Modern C-drama Love’s Ambition Keeps Rising and Hits 32000 Heat Index in Tencent as Reviews Turn More Positive in the More Comedic Second Half
This is close to being a certified hit for Tencent, even with any watering allegations Love’s Ambition is still doing way better than expected and seems to be generating more and more positive feedback as the airing continues into the second half. The drama turns the usual narrative of fall in love happily and then hit obstacles later on upside down, with the conflict and lies embedded in the beginning of the drama while now in the second half it’s turned more comedic and fun as the two leads Zhao Lu Si and William Chan interact without the hidden intentions and layers of concealment. The arrival of new drama Fated Hearts, which is also doing solid on its own, has not hampered the viewership of LA and with only one week left of airing the drama if it ends well should be a great relief to the production.
Who cares about cheesy Cdrama’s fabricated indices? LOL. Yu Menglong’s tragedy fascinates me more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuFwVMs4xxU
I’m up to episode 7 so far and I like it. The story premise of the drama is interesting and that’s what drawing viewers in, instead of repeating old tropes which people are already tired of. When fake old stuff gets repeated too many times with nothing new, people get tired and lose interest LOL. ZLS should do more modern dramas if she settled her contract issue with her agency.
Willam Chan must be so happy…it has been awhile since he lead a popular drama. Congrates to this drama’s team!
I was surprised with how much I like it too. Modern dramas are usually all fluff and filler but this one doesn’t have the usual fluff and it’s thoughtfully written and directed. It feels a bit makjang-esque / slightly stressful 2000s melodrama but with a modern feel and OST. I think it appeals to a specific group of drama watchers and there must not have been a lot of such dramas lately that’s why it feels so fresh now.
Also, the original novel they say explores more straightforwardly the consequences of the country’s one-child policy and was quite tragic. The drama adaptation softens it up a lot and the second half (once their masks are off) are a lot more lighthearted.
I wasn’t planning on watching this but I’m now updated with the latest episodes. I was surprised with how much I like it too. Modern dramas are usually all fluff and filler but this one doesn’t have the usual fluff and it’s thoughtfully written and directed. It feels a bit makjang-esque / slightly stressful 2000s melodrama but with a modern feel and OST. I think it appeals to a specific group of drama watchers and there must not have been a lot of such dramas lately that’s why it feels so fresh now.
Also, the original novel they say explores more straightforwardly the consequences of the country’s one-child policy and was quite tragic. The drama adaptation softens it up a lot and the second half (once their masks are off) are a lot more lighthearted.
I’m happy to read the good comments here, as I like both actors.
Haven’t watched yet as it is not in my subscription platform, so I will have to wait for it.
But that is not true. As soon as the comedic part started people started complaining because William Chen can’t pull off comedy if his life depended on it. It is so cringe.
Hmmm. Because I watched everything on a binge, the transition to the lighter parts did not feel off to me, it felt natural. Maybe I would have felt different if I was watching it one or two episode(s) a day?
I disagree. He switches his acting between cold calculating and goofy comedic seemingly effortless. It’s entertaining to watch.
Honestly people do you buy into that acting and that drama quality ?
I can’t answer for everyone William Chan’s parts worked for me (my first drama of his) and I distinctly remember several raw crying scenes from Zhao Lusi, this is my favorite role of hers (I watched her in WRTW and LB, didn’t finish LLTG, only took a peek at Pearl Girl). Also, the OST captures the drama’s moods well. And the director seems to have given a lot of care and nuance to each scene. I think one episode should be enough to know if this drama appeals to you or not. The first half is part suspense, part melancholic. The second half (for now) feels more romcom.
Her robotic one-dimensional AI acting is probably one of the worst performances I have ever seen in my life. Some people are sure lucky. They can get away with any type of mediocrity at their craft. You call that lifeless demonstration acting ? Like girl went from literally overacting in “The last immortal” to completely be a robot in that drama here. And people call that great acting. Wow !
Obviously we have a hater here. The critiques against the actors/actress are malicious and not constructive.
Yup, that poster almost like “don’t tell me your a ZLS hater without telling me you’re a ZLS hater” lol
Hater or not, I am not obligated to like her and I can say her acting is robotic bad. Every pictures or snipet videos posted by borh fans and haters show an actress emulating an AI. So I confirm her performance here is one of the worst I have ever seen in my life.
Those who like makjang dramas with bad acting eat this stuff up but that is the majority of people who watch Chinese dramas. They aren’t even on the radar of the vast majority internationally. If they were any good, they would be rivalling kdramas by now.
Even in a micro drama like “What a good girl” where the female lead had to pretend to be something else and was acting cold and detached, she didn’t look like a soulless NPC with a posture looking like a constipated robot. If people call that “good acting” better close down all of those acting/drama/broadcasting (by some accounts her voice acting is terrible as well) academies cause what is the point ? 🤷‍♀️
Cdrama can never be up to par with K counterpart. Yu Menglong’s death has revealed this great secret dirty empire of money laundering by CCP officials. No wonder so many so-called S+ productions ended up like recycle in trash bins. LOL.
@Pru I beg to differ. There’s many reasons where Cdramas don’t do as well as Kdramas internationally but bad acting is not it. Not saying Love’s Ambition has great acting, but it’s enough for a modern idol drama, and this is coming from me who has criticized ZLS’s acting in her past dramas. Several gems pop up in Cdramas every now and then, but unlike Kdramas, they lack good English subs and US’s help to push their dramas to both US and international audience. Current Kdramas have also been westernized to cater to Western cultures, which made them more relatable. For example, we see MLs in sageuks start putting rings on the FL’s ring finger when it used to be gifting hairpins, and the Kdramas on Netflix have also become very explicit.
Not my type of drama, but I did check it out expecting some fun, makjang, but it’s more contemplative and subtle than I expected with realistic character journeys. I can see why some viewers, in search of something different from the usual, would like it. I saw clips of the comedic parts later in the drama, but they felt weird – like they belong in a completely different drama. I’m glad that other people like the comedic turn though.
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I I think ZLS fans should just admit they’ve turned their admiration into a full-blown cult — the Lusi Cult. They seem completely brainwashed by her sweet demeanor and demure persona, much like followers of an actual cult leader. No one is allowed to criticize her; the moment you do, you’re instantly labeled a “hater.” What kind of twisted logic is that?
Even when it’s obvious that she’s had some cosmetic enhancements, her followers blindly insist it’s just makeup — as if everyone else is as gullible as they are. These fans are incredibly biased and frustrating to deal with. Instead of hiring a competent lawyer to resolve her agency dispute, she’s busy with everything else — from starting her own company to mocking others.
ZLS fans are as blind as bats. Trying to reason with them is a complete waste of time. The so-called “heat index” has become a joke thanks to their manipulation. Despite knowing the underhanded tactics used to inflate viewership, they still flood social media with exaggerated praise for her acting and the supposed success of her drama.
Congrats to the Loves Ambition team.
Nothing against personal troubles, and depression, but how timely and ironic it is that ZLS’s trouble starting late 2024 to early 2025 from her beef with her management, her unexplained sickness, her sounding out of touch with reality in one provincial documentary, and sudden decision to go into impromptu Douyin seller/influencer mode is perfectly aligned with her character in Loves Ambition minus the crazy ex husband?
It must be really hard to maintain your S list rating from your Top Drama Love Like the Galaxy to the so-so dramas for 2024. Congrats to the Loves Ambition team for the perfect execution and timing.
Hopefully ZLS next drama won’t need her to perform even outside the screen.
Congrats to you for being named a ZLS fan. You’re a great performer too.