Editorials 
The start of this drama really pulls you in with its ruthless precision to the narratives each character has crafted and then the ultimate fall out when the lies come to light. But then the story takes a nose dive and instead of the banter and chase we expected as the leads find their way back to each other we are instead forced to watch the endless business meetings and constant doubt that is easily pushed onto the characters from outside forces that show just how shallow their understanding of each other really is. Personally I don't watch a lot of work or business related dramas as I find them boring so after the half way point of this drama I began skimming episodes.
An overall beautiful drama that is acted well but lost its grit from the beginning.
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Wonderful chemistry, Good plot
I want to start by saying that I genuinely enjoyed this show. The chemistry between the two leads was wonderful, and I especially liked the younger sister’s character and her storyline. His family was also refreshing to watch, particularly how their dynamic evolved over time. Overall, I liked all the characters—there wasn’t a single one I disliked so much that it made me want to drop the show (which has definitely happened to me before).That said, it did feel like I was watching three different shows. The beginning was pretty strong: it felt like a serious, intriguing, slightly sexy drama. Watching her manage all her lies and navigate each obstacle was genuinely interesting, and when his side of the story was revealed, it made everything even more compelling. That’s when I was fully hooked.
The second part, though, felt like a completely different show. The male lead suddenly seemed like a different person, and the tone shifted into something closer to slapstick comedy. Even so, it was still entertaining enough that I kept watching.
Then there was the third part—which was honestly insane, though not in a bad way. It was very dramatic. At times, it felt like I was watching a telenovela, with every possible dramatic plot point happening all at once. Still, somehow, it remained entertaining.
All things considered, I enjoyed the show. There wasn’t a single episode where I felt like dropping it, and I watched it all the way through without regret. I don’t think I’d rewatch the entire series, but I could see myself revisiting certain episodes again, maybe a few years from now.
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bad script and more
I watched this drama when it first came out and dropped it because it was so bad…..as time goes by, I saw this actually became the most watched and popular series of 2025. I thought I must have not given this drama a chance and went back to see what I missed……I dropped it again.What does other see that I don’t? I think its a horrible drama. Acting is bad, the story is also poor. It is a fashion show for Luci, no one goes to work in those outfits…any one with any perceptives, will not be able to sit through the whole story.
I like both stars, but dislike this drama….............what can I say…........am I the only one????
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A love story held hostage by cultural side quests
This drama is undeniably entertaining, but it’s the kind of entertaining that constantly tests how much narrative chaos you’re willing to tolerate. At its best, the drama delivers a compelling portrait of two people shaped by trauma, ambition, and survival instincts. At its worst, it wanders into long cultural showcases — plant dyeing, Batik, fashion design — that, while beautiful, hijack entire episodes and dilute the emotional momentum. A sprinkle of cultural depth is enriching; half an episode of dye‑making demonstrations feels like the writers forgot what story they were telling.The emotional backbone of the drama lies in Xu Yan’s journey, and the show is at its strongest when it stops trying to soften the truth of her upbringing. Her decision to cut off her parents is not cruelty — it’s clarity. Poverty doesn’t justify neglect, and the drama’s attempt to later reframe it as “they just don’t get along” trivializes the very real abandonment she endured. Blood is not a moral shield. The people who raise you, protect you, and show up are the real family, and Xu Yan’s arc embodies that truth with quiet, unwavering dignity.
Xu Yan herself is a fascinating contradiction: outwardly gentle, inwardly strategic. She mirrors Hao Ming more than the drama initially admits — both are calculating; both are survivors, both understand leverage. The difference is framing. His control is labeled cold; her maneuvering is labeled resilience. And honestly, both labels fit. She’s not chasing wealth; she’s chasing stability after a childhood that offered none. Her willingness to walk away from immense privilege to reclaim her autonomy is the clearest proof of her integrity. Even her mother‑in‑law recognizes this, valuing sincerity over status in one of the show’s more grounded emotional beats.
