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This review may contain spoilers
A Must Watch of 2025! Checks off everything I would want in a modern C-drama
I started Love's Ambition with not much expectations, the more I continued watching it the more love I have for this drama. Every single arc, plot, story, character, styling, detail, and even the songs was done with PURPOSE.
It seems the drama split into different arcs:
First arc focuses on Xu Yan, our main female lead played by Zhao Lu Si. She is a complicated female character, I think many people would definitely misunderstand her behavior. We need to keep in mind that in her perspective, she grew up without feeling geniune love and care from her own parents. She is definitely not a gold digger, she's more of a ....love digger. LOL Jokes aside, she yearns for love, and she thought she found that in her spouse. They seemed perfect for each other in the beginning, but of course it's all a ruse. Needless to say, it took heartbreak just to repair the relationship the two leads had. Xu Yan does not give in that easily, she has proven over and over that she can move on with own capabilities. I really enjoyed watching a strong, independent woman create a path for themselves especially after a marriage. Xu Yan taught me that if one door closes, another will always open. You just need to think outside of the box. It's also okay to not forgive your parents, it's okay to go no-contact with people who did you wrong, etc. Zhao Lu Si did a phenomenal job portraying Xu Yan, she really embodies her character quite well.
The second arc focused on Shen Hao Ming (William Chan), Hao Ming felt like a background character in the first 10 episodes or so. As I said in the comments, he felt like an accessory to Xu Yan. When the truth came, his motives were also exposed. Long story short, he also put on a play for Xu Yan. But there's a saying "Distance makes the heart grow fonder." and that is exactly what happened with Shen Hao Ming. It took him a very long, long time to figure out where his heart lies. Initially he didn't realize he was in love with his "ex-wife", and he used a ton of excuses to try and keep her by his side. It was disgusting; I absolutely hated whenever he uses money to bribe people especially Xu Yan. Xu Yan has told him multiple times she don't need his money, she doesn't care - all she cared about was him. He has said multiple times that it was his arrogance, his pride, and selfishness that caused a rift between the two and FFS HE WOULDN'T SAY IT XU YAN UNTIL THE LAST COUPLE OF EPISODES. Anyhow, I did like his growth, his realization of what kind of person he was and he changed for the better all because he wants his wife back. :) The second arc is basically the rom-com section of the drama, I laughed so hard!! I was having such bad days during this period and Love's Ambition really helped me through with the comedic scenes. LOL
I started to like Hao Ming again as a character when he finally accepts and respects Xu Yan's boundaries. He eventually learned to help in way that she is able to accept not through money, but through supporting her.
William also did a great playing a enigmatic character, arrogant, and/or silly hopeless-in-love character throughout the drama.
The final arc focuses on Shen Hao Ming's family scandal and business, etc. It's interesting because the first arc focuses so much on Xu Yan, her family, and her hardships and now we see Shen Hao Ming's family struggles. It's the details that just perfect.
The side characters were interesting to say the least. I think Qiao Lin is a wonderful sister, despite some people thinking otherwise. Unfortuantely, she did not know what Xu Yan has gone through growing up because Xu Yan was always seen as an obedient, quiet daughter. Meanwhile, Qiao Lin treated Xu Yan as a typical little sister, and had always protected her in ways she could. Xu Yan never voiced out loud the neglect and favoritsm their parents had made. That is why we see Xu Yan easily accepts Qiao Lin back into her life, and not their parents.
There were definitely some psychotic characters that made my blood boil especially in THE FINAL 3 EPISODES FFS!
There's a lot I want to say about this drama, but this review is already too long. I loved the details, PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS! The OST is PERFECT! I also felt like this drama was very realistic especially when they're talking about business. I usually don't pay attention nor enjoy business or corporate dramas, but I was watching every minute of it in Love's Ambition. Then again it was about fashion, and I love fashion especially anything related to traditional clothes. I loved every song that came on! More love for one of my favorite singers, Eric Chou! <3 Whoever was in charge of the OSTs, may your pillow always be cold. Thank you!
Happy ending? YES!
