Love's Ambition

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.

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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 ☺️

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When the feeling fades

Love’s Ambition begins with the promise of an interesting second-chance romance but quickly loses its footing in a sea of clichés. What could have been a layered story about identity and longing ends up trapped in the familiar rhythm of modern Chinese melodramas.

The first episodes are genuinely engaging: the romance between a powerful, calculating businessman and a woman desperate for love feels charged and unpredictable. Her lies, inventing a family, hiring actors to play her parents, hiding the truth from her husband, make her both flawed and fascinating. Her emotional wounds are understandable, even sympathetic. Yet as the story unfolds, the writing stretches her character beyond credibility; deceit turns theatrical, and the drama drifts away from the sincerity that once gave it heart.

When she finally realises that her life is built on sand and chooses to walk away, the drama briefly regains strength. Unfortunately, this redemption is short-lived. Around the twentieth episode, the tone shifts into forced comedy and unnecessary subplots, dragging out what could have ended while it still had something to show. By the final stretch, the show feels tired and repetitive, the sort of drama you half-watch while pressing the fast-forward button.

Zhao Lusi delivers a committed performance, elevating material that often lets her down. She captures both the desperation and quiet strength of her character with admirable precision. Her co-star is competent but lacks the magnetic presence the role requires, perhaps a matter of miscasting more than talent.

Despite flashes of emotional truth and solid production values, the drama ultimately falls short of its name. In the end, I wasn’t moved, a reminder that being watchable isn’t the same as being memorable.

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Nothing is Secret That Will Not be Revealed...

Thanks to Tat for the recommendation. I needed a break from blood -spewing wuxias and mindless romcoms, and this was a welcome change. Zhao Lu Si was perfection as the closed off, careful schemer. William Chan did admirably as her chameleon lead, at first charming the viewer as a thoughtful suitor until he revealed his cold, manipulative nature.

I hate lying, despise liars, and tire of drama misunderstandings, but those issues were dealt with a deft hand and made sense. I was sympathetic to the FL's need to create a carefully crafted, totally bogus image of herself. The misunderstandings that derived from her duplicity occurred naturally and were understandable. The overriding narrative of the drama is that nothing remains secret forever, and there is a price to pay for dishonesty.

The character development of the ML and FL was compelling as their masks were dropped, and they became increasingly honest with one another.

The final episodes sullied the drama a bit by having too many over-the-top conflicts presented and overcome. At least one, if not more, of the ridiculous scenarios should have been discarded. I can only suspend belief so far until reality rips me out of the story.

I added a half star for Zhao Lu Si's acting.

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Love’s Ambition: The Illusion of Perfection and the Beauty of Being Real

“Love’s Ambition” isn’t your typical modern C-drama about deceit, heartbreak, and reconciliation. It pretends to be at first — glossy people in pretty houses lying through beautiful smiles — but soon, it reveals itself as something far more honest. It’s an unflinching look at how our choices define us, how pretending can feel easier than being sincere, and how only through radical honesty — with ourselves and others — can we truly live freely and love deeply. It’s not a fairy tale. It’s a mirror of reality.

Storyline: A Tale of Deception, Growth, and Redemption
The story follows Xu Yan (Zhao Lusi) and Shen Haoming (William Chan) — two individuals who start off bound by lies, pride, and misunderstanding. Their relationship starts as a performance; a façade built on pretense and mutual fear of vulnerability. Both are pretending — she to survive and for love, and he to maintain control and to keep her. But deception has a way of corroding even the strongest foundations. As lies unravel and guilt gives way to pain, both are forced to confront their own illusions. Over time, their deception becomes their downfall, leading to a heart-wrenching separation that serves as the catalyst for profound personal growth.

The early episodes are fast paced and focus on the tension of maintaining appearances — how pretending to be fine, in love, or in control corrodes from within. By the midpoint (around Episode 14), the truth unravels, revealing the emotional scars and motivations that shaped their actions. Xu Yan’s heartbreak was profound and Shen Haoming’s calculations chilling. The second half of the drama shifts into something unexpectedly tender and humorous. The shift feels organic: grief giving way to self-discovery, tension dissolving into comedy, and finally, love rekindled through truth. By the finale, their love story doesn’t feel like a reward — it feels like resolution, like "coming home". Two people finally choosing truth over illusion, not because it’s easy, but because they’ve lived the alternative and know it’s hollow.