Hao Ming, meanwhile, is not the toxic monster some viewers make him out to be. He’s emotionally illiterate, not violent; controlling, not cruel. His trauma explains him, but it doesn’t absolve him. He uses money as leverage, not violence as a weapon. This is not the kind of toxicity that relies on rape, threats, or explosive abuse. Their arguments are debates, not detonations. Xu Yan is given choices—even if those choices are unfairly weighted. Compared to genuinely toxic archetypes, this is restrained, transactional, and oddly honest. If anything, Fang Lei radiates far more toxicity.
Where the drama falters is in its intention versus payoff. Hao Ming’s emotional detachment—likely shaped by the death of his first love—explains him, but it doesn’t excuse him. And his pursuit of Xu Yan often feels less like love and more like an aversion to loss, especially when business incentives are involved. I’ll believe his sincerity only if he loses everything and still chooses her. Secondary characters vanish and reappear for convenience, business crises resolve too quickly, and the late‑game twist about Hao Chen’s parentage feels like emotional clickbait. The message — that family is chosen, not blood — is solid, but the execution is unnecessarily chaotic. Still, despite its uneven focus, Love’s Ambition delivers enough heart, chemistry, and character depth to make the journey worthwhile.
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Why ?
Story : not new storyline. Story could have been much improved by fewer eps of stretching. This is a story of character development, maturing and life lessons that limped to the finish line. Even with the delay strategy was done completed however it had potential to be powerful.Cast: ML & FL had the correct chemistry. The rest of cast played their roles appropriately.
Music: okay
Overall: ML carried this drama with believable development. I skipped several eps due to stagnation. Got to finish line with the final eps nosediving into blerg.
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This review may contain spoilers
Fashion parade for ZLS;)
Yes, it was a display of over 240 different looks for her character Xu Yan, making it a fashion spectacle with many designer items, including over 60 bags, showcasing her character's journey from humble beginnings to luxury or vice versa;)First half was very interesting- I couldn’t really tell if she did marry him for money, but yes she truly loved him. The story did not emphasise on how they fell in love, it was rather quick and focused more on the after marriage part and the deception she had to struggle to conceal.
Second half would be where her secret was revealed, and she divorced and started all over again from the bottom and worked her way to build her business with her sister and friends. This part was a tad boring for me, just too typical on trying to portray being hard working, and women empowerment. Tbh I can’t even remember the ending now cos I’m writing this review a few weeks later lol. That’s how much this drama did not leave a fantastic imprint in my memory.
Awarded best drama of the year?? No, definitely not. I think it was just the hype and support for ZLS that made it necessary for it to be chosen (I’m guessing). Those that love this drama will love and defend it. For me, it was just alright ;)
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Could Have Been Excellent But Went Nowhere Due To The Writer's Attempt To Overcomplicate Things
Positive points1. Good Cinematography, Direction, and Music.
2. Zhao Lusi was great in her portrayal of Xu Yan. A grey-shaded character suited her well. Those in charge of her makeup and costume need a raise. She was looking so classy and beautiful.
3. I really loved the portrayal of the healthy relationship between Xu Yan and her in-laws. Though Xu Yan's relationship is toxic with her parents and with her sister, she has a good relationship. I appreciate that the writer avoided showing a toxic relationship between the sisters.
Negative Points
1. The first half was so good, and I was totally engrossed in the story and was very interested to know about Xu Yan's journey of self-independence. That phase started really well and my god Zhao Lusi was really good in those scenes. But, then the writer suddenly decided to change the focus of the drama from romance to half-baked, unrealistic, poorly developed so-called women empowerment plot filled with potholes and multiple subplots without adding any value to the main story. Within all this the main focus of the story lost focus. Where is the character growth for Shen Haoming, honestly? Why is not Shen Haoming's mental state during the separation period was not explored in depth? If you don't show his perception at all, how will viewers relate to the couple's love story. Who wants to see Xu Yan's and Shen Haoming's business problem in so much detail? It's a romance drama mainly. Why is the focus not on their relationship and communication that much? Due to this, I can hardly relate to Shen Haoming's character. So, his sudden possessiveness and jealousy over Xu Yan's investor feels a bit off and turns his character childish instead. Moreover, during the 2nd half the writer has turned the ML, specifically the medium of comic relief that completely contradicts his personality shown in the first half. Instead of focusing on unrealistic subplots if the writer had invested time in the proper story development for the reconciliation of the leads, it would have been much better. The methods the ML used were honestly extremely childish and irritating.
