From stress to laughter
This was my first time watching this kind of C-drama, and honestly, it felt so different from the usual ones. The way it started was so unique — it actually reminded me a lot of Turkish dramas, which I’ve never seen a Chinese drama pull off before.
The show started off so strong. Even though I was stressed through the first 15 episodes because Xu Yan was lying the whole time, I couldn’t stop watching. It kept me right on the edge of my seat. I was anxious, but also completely hooked. From the start, I had a feeling that Hao Ming already knew the truth, but I didn’t realize how controlling he would become later on.
To be honest, I think both Xu Yan and Hao Ming were in the wrong. Xu Yan’s lies were serious enough — pretending and even bringing fake parents into the picture was too much. You could really feel how miserable she was because of those lies. At the same time, after Hao Ming found out the truth, I understood why he couldn’t trust her right away. She approached him with a purpose, and he’s a wealthy, powerful man — it made sense that he doubted her feelings. But still, his controlling behavior later on was hard to watch and definitely crossed the line.
When they were married, though, it was amazing to watch. The chemistry between Lucy and William was the real highlight of the show — they carried it. Without that chemistry, the story wouldn’t have worked. Their relationship felt mature, complicated, and realistic — involving marriage, divorce, and reconnection. I love dramas with that kind of emotional depth.
What surprised me most was how the story shifted from being tense and full of lies to becoming genuinely funny. I haven’t laughed that hard at a drama in ages! It was so unexpected and such a nice change of pace, especially seeing Hao Ming act completely out of character in those lighter scenes — but in the best way.
If I had one complaint, it’s that the business subplot dragged a bit. I appreciated seeing Xu Yan grow into a strong, independent businesswoman — that was empowering. But Hao Ming’s work storyline wasn’t that interesting, and they focused too much on it toward the end.
As for the side characters — the second couple didn’t grab me. They lacked spark, and I didn’t really care about their relationship. Fang Lei, on the other hand, definitely didn’t deserve the happy ending she got with the lawyer. Their actions were so wrong — they lied and hurt people — so seeing them rewarded didn’t feel earned. They had chemistry, sure, but they didn’t deserve that kind of closure.
The villains also felt weak. They weren’t really “villaining” enough — there wasn’t much tension or danger from them. That, plus the business focus in the last few episodes, made the ending lose momentum.
One major disappointment was the storyline with Hao Chen. We never really got a heartfelt scene of Hao Ming acknowledging or connecting with his child. When the boy found out the truth, it was rushed — just a short line like “he talked to me,” and that was it. I really wanted a proper emotional moment between father and son. Hao Ming didn’t come across as a very present or loving father, and that whole subplot felt underdeveloped.
The final episode also missed the emotional punch it needed. I wanted to see Xu Yan and Hao Ming together more — just being a couple again. And I wish Xu Yan’s childhood trauma and her relationship with her parents had been explored more deeply. She forgave them too quickly, and that arc deserved more time.
On a lighter note, Xu Yan’s costumes were fabulous! Some of her makeup looks were a bit off, especially the heavier ones, but her natural looks and hairstyles were stunning.
And this was my first time watching William Chan — I’m now a huge fan! He was so charming, funny, and absolutely magnetic in this role. I’ll definitely be watching more of his work. The chemistry between him and Lusi was out of this world — one of the best pairings I’ve seen this year.
Overall, Love’s Ambition is refreshing and different from your typical C-drama. It’s mature, emotional, funny, and beautifully acted. Even with its flaws, I loved it and would definitely recommend it. It’s one of those shows that stays with you because of the chemistry, the emotional depth, and the way it dares to be different.
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