Would I recommend it? Definitely if you love romance, angst, comedy, drama - it literally felt like they used every single genre possible for a modern drama. It was totally unexpected, but I loved every minute of it.
It seems the drama split into different arcs:
First arc focuses on Xu Yan, our main female lead played by Zhao Lu Si. She is a complicated female character, I think many people would definitely misunderstand her behavior. We need to keep in mind that in her perspective, she grew up without feeling geniune love and care from her own parents. She is definitely not a gold digger, she's more of a ....love digger. LOL Jokes aside, she yearns for love, and she thought she found that in her spouse. They seemed perfect for each other in the beginning, but of course it's all a ruse. Needless to say, it took heartbreak just to repair the relationship the two leads had. Xu Yan does not give in that easily, she has proven over and over that she can move on with own capabilities. I really enjoyed watching a strong, independent woman create a path for themselves especially after a marriage. Xu Yan taught me that if one door closes, another will always open. You just need to think outside of the box. It's also okay to not forgive your parents, it's okay to go no-contact with people who did you wrong, etc. Zhao Lu Si did a phenomenal job portraying Xu Yan, she really embodies her character quite well.
The second arc focused on Shen Hao Ming (William Chan), Hao Ming felt like a background character in the first 10 episodes or so. As I said in the comments, he felt like an accessory to Xu Yan. When the truth came, his motives were also exposed. Long story short, he also put on a play for Xu Yan. But there's a saying "Distance makes the heart grow fonder." and that is exactly what happened with Shen Hao Ming. It took him a very long, long time to figure out where his heart lies. Initially he didn't realize he was in love with his "ex-wife", and he used a ton of excuses to try and keep her by his side. It was disgusting; I absolutely hated whenever he uses money to bribe people especially Xu Yan. Xu Yan has told him multiple times she don't need his money, she doesn't care - all she cared about was him. He has said multiple times that it was his arrogance, his pride, and selfishness that caused a rift between the two and FFS HE WOULDN'T SAY IT XU YAN UNTIL THE LAST COUPLE OF EPISODES. Anyhow, I did like his growth, his realization of what kind of person he was and he changed for the better all because he wants his wife back. :) The second arc is basically the rom-com section of the drama, I laughed so hard!! I was having such bad days during this period and Love's Ambition really helped me through with the comedic scenes. LOL
I started to like Hao Ming again as a character when he finally accepts and respects Xu Yan's boundaries. He eventually learned to help in way that she is able to accept not through money, but through supporting her.
William also did a great playing a enigmatic character, arrogant, and/or silly hopeless-in-love character throughout the drama.
The final arc focuses on Shen Hao Ming's family scandal and business, etc. It's interesting because the first arc focuses so much on Xu Yan, her family, and her hardships and now we see Shen Hao Ming's family struggles. It's the details that just perfect.
The side characters were interesting to say the least. I think Qiao Lin is a wonderful sister, despite some people thinking otherwise. Unfortuantely, she did not know what Xu Yan has gone through growing up because Xu Yan was always seen as an obedient, quiet daughter. Meanwhile, Qiao Lin treated Xu Yan as a typical little sister, and had always protected her in ways she could. Xu Yan never voiced out loud the neglect and favoritsm their parents had made. That is why we see Xu Yan easily accepts Qiao Lin back into her life, and not their parents.
There were definitely some psychotic characters that made my blood boil especially in THE FINAL 3 EPISODES FFS!
There's a lot I want to say about this drama, but this review is already too long. I loved the details, PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS! The OST is PERFECT! I also felt like this drama was very realistic especially when they're talking about business. I usually don't pay attention nor enjoy business or corporate dramas, but I was watching every minute of it in Love's Ambition. Then again it was about fashion, and I love fashion especially anything related to traditional clothes. I loved every song that came on! More love for one of my favorite singers, Eric Chou! <3 Whoever was in charge of the OSTs, may your pillow always be cold. Thank you!
Happy ending? YES!
Would I recommend it? Definitely if you love romance, angst, comedy, drama - it literally felt like they used every single genre possible for a modern drama. It was totally unexpected, but I loved every minute of it.
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