2. Even when the writer chooses to focus on the startup and a completely unrelated career (unrealistic) for the FL should it not have any logic, honestly. It just downplays her character development. Within the 30days cooling off period, Xu Yan is doing livestream for selling clothes, groceries, chicken feets. Then she quits her job and launches a startup, makes sample, does video shorts, tries to convince tons of investors for funds, goes on a vacation with Shen Haoming for a charade. Comes back and launches a physical outlet and still 1 month is not finished. How many days are there in a month?
Xue Yan calls Shen Haoming to remind him about the divorce tomorrow. But he pretends to be out of the country for a few days. But a few days later its the next day 8th. Did the writer not notice the time line at all before writing it. This just spoils the viewing experience. Also, even if I can ignore it, Shen Haoming's out of character behavior without any proper buildup feels empty to me honestly. They also spent so many time on Qiao Lan's ex. This is just idiotic. Too many subplot and lost main focus.
In order to add comic relief and jelousy angel between ML and Jiang Liang the writer downplayed the character of the FL. It seemed she really didnot have much idea about a startup. It lowkey felt to me a decision taken on impulse. They could have added element that showed her competence. This jalousy angel between the ML and the investor really downplays the FL's capability. It felt like that she got the investment for her startup more likely due to Jiang Liang's personal interest on her instead of the potential of the business. It is dissappointing honestly. No effort from the ML to actually know the real Xu Yan, her past and her childhood that actually shaped her choices. It would have been nice to see that. Also, Xu Yan is hardly solving her startup problems on her own. I know its a team effort why is the ML is solving problems for her? This support without any finances could have been shown in a better way.
3. How did the FL not get suspicious that her in-laws did not run a background check on her? Her husband literally ran a background check on her down to the point that he knew that she loved her grandma's jam, when she had pretended to apply for a job at his shop just to get an interview. So, such a suspicious person would not run a background check on her for a big event like marriage. Moreover, only 4 people attended the wedding from her side, and the in-laws did not question her at all after the marriage about her family.
4. How did the Shen family blindly trust the DNA report so easily? It does not matter that the people in question were their family friends. It was a life-changing event for their only son. How did they accept a false report so easily? Did they not double-check it? Also, how come Fang Lei changed the DNA report? Is it really easy to forge one? Why did she tell Xu Yan that her father does not know about his other daughter giving birth to Haochen? It does not make any sense. Shen Haoming runs a background check on everyone, but didnot cross check if he was the baby's father.
5. It is also odd how Zhou Zeyuan seems to know so much about Xu Yan's family situation, as they were not from the same village and met in Jingzhou. Also, I don't think knowing Xu Yan's character, she would voluntarily tell a stranger about her family's situation in detail.
6. What is happening in Episode 19? Why both are roaming in strange clothes and get up (I know it is to impress that russian couple) But it looked like a stunt for comic relief and I don't think it suited either of their characters, and rather it looked forced. They did such charades together before to convince investors, but it did not look this odd.
7. Why waste time on Lin Tao so much? Also wasn't Qiao Lin's parents biased towards her always? How come they did not even contact her when she is starting a startup, facing so many challenges? How about they have explored the dynamics between the parents and Xu Yan?
8. It was very irresponsible of Xu Yan. Was the startup a breakup project for her? As soon as her relationship improved with her husband, she forgot about her business, leaving everything on Qiao Lin. I understand it is okay to take a break and focus on her relationship, but the business is in the initial phase. Is it that easy to establish a startup? What are you on, writer? If you can't write properly about the problem and tie all loose ends to make it consistent, why bother to introduce this angle in the first place? Was there not any other way to make Xu Yan independent?
Overall, a great 1st half but completely loses its' way due to a very poorly written second half. Now, the only thing I remember is that Zhao Lusi had absolutely gorgeous outfits in this drama.
