama. 10/10
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House built on lies ... a script built on cliches
First... ZL was excellent, and continues to solidify herself as top tier actress.Second.... story and premise seemed far fetched but started out great, then it lost cohesion, creativity and general interest. I was left with more questions, I don't think the set-up was strong enough.
Third...I hate that it became so cliches and predictable, there were possible storyline that if explored and written better would have elevated the entire show, especially parental relationships. The chemistry between ZL and WC wasn't that strong to begin with, and then it was just non-existent. Almost all the couple were very disappointing except Haoming's parents. Also why do writer's introduces the most bizarre story line towards the end of a show, you should be wrapping up your storylines not introducing new ones? weird
Fourth... I LOVED the OST the most!
Fifth...This can pass the time, 32 episodes a bit of a stetch as I was fast forwarding a lot of the episodes in the second half
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A drama that shines quietly and stays with you long after it ends.
Wow, where do I even start with Love’s Ambition? From the very first episode, I was completely hooked. The mix of elegance, ambition, and raw emotion makes it stand out from so many other dramas I’ve watched lately. Zhao Lusi is absolutely brilliant here — her portrayal of Xu Yan feels so real and layered. You can feel the strength she built for herself, but also the quiet pain she hides underneath. It’s honestly one of her best performances to date.And then there’s William Chan as Shen Haoming — what a perfect match. He starts off cold and unreachable, but little by little, you see his emotions surface. The chemistry between him and Zhao Lusi isn’t flashy or dramatic; it’s subtle, intense, and full of tension that builds beautifully with each episode.
What I love most is that Love’s Ambition isn’t just another romance drama. It dives into much deeper things — ambition, identity, and what happens when you start losing yourself to other people’s expectations. It’s not just about love; it’s about finding your own voice and worth.
And visually? Stunning. The cinematography, the fashion, the sets — everything feels so elegant and cinematic. You can tell a lot of thought went into the production, and it really adds to the emotional weight of the story.
Xu Yan’s journey, especially, really hit me. Watching her grow, break, and rebuild herself was both powerful and moving. She’s not the same person by the end — and honestly, neither are you as a viewer.
If you’re looking for a drama that’s emotional, stylish, and actually has something meaningful to say, Love’s Ambition is it. It’s romantic, yes, but it’s also deep and beautifully told. Definitely one of my favourites not only this year but in general.
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