Love's Ambition

bad script and more

I want to start by saying I am a fan of both Zhao Lusi and William Chan, and I believe many viewers tuned in for the same reason. There was significant excitement for their drama, which has become one of the most-watched shows this year. However, its popularity has left me genuinely puzzled, and I feel the need to dissect why it didn't work for me.
I began the series with great expectations, but my interest waned so significantly that I ultimately dropped it before the finale. The primary reason was the exhausting repetition in the plot. It felt less like one continuous story and more like watching the same short drama on a loop—a cycle of similar misunderstandings and reconciliations that became increasingly boring.
My frustration extended to the character portrayals. Zhao Lusi's character, with her overly amplified proper manners, began to feel one-dimensional and failed to show meaningful growth. Her clothes are also completely impractical for the occasions she's in. No one dresses like that for the office or just walking around; it makes it seem like she's constantly on a catwalk instead of living in a realistic world.
Similarly, William Chan's character, introduced as a sharp and intelligent figure, devolved into what I can only describe as a "love-sick puppy." This shift undermined his initial charisma and made his character feel inconsistent.
Given these flaws, I find the show's stellar ratings difficult to comprehend. It leads me to believe that its success is driven largely by the power of "idol worship"—the dedication of fans who are there for the stars rather than the substance of the story itself. While I understand the desire to see a favorite pairing on screen, I was ultimately disappointed by the weak narrative they were given. It's a classic case of fantastic actors being let down by a repetitive and unengaging script.

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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 Chang

director 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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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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Decepcionante

Quando saiu o primeiro trailer desse drama eu fiquei tão empolgada com o clima de melodrama-sr e sra Smith... E assim, a primeira metade até a revelação da mentira do casamento deles foi um bom desenvolvimento e se tivessem ido para esse lado provavelmente seria um grande drama, mas para uma reconciliação sem sentido (digo isso porque como casal eu não consegui me conectar com os dois) eles apostaram tudo em uma mudança drástica de tom de drama para comédia e de repente vários plots interessantes foram sendo descartados.

Por que não desenvolver a Yan com os pais? Seria tão interessante perceber essa reaproximação de uma maneira crua e real ou até o afastamento completo, cara, a personagem é completamente construída em cima da mágoa com os pais e isso foi esquecido?

Eu não dou a mínima para todo o plot de empresa e conspiração do lado do Hao Min... Sinceramente me deu muita vontade de dormir. A parte mais interessante do personagem é ele sendo ambicioso mas eu realmente n me importava com os detalhes chatos de empresa.

O casal com mais química para mim foi o que NÃO foi desenvolvido. Wen e Fang Lei tinham potencial de ser O CASAL do drama. Eles tinham química e um desenvolvimento muito mais interessante e crível do que a Yan com o Hao Min, que pra mim era um casal de plástico.

Sobre a edição tenebrosa desse drama... Meu deus, a passagem do tempo na história é terrível e mal feita, cenas aleatórias fora de tom colocadas uma atrás da outra, isso sem falar na trilha sonora horrorosa totalmente desproporcionais e sem inspiração.

Eu termino esse drama decepcionada porque ele tinha a galinha dos ovos de ouro nas mãos mas foi terrivelmente mal escrito e dirigido, o que é um desperdício para o talento de todo o elenco, o maior acerto, principalmente a Lusi, William, o rapazinho que faz o Hao Chen e a atriz FANTÁSTICA que faz a sogra da Yan. Enfim, esses são meus dois centavos

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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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Love's Ambition: Fake It Till You Break It ?

The Setup - Small-town girl Xu Yan spends ten years climbing to become a TV host. She changes everything about herself to fit in. Then marries rich guy Shen Hao Ming to complete her "perfect" life. 📺✨
Problem? They're both faking it. She's pretending to be someone she's not. He's pretending everything's fine. Spoiler: It's not fine. 🎭
What Happens - Behind the Instagram-perfect life, their marriage is falling apart. Different backgrounds, different values, and a whole lot of lies. It's like building a house on sand, eventually it's gonna sink. 🏚️. Xu Yan gets tired of Hao Ming being controlling and divorces him. Good for her! 👏 Then Hao Ming has his "oh no, I messed up" moment and tries to win her back. Classic guy move. 🤦‍♂️
The Good Stuff:
First half: Tense and gripping. Watching two people juggle lies is stressful but addictive.
Middle episodes: The masks come off. Finally, some honesty!
Second half: Sweet, funny, and actually touching. They figure out how to be real people.

The drama asks: Can you really love someone when you're both lying about who you are? Deep stuff. 🤔
The Meh Stuff - Side characters are okay but kinda boring compared to the main couple. Their stories feel like diet versions of the real thing. 😴
Bottom Line - This is 32 episodes of "stop pretending and just be yourself already."
Watch if you like: Messy people, real problems, second chances that require actual work 💪
Skip if you want: Perfect love stories, no drama, easy answers 🎀
Final word: It's therapy disguised as romance. Exhausting but worth it. Like running a marathon in heels—painful but somehow satisfying. 👠🏃‍♀️
Rating: 8.5/10 ⭐

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Nothing Wrong with being AMBITIOUS - You Go, Girl!