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Lovely Drama
I am not good at writing reviews, A friend suggested us to write or just post anything, so, i will follow her suggestion , to post something meaningful from Director Chen Changdirector chen chang has spoken about how zhao lusi brought far more to the role of xu yan than anyone expected, immersing herself so deeply that she redefined the character ❤️
"lusi was still texting me at 3 am to discuss the script. she even took the initiative to design her role's hair and makeup looks."
it was that kind of dedication that made every facet of the character even more believable & it's precisely that seriousness that lays the foundation for an actor's long-term success.
one moment that especially moved director chen to tears was a one-take scene of xu yan removing her makeup. zhao lusi took out her coloured contact lenses by hand, wiped off her mascara and foundation with makeup remover. her puffy eyelids and reddened nose completely exposed on camera.
[for this scene, xu yan had to remove her makeup while answering a call from her grandmother; zhao lusi had to shift from an emotional release to internal suppression, all while bearing the pressure of being bare-faced on camera]
"I didn't expect her to go that far with the makeup removal. it was both shocking and deeply moving. I was crying behind the monitor while filming. after we wrapped that scene, I ran over and told her: this wasn't just xu yan's courage, it was zhao lusi's courage too."
zhao lusi's portrayal of xu yan is a true example of an actor and character elevating each other.
she doesn't rely on formulaic performances to "stick" to the role. instead, she grounded herself to truly understand xu yan's traumas, ambitions, and inner struggles. through her professionalism and empathy, she transformed those invisible emotions into moments the audience could truly feel. she made xu yan more than just words on a script; she became a vivid, flesh-and-blood presence who truly shined.
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Predictable plot ( mini/vertical cdramas plot)
The problem with this drama is the predictable plot and lack of emotional depth, Zls has a very specific way of crying where she squeezes her face together and does this expression. Once you’ve watched her enough, it becomes almost like a trademark, repeated across all her dramasher acting feels just as stiff as it did in Pearl Girl. This really stood out to me because I’ve loved so many of her past roles, especially Love Like the Galaxy and Who Rules the World, where she absolutely shined. The difference in quality is hard to ignore. And yes, I know the characters are different and require different nuances, but that doesn’t change the fact that her performances feel recycled.The chemistry is honestly very bland (from both sides). They are trying so hard to show how in love they are through certain scenes especially when they are alone and supposedly falling in love with each other but it's not working and it feels so forced..Usually with these common type of stories, the chemistry is what save a drama but it's unfortunately not the case in this drama, the other negative point is the make up of lz which feels so exaggerated although her clothes are beautiful, i prefer the natural maje up of wan peng which suited her so much...
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Beautiful main leads
chen weiting had so much fun filming love's ambition, he even wanted to film it for a whole year 😆chen weiting: I've talked to lusi about this too, "if only we could film this drama for a whole year, how cool will that be! I think it could have an unlimited extension... or maybe become an 80-episode series
I don't know if you can tell that me and her are so similar. our personalities are so similar!
zhao lusi: we have the same horoscope (scorpio) too
chen weiting: I feel that, aside from the first week... starting from the second week of filming, both of us could instantly "get" what each other mean. there's no need for a lot of communication. we have that kind of tacit understanding. for example, the scenes in our newlywed apartment... our breakup, argument, lovey dovey and intimate scenes were all filmed there. for those scenes that I think were filmed with great tacit understanding, we didn't need to communicate a lot beforehand
host: so both of you only took 1 week and already have very great tacit understanding?
chen weiting: both of us feel that we have great tacit understanding but we don't know how will the AUDIENCE think
zhao lusi: (said it at same time) we don't know how will the DIRECTOR think
(they said different things)
zhao lusi: 😑 this is your so-called tacit understanding? weird
chen weiting: (joking) tacit understanding in the sense that, if we feel that someone around us is weird, we will exchange glances
zhao lusi: both of us also keep analysing what are the horoscopes of both the leads (xu yan and shen haoming)
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Tough Women Never Back Down
It is almost impossible for me to pick up a romance piece, especially in a modern setting, but here i am after reading a review off facebook. I’ve only remembered Zhao Lusi from The Long Ballad and Love Like the Galaxy, and William Chan from The Mystic Nine, but i decided to give it a go anyway, not putting much hope cuz i have dropped 3 shows before this one mainly due to mainlead lack of chemistry. I am happy to admit Love’s Ambition had turned the tide.Xu Yan was leading a life under a fake identity as to escape her sad childhood memories of her parents. Setting out into the big city alone, she strived hard to make a better life, and seemed to hit the jackpot when she caught the eyes of Jinda Corporation heir, Shen Haoming. Determined to seize this man, she was willing to sacrifice it all, including her reputation when she decided to hire actors to pose as her parents with fake background. The marriage was a success, and she was showered with love and soaring career as a news caster, when thunder struck with the return of ML’s childhood friend who had been in love with him. Sounds like the typical love triangle script, but apparently, Xu Yan isnt the typical FL. As her marriage caught up in the rocks and her career hangs by the thread, she decided to take the high and hard road to break away when she realized Shen Haoming had not married her due to love but to make use of her relentless personality and working background to embellish his business profile. And when she thought she had moved on, it turned out she was pulled even closer to her soon to be ex husband.
