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I need a Fang Muyang in my life.

Unexpectedly GOOD!!

I watched this drama because of Chen Feiyu, and this is my second drama of Sun Qian (after The Guilty). I initially started it as a filler while waiting for more episodes of Generation to Generation, and I’m so sorry I almost skipped it :(

This is a slice-of-life drama, and many people think this kind of drama can be boring because it usually has less dramatic conflict. But this drama truly turns the simplicity of everyday moments (and the innocence of youth—just like the Chinese title suggests lol) into a compelling, interesting story.

First, the setting itself provides so many interesting aspects for storytelling. The girl is a factory worker whose dream is to become a university student. Achieving that dream was extremely difficult during that period because of government restrictions, as the universities only accepted workers, peasants, and soldiers through recommendations from their workplaces. Come on, Fei Ni just wants to go to university, why make it so difficult, my goodness. And then there’s the boy, who becomes an accidental hero after saving several neighbours during a storm. He also has a complex and fascinating family story.

I think the core of the drama is about this poor couple (like, financially… lol) who have limited resources in every aspect of life, yet they continue supporting each other to achieve their dreams. They face one hurdle after another and only have each other to lean on, but of course, they never give up. How much sweeter can it get?

Fang Muyang is such a green flag main lead, an entire forest, I can say. From the innocent first-love vibes, to the clever way he reacts to the sabotage his girl faces, to the constant positivity he shows throughout the story, UUUGGGHHHH I. LOVE. IT. He sets his eyes only on Fei Ni from beginning to end, and we all clap our hands when Fei Ni finally returns his feelings. He is the number one supporter of his wife through rain and storm, even an earthquake (literally). He even refuses to back down in the face of political suppression. Honestly, he is the best husband EVAR.

I can confidently say this drama is not boring at all. The pacing, the story, the characters, and even the villain, EVERYTHING works perfectly.

AND! THE SECOND COUPLE, GOSH.
I didn’t expect them to steal the spotlight, but their story is just as heartbreaking as the main couple’s. A marriage of convenience turns into true love. Despite all the lies and detours, they started wrong but ended up in the right place. Just as they should. I didn’t expect to search their edits on my timeline because I can't get enough of them. The chemistry is chemistrying.

I love how both couples are not simply “fake love turning real,” but rather people who heal each other, grow together, and complement each other. In the end, they also achieve their dreams. I feel like the dream part is a bonus; it’s the process that matters.

I also really enjoyed the family backstories, from the restrictions, the separations, and the difficult reunions. It feels like everyone is learning how to be an adult together, including the parents.

Lastly, the villain, OH MY GOD, Feng Lin, you are such a loser lol. All the evil things you did didn’t even bring you anywhere decent. Karma really exists, and you deserve it. And the Xu family, including the son and daughter-in-law, eat that! The actors did an amazing job portraying their characters. I almost punched my screen whenever they appeared. AND DON'T FORGET THAT LIN FAMILY! A truly evil leech family, huh.

It’s a pity the drama was a bit late in getting recognition. I really want to recommend it to everyone I know. The production quality is also impressive. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to build sets that resemble the 1970s. And the acting! Chen Feiyu surprised me. I didn’t know he could portray such a sweet, innocent character like Fang Muyang. Before this, I only knew him as Li Xun and Sima Jiao (I dropped Eat, Run, Love, so maybe that’s why).

Anyway, this drama is a great start to 2026 for me. Recently, modern dramas have been grabbing my attention more than the usual costume dramas (Generation to Generation, you failed us! Grrr).
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A pretty drama with a pretty cast that lived up to my expectations

My first ongoing C-drama in 2026. I’ve been waiting for this drama since I discovered Cheng Lei last year, and it doesn’t disappoint! I’ve never read the novel, the manhwa, nor watched the donghua, so I’m watching the drama as an original viewer lol.
I love it so much! I kind of lost track at the beginning of the plot. I mean, I know Prince Duan and the Empress Dowager are the villains, but their “slaves” (the ministers and allies) were all confusing me hahaha. I think I need more experience with politics and the monarch system in Chinese costume dramas (but come on, maybe I was just too tired to concentrate, because I digested Legend of Zang Hai just fine last year).

Anyway, I started the drama because of Cheng Lei, and he lived up to my expectations. His acting was just wow. When he switched his tyrant mode on, I was so scared. The angst… the backstory… when he silently cried inside for Zhang San’s memories, when Uncle Bei was gone, when he tried not to get emotionally attached to the other 2D characters… I cried with him :(((. I watched a lot of his dramas last year, and he set a new standard, at least for me.
Wang Chu Ran was also doing great with her role. She SUITS YU WANYIN TO THE BONE. The comedy was executed well, too. It’s not cringey, it suits the plot, and it IS funny. All the details of the modern “innovations” they brought to the palace, hahahahah I LOVE IT. As expected, my hotpot couple lol.

Praise to Wang Chu Ran as well, because what she portrayed is not just a pretty lucky girl holding spoilers from the book and trying to survive in the palace, but someone who actually made her power useful. I like how Yu Wanyin is such an F person (I mean her MBTI lol), because that’s what balances the soulless Xiahou Dan. She ‘undead’ him, wow.

Annndd, I need to make another paragraph for the visual production. IT IS AMAZING. I love how they threw red into the costumes, the makeup, the VISUALS. Xiahou Dan’s style is perfect. I love all the colors of his robes, the red-black one, the purple, the green, even the white at the Empress Dowager’s funeral. The hair is also good. I mean, I know C-costume dramas always deliver with long hair, but this one is just too good. Also, WANG CHU RAN, YOU PRETTY GIRL. I am not a fan of her, but I know I need to compliment her this time. The dresses… I mean, ALL HER CLOTHES ARE AMAZING. I love her makeup, her hairstyles, her sparkling accessories, even her silk pajamas lol. And COME ON, I REPLAYED THE EMPRESS STRUT LIKE FOUR TIMES?? The crown, the dress, the tail ARGH, SHE’S BEAUTIFUL. And I saved her photo in that costume, the one Cheng Lei posted on Weibo. You know which one lol.

So, I’m glad I’m watching How Dare You while it’s ongoing, because I’m embracing all the hype and replaying the clips on my timeline since I don’t want to move on yet. One thing, though: the ending might be disappointing for some people (especially novel readers), because it’s just too short (noooooo), but I’m slowly accepting it :D.
I’ve seen worse endings for this kind of transmigration story lol. At least we got that iconic HI HOW ARE YOU I’M FINE THANK YOU AND YOU (and adult Zhang San in pretty styling) arrrggghhhh!

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