The storytelling is deliberate, balancing emotional realism with narrative tension. It isn’t a fairytale — it’s a reflection of how love, ambition, and pride collide in adulthood. The dialogue often feels introspective, philosophical even, yet grounded in real human flaws. The story’s pacing is deliberate, at times oscillating between hurried and unhurried, but always purposeful. It mirrors how love moves in real life: uneven, unpredictable, but always moving forward. It asks the viewers: What does it mean to love someone truthfully when we barely understand ourselves?

While the supporting storylines add breadth, not all are equally compelling — especially Qiao Lin and Yu Yi Ming’s subplot, which felt underdeveloped and one-dimensional compared to the depth of the main couple. Nonetheless, the heart of the drama remains firmly with Xu Yan and Shen Haoming, whose journey from pretense to authenticity captures the essence of the story’s themes.

Themes: The Courage to Be Honest
At its core, “Love’s Ambition” is an exploration of truth versus illusion. Every lie here has a reason; every mask, a history. It examines how the lies we tell ourselves and others — out of pride, fear, or ambition — can imprison us.

Xu Yan embodies that theme — a woman sculpted by her parents’ neglect, learning to unlearn her survival mechanisms. Her journey represents the courage to break free from that cycle and is neither linear nor glamorous; it’s messy, painful, and utterly believable. She learns that being “perfect” isn’t the goal — being honest is. And her decision to live honestly, even when it meant losing love and status, becomes the emotional backbone of the series.

Shen Haoming’s arc complements hers beautifully — his struggle lies in reconciling the ambitious, calculating man he became with the vulnerable and sincere person he once was. He’s the man who’s built his empire on control — of his business, of others, of himself — until love forces him to admit how lonely perfection can be. His redemption doesn’t come immediately, but through self-awareness and humility — learning that success means little if achieved at the expense of sincerity. His stumbles, failures, successes, and growth were profound in the way he remained true to his core character, his love for his family and Xu Yan.

Their love story becomes a metaphor for adulthood itself: the collision of ambition and vulnerability, pride and sincerity, illusion and truth. We all wear masks; “Love’s Ambition” simply asks: what happens when they start to crack? These dualities are what makes the drama emotionally resonant.

Performances: Acting That Breathes
Zhao Lusi delivers one of the finest performances of her career. She strips away her trademark playfulness to reveal something raw, mature, and deeply grounded. She breathes depth, vulnerability, and strength into Xu Yan. Her performance is poetry written in restraint — the tremble before a confession, the stillness of heartbreak, the quiet grace of a woman choosing self-respect over pretense.

Zhao Lusi’s dedication and skill shine through every emotional beat — from Xu Yan’s heartbreaking childhood, her sophisticated persona at the start, to her quiet grace and confidence in the end. She captivates viewers not through theatrics, but through emotional authenticity. Every flicker of her expression tells a story — from the way she suppresses tears while speaking to her grandmother, to the quiet devastating acceptance of her flaws as she ate the dinner she carefully prepared for her husband, painfully realizing her lies have labeled her a fraud.

There’s a particular scene — her removing her makeup, red-eyed and hollow — that hits like a truth you’ve been avoiding. It’s not vanity she’s shedding; it’s illusion. Zhao Lusi’s acting feels lived-in, as if she’s been Xu Yan at some point in her own life.

Her heartbreak feels real, her realizations earned, and her journey so realistically profound. By the time she chooses herself, it feels like we have grown with her.

William Chan is a revelation here. Shen Haoming begins as the archetype of the cold, calculating CEO, yet Chan infuses him with humanity from the start. His smallest gestures — caring if she’s feeling cold, protecting her, the soft touches, a hesitation before speaking about the lies that could destroy their happiness, a softening glance toward her — betray a man constantly at war with himself. Shen Haoming is deceitful, but not heartless; powerful, yet emotionally clumsy.

William Chan capably delivered a multi layered and dynamic character and portrays Shen Haoming not as a villain or a hero, but as a man unlearning himself. His gradual unmasking, his fumbling attempts at love, his realization of his own flaws, and his courage to pursue love sincerely makes his transformation and revelations one of the most rewarding arcs in the drama.

Fu Bo Han continues to impress, bringing layered complexity to Haochen. He’s playful, rebellious, and his inner struggle and anguish coalesce into a heartbreakingly believable performance — particularly in scenes confronting his identity and family.