Initially it seemed like FL was the typical gold digger, going out of her way to win the heart of future mom in law from hell, to the point of groveling to her. But i liked that Xu Yan did it elegantly with meticulous strategy. And to realize that the only reason she held on to Shen Haoming was because she truly believed his love for her was even sadder when the cracks appeared in their relationship.
Xu Yan is the embodiment of a tough and relentless young woman who is clear of her vision and mission in life. Although she loved ML to the point of disowning her own dysfunctional family, she had no problem letting him go when she saw that there was no future between them other than being nominal husband and wife. She would not live her life in such prison, and she was not afraid to wade the waters of fire to escape it. This is one of the few physically weak FL that I truly admire because damn she was a really tough cookie.
Love the chemistry between the mainleads. I didnt feel much for their relationship at first, cuz i thought ML was rather old for Zhao Lusi. But as the story progresses, i saw that they looked really good for each other, and when ML finally realized how he really felt for FL, it actually looked convincing. I can say i ship them both despite not having much impression of William Chan at the beginning.
Although this show seemed like a pure romance, it turned out to be more of life/family drama instead. I love the family dynamics portrayed in here. How FL’s relationship with her in laws would deepen beyond what i expected. There was no real villain here and no extreme jealous lover that pisses people off when they appear on screen. Even the big sister who seemed to be a real troublemaker in the beginning was molded to be Xu Yan’s bff at the end. The only characters that I could really hate to the end are in fact Xu Yan’s biological parents cuz there was no reconciling plot for them. They never realized or admitted their mistakes of sidelining Xu Yan which caused significant childhood trauma for her growing up.
This is a great light drama that people could enjoy without much distress for hateful characters. Although i am an action-wuxia lover, i can approve of this when there was no interesting titles to watch. Which was why i picked it up in the first place.
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RICH MAN N POOR WOMAN STORY
Love’s Ambition is one of those classic “rich man, poor woman” stories, but what makes it stand out is how it shows the darker and more realistic side of ambition. The female lead comes from a poor background, and right from the start, you can see she’s determined to climb her way into the rich circle — no matter what it takes. She isn’t the typical kind-hearted poor girl; instead, she lies and schemes her way up, using every chance she gets to move closer to the life she dreams of.
Her family background also adds to the frustration. Her parents are extremely biased, always treating her sister better while looking down on her. It’s hard to watch how unfair they are — both daughters are born from the same parents, yet they act like only one deserves love and support. This unfair treatment shapes her attitude and drives her even more to fight for a better life, even if it means taking the wrong path at times.
The male lead is a wealthy man who’s used to people trying to take advantage of him. He sees through her lies but still can’t help being drawn to her strong will and determination. Their relationship is full of tension, mistrust, and emotional push-and-pull moments. You can’t really tell if it will end in love or heartbreak, but the chemistry keeps the story engaging.
What makes the drama interesting is how it explores ambition, pride, and desperation. It’s not a fairytale love story — it’s about survival and the lengths some people go to change their fate. Even though the female lead isn’t perfect, you can understand why she became that way after being treated unfairly for so long.
The story can be frustrating at times, especially with those biased parents and how they make her feel small, but that’s also what makes the drama feel realistic. By the end, you’ll either pity her, admire her persistence, or both. If you enjoy emotional dramas filled with family tension, ambition, and complicated love, Love’s Ambition is worth watching.
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