Drama: Speed and Love
Aired: December 12, 2025
Episodes: 29
Platforms: Viki, iQIYI
Rating: 🌸🌸🌸🌸 (4/5 Cherry Blossoms)
After the emotional letdown that was the ending of Dynamite Kiss, I went into Speed and Love with low expectations. I’d seen a lot of positive comments online, but honestly, the first few episodes didn’t immediately hook me.
Story Overview 🏎️
Esther Yu stars as Jiang Mu, affectionately called Mu Mu, with He Yu as the male lead Jin Zhao. Their story begins with a complicated, emotionally loaded past. Jin Zhao is Mu Mu’s adopted older brother—taken in by her father after the death of his close friend. While Mu Mu’s father wanted to adopt him, her mother opposed it. Soon after, Mu Mu’s parents divorced, and her father took Jin Zhao with him to Thailand, separating the two children when Mu Mu was still in elementary school.
They don’t see each other for ten years.
When Mu Mu is older and fully aware that they are not related by blood, she travels to Thailand to reunite with her father and Jin Zhao. That’s when she discovers Jin Zhao’s dangerous double life—illegal racing, underground fighting, and unfinished college studies. From there, what begins as familiarity and unresolved emotions slowly transforms into undeniable attraction. 
💥 Chemistry That Carries the Drama 💥
The chemistry between Esther Yu and He Yu is electric. Their interactions are charged with longing, restraint, and tension, making the romance feel intense and emotionally layered. Jin Zhao is the ultimate stoic male lead—closed off, stubborn, and emotionally self-sacrificing—while Mu Mu is expressive, persistent, and fearless when it comes to love.
The racing scenes deserve a special mention. They gave me strong Fast & Furious vibes and added adrenaline to the romance. Watching them together made me feel young again—that nostalgic, heart-racing feeling that classic C-dramas sometimes deliver when everything aligns just right.
🚨 Spoiler Alert 🚨
What Worked—and What Didn’t
Their breakup and six-year separation was bold, but honestly… six years felt like a lot. Mu Mu’s unwavering longing and determination to find him again felt slightly unrealistic. After that much time, I think most people would be more angry than hopeful. While she was annoyed with him, I still felt she chased him a little too hard toward the end.
I wanted Jin Zhao to suffer more—to chase her, to make up for the emotional damage he caused. His reaction when Mu Mu (falsely) says she’s getting married was perfect—you could see his heart drop—but I wanted more pursuit, more desperation from him. She deserved it.
That said, I did enjoy her teasing him and pushing his emotional limits. He needed it. He’s the kind of man who won’t admit his feelings unless forced to confront losing her.
Romance & Boundaries 
I could not get over the fact that Jin Zhao knew Mu Mu from infancy—he even mentions seeing her in an incubator. That detail was hard to fully shake, even knowing they aren’t biologically related.
Because of that, I actually wished the drama had leaned into a more restrained romance—waiting until marriage would’ve felt more in character for Jin Zhao, especially given how protective and reverent he is toward her.
Mu Mu initiating the “first kiss” made sense—he wouldn’t dare cross that line himself. When they finally do kiss, though? Whew. The scene was incredibly steamy and emotionally charged, proving once again how strong their chemistry is. (That bonus scene of him kissing her while she’s asleep, though… yeah, that had me saying WTH because that was technically their first kiss!?)
Final Thoughts
Despite a slightly dragging final stretch and some emotional choices I questioned, Speed and Love is a solid drama with heart, heat, and style. The side characters were enjoyable, the racing subplot added excitement, and Jin Zhao treating Mu Mu like an absolute princess was everything.
It’s not perfect—but it’s memorable, passionate, and emotionally engaging. If you’re looking for a romance with intensity, longing, and a male lead who loves deeply but painfully, Speed and Love is worth the ride.
Final Rating: 🌸🌸🌸🌸
Would I rewatch it? Absolutely.