Supporting Characters and Family Dynamics
The Shen family’s transformation is one of the drama’s most rewarding secondary arcs. Yu Lan’s redemption stands out — initially painted as the cold and disapproving matriarch, she evolves into the guardian of the family. Her journey is not about changing who she is, but about revealing the truth beneath her harshness: a mother willing to protect her family at any cost. Her eventual acceptance of Xu Yan feels genuine and earned, showcasing that love sometimes hides behind misunderstanding.

In contrast, Xu Yan’s family is portrayed with less nuance. Her grandmother is the emotional anchor — wise, warm, and steadfast in her unconditional love. She represents the quiet strength and moral compass Xu Yan draws from. Her presence grounds the story in humanity and provides a generational reflection on love and sacrifice.

However, Xu Yan’s parents remain disappointing — neglectful, unapologetic, and emotionally absent, offering a sobering reminder that not all wounds heal neatly. Their lack of true redemption highlights a realistic, if painful, truth: sometimes life doesn’t grant closure — it only teaches you to move forward without it.

As for Qiao Lin and Yu Yi Ming, their subplot feels perfunctory. Their interactions lack the emotional weight or complexity of the main storyline, making them forgettable in an otherwise emotionally rich drama.

As for Fang Lei — oh, she’s magnificent in her drunken madness. A villain so unrepentantly selfish that you love hating her. Which is why her rushed redemption felt like narrative disservice. She should have gone down in a blaze of beautifully delusional glory. Not everyone needs saving.

Cinematography and OST
Visually, Love’s Ambition is elegant, beautiful, and deliberate. The cinematography mirrors the emotional tone of the narrative. I loved the natural beauty of Gubei Town.

The camera lingers on details: the glint of a tear, the quivering of the lips, the soft movement of breath, the quiet loneliness in a shadowed office. Symbolisms are on point, the beautiful resilience of the agave, the positioning of portraits, and the relevant beauty of history and culture.

The wardrobe is stunning — especially Xu Yan’s — reflecting her shifting identities: polished armor in the first half, soft elegance in the second.

The OST, while not groundbreaking, complements the tone. “Me and You” lingers the longest.

Chemistry and Emotional Resonance
Zhao Lusi and William Chan’s chemistry feels natural, mature, and deeply grounded in emotional truth. Their dynamic evolves from tension to comedic chaos, and then to tenderness with believable progression. Their scenes of conflict crackle with intensity, while their moments of reconciliation carry deep emotional weight. The duality is also profound here, where their early intimacy feels cautious — restrained by lies. By the second half, when they finally allow truth and love to breathe between them, the emotional chaos, passion, and eventual tenderness becomes disarming. The “Koala Hug” and kisses are one of my faves.

Final Thoughts
“Love’s Ambition” isn’t about love as fantasy. It’s about love as mirror. It’s about how we trip over our own flaws, lie to protect our egos, break what we love — and then somehow, with courage and humility, build it back stronger.

It reminds us that growth isn’t glamorous — it’s awkward, exhausting, sometimes ugly. But it’s also freeing.

By the end, it’s not just Xu Yan and Shen Haoming who have changed — it’s us. We leave reminded that love doesn’t demand perfection; it demands presence. And sincerity, however imperfect, will always outlast illusion.

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Best Modern C Drama this year so far

The acting, Storyline,flow and chemistry between the actors is top Notch.Though there were concerns about the male lead being older,I find that his maturity adds to the seriousness of this serie.The story is something that doesn't feel repetitive, because we have had a lot of the same girl gets reborn, comes back for revenge, gets reincarnation plots this year,so this story feels a tadbit fresh.Its a girl fighting for her way in the world without having to die first then get a new prospective at her life.she is a strong female lead who used the trauma she went through growing up as fuel to attain something she wouldn't have otherwise,it is more realistic than reincarnation in my opinion.

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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! ♥♥♥

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The plot is riveting

I love that finally after such a long wait,#LovesAmbition is here. I’ve watched the first four episodes, and I couldn’t contain myself on how good the plot is. So far , I have not noticed any fillers , all scenes are crucial to the flow of the story. Zhao Lusi as Xu Yan is completely different from all her other roles. Her acting phew, top notch! I love that Zhao Lusi and Chen Weiting have great chemistry 🔥🔥🔥. Xu Yan’s scene with her dad in ep4 is heartbreaking to watch. Lusi’s acting in this particular scene is guaranteed best actress . Lets not forget to talk about her clothes and styling in this drama, oh my goodness she is a great stylist. Lusi was her own stylist in this drama. What a dedication.

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