I am not a big fan of ZLS although I think she is a fine actress. I have nothing against her at all. I am just not a fan of hers. Nonetheless, I have watched several of her dramas and I have enjoyed her in them. For instance, she was great in "The Long Ballad" and in "Love like the Galaxy". Her performances left good and lasting impressions. Similarly, I am not a big fan of WC. Again, I have watched a few of his productions and I must saw that he is a fine actor.

I was blown away by this production - Love's Ambition. <3

What I Loved:
- The FL was a go-getter. I liked how she was so smart and sassy. When she realised the error of her ways, she owed up and moved on. She was a flawed and complex character. She was so human and so relatable.
- The ML was suave and I liked that he, too, behaved like a mature man in love when he realised that he did love her after all.
- The outfits worn by the FL were so beautiful. She looked so charming and feminine in all her looks. She was truly quite ravishing in this drama. IMO, this role really made her "glow up" and "grow up". I'd say that this FL is definitely one of my favourites.
- The story moved quickly enough and there were many instances of suspense as well as hilarity. I was riveted and wanted to move from one episode to the next. There were some twists and turns. Some were expected while some were quite surprising and I liked being surprised.
- The FL's MIL turned out to be pretty likeable and great. The FL's grandmother was a gem. The scenes with the grandmother were mostly quite moving.
- I liked the happy ending.

What I Did Not Like So Much:
- Some parts were not edited well. Some parts were a little disjointed.
- There were annoying characters and some actors/ actresses could not act that well which marred the show a little bit.

Overall, I rate this a must-watch at 9/10! :o)
<3

I highly enjoyed watching both the FL and ML on my screen. Their chemistry was good. I liked that they behaved like pretty normal man and woman which made them relatable. I also liked their chemistry which set some slightly more adult scenes on fire. Thumbs-up for this drama! Be ambitious! Go Watch It and Love It! <3

:o)

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Love's Ambition is the best show for 2025

When I watched this show it was by accident coz there was no advertisement. I kept checking on Tencent every week. Anyway, I was so drawn by Zhao Lusi's acting, she was so disciplined, poised and matured. I have to re-watched every episode 3x, because there are so much to take in like the plot, acting, cast chemistry,clothes of Xu Yan, music & need to read English subtitles. After watching I became pickier on selecting other dramas. This show had the quality of Kdrama. I'm dazzled & grateful . I hope they make more high-quality shows like this. I truly love both of these shows because they showcase strong female that are wishy washy nor tolerate being abuse. The first Chinese drama I watched was Love like the Galaxy and since then I watched/followed Zhao Lusi. Her role as 15 years old Niaoniao who didn't get any love from her mother, grandma nor have friends was able to succeed in life to grits, wits & kindness. That also reminds me of Xu Yan who was also abandoned by her parents but got all the unconditional love from her grandma, and she turn out to become a successful entrepreneur & able to find true love. Both characters are so imperfect/ flawed but never make it as alibis to become evil, greedy & immoral. I can also relate to them, and it helps a lot that Zhao Lusi is the one who portrays those roles, if it's not here I will not love it as much. I hope people just support her if not don't invite to rally against her, she already in so much stress w/ her agency. Thank you

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A review from chen

in an interview with huan data, love's ambition director chen chang shared,

the audience resonates so strongly with xu yan because every step she takes is an effort to fight for her own leverage; xu yan is a silent rebellion against the idea that background and resources alone determine one's worth.

"I believe that even if a character is flawed, as long she feels real and is truly alive, the audience will still be willing to watch it, because it brings them closer to real people"

the success of xu yan's character is a vivid example of the growing trend of "imperfect female leads" on screen. what makes such characters resonate is precisely the way they break free from the traditional "halo" that surrounds female protagonists.

['halo' in this context refers a morally flawless, endlessly selfless, emotionally composed, and universally likeable; an idealised version of womanhood rather than a real person.]

the journey of "imperfect female leads", from staying silent to finding their voice speaks to something we all feel today: a deep need for honesty and a respect for real strength.

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xu yan forged her own breakthrough through self-discipline and resilience. love's ambition (许我耀眼) also marks a significant breakthrough in zhao lusi’s acting career.

director chen chang explained, "this role required restraint and inner depth. it shows a completely different sense of maturity and complexity compared to her previous characters."

with this complex, multi-dimensional role, zhao lusi has pulled off a beautiful transformation.

data from huan tv also shows that xu yan significantly boosted the show’s popularity. she was the top-ranking character in terms of online buzz, with related keywords dominating social media discussions. this is a clear proof of zhao lusi's strong market appeal!

through her precise command of details, zhao lusi portrayed the transitions in xu yan's emotional state with natural ease:
from the despair and breakdown after being forbidden for taking the college entrance exams by her father, to the subtle expression of "smiling while scheming" when dealing with her in-laws, to the determined resilience after her true identity is exposed. every glance and every tremble of her fingertips stood up to the scrutiny of close-up shots & struck a powerful emotional chord with the audience

speaking about his two collaborations with zhao lusi, director chen chang shared, "back when we were filming dating in the kitchen, her acting was more instinctive; still a bit raw but relaxed.

this time, xu yan is a much more complex and layered character but lusi fully took it on. she stepped into xu yan's life and genuinely internalised the role."

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